Cold again!

The weather is continuing to flip from one season to another overnight. We have been keeping up with our hectic life. Joe is taking a computer class now trying to get all his credits together so he has been busy. Last Friday we met some friends at the harbor and went to Cheesecake Facory for dinner and then to the Science Center, then back to CF for dessert. It was lots of fun and the food was yummy! Cammie starts soccer in a couple of weeks so that should be fun. Nothing seems to wear her out but I don't think she has been getting enough sleep but I am not sure how to rectify that problem.
Trying to get some things done in the yard and around the house! We tried fostering two adorable puppies last week but it was too much craziness, our bunch hated them and Cammie kept screaming that they were biting her. Soooo... That was a lot of fun.

I neglected to mention that last Sunday Leslie brought Kilo over and he got along great with our bunch! We all met Timmy, Steph and Tanner for breakfast at Lsbon. Yum! Then we got some stuff done around the house and the Fishers came over for dinner. We realized we hadn't seen them in far too long. Tuesday I took Cammie to doctor and she still has just a virus so she missed school on Tuesday and swimming and mastics on Thursday. The weather has taken a turn for the nice and yesterday we got some plants so we can do a little at a time. Looks good so far. Have to keep the motivation working!

Cammie and Clyde will be doing the annual Lab Rescue Dogwalk this year on June 2, with Uncle Gary. If you could possibly make a donation, any amount would help, we would REALLY appreciate it.
http://dogwalk2012.dojiggy.com/CAMMIEANDCLYDE

I wanna go on vacation!!!!!!

As usual it has been a string of unusual events around here.  Cammie is continuing with swimming and 'nastics.  We are still passing some sort of sickness around. I got to have some one on one lunch time with JLO after my pain management appointment.  We met at Red Robin. They had the BEST baked potato soup.  It was so nice to just sit for a little bit and chat.  I took Cammie to the doctor last week after meeting Leslie and Doug for breakfast at Bob Evans (YUM) and she said it's just a virus.  Joe finished his Safety Officer class and is very glad to be done with that!  I had to go for an ambulance ride last thursday but so far all is ok.  I was having chest pains but the ER ruled out a cardiac reason and blamed it on reflux and anxiety.  I followed up with my doctor today and of course she referred me for a cardiac workup just to make sure.  I ran a couple of errands and then was almost done getting a pedi when Cammie's school called and said that she was in the office with a fever and kept saying she wasn't feeling well.  I picked her up about 15 minutes early and she is acting fine.  She still has a cough and runny nose but hasn't had a fever.  Got a bunch of odds and ends planned for the rest of the month and trying to schedule some fun family things.  I want to go lay on a beach somewhere!

My New IPAD Holder

Well whatever sickness that was going around I sure did get it. Bleck!!!  Cammie finally lost the runny nose and cough and Joe finally got rid of his cough.  I finished my avelox yesterday and am finally feeling mostly human again.  We had a busy weekend last weekend.  We went to a Bull Roast in Canton for The Merson's daughters softball team and that was lots of fun.  We haven't hung out with Johnny and Heather in forever.  Monica came too and it was awesome to see her.  Cindy, who went to school with Joe was there and Brandy and Jimmy and a couple of others too.  It was lots of fun even though they made me dance and there really isn't enough alcohol in the world for me to want to do that anymore.  Cammie spent the night at Aunt Donna's and then Joe got a call for OT on his kelly day (big ol' YAY) so he got up early and went in and I slept in til 1030 which would have been fine if I wasn't supposed to be at the Adoption Day in Frederick at 1030.  YIKES!  I think I made it by 1130 and 19 out of 21 dogs got adopted.  HUGE YAY!!  I went to pick Cammie up after that and then found out that Leslie and Ms Sue went to Cracker Barrel without me!!  This past week I've had a little bit of a break because Cammie had a break from swimming.  It doesn't start back up til next week, so there was much less rushing around.  Alice came out on Wednesday to see Cammie and was going to take us to lunch, sadly we let Cammie pick and we ended up at McDonalds.  We did try to pressure her towards Green Turtle but she was dead set on burger fries.  Joe is almost done his ISO class which he said has been hard.  We have things pretty well planned out for March and then there is a little lull before soccer starts mid April.  We are all doing well with changing our eating habits and trying to stick to budget.  My goal is to get our grocery bill down to $75 a week.  I can't wait til all the fresh produce comes in!  We are going to be canning and freezing our butts off!!  Not really looking forward to tomorrow, got a lot of cleaning to catch up on. But we did get to enjoy the hot tub tonight! Nice!!

It's all Fairy Tales and Princesses

Fighting an awful flu so I am farther behind than usual.  Cammie has been busy with her activities and she is loving school and really enjoying being with the other kids.  Her last swimming class for this session was today and she got a little certificate and ribbon so she was thrilled.  She has a week off and then moves up to the next class!  She is getting a lot braver in gymnastics and is doing well in that.  We are going to try soccer soon so that should be lots of fun.  We got our taxes done and sent out so just waiting for that windfall to come in and be spent!  Joe has been taking ISO class and doing a lot of research on the solar panels.  It looks like we are going to give that a go this year. 

So much for being organized

I feel like every time I get a step ahead I fall back a whole flight. Cammie has been busy with school, gymnastics and swimming. In her last swimming class they were learning how to climb out on the wall and she just hoisted herself right up with no help. Yikes! She loves FaceTime and chatting on that. We had a knock down drag out temper tantrum last week before school. We had gone to swimming and then home for an hour to eat lunch and get ready for school. Well apparently that's not going to work, I am going to try taking her to lunch and maybe the library to spend time but I think as long as we keep moving she will be ok.
Last Thursday we had an eye appointment on kent island so we went to Big Bats after since Jennifer was working, Matt brought the kids up and then later the Brown ladies all showed up. It was lots of fun, none of us wanted to leave.
Friday we dropped our taxes off at chucks and we are hoping to hear soon that we are getting a buttload of money back. While we were there Brian Pennewill stopped by with Aunt Karen so we got to see them for couple minutes.
Sunday we met Tim, Steph and Tanner at Lisbon Vfc for breakfast. YUM! There was a bunch of people there. Then we went home to try to nap before our foray into the city to see Disney on Ice. Good lord, we followed Timmy and Steph and got stuck in traffic by the convention center so by the time we got in and got the tickets the show was starting. Missi, Mike, Morgan and Owen were already in the seats. Cammie dressed as Ariel, Morgan was Cinderella and Tanner was Belle. They were so cute. The show was pretty good, there are some things I would have changed and it was crazy crowded. You couldn't even stand in line for drinks or food. It was a good time though and then we ate at Becks.
Cammie was really good throughout dinner, I think the stone/marble jar is working somewhat. We started that after the big meltdown last week.
Today we had a guy from Aurora Energy come to talk to us about solar panels. He was really good and hopefully will come up with some not horrifying numbers.
Joe has to work on Valentines Day so we had our dinner the other night, shrimp, tuna steaks and lobster tail. YUM!

Yes, Cammie went to Disneyworld again!

I figured I'd better get on the ball and update all the Cammie fans before they riot.  Here goes!!

January 19th the dogs went to the groomers for a spa day and we went to 'nastics and then hit Sams Club to stock up before our membership ran out then we all had appointments with Ms Sue!  On the 22nd, Jessica, Debby and Jayden came over to watch the football game with Joe and Kristen joined us also since she was spending the night.  We had yummy snacks and Joe made taco salad for dinner.  The next morning (23rd) we got up disgustingly early and left for the airport with Bruce Bennett.  Our plane took off at 0630. YUCK!  But Cammie fell asleep while we were taxi-ing down the runway and slept most of the flight.  We landed half an hour early and had to wait about ten minutes for an open gate but other than that the flight was pretty uneventful.  We were at the Magic Kingdom by 1030!  We spent a long day there but had lots of fun and the weather was wonderful.  It stayed wonderful all week, sunny and in the 80's.  I did not want to come home!!  Tuesday we did Hollywood studios and Wednesday Downtown Disney and then Magic Kingdom.  We finally got to see the show on the castle and we watched the fireworks which Cammie loved.  Thursday Cammie and I hung around the resort for a while and she played on the playground, we took a walk and had a picnic lunch.  Then we went to EPCOT for a little while.  Had to get some fish n chips. YUM!!  Friday morning we got up and headed for the airport to come home and it was a terrible flight.  But we landed half an hour early again and were home by lunch time!

Saturday evening Cammie had a sleep over with Aunt Donna so that Joe and I could go to his shift party at the Phoenix in Ellicott City.  That was lots of fun, good company and good food. 

Joe has been working very hard on the hall bathroom and Cammie has been helping when she can.  She wants a princess bathroom so I better start looking for a paint color and decorations. 

Monday the 30th she was back to school and glad to see all of her friends.  I got a ton of errands done and saved a bunch on groceries at Weis.  I watched Extreme Couponing the night before and got motivated again!!  Tuesday Cammie started swimming lessons again and she did really well.  Then we picked up Brady for school and I went to Walmart. It was crazy crowded in there and I forgot half the stuff that was on my list.  Ugh...  Wednesday we had a playdate with Brady at the playground and the Greenspring lady Eva came over to check on the hot water heater and show us some programming but it turned out she needs someone to show her so the installer needs to come back.  Eva is so nice but we are so over Greenspring.   We will not be using them for our future solar needs.  Today Cammie had another swimming lesson and then Gymnastics.  So hoping it wears her out!! Last night she fell asleep on the couch a little before 8 and we got some tub time in.  Joe cleaned it yesterday and replaced the filters.  It was so nice last night!!!  Now it's time to get some organizing and cleaning done!!

Pirate Princess

Life would be lovely if we hadn't all caught the plaugue.  We have been passing it around since coming home from the Happiest/Germiest place on earth.  Yesterday we all went to the doctors and I think Joe wins the award for the Sickest.  I have a sinus infection, he's got a bunch of cooties and Cammie just has a virus.  Last week I finally got to see my friend Missi when we went to gymnastics.  We had been missing each other so we got to catch up while we watched Cammie and Morgan do their thang.  Alice picked Cammie up that afternoon for a sleepover and Joe came home from work early because friday morning I had to have a procedure done at Montgomery General.  They were super nice there.  I got delayed about 20 minutes because the doctor had to deliver a baby before he could come downstairs but all in all it was an easy experience.  We took it easy over the weekend and then Monday we had company, a friend from High School that I had not seen since well... HS Jennifer (Dewey) Robbins and her family came over.  It was fun to catch up and her hubby Dan is a lab lover so of course the pups were in heaven since no one every pays any attention to them.  Cammie loved playing with Lilly and Harrison and we all had a great visit.  I just felt bad because I was feeling bad from the sinus deal so I know I wasn't my usual self but hopefully she will forgive me and we can visit again!  Cammie went to school on Tuesday and a bunch of kids were out sick and they sent two home sick.  So this crud is unavoidable.  I am feeling better since starting the antibiotic.  Today Joe had to work and Cammie and I went to my pain management appointment.  She loves going to see Ms Anneliese!  Got things started for the spinal cord stimulator so I just have to have a MRI and a psych eval (??) before my next appointment.  Should be interesting!

Still trying to catch up...

So far my New Year's resolution to get more organized has been coming in dribs and drabs.  I feel like I am starting to finally get my head above water though.  I think once we come back from Orlando it will get better.  I have accomplished several things on my growing to do list so there's a good start!!  We have been kicking butt with the couponing.  I am hoping to start a facebook page about sharing coupons, I started one about Disney tips but I am still trying to figure out all the details to get it up and running.  I know it should not be as complicated as I am making it out to be! 

We went over to Matt and Jennifer's last Thursday and then went to Outback for dinner and it was so yummy.  I could eat their bread forever and then I got an oreo waffle dessert that was incredible.  Joe had to practically roll me home.  Blew off the diet big time that night!!  Dirty Banana plus bread plus baked potato soup plus dessert.....  All my weaknesses all rolled into one.   Friday was gorgeous out and Cammie and I went to the playground and she played for a while and then rode her scooter for a bit.  There were some bigger boys playing pretty rough and I think that put her off a bit.  Someone also left a dog tied to a tree and all the people who were there when we got there were gone before we left.  Joe had a dispatcher call me and they were going to let animal control know.  The dog was so sweet, should have just brought him home.  We are so in need of a farm so we can start our own rescue ranch!!  Saturday we went to an open house at the Reuhls.  Their new house is really nice and their neighborhood is very family oriented.  Leslie and Josh came to see Cammie on Sunday while they were out riding Dreamer and PawPaw.  Cammie was so excited and Leslie took her around a bit on Dreamer.  Hopefully she will be able to get some lessons in soon, she misses riding.  Leslie has been really busy though.  Cammie is back in the swing of things with school, they are working on their letters now and they are getting classroom jobs.  She loves the kids in her class and the teachers.  Monday I got so much stuff done while she was in school, I couldn't believe it.  Tuesday Joe was off and we took Brady to school as well.  Went to the Post Office and then we ran a couple of errands and went to lunch at Cobblestone Grill.  It was really yummy.  Tomorrow is 'nastics and then Friday I have an outpatient procedure at Montgomery General so Cammie is having a sleepover at Aunt Alice's Thursday night since I have to be there at six in the morning.  Apparently they did not get the message that I am not a morning person......  Wish me luck!!

Happy 2012!!!!!!!

Well the new year has started with a bang! New years eve we went to a party at the Sharpes and it was lots of fun. Cammie loved playing with all the kids and she was playing football and wrestling with Brady. We are all slowly recovering from the vile sickness, Joe still has a cough, Cammies is almost gone and I finally feel human again. We are trying to eat healthier and are working on losing some unwanted insulation. Also planning some stuff to do around the house and I am going to enroll Cammie in some more classes when we get back from florida. Have done some good couponing lately so I am hopeful that starting out strong will help us keep going. Cammie went back to school yesterday and took her puppets from the great uncles for show and tell. They had an awesome birthday party. Wyatt's mom brought in cookies and things to decorate them with. Plus they had ice cream! It has been hatefully cold the past few days. On Monday we took Cammie to Bruce and Kate's farm since she had been asking to go for a couple of days. They had twenty baby goats and they were TOO cute!!! Cammie likes the goats and the cats best I think, she also helped the kids spread straw around and then had fun eating cookies with Audrey. Yesterday we went with Donna to her friend Michelle's house to see her lights and decorations. Her house looked gorgeous. She had over ten thousand lights in the trees outside. It was most impressive. I am usually not a fan of antiques but one of her many trees was decorated with her mother in laws jewelry and hankies. One tree was all dried queen Anne's lace and ribbons, and one was all the little Christmas baskets from longaberger, and the one in the kitchen was all cookie cutters. I was so impressed and I can't imagine how long it took her to decorate. Cammie loved it!!!

I have not yet figured out how to put the pictures on from my new IPAD but I am slowly getting more familiar with it. We had an awesome Christmas this year, the best ever in my opinion. Joe woke Cammie and I up and she was so excited to see all her presents. Mom and Dad and the Great Uncles came over to open gifts and have breakfast with us which was lots of fun. Gary told the funniest story about a lady flying with her cat. We went to the Beadenkopfs after that and ate way too much. Cammie got even more gifts and Andrew made us a wall hanging out of a window frame that is perfect. We had a mini open house that evening and had a great time visiting with the Cellinis, Donna and Bill, Daniel and Kristen, Alice and Mike, Emily and Edd, Mike and Donna and Meaghan, Rick and Nathan. I was sure Cammie would crash when everyone left, she laid in bed and watched the winnie the pooh movie and then wanted to play so we were up til about one. So needless to say I did not do any shopping today. Joe and Cammie went out for a bit and I got some of her stuff put away. Trying to psych myself up to start a diet since I am totally disgusted by the scale numbers. Got lots of plans for the new year so we will be getting very organized and hopefully much healthier!

Merry Christmas to all!

Cute Christmas Program at School!!

Monday I made another trip to the post office but went to Eldersburg so it went much smoother!  The Woodbine PO is horrible.  Cammie entertained the cashier by singing jingle bells for him so he enjoyed that.  We went to the library and then I was informed that she had to have burger/fries before school or she would be very upset.  I'm sure you can figure out what we did then.  After I dropped her off I did some Christmas shopping and now I am officially done except for some gift cards that I need to pick up.  Tuesday was the Christmas Program at school and that was really cute.  They sang some songs and did a little skit and then had an ice cream social.  So sweet.  Got some grocery shopping done today and just trying to get the house in order for the big weekend.  Also trying to keep the wild woman under control.  She loves Christmas lights and she understands about Santa.  She still doesn't want to sit on his lap but she definitely wants to be on the nice list!!

Still waiting for Santa

Business as usual in the frenzy leading up to Christmas.  I just can't believe that is almost here.  All three of us are finally recovering from some cold/flu/grossness that we probably picked up in Disney or on the plane.  Wednesday I felt like death and had a fever so I missed the annual executive board dinner and poor Joe had to go by himself.  I felt a little better on Thursday and Cammie went to gymnastics and then we did some running around.  I think we have also finally recovered from the great tree fall of '11.  The Christmas tree is tied to the wall and has showed no signs of movement since the other night.  On Friday I made a run to the post office to ship Lab Rescue calendars and ended up being there over an hour as the computer crashed halfway through.  Ugh.....  Joe called while we were in the PO and asked for some Mucinex so we took a trip to see him.  Cammie loves seeing the boys at the firehouse and she had fun talking to Mr. Boz.  After that I apparently went insane because I thought it would be ok to run to Columbia Mall.  I just had to go to Disney store and Build a Bear.  I parked somewhere near our house I think and had to walk forever.  The place was crazy and we were lucky to make it out intact!!  Saturday my Mom and Dad picked up Cammie and took her to their house so she could help them decorate their tree and she enjoyed that.  We ran some errands (crazy on a saturday) and grabbed a bite at Glory Days.  YUM!  Now I am just making sure I can fit everything I need to in this next week.  I am so dreading a trip to the post office tomorrow.  I only have about 30 orders to ship but after friday.... I tried to ship them Saturday but we got to the PO right after it closed.  I just want to take this moment to say to our mailman, I think you are the biggest douche.  And I'll leave it at that.  Today we had a good family day, Donna came over to make sugar cookies and then made us chicken and dumplings for dinner.  That's always a way to get on my good side!!  Our friend Heather stopped by to drop off a plate of cookies.  She's awesome and I love that Cammie calls her Feather.  Well enough rambling for now...... Night!!!

Is Santa coming tonight?

That is the question of the day/week/hour!  Cammie understands Christmas this year for sure!!  Saturday we met Jennifer, Brooke and Alyssa at the Lyric to see Phineas and Ferb Live.  It was SO awesome!!  They did a really funny show and I would love to see it again.  I hope when it finishes they do it at Disney.  It was hysterical.  The grownups were laughing just as hard as the kids.  I won't bore you with the details of our lovely drive to and from the city.  Just one word should cover it... yikes!  Sunday Joe got some OT or Mickey Money as we have been calling it! So Cammie and I went with the Beadenkopfs to cut down a tree.  Cammie found one and Daniel cut it down and Paul drug it to the truck and then later Daniel brought it in for us.  It looks really good.  It's been a while since we have had a real tree.  Donna and I made chocolate chip cookies all afternoon Sunday and Cammie helped.  She especially liked taste testing the chips before we put them in.  All together I think we made 4 double batches and they are so yummy.  Then everyone came over for chili and left right before Joe got home.  Trying to stay on the diet while baking cookies is hard!!  They finally turned out the way I like them this year and I believe that it is because of the mixer!  Cammie went to school today and I went to Weis and the post office.  I save 95 bucks at Weis!!  Got a huge cartful of food!  Trying to get organized in sending out the Lab Rescue calendars too.  So lots going on as usual!!  I'm trying to keep up!!