Spring's a comin'

I don't need a groundhog to tell me what I'm already aware of- spring is coming!
The weather today is a nice 54. I know the temp will flip- flop a little more before finally staying warm, but I'm still excited to see the first signs of spring.

He huffed and puffed and blew the house down

While some are you are covered in snow and ice, we are fortunately snow-free but having a very blustery day. Seriously, I keep waiting for the house to fall down (or at least some trees). It.Is.That.Windy. I had to go out and do some pet sitting, and I did some cleaning earlier, but otherwise I've been snuggled up on the couch (with George, of course) trying to read. I say trying, because it's extremely distracting when the wind is howling outside. I am afraid of the howling wind. And yes, I know this admission will make me sound like a pansy, but I don't care. It does.

We had a day like this while Dan was deployed last year, and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I was so nervous from all the different noises that I just stayed in bed all day (luckily it was a Saturday, so I didn't skip work or anything-don't worry). It was the best option I could think of compared to being up and all alone in a house listening to strange, and scary noises. At least today Dan is home. And although he's sleeping, it's still nice.

Anyhow, I hope all you snow bunnies stay warm and safe. You're welcome to come stay with us- our weather is in the 60's, but I can't promise you the house will still be standing when you come.

Chilly Dogs

Here are a few shots of the dogs playing in the snow on Tuesday. Of course the snow was melted the next day, but they still had a blast playing in it while it lasted.

*Sorry the pictures aren't that great. It's hard to take photos of dogs and snow!

Zelda, who never holds still.....

Georgie

Zelda with really bad dandruff (just kidding- it's snow).

I think Zeus was trying to let the snow bury him.

Onyx was outside playing, but she snuck in, only to want back out while I was taking pictures. I made her stay inside so all you get to see is her sulking at the door while all the other dogs play.

Rare footage

Folks, don't try to adjust your computer monitors, the pictures you are about to see are no hoax. There has been no photo editing. What you are about to see is very real.

Witness:

SNOW!- in Goldsboro. I know, I know- you're stunned. You can't believe your eyes. And I know you probably fell out of your chair when you saw these images (and I do apologize for startling you. Hope you're okay) but BELIEVE IT! I too thought it was nothing more than an urban myth, but I have seen it with my own eyes and therefore it must be true.

Me against the floor

Well we finally bought our laminate flooring on Friday afternoon. After letting the boxes sit for 24 hours to become room temperature, I started laying and cutting the boards. This flooring is suppose to just slide and lock like our last flooring did. One problem. It doesn't. In fact, it doesn't even want to be "tapped" into place. So....in order to spare you all the boring details, let me just tell you that if you don't hear from me over the next few days, it is because I am in an ongoing battle with the laminate flooring. And I do mean a battle. I might just sell this house with the floor partly done.

We will try this again

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

A Little of This, A Little of That

Here's a little update of what's been going on around here:

-We sold one car (the camaro). Now we are working on getting rid of the Trans Am and the Truck. Nevada has stricter rules for emissions and the truck is not old enough to be exempt from these tests so I guess we have to say goodbye to it. *tear*

-Our new television is still MIA. I have calledandcalledandcalled and yet nobody at Samsung seems to have any clue why it hasn't been shipped yet (real helpful). So maybe we might get it before we move. Who knows.

-We finally have the money to get our new floors done.Plus, they ended up being $150 cheaper then I had planned, so that's a blessing. I would love to put them in this week, but the temp has dropped severely and I don't know if I want to be cutting pieces in our ice cold basement. Although..... we have been waiting a year for these floors, so I might just grit my teeth and bear it. I'll post pictures when they're done. And- I'll try to remember to put pictures up of the bathroom remodel.

-Dan's promotion was last Friday. They had a ceremony with the commander and then I got to punch his arm. I know I really hurt him, but he was a good sport anyway =)

-I've had quite a bit of pet-sitting lately so that's been keeping me busy. I've started telling everyone that we are moving, and all my clients have been really sweet about it. I was a little sad when I finished a job the other day, because I was thinking I probably wont see those animals anymore. It seems silly, but I've been taking care of most of these animals for over 2 years and I'll miss seeing their furry little faces.

-Dan is playing on a basketball team now, so hopefully he wont get injured! Maybe he'll make it through one sport without a visit to the doctor.

-I finally used my birthday gift certificate that Dan got me. It was for a 60 minute full body massage, and let me tell you, it was wonderful. I was sore later that night, but I would highly recommend getting one. Why oh why have I waited so long..... Thank you for the wonderful gift, Dan!

-Mostly I would just ask that you pray for us to get through this move smoothly. With Dan going to California, me taking the dogs to Cincy, and then all of us finally moving to Vegas, there is a lot of planning. It's rather overwhelming (for me at least). Dan is cool as a cucumber, as usual.

Anyhow, that is what's new at our house. Exciting, huh? Always.

Can you guess what this means?

Yep- in August we will be residents of Las Vegas, Nevada

Christmas Pictures

*If you are worried, I won't be referring to you by name

Most of the crew.

AND-If you'll notice from the photo stitching, my oldest sister is giving out presents in one corner and also sitting next to Mom in the other. She's that fast.

Dad and Mom

Aunt V.and Uncle J.

More family

W. with his present that was as big as he was

The Bear (looking extremely bored, I might add!).

Cousin E. and his son

Polly

Aunt C.

Tigger stealing Pappaw's chair

Pappaw- making sure no one moves from their seats -or steals his chair again =)

Sweatpea, unsure if she can wait for dinner

The lovely Mammaw

I apologize to the people that don't have their own picture on here. A few pictures were trashed due to my poor shooting skills and/ or my flash being off. However, I love all of you very much and I was so happy to get to spend Christmas Eve with you!

And Then There Were Four

Since the holidays are now officially over, Dan had to go back to work last night. As disappointing as it was for me that he wasn't on vacation anymore, I was really excited because last night was the first night he got to go to work as a Sergeant. Check out the stripes!

And no, he is not allowed to wear his hat like that.

missing in action

I had intended to post some picture from my visit, but it seems the cable to my camera does not want to be found. I guess that's what I get for leaving, while my Husband is left at home to "clean"