Halloween and Beyond

I realize it's again been too long since I've blogged. Working 7 days a week has prevented me from having any fun time. I really don't have time to be blogging now since I have pictures to be working, but I'm taking some time anyway.

So the day before Halloween I bought a new camera. Nikon D80. Not the "newest" but a step up from my old D50 and I love it.

I also bought a new and FABULOUS lens- 16 - 50mm f2.8 love it

Great piece of glass....love this lens.

So the plan is to have Karl start shooting with me. So far, he hasn't but before wedding season picks up I'm hoping to have him second on a few things. If not, Cianah is going to help. :) Someone is going to start helping with this. I'm getting worn out.

So Friday was Halloween. My lovely new job let us go early (with pay) because they ROCK. Went to the Colenburgs to pick up the younger Colenburgs and Melanie to come trick or treating.

So Cianah got this Vampiress costume for Kelci's Halloween party the previous week but didn't want to wear that to school. So for school and the football game that night she was an "anti- Barbie" Which is in itself Cianah. Anti- anything within the establishment.

Ok so these are ALL Cianah's "real" clothes, minus the wig that I'm still not sure who she stole it from.

She thinks she's making a statement. I'm pretty sure that all this has already been done. I'm pretty sure there were some freaks in the 80s and 90s that looked just like this "special" child. Whatever...she's not letting "the man" keep her down.

Tati was a bar wench. I'm not sure why? She really wanted to be Frenchy from Grease, but the $65 for outfit ruled it out. Maybe once I get that money tree to grow she can be Frenchy.

Bree was a vampire. None of her pictures turned out and I am WAY too lazy today to retake them.

I took pictures of the Colenburgs too but I don't feel like working those right now. I have so many "real" pictures to work I don't want to do anything else.

So after taking the Colenburgs home that night and taking the Colenburgs home I had to deal with Cianah. Apparently at the football game one of her friends "made out" with some guy she didn't know. Then Cianah, apparently the moral authority was pissed. And then Kelci was mad at Cianah for being mad at the other girl...blah, blah, blah. Ok so all of the girls that have EVER been in High School and gotten OUT of HS....know how "normal" this is.

I finally told her that if I was mad at all my friends that were sluts in HS, I would have had very few friends. lol

So drama, drama, drama...by Saturday night the "slut" was spending the night at our house. All is well with the world.

Sunday I did a photo shoot for the Radfords and the Chards. So it turns out that it's not the best idea. The thought process was that having other kids there that would distract when you weren't taking a pictures. However it turns out that other child distract you while you are taking pictures. And they also divert you from wanting to take pictures. So we ended up reshooting the Chards the following weekend.

Anyway I think they turned out well:

Radfords: http://hobdypixphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/6445483_S6c9d#410936171_qFHzC

Chards take 1:

http://hobdypixphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/6445464_3ADw5#415332065_sB9Bk

Then Karl and I ran off to the Rams game. We had GREAT seats....too bad we played Arizona and got killed. It was still a lot of fun.

After grocery shopping and normal Sunday routine it was the start of a new work week....

So I still like the job a lot. So easy. So stress free. Although SOMETIMES I still have questions from Medicine Shoppe people and it brings it all back into focus. Panic Attack central.

So I totally think in the first week of working accounts I had the system down. So nice to have a system. For those of you who work in AR at Medicine Shoppe...you know what I mean.

So work is smooth. I'd say the only downfall, it's too quiet. So I am not getting moved over to the "outcast" building. No one really talks at work. It's the quietest collection office I have ever worked in. Most people do a fair amount of collections via email so there's rarely a need to use the phone. I use the phone most of the time. There isn't a lot of banter and socializing like what I am used to. And the other thing is I can totally see me being bored at this job in a year. So there's that. But for now I'll take the peace and stress free job that pays me very well.

So Cianah started soccer with practice on Monday nights and games on Saturday. Which is great since Bree has basketball practice on Tuesday nights and games on Saturday. So with 2 sports and photo shoots every weekend...I needed reinforcements. My mom had to take Bree to last Saturday's game while Karl took Cianah to her soccer game. I haven't been to anything so no pictures.

I had a senior pictures shoot on Saturday morning. It was cold but I much prefer outdoor pictures so I am still sticking to that, cold and all. I'm still not done working her pictures but here's the link to the ones that are up:

Millicent: http://hobdypixphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/6501489_vQCjn#412953528_4LikW

Then Saturday afternoon we took our own family pictures. Crystal and Dan or Colortouch Photography took us to this fabulous park. I don't have the pictures back yet (they are even busier than I am)

But here is one of the pictures.

Then Sunday was the Chard's retake day:

http://hobdypixphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/6511500_28sWf#413706974_3Dv9U

I came home and slept from noon until 3...I was beat. It was cold and I don't think I got the chill out for days.

Then back to the 9-5 or 7:30 - 4:30. Work was fine. I got a few promises to pay so hopefully those will be coming in.

This weekend I've got the Heathman/Ysaguire family on Saturday and the Hollander Family on Sunday. We may try to squeeze the Purcell's and the Head's in on one of those days too.

It's supposed to be COLD on Saturday, but we still plan on being outside. Sunday isn't supposed to be as bad. I think the 50s so I can do that.

I don't have anything scheduled for the 22 & 23 so fingers crossed I can actually watch a game....YEAH.

Then it's Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping....

I hope that brings you all up to date. Nothing overly funny, but it may be more about the fact that I can barely remember my name let alone what funny things happened in Hobdy Life.

Ok funny story. On Friday night we went shopping to get some new clothes for our pictures. So in the car between stores, everyone was getting along...Tati said to Bree about still being mad. I asked what she was talking about. So apparently MONTHS and MONTHS possible a year ago someone used the bathroom and used too much toilet paper. Karl went into the bathroom was was ranting about the toilet being clogged up.

Ok so there's this fabulous invention called a plunger....apparently he's never heard of it.

So he asked each kid who did it. If you've ever been in the Hobdy House you'd know that NO ONE EVER does it. So none of the kids clogged the toilet. So he says great then we'll flip a coin and some one has to scoop the toilet paper out of the toilet. Tati lost.

So she again, never considering the plunger sitting right next to the toilet scoops all the toilet paper out of the toilet until it will flush. Yep NASTY!! So as soon as Tati finishes cleaning up the mess.....Bryana comes clean that it was her that took the big "duke" and clogged the toilet. Apparently I was sitting on the couch ignoring this whole incident...or at least that's how the kids tell the story. I don' t think I would have been able to ignore all that. So we are all rolling with the recollection of this story and Tati again says to Bree, "I haven't forgotten about it, when we're 50 I'm still going to be mad about having to scoop your poop."

That's a day in the life of the Hobdy house. If I could only take the time to tell you how NUTS it really is here, you may completely understand me craziness. Gotta love those kids.

Long Week

So it's been a week since I last blogged. I really don't have the time to blog now. I should be working on the many pictures I took this weekend. I'll blog anyway.

So my friend Marsha started selling Mary Kay, so she needs to do 30 faces in 30 days so we obliged and had her come do our faces.

Marsha giving her sales pitch. Scary picture of Mary Kay on that book...wow that lady is creepy.

Carol with makeup....she NEVER wears makeup..not that you can tell she's wearing make up but she is and just the thought that Carol did something "girly" gives me the giggles.

Crystal looked mighty hot...that may be why she spent a small fortune...wait Dan isn't reading this is he?

Ashley. Umm yeah her mom bought her the micro-derm-abrasion (or how ever you spell it) that was a small fortune....umm she's 16 like she really needs to get the "aged" skin off her face. I was sure that Crystal was going to mug her on the way out.

Yes I know Cianah has red eyes...she thinks it's cool...I say just more proof that she is the devil. I'm thinking of having an exorcism. Sometimes I swear when she doesn't get her way I see her head spin around. Just saying.

Tati who also is too young for make up wanted me to spend $70 on a case....umm yeah your skin is still young and you can wear anything...how about I buy the $20 makeup kit from Walmart for you.

Let's not even talk about the fact that Bryana also did the microdermabrasion that she didn't need...but whatever. Not sure how comfortable I am with my baby wearing makeup.

Thursday I had to go get Cianah a Halloween costume for a party Saturday night.

Here's what she looked like

Ok so I was at a photo shoot and didn't take these pictures so there isn't a full body shot...

One thing I noticed when I went to pick her up was with all that white makeup her teeth and eyes sure did look yellow...just saying

She won for coolest costume. She got candy...just what that kid needs.

So Saturday while Cianah was throwing back Mountain Dews (which I don't allow) I was taking pictures at the Church of the Living God - Temple #1 first annual Debutant Ball.

Here's one of my favorite pictures from that night (unedited)

It was fun. I have 300 or so pictures that I haven't had time to work...woosh

Monday was my first day actually working at the new job. All went smoothly. No one paid me, but I worked through the system and made a few calls. All went well.

Monday night Tatiana had a try out for the All Suburban Honor Band. We still don't know the results. She sounded found to me. She felt like she messed up. I know we are all our own worst critic. So everyone send good vibes.

I also signed Bree up for pre-season basketball. I still need to go pay the $150 to get Cianah in the soccer camp. It's been about 2 years since she played and she wants to play in High School so I think a refresher course is in order. Only I'm a little tight with the purse strings and I hate spending $150. UGH!

Tuesday night we went shopping to get the other girls costumes. Tati wanted to be Frenchy from Grease. We found her a cute outfit...well it was cute until I looked at the $65 price tag...umm NO. So we left the costume shop and went to Kmart. Bree is also going to be a Vampire. Tatiana is going to be a Bar Wench. So all is well. I'll post some pictures of them this weekend.

Today I went to lunch with Crystal and Heather from Medicine Shoppe. Ok let me rewind. I called Carol because Crystal didn't answer her phone. Carol started talking to me about Med Shoppe and I swear to you I was having an anxiety attack on the phone with her. She's taking my position and I am trying to be supportive of her....but OMG Carol don't stress me out like that again or you are fired. (had to say it...I know you miss it.)

So Crystal, Heather and I went to lunch. Crystal was so quiet...I guess because she didn't feel well. I secretly think it's because she is so used to not talking at work now because I am not there she didn't know how to cut up anymore...but I'll play into the fact that she has herpasyphalitis. We've all been there. Heather talked too much about Med Shoppe too....but at least that only gave her a panic attack and not me. :) Sucks to be you Heather. I'll send good vibes that the new opening gets you away from the baby sitter.

Tonight I went shopping for a bit with my mother in law, bought her a new winter coat. And now I trying to catch up on the weeks events.

So as for the new job...I still like it. I'm happy. Less stressed and I don't go home at night and have to work. I actually get to enjoy my family...or ignore them. Most days I ignore them. It works out better for everyone.

First Day at the new gig

So had to be at work at 9:00. They wanted everyone to be there and settled in before I showed up. I guess they already know that I am high maintenance. lol

So on a normal day I had to be at work at Medicine Shoppe I roll out of bed at 6:00 - 6:15, brush my hair, brush my teeth , get dressed slap on some makeup and am out the door by 6:30 to 6:40 to get to work by 7:30.

So clearly to be at work by 9:00 I should have got to sleep until 7:00. Even to put your best face forward you only need 30 minutes to primp. Wrong. I got up at 6:00. I was sitting there dressed and tapping my toes by 6:30. Hair fixed, makeup on and itching to get out the door. I guess all those years of rushing the routine are ingrained and you just can't slow down.

So I dropped Tati at the bus stop at 7:30. I figured I better head that way. Never know how bad 270 traffic can be. Well it was fine. I swear I was sitting in the car on the way to the office praying for a sunshine slow down. No such luck. So I pass Page and go to Dorsett. There's a Walgreen's there surely I can kill some time. I needed lotion, gum and I didn't know if I should bring my own note pads or what not...so I picked those things up. Well apparently I am as efficient at shopping as I am at getting ready in the morning. So that only killed about 10 minutes. So I'm driving up and down Lackland for a good 15 minutes. Trying to kill time. I still ended up going in 15 minutes early. You just can't keep me from working. lol

So I got the office tour. I was introduced to all of the people in the office. Yeah I am glad there was no quiz on names. When I was done I wasn't sure what my own name was. I got some explanation on the way law offices work and basically they all handle things differently. They told me the name of my firm. It's an East Coast firm so that means I can come in at 7:00 or 7:30 and work until 4:00 or 4:30. Great! Part of the plus of not being management is that you can actually leave after 8 hours and not take it home with you. :)

They took me to lunch at Casa. 7 people went. Virgil, Mike, Dave, CJ, Melissa, and another guy. Not 100% sure if Melissa is even the right name. Anyway they all seemed nice. A few were sarcastic so I fit right in. :) Score!!

After lunch I was full, the office was a little warm and I swear to you I thought I was going to doze off a few times. Anyway they sat me with Vicky. (Gosh I hope that's right) I watched her work for the rest of the day. After about an hour of asking so a tasks means what? A comment means what? What shows up on your calendar? How do you get the contact info? Do you do most of your work through email? Blah, blah, blah I think my eyes just glazed over...literally.

They kept watering and I was seriously thinking I may be allergic to Vicky.

So sometime after lunch....I got a delivery....

I was SLIGHTLY...ok more than slightly embarrassed. Vicky got up to do something so I ran the flowers out to the car.

They are beautiful! However I was so embarrassed. Thanks to Crystal and Carol for sending them.

I'm still not sure if they are "good riddance" or "good luck" flowers. Although Dave said his old employees would have probably sent him a pipe bomb so it may have been a good thing I took them outside.

No explosion ensued so I guess they would have been safe inside. However after the pipe bomb comment good to be safe. Not sure that they'd smile on the "newbie" blowing up the building.

I'm pretty sure they'll be relocating within the next year or so but I don't think they'd like it if I blew up the building.

So Crystal let Tim know that no stabbing happened on my first day.

All in all it was a good day. I think I'm going to like it there. Everyone that I talked to on smoke break said it's not like any collection job they've ever been at. It's alot more relaxed. It's quiet for the most part....which I am not used to. The girls in the other building seemed to be louder and I think there was talk of moving me to the outcast building so that may be more what I am used to. You can't work with the group I have for the past few years and then hear only minimal conversations. lol

I think I'm going to like it. Everyone keep sending me good vibes.

Who really has time?

Every time I try and commit to blogging again things get crazy. I actually started a separate blog thinking I'd keep up with the family and start one for me. So I haven't even posted one entry on that blog.

So I guess I stopped around April last year (wow I am horrible) so I'll try and pick up from there.

So in May I had me normal "pamper Nicole" Weekend. I got an awesome anniversary pendant from my loving husband, a new digital picture frame that I love (but haven't had time to play with) and darn...I can't remember the other thing I got. Having your birthday, mother's day and your anniversary all together sure makes for one heck of a weekend. Wonderful!!

This is what my awesome necklace looks like.

Pretty right?

So at the end of May Cianah finished Middle School. That's right she's in High School. OMG! How old am I???

So here are some pictures from her 8th Grade social.

Really I'd like her to put away the "girls" or I'd be fine if she didn't have "girls" at all. Any suggestions on how I can make that happen? I'm all about it.

Nura is in the black and white dress and Kelci is in the purple dress. I think the other girls name is Kiely or something but she's not close to Cianah so I don't remember. Kelci is Cianah's best friend.

So now we're up to June...whoosh this summer really flew by.

Tatiana turned 12 June 14th.

We had her birthday party at Tee time. The highlight for me was that my grown child (aka my husband) got lost in the 3D maze. Good times. The staff had to go in to get him. That was classic.

Here are a few shots from the day.

Happy Birthday to me.

The kids in front of the 3D maze Karl got lost in.

Tati driving her bumper boat. If you notice the waterfall to the very left of this picture? Many a child submerged their head under that waterfall.

Tati. The first time she actually got to drive the go karts. She was stoked.

In July when it was clear my husband was not going for a vacation this year I took the kids on a day trip to Meremac Caverns.

Not as fun as a vacation but good to get out of the house.

At the end of July I got the Colenburgs for what used to be their monthly outing. It's turned into more of a semi-annual event. Usually around Christmas and then over the summer.

We spent the day at Arnold Rec. Bryana was the only of my kids that went. Cianah and Tati stayed home with the two oldest Colenburgs and Karl.

KeAndre'

Kizmet

Kayla

Kalen in the blue goggles

Kendale

Then we went bowling. The two oldest Colenburgs were still too cool to hang out with us.

I'll spare you those pictures since they are all of the kids butts as they throw the ball. Not sure why I didn't try to shoot from a different angle?

Early August we had Marsha and Barry's wedding shower and then the couples all split off and the boys went who knows where and the girls spent the night at the Phoenix watching Metal Studz. (An 80's cover band.)

Most of the bachelorette party

This is where Marsha spent most of the night.

I think she actually thinks he is Bret Michaels. lol

School started early this year. August 13th.

Cianah started High School. A little disgusting. UGH! She thinks she is a Japanese Anime, so she has to dress like one too. Special, special child. I won't say that at her age I also thought I was Japanese. Only I "became" Japanese for a much cooler reason. Karate Kid II. That's right. I loved Japan so much in that movie I became Japanese. Way cooler than anime. :)

Tati needs to stop growing up. She is so pretty. It's a good thing she's crazy, tends to keep the boys away. :)

You know a few years ago I couldn't wait for the kids to stop playing Barbies and Pollys so the mess wouldn't be all over my house. Now I am so lucky to have one little girl. The others are growing so fast I am darn glad that Bree still plays with Barbies.

At the end of August we went down to Goose Creek Lake. My friends Carol and Bob have a house down there. Mind you I've been friends with Carol for at least 10 years and this was only the 2nd time we've been invited down. The first time didn't work out with every one's schedules...

Anyway. The kids LOVED it. Tati wants to buy a lake house and Bree just wants to live with Carol. Cianah doesn't like to go swimming that means she has to get her hair done so it was a struggle to get her to enjoy. She liked to canoe and paddle boat but swimming was not her favorite thing

Sorry for the crappy pictures. I only took the point and shoot and didn't want to get up from my lounge chair on the deck to take pictures. :)

Bryana got bit by a huge horsefly. It drew blood. Cory was the hero and dove in and killed the mean old horsefly. We had to deal with the melodrama for about an hour. That kid will milk anything.

Cianah and Ashley in the canoe

September 1st Karl turned 29 and September 4th Bryana turned 10. We didn't do a party...broke. Karl got her a few video games and we had cake and ice cream.

No pictures.

September 6th was Marsha and Barry's wedding.

I didn't take any pictures since I was in the wedding.

Here are a few:

Me and Marsha

Karl had to bar tend. He snuck away to dance with me. :)

Tatiana played the flute as Marsha walked down the isle. And during the wine box and sand ceremonies.

September 16th Chloe was born. Stephanie and Jon got married last August in Cape Cod. They moved to Seattle around Thanksgiving time and I am so sad. Now they have this beautiful baby girl that I can't hold because she's thousands of miles away. :( I want to hold her.

The next weekend we had the MSI picnic.

Bryana enjoying her snow cone on the hay ride

Tati lounging on the hayride

Cianah and Ashley

At the end of September Cianah had her first High School Homecoming.

I think that's it. At the beginning of October I quit my job at Medicine Shoppe. Got a new job at Cash Management Solutions. Less responsibility and $7000 more a year was incentive enough. I have been overworked, underpaid and unappreciated for too long at Medicine Shoppe. Good move (fingers crossed)

My last day at Medicine Shoppe was 10/16

http://www.schneiderpix.smugmug.com/gallery/6240192_WbNs4#395044137_9oTiq

The above link are pictures of my farewell.

In case you all didn't know...on my way to Dave and Busters I went to get cigarettes. Medicine Shoppe is right across the street from Rams park. WELL. On my way out I look over and see Tory Holt pumping gas. I looked for a second. I'm not one to go celebrity crazy. So I got in my car. WELL...Tory was SO checking me out. He was leaning all around the gas pump looking at me. I quickly called my husband to tell him what a stud he was. I told him Tory Holt was so just checking out his wife. He say..you're hot babe. So that was the highlight of the day. lol

I don't want to think about leaving all my friends at Medicine Shoppe. I just want to make more money and not be so stressed. So I still have buterflies in my stomach about leaving. I know everything happens for a reason so I'm sure it will all work out.

That's all for now. I'll try to blog more often.

If you make comments it helps keep me motivated. :)

Bad, bad blogger

So I am a horrible blogger. Who has time?



I also revamped the website and pulled off all the old pictures. I didn't think about it but there was a way to keep them up and just not make them visible. Sometimes the epiphany comes too late. lol

So now all the links to previous photos are bad so most of the pictures are all gone of this blog.



I'm thinking that I may rethink my whole blog. In the beginning I used it as a place to vent, but without a "subscription" option no one knew how often to check back.

I like the option to document the days of our lives, because my memory is not exactly the best of my attributes. If I don't write it down my kids are liable to never have any idea what really happened. :)

So I am going to take a stab at replacing some of the pictures and I may rethink Blogger as my place to blog.

So for now I am humbly say I am a bad, bad blogger.

Jama - My angel

So I spoke in an earlier blog about major things happening. One was Cianah turning 14. Heading to High School is a major thing for us. The other MAJOR thing happened March 29th.

You never really realize how much a person means to you or how much of an impact they have on your life, until they are gone. March 29th was a realization of how precious life is. How we all take for granted the many blessing we each have. Some of us have wealth, some of are blessed in more important ways. I am blessed to have the many number of wonderful people surrounding me and lifting me up on a daily basis. Life is too short to not relish the small victories. Life is too short not to step back and reflect on all the joy life has to offer. Sometimes that's the laugh of your child. Sometimes that's the friend pushing you to keep going when you feel like giving up. Sometimes that a word of encouragement from a person who has been there and conquered the mountain you are starting to climb.

On March 29th, I lost a huge blessing. Jama was a mother figure. Some one I sought guidance from. She was a mother, a sister, a friend, that I will never be able to replace. Her passing will forever leave a empty space in my life.

Jama was one of the most positive people I have ever met. No matter the situation she always looked at the bright side of life. She taught me that fretting over things doesn't accomplish anything. She had a way to make everything ok. She could take me from panic to peace in 60 seconds. I always trusted her and knew she would never steer me wrong.

Seeing her in the hospital was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Being in her room with Marsha picking out her clothes, feeling her presence all around was heart wrenching. It was so hard to be strong for Marsha when all I wanted to do was sit on that floor and cry. I wanted to feel her hand on my shoulder. I wanted to see her smile. I wanted to tell her one more time how stubborn she was. I just can't believe she's gone.

I will miss all the things she meant to me. At the funeral it made us all realize how very much she had this same effect on everyone she met. She touched so many people in her 67 years on this earth.

Karl said it's hard for him to be sad. He said sometimes he feels bad that he's not sad. But he knows that Jama is on the highest mountain top looking out over the rest of us and she's happy. She's at peace. I am still not at the place that I can think that clearly. I still miss her. I still want her here with us. And for completely selfish reasons. I need her.

Marsha (her only child) is going to be married in September. I've tried to make sure that the wedding goes one. I KNOW Jama would be stomping her feet and throwing her hands in the air if we didn't move on. So we press on. I know that she will be there with us all that day, celebrating. She knows that Barry and Marsha are meant to be. Seeing Barry help Marsha through this has just proved to me what a wonderful man he is. How much he truly loves Marsha. How he would do anything to take that hurt away.

Bob (her husband of 41 years) is like a lost puppy. How much pain would I be in if I lost Karl? And we've only been together 7 years. How immeasurable is that pain after 41 years of a constant in your life? I would be lost.

I know that Jama knows how very much she meant to me. I only wish I had one more chance to tell her. To hug her. To tell her I love her.

Jama my angel, I love you. May your transition to the other side be full of rainbows and sunshine. I miss you.

Sorry no blog!

Not even sure how many people even still check this thing. We've (ok I've) been blogging for a year now and it seems to get more spaced out as time goes on.


I started this to vent, to make jokes, and to keep in touch with those of you who live in lands far far away. I haven't done so well. lol



Sometimes things happen and you can't help but laugh to keep from crying. That is usually every day of our lives. The fact that I'm a bit of a spaz makes things funnier. Ok funnier for me in hindsight to laugh at the fact that I am a spaz. :) Karl, I'm not sure if he laughs at me, with me, or just rolls his eyes. lol


So I started this right around Cianah's 13th birthday. Can you believe she is 14 already? I can't. Starting to think of all the things that lie ahead of us in High School scares me to death.


I remember High School, some fond memories, some not so fond. You couldn't pay me to go back to High School.



Times are tough and money is tight so for Cianah's birthday we just went to the mall with Kelsey and Diem. We went to CiCi's for pizza and I dropped them off at the mall. Headed home and rented some scary movies. Sunday was Easter and we made "Alaska Cake" and they took it with them to my sisters.


Unfortunately Karl and I stayed home to continue to clean up from yet another flood in the basement.



The basement has been leaking for some time, but it continues to get worse. In January/ early February we rented a 30 ft dumpster and cleared out everything that would fit. We sucked over 30 gallons of water out with the shop vac alone. Not to mention the tons we sucked out of the carpet. We lost 2 couches, a desk, toys, the girls entertainment center and lots of clothes and blankets.


Karl added sandbags to the front of the house. We bought a new sump pump. We cleaned the gutters, everything we could think of. Yet the water still comes in. I think it has gotten a little better. Now we generally only have to suck 10 or so gallons of water out of the carpet. So if the weather in St. Louis would cooperate and stop raining, maybe we can stop swimming. :)



Of course record rainfall. On a positive note...I mentioned to some one that Tatiana wanted a rainforest room, they suggested I move her downstairs. lol


So Cianah had a mild birthday, we took her shopping the following weekend and let her buy a few things. I think she was ok with it. She's getting older and I think she understands things a bit more. I didn't take any pictures so none of that.


In April we signed away the next 4 years to put braces on Tatiana and Bryana.

Here's to hoping straight teeth and a good education makes for a successful life. :)

I think that's all that's going on right now. Keep you posted.

2008 has in fact made me a worse blogger...

So I haven't blogged for over a ever!

We had the Medieval Faire on February 17th. Tati's Stretch class had to make things from Medieval times. Tati's guild was the toy guild.

She made rag dolls.

She was also an entertainer. She played the flute with a few other musicians.

It was interesting. But I did get to meet Tati's friend Paige's mother. Chris is cool. Sometimes at my kids' school the parents are stuffy and snobbish. So it was good to meet some one "normal." Ok so I am not normal but I'm not stuffy and Chris and I get along really well. Since Tati and Paige are good friends and they are in stretch together it's likely that we will be spending alot more time together. So it's nice to have another hoosier like me. LOL

Then February 28 Adrianne and Eddie came to town. Oh I was so happy. It was so nice to not have to talk to her via email and actually get to sit in the same room. I wish so badly that they would all move down here. I'm working on that. :)

So Thursday night Adrianne and Eddie were super tired from flying all day. We ordered pizza and called it a night.

Friday we went to the Arch and to the Old Courthouse. I've lived in St. Louis my whole life and never been to the Old Courthouse. It was really cool.

Adrianne and Eddie in front of the Arch. Adrianne and Eddie went up, Karl wouldn't go up because the one tram got stuck this summer. So he refused. lol

Karl and Adrianne. Doesn't Adrianne look like a 15 year old? She's so tiny.

It's so nice to see them together. Karl and Adrianne haven't seen each other in at least 19 years. I am so glad they have reconnected.

The Old Courthouse was so amazing. The history there is amazing. I didn't even know the Dred Scott case was held in that building. We are going back and taking the girls.

Saturday I took Bree to her basketball game. And then Cianah and Tati were in the Academic Olympics.

Tati competed in the Scholar Quiz. It's like Jeopardy. Ok so Chris (Paige's mom mentioned above) played along during the game. During a 5 minute round Chris and I knew 3 answers. Ummm are you smarter than a 6th grader? The answer to that is NO. Apparently not. lol

Cianah competed in the Spelling Bee. She took 3rd place.

Saturday Night we went to Cicero's Pizza in Ucity

The oldest 3 Hobdy's.

Adrianne was sick on Friday night so she was just starting to come back to life.

The boys drank lots of LaChouffe.

After Cicero's we headed to Laclede's Landing...The Big Bang. OMG! The boys were so DRUNK. Adrianne and I enjoyed laughing at them.

Eddie singing along to the best the 1980's has to offer. lol

I know this surprises most people....but Karl was drunk too.

Adrianne celebrated her birthday with us so we HAD to get her on stage. As you can tell...she was very excited about that.

Sunday we went to play mini-golf.

It was gorgeous!. 70 degrees and sunny.

Then Karl cooked up a steak and fish meal. Mallory, Sean and Susana joined us for dinner.

Monday morning Adrianne and Eddie left (on her birthday.)

So after They left us the 70 degree weather went with them. We got 10+ inches of snow.

Tati's stretch class competed in a Rube Goldberg contest. Rube Goldberg is a process to take the simplest task and make it as complex as possible. They had to "raise a flag."

So the dominoes fall and hit a plastic fork. The fork hits a spool, the spool rolls down a "lane"

and hits a ball. The ball rolls down the "slide" and hits a matchbox car.

The matchbox car goes down the 2nd part of the slide and falls into a cup that has a string attached to the flag. As the cup goes down with the weight of the car...the flags comes up.

That completes February and most of March. Some pretty major events happened at the end of March and I'll blog about those separately.