Been awhile...

Haven't blogged in a really long time....I have so much going on here lately. First off, we have a new addition to the family, A boxer puppy named Daisy. (Although I think she thinks her name is Bad Dog) She is quite possibly the most stubborn and hard headed dog I have ever encountered. If she doesn't get her way or you won't let her go where she wants, she has started head butting her way through. Salon is going very good, busy, busy. The kids have me running in 42 different directions. Jessica is a freshman at Fern Creek and Alex is a senior there. Alex will be going to Paris for 9 days in April. Jess has found her groove with a pretty good group of kids. We've been filling out tons of paperwork for re-taking ACT's and college prep programs. We are getting ready to start visiting campus'. Getting a new roof installed this week...will post pics when done. I can't believe it's already September and that it's over half over. We have plans to go out of town again for the Thanksgiving holidays. The family situation is no better this year, if anything, it's worse. We have lots going on these days and not a lot of time to breathe. All in all, life is good.

Gary Hamilton

This is a pic of Gary and Martena Hamilton. Gary passed away Sunday at 10 am of terminal brain cancer. He fought for just shy of a year for his life. He was a wonderful husband, caring father, and a devoted U of L fan. He always had a story and made you laugh. He genuinely wanted to know what was going on in your life. Everything he did, he did to the best of his ability. Once when Jim and I went out of town, we asked Gary to come to the house and water everything while we were gone. Imagine our surprise when we came back and all the plants, flowers, and tomatoes looked BETTER than when we left! He was a great guy who will be missed terribly. He is definitely in a better place and now does not have to suffer. We love you Gary! May you rest in peace...

Sorry Chewey!

I was so excited about Alex turning 18 that I forgot to wish my youngest fur baby a Happy Birthday too! Happy Birthday Chewey Bacca! My chubby little furry girl is now 3!

Alexandria Lynn Arnold

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY BABY!!!

Is consumer over 18?

So yesterday it hit me...I'm standing in Walmart at the U-Scan buying Dayquil so that I can breathe. When I run the bar codes over the scanner, the computer beeps and a big warning comes across the screen that says, IS CONSUMER OVER 18? BIRTHDATE MUST BE BEFORE JUNE 01, 1990. For a split second I stood there in disbelief when I looked at the birthdate. My first born child was born on June 10, 1990. That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. My little girl, my baby, my tookie, was going to be an adult. I have 8 more days to have 2 minor children. I don't know...I'm having difficulty expressing how I feel about this. On one hand, I could not be more proud. I have a beautiful daughter who is smart, funny, compassionate, and a huge help. On the other hand, there is an underlying change that is taking place in our relationship. Less of a parental role and more of a friend and confidant that is taking shape. It's difficult to measure success as a parent. I guess I feel like we have done an outstanding job and the proof is in our daughter. I'm sure the future will hold lots more ups and downs, but I always want to remember how I felt as she passed through to adulthood. I mourn the loss of a little girl, and celebrate with a young woman. Congratulations baby, momma is proud!

This is MY church...

www.leoweekly.com/the-church-hoppers/music-marriage-and-a-mosh-pit

somebody should stop me!

Create your own FACEinHOLE

I've been working out

Create your own FACEinHOLE
Can you tell?

Happy 4th Birthday Lexi Luhu Diva!

Gatlinburg

You know that beautiful creek/river that flows through the middle of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge? Yea, take a closer look at the signs that are posted everywhere! OMG - so gross!

Happy Easter!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! (I totally stole this from Kelly!)

Alex's Prom

Today was Alex's junior ring ceremony and prom. I cannot believe that she going to be a senior and 18 in June. We had a really good time getting ready for the day. Just thought I would share some pics of how beautiful she is! Congratulations Fern Creek class of 2010!

Stupid Refrigerator

So a couple of weeks ago our refrigerator goes out. It's only five years old but it has been acting up for about a year now. We decide to go shopping for a new fridge and this means that we have to visit every place in Louisville that sells appliances. Our current fridge is white but I have always wanted stainless steel applicances. I figure if we have to buy one, we might as well get what we want. But this is going to cause a problem because then the new fridge won't match any of the other appliances. So we simply must buy an entire package. I have myself completely talked into this since you can save so much money buying all of them together. I get to thinking that we are also going to need to change out the kitchen sink because it is also white and not in very good condition. So then everything in the whole kitchen will match. But there is a problem because I have also always wanted an undermount sink. Well you can't just go and do that without having a new counter top. Did I mention that if I'm going to have to get a new counter top, it is going to be granite? Did you know that you really shouldn't put granite over old unlevel cabinets? Needless to say, I got up the next day and made a pot of coffee. I then decided to rip out the whole kitchen. Jim said if we are going that far, we might as well pop holes in the top of the walls and drop some new insulation down them. So we do just as we had planned and within about 8 hours, we are standing in an empty room. Great! Off to Home Depot we go. Long story short, cabinets would take 4-5 weeks and then they would send a granite guy out to measure and counter tops would be an additional 4-6 weeks. I don't think so. Did I tell you that I work at the speed of Extreme Makeover? Needless to say, the following morning I found a place that had the cabinets that I wanted in stock. They also had a granite guy that could be out in five days to install the granite on site. We worked our butts off and put the whole kitchen together ourselves in less than 7 days. It turned out beautiful. I love my new kitchen!

The Economy

I know that a lot of people have seriously been affected by todays economy. Some have lost their jobs and even their homes. I am having a major problem with the news media that keeps beating it in the ground. Every time you turn on the tv its doom and gloom. Using words like "recession" and "depression" and "catastrophe" and such are not making it any better either. An equal amount of people have not lost anything and are terrified to spend a dime of their money just because of what they are hearing on tv. If you had no money in the stock market, (me), and you haven't lost your job, (me), and you never bought a house that you couldn't actually afford, (me), then your life has pretty much coasted along. Thing were getting a little tight when gas went up to $4 a gallon but thats because it made us realize how much money we actually wasted. For the most part, Americans will spend money on what they want to spend money on. I just wish the media would take a more positive spin and quit placing fear and doubt into the minds of Americans. This "disease", if you will, is spreading like wildfire through our nation. I know that a sure collapse of our financial institutions would have incurred had we not "bailed out" our banks and automobile industries. But I am worried about what all this is teaching our kids. This new economic bailout plan will put into place a bank that deals only with forclosures. It will offer much lower interst rates for those who cannot make their payments. To me, this sends a clear message. If you don't or can't pay your bills, the government will give you a lower interest rate so that you can. If you have paid all your mortgage payments on time, congratulations - you can keep your higher interest rate. We are showing our kids that if you are corrupt and take ridiculous amounts of money in the form of salary or bonuses from your company, then you have arrived. Forget about the little people below you that are busting butt to keep their head above water. We will give you trillions of dollars to keep doing whatever you want, all in the name of "restructurizing". We will actually give you the money and not even ask you to account for it. All of this and yet my tax returns have to be scrutinized down to the last dime for accuracy. Something is wrong here and nobody is saying anything. Just seems so backwards to me. To reward bad behavior. Just needed to vent...feel better now.

Winter Blah

It is one thing to not like cold weather...it is another thing to be stuck in the house 24/7 because of an ice storm. This picture gives me a "warm fuzzy" feeling. I'm so ready for spring. I am so thankful that we at least have power. I know there are a lot of people out there that are staying with family (God bless your souls) and a lot staying in hotels spending money they don't have. I guess it all comes down to perspective. Before you know it we will all be complaining about how hot it is outside! Bring it on!

Clients...

I was thinking about different clients today. I am truly blessed to have mostly normal people who come to see me....but there are a few that are out there. Last year the crazy roller lady graced me with her presence. (If you missed this, check old blog) I have a new crazy now...actually I did her years ago and she has since returned. I won't mention names but let's just say the first time I did her I though she was going to slit my throat with my own razor. Thank God for the normal clients. Sarah, a teacher at Seneca...Bob and Olivia, who is now a big college student in Chicago...Wendy and her 2 girls...Ms. Molly, good golly...Cheryl & Amanda, she is a hoot...Susan, Olivia and Katie, so sweet...Tina who is so faithful...Rachel and Dave, I miss you guys...Penny and Marie, girls who can kick butt...Stacy, one of my confidants...Wess, Fern Creek rocks...Vicki and Heather, my wonderful nurses...Kurt, America is safe because of you...Sarah, come back cause your hair looks aweful...Katherine, who finishes my sentences...These are just to name a few...Love you guys!

Thoughts for the week...

I still hate taxes...but my part is done. It is absolutely freezing outside and if I had a job, I would move to Florida. I'm madly in love with my husband today. So thankful the kids aren't sick anymore. Really hoping we get another stimulus check, it will definitely stimulate my checking account. I made homemade meatball subs for lunch today...the heartburn is probably going to kill me. I had church from my dining room table today...did I mention that my church rocks? Saw the movie Bride Wars...it's okay. Ready to open the pool so I can get some color...just waiting on the weather. Lg&E bill arrived yesterday...$320...I'm not even warm. The hose at the shampoo bowl at work got away from me Thursday...Let's just say I had to put my clothes in the dryer. Am thinking about taking a full 2 week vacation this year...the salon would probably blow up. Contemplating the value of a true friend. Thanking God we only had 2 children...they are so expensive. Wondering when my mother in law is getting engaged...and if my brother and sister in law will ever speak to us again. Thanking God for a peaceful year last year and another one to come. Just some random thoughts...

Ugh!

It's tax time...again...if anyone cares I will be drowning at the dining room table in a sea of unreadable and unmemorable receipts. Corporate taxes SUCK!