My Coworkers Think They're Funny

When I showed up to work this morning, my coworkers had decked out my desk in honor of my birthday (tomorrow) and my recent run in with Satan.

Kitty Litter Cake - yes, its even in a litter box (cleaned they tell me) with poop and pee to taste.

Cat toys, a book, Hello Kitty and a birthday kitten toy.

And of course an evil cat card that reads "Birthdays are probably necessary. But every damn year!?"

Good thing I have a sense of humor and my wrist is feeling a bit better today. Still no feeling in my fingers, but I'm starting to get used to it.



Family Fun with the Reedy's

Christmas Day 2010 at the Reedy's will be the last one as we know it. Next year Baby G will join the family and things will definitely be different! We had a great holiday of food, family and fun. And did I mention food? There was plenty of that.

Between treats and meals, we worked on a puzzle and enjoyed each other's gifts. And of course took the obligatory family photos out front, BRR!!

(Ignore my closed eyes please!)

Since Lacey is adorable with her 7-month preggo baby bump, the whole family decided to see if they could beat her bump, while waving to the passing neighbors and embarassing Nick. 

All the kids in front of the tree (Joe, Lacey, Nick, Kristen, me and BDR)



Update: Satan's in Jail

It's 18 hours post-bite and I still can't feel my fingers. My wrist hurts like a %*&#(! and I can barely move it. The Lortab isn't doing much for me, so I'm a little grouchy.

Its so crazy to think the little punk could cause this much pain. I seriously feel like my wrist is broken, but I know he musta just nicked a nerve or something.

The good news: Satan got caught by Animal Control this morning. I think his real name is Bob. But Satan isjust so much more fitting. He lives across College Blvd in a nice neighborhood, but comes to the office park because people feed him. He's bit at least 2 other people in a neighboring building but they didnt do anything about it. After I ID'd the bastard, the ACO will impound him for 10 days but luckily he's good on his shots. He was also going to go cite the owners for the bite. I'm hoping they didn't know that their cat was evil and now they'll keep him inside once he gets back from prison. Maybe a ticket will motivate them to keep him away from nice animal lovers that just want to help him.

I'm sort of hoping he doesn't make it out of jail though. (Cue evil laugh.) Either that or that someone bites him back so he knows what it feels like.

Ten New Year’s Resolutions

1. Be Happy.
Have fun. Enjoy life. Enjoy work. Value my relationships. Don't let the man get me down. Take control of my happiness and do everything I can to make the best of each situation.

2. Be Healthy.
Work out. Eat well. Get rid of life's toxins, whatever they may be. Visit the doctor when needed

3. Live for Today.
Quit always looking for something better, something more. Enjoy what is happening in the here and now before its gone.

4. Be Grateful for All my Blessings.
Show my gratitude, inside and out. Remember all the gifts I've been given and take advantage of them at every turn.

5. Live Within my Means.
Don't spend what I don't have. Pay off my debts. Start saving.

6-10. Rinse and Repeat.

I think this video really sums up my feelings. No excuses. No regrets. Take control and be responsible for your own fate.

Satan Bit Me

Leaving work tonight, I tried to do my good deed for the day. There was a stray cat haning out under the car, so I bent down to see if he was open to getting some help. He immediately came up to me, letting me pet him, purring and nuzzling my legs. He was this sweet animal that looked like he got lost from a family that loved him. He looked like this:

Minutes later he transformed into a Devil Cat that looked like this:

Yep, that SOB bit me!!! For no reason and out of the blue, I ended up with 4 puncture wounds and a scratch. I freaked out, went back in the office to wash it off and then headed straight to Urgent Care, calling Animal Control on the way.

The doc cleaned me up, wrote me a scrip for an antibiotic since cat bites always get infected, and for Lortab for the pain, along with a tetanus shot. They say that protocol is to undergo rabies treatment just in case if the animal can't be observed, so I'm really hoping that OPPD can catch the little punk.

Puncture wounds #1, #2, #3. Right in my wrist, he musta got nerves because its 4.5 hours later and I still can't feel my fingers! Its the weirdest feeling and I'm really surpised I can type ok.

Puncture wounds #3 and #4.

All the bandages.

And the results of my tetanus shot.

Ugh, so not how I was planning to spend my evening!



Check out the loot!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is picking out gifts for my loved ones. Its never been a secret that I'm a shopper, and I always try to find that "just right" gift for those I care about. Its just one way that I show them my love. And of course, there are usually gifts in return - here are a few highlights from 2010...

Santa brought BDR a "Police are my Favorite People" air freshener. Scent: Fresh baked doughnut. MMM. Tasty.  On the back it says you can also use it as deodorant or a bowling accessory.

Mr. Nosy the Dokson. When I first opened this I had NO IDEA what it was. I was sure that it served some sort of purpose, but even google couldn't help me. Luckily the giver informed me of its use:

Awesome solid coasters to protect our tables from the sweat of the Blvd Beer.

BDR's new Royals cap. Hopefully he can wear it in spring softball with the boys!

Banana Dan also got "Bananagrams" the game. He's not quite sure of this gift's implications!

Warm and cozy scarf and mittens! (Note, my new hair!)

Hooray a cop nutcracker to add to the collection!

OOH! What could this be???

And of course - my best Christmas gift of all --- Stella!!



Happy Howlidays

If I ever get reincarnated, I want to come back as one of my dogs especially during the holiday season. We took a short Christmas trip to Wichita and boy were they spoiled!

We all took some naps togther.... (Check out my awesome new Uggs from BDR!)

The boys played and played with them.

With all the smells of the holidays, its easy to get in the Christmas spirit. Cinnamon and apple and meat... Stella even got to smell Uncle Ryan's butt!

They probably liked the car ride down and back the best of all though... Pete slept in the back seat on the way down, and rode birddog on the way back.

Stella got snuggled up with some clothes that are being donated to charity, but was comfy and warm the whole way!

They got some awesome new toys and are learning to play together.

See, Pete will once in a while let Stella play tug with him. If you didn't know him though, you'd think he was the biggest meanie in the entire world. He'd make Cujo look sweet. He just growls and snarls at his little sister, but doesn't tug hard like he does when he plays with us.

Ian loved holding Stella and he was so sweet to her. It won't be long before none of us can pick her up anymore!

Everyone had a great time at Nanny and Poppy's house.

Once we got back to KC, the pups got to enjoy Christmas with our fam. We missed BDR while in Wichita.

Since he worked on Christmas Eve, I went to church with his family and came home to snuggle with the dogs and watch "Miracle on 34th Street". Once he got home from the mean streets of Leawood, it was officially Christmas and we opened presents. Santa even came when I fell asleep on the couch! He stuffed BDR's and the dogs' stockings to the brim!

More Christmas recap to come....

Visions of Sugar Plums Dancing in my Head

I remember going to the Nutcracker as a little girl and just being absolutely in awe of the performance. I was taking ballet classes then, and loved the girly feeling it gave me. It was so festive, so Christmas, and so grown-up to go to the Ballet at Century II with my mother.

Well, last night I went again, with my girlfriends. We had a tasty dinner at El Patron and it was likely my best Mexican food experience in ages. (I generally disklike most Mexi restaurants.) We get to the Music Hall, settle in, and begin to root against the mouse king, shiver in the Snowflake forest and float off into the Land of Sweets.

Some of these dancers were just amazing. The men could leap like I've never seen. The ladies were so elegant, long and lean, great lines. I've always wanted pointe shoes of my own and a tutu so I could be just like the Sugar Plum Fairy. Maybe some day.

What a great start to the Christmas holiday and a tradition I can't wait to begin with my own daughter someday.



Ten Personal Highlights of 2010

1. My growing family! I absolutely love our new addition Stella and things with BDR couldn't be better. Plus, Peter is just about as perfect of a pup as you can get!

2. My great job. I started a new position with the Kansas City Mortgage Group in May and have learned a TON over the last 6 months. I've even done pretty well with my sales and am excited about the continued growth in this career.

3. Running the Kansas City Half Marathon with a smile on my face, after I got burnt out and quit training several weeks before the race. This totally proves to me that I can truly do anything I set my mind to.

4. Hosting a successful Thanksgiving dinner at my house for my family. I was a little nervous about it, but it went off without a hitch and without any empty bellies!

5. Getting my photo shown in the Hospital Hill Charity handouts. I ran in a girly cowgirl costume for the 10K in honor of Girls on the Run and now I'm almost a D-list local celebrity. Or not...

6. Regular date nights with my girlfriends. This didn't happen quite as often as we'd all like, but one friend and I had a few quality nights out and each of them helped us grow closer together.

7. Moving in with BDR. I know I sort of covered this in #1, but it deserves a second mention. Our relationship has grown exponentionally, and I'm so happy!

8. My nephews are moving to Kansas City, so I get to be super aunt more often (and in smaller doses!) in the coming months. Big Bro got a job at Hallmark so the move has begun, yesterday actually. I'm excited to have them closer so I can be a bigger part of the boys' lives.

9. Being named to the board of directors for the Overland Park Rotary Club. This is a pretty big deal when you consider all the influential citizens in our group!

10.  Enjoying all the little things throughout the year, with no major stressors.



*Bling!*

Thursday evening the ladies of Rotary gathered at a local jewelers for some fun and fellowship. Not to mention all the pretty sparkly things! Van Brock opened its doors for us to showcase its jewelry and entertain us ladies. It was delightful.

Of course, I probably think so because I got to try on all sorts of things that I'll never own.

Namely, this: (I mean hello, you can even see the *bling* in the photo!!!)

If I recall correctly, this is a 12 carat tourmaline which is rarer than a diamond. The mine in Brazil where this gem came from is closed, and most of the stones were 2-3 carat. This one is 12! And its surrounded by diamonds, set in platinum. Holy cow, it was heavy!

I thought about buying it, but I figured I'd save my hard earned $1,500,000 for something a little less blue.

The Van Brock lady was telling us that she sold this ring once, and when the man gave it to his wife, she said "I don't want it, I already have a blue ring." Can you believe that!?



Pete's Perspective

Woof. Hey everybody. Its Pete here. Mom's off doing something so I wanted to share my big news.

Yep, that's right. I'm a big brother! Mom and BDR brought me what I've been begging them for! A little sister and a new friend. It just gets so lonely in the mud room by myself during they day.

Little did we all know that right after Stella joined the family, my cousin Dixie would also temporarily move in while Uncle Ryan and Fam do the big move from the Windy City.

So let me introduce you to my little sister, Stella.

This is Stella on the drive home from Puppy Mill USA, aka southwest Missouri.

Some punk had her in the bed of his pickup and sped away so fast that little Stella tumbled out of the truck and cars had to swerve to miss her on the highway. Luckily some good samaritan picked her up and took her to Faithful Friends animal rescue where Stella got a few days stay with some really nice people. But we're happy that Mom and BDR went to get her out of Missouri and into Kansas.

Little Stella was pretty excited to meet me, very upset to be introduced to my old kennel that I'm sharing with her, but relieved to be snuggled in bed on her first night in the family.

See, doesn't she look happy?!

Mom took her to the doctor and she got a clean bill of health, except for those pesky fleas she brought with her. Luckily those are all gone. Stella told me the doctor's office was no big deal. She just layed there on the counter, got loved on and ate some cookies. She did say they stuck something up her butt and some wet stuff up her nose, but the cookies and love made it all worth while. She said the scale said 12.6 when she jumped on it. I said, so what it says 59 when I'm on. Woop-de-doo.

She tells me she thinks her birth mother was a Mastiff or a Shepherd, and she can't wait til she's big enough to wrestle with me. I was nice and let her think she might even have a chance of beating me. (Yeah, right!) Its a good thing she's pretty cute and Mom and Dad seem to like her or else I'd really have to show her who's boss. If she even thinks that big belly, puppy breath and stumbling paws are going to win me over,she's got something else coming.

Dad says Christmas came early this year, and I couldn't agree more. When Stella got here, I got all sorts of new toys to play with! Its been a pretty sweet deal so far.

In case any of you want to see any other photos of our adventures so far, you can see them here.

Well, that's all for now, I see a squirrel outside I need to go chase, oh, and Stella is trying to take my bone! Better go take care of that!

Woof Love, Pete

Pete's Big News

Ten Favorite Holiday Songs

In no particular order, since there is no way I could rank them...

1. Carol of the Bells


2. Oh Holy Night

3. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas


4. All I Want for Christmas is You


5. 12 Days of Christmas (only this version by Straight No Chaser though!)


6. Emmanuel (The awesome 80s hair totally makes this video!)


7. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays


8. You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch


9. Christmastime is Here


10. Auld Lang Syne - my birthday song!!

Domestic Goddess

My oldest brother is staying with us for a couple weeks. He starts his new job at Hallmark today and made the 13-hour trek from the Windy City yesterday. Yes, his 9-hour drive was seriously extended due to the horrific midest winter weather. Thank goodness that wasn't me. I would have literally been driven crazy!

To welcome him to KC, and because I like a hearty Sunday dinner, I put a pot roast in the crock pot. His response: "When did you get so domesticated?!"

Really? I've been cooking for quite some time. I've been eating for even longer. Why is it such a surprise that I have a bit of a maternal instinct!?

The rest of the family had a similar reaction at Thanksgiving when I hosted. Who knew that Little Sis could do such things as take care of her family!?

Well guess what world? I've grown up and I actually enjoy taking care of those I care about! No need to be surprised!

Now... what to plan for dinner the rest of the week???

Christmas at COR

Is it true that love multiplies love?

Like when you love one, it makes it that much easier to love another and the love for the first doesn't diminish? Its such an abstract concept, but one I've been thinking about lately.

To me, that's what the Christmas season is all about: Love.

Besides the fact that I LOVE Christmas music, Christmas cookies, Christmas cards with family photos, I LOVE the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas, I LOVE the family gatherings, the parties, the church services.

Last night, I went with KMac to the Christmas at COR extravaganza. And extravaganza is NOT an understatement. At times, there were more than 200 people on stage, including the huge choir and orchestra, then the "actors" and the crew - the light work was pretty darn cool. I mean seriously, there was a real.live.donkey!!! What a great way to get in the holiday spirit!!!

Hogs

Between Peter and BDR, my bed isn't really MY bed anymore! Pete hogs the bed and BDR hogs the covers - and it gets COLD in the bedroom! The proof is in the pudding.

My side of the bed:

BDR's side of the bed:

Totally not cool boys.

I'm so jealous

My cousin is fulfilling the dream of a lifetime. She and her beau quit their jobs, sold their stuff and are seeing the world for a year.

Seriously, how amazing is that?! I wish I had the courage to do it. I think it sounds completely wonderful, life changing, fabulous, I can't think of enough words to describe how jealous I am!

Their Itinerary:
Departure - June 3rd!
Vancouver - four days
Bejing - arrive June 8th.
China - June
Indonesia - July-August
Malaysia, Singapore- August
Southern Thailand - September
Nepal- September-October
India- October-November
Northern Thailand - November
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam - December
Burma - January
Australia - January
Tazmania - Early February
New Zealand - February-March
Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Easter Island - Late March
Patagonia - April
Argentina - Early May
Uruguay - May
Bolivia - Late May
Peru - June
Equador- July
CostaRica - Late July

I've been catching up on their blog. living vicariously through them. Its been awesome. If you want to know anything about their amazing experiences, you can read here. But be forewarned, you're gonna want to go join them.

10 Things You Want, but Wouldn’t Buy for Yourself

1. Diamonds, duh!!

2. A new car with a working heater! Well, I'll buy that at some point just not yet.

3. Big flat screen TV. It would be super fun to have, but really, is there a true need for that?

4. A sweet European vacation. OK, so this is more a "couldn't" than "wouldn't" but I really hope I can do this someday.

5. More Carolers and Nutcrackers for my holiday decor collection.

6. Health insurance with a lower deductible. Also, wish I could but alas, no can doozville babydoll.

7. Unlimited movie passes so I can go see whatever I want, whenever I want. That or the DVDs I'd see repeatedly to round out my library.

8. A sweet new road bike, tri bike and mountain bike. With awesome carbon fiber trimmings!

9. Subscriptions to People, US Weekly and other mind-numbing publications.

10. Awesome art for my walls. This is something I'd love to have but just can't justify right now. Someday I will have my own house, fully furnished and decorated to my heart's content and that includes some fascinating artwork.