I'd rather be here.....

Travel Photo Gallery: Caribbean Screensaver Preview

Actually, i'd rather be anywhere but here.......at work..........everyday................for the next 23 days......Yes, here I am smack dab in the middle of the huge audit prep. I'll be working daily--hopefully not on the weekends-but possibly.. If you notice that I'm a little more spacey than usual or zoning out in the middle of a conversation--I am, but no worries. My brain is in overdrive from staring at charts, computer screens, and lab results way more than I ever wanted to. So be gentle and kind and bring me chocolate :) And help me plan my next trip anywhere but here.

gotta box?

What is it about a plain old cardboard box that kids love?? My critters have been playing for 2 solid days with the dryer box that Russell finally handed over. A boat, a cave, a slide, a treehouse (on the top bunk, a tent, a house, a coffin, you name it--they've done it. Forget the legos, cars, trucks, computer games--well they have still played with those, and barbies, dolls, and dress ups--this box is great! I remember as a little girl I played with them too. You can actually use your imagination! Wow a novel concept for this generation. Fun times. Sorry--couldn't rotate the photo--so you'll have to rotate your head :) Well off to take a walk and get my Vitamin D. I love sun!

It's finally happening..

After a deleriously long ten month waiting period--Russ is finally starting the bathroom renovation!!! As most of you know we had a water mishap back in April. The water pipe from the outside to the toilet burst when we were at work and the kids were at school. I vividly remember the frantic telephone call from Kaden during a mtg. "Mom, there's a waterfall in the basement!" We got home to a huge mess. 3 inches of water in the basement and lots of soaked stuff. It could have been much worse. We didn't loose a ton of stuff--but it forced us to clean out and organize---a little bit anyway. Well we got the basement back together by the fall. Russell really worked hard to get that done. then, -----the -------work---------------- stopped.

Now 10 months later---he is picking it up again. (he has been really busy with lots and lots of stuff) Horray!!! This weekend he ripped out the west wall. No more pink walls --Yeah!! So for all of those out there with decorating and design skills and time to spare---I'll be contacting you! Hopefully we can finish this project by this summer--but I'm not getting my hopes up :)

You can't skimp on some things

For the last 7 months I have been using up some dryer sheets that i just do not like. 7 months you say?---well I got them at Costco and you can't buy anything small there. When I went to get some Bounce--it was no where to be found and in my cheapskate moment--I thought--hey if I just get the Kirkland brand I'll save a $ 1.39 and it'll be great. well..... I didnt' realize how much I disliked them until I got the real "Bounce" again. mmmmmm there's just nothing better than fresh warm clothes that smell good from the dryer. Oh--I may need to mention--I got a new dryer!!! If you recall my deliriously long laundry days waiting for my ancient dryer to dry clothes (2hrs +) now 1 load.....35 minutes!! Woohoo! I love it. Even though it was a Valentines Day present.

There are things you can get away with not buying name brand goods. But then there are those that you definately cannot "skimp" I was just thinking about other things you just can't skimp on.

cream cheese-Philadelphia

deodorant-Secret

sausage (don't ever get farmland--disgusting!)

peanut butter-

toilet paper-Charmin

Q-Tips

Butter-not margarine (even though it's not healthy at all)

Bread

Downy

Did I miss anything?

2008 Baker Family

bakers

2008







Here is our Baker family calendar page. Every year the entire Milton & Betty Baker family does a calendar. We put together our individual pages and Nathan assembled it all this year. It's fun to see the different families every month. Since there are 10 kids--it works out just about perfect.

Finally a good day!

Finally--a good day.

I can't believe it. Saturday morning the way it should be. Sleep in til 7:30. Send the kids downstairs to watch cartoons. Drift in and out of consciousness for 45 min. read in bed--uninterrupted for 1 blissful hour. WOW! Oh no--it doesn't stop there--uh uh. After Russ threatened the kids with no tv or computers for a week if they didn't get their jobs done by 12:30--they actually made it!! Then I went SHOPPING BY MYSELF!!! I finally got to spend my Christmas $. New shoes, new clothes, bargains for the tots. and now the best news yet---Cafe Rio is now open in Sandy!! Oh yeah. In and out with dinner for the whole fam in less than 5 minutes. What a day. Sooo forgive me for all the first class whining I've done.

Some days are pretty darn good.

Who needs sleep?

Why is it that when I don't get enough sleep by choice I am fine--but when I am deprived of those blessed 8 hrs due to circumstances that are beyond my own control (like sick kids) I don't function well?? I think this aging business is sinking in with a sledge hammer. I used to work night shifts. For 6 years I worked 7pm-7am 3 to 4 nights a week. I seemed to managed just fine on 4 hours of sleep. I was even known to ski after a night shift, sleep for a few hours and then work all night again the next night then ski again the next day. But now in my elderly state--I can't seem to function on an accumulated 10 hours in 3 nights. Crazy!! I tried to hold it together--even when the drive through at Wendy's jipped Kamryn out of her frosty AND her toy, I even tried to hold it together when I was trying to nap and the phone rang 3 times in the 30 minutes I had to myself before I had to fix dinner. But when I found the hook of my cute silver rock earrings cut with toe nail clippers--I lost it!! Motherhood is wonderful, fabulous, rewarding, endearing, and very special, but it does have it's moments!! Oh by the way I finally did it. I had the long overdue "birds & bees" talk with Kaden. It went pretty well I guess cuz he thinks the whole thing is disgusting. Fhheww!! One more thing off my to do list.