Thoughts

I bought a replacement window regulator for my Jeep last week. It comes with a lifetime warranty. Question, why didn't the one that came with the Jeep come with a lifetime warranty?

Fox news. On their news program there is usually a story about American Idol. Is that news? It's like reporting "Plankton tries to steal the Krabby Patty recipe from Mr Krabs, but Sponge Bob saves the day."

The Wii. It's a video game. If you like bowling, go to the bowling alley. Iif you wanna exercise, exercise. Wanna play a video game, sit down and play a video game.

Beyonce if you were a boy, we really wouldn't care. But nice job on the Grammy's.

Quote from the sermon today, "My dad said the difference between me and God, God doesn't walk around thinking that he's me all day long." Kory Christensen.

Marion AT&T store: Brian, "I'd like to update my phone." AT&T guy, "Sorry, we can't do that, your mom needs to be here to sign the paper." (we are on a family plan) Brian "She lives in New York, can she sign the paper and send it in?" AT&T guy "Let me ask the manager." AT&T guy comes back, "No." Brian, "What can we do to work this out? How do we solve this problem?" AT&T guy, "Sorry, nothing we can do." AT&T offered only excuses no solutions.

Love the Grammy's. What a fun show.

Indiana North youth leaders: Love you all, you are amazing people!

Why Am I Like This???

As I was cleaning off our bookshelves in order to make room for all the new book Christmas brought I noticed something. I have two whole shelves of books that I have collected over the years. Most of them are the "self help" type of books like how to be a better mom (which I'll have plenty of time to read after the kids are grown), how to grow in your walk with Christ, how to deepen your relationship with your spouse, etc...you get the idea. I LOVE these books and I joke about "collecting" books. The sad thing is that I have never finished a ONE of these books! I noticed as I was rearranging them that most of them have bookmarks about halfway through. Obviously, started off with good intentions but got sidetracked along the way.

I did read a couple books last year. "Mistaken Identity" was a great book and I even read through the "Twilight" series so I could see what all the hype was about. But these books didn't come from my collection, so they don't really count!

So, this is the year. I will read at least one book a month! It's not a big goal, but an attainable goal for me! After I read the book, it's outta here...pass it along...donate it...GONE! Well, of course, unless it's a really good read that I want to keep!! :)

Funny side note: I found this book of Japanese gift boxes. It has beautiful boxes that you cut out and fold together for gift giving. This was a gift from my sis-n-law at least 15 years ago and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I have kept it all these years saving these boxes for special occasions!! Many special occasions have come and gone but I still have this COMPLETE book! I think I have a problem...I may need help!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Years ago at Christmas when money was a bit tight Brian and I had to get creative in our Christmas gifts. We came up with the idea of a "coupon book".

Anna was too small to really benefit from one at the time,
but Jessica and Wes got one of these.

They cashed in on these coupons quite a bit at first. But over the years these particular books have kinda been forgotten about. That was until yesterday when Wes had homework that needed completed. Out comes the coupon for me to finish his homework. It was only a poster that needed "assembled". He already had done the research but the "crafty" part was not his thing. He asked me if I would finish it for him. He even suggested that I could use my cricut. Enough said, he's growing up to be a smart man...giving me a chance to use my scapbooking supplies!

Here are a few examples of the coupons:

awww...Lady Bird is no longer with us...

You will notice Wes "rated" his coupons.

Hey, this one has been used several times. Guess we need to sign off on it!

Anyway, these coupons books make great gifts. There is not a celebration that goes by at our house without a coupon book being given away. It's really fun to see what the kids come up with. I've even made one for Brian. They last quite a while...
this particular book dates back to '03!

Videos

I posted some videos on the youth group web site if you would like to go check them out.

www.thenetat.blogspot.com

Gingerbread Cookies

I've always wanted to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies but never "found" the time. This year in our annual cookie baking, Anna (Burry) decided she wanted to do it! Yay!

She's much more patient than I think I would have been!!

Time to decorate!

Joseph's masterpiece...notice the purple lips!

Christmas smiles! We found some pretty interesting cookie cutters in our collection.

Jessica's creations.

A "tipsy" snowman and a Christmas margarita??? creative minds at work!

They weren't as hard to bake/decorate as I thought. The kids had a blast with it and the house smelled WONDERFUL afterwards!! :)

Footballs over

Well, I can't say I'm sad...what a miserable year. It is the responsibility of every Chicago sports fan to say "There is always next year." To my beloved Bears, do the right thing!
Brian

Bragging...Because I Can!

Jessica was inducted into the EHS National Honor Society!

Here with her friends Payge and Krista