Snow and Ice

Not real good pictures. Took them with my cell phone camera when I was cleaning the car. We had about 3 inches of snow, then about 1/2 an inch of ice, then about another 3 inches of snow.

If you look close at the first picture, you can see that I cleaned off the top layer of snow, and am measuring the bottom layer of snow and ice. The second picture is of the hood, you can kind of see better the layers.

They came back this afternoon and fixed the "neutral". I heard him hammering on the roof, so I imagine that is what they call the line that was taut between the pole and the house. The actual electric wire was wrapped around it. I think that is why when the limb fell on it the electricity didn't actually go out because it just used the slack from the electric line. It still seems pretty low to the ground. I will have to look tomorrow when it is in the 50's and before Monday when it gets back to the 30's and more snow.

I can't complain

We have it great compared to you all. So I wonder what the weather is like in Italy right now? How cold does it get there? It's supposed be 56 tomorrow then possible flurries on Tuesday. I'm hoping for a nice weekend for the Mercedes. Only two weeks to go. So is anyone coming down then or running in it with us. Online registration is good until the 7th, then you can register at the expo Friday or Saturday night. No same day registration. Jon (my trainer) about killed me today. But I know I'm getting better because he keeps increasing the weights on me. I almost threw up on him today and he didn't back down until the last 10 minutes. It's cost me a lot but it is one of the best things I've done. I just wish I could have taken advantage of Chip, maybe I could have gotten a family discount. I just need to work on my food consumption now.

I am officially in the office full time now. If anyone keeps the family info updated my new work number is 205-408-4600 ext 5444. My boss got me a new chair for the office, which may end up causing problems. The guy in the cube next to me had to buy his own. Nobody bothered to tell us that every Friday is jeans day, but then they barely talk to me...except to ask me about my chair. Nobody there does anything close to what I do so I don't have work to get the conversation started.

Better get some work done. I hope it warms up for everyone.

Power back on Friday nigh!

The power is back on. However, since Terri and I had planned on going to the Galt House bar, we did.

We are still having problems with Q at work. I can get to some of the data but not all of it.

John made it to Columbus okay. Another convention.

See you all at lunch.

AND I THOUGHT WE HAD PROBLEMS

Well, I guess Barbie outdd us. I think or know as of around noon today we still had power at our house, but not sure for how long. But according to our neighbor and Jeff, and also Paula, our place looks like a was zone. Still waiting to hear from our insurance adjuster about damage to gutter,downspout,roof maybe. Don't think they will do anything on tree removal. Gloomy here today. Hopefully things will get better for everyone that is having problems soon.

I love life...Life loves me...me and Life are not living harmoniously :o)

Lights went out Wednesday morning about 3:00 AM. I have a not too big of a tree limb on the wire from the pole to the house, but it didn't cause the lights to go out because I heard it crash and was up to report it when the lights did go out. It was weird Wednesday morning, to lay there in bed and about every 10 - 15 minutes you would hear another crash from a tree losing a limb. It is very sad too to think of all the trees that have been lost.

John and I stayed at Beth and Alan's Wednesday night. Beth fixed us chili, and John some chicken strips. We were a little worried about the sump pump because the alarm went off on it because the water was getting high. We emptied it, and it filled back up pretty fast, so we emptied it again. Then, since it is uphill from the drain I put a lot of towels down to try and direct it to the drain. But it didn't back up anymore.

So I figured I had to suck it up and go into work on Thursday. It was a terrible day. The Testing system which went down on Monday was still down. Took about 15 minutes to fix once I got hold of the manager. then everything I was looking at wasn't working.

Good news was that Accenture, our contractor, had 4 apartments where the contractors where leaving today for the weekend and they offered to let people without power stay in them until Sunday. So I got one. And when I got off work, I went home, packed a bag, then went over to Beth's again for dinner. Chicken quasadilla's. And I learned a new trick to give them a little kick (cream cheese and green chili's). Pretty good.

So I am in a Galt House apartment. It is a two bedroom. I believe it is larger than my house on the main floor. Hopefully the power will be back on, otherwise John and I will be begging again. The house was 42 degrees this morning.

But, it could always be worse, so I am thankful it isn't.

the Shower

I forgot to mention. The shower is Sunday, February 8th. I am having it at Beths. I didn't order enough invites so Heather is expiditing me more and I should have them today. So, some of you will get one early and some will get one in a day or two. Theresa asked if we could have our shower together and I said that would be fine.

Merten Mumblings --- or 2/3rd's of it

Anna should mumble for herself since she has her new fancy dancy laptop.

I will speak for John because he never blogs. I believe he reads it though. I figure if I start talking for him he may jump in because he hates for me to talk on his behalf. Not much has changed with him though. He started to go back to school but he has to petition to get back in and by the time he got the paper he missed the deadline, so there it sits again. He says he has things under control. I told him I won't give him a hard time until he is 23 and still in my basement.

He is going to a convention next week in Cincy I think.

Not much happening with me. I think work is easing up even though i'm still working 60 hours. it doesn't seem quite as stressful. but then, I've given up trying to workout or run. so i'm getting even fatter. I have been getting a massage once a month which has been helpful. The massage therapist is a little worried that after 4 sessions I am still as tense.

I've actually got the one web designer (different than a web programmer)in the company for 2 days a week now. and i get one person from corporate communications at least one day and maybe two. My developers are really good, and the site works functionally, but they don't really care a whole lot what color of red we use and how many pixels of white space we need around a box. I can do some of it, but I just don't have the time. they moved all of my testers over to training for the backend system. so the project manager over the whole thing has volunteered to help me test. while i keep my developers on schedule, answer all the business questions (since they took my business resource), and test it all, and give them the communication plan and the test plan.

Oh, by the way mom, I accidentally signed you up for BillMail, which I hate because they are taking all of my eBill customers. But I think I got you back on paper bill okay. You are in cycle 20 and I don't think we read or bill cycle 20 until next Thursday or Friday (29th or 30th). I'll watch it. I had to call the vendor to get it back and they weren't going to do it because my name isn't on your account, but I gave it back to them that they shouldn't have allowed me to switch it in the first place.

about time for lunch.

Gary & Rachel

I don't know how I could have missed your blog but apparently I did. Congrats to both of you. We couldn't be happier. I guess this means one of you will have to move now. Take care. We love you both.

Happy Belated Birthday also.

Aunt Cheryl

The Murphys are still alive

Okay haven't been on for awhile,guess on all day at work. Okay update supposedly we are supposed to find out about the department by the end of January. We'll wait and see. Can't really do anything until we know something.
Chris is staying busy hopefully he will be okay. If something did come up they would cut salaries before laying off they were told.
Eryn still plugging away at Dehoney and the Spaghetti Shop, usually two nights a week.
Mike and Jeff left awhile ago to go snowboarding.
David just walked back in, forgot his phone, OH MY can't do without that phone. He's been playing basketball for CYO, sounds like Cam's team is doing better than Davids. Only three of them know what they are doing. Those three are the tallest and it seems all the other teams have all tall ones playing. He's still at the Spaghetti Shop mostly one night a week Saturday and Sundays. Conner when you come for the Wedding you need to have him show you what he bought for the Trooper, it rattles the house.
Talk with you later.
Sherry

FINALLY! Girl Scout Cookie Information

Sorry - it's been just a little bit crazy of week for us :) But, all three surgeries went well.

Now - for the cookies! They are $3.50/box. They will be in Feb 9th, so they will definetly be here for the wedding. You can have them sooner if Aunt B makes it down in Feb and is willing to bring them all home :) Also, we "adopted" a unit in Iraq over the holidays and are also sending them cookies, if you would like to make a donation.

Now, for the types:
1.Lemon Chalet Cremes (vanilla sandwich w/ lemon creme filling)
2. Trefoil (shortbread)
3. Do-si-dos (crunchy oatmeal cookie w/ peanut btter filling)
4. Samoas
5. Dulce de leche (caramel chips and stripes)
6. sugar free chocolate chip
7. Tagalongs (cookie topped with PB and covered in chocolate)
8. Thin Mints

If you would like any, please email me by Monday (heather@thestallworths.com) and I'll go from there!

Thank you!!

Have I missed something?

What's going on with Gary and Rachel? Should I assume something or wait for another announcement since I apparently missed the first one...Love you all.

Cookies for Iraq

Just learned we are selling cookies to send to Iraq - so if you do not want any for yourself, but would like to send some to the soldiers, let me know!

HOW'S ROB

Heather how did Rob do with his surgery on his shoulder. Keep us updated. Luv Granny

Indy Checking in

Hey everyone!

It was so good to get on and catch up - sorry for everything I've missed (belated birthdays, wishes for speedy recoveries, etc) but lots love to all of you.   Here's our updates: 

Conner leaves for Washington DC this afternoon for a youth rally/March for Life thing through school and will be back on Sat. night.  Keep him in you thoughts these next couple days - don't know how you moms all survived sending them off to college, this is hard enough!  Also - stay off the roads, he got his learners permit the other day and will start hitting the roads soon.  He did provide the BMV with a "first" - apparently, new photo ID rules say you have to be able to see your eyes and eyebrows in your picture.  You all know Conner and his hair - needless to say it was a little (a lot) too long and he was not about to "slick it back" out of the way as suggested. Much wiser to borrower "Violet" the lovely BMV lady's scissors and go in the bathroom and cut your hair! Yep, that's Conner for ya. I don't know what surprised them more - the fact that he would do it or the fact that I let him do it! 

Cameron is still playing basketball, his CYO team was undefeated (7-0) in regular season, but lost in tourney.  This little guy is just all heart out there (which is good, considering there's not a lot more to him - a few pounds and a few more inches wouldn't hurt - but all in good time I suppose) If he can hang in there until he gets some sort of growth spurt he will be quite a force! In true Cam fashion he is also determined to get "high honors" this semester (though I think Music class will bump him down to regular honors - lack of musical genes continues into the next generation apparently) He does drive me a little crazy with his methodical planning of handling grades and practices and his plans to enter the IB program in high school (yes, he plans that far ahead! ) and you can probably throw in plans to solve global warming - that's our Cam!

Wyatt is a gym rat, going to play basketball any chance he gets - he's a lot like Cam in heart and attitude.  He plays in a league with some buddies and will start OLMC basketball next month. Doing well in school - but more like Conner than Cam (waiting til last minute to get things signed, etc) He has taken to covering every inch (literally) of his bedroom walls with pics from sports magazines and lives for ESPN. He has truly gone to the dark side.

Cole is still just Cole - enough said! Going to speech once a week is not giving the improvement I'd like - I'd hate for him to have to keep going in first grade, cause then they'll have to pull him out of class and stuff,  But I'll worry about that later!  

So, basically, everyone is healthy and happy and things are going well.  I hope all of you are the same - looking forward to Charly & Ryan's big day and congrats again to Gary and Rachel, too. Take care everyone! Love, Terri

Cookies

I haven't forgot . Just been preoccupied with the surgeries going on. I will get info on the cookie types out soon :) I do know they are $3.50 a box. Thanks!

So it's your birth day, Happy Happy Birthday!

Beth, Hope your birthday is and was great. It wasn't too bad of a day for me. It was a Friday so the contractors are out of the office and it is a lot more relaxed.

Nothing to say, all I'm doing is working mostly.

My "honey do" brother has come over the past two Saturday's to help out his adorable little sister. We got the garage opener up that my loving son gave me for Christmas. I believe he was tired of hearing me complain. I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money on it. Then last Saturday we thought, or at least I thought, we would get all kinds of stuff done, rehang my curtains that were hanging by the bottem screw, change the electrical outlets in Anna's and John's old rooms, put in new furnace vent covers. It took all morning to get the curtains hung. At least I don't feel so bad that what had done didn't work. I did attempt to use those plastic thingys on a couple of the screws. Tomorrow we hang the new microwave. We've been without it since about September. John finally made me feel guilty to spend money on it. It really isn't that much more difficult to put things in a pan.

Anyway, I'm supposed to be working now, well not that I have to, but I have a document due Monday by an 11:00 meeting. If I can get it done soon, maybe I will get to enjoy one day. I've lost track of the number of days until April Fool's day.

I hope Rob's surgery goes okay. I'm sorry that he and Will won't be at the wedding. I've always been curious about Atlantis. it sounds great, but then it seems sooo big.

Okay, back to work. Love to everyone.

UNBELEIVEABLE

Hooray for Mike. Its been a long time since we heard from you. You better decide soon on the Mercedes Run, so you can sign up. Hope the wedding plans, etc. are all going good. Yes Terri is still on the internet. Sound like you had your hands full with Reese, but I know you like it. Again Beth, Happy Birthday today. Thanks Sherry for getting the mail off to us. Only 47 here now, should get up to 66 today. Cool all next week too. But the sun is out bright right now. Might get out some later. Heather, hope Rob has a successful surgery on his shoulder. Will keep him in our prayers. Glad to hear you & Haley will make it to the wedding. Deb, did you ever get everything going yet at the office. Good to hear from everyone. Luv to all

Mike Blogs Again

Random thoughts for 5 minutes: Hey Mom & Paul - I bet you're glad you're not up here now - it's supposed to be around ZERO tomorrow. Charly's wedding plans are accelerating - invitations should be out next week. I'm trying to get back into running shape - still trying to decide whether or not to attempt the Mercedes (that's getting close!) - Hi Deb, Tom, Mel, Heather, Rob, Will, Haley. Happy Birthday Beth. Jim - I liked your adventurous day - that could only happen in Italy! Reese: I'm still worn out from Sunday and hope you've finally came down off your sugar high (Cheryl: I think Chip was feeding her junk food.) Does Terri still get internet service? Murph - I need my car washed, know where I can go for <$10? And my adorable lil single sis - see you Sat morn at BP and lets knock off a couple of more things on your "honey do" list.

Girl Scout Cookies & Rob's Surgery

Girl Scout Cookies are here! If you are interested, let me know and I can send you the information! Thank you from Haley!!

Also, Rob will be having complete reconstruction on his shoulder (again) next Wed, Jan 21st. Please keep him in your prayers. We're hoping it's just orthoscopic (?), but last time they tried orthoscopic, they had to actually open him up. And actually, while you're praying for him - my dearest friend Colleen's (she's almost as close as family) mother is having back surgery next Tues, and our friend Julie's husband is having heart valve replacement on Wed. The 3 of us are laughing - 3 surgeries in 2 days - and we're all at different hospitals!! Makes it harder to plan childcare when your best friends are also planning for surgeries.

Other than that I'm staying busy with kids, work, running, school, gymnastics, soccer, etc, etc - and all the other fun things that come with being a mom! LOL! I did just start a Beth Moore Bible Study on Esther and looking forward to that. Merecedes Marathon is 4 weeks away. I've only been running 3 days a week instead of 4 - just can't seem to find time for that extra day. I may not be able to beat my Derby time, but should still be a good race nonetheless.

Oh! Rob, his dad and Will are taking a trip to Atlantis (in the Bahamas) the week of Charly's wedding, so it'll just be me and Haley. But, looking forward to seeing everyone! We'll all be there for Easter though.

Love to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH

Happy, happy birthday Beth tomorrow. Putting this on earlier in the day so I don't forget to put it on like I have been doing lately. I know you are working tomorrow morning so have a Great Day at the Library. Paul's waiting to go golfing. It was down to 44 here this morning and is now 47 at 9:30. Suppose to get to 62 I think. Sun trying to come out a little. Beautiful yesterday.Went out last night with 3 other couples that use to stay here and had a good time. Next Monday evening we all (21) of us are goingto the Brewmaster on thebay. So have a great time, Luv Mom

ERYN

Tried to make a comment on your blog, but for some reason I couldn't get onto the comment section. Great to hear from you, as I told Jim. I do think you ought to get a Lottery ticket tho. You have been awfully lucky this last month. Keep on blogging. Luv ya Granny

Cold Water

Today was Reese's first day in the big pool to actually swim laps. She was very anxious to go until she got in the pool and felt the "cold water". She told her instructor,Jan (a 75 year old lady) that it was to cold and she wasn't swimming. Jan finally talked her into swimming and she did two laps maybe three laps and that was it. She went to the smaller pool when her lesson was over and swam for over an hour. There is 9-10 degrees difference in the pools. Next we will have to get her a wet suit in order to keep her swimming.

Nothing else new here. Take care everyone.

Fun STuff

So...nothing really new here. A couple of us went paint balling for the first time on Sunday. No welts, I found out what paintball paint taste like (not pleasant). Last weekend I went to the boat for the first time with some of my girlfriends, we didn't win anything just there to have a good time. That's about all here, I did get to see Benjamin Button its a cute movie a little long and sad but definitely worth seeing. Anyways off to work again.

Check this out

So I woke up yesterday morning, and I got myself ready for work, and then when I was all ready to go - I drove there. In a car! I stayed there for about 9 hours doing different odds and ends, and get this... around noon they gave us half an hour break so we could eat. Sweet, huh? Then, once I was done at work, I drove home, and guess what? It was kinda dark and rainy. When I got home I decided I was hungry so I put a frozen pizza in the oven, and after about 10 minutes it was hot, so I took it out... and I ate it! I watched a couple reruns of the Simpsons, and I even got crazy lucky and caught the last 20 minutes of The Santa Clause 2 on the movie channel. Oh yeah! After that, I read from this really big book that I have, and after a while I decided to go to sleep. But before that, I remembered I had something important to do. So... I got up, and I went to the bathroom one last time. THEN I went to sleep. Woooo!

PS - Granny, I'm ok.

it was a short visit

In my new office it didn't take me long to plug in the docking station and hook up the network cable. But there were two network cables, and my Microsoft Office couldn't get connected at first, even though I could get to the internet. So I switched network cables and it connected. So then I tried the mainframe...and no luck. Went to talk to the network guy, and he said we couldn't get to the mainframe from there. So I am back at home until they fix it so I can....guess I could have stayed there and played solitaire all day. Time to go get connected for here.

GOOD LUCK

Deb, hope your day turned out o.k. Probably strange to be working away from home after all this time, but I think it will be good for you if you get to meet some new people. Luv ya, Mom

Have a good day at work

hey momma I just wanted to tell you to have a good first day in the office. I will try and call you during my lunch. I have a short lunch tomorrow because I have a meeting. Love you.

I hope everyone has a good week

Ready for Mercedes

Well, me and my girls are committed to the Mercedes Mini-Marathon now. Heather's been signed up for a while, Melissa and I just got registered tonight. It's not to late if anyone wants to join us on Feb 15th. (I know, not the best valentines gift, but it makes you feel good about yourself) Even Haley is registered for the kids marathon on the 14th.

Not much else is going on here. I start in the office on Monday. Thank goodness it is business casual so I don't have to get dressed up. I'll probably put some make up on for the first week, but not sure I'll make it much longer than that. I was actually able to zip up some of my size 8 pants (a couple were a little tight, but not so I couldn't wear them) I guess the trainer must be paying off after all. He says I'll have most of the weight off by Charly's wedding. I hope he is right.

Hope everyone is doing okay.

ANY NEWS ANYWHERE

Why doesn't anybody blog anymore except for me, Deb,Barb and Cheryl. Sherry, you never blog. Jim where's your I'm O.K. What happened to you Mike,Liz and Terri. Well the sun is out bright today. Going to the Flea Market tomorrow. Played dominos last night. We beat the guys, but they beat us in Aggravation. Isn/t that interesting. Only about 4 couples here now, but expecting more in tomorrow.Luv to all, Mom

Happy New Year to All

Reese had her first road trip without Dad and Mom. She went home with Mom on New Years Eve. She was really excited because they were going to have a party and she got to go the store and pick out all the party food. Mom said she stayed up until about 10:45. She did well and didn't cry for us. I went up on New Years Day with Shawn and we came back on Saturday. She had a couple play dates and enjoyed herself. She told Mom she was coming back by herself again. Not sure how well she would do more than a day or two but if she wants to I'm sure we will let her.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Love to all.

Made it....to 2009!

Happy Wonderful New Year! This is going to be the year for the Day's. Life is great, wonderful and awesome.

There are.....
46 days until the Mercedes mini-marathon (Feb 15th)
64 days until Charly's and Ryan's wedding (Mar 6th)......we need a shower date
90 days until my project goes live (Apr 1st)

that's as far as I'm looking ahead. on April 1st life is going to magically turn into wonderfulness......yes I'm fooling myself.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone has had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! But not so happy a new year that you feel like crap today. I welcome 2009 with the optimism that it is going to be a fantastic year.

Things have been going pretty well with my personal trainer Jon at Fitness Together. I've been going there for 2 months now and was a little discouraged because I haven't seen much results. But when I do the work outs I can tell I'm doing better. I've only been with Jon since Thanksgiving, (my first trainer took a job as a medical sales rep) so the holidays have hurt us and as I learned it takes a couple of weeks for him to figure out how hard he can push me. I've only wanted to throw the medicine ball at him a couple of times.

Only a little over 6 weeks to the Mercedes Mini-Marathon. I need to get signed up. I am determined to be ready for it. I'm thinking about doing the Red-Nose run next weekend. Just the 5 k. They have a 10 mile but not ready for it and too close to the mini. Although it probably would have fit into the training schedule if I had kept up with it like I should have.

Also, still need prayers for Patty, Tom's sister. They removed an 8 pound tumor, her female parts and I believe some of her intestines. It is stage 4 Ovarian cancer and she will be going through chemo (don't know how to spell that one but the sounding is right...1st grade spelling). We are going to try to get out to Wyoming as soon as the weather is half way decent.

On an up note, the kids (Heather and Melissa) are going to be aunts. Their brother Steven is expecting a baby boy in May.

everyone have a safe and happy new year.