No More Braces

Yes, you have read that correctly. As of Monday, February 4 at 3:00pm, I no longer have braces. WOOO HOOO! I can't even express how excited I am to have those things off. Now, the whole getting them off thing...I could have totally done without that. I mean seriously, in this day and age to tell me the only way to get the suckers off is to take tweezers (basically) and pull them off the teeth and then to get the glue off...just scrape away at it with some metalic thingy...ewwwww...awful...Actually it was so bad that the lady had to stop and have the doctor get the drill to polish the rest of the glue off. Thank goodness! The only way to describe the scraping thing is to liken it to nails on a chalkboard. Just thinking about it right now makes me cringe!

However, the results are worth it! Now I just have to wait 2 months, til all my teeth settle in and the doctor will do a little tooth shaping to even things all out. Right now the lines are not exactly straight as my teeth were worn with my old bite. And, I must wear retainers, which overall is not that big a deal as they are clear tray like things that I imagine must be similar to the invisalign trays.

I do not have any pics yet, but will get one up soon. Of course they very first thing I did once the braces were off is floss my teeth. I know, such a geek but you would too if you had just gotten braces off. At least my dentist will be proud of me.

Really Long Rant

Yeah, so today is not a great day. My beautiful state is being sucked down the toilet and nobody in elected office gives a crap. They are all out for the quick fix, easy way out and it just disgusts me. I cannot believe that my state would elect John McCain in the REPUBLICAN primary. Who out there actually thinks this man is a republican??? I really want to know. He is nuttier than a fruit cake and will do serious damage not only to my state but to the country as a whole. And then...oh yes...with 64% of the vote, the totally uninformed, unenlighted actually passed stupid amendment 1. My insurance (just the homeowner's and windstorm, which are required in order to get a mortgage) went up $2000 this past year. Yes, from paying approx $2000 (which is high to start with but totally undestandable since I do choose to live where I do) to over $4000. No, I am not kidding. But Hey! Wait a minute! I just got tax relief....really...how much you say...I will probably save $240 a year (if I am lucky enough to max out the savings). So, property taxes have gone sky high over the last 5 years right along with the ridiculous sky high property values but hey my taxes will go down approx $200. The thing about this amendment that really infuritates me is that written into this amendment is protection for all those 6 monthers/snowbirds who have second homes here. Excuse me...I can barely afford my one home let alone a second home. These people DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to be protected as such. If the taxes are just too high for you do not own two homes. Or if the taxes in FL are too high, homestead here instead of up north. I am absolutely sick of our elected officials doing more to protect those who rape our state (ie snowbirds) then those of us who choose to live here with our families and actually positively contribute to the state economy. I actually have a job here, I use my disposable income here. I do not sit back and spend the least amount of money possible while sucking down as many Medicaid dollars as possible and then bitch that the state does not do more to help them protect their SECOND home. I have really had it with the people who are running our state. The top jerk is the Governor who started this whole descent with the selling of our beautiful state to the Indians and gambling. If you want full scale casino gambling go to the places where it already exists and do not futher destroy our beaches and environment. And please do not tell me about how much better it is up north and how all us backassward redneck hicks should destroy our state to make it just like up north. If you love it up there so much, stay there!

And for now I will stop as I no longer have time to continue this worthwhile rant. Check back for future moments when I loose my cool and type what I am thinking without any filter.

1st Skateboarding Accident

So. Just so ya'll know...I did not give my 4 and 2 year old babies full on skateboards for Christmas. THAT person would be Pappi. Anyway...ignoring the whole age inappropriate thing I allowed them to actually have the skateboards and ride them. You know what happens next...



and then THIS....



Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the next day when Kyle's upper lip was swollen 4 times the normal size and all the scrapes showed up so well with the scabs. He about took his entire nose off and almost knocked out one of his front teeth.

To Kyle's credit (and I am secretly proud...) he actually asked to get back on his skateboard a few days later.

Long Overdue

Things have been super crazy around here the last few weeks but I am trying to catch up here. Christmas was awesome. As seems to be the usual for our kids now they get to have 3 Christmas celebrations (soooo spoiled). We started with Kevin's family at Useppa. Nothing like getting on the boat to go to an island to celebrate. It was nasty cold on the way out there but the weather was just great the rest of the time. Sunny, warm...very nice. Kids got to see Santa. Todd of course was terrified of Santa. Would not get near him. Even with me (and Kevin) holding him. Kyle on the other hand loved Santa. So much so he followed him out of the house and the people walking around with Santa had to tell us to come get him (he wanted to see the reindeer). We were at our house for Christmas eve and the Christmas day. The boys got lots of cool stuff... the best being their power wheel nascar cars. The LOVE them! And yes, we are somewhat ashamed of the whole redneck thing...sigh...oh well! After our family celebration, Mama, Paige, PG and Zane came over for more gifts and dinner. We had a fabulous time. New Year's Eve was much the same. Had Mama, Paige, PG and Zane here for dinner (Stone Crab, Filet...yum yum)then Mama watched the boys while Kevin and I went to his brother's house for their party. Again by boat. We have had the most wonderful weather (I was actually sitting out in the sun last week). The boys are growing way too fast. Kyle is already to my waist now and Todd is only 4 pounds lighter than Kyle (Kyle is still a bean pole). Toddles is finally showing the effects of the double ear infection he has had now for awhile which I had no clue he had. He has been coughing and stuffy the last 2 weeks but with colds and croup I did not even thing about his ears. Took him to the doctor today and she was like...ummmm...he has a really bad infection...I was totally like...oh...okay...he never complains or cries...I think he will be back to his old self now that he has medicine. Both kids are still singing Christmas carols. Favorites are Jingle Bells and Santa Baby. Who knew? Todd is also talking so much. It is incredible. He has not quite mastered the "C" sound yet and Kyle comes out "Tyle"...same for all c and k sounds. Kinda funny actually cause I start calling Kyle Tyle. Kyle is all about learning still. We make a counting and subtraction game out of his eating. Two positives...he is learing basic math and he eats. I am telling you...the child would not eat if left to his own devices. Okay...I am stopping now and will get some photos up here....Happy New Year to all!

My New Nephew!

Ya'll can just eat him up from these pics. He is just beautiful....(me not so much, just focus on the baby...

And He's Back

Kevin has returned safe and sound from his travels half way around the world to S. Africa. He is still trying to adjust back to our time. Cape Town is 7 hours ahead of us so Kevin is having a time trying to get back on our time. He is in bed early again tonight.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers for all of us this past Friday. I know my dad is up there watching us all and I AM grateful I was able to have him for my dad, even though for shorter time then I would want. However, we are all doing well and I am enjoying the beautiful flowers my husband sent to me Friday. In all his travel and work he still made it on the internet to send me flowers (Paige and mama too!)

We are finally all set for Christmas. Yea!!! Mama and I were able to get the inside of the house finally finished decorated. I had decorated the tree already as we picked it up the weekend after T-giving and Kevin was able to get the lights on before leaving. Just took me a little longer to get the rest of the stuff out. Whew! Kevin and the boys got the lights up on the outside of the house tonight and we sure do light up our street! And, I am quite proud to say that Kevin and I were able to get the boys gifts today while Mama watched them for us. THAT is a HUGE relief. Now on to the rest of my list. Can't hardly wait... I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

And on final note...I am sure from reading Paige's blog you all know that she is having the baby on Dec 17. SOOO exciting. We will have a new little on for Christmas this year. Does it really get better than this????

10 Years

December 7 makes 10 years since my father passed away. Not the best anniversary but an important one none the less. I imagine December 7 would pass again this year as in previous years, a remembrance of my dad but a continuation of my life as is. This year is different. Different because it has been 10 years and because Kevin will be flying all day on December 7 on his return from South Africa. Anyone who knows me understands that I do not really like to fly, in fact it terrifies me. However, I continue to fly as my desire to travel and see new places eventually wins out over my fear. But for my husband to be flying (the one thing that really scares me) on the very day that my dad passed away 10 years ago is creeping me out a little. Please keep Kevin in your thoughts as he travels back to us next Friday.