Hello everyone

Well I sent out a new e-mail address to everyone on my list so should have gotten our new email address. Well if you were on my list usually that doesn't have everyone I know. So if you didn't get my address here it is
jjmurrell@verizon.net

hope yall had a fun Christmas. Jennifer went down to her parents and grandparents for Xmas day. I had to work, But the good news is no one needed our services until late that night.

I will be starting paramedic classes on the 10th of next month and that should last about 10 months. So by this time next year I will be getting ready to take the national registry test to get certified as a paramedic.

Hope everyone has a great newyear

Jason

Merry Christmas too !!!!

Well Santa found us in our new home !! The presents were wrapped and even a few cookies got baked !! Now we can concentrate on the rest of the boxes in the garage and getting our house all fixed up. I'm off work till Jan 5th and that when Rachael goes back to school, so hopefully we can get lots done, including Courtney's BIG birthday !!! 2 teenagers...OMG !!!!!

Good Luck on your move Dotty, I'm tryin to forget mine !!!

I hope everyone has a fun and peaceful holiday :)

This is just cool. For those of you (you know who you are!) who like to make fun of me for my always having my knitting bag with me, it could be worse. I could be doing this!
I'll have to go to town and look for some of their "work" soon, I think.
Certainly easier to clean up than spray paint!

Miracles DO happen

After much ado...we are finally in our new house. Wednesday was supposed to be moving day...so naturally we got the biggest storm of the year. So Thursday had to do..much to my buyers irritation (like I gave a poo about how they felt after all this). I will email our new address and phone number to y'all. Francie has it cuz she came to visit already :) and we were so glad to see them. I dont have much room for everyone to sleep now but I do have room for lots of fun !!!

FINALLY !!!!!

Well finally, these Florida crackers got a loan....good grief. I will be signing papers on monday, and they will sign and fed ex them back hopefully by wednesday. I might be able to close on my new house a little before that like Tuesday or something? But I'm not sure yet. It's gonna be a complicated mess but then that makes life interesting huh? My new house looks really nice!!! But I'm still kinda holdin my breath till this is all a done deal. I'm taking off the 10 days after Christmas and going back on Jan 5th, so I will have a little time with the girls to unpack and stuff. Just keep your collective fingers crossed for the next few days that things go smoothly!!!!

For the geeks out there

One more thing you might like Santa to bring you, just in case you get bored with your mp3 player, and want something else...

Really, guys, I couldn't make this shit up.

Look at this!

My First Snow!

Hey, this is my boyfriend, Bryan. Those of you in OK and TX have met him, but all the others haven't. I thought this was a really good picture of us. He's a really sweet guy and my mom approves. And so does Megan Luster.
That's Right! It snowed! It was so cold. But so fun! It was "only" 2 inches, and "only" that powdery snow. But I have nothing to compare it too. As far as I'm concerned snow is beautiful, no matter what. Don't worry, I didn't drive any where or anything, but I did learn about black ice. Scary. Well That's all for now! Love y'all

Brrrr!

It was COLD in Minnesota! Even if it's not exactly typical weather here, it's much better than Minneapolis was/is. I'm not envying you "eastern" folks at all. Even Ginny thought it was cold and Grand Forks is usually several degrees colder than Minneapolis on any given winter day.

I guess it was one way to "train" for Colorado in a couple of weeks. We're going up there, leaving on the 22nd, and staying until 2 Jan. Ellen's latest (lastest?) is coming on the 27th so we're the designated babysitters for Amanda and Elizabeth. Then Ginny and Steve will take over the duty of spoiling when they get there New Year's weekend. We'll overlap a day. They'll stay a week and then head back to ND.

Because Ellen hasn't ever gotten the hang of converting a couple of favorite cookie recipes to use in Denver, I promised to bake some to haul up there--her Grandmother's sugar cookies, Francie's gingersnap recipe and the only cookie Bob likes--snickerdoodles. I have a lot to get done between now and the 22nd so I'd best start.

It's December!

Ok, Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. I am tired of looking at Mom's post (as wonderful and insightful as it is).

So, here is a post about the fact that it is December already.

Does everyone have their Christmas shopping finished?

Will you be on the Naughty or Nice list this year?

Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?

What is your quest? (oops, Monty Python can sneak up on me at the oddest times)

While I don't, repeat don't, want to get in to a discussion of politics here, with those I love, I did think it would be interesting to share this link.

I have never made a secret of the fact, nor apologized for, not supporting this war. I do not think I have ever been more proud to be a Methodist than I am right now. But that's just me, obviously.

Just another thing I have to be thankful for, this Thanksgiving. Pray for peace, indeed.

Happy Thanksgiving

Before we get lost in the kitchen fixing Thanksgiving dinner we thought we should wish y'all a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving. (We assume, Kim, that even though you'll be packing you'll take time out for a turkey sandwich.)

Harv's brother-in-law is going to smoke a turkey and Harv and I will fix all the rest of the meal. His sister had a cancerous kidney removed three weeks ago so she's not spending much time in the kitchen! Although she's doing well, she does spend a lot of time in a recliner--we figure she can sit in Harv's recliner as well as any other. So, I figure they will be here most of the day.

I spent this afternoon washing china and crystal and cleaning silver so that I can set the table "right" this year. Last year Harv and I were alone and I think we baked potatoes and grilled steaks instead of the usual. And we ate off the Frankoma. Now, I can set the table tomorrow morning and then spend the rest of the day cooking.

Don't over do it Thursday.

Love you all.

I don't imagine any of us are naive enough to fall for this, but just in case you are curious...don't open the attachments from the FBI.

I'm guessing if they were mad at you, they'd knock on your door, not send an email.
People are amazingly gullible.

news n stuff

Well the packing is coming along slow, but everyone tells me 'it'll get done'. We can only hope.
Moving out day is the 28th and moving in day is the 30th. I am really ready for all of this to be over so we can relax a bit. Thanksgiving is gonna be a packing holiday adventure (or so I told the kids)

I will email y'all with our new address and phone number.

Just to catch y'all up on other stuff...

Obviously, Rachael is doing great and loves OSU...I'm proud of her and so happy she is happy. But we miss her terribly and want her to realize she should come home and go to junior college (think that will work? ;) ) I'm glad she keeps y'all informed on the football news and stuff ...but why couldnt OSU be some color besides orange? ....oh well...I should have gotten used to it when Jason lived with us :)

Courtney has been very very busy. I try to get her to post here but she 'never has time' (like I do) She loves drill team and is so excited because she made the 7th grade basketball team!!! As you know, 7th grade girls basketball is very interesting to watch. So far, no real injuries so keep your fingers crossed :) . She loves it and works hard so thats what matters. Also (are you listening Harv?) , she bowled her first 200 game 2 weeks ago, a 203 !!!! Then yesterday in the city tournament team event, she bowled a 224!!! Today is doubles and singles so wish her luck...Watch out Rachael, she gonna catch you ;) . Rachael bowled her first 200 when she was 12 and Courtney didnt want to be left behind. They tell everyone.."Papa taught us" :) Thanks PaPa !!!

But dont worry, Courtney is also keeping her grades up. She has almost all A's and she taking several PreAP classs, including math and science. So needless to say we are all very proud of her.

More news later .... wish us luck... I hate moving

I do love The Onion

I don't know if any (or all) of you read The Onion regularly, or ever. If you don't, I recommend that you try it! I promise you no bad breath or indigestion, only laughs.

Try this one for starters, then maybe this one...

Enjoy!

Ride, Ride, Ride 'Em Cowboys!!!

That's right! We beat Tech. It was our last home game and the senior's last game in Boone Pickens Stadium, ever. We are losing 19 players. The refs were terrible, and Mike Gundy (our coach) had to be held back by 5 coaches when he was trying to correct a terrible call that cost us a touchdown. Nevertheless, we moved past that and earned a victory. The last touch down was a 6 min. push down the field to the ONE and a 3 play struggle on the goal line for the final touchdown. It was AMAZING. The tech fans were visibly upset (sorry Papa). Bob Stoops better watch his back because on game day God wears Orange and Black!

Finally, a picture

This isn't the best picture in the world, but this is us at Brian's work the Friday before Halloween. Brian was in a skit based on ABBA's Dancing Queen, so I thought I'd wear one of Mom's lovely outfits to go with the idea. Laura was a lady bug.

"Hey, waiter!"

Thought Amanda (left) and Elizabeth (right) could use a little exposure. Lizzie is definitely her mother's child!

We saw them last weekend (the 29th and 30th) when we drove up to Denver with Harv's sister for a short (!) visit. Not being as young as we once were, we took two days to drive the 900+ miles up, two days there and another two days back. But, it was worth it.

Just getting out of town was an adventure. We had intended to leave on Wednesday afternoon (the 26th) after Harv's eye appointment. Linda and I were waiting in the car since the chairs in the waiting room are nortoriously uncomfortable. We decided to go in and "use the facilities" after about an hour. I shut off the van, we went in, came out after a bit and the van wouldn't re-start. As soon as Harv came out, dilated eyes behind wrap around sunglasses, we had it towed to the dealership. Other sister Donna picked us up and we unloaded most of the contents of the van into her PT Cruiser. I had NOT packed lightly! We were planning to picnic along the way plus we had to have winter clothes, you know, in case of cold and snow. (After all, our blood has "thinned" a lot and Linda is from Florida.) But we managed to jam most of it in her car.

Thursday morning, the 27th, we learned that the "main brain" computer had died--be lucky to get a replacement by Monday (the 31st) since there was "only one in the whole country and it's in Detroit". We mulled it over and decided to take the Buick and go ahead. So, we did--without the picnic supplies and a few maps and informational pieces we'd thrown in to use during our sightseeing. We didn't even have the car chargers for the phones and we'd be sorry about that.

We took off after hurriedly loading what we did have into the Buick. We took the cold weather stuff, too, and needed it--or Linda did, anyway. We made Albuquerque Thursday and were at Ellen's Friday afternoon late. We had a full, tiring weekend but it was worth it. The girls were a lot of fun and were quite willing to play with us as much as they could. Grandpa and Amanda juiced lemons for lemonade, Grandma and the girls had "coffee" for breakfast, Grandpa and Lizzie played on the swings and Aunt Linda was always good for snuggles or play time, too. On Sunday Ellen, Linda and I left Grandpa (Bob had to work) babysitting and went antiquing in Ft. Collins. It was raw--cold, rainy, blustery. Monday we saw lots of fresh snow on Long's Peak and quite a bit along the roadside as we drove through Monument and south. Linda was not thrilled!

We made Albuquerque Monday night and then ambled through west central NM Tuesday--El Malpais, the ice cave and Bandera Volcano, El Morro and Inscription Rock, the Zuni Pueblo where we bought jewelry and snitched ideas for decorating a dry bar. We drove down off The Mogollon Rim after dark--not recommended during rut but we saw no elk. Since we were supposed to be back in AJ in time for dinner, we called Donna to let her know we'd be late. We must have called a half dozen times as we were slowed by sightseeing, construction, truck traffic on two lane roads with few passing zones and then there was the drive down the rim. My phone was nearly dead by the time we got to Mesa--Harv's phone, which is no good outside a metro (government always has lousy contracts for services), was dead.

Oh yes, the dealership called Friday, the 28th, when we were having lunch in Raton, NM. The van was ready! So, Harv and I took care of getting it on Wednesday morning. Since we'd bought an extended warranty on the thing it didn't cost us more than our minimal deductible.

Today we put Linda on the plane for Sarasota. She was flying an airline which shall remain nameless but for whom one "cousin" works. Check in told her A-2, when they posted the flight for A-2 it did NOT go to FL. She asked and then ran to B-2 as they were just making the boarding call. After that they announced the Sarasota flight had been changed from A-2 to B-2. The gates are, of course, on opposite ends of the terminal. But, she made it. Now she has one day to readjust to eastern time. I don't envy her.

Ellen is doing fine. She's not as uncomfortable as she was before Lizzie came nor has she gained as much weight as she did with Amanda. Consequently, she has more energy and is more agile, if you can call a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant agile. The delivery has been scheduled for 27 December. So, we will probably go up on the 22nd or 23rd--depending on the weather. We'll stay about a week and, hopefully, Ginny and Steve will be able to come around New Year's. We'll overlap a day or so and then they'll stay a week. Ellen hopes to be back home on New Year's Eve.

Although the doc and the ultrasound technician refer to the baby as "She", Ellen still says "It". They are discussing girl names, though, with a flower for a middle name (Amanda Iris, Elizabeth Rose) but they aren't saying what. We'll find out her name when Bob calls the house to tell us she's been born.

Nothing much else goes on here. We'll start the minor landscaping project this coming week and then not plan anything else until #3 has arrived, I imagine.

Some fun

Invitational Winners

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take
any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing
of one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's (2005) winners:

1. Cashtration (n.):
The act of buying a house, which renders the subject
financially impotent for an indefinite period.


2. Ignoranus:
A person who's both stupid and an asshole.


3. Intaxication:
Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you
realize it was your money to start with.


4. Reintarnation:
Coming back to life as a hillbilly.


5. Bozone (n.):
The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright
ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign
of breaking down in the near future.


6. Foreploy:
Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting laid.


7. Giraffiti:
Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.


8. Sarchasm:
The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it.


9. Inoculatte:
To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.


10. Hipatitis:
Terminal coolness.


11. Osteopornosis:
A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)


12. Karmageddon:
It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really
bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's
like, a serious bummer.


13. Decafalon (n.):
The grueling event of getting through the day consuming
only things that are good for you.


14. Glibido:
All talk and no action.


15 Dopeler effect:
The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they
come at you rapidly.


16. Arachnoleptic fit (n.):
The frantic dance performed just after you've
accidentally walked through a spider web.


17. Beelzebug (n.):
Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your
bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.


18. Caterpallor (n.):
The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

Happy Halloween

Just wanted to show off the little ones in thier costumes. I have some others, but this believe it or not, may be the best of the two of them together. If you can't tell, Katie is a Fairy Princess, and Matt is a racecar driver. I hope everyone had a safe holiday. Hope to hear form everyone soon.

Rachael...

I saw part of the game yesterday. When Jim and I left for dinner, it was the beginning of half time. When we got back, about the middle of the fourth quarter, well, things had changed. I'm sorry! Were you there? The place was a sea of orange on television - both shades, obviously.
Just for the record, I wanted you to know I was rooting for your color orange, not the UT one...

Hugs!