It's been awhile

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. Well, lets see...my WI trip was amazing! Kate, Collin, Maia and Sophie were great hosts. My new BFF Maia helped me make breakfast, and lunch, and helped me make jewelry...you name it, she was there! We had a great time. I got to see the beautiful fall colors near Stevens Point, which were as amazing as I predicted. I meandered my way to Milwaukee to hang out with Nick, Shannon, D. and E. Shannon wasn't feeling the best, so it was pretty low-key, but we still had fun. We attended Ted and Erin's wedding, which was a blast! I miss my WI "family." They're always a good time. I wore some killer heels, so it took my feet a few days to recover, but was well worth it.

Lets see...when I got back to IL, I decided to apply for a FOID card. I don't know that I'll ever use it, but my father is currently working out of state, so I thought someone should have a FOID card in the house. I love the questions they ask you on the application, such as "Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Any mental health diagnoses?" You get the picture. It makes me wonder how many people lie about these things. IL State Police do a background check, so they'll find these things out. Why bother asking? Oh well.

I got to see Kate again for her baby shower. It was so much fun catching up with her friends and family, most of whom I haven't seen since the wedding. We found out that most of us have blogs, so hopefully we can stay in touch better. I can't wait for Baby Madden to get here!

I guess that's it for me. Work is still work, teenage girls still make me crazy, and I'm dreading winter weather. I'm okay with snow around Christmas, but the rest of the time it is a pain. You have to wear so many clothes, find boots/scarves/hats/gloves and hopefully have a full set, drive on yucky roads, and your pant legs get the lovely white "salt stain" look. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay to live in the Midwest. I guess without winter, we couldn't have spring, which is my second favorite season. And I planted some new flower bulbs and can't wait to see them. Hope everyone is well, and I promise to post again soon!

Ahhh, the week I've had!

Well, I guess it really isn't that bad. I sat through training for 3 days (which is really hard to do when you work an active job like I do!) I didn't, however, doze off or daydream, so I was pretty happy with myself. Unfortunately, because I didn't have adequate time, I had to eat out all three days, and I think one of my meals lead to food poisoning. Now, I'm not good at being sick, especially that kind of sick. I had the ear infection-sinus infection-working my way to bronchitis sickness a week and a half ago. Needless to say, I wasn't a very happy camper. Oh well, what can you do? I'm feeling better now, but still don't have much of an appetite ( I can't imagine why!?!?)

I work the next couple of days, then its off to Wisconsin for some R&R! This time, I'm traveling the majority of the state, which will be absolutely beautiful this time of year. I get to see Kate, Collin, Maia and Baby Kono, and I can't wait! It's been a really long time! Then it's off to Milwaukee for a wedding of two friends. Those are always fun! I hope I have good stories to tell!

From the mouths of little ones...

I am so blessed to be around "little ones" quite often. Those of you who know me, know that I often would rather play with kids than with adults. They are so fun and unpredictable. I thought I'd pass on some recent tidbits heard from some of my "little friends."

First, there is my Goddaughter, E. I spent quite some time with her this summer, and she's growing up to be a very bright young girl. After several days of rain and storms, the weather finally broke and we were on our way to Chuck-E-Cheese for some supper and games. E. says to me "Um, AJ, is da sun out?" Puzzled, I said yes. She then asked, "Ummm...did it dry up all da rain?" I told her it was trying to. The next day when I put her down for her nap, I heard her singing "the itsy bitsy spider." Little smarty-pants was putting it all together!

My friend W. took her 4 year old son C. to Arizona this spring to visit relatives. They went to the Pheonix Zoo, and C. got to ride on a camel. When his dad asked him what the camels name was, C. replied "Uhhh...I think Cameltoe!" Enough said!

My friend J. was talking to her son K. on the phone and K. dropped the phone. He yells down to the phone "Mom, are you okay???" Freaking hilarious!

One of my favorite stories is from some time ago. My little buddy D. was patiently awaiting my visit. It was getting late, and I had gotten stuck in some traffic during my trip. I was trying to explain that other cars had been in accidents and I had to wait for the fire trucks to clean up the messes. D. asked me if I had been in an accident, and I said no. He then asked if I had been stuck in a hole (kids minds...go figure!) I again told him no. He then went on rambling about how I should call him (4 years old at the time) if I got stuck in a hole and he and his grandpa would come get me out. He waits a minute, then asks if I have a hitch on my car. I asked "D., don't you think AJ's little car would look funny with a hitch on it?" Like I'm an idiot, he says "AJ, it's not for towing things, it's in case you get stuck! So we can pull it out!" Wow.

Life is never boring with little ones around!

My New Favorite

"We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names and all are different colors...but they all have to learn to live in the same box."