Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much: January 2007

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Dorothy B. (Chmielewski) Lentner

Visitation 4-8 pm Wednesday, January 31 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home,

Prior Lake and 1 hour prior to Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday,

February 1 at 11 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Ave, Prior Lake.

Interment St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Grandma

In Loving Memory of

Dorothy Lentner

(my grandma)

Passed on January 26, 2007

A Place To Rest
Anonymous

God looked down on your body, So tired from hanging on,

From a life that was overwhelming you, He didn't want you to suffer on.

So he took away the air you breathe, And gave you what was best,

A place to be at peace, A final place to rest.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Interesting

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/raisingkids

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Chocolate has been on Corey's mind lately. I'm talking about a chocolate lab puppy. He's trying to convince me that our life would be so much better with a dog in it. Don't get me wrong, they're cute, but what a lot of responsibility.

It all started on New Years Eve...I was talking with my friend Anne and she asked me why Corey and I don't have any pets and if we'd ever get one. On the way home that night we talked about all of the fun conversations we had with our friends. I mentioned to Corey that we're pretty much the only couple that doesn't have a pet. (Not that I was getting anywhere with that conversation...just a statement.) Corey said he'd been thinking about getting a dog ever since we moved into our house in June.

I don't mind dogs when they're well-mannered. I can't stand when they jump on me or lick my face. Can you tell already...I don't think I'm a dog person. My sister told me that she didn't think she was either until they got one. If you can lease a dog like you can an apartment maybe I'd be up for the challenge.

When Corey and I first started talking about this I thought I'd make my point about how I felt and then this topic would be dropped...well, we're still talking about it. Corey does a great job of listening to me when I try to convince him that we need something, so I told him that I'd be fair and look at the whole picture. I've made a list of pros and cons about dogs. I know if I see a cute, little, chocolate puppy I'll melt. But I need to be realistic. Can we do this? Would it be fun? Here's what I've come up with so far...

(feel free to help me out and add to the list)

Pros:

*Cute.

*Going for walks would be more fun.

*Great practice for when we have kids.

*I'd feel safer at home when Corey is away.

*Entertaining.

*Having a dog follow me around would be funny.

*We could have a well-trained dog.

*Playing catch.

Cons:

*Cleaning up accidents.

*Who would watch the dog when we go on vacation?

*Vet bills.

*Giving it a bath.

*Buying a lot of food.

*Stinky breath.

*I'm not a morning person, I'd have to wake up really early and take care of the dog.

*The dog would spend a lot of time in the kennel.

*I don't want to be that person that has to leave a party to "let the dog out".

*Cleaning up lots of hair.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

FAITH

When you come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step out into the darkness, FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen…There will be something to stand on or you will be taught to fly.

Six Months

So....

I received an update from my dad tonight about my Grandma L. I guess she's not doing well and her cancer has now spread all over her body. When she goes back to the nursing home she'll be put on hospiscare, which is not always a good sign. I'll find out more information by the end of the week, but as far as I know she has about six months left.

Of course I'm now reflecting on life...once again.

Six months...what would you do if you knew you had six months left? Fortunately, my grandma has had a full life. She's one of the strongest people I know. She is a fighter and will continue to be one.

I'm struggling with my emotions again. I'm so sad...
I worry all of the time. No wonder my stomach hurts.

A friend once told me that GOD only gives you what you can handle. Well...I think I've had my fill lately, but apparently God thinks I'm strong enough for all of this and therefore I feel o.k.
My faith has really been tested these last two months, and I'm thankful for that.

I think of three words everyday that tend to help me in my life. FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS. (I want to make a sign like this.) I figure that these three things are the most important in my life. I am glad that my faith is being tested, and I am glad that I have the best family and friends to help me through the ups and downs of life. Thanks.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Week Update:

My Grandma Z. was in the hospital early this week. She caught a bad flu bug and needed to be hospitalized for two days hooked to i v's to rehydrate her body. Poor grandma. My family was a little worried...Grandma Z. is pretty strong and has never been this sick. She sounds well, but feels weak. She just needs a lot of rest.

Friday night my hubby spent some "brother bonding" time at the shop with Todd working on our new tables for our living room. The tables are made out of rustic alder with a mission style design. One table is complete and in our living room...the rest are waiting to be assembled. (I'll post pictures when completed!!)

On Saturday Todd, Jackie, Corey and I went to the Sportsman's Show in St. Paul. It was fun. I found a great deal on sunglasses at the show (Buy one get TWO FREE.) Corey found one pair and I found two for myself. I'm pretty stylish!! We all went to the MN Swarm Game after the show. I've never been to a Lacrosse game before and I really enjoyed my first time. I was really into the game because it was easy to follow. Even though we lost 11 - 10, it was intense!

My sister Stefanie and her husband Brian just got home from their Royal Caribbean Cruse and I spent most of Sunday morning talking to her about their trip. I'm jealous...I want to go on a cruse. They spent a week of fun enjoying the sunny warm weather, the 24 hour buffet, and shopping on the islands. LUCKY!!

Corey and I went for a long Sunday drive today. It was nice just relaxing. We stopped by Corey's cousins (Eric and Holly's) to check out the updates on the newly remodeled house. Holly and I are creating a wood sign to hang in their house. (She wants it to read..."May this house always be too small to hold our family and friends"...cute, huh?) Eric and Holly are getting ready for a farewell party this Saturday for Eric...he's being sent to Iraq in February. All of us are very sad because he will be leaving his wife and three kids for 11 months. We wish him a safe return.

We used our Axel's Bonfire gift certificate from Christmas and had dinner with my in-laws. We had drinks at "The Last Stop" (for those of you who don't know...that's what Corey's parents named their new bar in their basement) We also had fun watching American Choppers on the big screen...gosh, we really need to get cable.

My Grandma L. was hospitalized today due to not eating at the nursing home. They discovered that she has a urinary bladder infection, a touch of the flu, and low sodium. Poor grandma. This is never ending for her. We're hoping she goes back to the nursing home tomorrow.

Tomorrow I have the day off. (Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!!) I suppose I will just stay around the house in case my dad needs me to help with Grandma L. I have plenty to do...I need to finish organizing my craft room. What a fun "snow day" it will be. Where the hell was all of this snow for Christmas? I want to go sledding!!

Sunday, January 07, 2007

After Christmas Sales are GREAT!!

Corey and I spent the weekend relaxing. Finally we had a weekend of nothing planned and we loved it.

Friday night was Guys/Girls Night. We met over at Mike and Aimee's house where the guys started their first poker tournament and Anne, Aimee and I headed off to Southdale for some shopping, dinner, and a movie. I found a great deal at the Yankee Candle Store! All of their seasonal candles were buy one get one free. When it comes to Yankee Candles, you can't pass a deal like that. So, I purchased two of my favorites...Spiced Pumpkin and Holiday Sage. We had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays and saw the movie The Holiday. It was a perfect "girls night" movie. (Thanks for the movie tickets Mike.) All of us agreed to continue the Guys/Girls Night once a month. It was relaxing and fun. Thanks for a great time Anne and Aimee...I can't wait for next month! (I guess Corey volunteered to have it at our place in February.)

Saturday consisted of sleeping in. I wasn't feeling too great, so sleeping in and not rushing off to go somewhere was good for me. (Sorry Great Grandma for not making it to your 90th Birthday Celebration...Happy Birthday!) Later that day we ended up going to HOM Furniture to look for a rug for our living room. I know it's dumb to put a rug on top of carpet, but our living room was missing something and Corey and I both agreed that a rug was it. We came upon a sale at HOM and ended up getting a nice rug for cheap. Now I can honestly say our living room is really coming together!!

On Sunday we spent the day with Todd and Jackie. We drove down to Cabela's where I found more great deals!! It's fun to shop after Christmas, everything is so inexpensive. I was able to find some vintage canisters for my kitchen. (I'm finally decorating that room.) Of course the Smore Ornaments were on sale...$2 each. I bought one to go with my collection. We spent the rest of the day hopping from furniture store to furniture store helping Todd and Jackie find a new couch. Corey and I thought we were the perfect people for the job since we just bought some new furniture ourselves. We knew were the good deals were. Once again we ended up at HOM Furniture where Todd and Jackie got a great deal on a beautiful couch and over sized chair in the HOM Clearance Center. Corey and I roamed around the Clearance Center while they filled out their paper work and we stumbled upon a great deal on a bed frame. It has the smallest dent in the side of it from shipping, so they marked it for half of the price they sell it for in the store. With much consideration, and enough in the bank...we purchased an Amish built Hickory headboard, foot rails, and foot board. It's beautiful!!! We'll pick it up at the end of the week. We are bargain hunters that's for sure.

This weekend was full of great deals for us. But, Corey and I both agree that we're done spending for awhile. Thankfully my hubby knows how to build...he's making us some tables for in our living room. (Thanks Todd for letting him use the shop.) I can't wait to see the tables!! It's been fun purchasing and building new things for our house...No more hand-me-downs.