Crazy December

Our December has been a crazy one.....it seems as if everything happen all at once. I'll start with Senecas first Birthday party with her friends. We held her party at the Bowling Alley on December 16th. She had 5 of her friends there. They ate pizza, cake, opened presents and then bowled one game. It was fun!! As you can see below.....she got lots of presents and this was only the beginning!! On Monday, Pierre Street Dance where she takes dance lessons had a Holiday Open House where the parents can come see their kids lesson. Seneca did much better this year than last year. Last year, if you recall, she didn't want anything to do with dancing in front of people but this year was a much better year!!

Wednesday night at Wednesday School, the Wednesday school kids held their Christmas Program. They told the story of the Birth of Jesus with songs and scripture. It was a beautiful program and Seneca did so well singing the songs.

Thursday morning, bright and early, we headed to Kansas for Senecas birthday and Christmas. We packed a cooler of food and drove straight through except for potty breaks. 9 hours later, we arrived at Dads house. For the most part, the roads were good. There was some fog here and there which got a little scary at times, but no ice, thankfully. Once in Kansas, we listened carefully for the upcoming forcast on Saturday (Senecas birthday) because the plan was to head into Kansas City to get Senecas ears pierced. She had been asking for 6 months now to get her ears pierced so we thought it would be a good thing to do for her 5th birthday.

The forecast wasn't sounding very promising for Saturday but the more we listened, we figured if we got in there right when they opened (8 am) and then headed home, we could beat the forecasted ice and snow storm that was to hit. So off to Libby Lu in the Oak Park Mall we headed to get Senecas ears pierced. When I told the girl what we were there for, she said, "I am the only one who is here to pierce until 9 am so we will have to do one ear at a time." "No problem", I said, "She has been wanting this for awhile, so she should be OK." The girl then explained what she was going to do and told her, "If we do one ear, you HAVE to do both because only boys have one earring." So we started the process.

The picture is of the first ear........can you see the fear? After the first ear, we could tell, she did NOT like this whole idea, but she was a trooper and did BOTH ears. I went to hug her afterwords and she just started crying. I felt so bad for her. She wouldn't look in the mirror at her ears or talk about it. She didn't even respond to her ears until hours later, and now, she loves them!! Paul did tell me that later that morning she said, "the only reason I did both ears was because I didn't want to look like a boy". So thank goodness for the girl telling her that story!!

We had planned a party for Seneca Saturday night with Jeff, Jennifer and the Girls (LouAnns son and family) and Mitch, Anne and Gabe (Pauls cousins family) but with the ice that started shortly after noon (right when we arrived home from our ear piercing excursion) and the snow that followed into the evening we decided we would STILL have her party, just Dad, LouAnn, Paul, I and Seneca and then save the rest of the party for the next day when everyone could come and join us.

So after a little celebration on Saturday night, the rest joined us on Sunday for dinner, cake (we just ate a little cake on Saturday), ice cream and presents.

(Mitch, Anne and Gabe)

Christmas followed on Tuesday with the arrival of Santa and lots more presents. I think one of Senecas favorite gifts was her "pink guitar". She has been practicing (I think it is time for lessons) and singing with her Hannah Montana CD's. She definately is very musical.......

Thursday morning we headed back to South Dakota to end our week long vacation. Besides some fog, the roads were good until we hit Iowa. After seeing several cars in the ditch and many Highway Patrol Cars, and backed up traffic, we realized that we hit black ice. So we slowed it down despite the many truckers who just kept speeding by us HOPING that we would keep ourselves out of the ditch. With many prayers, we made it home safely!!

So after a few days of rearranging toys, putting some away that she has outgrown, and trying to find room for all the new stuff, I think we are about back to normal. Four more days of vacation for me and then I will be headed back to work again. I always enjoy my time off at Christmas, but it is always so hard to head back to work after the New Year!

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow we will be leaving for our trip to Kansas to celebrate Senecas birthday and spend Christmas with my Dad and LouAnn.

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Holiday season and enjoy the time that will be spent with friends and family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Trees

Last night after dinner, we went to the Capitol to see the trees. Every year, the State Capitol building puts up 50+ trees and different organizations decorate them. From the week of Thanksgiving until after Christmas, they have people come in and sing Christmas songs, play Christmas Carols on the piano, etc. On the 2nd level of the Capitol, they have a Childrens Area where the kids can color ornaments and put them on the trees and every evening for an hour, someone comes in to read Christmas Stories to the kids. It is really beautiful to see all the trees lit up and Seneca really enjoys see the trees and contributing an ornament to the "Kids Tree".

Visit With Santa

A few weeks ago (I know, I am delinquint on posting), we went to the mall for Seneca to visit with Santa AND his live reindeer.

Seneca was so excited and not very patient. Santa was about 45 minutes late. I am assuming since it was the first snowfall of the year, he got delayed.

When he asked what she wanted, she was very rehearsed and told him, "Mommy Make Me Better Baby, Swimming Baby, Dora Cash Register and My Little Pony Stuff". He asked her if she had been good and she looked at me to give her the OK to answer, and I nodded "Yes".

The Holidays

We had a pleasant Thanksgiving. On Thursday morning we headed to McLaughlin to Pauls parents house. Seneca was excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Hertel! We were joined with Pauls Aunt and Uncle Terry and Cindy and their family and Pauls Grandma Helen. The food was good, as always. We played cards most of the weekend and I actually won a few games now and again.

As I came home last night after our MOPS fundraiser at the Pizza Ranch, I realized what one of my favorite parts of the Holidays are.....receiving Christmas Cards!! I have now received two and it really is the highlight of each day for me (besides hearing the fun and exciting things Seneca has been up to during the day). I love to hear what everyone is doing or to see what everyone looks like (when you include photos). It really is a great time of the year to "reconnect" with our family and friends with a wonderful card and letter. So I am sure my next month will be fun fillled day each day as we receive the cards, letters, photos and holiday greetings.

Addiction (The Final Chapter)

For those of you who have been wondering about our saga with "no tv" here is the rest of the story......

Last Friday, I went to Rapid City with a friend. Before we left RC, I called Paul to let him know we were on our way home. He had some much needed news for me.......Dish Network worked us in to fix our dish today!! Yah! Considering Friday Night Lights and Las Vegas were one that night. So as we are driving home, I am actually feeling guilty since I had already called Direct TV to hook us up on Monday and would then be cancelling Dish Network since they had told us we would have to wait until Friday, November 16th to get our service fixed. Either way, I was going to have TV through the weekend. Yah...again!!

So we had our TV through the weekend and on Monday we received the phone call from Direct TV that the tech person would be at our house to get us new service between 8 and 12. I was so excited considering we would have more HD channels (HGTV in HD) and regular channels (finally DIY network, WE and Oxygen). So after watching Young and the Restless, we get a phone call from the tech person stating she is running about an hour late. OK, not a problem. So about an hour goes by and I ask Paul, "Do you think we should go ahead and cancel Dish Network?" "Yah, go ahead. She should be here soon to hook up Direct TV", he says. So, I go ahead and cancel Dishnetwork. So finally at 4:15, the Direct TV person arrives and starts looking at things. Not only does she tell us we need TWO dishes attached to our house (OK, we can deal with this) she tells us we need two incoming lines for the DVR that we want. Since our basement is all finished with drywalled walls, ceilings, etc. she would have to charge us to run another line and it would take at least 8+ hours plus cost extra. So I pull out of current DVR receiver and ask her why that one just has one cord with a spliter on it? Can't we just do that? "No, we don't use spliters, we have to have two cords". Well, of course you don't use spliters, that is how you get people to pay more money!! So we pretty much sent her on her way and said we didn't want their service. So since I cancelled Dishnetwork, we once again, didn't have TV. So off I run to the phone to call Dishnetwork to hope they can get us "reconnected" before 7 pm since Prison Break is on. In the meantime, Paul leaves to go get Seneca from dance. So I am on the phone trying to get us reconnected and hope they don't charge any reconnect fees.

Dishnetwork Guy: OK Ms. Hertel, to reconnect your service I will need $10.61 paid today by credit card.

Tia: OK, no problem, I can pay that by credit card.

I walk to the kitchen to get my purse, realizing I left it in the car. So I open the door to the garage.....Paul took my car, WITH my purse in it. OK, breath, go downstairs to the filing cabinet and dig out all the papers to our credit cards. Great.....there is the credit card number.

Tia: OK here is my credit card number; ############

Dishnetwork Guy: And the experation date?

Crap, fumble through papers.......they don't LIST the experation date on all your papers. Could it be that is a good thing for security reasons but NOT for the fact that I NEEDED THIS NUMBER NOW!?????

Tia: Sir, my husband has left the house with my car and my purse and I don't have the experation date with me to my credit card. I think it is 02-09.....will that work?

Dishnetwork guy: No Ms. Hertel, I will need the experation date.

Tia: Do you have a direct number I can call you back at as soon as he gets here?

Dishnetwork guy: No Ms. Hertel, we will just have to start the whole process over when you call back.

Tia: OK, I will call back when my husband gets home.

I know this guy thought I was absolutely insane and probably turned me in for credit card fraud after giving him numbers from files as he hears me flipping through them and then GUESSING experation dates.

To make a long story short, after another 3 phone calls to Dishnetwork and only $10.61 dollars later. We had TV by 7 p.m. on Monday. I guess my days of trying to get more for my money are gone.........for awhile at least. And maybe I learned a little lesson about patience.

Addiction

Well, the worst possible thing that could happen to us (or should I say me) happen last night. We have satellite TV with DVR, so I can record all my shows and watch them when I want, fast forward through the commercials, pause it when the phone rings, rewind when Seneca wants to talk to me, or she needs to take a shower, you know, never miss a thing. Well, much to my dismay, at 5:23 last night when I arrived home, turned on the TV to watch the news, or should I say listen to it, "ATTENTION ERROR 530; TRYING TO FIND SATELLITE". This has happen several times so I just picked up the phone like I always do knowing the Dish Network people will walk me through whatever the problem is and an hour or so later, I will be watching my shows. Not this time.......bad news.....need to send a technician. OK, no big deal, so I thought, until they told me that the soonest open appointment would be Friday, (OK breath Tia, only 2 1/2 days of missing TV), November 16th! WHAT??????? I can't do it. That is 11 days, did you hear me, 11 days of no TV. Not to mention a weekend goes into those 11 days, and not just ANY weekend but a Holiday weekend (we don't work Monday due to Veterans Day) but a THREE DAY WEEKEND!!! Plus, it is Primetime New Shows Season, SD State Football Championships are aired......WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?????? This could send me into withdrawels...........not to mention for Pauls sake, NFL Football, college football, the 2nd to last race of the NASCAR season.........COME ON!!

So, I kindly thank the Gentleman at Dish Network, after asking several times, "Are you sure you can't get here any sooner?" Trying to make him feel sorry for me as I tell him, "You know, I have a little girl who watches her cartoons frequently....and when I need to get things done around the house, it helps keep her entertained, what are we going to do?" Well, it didn't work......nope, sorry Friday, November 16th. That man probably never had any children!!

I hang up the phone, I now am in my PJ's, and frantically looking for a flashlight since it is dark out. I am going outside and seeing if all the connections are tight, etc. Paul is telling me, "Tia, eat first. It is dark out, I will look tomorrow". "No, this is unacceptable. NEXT FRIDAY??? I will fix it myself"! Well, needless to say, I did not fix it myself. So, on the phone I get to Dish Network again. Fine, I will threaten to cancel and sign up with Direct TV that will get them moving. Failed again.....but I did give them 24 hours after they offered me 3 free months of HBO and tried to get me to understand they have other customers, they will contact the local technician and see if he can fit us in, yadda, yadda....which that is like telling an alcoholic there is no more beer in the cooler. COME ON!! I DON'T WANT HBO, I WANT MY OTHER SHOWS NOW!!!!

So after having no television last night, I resorted to the computer and priced out Direct TV and cable. Well, Direct TV won my vote after A) having more HD channels than what we currently have B) being cheaper per month for more channels than what we currently have and C) being able to hook us up on Monday, November 12.....did you hear that? MONDAY!! I still will miss the SD State Football Championships, Greys Anatomy, CSI, Friday Night Lights, Las Vegas, Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives and my Young and the Restless for 3 days, but I might make it through. I will let you know next week how I faired, unless I am in the looney bin by then!!??? So in the meantime, I need to cancel Dish Network BUT I am hoping they might still squeeze us in before the weekend to fix whatever problem we have. At least I can watch some TV before getting a new satellite provider on Monday. So Sunday I will call Dish Network and let them know......YOU CAN CANCEL MY ACCOUNT!!!

Family Photos

http://shalista.instaproofs.com/

To view our family photos.....click on the link above; then click on "Tia Hertel". They will only be available to view for a limited time!! I just LOVE THEM ALL!!! How ever am I going to choose?

If you have favorites.....LET ME KNOW!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Last night after we got home, we took Seneca Trick-or-Treating. She was excited this year to go.....probably because last Halloween, she spent it in the hospital

Even though we just went to friends houses, her pre-school teachers and neighbors that she knew, she wouldn't walk up to the doors herself. I had to go with her. We did do what every other kid in Pierre was doing and that was Trick-or-Treat at the Governors Mansion! Right when we got in the car, Paul asked, "What did she get......a laptop?" I said, "Unless its a coupon for a laptop, I don't think so?" Needless to say, she got candy just like every other house gives!

When we got home, she laid all her treats out as we said she could have one. After a good five minute "thinking process" on which to eat......she finally picked one out. Really......how hard is it to choose?!? Candy is candy....right?

Visit From Uncle Nikki

My brother arrived in South Dakota on October 17th. He arrived for the opening weekend of pheasant hunting here in South Dakota. After spending a weekend of hunting in the Eureka area, he and my Uncle Gaylon arrived in Pierre for an evening.

We had a nice visit and Nikki spent time playing with Seneca. I am not sure who enjoyed it more, Seneca or Nikki?

Here they were making plaster Dinosaur fossils. We promised Seneca that once they hardened that she could paint them so her dad and her did that this past weekend.

She also had a Dinosaur Skeleton that they assembled. It was pretty neat to watch Seneca find each of the bones and for Nikki to help her put it together.

First day of Pre-School

Today was Senecas first day of Pre-school (2nd year of Pre-school due to her age). Last night we layed out her clothes and got everything ready. This morning about 6 am, I was in the shower and in she walks, all dressed and ready to go!! I think she was a little excited!!

We took pictures at the house before we left. It wasn't my car pool week, but I couldn't miss her first day so I picked her up from daycare to take her to pre-school. I wanted to take another picture at school and I got, "Mom, you already took one at home"!!! So I managed to take a photo of ALL the girls that are going to her pre-school from her daycare.

I did decide to let the other parents that are doing car pool this week bring her back to daycare.

Today was also the first day of dance!! I take 3 of the girls on Mondays and another mother picks them up. Seneca was just as excited for dance as she was for pre-school. I was not able to get photos of the 1st day of dance. I got the "Mom, your annoying" look when I asked to take a photo. So.....no photo!! 4 going on 14!

Painting

This weekend we decided to TRY to finish painting our living room. We only had two more BIG walls to go (of course the walls with the 15' peak and heavy furniture against them). So we tackled one of the walls. Paul figured out a slick way to do the peak so it was alot easier than we expected.

One more wall to go, then we can concentrate on the Master Bedroom. YAH!!!!

South Dakota State Fair

Saturday morning, bright and early (7 am) we headed to Huron to the South Dakota State Fair. It was nice because we arrived before the big crowds got there and also before the 100 degree heat hit!!

Seneca enjoyed all the animals. Paul explained the rabbits to her. How you can tell what breed they are, etc. Since he raised rabbits when he was younger, he was quite knowledgeable. We continued on to see the chickens and roosters. Seneca got tired of them real quick when they kept "crowing". She thought they were quite obnoxious. On to the beef......I was amazed how well groomed the cows were. I didn't realize that they litteraly vacuum and blow dry them before show time!!! Some of those cattle were "plush"!! We saw horses, exotic animals such as a Zedonk (a zebra and donkey mix); Leemers (which Seneca is quite knowlegeable about since she watches Zoombomafoo; don't ask); Paul and Seneca even tried to go into the reptile area until they found out that they were charging $ to get in. So on their way back out, one of the guys had a snake he was holding so Seneca got to pet it. I don't just mean, touch it quickly, I mean, really petted the scaly creature!!! YUK!!! She enjoyed it and described it as "smooth and dry". Considering I am dealthy afraid of snakes, I was questioning if she was really my daughter.

We later arrived at the Carnival Rides. We told Seneca that she could pick one ride to go on. We bought enough tickets for two. She started out on the Carousel....she really wanted to go on the Ferris Wheel, but both Paul and I aren't fond of heights so told her that she was too little to ride it (what she doesn't know won't hurt her). We then had enough tickets for one more ride. She wanted to watch the little helocopters before trying them and as they started going up into the air (not very high since it is a kid ride), she said they go way to high for her. I am thinking, "And you wanted to go on the Ferris Wheel?"

At the Freedom Stage, Seneca participated in a congo line with Maracas. You got a prize (a whistle) for participating. Of course she was the first in line after the lady who was helping.........oh, how she loves to be first!!!

The fair is quite tiring for such a little kid....this was the ride home!!

Making Bars

At the beginning of the summer, I was invited to be part of a "Steering Committee" to head up an evening MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. I hesitated and decided, hey, I might as well get out and meet a few new people in the community who I actually have something in common with........I child under the age of 5 or 6. After a few long nights of 6 women planning 9 months of things to do twice a month we are going to hold our registration night tomorrow night. So I was asked to bring 2 dozen cookies or bars. We all know how much I LOVE to bake and cook (NOT). Now it isn't that I CAN'T bake and cook, because I have been told that I actually am a good cook, I just don't LIKE to cook. I found this recipe in the latest "Cooking Magazine" that I get. I know, sounds kind of strange for a person who hates to cook and bake to subscribe to not only one but TWO cooking magazines but we all have to eat and someone needs to cook. I figured since I am not a Hollywood star who can afford to eat out daily or hire a "Personal Chef" I guess I better find a little help on the cooking side of things.....so that is where the "cooking magazines" come into play. Anyways......below are photos of Seneca and I baking and a photo of the recipie (above) that I used to make "Chewy Carmel Bars". Needless to say......I haven't tried them yet, but I failed to follow the instructions (WARNING: don't have a "before dinner drink" prior to baking). I didn't notice that until AFTER they were done and I decided to completely read the instructions. Hopefully they turned out or I will be making a trip to Walmart for some baked goods before MOPS registration tomorrow night! The true test of a good cook is to try what you make before taking it to share..........I will let you all know how they turned out!!

Bird

Last Thursday, I couldn't figure out what both Seneca and Gracie (the cat) were running from window to window looking at..........

Much to my amazement, I looked out the patio door to see this bird sitting there on the deck. It was just 10 feet from the patio door. So I went and got the camera and just assumed once I opened the patio door it would fly away. Not this bird......I think if I hadn't been such a chicken, it would have let me pick it up. It sat there for at least 3 hours until it disappeared. I then made Paul go out to see if it had fell off the opposite side of the deck. I was just sure it was laying there dead. Well, no dead bird.......so it must have finally just flew away!

New Hair

It seems that the latest in blogs happens to be about New and Old Hairstyles. Well, I thought I would share my new haircut. Granted I got it about a month and a half ago but it is still "new" to me and seems to be taking a little getting used to. So here it is..........

OK Jill.....I want to see the "Posh Spice" do of yours!!!

How we are doing

Sorry it has been awhile. We really haven't done anything too exciting in the past few weeks.

Seneca: Seneca has been taking swimming lessons for the past 5 weeks, twice a week. It is so amazing to see her progress. She has been in level 2 now for 4 sessions. We have switched around teachers to try to get her with someone who can "get her moving" and I think we have found just that person. She is doing the "freestyle" on her own now for a few strokes at least. It isn't the prettiest site, but I am so proud of her!! We will continue in swimming lessons for awhile. I told her that swimming lessons are not an option here in Pierre since we are right on the Missouri River. Until we are comfortable with her swimming abilities, we might let her decide to continue on her own then.

We have received the information for Pre-school and Dance this year. Seneca will be attending Faith Lutheran Pre-school again this year. This year she will attend 3 times a week (M-W-F) instead of 2 times like she did last year. I have joined a car pool this year with 3 other families to get the kids from daycare to pre-school. So I will only have to drive every fourth week. That will be nice and I sure am hoping that my weeks don't end up being when we have snow and ice storms. That would be my luck!! Dance will be once a week on Mondays. I will take Seneca and two other girls from pre-school every Monday and another mom will pick them up. That is what we did last year and it seemed to work. Seneca is ready for it all to start. Of course, we will attend Wednesday school at church also come September. They have a dinner (free willl offering), Wednesday school for Seneca and a church service for us. Come September, I am sure we won't have time to "be bored".

Paul: Paul has finished his construction project on hwy 1806 south of Ft. Pierre. He has been working on this for the past two summers. I think he is glad that it is finished and will be able to move onto something new. As always, it was extremely hot and he put in some very long hours. I was starting to wonder if he even lived here anymore. I then realized that there was more laundry than just Seneca and I would go through in a week so there must be another person here in our house. He has started to make his plans for this years pheasant season and maybe some more hunting as well since he bought a new gun, rifle, or whatever it is (I don't know the difference).

Me: The school year and athletic and fine arts activities are upon us. With football practice starting next week, our office has been bogged down with phone calls of every type. I am sure with adding Competitive Cheer and Dance to our long list of activities that we sanction, this will be an interesting year. We have a new employee that we are training as well as after this school year, one of our Assistant Executive Directors retiring and my immediate supervisor retiring in another year. So there are lots of changes to come in the next 2-3 years. Besides work, amd getting Seneca to and from, I am still trying to stay active with my exercising. I have slacked off all summer using "summer hours" as my excuse. So now that summer hours are done, I am trying to make my way to the basement every morning to work out on the treadmill. I never realized how much I love my extra sleep (even if it is only a half hour) until I get up to exercise every morning.

I think I live in South Dakota!?!

I am beginning to wonder if I live in "The Valley of the Sun" where I grew up (Arizona) or if I really do live in South Dakota. Yesterday was a high of 108 here in Pierre. Today is suppose to be much of the same along with the rest of the week. As I checked weather.com, I see that Pierre is suppose to be hotter than Mesa, AZ. What is going on?!?! I have been thinking about planting a new flower garden out back but beginning to contimplate some cacti and whether or not they will survive our winters.

Well, I have a little catching up to do since I have been extremely lazy this past week or so.

Last Wednesday, I took Seneca to the Shrine Circus over in Ft. Pierre. This was the first time I attempted the circus when they have had it in Ft. Pierre and we had a wonderful time. We arrived a little early since I was worried that we would end up too high up in the bleachers. We had went with Bria and Cale and Cale wanted to go on an elephant ride. Seneca wanted nothing to do with either the elephant ride OR the pony ride. So we watched Cale on the elephant, bought a little "lite fan" and then proceeded to find a place to sit for the show.

Lions, elephants and clowns......oh my!!! It was absolutely wonderful!! Seneca talked the ENTIRE time. Making comments on everything that was going on. During the elephant show, the trainer gave the elephant an apple for a treat and then the elephant picked up a tamborine. I asked Seneca (refering to the tamborine), "What does he have now?" She shouts out, "Energy"!! Not exactly what I meant, but she was correct! The elephant had energy after eating that apple.

Being the health nut I am, you would all be happy to hear that I bought Seneca AND I some cotton candy for a treat!! Aside from cookies, the occasional piece of candy or ice cream and other sugary treats that I am sure everyone sneaks to her, she really hasn't had anything like that before. She ate a few bites and then decided she didn't want anymore. I guess she must have learned something!! She told me later that it was too sweet.

During intermission, Seneca decided that she wanted to go on a pony ride. So, I quick got in line and got her a ticket for the pony ride. The pony ride was over and then she decided she wanted to take an elephant ride. So back to the line I went to get a ticket (she could have told me this earlier). We managed to get a ticket and go on an elephant ride. Boy was she ever grinning ear to ear!!

Despite the heat in the arena (they have no air conditioning) we had a great time. We were a little sweaty and smelly by the time we left but o-well.

Seneca also experienced her first little camping trip. OK, we didn't camp, we just went to visit Mark, Bria and Cale out at the campground just below the Oahe Dam (about 10 miles from Pierre). We stayed for about 3-4 hours with them while Seneca and Cale played and we visited. We did stay long enough to roast marshmallows and make some smores. It was fun and it actually made me want to take a little camping trip myself (yes, I checked out the bath houses, they were clean and they have camp spots right next to the bath houses). So with all that "checking" I am ready to camp down by the dam!! Sorry, didn't get any pictures.....forgot my camera.

4th of July Long Weekend

We started our 4th of July holiday taking in the Ft. Pierre 4th of July parade. We knew it was going to be a good one with over 110 entries. We were so excited for Seneca to take in the parade (the last one we made it to was when she was 1 1/2). Needless to say, Seneca spent the entire time with her hands over her ears (she didn't like the fire truck sirens, loud music, loud cars and semi horns) and barely got any candy!! I guess I will have to buy Halloween candy this year.....

After the parade, we had some friends over for a few cold ones and then let Seneca swim in her little pool in the backyard. Then it was just waiting for the evening fireworks....

Seneca and I stayed up to watch the fireworks that Ft. Pierre puts on after the rodeo. It was about 11 pm when they started so we went out on the deck to watch them and that lasted a whole minute. Seneca wanted to go inside (hands over her ears again) and said she was tired (we know she wasn't tired). So we went inside and she watched from the window for a few minutes then headed to bed.

Thursday, I took the day off (since we have Fridays off I decided just to make it a long weekend) and took Seneca to daycare while Paul was at work. Did some cleaning around the house and just relaxed. Friday, Seneca and I went to the library and took Gracie (our cat) to get her annual shots. That is always so much fun considering you have to SHOVE her into her pet porter and she HATES the car. Thank goodness we only have to do it once a year.

Saturday was my birthday so Paul took the day off and we all went to Rapid City for the day. We needed to make a Menards/Lowes run for some things for the house plus I wanted to do a little shopping. We ate at Applebees for lunch and got my free birthday dessert. I opted out of the "group singing" that they normally do. Not into drawing attention to myself!! Despite the 109 degree weather, Seneca did so good and didn't complain the whole time. She said we were going to have a good day since it was mommys birthday and I might say.....she did a great job!!! We arrived home about 8:30 p.m., unloaded the truck and today are spending the day putting up all our new stuff we bought for the house (mirrored closet doors for the master bath, new towel bars, etc. for the master bath).

Another Meme.....First, Last & Now

Another Meme started by the Dais Girls!!

First
First job: Kid job - Giraffes yogurt ( I worked full time from age 16 on);
College job – Hallmark; Real job – I would say the first "real" job would have to be National Poly Plastic in Mankato, MN but I actually consider my current job probably my only "real job"
First screen name: tiamwanner (like you Jill.....how original)
First funeral: I am going to guess one of my great grandparents, I was too young to remember.
First pet: Taffy.....a carine terrier
First piercing: Ears; not sure how old I was....maybe 5th grade?!?
First tattoo: none yet…really want one but am scared of needles.
First credit card: College
First kiss: Thaddeus Kunz......Kindergarden
First enemy: ????, can't think of my first enemy......that was probably way too long ago!!

Last
Last car ride: from home, to daycare, to work....and here I am!!
Last kiss: Paul this morning before he left for work (6 am). Seneca was grouchy and wouldn't kiss me otherwise she would have been my last kiss.
Last movie watched: "Click" with Adam Sandler.....loved it!! I just love that guy!!
Last beverage drank: cup of coffee with creamer.
Last food consumed: bowl of "Cinnamin Life" cereal
Last phone call: My friend Kerri last night
Last time showered: 5 am this morning
Last CD played: Lily Allen
Last website visited: Jill and Tammys Blogs (that is why I am doing this now)

Now
Single or taken: "Taken" for 6 years….
Birthday: July 7– I’ll be 34 (coming up right around the corner)
Sign: Cancer
Siblings: 1 older brother....Nikki
Hair color: brown
Eye color: hazel
Shoe size: 6 1/2
Height: 5’4’’
Wearing: gauchos, a sleeveless shirt and sandles
Drinking: coffee with creamer....trying to get motivated
Thinking about: all the stuff I need to get done at work today since I don't work tomorrow but instead I am doing this blog......real efficient Tia!!
Listening to: Oprah and Friends on XM

We Must Be Doing Something Right

I have to share this story with everyone. It just made me chuckle.....

This is how the story goes.....

Seneca and I were on our way to swimming lessons. As we are driving, Seneca asks, "Mom, when do I get to move up to level 3?"

Tia: "Well honey, you need to get your feet off the ground, start kicking those legs and moving those arms so you can swim by yourself first. You can't always rely on holding onto the wall or onto your teacher. Once you swim by yourself you should be able to move to level 3."

Seneca: "But that will take forever!"

We continue to talk about it until we reach the YMCA. I unbuckle myself, then her, get out and open her door. Before she reaches the door, she says, "Hold on, I need to pray to God" then kneels down on the floor of the car, over the car seat, folds her hands and bows her head. I let her have "her moment", she gets out of the car and we start walking to the door.

Seneca: "I just needed to pray to God to help me swim by myself."

The outcome was......she did much better than she has the past lessons, she did do MORE than she has in the past by herself.....so the praying must have helped. Needless to say, starting this morning we are praying for everything.......such as she prayed this morning that they will have breakfast bars at Daycare.

This is what happens.......

At this time........

While watching..........With No Nap.......

Grandma and Grandpa Wanners Visit

Dad and LouAnn arrived last Saturday, the 9th. Seneca was excited to see them and we instantly put Dad to work helping put up a new mail box. Our old mailbox post was rotting out from moisture through the years and Paul decided, "I am going to cement the new post in and protect it and it will be there forever." I then decided that we need not only a new post but a new box as well. After visiting with Dad prior to their visit, I decided to get a mailbox like they have, one that you can access not only from the street side, but the sidewalk side. That way, Seneca can get the mail because she always steps out into the street to get the mail and that makes me nervous. So we started shopping around, on line of course since Pierre doesn't have a Lowes, Mendards or a Home Depot, just two local lumbar yards, UBC ("You've Been Cheated" as we call it) and Schlachter Lumber (whos prices are just as bad as UBC) and we found the box and post we wanted. Free Shipping (over $49.99, so we bought something else we had been needing to get to the $49.99 free shipping), lower tax rate than anywhere in SD and we still saved $5.00 on the mailbox over the prices here in Pierre and it was all delivered to our door!! So when Dad and LouAnn arrived we started the process of putting in the new mailbox!! And the final result is.........

We do feel we have the prettiest mailbox on the block!

Seneca had a blast helping Grandpa get the dirt out of the 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" hole so we could fill it with concrete. Once the hole got about her arms length down, her shovel came up with no dirt and I said, "Boy, you sure didn't get much dirt that time" I then received the comment back, "You can't see when it is dark", with a little bit of "eye roll". Dad and I laughed so hard at her!!!

Monday LouAnn and I decided to pamper ourselves. My toes were due for a pedicure and LouAnn had never had one so I made appointments for us to get Pedicures. I think, as I was after my first one, LouAnn is addicted. I WILL always, in the summer get monthly pedicures. I just LOVE THEM!!

The rest of their visit consisted of playing cards and eating Zesto (our local ice cream shop). I think I need to hit the treadmill hard!!!

Thursday morning they left for a wedding in Rapid City. It was nice to visit with them and I am glad I took a few days off of work to spend some time with them. I think we got most of our "to do project list" done also while dad was here. Now what is Paul going to do this winter?

Rummage Weekend

Last Friday, I had ANOTHER rummage sale. This time, I had it at my house and had one other person bring some of her stuff. I decided to do it on a Friday afternoon since for the next 8 weeks, I don't work on Fridays. Lucky for me, it ended up being a wonderful sale!! I made $190.00 and got rid of alot of stuff. Of course I still have four boxes of womens clothes and household goods to take to Missouri Shores (our local domestic violence center) but I got rid of the items I wasn't willing to donate. It is nice to have ONLY one box to put in the attic to try to sell next year. I think next year, I will do a Friday sale again!!

Trip To Eureka

Last weekend we made our way to Eureka to celebrate my Grandparents, Irene & Wallace Kuslers, 80th Birthdays!! My aunt Crystal did a wonderful job of getting the party set up. We had games, balloons, cake & ice cream and good company for a few hours. It was nice. Even Seneca didn't mind missing out on her friends swimming birthday party for the day!!

Later in the evening, we made our way to Marva and Jerry Dais' to meet up with the Dais Girls (Jill and her family, Tammy and her family and Gina). It was so nice to see all of them again and see how much the kids have grown.

(Seneca, Christian and Campbelle Brenne)

(Thank goodness for tall people; Gina helped Seneca "climb a tree"!)

It was homeward bound on Sunday to get chores (mow lawn, laundry, etc.) around the house done before work started again on Tuesday.

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers Day....what a wonderful day it was!!

When I got up yesterday morning, I woke to Seneca saying, "I still can't give you your surprise because Daddy isn't up yet. OK, I will give it to you, he won't be mad." Off to her room she went (she has been talking about this surprise for a week now). She arrived back with a card and a beautiful drawing. The best part is, I got a good three minute hug! When I got out of the shower, I came to teh dining room to find another card and new gardening shears (mine have been broke for awhile) from Paul. Afterwords, we went out to breakfast and really did nothing the rest of the day. Enjoyed the air conditioning since it got up to 95 degrees already and MUGGY!!! It was a great day though. No whining, no fits, and got a nap in without being woke up!