An Obsession with Clean!

Meet the new love of my life....my Dyson sweeper. I used to think all of my clients and friends that had one were just plain nuts, because all they could talk about was their Dyson and how much they loved sweeping! WHAT??!?!! Could there really be a sweeper out there that would make me WANT to clean 24 hours a day??? I must admit, it piqued my curiosity.

Well, the answer to that question, ladies and gentlemen, is a big, fat YES. A couple of weeks ago, Target started carrying the Dysons, and the first week they ran an ad that offered a $100 gift card when you purchased a Dyson. So I began talking about it nonstop. Of course, it was really just empty threats, because I just wouldn't make that big of a purchase without discussing it with Barry. But really, was there going to be a better deal than that? I mean , come on! It's not like I never shop at Target!


So I eventually just stopped talking about it. I knew that our Vegas trip was coming up, as well as the big party, so I figured it wasn't a good time to spend the money. And then, alas, I come home Thursday night, and Kendall is about bouncing off the walls because she "needs me to put my sweeper away, and I need to do it RIGHT NOW." So I said, "Ok, ok, what's the big deal?" When we got to the closet, I opened the door, and lo and behold....a brand spankin' new Dyson! I almost screamed...no joke! And I began sweeping right away...

So, let me just say , for all the doubters out there who think it's ridiculous to spend the money on a Dyson....IT'S NOT! That thing is worth every penny and more. It's awesome, no other way to put it. I have become obsessed with cleaning! Check out this picture....that is what I sucked up on Friday afternoon (it's FULL!) ....and get this - I had just spent the day cleaning on Wednesday! All of that nasty hair and dirt was stuck down in my carpet, even though I had just run my old sweeper. That darn thing was full! FULL! Let me tell you something...that thing has SUCTION!

I can't quit talking about it....and I can't quit cleaning. I am using it in every way possible!

Yes, folks, they're eating popsicles in hell today....thanks to me and my Dyson!

Yes, I AM still alive!!!!!

I know, I know...what the hell happened to me? I have all of these people who are wondering where I've been and if everything is ok. It is! My laptop was just off getting tuned up and cleaned up...and I hadn't had time to get in and pick it up until tonight. Unfortunately, with my desktop being in the basement, it isn't very easy for me to get logged on and get anything accomplished. With my laptop in the kitchen however, I can get logged on while I am making dinner or cleaning up the kitchen and still be able to keep an eye on the little one! So, here I am...back in the blogging world.

Not much exciting has been going on, but I do have some things to blog about and some pictures to post tomorrow...not tonight. It's late, and I'm tired. And with this darn dial-up, it would take forever to upload my pics...so I guess ya'll are going to have to wait yet another day for the goodies....Sorry!

Just know that everything here is fine and dandy. We are finally settling into a new schedule with Kendall in school (she loves it!)...and Noah will be starting his new childcare situation down at Barry's work in a couple of weeks, so things are definitely coming together. We are planning a party, as you all know, and we are looking forward to spending an evening with some of our long-lost friends! We miss you, and hope you can make it!

Jen Kuck, signing out.....

May we never forget...

Last night I was helping to lay out Kendall's clothes for school today, and being Patriot Day, the kids were asked to wear red, white & blue to show support. As I pulled out Kendall's sparkly patriotic shirt, she asked me what Patriot Day is. I struggled with the words to explain to her why this day is important. In the end, I told her as truthfully and as ambiguously as I could that 5 years ago some very hateful people attacked our country and killed a lot of innocent people. Being as sensitive as she is, she was immediately upset, though not hysterical (thank goodness). After we talked about it a bit, she seemed better and she headed to bed.

Then I came downstairs and watched the documentary on the FDNY on 9/11, which was sad, but really good....and I realized that none of us can really grasp the severity of that situation. We know in our hearts that it was horrible...but those of us who were not there will never really grasp it.

As I went to bed last night, as I'm sure most parents did, all I could do was pray that my children will never have to experience anything like it in their lifetime....and also take a moment to remember those who died and those who worked so hard to save so many.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

What Noah has Learned...

Of all the things Noah could have possibly learned from his big sister, it is this....

The Art Of Throwing a FIT!

Kendall was currently holding the crown in our house, but I think Noah is working hard on his technique. He has used such Kendall-esque options...such as:

Throwing himself on the ground as soon as he doesn't get what he wants.

Rolling around on said ground or floor until he is choking on his own saliva.

Screaming, sobbing, and reaching for you (since you are standing across the room ignoring him)...

Let me tell you, it is not something I wanted to happen so soon. But this past Friday, it did. And we've seen it once a day since. And we are still ignoring it....

Really, though....what else can you do?

11 Years??? Really???

I know it's been a while since I've posted, and I'm sorry for that! Things have just been crazy around here with school starting and us trying to get into a new routine. Barry and I have been tired in the evenings, so I've been hitting the hay before I usually do...therefore, no blogging. But today, dear readers, I am breaking THAT cycle!

Saturday marked our 11th anniversary...I truly cannot believe that we have been married that long! But then again, if I look at all the changes in us and the things we've accomplished since Sept. 2, 1995....then I guess I CAN believe it! So, anyway, we went to dinner at a little Mexican restaurant near where my mom lives. They had good food...and even better MARGARITAS! I had two, and my goodness, I could've easily had four (but then Barry would have had to carry me to the car!) Then we went to a little cookout to celebrate the upcoming marriage of our friends Shelly and Tony...and we had a lot of fun there. Lots of people we hadn't seen in a long time, and of course the alcohol flowed continuously. Let's just say I was really "happy"...

Then on Sunday evening, we headed up to Dad's for dinner and to spend the night. The kids had a ball, playing croquet (or their somewhat-twisted version of it) and taking rides on the 4-wheeler. It was Noah's first time, and he took a few minutes to warm up to it...but then he thought it was great! Of course, Kendall loved every minute of it, telling her Daddy that she "loved speed!"

On Monday afternoon, we left Spencerville and headed for our friends Beth and Chad's house. Kendall was missing their daughter Riley pretty badly, so she was chomping at the bit the entire weekend to get there. Beth and Chad built a new house this year, and let me tell you....it is gorgeous, and most importantly, not pretentious! Good job guys! Great design, good colors, and of course, really nice landscaping!

Although it is always nice to go back and see everyone, there is TRULY no place like home. We were anxious to get home and let our hair down, so to speak. And as for me personally...I couldn't wait to go to sleep in my own bed...AHHHHHHH.