Speaking of not adding up- I think my body has taken on a new life force of its own. I have had more medical issues in the last 6 months than I have had in all my life combined. I went to the local ER two weeks ago. I was having really bad stomach pains- I didn't know if it was my appendix- my gall bladder or what. Well- after taking some Zantac- the doctor chalked my pain up to acid reflux and sent me home. Today I had the pain again; It was pretty intense. Feeling sick at a bank on a friday is not an option- so I took a few minutes and sat down to relax. It just kept getting worse. It felt just as bad as when I had Mike take me to the ER. I started to freak a little- wondering what the heck was wrong with me. While I was sitting there my nose starts to bleed! I don't know if my freaking out made my blood pressure high- or if it's the winter dry air or what. It was just a bad day all together. I feel like my body is falling apart. Mike thinks I could have an ulcer. I looked up symptoms for both ulcers and acid reflux- they seem one in the same. The only thing that I identified more with the ulcer info was the location of the pain- right above the belly button and under the rib cage. An intense burning pain. Not in the chest or throat- just the stomach. I really do think I'm falling apart. I'm waiting to go to the doctor to officially find out that I have IBS and an ulcer!@#*@# when will it end!

I really do need to write in here more often. Eventhough I know that 99% of what I type is either a complaint or a hardship- I think it could help my stress level.

****************** In other news:

Mom and dad are doing good. Dad has managed to stay out of the hospital for a while now. We just went to visit them last week- had a great time as always. Hung out with Reagan- ate cheesecake- overall a good time!

What else- Nikki and mom and the kids moved down here. Dont know if I mentioned that before. Nikki's going to a local business college and doing pretty well it seems. It's nice to have someone to talk to down here. It makes the time pass more bearably. It seems like everytime we go up north the more it makes me realize I can never be a whole person without being close to the ones I love. It really sank in on the drive home. I'm almost a different person when I'm there. I carry so much less on my shoulders when I'm there. I don't even think my family knows that it's because when I'm around them- they have a way of taking the burden from me without saying a word. As I left there Monday morning I knew that a piece of me stayed behind. I pick it back up when I come to visit and leave it there when I come back home. I can't even pinpoint what it is. just a general feeling or peace, comfort and love. When I'm down here I have to life off of their love "reserves" that I've stored up- but when I'm home I get to main line it! Silly way to describe it- I know!

Well- it's been so long that this much typing really cramps my hands now! So- recap of a year in a few lines:

1. Josh is full time on the fire department now!

2. Me and Mike are still sitting on our 7.5 acres and still aren't sure what to do with it!

3. We got another dog- gypsie...an idiot that I love like my own.

4. I'm moving up quickly in the ranks at work and have taken on quite a few responsibilities there.

5. still going to our church- became members, love the people.

6. I've been collecting tea pots and making jewelry.

7. gave up on Crazy Daisy and everything to do with it! people at work like the lotion though!

8. we're $7,000 closer to paying our car off! only about 19 more to go! ;(

9. Craig got student of the week twice since they've been here. He's adjusting well and going great in school!

10. Brandon can say Mike,Nene, "Gypie" and dogs! So he's basically identified with everything at my house!

Alright- that's enough catching up for one night!