Check out these bad boys....

T's new Asics - EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

And here is a shot of my basket FULL OF ASICS! Anyone thinking what I'm thinking??? Anyone thinking maybe Asics could pay me for some advertising - heck, even one free pair of Asics would tickle me happy! A free pair of Asics - whoa --- not that's like the ULTIMATE gift! I'll be checking my mail for that letter from the President and CEO of Asics - I think we should know each other... he/she has NO idea what I've done for them lately!

And speaking of shoes... last night I sent out an email to my walkers! In case some of you are not aware, I have formed a team for a 60-mile breast cancer walk in San Diego, CA. The walk is over the course of 3-days. We'll be walking November 20th - 22nd this year. Each walker is required to raise a minimum of $2,300 in order to be able to walk. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in joining my team - let me know! The more the merrier. We'll start training for this event as a team in June/July time-frame. At training time, you should be able to comfortably walk 5 miles at one time. If I remember right, the first week of training we will put in approx 15 miles. And just as a heads up - REMEMBER WHY YOU WILL BE WALKING! It's not a vacation (altho the walk itself is a lot of fun and very inspiring)... but it requires a lot of dedication to train for the walk, plus the costs you will incur throughout training on shoes, apparel, etc... and then of course you will need to pay for your flight out to San Diego. We're wanting to stay a few extra days after the walk to have some time to actually enjoy San Diego; however, if you want to fly out to walk and come home - DO IT! I promise you this is a walk you will NOT regret doing!

If you're on here reading and would just like to donate to my walk - click the icon at the top right of this blog. It'll take you to my donation page. All donations are tax-deductible, and all donations go towards finding a cure for Breast Cancer (donations are not made to fund the trip out there).

Moving on..... this is my favorite lil' sign of all times:

It hangs in my living room.... LOVE IT! I love "happy" things :~) This is a "happy" sign.

And in closing, Hank says "hello"! Isn't he just beautiful!!! For those of you who haven't figured him out, Hank is half-chocolate lab and half-weimaraner... I've been told he appears to be half-giraffe and half-elephant, but I promise you he's 100% dog! They call this breed a "labmaraner". He's a gorgeous, fun-loving, happy puppy! Hank will be 1 year old on January 31st - a happy early birthday to Hank! (yes, he is a puppy)

My love and cheers to all!

MERRY HEART

"He who has a merry heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

On another note (speaking of merry hearts) - I wanna give a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SHOUT-OUT TO KYLE & JULIE BENDER!!!!

Quote from Hunter "Patch" Adams

Laughter dulls the sharpest pain and flattens out the greatest stress. To share it is to give a gift of health, because, as someone pointed out: Ulcers can't grow while you're laughing.

Isn't that great?! Love it! So aside from that I have some STELLAR news! I KNOW most of you know, and I know my blogstalkers most DEFINITELY know this (that was just for you Michelle :!) ... but you all know my 2nd true love goes out to my Asics! WELL, right before school started back up T and I made a trip to Pacesetters for new shoes for him. He REFUSES to get Asics because that's what I was wearing when I broke my ankle, so he swears it's the shoes fault that I broke my ankle. Normally I would let something else take the blame since the real reason I broke my ankle isn't something to discuss with my 9 year old, BUT this is like letting someone say something bad about your family. It's okay if YOU do it, but not someone else. OF ALL THINGS, I could NOT let him blame the Asics for the broken ankle - NO WAY! NOT MY ASICS! So we battled about it, it was the city sidewalks fault, he didn't buy it, and he wound up walking out of Pacesetters with a new pair of Under Armour shoes - okay.

WELL, (sorry Under Armour), but 5 days into the UA shoe wearing the material was separating itself from the rubber bottoms of the shoes - both shoes, same area. Well, I'm sorry, but I"m not spending a fortune on shoes and then having them fall apart 5 days later. So I walked into Pacesetters with the torn shoes and my head hanging low (I HATE returning things with problems).... as always tho, they were very nice and apologetic and the highlight of this whole story - T WALKED OUT WEARING A BRAND NEW PAIR OF ASICS - EEEEEEEEEEEE! Do you have ANY idea how much joy this has brought to me????? LOVE IT!

So Monday I pick T up from school, and I'm like "So how did those Asics treat you today?". Lil' turd, he says "Good, real good... but they almost broke my ankle!" I'm like "NO WAY!" And so he goes on to tell me how he twisted his ankle at school, and HE BLAMED IT ON THE ASICS!!!!!!!! Needless to say, I'm now in weekly therapy sessions until I can heal from this.

WE WON!!! GO MARSHALL - GO!

So we won our game last night.... I had to share some pics! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE basketball???!!!! Way to go boys!!!!!!!!!!!! (oh, and take another look at those AWESOME uniforms) :~)

Daily Splash of Joy - January 7, 2009

No, life isn't always what you want, but it's what you've got; so, with God's help, CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY.

On another note - our 4th grade boys traveling b-ball team has a game in Mattoon tonight! GO MARSHALL GO!!!!! Best of luck boys!

I'M HOSTING A PARTY - COOL PARTY - YOU'RE INVITED

Okay, so my BFF is now selling these products from Thirty-One Gifts. My ma and I are having a party this Sunday, January 11th from noon - 3 p.m. IL time (open house). Feel free to stop by mom's house (914 N Michigan - Marshall) during these hours to browse the fun and delightful products Thirty-One has to offer! You can also visit their website http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/ for a preview of their catalogue/products.

I'm not sure what their "motto" is - but I see them as primarily being known for their fun, personalized, inexpensive handbags, totes, purses, etc. They also have some cute decor for your home!

Check out this really cute tote and wristlet I purchased from Thirty-One with my initials/nickname on it! Now how KEEY-UTE is that?! I have rec'd sooo many compliments and comments on the wristlet - it's a puuurrrfect size for a night out on the town or a trip to the movies.

So come visit us and browse Sunday, January 11th at mi madre's (I still remember a lil' spanish) - LOL! If nothing else, you'll get to visit with me :~) XO

Oh, and if you can't make it but would like to order (you can view the catalogue online) - you know how to reach me. OR, leave me a comment with your contact information. If nothing else - heck, HOST A PARTY! My BFF is AWESOME - she was trained by the best - she'll treat you right :~)

My best wishes to all and a Happy New Year!

Back to work and back to school tomorrow.... I sure am going to miss this lil' guy! We've had a lot of fun over break!!!!

..and the New Year was HAPPY :~)

A few fun, random pics from NYE!!!!!!!!!

Nick busting it up on the drums!!!!!

We celebrated the New Year at Richards Farms in Casey, IL. Our hometown band Union played the night away and brought in the New Year for us! It was super fan-tab!

And yes, in case you're wondering I'm bundled up in my coat. I was the DD for the night (BONUS), and therefore I did not get warmed up dancing! LOL! I still had an absolute blast tho watching everyone else and enjoying all the grand company that was surrounding me!

CHEERS TO 2009!!!!!!!