Not much new here

Not much new here in the McGinn household. Mike is taking a weekend class for his MBA so that keeps him busy. I like to work when he's at school on the weekend so he doesn't feel like he is missing out on anything. Mike is training for his IronMan, which is in September. Once he sets his mind to something... he follows through. I love that about him.

I have been working a lot, as usual. Days, evenings, nights. I do it all. I prefer evenings because it's more fun and less drama (from staff, not patients). I am going to start going to the YMCA again tomorrow. Exercising helps my mood and I feel so great after I work out. Getting there is the problem... it's so easy just to crawl back into bed. I went to Babies R Us last weekend to get a gift for a friend - Boy do I need a baby! So many cute things these days. I think Mike was scared to death by all the screaming babies and running toddlers. Maybe next year we'll add another to the family...

Darrell is still Darrell. Cute and funny. Loveable and snuggly. I don't know what I did before Darrell. I would bring him everywhere I go if I could. He is disturbed by the raccoon mating that is going on at night in our front yard. Yes, I said mating. (Mike saw two coons doing it the other night). It sounds like a screaming two year old. Gross.

My rock star Mom came through and found me the mellowcremes I was lusting for. She sent me a huge bag of them in the mail. Thanks Momma! Love you!

Check out a picture of my guys at Christmas:

Me, Jess, and Leah

For Christmas, my husband got me a great gift... Two tickets to a Jessica Simpson concert! I have always loved Jessica Simpson and I am convinced that I can sing just like her. :) The only stipulation with the gift was that I had to take a friend (Mike said NO WAY was he going). Ok, ok, force me to have a girls night out. Twist my arm. I invited my sister-in-law Leah. Here we are at my favorite mexican restaurant, throwing back a strawberry margarita:

I am a sucker for concert t-shirts. Worth every penny:

Me, Jess, and Leah:

Two different people stopped me and Leah at the concert and asked if we were sisters. I'm sure Leah was flattered.

I need your help...

Calling all candy connoisseurs.... I need your help!

My favorite Valentine's Day candy has been missing from the shelves!
They are made by:

They are called Valentine's Day Mellowcremes.
The mellowcremes are red, pink, and white.
They are shaped like hearts, cupids, and cupid's arrow.
I last spotted them at an Iowa City Osco in 2005.
I have looked far and wide and have yet to find any of this delicious candy!
If you happen to see these at the store...
I'll take fifty bags.

Movie review

I saw the movie Marley & Me with my family on Christmas day. As is the case with most books turned into movies... the book was way better. The movie had its funny moments. And we all know the dog dies in the end so no shock there. It was emotionally draining to watch the dog get old, sick, and be put to sleep. I think the whole theater was crying. (Do not go to this movie if you have never owned a dog - You won't understand). It brought back too many memories of my childhood dog *Jake.* Oh he was a good boy. I wish I had a picture of him on the internet to post. He was a dalmation and had the most beautiful markings.

Another heart-wrenching dog movie is My Dog Skip. It's the same kind of story as Marley only this dog is a Jack Russell (same as Darrell). I made the mistake of watching this movie while I was snuggled up on the couch with Mike and Darrell. Lets just say 'hysterically bawling' is an understatement. Most of you know how much I love my dog... and watching this movie was just too real.

What a Debbie Downer post huh?

Merry Christmas

We wish you a
Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Mike, Becka & Darrell

...ing...

Struggling…with my sleeping habits. I sleep wayyy too much and I'm missing out on life.

Hoping…that my sister's wedding planning goes smoothly.

Praying…for the health of my family.

Laughing…at my dog peeking out from under a blanket.

Fighting…the urge to gossip.

Missing…days without responsibility.

Worrying…about traveling this winter.

Pushing…myself to be more fun to be around.

Reading…the last book of the Harry Potter series. Having a tough time getting started.

Remembering…how good Coke tastes from a Santa can.

Wishing…for a productive 2009.

Bags

For years I have been bothered by bags... Like the sacks you get from a store when you buy something. I get angry when I get home from shopping or the grocery store and have all these plastic bags. I do the best I can to reuse them as garbage bags, dog poop picker uppers, etc. but there always seems to be a surplus of plastic bags at my home. Last summer I bought reusable grocery bags. They are wonderful! Inexpensive too (four bags for $5). I want to pinch myself when I forget to bring them to the grocery store. Yes, I'm *that girl* at the grocery store trying to carry ten items out to her car without a sack.

This Christmas shopping season I found this bag:
Love at first sight! And how cute is it? Victoria's secret - $20 (I got it for $10). Worth every penny. I got the blue one. I bring it on all my trips to the mall. You're welcome Mother Nature.