Friday Funny....

One of our faves around here: http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/saturday-night-live-annuale/ezdbcaONyiv41js1Z2VXNeb0P0VewzpB

Life in Pictures...

It's been a crazy week, so here are some pictures to show a little bit of what we've been up to...well, at least what we did last Sunday! More update to come...enjoy the pics: Kdee going wild with her tubing (she didn't fall off this bounce, can you believe it? She loves the action and has come a long way in her appreciation for all things fast and furious; little B and ribB preparing to tube; little B playing with his rope (his Uncle Bart got him seriously into ropes); me and the kiddos squished into the front of the boat, trying to pose for a pic; our dock at sunset...

r-e-l-i-e-f

Thanks to my great friend, Angie, I am now closer to being done with my poison ivy rash. How you ask? One word: ZANFEL. This crazy little product (available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVC, local pharmacies) is quite expensive, but worth every cent. I can't recommend it enough...relief is pretty instant and ever-so-easy to come by.

Here's more on it:


Zanfel™ Poison Ivy Wash is a safe and effective topical solution for poison ivy, oak, and sumac. It is the only product known to remove urushiol, the toxin responsible for the reaction, from the skin after bonding, enabling the affected area to immediately begin healing. After using Zanfel, itching and pain are the first things to be relieved, usually within 30 seconds.

Unlike Zanfel, other products temporarily reduce itching but do nothing to remove urushiol. Zanfel removes urushiol by binding with it to create an aggregated cluster, which can quickly and effectively be washed away with water. Zanfel can be used at any time after exposure. Zanfel can be applied on any external body area, including the face and genitals, and is safe for use by children and pregnant or nursing women. In the case of systemic, or blood-based reactions, prescription steroids are usually required. If you suspect a systemic reaction, see your doctor immediately. Zanfel can be used in conjunction with steroid treatments.

a little clean up

It's Wednesday and with that in mind, here's something goofy for the day. Sooo...You never know what you'll find when you're cleaning up your computer/iPhoto, etc.
Here are some random pics to enjoy mid-week:
* Kdee's self taken photo from this spring...so reflective and pensive, don't you think? Makes me laugh...

* random pics of the work desk (not sure why they were taken, so I thought I'd share for the silliness of it all--enjoy the kiddos artwork, etc. Guess you get an idea of what surrounds me at work)

* pics from ROSE-A-PALOOZA ("captain & tenille as we called them aka Rose & Carl; Rose's "favorite" wine...)

Also, random part deux: if you're in the mood for some good laughs, be sure to catch "The Soup" either in re-run or weekly on Friday nights (E! Channel; 9pm CST). Love that show, one of the few I try not to miss. It is laugh-out-loud funny.

Happy RANDOM Wednesday everyone!

Sassy Rash & more

It's official--I've now experienced poison ivy and I don't look as sassy as Uma Thurman, that's for sure. It's on my calves and I've been pretty proud at how little I've itched at it...even though it's tempting...but I'm stopped by the thought of making this stuff (aka the appearance of poison ivy) last any longer than it has to. It ain't pretty.So, now I know and I'll look more closely at what "weeds" I'm pulling up at the new house. Live and learn. Itch later.

Other fun times at the ribclan household include celebrating Heather's birthday on Thursday (my very good friend and coworker). She loves the state fair, so I went with the "birthday on a stick" theme. Presents wrapped with sticks in them, lots of fair decor, sweet martha's cookies, "fairest of the fair" sash & crown, etc. It's always a blast to celebrate a birthday, especially for someone so special.

The weekend also contained some fun--Ally came for a long visit, much to Kdee's delight; a long walk/run Saturday morning; a nice long chat with Michelle Friday night (on my way to a movie...skipped the movie to keep chatting away, which was much more fun anyhow!) On Saturday afternoon, we went to the family cabin to experience some sun, fun, raft making and long cocktail lunches out (thanks to my sis-in-law Chandra...we could have stayed out all day and solved all of the world's dilemmas while we were at it!).


Now it's back to work...this cool weather is making it hard for all of us to wake up in the morning...so easy to snuggle in and sleep a bit more...I love fall, just not yet. (Now, ribB on the other hand...he's already gearing up for hunting and we have the dates on the calendar from September-November...uff dah!Get ready, it's coming...).


Pics: The poison ivy I'm NOT right now; Heather the day before her birthday, making work fun and funny...we laugh a lot together!

Gettin' In The Mode...

I have to admit--sometimes I use this blog to my advantage. I do a lot of writing for my job, and on days like today (where I have to write about heat pumps and preventative maintenance...snooozzzeee), I get the writing juices flowing with some fun writing on the blog. And, since I've been a bit lazy with the blog lately (the new house has been taking my time) it seemed like a good opportunity to add a quick update.

Basically, here's what we've been up to at our house: cutting down dead trees, planting perennials, major trimming of the lakefront (complete with breaking trim equipment on hidden dangers like rocks, etc.), moving more items down to the house from our pole shed, unpacking and organizing said items, tubing with the kids, cleaning the house, reorganizing the house, yardwork...and, oh yeah, going to work. Uff dah!

Our work overhaul was motivated by the fact that we had a big open house/summer party for ribB's coworkers on Saturday. We also had some friends and family stop by, which was so great (especially for me!). My mom watched the kids overnight for us and they were so excited to stay over with her and Paul, since it had been quite awhile since the last overnight. With the kiddos dropped off at 11am, we got the chance to really get the last items done before people started arriving (we were literally running through the house to finish). The party was a big success--lots of fun, jello shots, blue drinks, skiing/tubing and bonfire-ing were enjoyed by all well into the wee hours. (Ang--I am still smiling over our Coldplay CD making, getting stuck with "that wife" and hanging out together...I am so happy you came! You are an amazing friend!)I didn't take any pictures--guess I was too busy playing hostess--but found some good ones online to take the place of my own.

On Sunday we had some relaxation time (good for ribB and the way-tired kiddos) and then we entertained my coworker and awesome friend, Heather, and her husband Jason at our place for the afternoon/evening. I was so happy to have them over and they were such good sports about the overly tired kids who were a bit more dramatic than usual--not to mention the wave of water that splashed us all during the boat ride.
Good times, indeed!

Mock photos representing: the party-goers; the crazy jello shots (48 of them were brought to the party, organized, labeled and the shot glass was given away if wanted--serious business, I tell you!); bonfire (we initiated our newly constructed fire pit during the party and I will always see ribB & his guy coworkers igniting the first fire and the MASSIVE flames that followed...us wise ladies stayed inside until it calmed down).