Oh, what a weekend

I have no, I repeat NO pictures from this weekend. Yes, I am a bad blogger. Bad, bad Jaime Mac.

Here's the deal... Friday & Saturday were loooong days at my job. We have our annual 'customer appreciation' days. There's food & door prizes & basically an excuse for all our customers to descend upon our normally quite workplace this time of year. Like I said, both days are long & I am exhausted when I get home. Saturday afternoon I came home & took a nap. Surprise, surprise.

B-rad was going to have a game night with some guys from the motorcycle gang Saturday night. A couple of the guys live a good distance away & they were coming here for the game night & it was a whole production. Soooo, what's a girl to do when her hubby goes out for a game night? She goes out for a girls night with HER friends!

Shauna, Shauna's friend Jess, Rhonda, & Lora (not my sis-in-law...a motorcycle gang wife-she spells it the same though...weird, huh?!) went to eat at Tumbleweed & then on to a movie.

B-rad was having a slumber party at the game night, so we hung out at Jess' after the movie. I got home about 2 am & went to bed because I had a jewelry show today....or so I thought. Bum, bum, buuuuummmmm....

I had a chick from B-rad's work who wanted to have a show. I left her a message Friday night about making reminder calls. She never called me back. I left a message yesterday that I needed directions to her house. She never called me back. Today around 11am, I called her & said, "Uhm-it's Jaime Mac - again. I'm not really sure what's going on, but if you have decided to not have your show, please let me know." She called back & said, "Oh yes, the show is still on. I don't know if anyone is coming, but I still wanna do it." Mmmmmm kay....

So I got moving & started to get my supplies together & the car packed. B-rad was in the garage with me helping me load my model, 'Stifany', into the backseat when she called back....to cancel... B-rad was funny because he was putting Stifany in the backseat & when he heard the conversation-he made a funny face, turned around & put Stifany back in the garage. So....the one & only show on my calendar cancelled. She wants to re-schedule, but I've heard that one before....

I'm in a rut, people. I've had my happy bootie on the phone trying to drum up some business. No one will call me back. Sigh. While normally I'm ok with the rejection, it's starting to get to me. I've got nothin'...& I mean nothin' on my calendar for the jewelry biz. This is bad...very bad... I've had slow times...but never dead times. I gotta come up with something. Ya'll know me, there's not much I'm not above doing... so if anyone has any suggestions-please...feel free to let me know!

This week is gonna be a slow one...I think. (Uhm-didn't you read the above paragraph?) B-rad's been working at the barn fixing one of the tractors. Lora (my sis-in-law, this time...) go Saturday morning to have our taxes done so this week will be spent putting the final touches on all the papers we need. Wow-what fun...

We still have a couple of weeks until the office makeover, & we (B-rad) still have a lotta work to do. The room still needs to be totally emptied & the walls treated. Sigh. I am excited, though, about my jewelry sistas coming over for the makeover. I know it will be a fun day even though we'll be painting!

I think that's it...for now. I don't know when we'll do something interesting enough for you to hear from me again? Please-check in on me often... just to be sure I haven't eaten myself to death with chocolate...

I was in charge...& I like that...

Normally my jewelry Grandma, Gerilee, conducts our monthly trainings in Scottsburg. She is a busy gal. She has another full time job, she's always taking care of all of us jewelers PLUS she had been doing the build your business workshop I told you about. She asked if Brenda & I would do February training for her. Uhm...little ole me? Be in charge of training? Giving them information to help with their jewelry business?

Oh, heck yeah-sign.me.up!

Brenda & I met for lunch one day & hashed out what we wanted to train about. That doesn't mean we had to GIVE all the trainings. You contract that stuff out, people. So I called some jewelry sistas & said, "Hey-this is our idea-would you please get up & train on it?"

First, Gerilee told everyone about our Diva Retreat from the weekend. At the eleventh hour-I printed the pictures & asked Miranda (the chick with the button ensemble that won!) if she would pretty please put them on a poster board complete with sassy stickers. Next Debbie gave the announcements. You know, specials going on right now, dates of trainings, etc.
Then recognition. Gerilee did that as well & at first she announced me as the 3rd retailer for January. I got my super cute sash & then - she realized she was wrong. And it was yanked away just as quickly as I got it. In total Jaime Mac dramatic fashion I said, "Noooooo!" & hit the floor. It was quite hilarious. Gerilee wasn't wearing her glasses so I just snatched the sheet from her & said, "No worries - I'll do it."

Then she gave out the Servant's Heart Award. She gave it to myself & Brenda for working so hard on training. Again-in dramatic fashion-I made Brenda to put the sash around both of us.

First up for training was yours truly. The theme for Premier this year is 'Discover the Premier Designs Difference' & I wanted to train on what Premier does to make a difference to US & what WE need to do to make a difference to Premier. We try to 'time' everything so we get all the information in, but still get out on time. I gave myself 10 minutes to train. But when I got the '1 minute warning', I wasn't quite finished. That's when Gerilee said, "Jaime-don't worry about the time. I'll give up 5 minutes of my training for you to finish yours. What you're telling us is really good."

Just sayin'...

Notice the pointing? Man, I'm bossy... I also made Brenda let me wear the Servant's Heart sash because she already had one because she was #3 retailer, not me. Hmph...

Check out my arts & craft project! It's an inverted triangle. Premier does not have the ceo's at the top like normal corporations! Customers & Hostesses are at the top! That makes the pyramid top heavy-but not to worry-we have Premier's 3 founding principles AND their need to serve to hold it up. Please...bask in the greatness that is the poster board pyramid... (What's really funny is that on the other side I made a 'normal' corporations pyramid...ceo at the top... My big plan was to flip it upside down & do Premier's on the other side. Well, uhm, er-my first attempt got screwed up because instead of turning the triangle upside down, I just turned it over & Premier's pyramid was all messed up so I had to make another one. I'm SO not cut out for stuff like this...)

Next up was Miranda training on booking activities. She had some really cute ideas that I would've never thought of! That's why I heart training!

Debbie showed us some new ways to show our pins. She bought headbands at Walmart & you can 'pin' the pin to the headband. SUPER cute & totally in style right now. Again-never would've thunk it!

I finally let Brenda get up & talk & she did jewelry combos. Please pay no attention to the crazy chick's hand pointing on the right. That's not me...at all...inserting myself into her training...

Brenda brought in her laptop to do some training on tax reports from our software too... oh yeah, we're big time...

Putting training together was really hard work. But I enjoyed it. Telling people what to do & being in charge of the schedule is totally my thing. But like JLL said, 'Although we all know you are as sweet as they come...' (she did say it, I promise...) I sent out emails the next morning to everyone who helped us train & told them how much we appreciated it & how great they did. But then a funny thing happened... They all emailed me back. And told me how much they enjoyed training. And what a great job I (we) did. Ya'll know how I hate that...

The dog & pony show turns 2!

It's been 2 years since I started the blog. And I am soooo thankful for it! Where else could I complain, brag, vent (which is really kinda like complaining...), make new friends, talk a LOT about myself & keep up with family?! Well, there's Facebook - but I just can't tell my special brand of stories there...

I am thankful for the new friends I've made as well! And YES, I consider you all friends. Like it or not! So in an un-precedented move, I will abstain from talking about moi & talk about you...

(Ahem-in alphabetical order as not to hurt anyones feelings...):

Angie-where the heck have you been? I haven't heard from you in a loooong time. Are you cheating on me?!

Denise (even though technically I borrowed you from Alicia... )-I love to read about your kiddos because I never know what kinda crazy things they're gonna do next! That Grace is gonna be a handful! I hope you're ready! I really do think the world of you! When our house was broken into (the 2nd time) you had kind words of wisdom for me & I will never forget that!

Ginmommy-you have the same 'laugh at yourself & your life so you don't cry' temperament that I have. Thank you for helping me find a long lost friend on facebook! Who knew that you & I know so many of the same peeps through Graceland? Small world! I must also thank you for your calming texts when I'm ready to go ghetto! Eh-somebodies gotta be the voice of reason!

JLL-well, it's just destiny since you have such an awesome first name. I love your funniness. You are so quiet & laid back, but there are times you really make me laugh! I enjoy chatting with you about our mutual obsession (television shows...)! And of course all the games of Words you beat me at! Psssh!

Kiersten-it has been a pleasure getting to know your through your blog! I hope you enjoy your trip to DC in a couple of months! Be sure to take lotsa pics to share with us!

Tracey-I inherited you when I got Ginmommy -you guys are a package deal. I think your blog is a hoot as well. I love reading it because I can visualize everything you're saying. You have a way with words for sure! I am SO proud of you for doing the marathons! Keep up the good work & keep us posted!

Robin-Robin, Robin, Robin - What can I say about you? You're a precious soul. I have enjoyed getting to know you! You're quiet, but still very funny. I consider you family now...too bad, so sad...

And I can't forget my stalking family:

Alicia - even though we've been friends for-eva, I'm glad we keep in touch even more through the blogs... YOU were my inspiration for blogging. (So essentially this is all YOUR fault...) I heart you, Daniel, the boys AND that little GAL Nora! I can't wait to meet her! (Don't forget to text me when she's born-you know I'll never hear about it anyway else...)

Amber-I admire your bravery for moving to Kansas & then Chris getting deployed. Takes guts, girl... You also need to blog more. Sheesh! Not even a post on the new dog? (Ziggy? See I'm not even sure of his NAME!) Blasphemy!

Erin Ashley- you moved away (tear) but I'm glad you can still read about the crazy things Uncle B-rad & I get ourselves into! We miss you terribly & you need to blog more about those great nieces of ours!

Khirstin-You, Derek & Braeden are a busy little family! I'm amazed at your tenacity to stay in med school & become the doctor YOU wanna be! I lack the patience & would've given up! Proud of you!

Granny G-yup, you're in the family category! I think of you as a second momma. I know you will always knock me in the head if I need it, but you're also there to cheer me on. I appreciate you & Joe so much! You both have always been really good to me!

My REAL mom - well, I know you don't think I'm funny. This is a travesty. But I do appreciate you feeding me lunch every day!

Lora- since you're my sis-in-law so you don't really have a choice. Thank you for letting me blog about you & your kids as well since we always seem to end up at the same places! Weird...

B-rad-you have the greatest job of all - putting up with me on a daily basis. The stalkers can escape me - you cannot... You put up with me blabbing practically every detail of our lives on the blog. Plus you don't even yell, "Would you quit taking pictures?!" at me anymore. You've learned it does no good...

(If you're not mentioned - sorry - I don't know you exist. But if you wanna be my new stalker friend, you gotta comment or follow. Thems the rules...)

All of you loyal blog stalkers have also been so supportive in my jewelry biz'nuss! Whether you've had a show for me or attended a show I was doing, I appreciate that more than you will ever know! You ALL helped me be top retailer (which subsequently led to me getting an office makeover...which then subsquently led to my house being a disaster zone...which then subsquently led to my present mood of funk... Think sunshine! It will help my mood!) from our group last year! (There I go with the bragging again...)

I heart you all. I look forward to many more years of stalking...if ya'll can put up with me that long...

Happy birthday to our sister in law

Our sister in law, Lora's, birthday was Tuesday & we all went to O'Charley's to celebrate!

Cole had his head in his laptop & when I tried to take his picture, he would make a face. (Side note-his dad told him to turn it off when he got there. Lucky for him, Grandma was sitting next to him. So he waited a bit... then he said very, very softly, "Grandma-can I turn my computer back on?" She said, "Sure Cole-no one is talking to you anyway..." Brady got the biggest burger I have ever seen!
And of course if Brady had a picture taken with his food, Mr. Attenion had to have one too...

Ann couldn't find her lighter for the candles. Our waiter had told us a certain busboy had one. So I walked up to him & said, "Hey. Word on the street is that you have a lighter. Can I borrow it for a sec?!"

Look whose right in the middle of the present opening action...

We got Lora a gym bag type thingie to use when she runs.

AND I know somebody that does embroidery so I had her put Lora's name on it. (Please notice Derik in the background on his phone. Yes, this dinner had its fair share of electronic device usage. Brady, B-rad, Stanley, Cole & Derik. However I thought you may be tiring of those pics so I didn't take any..)

Cole also enjoyed the cake & the icing...

He's always good for a laugh! I can't figure out if this pic looks like a mug shot or he's drunk...

There were a few family members MIA - Erin, Eric & the girls...We missed you guys!!!

Here's what you missed...Derik texted B-rad jokes the whole time.

Brian was being VERY quiet (shocker) because he 'forgot' to go to jury duty that day! I was SOOO hoping a cop would show up...

I helped light the candles on the cake (I mean - I did go get the lighter & all..) & the wax dripped on my new fake nails & left a mark on one.

Surprisingly there were no fights or arguments. Brian & Brady didn't bother or bug Derik as far as I could tell. Weird..Brian must've been reaaaaaly worried about that jury duty thing...

Our version of Valentines day...

Ah, Valentine's Day... the day that Hallmark invented...

Ok-so if you have learned anything at ALL about me - I'm not the mushy, gushy type. Just ain't in my dna. So you can imagine how I feel about Valentine's Day. Stupid. Just stupid. #1-if you don't have a 'significant other' you're made to feel like a sad, pathetic loser. #2-if you DO have a significant other, you should darn sure be telling them you love them more than one day a year.

B-rad & I don't typically exchange cards or a gift. So you can imagine my surprise when Saturday afternoon I found a card & candy on the counter. I said, "'UHHH-what's this?" He said, "Well I was in Target last night with Hoosier (that's his buddy...) & saw the candy & knew you would like it." Reese's miniatures & Peanut Butter M&M's. Yum! (I ate all the Reese's but DID share the M&M's...) Also the card said something to the effect of 'we've been through a lot together: fights, money, etc'... then you open it & it said, 'Eh, that was just yesterday.' Oh, how I heart that B-rad...

Ahem-so Saturday night Brian & Shauna invited us to go out to eat with them. Ok-cool, no problem. Only when we were gonna have an hour & a half wait at Texas Roadhouse did I realize that all the silly lovebirds were out eating for Valentine's day. Gag.

We ate dinner & then we were gonna have to run over to B-rad's work so he could make something for the farm. I hadn't been in the building since they had moved locations so I was all for it. Poor Brian & Shauna had to tag along because we all rode together.

B-rad works in Portland in Louisville. If you've never heard of Portland...well what rock are YOU living under? UHM it's the ghetto. And NOT ghetto fabulous.

Just Ghetto.

With a capital G.

The entire building & parking lot are encased by a fence with barbed wire around it. B-rad also had to let us in a locked gate. Then he pulled in, got back outta the truck & locked the gate behind us. Gulp.

Inside the building the windows on the doors are covered with this wire stuff. Good God where is B-rad working?! It's just a big huge warehouse full of machines to work with metal. It has a stinky smell too. Like metal. Weird... They make engine stands for the airline industry. Theses were sitting inside the barbed wire lined gate. I'm not sure what kind of engine they're for...perhaps B-rad will grace us with a comment? I think I remember him saying they were supposed to go to Russia but they never paid them. Damn Commi's...

B-rad took this big hunk of metal pipe & cut it down to the size he wanted.

And it made a horrid noise. Brian & Shauna are wussies & had to cover their ears. I was too busy taking pics to cover my ears. I have priorities...(Notice Hoosier flipping me off?! Pssssh!) Then he put it in this other machine thingie that did some other technical thingie to the pipe. (Please notice B-rad brought coveralls to wear over his clothes so he didn't get his good clothes dirty. Have I mentioned I heart him?!)

And voila! There you have it. The finished product.

This is B-rad's sad little office. Eh-he's a guy...I get it.

Next is his sad little desk. Please notice there are NO pictures of Jaime Mac. (Shauna brought it up, but I don't really care about stuff like that. I am sure I'm on his mind all.the.time. He doesn't need a picture to remind him...like he could ever forget me?!)

Apparently Portland is a bit more dangerous on a Saturday night around 10pm. B-rad was packing heat.

And since we know everything's all about me...I had all these little tiny metal shavings on the bottom of my shoe after B-rad gave us the tour. It was super annoying to walk around with those things under my feet. I'm a princess, people...I would feel a tiny pea under my mattress too...

I would also like to mention that on the ACTUAL day of Valentine, this is what we did:

B-rad worked on his motorcycle in the basement. I laid around on the couch. His parents came over to pick up a check from us. I made a gourmet dinner of fish sticks & french fries. Please contain your jealousy...

Great Wolf Lodge, 2 b-day celebrations & a 4 hour breakdown

We went to Great Wolf Lodge with B-rad's fam for a little water fun this weekend! UHM-yea, it was snowing outside when we got there... And apparently we weren't the only ones who had the Great Wolf Lodge idea because that place was packed!B-rad's mom got us 'loft' style rooms. B-rad & I got to stay in the loft part of the room. It's really cool because you can look down & see the rest of the room below...

And it's really just asking for someone to do this... (be careful...you could burn out your retinas...)

And I don't feel sorry for these people one bit. I mean, the one on the right gave birth to him. This is 50% her fault... After we got settled in the room & changed, B-rad, Brady & Cole went down to the water park. I followed a few minutes behind & quickly found that heaven exists inside Great Wolf Lodge.

I didn't really get any pics of the big boys playing on the water coasters. Like I said, the place was crawling with people & since I'm not a big fan of 'playing in the water', I elected myself to stay with everyones stuff at one of the tables.

Grammy & Payton played while waiting for Eric to get done playing. We decided to leave around 5:30 to go eat dinner & give the place a chance to clear out a bit. On the way out, Madelyn & Payton got to play a little bit more in the water.

It was hilarious watching Payton go down the slides.

And she really loved it!

See, I was there...

Cole stepping on a water spout...while holding towels. Nice...

In the elevator on the way back to our room there was a baby in a stroller. And Brian was making faces at her. Like this. Poor kid...

We decided to have pizza delivered for dinner & while we waited Cole demonstrated his booty shakin' skillz.

And ya know this family loves to spend quality time together...

Just talking & finding out whats going on in each others lives...

Really bonding & appreciating the time we spend together as a family...

And while I was trying to bond with Brady - I saw this. The little 3 year old boy who was the ring bearer in our wedding. The little boy who came to my house & liked to feed the fish. The little boy who used to ride in the combine with B-rad & curl up on the floor & sleep...

He.has.arm.pit.hair. Eeeeek!

Stan & Ann gave Erin, Eric & the girls their Christmas presents because they didn't get to see them over the holiday. They gave the girls shirts that said something to the effect that they can't help their good lucks - you should see their aunt. Uh, duh...

Then it was time for B-rad's & Eric's birthday cake. B-rad turned 34 on Tuesday & Eric turned 25 (or half way to 50 as he put it...) on Thursday. We had to sing fast becaue the ice cream cake was melting!

Stanley customized B-rad's card to look like him. See the goatee & side burns? Hilarious!

Brian & Lora always get B-rad a ticket to the tractor pull at the farm show coming up in a couple of weeks.

The waterpark was open for a couple of more hours so everyone decided to go back. I stayed in the room becaue I wanted to use the high speed to watch the Grey's Anatomy episode I missed Thursday night. And when Brady found out I was staying-he wanted me to keep his laptop to download some iTunes. Yes, I like my electronic devices too...

So picture it: We had a superbowl party at the Other McAfee's that started at 4:00. I had it figured down to the minute. (Are you surprised?!) Leave around 11:00. 3 hour drive home. Showers & getting ready from 2:00-3:00. Leave for party 3:00-3:15. Be at party destination before 4:00. Perfect.

Well, breakfast took a little longer than I thought. And we didn't hit the road until around 11:45. Ok-uhm, we could be on time to the party instead of early. I just had a few hives at this point. (You know I hate to be late...)

Then B-rad's truck had different plans. About 3 miles down the road we heard a thump. And B-rad couldn't steer the truck. And the brakes were really hard. Greaaaaat. We had broken a belt & a pulley thingie...

B-rad's quick wit got us off the interstate & into a parking lot without incident. Ok-there was incident. I was super nervous. My heart was pounding & I had visions of the truck on the side of the interstate in my head. Luckily his parents were behind us & saw us pull off so they came over to see what happened. I used my super cool iPhone to find the closest auto parts store.

First stop - Pep Boys. One idler pulley & belt, please? Wrong - didn't have either.

Second stop - Autozone. One idler pulley & belt, please? Nope, not here...

While we were travelling to auto parts store #3, B-rad was quite gassy. And he is nasty, people. I'm sorry-he just is. This picture says.it.all. This is how he repays his parents from saving us...

Third stop-Smyth automotive. One idler pulley & belt, please? Nope. Are you freaking kidding me?! These guys decided to take the pulley apart to see if they could match it up with something else.

But then there was an issue with some hole size so we had to go BACK to the truck to check the hole size...

After about 3 hours of searching, we got all the parts we needed. And B-rad & his dad started to fix it. Yes, I am in a different vehicle 3 spots down from the truck with my camera zoomed in as far as it would go. It was cold out there! Sheesh! All I could think was, "Oh crap - those are B-rad's good jeans. He's going to get them filthy or ruin them. Sigh..."

My farmer hubby is always prepared...

I had played on my cell phone so much it was almost dead. So I was forced to get out of the warm car & walk to the truck to charge it. And B-rad had put on his coveralls. Like I said - pre.pared.

And I was never so proud as when he said, "I had to put my coveralls on becaue I had to get under the truck."

So 4 hours later we were ready to hit the road...again. It had been a stressful afternoon. And poor B-rad & Stanley had to go to 3 different places to get the right parts. And then they had to stay out in the cold to fix it & get all dirty. But they're not the only ones who suffered. I had it rough too. In the midst of all the breaking down - I broke one of my newly done nails. Oh.the.humanity...