They Want Your Blood….

Categories: (Family, General, My honey) by Lisa Ruggles on 24-09-2008

Chloe’s school had a blood drive on Monday. I had signed up both Brad and I. I really hate being poked, but how can you deny a good cause?

Have you ever had those moments where you dream of how an evening should look? I pictured an evening that would start with eating dinner as a family, taking a family bike ride over to the school. Brad and I would give blood, come home and hang with the kids. But instead….

We are running late so Brad goes ahead to get started.

I finally get there with the kids, we have had multiple mishaps along the way.

I sit down to fill out my paperwork and the nurse says, can I have proof of ID?

(I think I said a swear word in my head at this point)

Me: No, I don’t have any ID.

Nurse: Sorry, we can’t take your blood unless you get ID

Me: Ok, I will ride back home and get my ID

I leave the girls with Brad and I’m back in about 15 mins. now I’m all hot and sweaty but I did drive back instead of biking.

Brad was hooked up and being drained of blood but still smiling. After seeing how much they took I really wasn’t looking forward to it.

Blood Guy: Ok, lets test a couple levels and we will get you going, have a seat right here

Me: In my head, I’m not having a good feeling about this.

Blood Guy: What is your weight?

Me: With a smile, you have got to be kidding! You want my blood and my weight, I don’t think so. :)

Blood Guy: As long as you are over 115lbs it’s all good.

Me: SERIOUSLY! Do I look like I’m 115lbs? (by this time we were both laughing)

Blood Guy: Who talked who into giving blood?

Me: Ummm…. there really wasn’t any talking I just made the appointments but now I wish it was just for him. (That’s the evil side of me)

Blood Guy: Well, it looks like you won’t be donating today, your Iron levels are WAY to low.

Me: Yeah, I don’t have to give blood but can feel good that at least I tried. :)

Unfortunately, I will still get poked when I go to the Doctor. I have had really low energy, so I’m glad that I found out my Iron was off.

And since what his is mine and mine is his, I guess I can feel like donated too!

Do you ever give blood or does the thought of it make you queasy?

My Cards, Her Cards

Categories: (Family, General, Humor, My Girls) by Lisa Ruggles on 22-09-2008

Yesterday I invited Emily (my 5 year old) to play a game of Uno with me. With a huge smile on her face she quickly responded by saying, let’s play with cheating!

I explained to her that if she wanted to cheat, I didn’t want to play the game. Emily agreed to play by the rules.

After a little while, I had to go into the other room to help Chloe. While I was away Emily was kind enough to deal a new hand.

My cards.

Her cards.

Hmmmm…… :)

I couldn’t find the camera. I used photo booth for the pic’s. Brad will love this one! :)

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

Categories: (Family, General, My Girls) by Lisa Ruggles on 12-09-2008

I love my girls school! Chloe’s teacher has asked parents to come in and read every Friday. Today was my day. I was able to pick any book and spend time reading and talking for 20 mins. I had a great time. Unfortunately, I brought the camera but forgot to ask the teacher to take a pic.

I picked one of my all time favorite books. It inspires me every time I read it.

I’ve included the book. Take a minute and read it, you will enjoy it!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’ t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Birthday Celebration!

Categories: (Family, General) by Lisa Ruggles on 11-09-2008

We finally celebrated Grandma Ruggles Birthday last week. We aren’t telling how old. :)

In good old Ruggles tradition, Brad made crepes for breakfast. Yummy! My girls always love it when Daddy makes the crepes. We filled them with apples, blackberries and whip cream.

Not healthy but delicious!

The girls couldn’t wait to give Grandma her presents.

We watched www.lifechurch.tv and then hung out and played with the girls.

Later in the afternoon we took Grandma and Grandpa out to dinner and did a little bit of shopping.

The girls have sure loved seeing their Grandma again!

and we had to try and get a couple family shots.

If you look at Brad’s blog, the pic he has is 3 years old. Pretty sad.

The girls couldn’t help but ham it up a bit for the camera. :)

We sure love our Grandma!  Happy Birthday!

Am I Biased?

Categories: (General, My honey) by Lisa Ruggles on 10-09-2008

I happen to think that I am married to one of the most amazing men alive! One of his talents happens to be in design.

Here is one of the shirts he designed.

If his design wins, this shirt will get printed and be available for purchase with all net proceeds going to Compassion International’s Global Food Crisis Fund. Brad won’t make any money from it, but it will help to bring food to many families in need.

The contest ends tomorrow, so be sure to vote today!

I feel like I’m cheating!

Categories: (Family, My honey) by Lisa Ruggles on 09-09-2008

Every year on vacation, Brad starts a vacation beard. He always shaves at the end of the vacation. I’m always happy to see it go. :) About a month ago, we went camping and the beard began.

It is still here.

To be honest the beard sort of creeps me out. When Brad kisses me and my eyes are shut I feel like I’m cheating on him. It just isn’t right.

It is prickly. The girls scream when he comes near them for hugs and kisses.

And yet, it is still here.

Little Chef, Big Mess

Categories: (General, My Girls) by Lisa Ruggles on 08-09-2008

Emily is my Little Chef, she loves to work in the kitchen with me.

And while I enjoy the bonding we get from cooking together. It can be very messy.

Last week we made Minestrone Soup and here is what it looked like when we finished.

Sometimes I find myself thinking, is this really worth the mess? But then my heart responds with a loud YES!

It is worth having to completely scrub down the stove, step on food, mop the floor, trip over all the extra chairs and steps stools and have it take twice as long to complete dinner.

I’m able to spend precious time with Emily, teaching her something she loves! I know I will look back one day and wonder where the time went.

I can confidently say, I will not regret the messes made.

I’m thankful I’m able to spend precious time with my girls!

I Didn’t Fall off the Face of the Earth….

Categories: (General) by Lisa Ruggles on 04-09-2008

but I did need a little break from blogging. Writing has never been a strong point for me but I have really had fun with blogging.

This past week I found myself at a loss for what I would write. I couldn’t really come up with anything. Every morning I felt bad that I didn’t get a post up. So, I have decided that when my blog begins to feel like pressure and loses the fun, I will take a break. I will be back on Monday.

See you all then!

5 Health Benefits to Fasting

Categories: (General, Health) by Lisa Ruggles on 27-08-2008

5 Benefits to Fasting

  1. Fasting actually allows harmful toxins to be removed from your body
  2. Fasting is one of the best way to get your body into a natural healing process
  3. When fasting your body will actually decompose and burn those cells that are diseased, damaged or dead
  4. Fasting 3 days a month can increase your life-span by 5 to 7 years
  5. Weight Loss

(excerpt from “How to Feel Great all the Time” by Valerie Saxon)

I have had quite a few questions regarding fasting. If you are interested in knowing more there is an excellent book called. “How to Feel Great all the Time” by Valerie Saxon. I highly suggest this book before you start any fasting. She gives the benefits and how to do it safely.

You Have Got to be Joking

Categories: (General) by Lisa Ruggles on 26-08-2008

Yesterday, I started riding Chloe to school on a bike. I figured, I will drop her off and continue on for some great exercise. About half way through the bike ride, I notice that the seat was getting extremely uncomfortable. Went home, complained a little bit and went on with my day.

Fast forward to this morning, I get on the bike and I can’t even sit on the thing. Who’s idea was it to come up with a sliver of a bike seat?

Seriously!

Did they look at the rear end of the human being before making them? We were not made to sit on this thing going over bumps and rough roads!

What were they thinking? There is no cushion. I know I have plenty of my own, but it isn’t enough!

Today, I biked for 25 mins. switching between standing up and having half a cheek on the seat. I found that was more comfortable. :)

As I was looking for a new seat (a big padded Grandma one) I found some interesting ones.

Who wants to sit on a dog. It would look like he is sniffing your hiney!