Putting up the Christmas Tree

When do you put up your Christmas trees? Some people do it the weekend after Thanksgiving, some do it Thanksgiving evening while the family is all gather together. Others wait until closer to Christmas. We have for years, put our tree up the first weekend of December. So we made that our family tradition. Since I am working on Saturday's now, I suppose Andrew will get everything down from the attic on Saturday and we will either put it up Sat night or Sunday between services. Sometimes I really don't like working Saturday's, in fact, most of the time I detest having to work on Saturday's...family time and all of that...a post for another time. Anyway, we always put up the tree and listen to Elvis Christmas songs while we decorate. This year, our living room is smaller than we have had in the past, so I am trying to decide the best arrangment for the tree.
I have also asked the girls for their Christmas lists...I suppose I need to get started on the shopping thing. I have come up with a few ideas for Noah, and am looking into a few gifts that I will give to others. Noah doesn't play with toys as much as I would like for him to. You know some kids just don't play with toys like others. Lauren was one that didn't really play with her toys that much. She had loads of them, but her favorite things weren't toys. Megan on the other hand, loved toys, dolls, barbies, Polly pockets and all of that. She is still my one child that loves to play. Noah loves to play with things that he sees us using--pots and pans, wooden spoons, telephones, pencils and pens...and other items that he sees us using throughout the day. He will play with his little trucks some, and he loves to read his books. He likes to line things up in a line, like dining chairs or his trucks. So along with the many toy recalls over the last few months, I am having some trouble deciding what to get him. Toys from China are definately off the list, so what does that leave? I want to get him a small guitar, because he is always trying to get Andrew's and Megan's to play. I want to get him an organizer for his room so we can organize the toys he does play with. I would like get him some type of riding toy, because he loves bicycles. Everytime we go through the garage to get to the car, he runs for Megan's bicycle. Anyway, those are a few things I have in mind for Christmas. But nothing is finalized yet, and all things are up for reconsideration as the shopping days become fewer and fewer.

I am still suffering with a sore throat. Whatever it was that I had over the weekend is back. My throat is sore and I am very hoarse. I can hardly talk. I feel tired but no other symptoms other than that. Hopefully I will get over it in a day or two.

Thought for Today

May you have

the gladness of Christmas

which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas

which is peace;

The heart of Christmas

which is love.

www.spritzels.com

American Girl Doll

If you have girls, you have heard of American Girl dolls. These dolls are great and both of my girls have enjoyed them through the years. My youngest still enjoys them. She showed me something she had found on the internet yesterday. If you haven't seen it---take a look. They have also recently opened a new American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Dallas, and one in Atlanta. We are hoping to make a trip there in the spring. Megan was unsure of which doll she wanted to buy when we go, but now after seeing the video of the Oprah Show, she knows it will be Mia. Also check out the holiday picks.

Decision '08

As you can see from my sidebar, I haven't decided who I am going to support in the presidential election. But when you think about it, we still have 11 months to make a decision. Is it me, or does it seem like this presidential election cycle started much earlier than the previous years? Maybe I just didn't pay that much attention before. Of course, my choice will be a Republican, not just because I am a registered republican and have voted that way from the beginning, but because most republicans are more in line with my beliefs on the issues. Being that I live in Arkansas and I was here during part of Mike Huckabee's time a Governor, I favor him because I feel he did a great job in the state of Arkansas. I like that he is a Christian and puts his faith in God first and makes decisions based on those beliefs. He isn't afraid to stand for something. He is conservative and comes closer to the values that I hold dear, than any other candidates. Fred Thompson on the other hand, is also a republican, from the same town in Tennessee that my husband is from, and is conserative also. I liked him in the Senate, I like the sound of his voice, he sounds presidential, and I must admit, I loved him as Authur Branch on Law and Order. When I watched TV that was one of my favorite shows. I know those things seem superficial comparied to the issues, but gut feelings and personal feelings account for something also. I know you don't elect a president on those things alone, but it is a start. I have a leaning toward Huckabee and Thompson, so over the next few months I will continue to watch and read more about each candidate and make an informed decision before casting my ballot.

Home Again...jiggedy-jig...

Well we made it back home from Tennessee Thursday evening and I worked Friday and Saturday. Thank goodness, Andrew has been in the cleaning mood! He has cleaned the house, washed the dishes and done the laundry everyday!!!! I told him that he needed to take vacation more often, so he can do a few things around the house!!



Work was horrible on Friday. More mail than anyone can ever imagine. I didn't get home until around 6:00 or so. Saturday I went in earlier and got back to the post office around 3:30, but stayed until after 5:30 putting up things for the regular carrier on Monday. I have to work again on Tuesday and I know it will be bad again. It was cold both days I worked. It was damp yesterday and I woke up during the early morning with a sore throat and not feeling good. I feel like something is swollen in the back of my throat and when I swallow, it feel like a knife slitting my throat open. So I didn't go to church this morning. It is raining and 43 degrees right now, so I want to stay warm a cozy and nurse this sore throat so I won't get sicker.



Andrew's dad is staying in a rehab/nursing home facility in Tennessee and we got to visit with him some while there. He was able to come to Andrew's sisters house for Thanksgiving, but I could tell that he was worn down and not doing well. He is walking with the help of a walker, and seems weak to me. He has put on some weight, but I think it is due to the steriods they are giving him. He is getting ready to start a chemo pill soon and I have a feeling it will be very hard on him. I wish we could be closer to spend more time with him. I know when my grandma got down, I wanted to be near her and let the kids be with her as much as we could, which wasn't enough. Because when the end comes, it is to late then. If you are going to do something for someone, or want to build memories to carry with you, you must do it while you can. No matter how much you do for someone, or spend time with them, when they are gone, you always have regrets. I wanted Andrew to be able to spend time with him and talk to him while he is able to understand and communicate. I told him that he needs to talk to him and if there is anything that he wanted to ask or say, he needs to do it now. Sometimes people spend the rest of their lives with regrets because they didn't say or ask things they wanted to. I have lost several people in the last few years that were very dear to me, and you always regret something. So if you are blessed with time and know that time is short, use it wisely, for you shall never pass this way again...



Well hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday. And we are all looking forward to Christmas season. I think we are going to try to put the tree up next weekend. We need to figure out where it is going to go. When we bought the tree;which I might add, is rather large: we lived in a larger house. But now, well, space is limited and we may need to downsize our tree. We will see when the time comes.



Well, I am trying to work on MPM and maybe will have it posted tomorrow. For now, I am going to leave you with this:::

Thought for Today

Sydney J. Harris:
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.

Thanks giving week

I am going to forego the Menu Plan Monday today since we will be gone most of this week. We are leaving tomorrow morning to go to Tennessee to be with Andrew's family for Thanksgiving. We will be coming back on Thursday evening because I have to work Friday and Saturday! UUUGGGHHHH!

Today I am going to be thankful for this day and what God has blessed me with today. I won't think about yesterday and its failures or worry about tomorrow and what it may bring; but for today, I will live today to its fullest!

Anyway, for those of you who I have asked to pray for my father-in-law, I appreciate your prayers. For those who don't know, Andrew's dad had a stroke a few months back and while he was in the hospital recovering from the stroke, they discovered he had cancer. He has taken radiation and will be starting a chemo drug soon. He was recently in the hospital for a blood clot and just last week for pneumonia. He is now in a rehab/nursing home to build him back up before starting the chemo. Please pray for him. Even in the best case scenerio he was only given months... so it doesn't look good right now. Please pray that the Lord will strengthen him and keep his spirits up and keep him from suffering.

Thought for Today

Joan Baez:
You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Yes, I can't believe it, I am 41 years old today! Turning 40 was hard, but not near as hard as anticipating turning 41. Because suddenly you realize it doesn't stop at 40, but you keep getting OLDER...Then you start thinking the next big one is...dare I say...50! No offense to those of you who are already 50 or older, but if you remember back to 41, and how you felt about turning 50... well that is where I am now. I know when I get there, it won't be as bad, at least I hope it isn't.

I had to work today, and I must say that the Christmas mail has begun! It was horrible! Catalogs and sale papers from everywhere, selling everything imaginable. I can't believe that anyone could possibly need so much mail! I was an hour and 45 minutes later leaving the Post Office than on normal days due to the high volume of mail. And the bad thing is it only gets worse before Christmas! To make matters worse, it now gets dark so much earlier and it is almost dark getting back to the Post Office. I could go into the long speech about the horrors of consumerism and how we are destroying our society with our insatiable appetite for so much. And how we work so hard to pay for all this stuff that we never have time to enjoy, and how we are slaves to our stuff...but I won't bore you with my soap box today, I will save the planet another day.

When I got home Andrew and the kids had me a wonderful meal of crab legs, shrimp and sausage with mushrooms all boiled in crab boil seasoning. And then some wonderfully, sinful chocolate cake and some sparkling grape cider. That we drank from champagne glasses and toasted to ME!! Even little man got into the action he drank from a glass champagne glass just like the rest of us, without breaking it!
Then they gave me some wonderful gifts of cologne; (Red Door, my old standard), money; which is always a great gift, and my 18 year old got me, well, some unmentionables; which I desperately needed. And they gave me great cards with lots of love enclosed! All in all, a great birthday! Even if I did have to work. But coming home to my loving family, was worth the long, hard day!

Well, my daughter; the 18 year old one, the one that is becoming an adult before my very eyes; opened her own checking account today! All by herself. She has been wanting to for a while and today she finally did. I have to say am very proud of the young woman she has become. I am proud to say that I am her mom. Even though, I still have to stay on her about her room! Which right now it is a big mess.

Well, time for bed. I have photo's I want to post, but we are having computer issues and I can't get them to download right now. I am trying to correct the problem and will post photo's ASAP.

Thought for Today

forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age. - French Proverb

Menu Plan Monday

Well my menu plan Monday isn't going as well as I had hoped. I still don't have the week figured out. Not because of a lack of ideas, just a little laziness on my part and sick kiddo's on top of it. So here's what I have so far.

Sunday: Tuscana soup and garlic bread

Monday: Sub sandwiches with left over Tuscana soup and I made the most wonderful (if I do say so myself) Apple crisp. The recipe will be at the end of this post.

Tuesday: Braised cajun chicken breast with
cheese and spinach tortellini and a veggie

Wednesday: Smoked Tuna quesadilla's with tortilla chips and salsa dip

Thursday: I have to work and it is also MY BIRTHDAY! So I am
NOT COOKING!

Friday: Red Beans and Rice with sausage and cornbread

Saturday: Something in the slow cooker with left overs on Sunday.

Deidre's Apple Crisp

4 cups apple slices, peeled

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup oats, rolled (raw)

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup butter (one stick melted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup caramel sauce

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Peel and slice apples into small chunks and place in glass baking dish
Cover the slices with the lemon juice.
Mix dry ingredients together except for walnuts
and pour over apple chunks.
Melt butter and add vanilla and pour evenly over the dry ingredients.
Top with chopped walnuts
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes
Drizzle caramel topping over top and eat warm.

I must have really been craving something that was in this, because I thought it was delicious! Even my picky eaters thought it tasted good. This is definately a keeper for us. I had some apples that needed to be eaten and I was craving something like granola or nutty/crunchy/gooey so I just redid an old recipe for Apple Crisp. Try it and let me know how it turns out for you.

If you want any more ideas for Menu Plan Monday click on the MPM photo at the top of the post and view what lots of others are doing this week.

Sickie Sunday

This morning our house has a few sickies in it. Megan is fighting allergy and had a temp last night. Noah has also had watery nose and sneezing for several days, and Lauren woke up with a sore throat. So I suppose it is no church for us this morning. Andrew had to go into work today to get the schedule for this new project worked out on the scheduling program to show the owners tomorrow. So I am sitting here trying to plan my menu for the week. Last weeks menu changed slightly with the decision to get pizza on Thursday night and the wonderful gift of deer meat from a co-worker. I fixed the most awesome deer roast in the slow cooker. Andrew brought the meat in Thursday evening and I cleaned and cut it and put it in the slow cooker with a large bottle of spicy italian salad dressing. It cooked over night and I added whole new potatoes and large chunked carrots with garlic and pepper with some Tony's. It cooked for 24 hours and was it delicious!!! I served it with cornbread and everyone loved it. So thank God for an almost free meal.

Saturday was a work day and it was a free for all. I fixed Chicken Ceaser Salad and Andrew and I at it. It tasted really good. I use to love italian dressing on my salad, but ceaser has become my new favorite.

I have to work Thursday and Sat this week. And the day after Thanksgiving and Sat next week. Then the following week I work Tuesday and Saturday. I also have three dr's appointments in the middle of it all.

Gotta run for now. I will post again later today.

Everyday Food

Have you seen these Everyday Food magazines. Yes, I know they are by Martha Stewart, but really what did she do that so many others haven't done, and just didn't get caught? So regardless of how you feel about Martha, (I personally still like her products and ideas), lets be real, she's good at what she does. Anyway, I have seen these magazines before, but never bought one. One day while garage-sale-ing, I ran across a stack of them, in perfect condition, for .25 cents a piece. I grabbed them all. And they are great! I love them! Of course I love cookbooks anyway, but never do I buy a cookbook that doesn't have photo's for every recipe. I am a visual sort of gal and I need visual inspiration to get me motivated for anything. So when I just see a list of ingredients and no photo to show what it is suppose to look like in the end, forget it---blah, blah, blah... I get bored quickly. But these Everyday Food magazines are great! And the recipes are just what it says, everyday food. Unlike some of Martha's cook books, where everyday people have to take out a loan to buy all the ingredients needed to create one of these extravagant meals, these recipes call for...everyday ingredients. And they include great color photo's and great tips also.

I realize that I don't get out much and since I no longer watch television, my sources of information are limited and some would say that I am sheltered; but... did you know that you can line open ice cream containers with plastic wrap before putting the lid back on and it will prevent freezer burn?

Well, I didn't know this. I learned about it in one of these magazines. Another thing I didn't know was that people actually kept ice cream in their freezer long enough to get freezer burn. For some reason we never have that trouble in our house. We never keep ice cream that long...hum...but if we ever do have that problem, I now know how to solve it!!

So, check out the web site, and next time you are in line at Wal-Mart, pick up one. I am sure that like me you will be pleasantly surprised by them. I am just hoping to run across another stack for 25 cents a piece, instead of the $2.95 they usually cost. Or you could just go to the web site and check out what is online. Either way, happy cooking!

47 Shopping days before Christmas!

Today there are 47 shopping days left before Christmas! Wow! How did that happen? Have I done any shopping? Ask anyone who knows me well, and they can tell you. The answer is NO!! Are you kidding! What fun would it be to be prepared and have it all done early, before the crazy rush! Who doesn't get an inward thrill out of racing around the day before Christmas trying to find something on your child's list, only to discover the only one left has been stepped or chewed on by another child. And who doesn't get a kick out of running short on wrapping paper and tape and having to use the Sunday Comics held in place by the last few staples in the house and some left over yarn from the scarf you made for your Aunt Lucy.

Well...it really isn't that bad, but I am a last minute kind of girl. I use to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but I just never got into the thrill of getting up at 2:00 am and standing in line for 4 hours with 300 other people all trying to get the ONE Game Boy the store advertised for $5.00 in order to get people into the store. I would rather pay twice what something is worth than to go through all of that!

The last time I shopped the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas was in 2004, when we lived on Padre Island. Lauren and I got up before daylight and hit the stores. I ended up buying things we really didn't need. I spent more money than I normally would have spent, and still didn't get much Christmas shopping done. So I swore off those crazy shopping days when everyone is out looking for a bargain. Except for Christmas Eve, and I'm not out looking for bargains, I am just out trying to get the necessary items that I have put off getting up until then. I have to have a little excitement in my life!

Besides, this year, I have to work the day after Thanksgiving. So while all you bargain hunters are out there stalking some great sale, I will be putting more sale papers and catalog's that promise great savings, into your mailboxes to tease you with the allure of something great!
Happy Shopping---47 Shopping days left until Christmas! But don't let that stress you, there is always the day after Christmas Sale!

Today I didn't get as much accomplished as I wanted. The day just got away from me. It has turned really cool, with freeze warnings for the area tonight. burrrrrrr....

Megan has been after me for several days to make some boiled cookies, so tonight I gave in and made them. I don't like to make them because when I do, I eat to many!!! Tonight I had three. I am going to forget that they are here and NOT HAVE ANYMORE! What are boiled cookies, you ask? Well, only the best of chocolate and peanut butter mixed together...yummmmmy!

Boiled Cookies

2 cups sugar

1 stick butter

4 TBS cocoa

( I use liquid hersey syurp, about 6 or 7 squirts)

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup milk

bring these ingredients to a boil for 4 minutes

then remove from heat and add

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 1/2 cups dry oatmeal

Stir together until well mixed and quickly spoon onto wax paper of foil.

Allow to cool and harden

Eat and enjoy

Makes about 22 cookies

This is my Mawmaw's recipe. She use to make these when we were kids and I just loved them. Still do, but I don't make them much anymore because I just can't stop with one, or two, or three, or.........Sometimes I could eat a whole batch. And I wonder why I need to lose 40 pounds!!

Menu Plan Monday

Well it is that time of the week again. I haven't been very good about planning my weekly menu, but I have enjoyed reading others who do. So I am going to try it this week.
(Megan has been wanting me to fix "little pizza's" I haven't done them in a long time so we decided to do finger foods today.)
Monday : Biscuit pizza's, bar-b-que meatballs and some form of veggie
Tuesday: Tuscana Soup and garlic bread
Wed: Hot dogs and oven fries
Thurs: Homemade sub sandwiches and chips
Friday: TBD
Sat: I work so it is hubby's job to fix: probably take out of some kind
Sun: something in the slow cooker
Well, I know it isn't all planned out, but I do have a start. This isn't how I usually cook, but in the past few months, I have been in a cooking slump. I use to be the Mom that cooked a four course meal, sometimes twice a day.(when hubby use to come home for lunch) But, since I was pregnant with Noah and had him, my cooking has gotten less and less elaborate and unfortunately less healthy in favor of something quick. I hope to find the "joy of cooking" again start cooking more healthful and creative meals. But for now, at least no ones complaining and there is always something to eat.
Follow the Menu Plan Monday graphic at the top to find a link to Organizing Junkie and see what tons of others are doing this week in the kitchen.

If God had intended us to follow recipes,He wouldn't have given us grandmothers.~Linda Henley

Quote of the Day

I found this great quote at Orginary Mom's blog and it spoke to me and the way I have been feeling about my life lately. So I have attached it below. Hope someone else out there is moved by it also.

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” ~ Eddie Cantor

A Wedding

Well it was back to work today. I really dreaded it, after being off for two weeks, I didn't want to go back. But all went well. It was a light mail day and no large packages. And I really knew God was smiling on me when the people I usually pick up out going packages from, met me at the truck with their packages, so I didn't have to climb the hill and carry a load back down. So that was great!! I got home by a little after 4:00 and wasn't tired or sweaty. The weather was just shy of wonderful. The sun was out and there was a simi cool breeze blowing. The temp was just at 70. The only thing that could have been better was the temp could have been just a little cooler, but I won't complain. Not today, anyway!



I talked to one of my oldest and dearest friends on the phone this evening. Well she isn't old, but I have known her since she was born. Our families have been neighbors for several generations and have been like family to us. Her mom babysat for me some when I was young and I babysat for her and her sister when they were little. When I started back to college in 1996, I think, she had just graduated from high school and we went to college together. We have been close ever since. Anyway, she is very special to me. She is getting married!! She asked me to be her matron of honor! I am so excited. I feel young again. I was in several weddings when I was younger, but it has been years since I was asked to be in a wedding!!! The wedding is next October, and we are looking for dresses. She has decided on the colors, and she is letting each of the attendents decide on the style that she will wear, as long as it is formal, that is. So I am looking for a dress. I found one that I love online, if I can find one in the colors that she is using, and it is not to expensive I would like to get it. Or one near that style anyway. I will try to attach the photo below. Anyway, we have just started the hunt, so hopefully we will find what we want.

Isn't it beautiful. You can see it and others at www.latterdaybride.com. And no we aren't Morman's. We just liked this site because they offer more modest style choices.

Hubby went to the store and bought shrimp and crab legs. We cooked them with some sausage in crab boil and Tony's seasoning. We ate and ate until we could stuff ourselves no more. We both love seafood. When we lived in Corpus Christi, we would eat crab legs often, and never got tired of them. We don't eat them much here due to the cost. But tonight we both agreed that we like to move to the coast and live off of crab legs, shrimp, lobster, fish, oysters, and other seafood. Throw in a little salad, some sushi for hubby and some occasional chocolate, and it would be heaven!! What more could you ask for to eat? So now I am stuffed from supper and declaring that I am going to lose 40 before next October. I will be slim for Daphne's wedding!!! Now to plan how I aim to accomplish this feat. Think, Think, Think...(as Pooh would say)...

Well that is about all for tonight. I finally got Little Man down for the night. And I am hoping to get a little reading in before falling asleep. I am currently reading, A Year By The Sea, by Joan Anderson. I have read it before, but felt the need to do so again. I also have A Walk on the Beach and An Unfinished Marriage, by her, waiting to be reread. I enjoyed them the first time around about two years ago. It must be something about fall...Anyway, check them out from your local library and enjoy a little retreat of your own.

I will leave you with this thought:

God gives us our relatives - thank God we can choose our friends. - Ethel Watts Mumford

Some of you may get a chuckle out of this one! And if you don't---lighten up a little bit!!

Friday Felicities

1. Cool Fall mornings

2. Hugs from my little ones

3. puppy breath

4. losing 5 pounds

5. being able to breathe through my nose!

If you want to participate in Friday Felicities please click on the Mr Linky below. If you want to read the origin of Friday Felicities click on the photo above.

Thursday's news

Okay, so Lauren just left for her weekend to St Louis, and Megan and Noah and I are feeling a little lonely. Or at least I am feel a little lonely. I watched her drive out of the driveway and thought of myself at her age and well, we don't want to think about that, so I quickly made myself busy doing something else. So anyway, we are getting ready to run to the library. I have some books that are due and for lack of something better to do today, we will spend a little time there.

When Andrew gets off we are taking Megan and Noah to The Purple Cow to eat supper then maybe a trip to Barnes and Noble bookstore. Just a little outing in an otherwise boring weekday.

I start back to work on Saturday. I'm not liking it very much, but thank God for the job! Thats all I have to say about that !

I am getting ready to get another perm in my hair. I haven't had one in almost two years. I did get a root perm for just the top portion of my hair earlier this year, but it is gone! My hair really does hold a perm well, except for the top, because it is so long and the weight of it pulls it out. I miss just washing, gel-ling and going. I like the bohemian look. Lauren calls me a hippie, because of the way I wear my hair long and down. And I suppose there is some hippie still in there somewhere, but usually when women get to a certain age; I won't mention what age that is; surely older than I am...they usually start wearing their hair up if it is long. I do wear it up, to church and other places, mostly since I had Noah, because it is easier when pulling and tugging on a little one not to have hair hanging down in the middle of it all, however, I want to get a perm so I can start wearing it down again. So, I usually go back to Louisiana to a lady that I trust there to do it. Did I mention that I don't let just anyone perm my hair? Anyway, there are three women in this world that I would trust with my hair and two are in Louisiana; one in DeQuincy and the other in Walker, near Baton Rouge. The third is in Kentucky. Why you ask do I not trust many with my perming? Well I don't cut my hair. I don't even trim the hair, so you can see where perming could be harsh on your ends. And that is where these special people come in. They know just how to work magic to make sure the ends don't burn or split. I get a perm about once every year, year and a half. I have gone almost two this time with the interjection of a root perm. And I am very careful not to do anything that would damage my hair. I air dry, most of the time, condition, condition, condition... Anyway, I got a recommendation for a lady here in Arkansas and I have been trying to get a hold of her today, but no luck. Hopefully I can get it done before Thanksgiving. This will save me a trip to Louisiana that I can't make right now. So hopefully this lady will work out.

Well, hubby called and he is actually off early and on his way home!!!YEA!!!! So I need to get off and get ready for our family night out.

Just an update. The nose is doing well. I bumped it the other day, trying to kill a misquito on Noah; don't ask; anyway, it hurt for a little while and I fretted for a while worried that I had damaged something, but it appears to look the same and works as well. So I suppose it is okay. I still plan to post photo's when Lauren returns. I should have had her take them with my camera instead of hers.