An Update from the A Train

I, Andy, realize that it has been too long since I blogged last, so I'm attempting to repent and come out from obscurity.

First of all, I thought I'd explain the new name of our blog: "Cinderella and the A Train." Melissa and I found a new artist that we really like. His name is Joe Purdy, and one of his songs is used in a car commercial (I can't remember which one). Well, one of his songs is titled "Cinderella and the A Train," and I thought that was a catchy and unique name for our blog, since my older brother has nicknamed me "A Train" and Melissa's job is to clean the house and cook all the food--haha, just kidding. It's because she's absolutely beautiful and I can't think of anyone more fit to be named after a princess. So there you have it!


As you can tell from Melissa's previous entries, I
have been to the doctor/oral surgeon a couple times in the recent past. The first time was because my neck was swelling up on one side, which was causing a lot of pain. We waited FORever at the hospital for the doctor to tell us that he didn't really know what was wrong, BUT that he was going to give me a prescription drug called Lorazepam, which is a potent little narcotic. I even had to sign a statement that I wouldn't give it away or sell it or anything. After we got home and I was about to take some of it, Melissa got really scared and decided to look it up on the internet to get more information. We found out that it is originally intended for people with severe anxiety, and that it had some side effects, one of which was "could change sexual interests." Melissa interpreted that to be, "could change sexual orientation," which would, naturally, scare her. So when I talked about taking one, she panicked and exclaimed, "You'll turn in to a gay man!" Ha ha. I got a pretty good laugh out of it. And for those of you that are wondering, I didn't take any of it, and my orientation is certainly unchanged and right on track.

Week #12 - I Know that My Redeemer Lives

Well, I just realized that I am a week late for week #12 of my 52 weeks of blessings. Since the Easter holiday has come and gone I feel a great need, as many others, to express my gratitude for my Savior. I feel extremely blessed to have a knowledge of Him, and to recognize the blessings he brings to my life. Hopefully I can do my part to express my thanks to him, by the way I live.

What the Hail?

Over the past few months of living in Missouri I have come to realize that the Midwest has the extreme in all seasons. Extreme heat, extreme thunderstorms, sheets of ice, flooding, tornadoes and now HAIL! I have seen hail before...but Wednesday night, like many nights before, there was a thunderstorm. This thunderstorm was different though. Not only did it only last only about 45 minutes, it also had a tornado warning for the 'city' of Fort Leonard wood and we can't forget the HUGE amounts of HAIL! The first time I experienced a tornado warning I was freaked out of my mind, you better believe I was prepping myself to get in the closet! This time, I enjoyed it a little more...and was a little more brave. Here is some live footage from the event, and a few still images. It came, it left and it also left a dent in the car! Oh, I can't wait for Kentucky!

PS. Please excuse my HORRID video taping skills.

All in One Alarm!

While in Saint Louis today, my friend Corrine and I decided to use our time wisely and shop! I love to shop! While wandering through the mall I noticed this sweet little gadget at the Brookstone store. Meat Bob the wobble clock! Its a clock, thermometer, timer, alarm and calendar all in one. With a simple touch on the top of the egg shaped toy it switches to various displays...each with their own color screen! I figured at only $12.50, why not. Its completely battery operated and can travel with you. Now Andy and I have a Bob of our own!

Flooding, Salivary Glands and Stitches

This last week has been an eventful one for us Stockhoff's. Many of you may know about the heavy rain we received through the beginning of this week (if you have been watching the national weather). Well, we ended up getting SO much rain that even small creeks have flooded major highways! Its crazy. On Thursday I missed work b/c the roads I drive were closed off due to extreme flooding...then today, as my friend Corrine and I made our way to Saint Louis, came across a whole intersection that was completely underwater (this is near down town Saint Louis). On the way home the intersection was flooding so excessively that the water had topped the overpass and was beginning to flood the main freeway. Needless to say, Corrine and I had to find a round about way of getting home since the freeway was closed. It ended up being the LONG way!
Also this week, my sweet husband Andy went under the knife. About six weeks ago Andy found a small lump in his lip...it didn't hurt him at all...just more of a nuisance. Wednesday afternoon Andy went to the dentist to have his lip looked at and to have a filling fixed. The doctor assured Andy that the lump in his lip was most likely a clogged salivary gland and with a simple procedure they could remove it. So on Thursday afternoon (the day I just happened to call into work) Andy went in to have the lump taken out. Although Andy said the surgery was painless, the doctor did hit a blood vessel (which is fairly common in this procedure) and Andy had blood running down his face. Luckily the Oral Surgeon was well trained and did a wonderful job, Andy is recovering nicely and should have his stitches out by next Wednesday! Here are some before and after pictures, and a sweet picture of Andy smiling. He was so numbed up that he couldn't lift his right bottom lip to smile.




If only every week were this exciting!
Cheers!

Hate the Treadmill?

Try this workout, and you won't get bored (plus, burn up to 500 calories)! Not a runner? Start with 30 minutes and work your way up to the full 60 over time! I love this!

Minutes	Pace
0:00–10:00	Warm-up jog; 5.0 mph
10:00–10:20	Sprint at 7.5 mph
10:20–11:20	Jog at 5.0 mph
11:20–14:00	Repeat minutes 10:00–11:20 twice
14:00–17:00	Jog at 5.0 mph
17:00–27:00	Run at 6.5 mph
27:00–31:00	Jog at 5.0 mph
31:00–35:00	Run at 6.5 mph
35:00–39:00	Jog at 5.0 mph
39:00–55:00	Repeat minutes 31:00–39:00 twice
55:00–60:00	Gradually slow pace to cool down at jog/walk

Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail

Well, since Easter is right around the corner, I decided to make a little Easter basket for Andy. But instead of waiting until Sunday...I couldn't help but surprise him with his Easter basket a little early! Thanks to the oh so affordable Target Andy got...the first Lord of the Rings movie, a new tie, Sour Patch Kids and some new Trident Gum! YUM! We tried a new gum flavor this time, its called 'Cool Colada' and its real tasty (I know, because I stole a pack!). Anyway, Happy Easter!

Week #11- LOL :o) gr8 TTYL

Just last week while on my way to work one day, I realized I had left my cellphone at home! Eek! How was I supposed to talk to Andy? What if I got in a wreck on one of the windy roads? I can shamelessly admit that I felt like one of my limbs was missing. I rely on my phone, and so...this week I am grateful for texting! Some may argue that picking up the phone and calling is the best thing to do, and in almost all cases I would agree, but I just love texting. Texting allows me to talk to my husband all day, even when we aren't supposed to! It gives me the chance to send my family an friends a love note when I can't pick up the phone to call them . Plus, its just darn fun! I love texting people and I love getting them in return. So send me one!

ABC its Easy as 123

Thanks Brittany, for tagging me on this fun and new survey!!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: ABS aka Andrew Bryan Stockhoff (trust me, his initials fit him well :)
C-Cake or Pie: Cake, if its ice cream...pie if its fresh strawberry or peach.
D- Day of Choice: Sundays, we get to take Sunday Naps!
E- Essential Items: mascara, flava craze chapstick, cell phone and ipod
F- Favorite Color: Green (but not to wear)
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: If I had to choose, Bears. I really don't love either.
H- Hometown: Idaho Falls, ID
I- Indulgence(s): The Cheesecake Factory and Shopping!
J- January or July: July in San Diego CA!
K-Kids: None yet.
L-Life is incomplete without: Family and close friends
M- Marriage Date: June 29th, 2007
N- Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister, 2 Brother in Laws and 6 sister in laws!
O- Oranges or Apples: Mmm. both please.
P- Phobias or Fears: Feet and deep water
Q- Quote(s): "Truth is not determined by what people think" - Richard G Scott
R- Reason To Smile: being happily married, counting down the days til we get to see all of our family!
S- Season: Spring and Fall
T- Tag Six: Darcie, Amy, Kimberly, Larissa, Natalie, Kenize and Grallice.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: My eyes are green, but I have a lone brown spot in my right eye.
V- Veggies or Fruit: Fruit, its like candy!
W- Worst Habit: Getting black mascara all over our towels!
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Uh...I don't know...I have only had X-rays thus far
Y- Your Favorite Food: Sushi, Fruit and Frozen Yogurt!
Z: Zodiac: Capricorn

Laughter is an instant vacation.

As I was doing some 'blog browsing' this morning I stumbled upon this gem of a video off of You Tube. This is an example of one of those situations where its funny to laugh about after the fact (especially for the poor woman involved). Needless to say, I laughed really hard when I saw this...and am still giggling inside a little. Hopefully she doesn't mind to much for me sharing it, cuz its a real good one.

Going Green...or Red.

Growing up I never worried much about recycling. Call it innocence or ignorance, its just something that never really crossed my mind. Since being married I have really tried to do my part in recycling all I can. Don't get me wrong, I am not an environmentalist... just simply trying to do my share...its not hard and I feel a little better every time I do. So when the 'Eco-friendly Bag' craze hit it was just another opportunity for us to contribute...although its not much, I really love these bags. You can find them at almost any store (I know Target sells them for about $1.50 per bag) and you can take them anywhere you go! I keep mine in my car...I think I have collected enough plastic bags for the next 20 years...from now on I am using these!

Is your cupboard under the kitchen sink overflowing with plastic bags too? Learn more about plastic bag recycling at www.plasticbagrecycling.org

Week #10 - Better than Being Born with It.

I have always been a little obsessive about my eyelashes. Are they long enough, thick but not too clumpy. Are they even, and not crisscrossing. All very important things to think about. This week I am grateful for Clinique's High Impact mascara. I can promise you, I will never switch to anything else. I am a user for life.

You Should Know This Already...

Thanks to my good friend Jessica for tagging me in her little survey. I have to apologize for the delay in filling it out. I haven't had the time to do much blogging until today! Here we go!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names.


10 Years Ago: Was 1998 and I was a Sophomore in High School. I didn't love that school year. My Jr. year was much better.

5 Things on my To-Do List today:

1- Go to the gym
2- Clean my house
3- Mail Allice's Package (sorry Jane)
4- Enjoy my day off!
5- Cook dinner for Andy

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

I would shop! haha (I can't lie). However I would also SAVE, share with my family, donate, invest and leave the rest for my children.

3 of my bad habits:

1- I have OCD when it comes to my eyelashes...they have to be perfect or I will wash off the mascara and start all over again.
2- I will let the car gas tank get as close to 'E' as I can before getting gas. I have the hardest time spending money on gas...and have worried that the car was going to die on me several times.
3- I need to learn to BUDGET! (I will agree with Jessica on this one!)

5 places I have lived:

1- Idaho Falls, ID
2- San Diego ,CA
3- Provo/Orem, UT
4- Rexburg, ID
5- Fort Leonard Wood, MO


5 jobs I have had:

1- Nanny (while I was in High School)
2- I worked at Kathy's Hallmark...but I didn't really have a title
3- Billing Coordinator at DLA
4- Broker Assistant at StrikePoint
5- Target Team Member! haha

5 things people don't know about me:

1- I hate it when I have chipped fingernail polish! I like to keep my toes and nails painted and rarely go with out nail polish.
2- I have a small wart (gross I know) on my right thumb. I don't know when it got there, but it won't go away.
3- I love it when Andy wears cologne, it is quite the treat since he doesn't do it often.
4- I love taking really warm showers, the kind that steam up the whole bathroom!
5- I love books...all kinds. Church, novels and health/fitness books. I want a library of them.


Now I'm Tagging....Brittany, Kim, Monica, Darcie and Allice (and anyone else who wants to fill it out!) Enjoy!

Week #9 - I Love to See the Temple

This last weekend we had an opportunity to attend the Saint Louis Temple with the Youth in our ward to do baptism's. What an awesome experience! We had such a wonderful time with the kids in our ward, we are really blessed to have our temple within driving distance. This week I am grateful for the Temple.

A dash of salt and a stick of Butter.

Well, thanks to the help of my good friend Brittany I finally got a new background put up! Brittany is certainly the master at this stuff, so thanks Brit!

Tonight Andy and were invited over to our neighbor's house for a home cooked southern meal. Harris and Cathy have quickly become good friends, so when Harris' mom (Mama Beard) came to visit this week from Atlanta Georgia she was gracious enough to cook for us. Fried chicken and collard greens. Andy, having served his mission in Alabama and Mississippi, is well acquainted with this dynamic duo of a meal, but this was a first time for me. If you have never tried collard greens or homemade fried chicken you are missing out. Mama Beard even let me in on all of her secrets, maybe I will get up the courage to try it myself sometime. Until then, its cereal and soup for us!