It's Thursday already (gasp) as well as the last day of January! Hardly seems possible! I have a house to clean today but than I get to enjoy the first of my 4-day weekends on my new schedule! Yippee!
I got The Hub picked up yesterday. I showered and then confirmed his flight information on the phone. Hmm... they rescheduled his arrival for 10 minutes from right then, instead of the original, 35 minutes later. So, I flew out the door and got him picked up. He actually waited less than 5 minutes because I forgot about the taxiing in part, as well as baggage claim. Whew! We were home by 2:15 and he worked from home the remainder of the day.
I made a nice Fried Chicken Dinner complete with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and my suped up Green Beans. There's no soup in them I just call them that! On Wednesday's a friend of Charlie's comes home with him since I drive them all to Youth Group. Aiden is a nice kid and always very complimentary about my cooking so I don't mind feeding an extra mouth at the table!
Dave & I watched one of his favorite movies, "River Of No Return". I like Robert Mitchum but Marilyn Monroe is something else, she was hardly a stellar actress! I'm sure she was mainly the eye candy for this film. It probably wouldn't have worked as well with Katherine Hepburn. I guess she actually DID do something similiar. Remember "The African Queen"? The big draw of this movie for me is the scenery and having been to the Canadian Rockies this past summer on our big 3 week vacation, I am more appreciative than ever before.
Then we watched the 2 hour, Season 3 finale of LOST. We have Season 3 on DVD and recently watched it as to be fresh for the Season 4 beginning tonight (YIPPEEE!!!!) They had put little caption boxes with a few commentaries at the bottom of the screen. We learned a few of the less than obvious little clues in the show. So it is with great excitement and expectation that we gather around the big-screen this evening and block out the world from 7-9 PM. For me, this is going to be better than the Superbowl this Sunday. Now if Dallas hadn't have choked and were actually IN the Superbowl, I would be humming a different tune!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES
When left to my own devices you can bet that nothing good comes of it! The Hub comes home today and I will run to the airport after cleaning my morning house to get him. When he goes out of town which by the way, he has a trip the next 2 Mondays, I believe he's driving to Arkansas though next Monday but the following Monday he's flying back out to Los Angeles. Anyway, in the past I have thought of his trips as opportunities to do some projects around the house. I have painted rooms, reorganized my piles of clutter into neater piles of clutter and so on because I can string that stuff all over the place and not offend his organized, structured senses with the house in disarray. This week, I have piddled my free time away. Last night I decided to watch the entire first installment of the Lord of the Rings, all *4 hours worth! So, the house didn't get straightened nor did it get vaccuumed either! I HAVE managed to empty out the ashes and then vaccuum out the fireplace as well as get groceries this week. That should count for something right? So you guessed it, I am getting off the computer and running through the house this morning so it doesn't look like a total train wreck before he comes home from the airport. Get it, train wreck? He works for the railroad. I thought it was pretty clever! Oh heck, I think I just need more coffee!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
DEFINITELY SLIM PICKINS TODAY!!!
I hate going to bed alone. I never sleep as well when the Hub is out of town. I tossed and turned all night long with no one snuggled up against me. (sigh) This morning I look and feel like "I had been rode hard and put away wet" as my Grandma used to say.
Yesterday I was plain lazy! I watched some TV with Laura, she had recorded Extreme Makeover and she and I were both blubbering when it was over. The family had lost everything in a flood and the parents were desparately trying to hang in there for their 4 boys. The part that got me though was a little girl who has Cystic Fibrosis who was painting with one of the Design Team. That was her make-a-wish, to do something for someone else! I was choked up at her selflessness. Later on, I popped in the 3rd Pirates movie, with subtitles on I might add so that I could catch all of the dialogue. Dinner was wings from Wing Stop and a Chicken sandwich from Jack in the Box. I worked on my photo album, talked to some dear friends on the phone and talked to the Hub when he called me right before bedtime.
I should have been cleaning and organizing but I am sick of beating myself up over the should haves in my life. That mess isn't going anywhere and I'll get to it later today. So there!
Sunday's message was awesome at our church. As soon as it is downloaded, I will post the link. Our Pastor and our church are awesome! We have been there over 7 years now and it still is as exciting to me spiritually as the first month we began attending. We had been in a church where we were dying on the vine spiritually. While it's our responsibility to grow spiritually, you have to be in a place that encourages it as well. After we left the church we discovered why we were so stifled. The Pastor is currently in prison for sexual assault on several young men that we had been working with in the Youth Ministry. It's just sad and sickening all at the same time!
I feel like I've been a "hearer of the Word" and not a doer of the Word as of late. I hate that I am so self-centered that I have forgotten God's grace and mercy. I mouth the right words and all but I fear that I have come to take it all for granted. In the past when that happens, there's usually something that God allows to come into my life so I can get back on track. There's nothing like a little stuggle, trial or discipline to invoke desparately seeking God's intimate presence in your life. The trick is being sensitive to that fact rather than having God have to reign you back in! I would rather avoid discipline altogether thank you very much.
Total randomness on this paragraph.
Lately I've noticed that my Hub has put on a little weight. Now, I do not have room to talk but he's always been very lean weighing no more than 175 pounds our whole married life. He's 6'2" so he could weigh much more than that and still look fit and trim. The other day he told me that he has gained 10 pounds each year for the last 2 years making him weigh 197 pounds. He still looks slender so I was pretty surprised to hear him reveal that. He went on to say that last Sunday while I was with Jennifer for her birthday, he started watching what he ate and cut back on a little of the sweets he has developed a sweet tooth for. So, after one week of not dieting but watching what he is eating, he lost 7 pounds! Now I tell you, do I need any further proof that life ain't fair!!!?? I have a physically demanding job, watch what I eat and even if I starved myself, I couldn't lose 7 pounds in 3-4 months!
GRRR....
Yesterday I was plain lazy! I watched some TV with Laura, she had recorded Extreme Makeover and she and I were both blubbering when it was over. The family had lost everything in a flood and the parents were desparately trying to hang in there for their 4 boys. The part that got me though was a little girl who has Cystic Fibrosis who was painting with one of the Design Team. That was her make-a-wish, to do something for someone else! I was choked up at her selflessness. Later on, I popped in the 3rd Pirates movie, with subtitles on I might add so that I could catch all of the dialogue. Dinner was wings from Wing Stop and a Chicken sandwich from Jack in the Box. I worked on my photo album, talked to some dear friends on the phone and talked to the Hub when he called me right before bedtime.
I should have been cleaning and organizing but I am sick of beating myself up over the should haves in my life. That mess isn't going anywhere and I'll get to it later today. So there!
Sunday's message was awesome at our church. As soon as it is downloaded, I will post the link. Our Pastor and our church are awesome! We have been there over 7 years now and it still is as exciting to me spiritually as the first month we began attending. We had been in a church where we were dying on the vine spiritually. While it's our responsibility to grow spiritually, you have to be in a place that encourages it as well. After we left the church we discovered why we were so stifled. The Pastor is currently in prison for sexual assault on several young men that we had been working with in the Youth Ministry. It's just sad and sickening all at the same time!
I feel like I've been a "hearer of the Word" and not a doer of the Word as of late. I hate that I am so self-centered that I have forgotten God's grace and mercy. I mouth the right words and all but I fear that I have come to take it all for granted. In the past when that happens, there's usually something that God allows to come into my life so I can get back on track. There's nothing like a little stuggle, trial or discipline to invoke desparately seeking God's intimate presence in your life. The trick is being sensitive to that fact rather than having God have to reign you back in! I would rather avoid discipline altogether thank you very much.
Total randomness on this paragraph.
Lately I've noticed that my Hub has put on a little weight. Now, I do not have room to talk but he's always been very lean weighing no more than 175 pounds our whole married life. He's 6'2" so he could weigh much more than that and still look fit and trim. The other day he told me that he has gained 10 pounds each year for the last 2 years making him weigh 197 pounds. He still looks slender so I was pretty surprised to hear him reveal that. He went on to say that last Sunday while I was with Jennifer for her birthday, he started watching what he ate and cut back on a little of the sweets he has developed a sweet tooth for. So, after one week of not dieting but watching what he is eating, he lost 7 pounds! Now I tell you, do I need any further proof that life ain't fair!!!?? I have a physically demanding job, watch what I eat and even if I starved myself, I couldn't lose 7 pounds in 3-4 months!
GRRR....
Monday, January 28, 2008
CRAZINESS
Yeah, what else is new when I title a post, "CRAZINESS?" I had 2 hours of pure stress this morning already! Dave is in route to Los Angeles as I write this. We left the house at 6:50 which normally gives me ample time to make the round trip to DFW Airport and then be back home to do carpool. Now, normally, I would go the back way. I don't mind this route but Dave always says going I-35 E is faster. This morning I decided to go HIS way. We get up to the entrance ramp of the interstate and it's a freakin' parking lot! I KNEW I should've done things MY way! For those of you that know DFW, the radio said it was locked up from Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville clear up to Loop 288 here in Denton!!! I turn around and go the back way after all. I am now right back where I started from, only 15 minutes later!
Traffic is heavy all the way to the airport. I get him there, barely slow down the car enough for him to jump out as I pass the passenger drop-off point (yes, I AM exaggerating!). We say our goodbyes and I am back on the road again. I go the way that NORMALLY doesn't have much traffic because it's all heading TOWARDS the airport. Wrong-o! Another major error on my part! Creep to the first stoplight and make a couple of turns and I am once again, taking the back route.
By now, the 3 cups of morning coffee are straining against my bladder. I think to myself, "I can wait!" Wrong-o once again! At the same time I realize the error of my poor planning I see that the low fuel light has come on in my VUE. It doesn't make a little ding-ding-ding noise like my ION used to so I say to myself,
"I wonder how long that has been on?"
Seeing that I have gone 327 miles on this tank of gas and that typically I have to fill up at 300, I decided I would HAVE to get gas. So naturally, I used the restroom facilities and I was back in route once again!
I am finally back in Denton but because of the heavy school traffic, it's nearly impossible to make a left turn at the stopsign near the high school. At this point I have remembered my Lamaze breathing from all of those years ago. Finally, I catch a break and bypass the school. I call Charlie and tell him to wait outside the door and he can jump in as I pass by (exaggerating again). Naturally, I get stuck at the next stoplight which has no left turn lane. I scream a little and try to breathe deeply and lower my blood pressure. Finally I make it through and pick up the boys. I normally have them at school at 8:15 even though school starts at 8:50. Today I got them to school at 8:55! It took me 2 hours and 5 minutes to do what normally takes me 65-70 minutes! This was crazy, pure and simple!
The weather never got bad on Friday so that was actually pretty nice. Saturday night we went to the movies and saw "Cloverfield". One of THE worst movies I have ever seen!!! Dave and Charlie saw it the previous weekend when I was with Jennifer and they raved about it. You know it's bad when you are rooting for the monser! I figured the sooner he killed off the main characters (which I couldn't care less about) the sooner my misery would end! Terrible movie, do not waste your money!
Yesterday after church Laura, Les (her boyfriend) and one of her girlfriends and I, went to the Dallas Bridal Show. We met up with Jessica, Jelly Bean and a neighbor of theirs. Since Jess does photography, she wanted to scope out the competition and her neighbor does wedding flower arrangements. It cost us $10 a piece to get in so I decided I was going to get my money's worth by sampling every morsel of food they had to offer, including wedding cake! It was overwhelming but it was fun. I am glad I am off work today because I think I'll go take a bubble bath at 10:30 in the morning!
And how is your day shaping up?
Traffic is heavy all the way to the airport. I get him there, barely slow down the car enough for him to jump out as I pass the passenger drop-off point (yes, I AM exaggerating!). We say our goodbyes and I am back on the road again. I go the way that NORMALLY doesn't have much traffic because it's all heading TOWARDS the airport. Wrong-o! Another major error on my part! Creep to the first stoplight and make a couple of turns and I am once again, taking the back route.
By now, the 3 cups of morning coffee are straining against my bladder. I think to myself, "I can wait!" Wrong-o once again! At the same time I realize the error of my poor planning I see that the low fuel light has come on in my VUE. It doesn't make a little ding-ding-ding noise like my ION used to so I say to myself,
"I wonder how long that has been on?"
Seeing that I have gone 327 miles on this tank of gas and that typically I have to fill up at 300, I decided I would HAVE to get gas. So naturally, I used the restroom facilities and I was back in route once again!
I am finally back in Denton but because of the heavy school traffic, it's nearly impossible to make a left turn at the stopsign near the high school. At this point I have remembered my Lamaze breathing from all of those years ago. Finally, I catch a break and bypass the school. I call Charlie and tell him to wait outside the door and he can jump in as I pass by (exaggerating again). Naturally, I get stuck at the next stoplight which has no left turn lane. I scream a little and try to breathe deeply and lower my blood pressure. Finally I make it through and pick up the boys. I normally have them at school at 8:15 even though school starts at 8:50. Today I got them to school at 8:55! It took me 2 hours and 5 minutes to do what normally takes me 65-70 minutes! This was crazy, pure and simple!
The weather never got bad on Friday so that was actually pretty nice. Saturday night we went to the movies and saw "Cloverfield". One of THE worst movies I have ever seen!!! Dave and Charlie saw it the previous weekend when I was with Jennifer and they raved about it. You know it's bad when you are rooting for the monser! I figured the sooner he killed off the main characters (which I couldn't care less about) the sooner my misery would end! Terrible movie, do not waste your money!
Yesterday after church Laura, Les (her boyfriend) and one of her girlfriends and I, went to the Dallas Bridal Show. We met up with Jessica, Jelly Bean and a neighbor of theirs. Since Jess does photography, she wanted to scope out the competition and her neighbor does wedding flower arrangements. It cost us $10 a piece to get in so I decided I was going to get my money's worth by sampling every morsel of food they had to offer, including wedding cake! It was overwhelming but it was fun. I am glad I am off work today because I think I'll go take a bubble bath at 10:30 in the morning!
And how is your day shaping up?
Friday, January 25, 2008
WINTER STORM WARNING
Today is Friday and we in North Texas are under a Winter Storm Warning. We usually get one ice storm a year where the roads are a mess, people freak out and the school districts either are over anxious and close school or they're non-sensible and make the kids go to school when no one should be out on the roads. DFW Airport has grounded 90 flights already this morning. It looks like my timing on this recent trip was perfect! I awoke to my usual time at 5:30 to find my son the meterologist wanna-be, glued to the TV. He was watching the radar and waiting for school closings. I got my coffee and sat down here at the computer. I realized how much I enjoy my quiet time in the morning when the house is all mine. The TV was getting on my nerves and it wasn't even loud! Now he's depressed because at least for the time being, he is going to school!
Yesterday I had a house to clean and afterwards I got some firewood for the anticipated weather debacle. It's just at freezing temperatures outside so it looks like the roads aren't too bad, at least where we are. Since I missed my client on Tuesday for cleaning (I was travelling), I rescheduled her for today, my day off. I need to get over there because she is having company in tomorrow and needs me. I left her a message telling her that if the weather was what they were expecting, I'd be over a little later once the roads were melted off. I'm guessing I'll not have any problems. I'm taking my SUV out since I feel more secure in it rather than Charlie's car that I've been driving until he gets is license. Besides, there's a bunch of firewood in the cargo area so I have some extra weight in the rear end! Tonight I'll be making a new recipe for dinner, a beef stew casserole which sounds yummy. We're supposed to have our Life Group tonight as well.
Last night Dave popped in a movie from Netflix that he had rented. It was the story of a woman whose sister passes away and leaves her as the legal guardian of her 5 children. The scenario is that the Aunt is a big city girl and her sister was Amish. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie but was wondering if it was plausible. Afterwards I found out it was based on a Beverly Lewis book called "The Redemption of Sarah Cain". I recall seeing her work in the Christian Bookstores and realized that she writes a lot of books with the Amish as her theme. The oldest nephew in the movie was also in "The Last Sin-Eater", another movie we loved! So...I went to Amazon and purchased the book (used). I really liked the movie a lot, very family friendly!
Yesterday I had a house to clean and afterwards I got some firewood for the anticipated weather debacle. It's just at freezing temperatures outside so it looks like the roads aren't too bad, at least where we are. Since I missed my client on Tuesday for cleaning (I was travelling), I rescheduled her for today, my day off. I need to get over there because she is having company in tomorrow and needs me. I left her a message telling her that if the weather was what they were expecting, I'd be over a little later once the roads were melted off. I'm guessing I'll not have any problems. I'm taking my SUV out since I feel more secure in it rather than Charlie's car that I've been driving until he gets is license. Besides, there's a bunch of firewood in the cargo area so I have some extra weight in the rear end! Tonight I'll be making a new recipe for dinner, a beef stew casserole which sounds yummy. We're supposed to have our Life Group tonight as well.
Last night Dave popped in a movie from Netflix that he had rented. It was the story of a woman whose sister passes away and leaves her as the legal guardian of her 5 children. The scenario is that the Aunt is a big city girl and her sister was Amish. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie but was wondering if it was plausible. Afterwards I found out it was based on a Beverly Lewis book called "The Redemption of Sarah Cain". I recall seeing her work in the Christian Bookstores and realized that she writes a lot of books with the Amish as her theme. The oldest nephew in the movie was also in "The Last Sin-Eater", another movie we loved! So...I went to Amazon and purchased the book (used). I really liked the movie a lot, very family friendly!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
MY WEEKEND OF FUN!!
After working like a madwoman last Thursday, I came home, cleaned up and Dave drove me to the airport. The flight to St Louis doesn't take too long, a little over an hour. By car, it's easily 10-11 hours! Having grown up in Missouri, I always enjoy "going home". We circled downtown St Louis on our approach to the airport. You can make out the ARCH down by the Mississippi River.
I was met by Brenda, my best friend and that evening we all went to dinner together. On Friday morning I went to visit with my folks for a few hours. We had lunch together and shared some precious times with one another. From there, I met up with Jennifer and we drove the 100 miles to Columbia, MO together. Once I was inside, the girlies were all excited about playing with GIGI. As you can see by the curler in my hair, it was tiime to play Beauty Shop!
We had a dinner of Brocolli & Cheese soup with Reuben sandwiches and just chilled at the house. The next morning, Saturday, the girlies snuggled up next to me on the couch.
Ashley, from now on known as "Sweet Tart", is our little fashion diva. She had to dress up in ballet clothes but insisted I put on her socks, Crocs and hat!
Jennifer and I went to see some log homes together. That was a lot of fun! We saw the perfect one for Dave & I for when we retire. Then it was off to the Upper Crust for a delicious lunch, pedicures and some Culver's Frozen Custard. When we got back to the house, the girlies were napping. Corey had decorated with balloons and roses, picked up a cake and had been to the store while we were having our girly fun!
Alyson, forever known as "Kit Kat" has lovely "nap hair"!
"Sweet Tart" waits for dinner. Corey grilled burgers outside and it was SO cold that he had to have a different plate to put them on once they were done. The plate would've shattered or else the burgers would no longer have been hot!!!
My gorgeous daughter on her 30th birthday with Corey!
What a great looking family before church!
30 years ago I could hold her in my arms, now I hold her in my heart!
GIGI with her "Kit Kat" & "Sweet Tart".
We went to Panera's for breakfast before going to church. Once we were home, it was naptime for the girlies and we relaxed as well. While Corey grilled the Filets for dinner, I made Twice Baked Potatoes.
Happy Birthday Baby Girl!
Blowing out the candles!
All too soon it was Monday morning and I was heading the 100 miles back in to St Charles to spend the night at Brenda & Charlie's. Brenda & I grabbed a late lunch at Olive Garden. Since Charlie who is a Dentist works late on Mondays, we went to the movies and saw "Mad Money". It was entertaining, nothing great though. On Tuesday Brenda & I had lunch with Katie (their oldest daughter) before running me to the airport. I was bringing back more than what I came with (shocker I know!). Fortunately, I had thought ahead and had brought a duffle/overnight bag with me. I transloaded some stuff from my 49 pound suitcase because I was afraid that the airport scales might be off a bit. In went the jellies from my folks, dirty clothes and the electrical hookup cables for the flat screen DELL monitor that Jenn & Corey gave us. I carried that on in a shopping bag. (Bag lady Mom) Luckily, my flight wasn't full so I was able to keep it right next to me and the window area on the floor. I sprawled out in my seat and listened to my headset with Bryan Adams playing! Before long I was landing in Dallas and my Sweetie was waiting for me in the baggage claiom area. What a fun grown up girl getaway!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
TALK ABOUT RANDOM!!!
This post is going to be all over the place! I will start packing my suitcase today and finishing up the laundry after work, before I head out for St Louis tomorrow. I am looking forward to this trip, I like the excitement of going to the airport, watching the other people and wondering about why they're going to the same destination. I feel so grown up, going alone. The last time I made a trip like this was December of 2006 when I flew home to be with my folks when my stepbrother unexpectedly died. I hated being at the airport and sitting on the plane waiting for it to take off. I knew that as soon as the wheels left the ground, there was no turning back. This time, it's a happier reason, I'm spending the weekend with Jennifer and her family as we celebrate her birthday! That and I get to visit with my folks on Friday.
I decided to buy a portable DVD player that was on sale at Target this week. I plan on taking it with me, not that the plane ride is terribly long or anything but maybe I'll want to try it out. I figured it would be good for when we go on vacations since the van can only play videos on it's TV screen. This way we can hook it up to play the DVD's as well. If I take any of my grandkids on a trip again I can bring it for them to enjoy on the drive.
Last Friday I had lunch at school with Jelly Bean and I would post a picture but that isn't happening thanks to my son. He borrowed my digital camera last week to make a short movie. When I went in his room to put clean laundry on his bed I saw my camera and got a tad aggravated that it was in his room so I promptly retrieved it. I had Jessica all set to take a picture of us in the lunchroom only to find taht the memory card was not in there! It was in his room!!!!! GRRRR!!!!!! He got an earful after he got home from school!
On Saturday we met with the trunk restor-er guy. (Great grammar I know!) He looked it over and told me that it was in pretty good shape and that it should turn out nicely. I am having him take off the red painted, tattered canvas covering, clean and expose the wood, replace all of the leather handles and straps, put new wheels on it, line the interior and polish up the metal. I can hardly wait! I had asked my real Dad if he knew much about the old trunk from Grandma. He said he thought it actually was given to her by her mother, my Great Grandmother Lizzie. That lines up with what this gentleman told me as he was approximating the age of the trunk, he places it late 1800's. He said as he starts working on it, he might come across a stamp or plate, etc that will give us more info. So yeah, I'm pretty pumped about it! It's not going to be cheap but my hubby, bless his sweet soul told me he wanted me to go ahead with it, knowing it will be something we'll never regret. I'm supposed to get some pictures as he begins the restoration process so I'll post those when he does.
Yesterday, I took Squeegy the cockatiel in to get his wings clipped and his little toenails trimmed. While he was in the back, I got him more millet seed and treats and looked at the baby birds that are hand-fed (as he was) not quite ready to be sold yet. I also spotted a CD to help teach birds to speak. Kind of a "Hooked On Phoenics" for your feathered friend! I thought,
"What the heck, why not?"
When I was checking out, one of the guys saw it and said that he'd been wondering about it and if it was cheesy. I told him that we had bought a cassette when we first got Squeegy, 5 years ago and it was pretty cheesy. I said out of everything on there, he only learned how to say,
"Pretty Bird".
The guy who had taken him in the back began laughing. He said,
"He sure knows how to say that! He must've said it 50 times over & over again!" Squeegy says that when he's scared or excited. Today I'll put it on for him before I leave and see what he learns from it.
Today I have a house to clean in the morning and then I need to run to the store to pick up a couple of things that the family will need while I'm gone. I think I'll make spaghetti tonight and then a pot of chili tomorrow in the crock pot. With the leftovers, there will only be a couple of nights where they'll have to make some meals. Of course, if I stock up on pizza, pizza rolls and hot wings, Charlie will be content! Last night I grilled salmon on a cedar plank because the weather was nice again.
Tonight is the last installment of "Comanche Moon" which we have been watching. It is based on the 2nd book in the Lonesome Dove saga by Larry McMurtry. It's followed the book, which I naturally have, pretty closely. There have only been a couple of things omitted. Mainly some more gruesome details if memory serves me correctly, it's been a number of years since I have read it.
I need to SCAT and get some work done.
Until later...
I decided to buy a portable DVD player that was on sale at Target this week. I plan on taking it with me, not that the plane ride is terribly long or anything but maybe I'll want to try it out. I figured it would be good for when we go on vacations since the van can only play videos on it's TV screen. This way we can hook it up to play the DVD's as well. If I take any of my grandkids on a trip again I can bring it for them to enjoy on the drive.
Last Friday I had lunch at school with Jelly Bean and I would post a picture but that isn't happening thanks to my son. He borrowed my digital camera last week to make a short movie. When I went in his room to put clean laundry on his bed I saw my camera and got a tad aggravated that it was in his room so I promptly retrieved it. I had Jessica all set to take a picture of us in the lunchroom only to find taht the memory card was not in there! It was in his room!!!!! GRRRR!!!!!! He got an earful after he got home from school!
On Saturday we met with the trunk restor-er guy. (Great grammar I know!) He looked it over and told me that it was in pretty good shape and that it should turn out nicely. I am having him take off the red painted, tattered canvas covering, clean and expose the wood, replace all of the leather handles and straps, put new wheels on it, line the interior and polish up the metal. I can hardly wait! I had asked my real Dad if he knew much about the old trunk from Grandma. He said he thought it actually was given to her by her mother, my Great Grandmother Lizzie. That lines up with what this gentleman told me as he was approximating the age of the trunk, he places it late 1800's. He said as he starts working on it, he might come across a stamp or plate, etc that will give us more info. So yeah, I'm pretty pumped about it! It's not going to be cheap but my hubby, bless his sweet soul told me he wanted me to go ahead with it, knowing it will be something we'll never regret. I'm supposed to get some pictures as he begins the restoration process so I'll post those when he does.
Yesterday, I took Squeegy the cockatiel in to get his wings clipped and his little toenails trimmed. While he was in the back, I got him more millet seed and treats and looked at the baby birds that are hand-fed (as he was) not quite ready to be sold yet. I also spotted a CD to help teach birds to speak. Kind of a "Hooked On Phoenics" for your feathered friend! I thought,
"What the heck, why not?"
When I was checking out, one of the guys saw it and said that he'd been wondering about it and if it was cheesy. I told him that we had bought a cassette when we first got Squeegy, 5 years ago and it was pretty cheesy. I said out of everything on there, he only learned how to say,
"Pretty Bird".
The guy who had taken him in the back began laughing. He said,
"He sure knows how to say that! He must've said it 50 times over & over again!" Squeegy says that when he's scared or excited. Today I'll put it on for him before I leave and see what he learns from it.
Today I have a house to clean in the morning and then I need to run to the store to pick up a couple of things that the family will need while I'm gone. I think I'll make spaghetti tonight and then a pot of chili tomorrow in the crock pot. With the leftovers, there will only be a couple of nights where they'll have to make some meals. Of course, if I stock up on pizza, pizza rolls and hot wings, Charlie will be content! Last night I grilled salmon on a cedar plank because the weather was nice again.
Tonight is the last installment of "Comanche Moon" which we have been watching. It is based on the 2nd book in the Lonesome Dove saga by Larry McMurtry. It's followed the book, which I naturally have, pretty closely. There have only been a couple of things omitted. Mainly some more gruesome details if memory serves me correctly, it's been a number of years since I have read it.
I need to SCAT and get some work done.
Until later...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
YOU WIN SOME AND YOU LOSE SOME!
Okay, I took some deep breaths and have dealt with my own personal defeat of not winning the baby photo contest. I have taken even bigger breaths and have dealt with the fact that the Giants stomped the Cowboys in the play-off game on Sunday! (gnashing of teeth)
As my son would say when he imitates me,
"I'm NOT mad!"
Will post more later on, got a full day ahead of me between working and preparing to go out of town on Thursday!
Peace Out!
As my son would say when he imitates me,
"I'm NOT mad!"
Will post more later on, got a full day ahead of me between working and preparing to go out of town on Thursday!
Peace Out!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
MORE BABY CONTEST PHOTOS
After checking the other gals who have entered the contest, I decided I should post a few more photos! That and maybe I am more competitive than I realized! Ha Ha
This was featured in the St Louis Globe Democrat newspaper in 1962. Click to enlarge so you can read the test.
I love this picture with my OPI, (German for Grandpa). This was us going for walk in the town of Grabenheim where he and my OMI lived in Germany. Notice how he's wearing a suit and tie to go for a walk?
I found one of me with my ringlets! They are probably courtesy of pink sponge rollers but there wasn't anything in the rules about naturally curly hair!
This is of myself and my 3 older siblings when I was 3 years old. My sister Gwen has the hideous purple sackcloth on. I however, look pretty cute and girly!
Even at 4 years old, I was an outdoorsy kind of girl. Yes, that is a dead squirrel I am holding. Can we say, "HILLBILLY COOKOUT!"
I was 10 years old this Christmas. I am wearing my "mod squad" boots and mini skirt in a hideous orange color. My sister Gwen, gotta love her the poor thing is wearing purple again and sporting a spiffy do. My brothers, Carl & David, still look like a couple of goobers!
By high school (1975) I was ultra cool in my bell bottoms, feathered bangs and wearing my POW/MIA bracelet!
This was featured in the St Louis Globe Democrat newspaper in 1962. Click to enlarge so you can read the test.
I love this picture with my OPI, (German for Grandpa). This was us going for walk in the town of Grabenheim where he and my OMI lived in Germany. Notice how he's wearing a suit and tie to go for a walk?
I found one of me with my ringlets! They are probably courtesy of pink sponge rollers but there wasn't anything in the rules about naturally curly hair!
This is of myself and my 3 older siblings when I was 3 years old. My sister Gwen has the hideous purple sackcloth on. I however, look pretty cute and girly!
Even at 4 years old, I was an outdoorsy kind of girl. Yes, that is a dead squirrel I am holding. Can we say, "HILLBILLY COOKOUT!"
I was 10 years old this Christmas. I am wearing my "mod squad" boots and mini skirt in a hideous orange color. My sister Gwen, gotta love her the poor thing is wearing purple again and sporting a spiffy do. My brothers, Carl & David, still look like a couple of goobers!
By high school (1975) I was ultra cool in my bell bottoms, feathered bangs and wearing my POW/MIA bracelet!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
BABY PHOTO CONTEST
This photo was taken in 1965 when I was 5 years old. Shortly before this photo was taken, I had been sitting on my mother's lap in the front seat of our car. When my dad made a sharp right turn, the car door flew open, ejecting my mom and I from the car. I landed on my hands and knees, skinning them up pretty good. My mom unfortunately, broke her tailbone when she hit the curb. I had had long hair at the time and my dad was insistent that my mother not cut it. With my mom in the hospital, he learned how much work long hair was on a little girl. He took me out and got me a new hairdo, complete with black velvet bow on the side! My mom was NOT pleased!
When our 17 year old son was about 4-5 years old, he saw this picture of me and a picture of his daddy at the same age, side by side in a frame. He asked me with all sincerity,
"Mom, is that all you had back then-black & white clothes?"
Friday, January 11, 2008
RELAXATION
I don't have to work today and I have scheduled myself a fun day! I called Jessica earlier in the week to see if she had any plans for today and she didn't. I asked her if Jelly Bean would like it if I had lunch at school with her. Jess and I are BOTH going to eat with her only she doesn't know I am coming. It's a surprise! They only live about 45 minutes away from me and afterwards I'll hang with Jess for a bit before coming back home. We have Life Group tonight and I am bringing my Hot Carmel Cider so I need to stop by the store.
I have been blessed with 4 wonderful children. My youngest daughter Laura Lou (AKA "Chopped Liver") will get a post of her own soon. Today though, I decided I wanted to write some things about my lovely middle daughter.
I was 21 when I had Jessica. I had remarried, unfortunately not for the right reasons, but I fell in love with this child from the moment I knew she was inside of me. One of my favorite memories is when Jennifer came to the hospital to see her baby sister for the very first time. She had been staying with Meine Mutti and Pop and while I was in the hoapital. She even pulled weeds from the cracks in between the bricks to earn money to buy a gift for Jessica. Isn't that heartwarming? What follows next is classic kid-speak. Jennifer took one look at her tiny little sister and proclaimed,
"I can't play Barbies with her, she's TOO little!"!
In her mind, she must've thought I was giving birth to a 4 year old playmate for her! Thank goodness Jess was only 7 pounds and 11 ounces! I love this picture of the 2 of them!
I was older and maybe a little wiser this time around of being a Mom and I think I appreciated the miracle of birth and infanthood much more. I don't think I was as overwhelmed as I was when I had Jenn at 17! Jenn was a very easy baby though, no trouble whatsoever! I remember how I enjoyed holding Jess in my arms and looking at her in wonder and amazement. Every time she'd whimper I wanted to hold her. That lasted until she was a week old and I was so sleep-deprived that I couldn't see straight. I quickly learned she wasn't going to die if I didn't hold her every single second! Did you know that some crying is actually good for a baby? She had quite the healthy lungs I must say!
As Jess got older I could see very distinct personality traits. Although I was a single Mom (remember, I come from a highly dysfunctional family background but in Jesus I am a new creation!) by the time she was 2 years old, she was a very happy-go-lucky little girl. She was always very tender-hearted and sensitive to other people's feelings. One time we watched the movie about Jessica McClure, the little girl from Midland who fell down the well. Jess just cried and cried. I tried consoling her by telling her that the story had a happy ending. She told me how bad she felt for the little girl because it was cold, dark and lonely down it the well. The TV show, "RESCUE 911"? Oh my gosh, we almost had to forbid her watching it because she would get so emotional about people suffering or going through difficult situations. I remember being frustrated and praying about it. God reminded me that He had created her just the way HE wanted her and my job was to mold her personality and character in a positive, Christlike manner to bring glory to Himself.
Jessica is an extrovert (like me I suppose). She enjoys people and can be very entertaining. Back in high school, she convinced her more conservative, introverted, younger sister, Laura Lou to participate in a work out video. They borrowed some of my old 80's style work out leotards and slouch socks and filmed themselves doing a work-out video of different dance moves to music. "Achy-Breaky Heart", "Genie In A Bottle" and the Trans-siberian Orchestra's "Carol Of The Bells" will never be the same again! They even convinced me to do my "Hoochie-Mama" dance on video as well. Will I ever live that down? Probably not!
We've had a lot of fun but there have also been a lot of tears as well. Jessica will be the first one (now) to admit that she didn't make the best of decisions after she graduated from high school. Dave & I felt like we had no choice but to let her move out (nice way of saying, "gave her the boot"). She moved back home when she found she was preganant with our Jelly Bean. She was in a bad relationship and I know she was scared and I felt pretty powerless in the midst of it all. At this point your children are adults and you don't get to make choices for them anymore. I still remember counseling her to give the baby up for adoption. Hardest words I've ever had to say! I remember telling her that whatever choice she made, it didn't just affect her. In hindsight, I'm glad she chose the tough road of being a single mom. I can't imagine not going and having lunch with "my Bean" today!
The 2 of them lived with us until Jelly Bean was a year old and then they moved into their own apartment. I'm sure if you ask Jessica, she'd tell you that it wasn't an easy life back then.
Fast forward to today and Jessica is a beautiful 25 year old woman. She is married and gave us another grand-daughter through her husband Steven. Right after Thanksgiving, she got laid off from her job as a Graphic Design Artist. Jess has always been creative and is very passionate about the things that matter to her. With the support of her husband Steven she made the decision to go back to school and finish her degree. They have just started a business where she can use her creativity and passion to fulfill her desire of Graphic Design and Photography. She is working to earn her Commercial Photgraphy Liscense.
Recently we were talking on the phone and I marvelled as I listened to her. She was such a grown up! My heart was thrilled as I listened to her being so mature and wise for one so young. It's lovely when your kids realize that their parents aren't so dumb after all! Her heart is still as tender as ever for other people. That's one of many, wonderful qualities about her.
Count yourself blessed if you are fortunate enough to be someone she loves.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO
We are a full week or so into the new year and I have hit the ground running back into normalcy. Well, at least what's normal for me. I went back to work this week, Youth Group for Charlie resumed, I have been cooking and cleaning and planning projects. I have a trip coming up January 17th that I'm anticipating. My beautiful, oldest daughter is turning 30 on January 20th and I am flying back to St Louis to spend the weekend with her. I planned this trip several months ago and got my round trip ticket for $118 (plus tax)! I can't drive back that cheap!
I've blogged before about my daughter Jennifer and what a heart's delight she is. Did I mention that she's beautiful? She's beautiful on the inside too, where it really counts! I was 16 when I got pregnant with her and she was born just a couple of months after I turned 17. Her dad and I got divorced when she was almost 2 years old and yes, there were some hard feelings, as would be expected. The funny thing is that none of that stuff matters anymore, even her stepmom Jamie and I are friends. I am thrilled that there are even more people in my daughter and grand-daughter's lives that will love them and cherish them!
Tomorrow, I'll blog about my beautiful daughter Jessica and how proud I am of her and all that she has overcame. I've never met anyone with a more tender heart that my "String Bean". That's all I'll say for now (teaser).
Last night I made one of my favorite dishes for dinner. We had smashed potatoes and gravy and when I made up my green beans, I used the last of the smoked Christmas ham that I had chopped up and froze instead of my usual bacon. I made Chicken & Dressing and I have enough left over that we can have it for dinner tonight. I added some "Craisins" to the dish before I baked it. That was really good! I had cooked a whole chicken and deboned it, saving a lot of the breast meat so I could make Chicken Salad for sandwiches. I usually put cashews and golden raisins in it but since I was out, I subsituted sunflower seeds and dried blueberries. I proclaim it, "YUMMY"!
I had to open a new jar of Fat-Free Miracle Whip and in case you haven't seen it lately, it has new packaging. There is no longer the cellophane seal around the lid. As I twisted off the lid, I managed to not just get a PAPER cut, I got a CARDBOARD cut from the sealing disk that covers the product. As most of you know, I have ITP (low blood platelets, so my blood doesn't clot very well) and I had blood flowing all over my fingers! Surprisingly these are fairly deep cuts on my right thumb and right "naughty" finger tip. I had to cover them with band-aids just so I could finish supper. Overnight I neosporined them all up and covered them with band-aids again. It should be interesting cleaning with bleach etc today at work considering it stings like a booger! Break out the rubber gloves that I loathe using when I clean!
I've blogged before about my daughter Jennifer and what a heart's delight she is. Did I mention that she's beautiful? She's beautiful on the inside too, where it really counts! I was 16 when I got pregnant with her and she was born just a couple of months after I turned 17. Her dad and I got divorced when she was almost 2 years old and yes, there were some hard feelings, as would be expected. The funny thing is that none of that stuff matters anymore, even her stepmom Jamie and I are friends. I am thrilled that there are even more people in my daughter and grand-daughter's lives that will love them and cherish them!
Tomorrow, I'll blog about my beautiful daughter Jessica and how proud I am of her and all that she has overcame. I've never met anyone with a more tender heart that my "String Bean". That's all I'll say for now (teaser).
Last night I made one of my favorite dishes for dinner. We had smashed potatoes and gravy and when I made up my green beans, I used the last of the smoked Christmas ham that I had chopped up and froze instead of my usual bacon. I made Chicken & Dressing and I have enough left over that we can have it for dinner tonight. I added some "Craisins" to the dish before I baked it. That was really good! I had cooked a whole chicken and deboned it, saving a lot of the breast meat so I could make Chicken Salad for sandwiches. I usually put cashews and golden raisins in it but since I was out, I subsituted sunflower seeds and dried blueberries. I proclaim it, "YUMMY"!
I had to open a new jar of Fat-Free Miracle Whip and in case you haven't seen it lately, it has new packaging. There is no longer the cellophane seal around the lid. As I twisted off the lid, I managed to not just get a PAPER cut, I got a CARDBOARD cut from the sealing disk that covers the product. As most of you know, I have ITP (low blood platelets, so my blood doesn't clot very well) and I had blood flowing all over my fingers! Surprisingly these are fairly deep cuts on my right thumb and right "naughty" finger tip. I had to cover them with band-aids just so I could finish supper. Overnight I neosporined them all up and covered them with band-aids again. It should be interesting cleaning with bleach etc today at work considering it stings like a booger! Break out the rubber gloves that I loathe using when I clean!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
KIDS NEED MORE MOMS LIKE THIS ONE!
Hats off to this mom. Kids need parents who will act like a parent instead of trying to be their kid's best friend! So much for that feel-good cr*p and not stifling your kids that the "experts" claim. This Mom is worth her weight in gold!
'Meanest Mom on Planet' Sells Son's Car
DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 9) - Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."
After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone - by placing an ad in the local newspaper.
The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.
The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.
"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.
"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'
The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.
Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.
The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week - just for the feedback.
'Meanest Mom on Planet' Sells Son's Car
DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 9) - Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."
After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone - by placing an ad in the local newspaper.
The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.
The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.
"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.
"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'
The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.
Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.
The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week - just for the feedback.
THE TRUNK
When my paternal grandmother passed away in July of 2000 I became the family's Historian. I received all of the family photos and some of its documentation, all stored in a giant trunk. The trunk is a huge piece of furniture and has been sitting in our bedroom ever since. It has seen a lot of wear over the years and I have had this desire to have it restored. Recently I decided to try and find someone that I could entrust my heirloom to. I hit the internet but didn't have much luck in someone local who specializes in this art form. I had resigned myself that I might have to drive to Oklahoma or East Texas when it was all said and done.
Just 2 days later, I went to Decorator's Warehouse with my friend Diane. After lunch, we went to a nearby antique mall and the second booth we looked at had trunks that had been restored. I was floored at the timing of it all! I picked up the gentleman's card and tucked it away since we were in the height of the Christmas Season. Sunday I was in our bedroom and looked down at the old trunk. I remembered the card and sent off an e-mail to this gentleman inquiring about the process and the cost, etc. This morning I had a reply in my mailbox!
I read it to Dave and we decided that on Saturday morning we are going down to the antique mall, with this gi-normous trunk loaded up in the back of my VUE and meet with this fellow. I had sent him pictures and he was able to glean a lot of information from them about the trunk. This gentleman told me he is finishing up a trunk that is similiar to mine and wants us to see it. I plan on giving him a call today and see what we can line up. I will probably have him line the bottom with cedar and I am unsure of whether or not I want him to build a tray for it as well. He has fabric for the interior or I can select my own and give it to him. That sounds like a Brenda project since she's a quilter. I already know that it has to be something suitable hopefully fitting with the era in which it was crafted.
I'm really excited! I am going to ask my father what he knows about the trunk, its history. I love the fact that this is a family piece and that I am able to restore it and make it last even longer!
Just 2 days later, I went to Decorator's Warehouse with my friend Diane. After lunch, we went to a nearby antique mall and the second booth we looked at had trunks that had been restored. I was floored at the timing of it all! I picked up the gentleman's card and tucked it away since we were in the height of the Christmas Season. Sunday I was in our bedroom and looked down at the old trunk. I remembered the card and sent off an e-mail to this gentleman inquiring about the process and the cost, etc. This morning I had a reply in my mailbox!
I read it to Dave and we decided that on Saturday morning we are going down to the antique mall, with this gi-normous trunk loaded up in the back of my VUE and meet with this fellow. I had sent him pictures and he was able to glean a lot of information from them about the trunk. This gentleman told me he is finishing up a trunk that is similiar to mine and wants us to see it. I plan on giving him a call today and see what we can line up. I will probably have him line the bottom with cedar and I am unsure of whether or not I want him to build a tray for it as well. He has fabric for the interior or I can select my own and give it to him. That sounds like a Brenda project since she's a quilter. I already know that it has to be something suitable hopefully fitting with the era in which it was crafted.
I'm really excited! I am going to ask my father what he knows about the trunk, its history. I love the fact that this is a family piece and that I am able to restore it and make it last even longer!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
7 CAN SOUP RECIPE
I see that I need to post something, anything (Jamie) so here goes. That and I wouldn't want my BBF (Connie-Marie up in Alaska) to think that 7 can soup is actually cans, floating in a soup pot
1 pound ground beef browned with onion, drain grease
12-16 oz Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage ring, sliced
2 cans Ro-tel
2 cans Minestrone soup
2 cans Pinto Beans with Jalepenos
1 can whole kernal corn, drained
Combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower heat, con=ver and simmer *15 minutes. Serve with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese or garlic bread.
I have used Chroizo or chopped leftover brisket in lieu of th sausage I mentioned above.
1 pound ground beef browned with onion, drain grease
12-16 oz Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage ring, sliced
2 cans Ro-tel
2 cans Minestrone soup
2 cans Pinto Beans with Jalepenos
1 can whole kernal corn, drained
Combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower heat, con=ver and simmer *15 minutes. Serve with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese or garlic bread.
I have used Chroizo or chopped leftover brisket in lieu of th sausage I mentioned above.
Friday, January 04, 2008
IT'S FRIDAY
I SO love Beth Moore. Most people that know me know that she is hands down, my favorite bible teacher. her studies are incredible and I've never seen a woman who loves Jesus as much as her! My best friend Brenda is coming down in August and we are going to San Antonio for one of her conferences. We spent some time during the holidays figuring out dates for her to come down so we could also fit in a little sight-seeing. I mean, if you go to San Antonio you have to go The Alamo the birthplace of Texas Independence! The Riverwalk as well as some of the old missions are unique to San Antonio! I digress, the whole point of all of this was to direct you to Beth Moore's Blogsite entry for January 1st. Great insight and motivation!
I am running about 90-95% once again health-wise. I still have a bit of chest congestion (cough-cough) but it's nothing like it was (Praise God) and I have my voice back too! Sorry family! I have the stuffiness in my head but I think it's because I need to wean myself off of the nose spray. Breathing through my mouth and aggravating the deep rumblings from within my chest was not a great idea! My daughter Jennifer told me about a product that is essentially a "nasal wash" that she dropped into the mail for me. I'm actually interested in trying it!
Yesterday I got 7 rubbermaid containers loaded up and stored back in the shed. I have * 10 more to go! Today I'll get all of the ornaments boxed up as well as take down all of the Christmas cards, updating the list, making my notations for 2008 cards. I've been updating my 4x6 cards, listing the contents of each numbered container. Last night I made a pot of 7 Can Soup for dinner with garlic toast, something pretty simple and not time-consuming since I have been focused on the Christmas Decor Aftermath.
I'm excited to begin my new schedule as well, having Mondays and Fridays off. I began that in December but all of my time was accounted for with Christmas preparations. Once I have the house back to its pre-Christmas state, I have one whole day that is entirely devoted to me! It will probably be filled with reading, research (Genealogy Project) and scrapbooking. I can't wait!
Make today count!
I am running about 90-95% once again health-wise. I still have a bit of chest congestion (cough-cough) but it's nothing like it was (Praise God) and I have my voice back too! Sorry family! I have the stuffiness in my head but I think it's because I need to wean myself off of the nose spray. Breathing through my mouth and aggravating the deep rumblings from within my chest was not a great idea! My daughter Jennifer told me about a product that is essentially a "nasal wash" that she dropped into the mail for me. I'm actually interested in trying it!
Yesterday I got 7 rubbermaid containers loaded up and stored back in the shed. I have * 10 more to go! Today I'll get all of the ornaments boxed up as well as take down all of the Christmas cards, updating the list, making my notations for 2008 cards. I've been updating my 4x6 cards, listing the contents of each numbered container. Last night I made a pot of 7 Can Soup for dinner with garlic toast, something pretty simple and not time-consuming since I have been focused on the Christmas Decor Aftermath.
I'm excited to begin my new schedule as well, having Mondays and Fridays off. I began that in December but all of my time was accounted for with Christmas preparations. Once I have the house back to its pre-Christmas state, I have one whole day that is entirely devoted to me! It will probably be filled with reading, research (Genealogy Project) and scrapbooking. I can't wait!
Make today count!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
A FRESH BEGINNING
Although I am not one to make New Year's resolutions I enjoy the prospect of fresh starts, 2nd chances, new beginnings and so on. I have goals for this coming year. If I were to resolve to read my bible every day so as to read it in an entire year, I'd stress out. I'm the kind of person where it would become "just something to check off my list" and therefore be meaningless. However, if my goal is to have read "x amount" of the bible in 2008, I do fine. With the former rigid standard, I give up because inevitably there will be days when I will fall behind. Already, I am a couple of days behind and that translates into *15 chapters of Genesis already!!! This way works much better for me.
Today, Charlie's classes resume. It's hard to believe that he's now half-way through his Junior year! I don't go back to work until next Tuesday. I planned this on purpose. I figured once all of our company left on New Year's Day I had 6 days of putting the house back together, catching up on the vaccuuming, laundry and so on. I stripped the Christmas tree that day and got it out of the house yesterday. The ornaments haven't been wrapped and boxed yet but I will start dragging in all of the rubbermaid containers today and do just that! Ideally, I'd like to have all traces of it packed up before I go back to work next week. I have decided to package Laura's ornaments up seperately since in all liklihood, this was our last Christmas with her living with us. It will make it easier if they are not in the container with all of the rest of them.
One tradition that won't change with her getting married is our "Day After Christmas" power shopping! Every year we leave the house by 5:30 and hit the stores. We eat breakast out and are usually back home before noon. Typically, she manages to get about 75% of the Christmas presents for the next year! This year was no exception! I too find a few things for others that I tuck away or extra ornaments etc. This year Brenda and I found these beautiful gold and glittery Poinsetta's on very long stems that I can tuck inside the treee. They were perfect as well as being half price!
We saw 5 movies over the Christmas break! The best one far and away for us was,
"No Country For Old Men". Very riveting and you'll either hate it or love it! We absolutely loved it!
"I Am Legend" was a very good movie. We saw it twice! The second time we took the kids to the IMAX theatre to see it on Christmas day!
"Charlie Wilson's War" was entertaining and had some crude humor in it. The story was really interesting.
"National Treasure 2" was good, it bounced around a lot and I've only seen the first one once so I can't say if it was as good as that one. It won't be one we buy though.
"JUNO" ended up being good but not great. It reminded me a lot of "Napoleon Dynomite" in that quirky, eccentric sort of way. In the beginning I absolutely was hating it! I told Dave since we had been in that same situation as the parents, I felt like they were being rather flippant and blase about the girl getting pregnant. So yeah, I was offended and irritated. However, it turned the corner and I ended up being entertained.
Tomorrow I will probably making the blog rounds and catching up with everyone's hliday going-ons.
Happy Today Y'all!
Today, Charlie's classes resume. It's hard to believe that he's now half-way through his Junior year! I don't go back to work until next Tuesday. I planned this on purpose. I figured once all of our company left on New Year's Day I had 6 days of putting the house back together, catching up on the vaccuuming, laundry and so on. I stripped the Christmas tree that day and got it out of the house yesterday. The ornaments haven't been wrapped and boxed yet but I will start dragging in all of the rubbermaid containers today and do just that! Ideally, I'd like to have all traces of it packed up before I go back to work next week. I have decided to package Laura's ornaments up seperately since in all liklihood, this was our last Christmas with her living with us. It will make it easier if they are not in the container with all of the rest of them.
One tradition that won't change with her getting married is our "Day After Christmas" power shopping! Every year we leave the house by 5:30 and hit the stores. We eat breakast out and are usually back home before noon. Typically, she manages to get about 75% of the Christmas presents for the next year! This year was no exception! I too find a few things for others that I tuck away or extra ornaments etc. This year Brenda and I found these beautiful gold and glittery Poinsetta's on very long stems that I can tuck inside the treee. They were perfect as well as being half price!
We saw 5 movies over the Christmas break! The best one far and away for us was,
"No Country For Old Men". Very riveting and you'll either hate it or love it! We absolutely loved it!
"I Am Legend" was a very good movie. We saw it twice! The second time we took the kids to the IMAX theatre to see it on Christmas day!
"Charlie Wilson's War" was entertaining and had some crude humor in it. The story was really interesting.
"National Treasure 2" was good, it bounced around a lot and I've only seen the first one once so I can't say if it was as good as that one. It won't be one we buy though.
"JUNO" ended up being good but not great. It reminded me a lot of "Napoleon Dynomite" in that quirky, eccentric sort of way. In the beginning I absolutely was hating it! I told Dave since we had been in that same situation as the parents, I felt like they were being rather flippant and blase about the girl getting pregnant. So yeah, I was offended and irritated. However, it turned the corner and I ended up being entertained.
Tomorrow I will probably making the blog rounds and catching up with everyone's hliday going-ons.
Happy Today Y'all!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
SHARING THE HOLIDAYS
Jessica, Steven and the girlies came over to open gifts before the rest of our company arrived. They had shared Christmas with Steven's family in Lubbock. We were nearly done when Brenda, Big Charlie, 2 of their 3 kids (David & Kelly) and our nephew Jonathon got in.
Our Jelly-Bean holds up some of her art supplies for the new easel Grampy & I got her.
Grampy & his Gabby-Girl AKA "The Gumdrop".
Jess holds up part of her Christmas gift. I framed a photo of her Great-grandmother, Meine Mutti's mom. Jessica's middle name is Margarete, she is named for her.
Steven gets a good chuckle from the low rider car with the gift card tucked away inside!
Jonathon our nephew holds up his gift from Laura and Charlie.
A couple of days later, Dave's younger brother Trace & his wife Pam (Jonathon's parents) drove up from Port Aransas where they had spent Christmas. Joanthon had gone also but left from there earlier to be a part of the cousin activities going on.
Dave & Trace, it was good to have family together again.
Blow us a kiss Pammy!
Pam & Trace gave us as well as Charlie & Brenda these afghans. The photo is of Dave & Charlie on one of their many Canadian fishing trips. What an AWESOME gift!
The next generation: our Charles David and their David Charles!
Brenda & Charlie's daughter Kelly. She's a Chemistry Major & employed by one of St Louis' major Chemical companies! Brenda & Charlie's oldest daughter Katie who is a nurse wasn't able to come down because she was in a wedding and she had to work at the hospital.
Our families love to go bowling! Laura apparently has done well!
David, Jonathon and Charlie hanging out, the competitive spirit is alive and well!
Pammy at the bowling alley!
We are HUGE card players. Our favorite game: "HAND & FOOT".
I made a Blueberry pie specifically for Brenda! Well, me and Mrs. Smith's!
Our Jelly-Bean holds up some of her art supplies for the new easel Grampy & I got her.
Grampy & his Gabby-Girl AKA "The Gumdrop".
Jess holds up part of her Christmas gift. I framed a photo of her Great-grandmother, Meine Mutti's mom. Jessica's middle name is Margarete, she is named for her.
Steven gets a good chuckle from the low rider car with the gift card tucked away inside!
Jonathon our nephew holds up his gift from Laura and Charlie.
A couple of days later, Dave's younger brother Trace & his wife Pam (Jonathon's parents) drove up from Port Aransas where they had spent Christmas. Joanthon had gone also but left from there earlier to be a part of the cousin activities going on.
Dave & Trace, it was good to have family together again.
Blow us a kiss Pammy!
Pam & Trace gave us as well as Charlie & Brenda these afghans. The photo is of Dave & Charlie on one of their many Canadian fishing trips. What an AWESOME gift!
The next generation: our Charles David and their David Charles!
Brenda & Charlie's daughter Kelly. She's a Chemistry Major & employed by one of St Louis' major Chemical companies! Brenda & Charlie's oldest daughter Katie who is a nurse wasn't able to come down because she was in a wedding and she had to work at the hospital.
Our families love to go bowling! Laura apparently has done well!
David, Jonathon and Charlie hanging out, the competitive spirit is alive and well!
Pammy at the bowling alley!
We are HUGE card players. Our favorite game: "HAND & FOOT".
I made a Blueberry pie specifically for Brenda! Well, me and Mrs. Smith's!
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