Yet Another Sleepless Night

I've been relegated to the sofa to sleep and it's 1:48 a.m. on the last day of 07. Hubby is coughing every two minutes, I don't know what to do for him, so I've left so that at least one of us can sleep.

If you want to read my profound answers to the blog tag from Teri/Kip/Sophia, you will have to scroll down. I posted that a few hours ago, when I thought I would be asleep right now.

But I'm wide awake. Worrying about him, worrying about traveling tomorrow, and just sitting here thinking, wow, 2008. In less than 23 hours we begin another new year. 2008. Do you know what that means? It means in May, I will have been out of Savanna High School for 30 years! I never thought I would be this old! I don't feel this old! I don't want to be this old! OMG where has the time gone? Am I really this old?

PW was brave enough the other day to post a link to site that showed her graduation portrait taken at Olan Mills. Am I that brave? Maybe we should all post a cheesy High School picture in honor of her bravery. Who knows? If we really are 6 degrees of seperation from everyone else, certainly someone who reads this, would eventually know someone who knows me, who doesn't know I know someone reading this. If you get the drift. What a project! Who wants to go first? No one?

30 years from graduation. Wow! I look at guys that are my age, like ones I work with, one who I am older than, even, and they are all like grey headed or bald and stuff. It's almost intriguing enough to maybe go to that 30 year reunion. LOL! I don't think I have changed tremendously, okay maybe gained a hundred pounds, but I mean I don't look as old as they do, do I? Hmmm.....

I wasn't even 18 when I graduated. So that does put me on the young side of my class. Most of my classmates could legally drink in the states within 30 miles of us. I had to pray they didn't check ID's. Just kidding. I never did that! Pray that is..LOL! I remember the first time I legally went in a bar, just after my 18th birthday. The guy at the door checked my ID which I proudly handed over. He looked at it, then handed it back and said, "you are barely old enough." I remember being so offended! I said, rather bravely I might add, "if I were much, much older, would you have said "God YOU ARE OLD!?" So anyway that was not even 30 years ago. See how some things look better in perspective?

So the first 30 have been pretty good for me and pretty good to me. I only see a few grey hairs in the mirror, and I've earned every one thank you very much. My skin isn't too wrinkly. And if I start exercising now, I'm sure I could lose 100 pounds by May. So IF I did go to that reunion, at least someone would recognize me. But they wouldn't know me. I'm not that quiet, shy, reserved girl I was back then.

So here's the deal. I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours. Cheesy as they are, you have to love them!



Yes I bought into the cheesy, double personality pics that were oh so popular then! LOL! Now if you can find someone who will post here, other than my sister or my family members, who knew me then, I'll come up with a special present for you! All in the good purpose of research of the 6th degree of seperation thing. I know one person who owns a bar in South Florida who would know me from then. If any of my South Florida friends want to explore Palm Harbor bars to find her!

And if you can get me in to see Brett Favre within 6 degrees, well oh my! that's almost worth one of them special $25 WalMart Gift cards! LMAO! Because I think I can do that without reader's help! Cause I know someone, who knows someone pretty high up in the Packer's organization who could probably make that happen and they aren't even related to me either! I could probably do it with 3 phone calls...anyway back to us and not this fantasy dream of mine. But if you can....go ahead...I want to save my connection for when I really need it..Like when I retire and want to work in the souvenier shop at Lambeau Field!

...I've shown you mine, now show me yours!

Happy 2008, I know the next 30 will be even better!

:J

Blog Tag!

What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Got a passport, went on a cruise, and visited the Bahamas!

Did you keep your NY resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept some, will renew a few, and try to be good.

Did anyone close to you give birth? I work at a school, so someone is always having a baby. But no one close.

Did anyone close to you die? One of my best friend's lost their unborn baby granddaughter. It was very sad.

What countries did you visit? The Bahamas

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Tickets to take my family to Lambeau Field to see the Packers play in the NFC Championship. NO? Okay, tickets for my family (and me of course) to see the Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts for the Super Bowl this year. NO? OKay, I think I will work on getting a new car this year. But that's really gonna cut into my scrappin' money!

What was your biggest achievement of the year? I kept peace and harmony in the family and stayed in the will another year. oh besides that? I started Scrapbooking as a show category in the local fair.

What was your biggest failure? I still don't have that degree or taken algebra.

Did you suffer illness or injury? I continue to battle with sinus and ear trouble. Other than that I am as my doctor says, "Wonderful"

What was the best thing you bought? A cruise vacation and a week at the beach house with the in laws

Whose behavior merited celebration? My oldest son. He is finally growing up! And my husband, he spoils me rotten! oh and how can I forget Brett's....he stuck to it, came back and proved hard work & dedication gets you results.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Michael Vick's behavior (dishonesty), and Major League Baseballer's steriod use. I don't care what they say. When you sign the dotted line to get that big paycheck playing a child's game, it makes you a role model. BE ONE!

Where did most of your money go? Travel, car repair, my kids.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Brett Favre's comeback! oh no not that? okay...my son and his fiancee moving back closer to home.

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer? Always wiser, richer in non monetary sense and I'm working on the nicer part every day!

What do you wish you’d done more of? Housework! LOL!

What was your favorite TV program? Grey’s, Brother's & Sister's, Boston Legal, Fox NFL Sunday pregame, and Packer's football

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nah, I gave up hating, if you hate you have to care and admit you have feelings about what you hate. I just choose to not have feelings about things I dislike enough to think about hating.

What was the best book you read this year? Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy. Awesome Read!

What did you want and get? A new principal who understands our program, supports me and my need for correct data.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I became chronologically 47. Mentally I'm still out to lunch on how old I am. I don't remember what I did on my birthday. Since it was during football season, I was probably at a game. No I take that back. I set up the booth for the fair!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Being closer to all my family!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? I'm dressy when I need to be, casual when I want to be, and adapting to smaller clothes!

What political issue stirred you the most? Since Congress chose to get involved they made this a political issue...Baseball's use of steroids. BE A ROLE MODEL!

Who did you miss? My parents

Who was the best new person (people) you met? My new principal! and Barb, Gerri Anne & Lisa, Dawn & Roz, Amy & Robin, and Jill!

Tell a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. That all it is is a trip around the sun, out of our control, so you just have to trust. No sense worrying about all the small shit, it's gonna happen...or not. Live life the best you can and hang on, it's quite a ride, so find the best in all of it!

Let's see, I tag Susie, Roz and Cindy!

Hitting the road tomorrow, I'll post when I can, if not, see ya Wednesday!
:J

I'm in LOVE!

With this!

 

Because it makes these! YUM-MO!

 

Thanks much older sister!

:J

Enjoying Life

I have to say, I do miss being a SAHW & M. If I didn't need so much scrappin' & travel money, I would consider giving up the job. People told me that when I went to work, that once I started I wouldn't stop. They were right, not that I don't want to, I can't, I've become accustomed to living in this style.
I like doing housework, when I have time. I like laundry, cooking, cleaning, when I have time and not trying to fit it in two days of a weekend. Who wants to come home at 6:30 at night to cook a full meal. "Not I," said this red hen. Doing the wife thing, the mom thing does satisfy me. Staying home and letting the outside world pass me by appeals to my pollyanna attitude.
But then there's that gypsy side of me. The side that likes travel and adventure, seeing the world, living life to the fullest. That voice speaks loudly most days. It wants out of the house, away from laundry and dishes. Not to shop, or hang at the mall, not to lunch in a cute bistro across town. That voice wants to see the country side, admire the little towns across America that made the USA what it is today. So that's usually the voice I listen to most. I get out of bed every day, ignore the dog hair that's made a dog in every corner of my house, and I go to work. There I make money that I sock away so that every three months I can go somewhere, anywhere, but here. Anywhere I haven't been before, I wanna go.
Today I'm thinking I really want to do this,
Yes you see that right, shovel snow off the bleachers at Lambeau Field. Hey they give you a shovel and pay you $8 an hour. I've done worse for less! Some day I AM going to do this. Just so I can say I did.
Til then, I think I need to go clean a bathroom or something.

:J

Although I am feeling lazy today, I've gotten my goal for today accomplished! So does this mean I can goof off the rest of the day? I doubt that!
I purged the bathroom closet. Ahhhhh! Now I don't have to worry that my family will die from taking expired cough syrup. But I do have to hope no one gets sick before I can get to WM and replace the Pepto, Thera-flu, Rolaids, and basic sickie supplies I threw out.
I found out that purging has it's benefits. Yesterday, purging my closet, hope chest and dresser, I found a blue sock that matches my other blue sock. I know big whoop, but you just don't understand! These are my favorite wear with jeans socks! Now I have them both together again!
Today will purging the bathroom closet, I found not one, but TWO! bottles of my favorite shower gel! I seriously thought I was out! I also found a deodorant for hubby, who said he was out. We had already bought some new at Sam's the other day, but now he has one more.
I really didn't find any good drugs while purging. I guess I had thrown that bottle of codiene away last time. Darn!
I have my chicken cooking on the stove for Chicken & Dumplings, tonite's supper. It is hot & muggy right now, but a front is moving through and it's supposed to be cold & wet this evening. It's noon so I guess I should get dressed and clean the bathroom now that it's purged. Hopefully the Mailman will bring my KNK kit or my Hilltop order so I will have something to play with this weekend. If not, I guess I will have to scrounge through some stuff.....who wants to scrap with old stuff anyway??? LOL!

:J

Let's Get This Started!

Now that the big holiday is over, I have plans for my next 13 days off. Some housework things that need to be done. Some fun things. And of course lots of scrappy stuff!
Two things I will get accomplished are, cleaning of the hall closet. The hall closet is huge, huge. It has lots of storage shelves, and junk has been stored there for years. So long that I don't remember alot of what is there. So I've decided I am unattached to it. Yes, I'm pitching. I want to be able to walk in that closet, look on the shelves, and find what I need. I'm going to pack up a box or two for Rick's nieces', who still cross stitch and they will get all that stuff. I'm going to pack up a box of craft supplies for my sister to take for her volunteer group. I'll do a couple of boxes for the Thrift store and the rest is saying bye-bye! So if you want some good craft stuff, (sorry, no scrap supplies) stand outside my front door and catch it as it flies out!
My other project is my bedroom and it's closet. I've decided if I haven't worn it in the past 6 months, it's going. Yes that means that last maternity sweatshirt that is oh so comfy that I wear it maybe once a year. It's going. All of it. No more saving, I never reuse it anyway. That cool hula girl purse I bought the first time I went to the keys, going. The palm tree purse I bought for my second trip to the Keys, going. The lime green sandals I bought for a trip to the Keys, gone. And all the other "I might need these again some day" they are history. I always buy new stuff anyway. So I'm not saving any longer.
I am blessed with too much stuff. It's gotta go, once and for all, it's got to go!
I'm off to get dressed, crank up the tunes, and get pitching. Anyone want to help?

:J

So This is Christmas!

We had a great day, after traveling to my sister Susie's yesterday. Dan & Felicia came up this morning. It did my heart good having all the boys together.
Susie made delicious biscuits and gravy for breakfast. It's one of our favorites, so she always fixes it for us. We didn't get up til almost 8, by the time we ate and D & F got there it was like 10 before we opened presents. Late for us for sure!
Everyone liked their stockings, Patrick got Brain Age2 for his DS, Kevin got a Sports Trivia Almanac, Dan got a points card for his XBox and Felicia made out in scrappin supplies in her stocking!
Christmas was awesome to say the least! The boys loved their cameras, Patrick his clothes and all three complained about the girlfriends getting the most presents (scrappin' supplies) LOL!
I got my Keurig coffeemaker from Rick, Kevin got me a $100 gift card from my, favorite LSS in Tallahassee (a reason to go visit him) Patrick pampered me with Bath & Body Works stuff, and Dan & Felicia gave me a $100 bill! WOOHOOO! Susie got me a Belgian Waffle maker, one of the flipper ones. I've really been wanting one of those!
Susie & Truman were shocked when they saw their firepit from us. I had given Susie a few gnomes, I think she thought that was all she was getting. But when we were all done unwrapping gifts, Rick & Patrick went to the car to get the pit. They carried it up to the door and Susie's jaw dropped. She hugged me and hugged me. And the whole time I thought she would be disappointed because I didn't get her scrappin' stuff.
Naptime was in order after all that excitement and since it was raining that's what most of us did. After about an hour we were all ready for something to do so we went out to the garage. The boys hadn't seen their new garage/building/barn. While out there we got to going through boxes. Now to say Daniel gets enthusiastic about something is an understatement. He was going through all these old boxes of junk going "WOW!" "Look at this!!! OMG! Do You know what we can EBAY this for?" So he had a whole nother Christmas going through her junk boxes. He ended up with a vintage Rubik's Cube still in it's box and a Rock tumbler, to name a few things. What a way to spend a rainy Christmas day!
All that snooping made us cold and hungry, so in we went for Confetti Chili, sandwich platters, pie and this cool twinkie dessert Susie made. We were sitting around watching Rachel Ray and all the sudden most of us were asleep.
It was a good Christmas, a very good Christmas. My children were all there, happy as clams, I didn't have to cook, didn't have to clean, didn't have to do a thing. (I did offer) I got some neat gifts, made everyone happy, and it was a day where just enough was a blessing. I think that's my theme this coming year, being happy with Just Enough, no extravagances, no overindulgences, just enough.
A Merry Christmas it really was, even if there was no snow.
:J

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has the happiest of days, with just enough family, food, fun and presents!

:J

I am ready for Christmas. Well it's here, ready or not. Tomorrow we leave to spend a few days at my sister's for Christmas. No I didn't make fudge, cookies, peanut brittle or any other sweets. I did make two cheese balls. 1/2 of one is left. Things just didn't get done.
But presents are wrapped. Cards are sent, and I've come to the conclusion that this year that will just be enough. Next year will be better. I won't have a a brand new category to be in charge of at the fair in October, a family reunion in November, followed by Thanksgiving, followed by the flu, followed by Christmas. Next year the reunion is in July. I'll have lots of help for the fair, Next year I am not getting this flu! The only thing I will allow to get in the way is if our HS football team makes the play offs and goes all the way to state. Then we will play until mid December. But I will take that if it happens! But I will not miss Tim Holtz if he comes to Ruban Rouge, and I will not miss Creepover with the Hilltop girls. I am setting priorities! Oh and there is that certification process we have to go thru at school in October. But all will be okay with that too!
So all the pressies are wrapped. I have to go tomorrow and get Rick's pressie, and Erica's pressies. NO Biggies tho! I napped this afternoon, for quite awhile, missed half the Packers game because I was sleeping. But I talked to my brother, he said it was just too damn cold there. 50 mile an hour winds, sleet & snow. His doors on his house and his car were frozen shut! I know after the Packer game, Brett said it was the coldest he has ever been. I can beleive that, Chicago is the coldest place on earth on a windy day. That wind just goes right through your soul!
So a few more pictures of the ornaments to thrill you! The first one is of my blue metal bell. It has been on my tree forever, even when I was a kid. I always hang it low so that when the kids were little I would know when they were in the tree, or when the animals are near the tree.

 

Then theres one of my chimney sweeps. I bet you didn't know I collected them did you? Actually my much older sister started me on them. I think I have twelve chimney sweep ornaments now. I also have a chimney sweep nutcracker, a music box and a figurine. I pick one up whenever I see one.

 

Another one of the oldie ornaments. I think I picked this one up at a yard sale. I remember having ones like it when I was a kid, my brother probably still has them. I wonder if he would give them up? I doubt it! But I should ask!

 

Another of the chimney sweeps. I think I got him at Epcot in the Germany section. It was the first time we took the boys to Disney. Yes, the time we left Patrick at home and didn't take him. He never lets us forget that.

 

Tomorrow I will have to post all the angels from the tree. My PreK Principal gave us angels every year for Christmas. She said it was because we were angels working with the little kids. I'll have to post a few of them, tomorrow.
I'm feeling better today, actually have some energy. Hopefully I will the next few days too! Maybe I am finally getting over this. I'm not coughing, I'm not stuffy, I just need some energy! Maybe I'm getting it now.
I do feel so bad for all those people stranded because of the winter storms. So glad we didn't go home now! We would have flown, and probably be stranded somewhere! I hope everyone makes it to their destinations safely!
:J

Caught In The Act!

We had a semi busy day yesterday. Shopping, cleaning up, and laziness all in one day!
My husband loves to wait till the last moment to shop, and I'm starting to really like it too!
We hit the Navy Exchange in the morning to get some clothes for the boys. The NEX carries all those important brands at greatly discounted prices. Plus they were having a buy one get one half price sale! We racked up and then celebrated by buying a huge container of Harry & David's Moose Munch. Rick kind of turned up is eyebrow at the price ($15) but I assured him it was worth it. After we got home, and tried it, he agreed!
The lines at the NEX were long, but he was a dear and let me sit, while we waited to check out. It was so hot in the store. Next we were off to Sam's. With Kevin home today for the Packer/Bear game we have to have wings! and veggies, and chex mix, and munchies. YUM! I lost Rick in Sam's, again standing in line to check out, I went to sit down, looked up and he was gone! I thought he walked out, thinking I had gone outside to sit, so out I go, no Rick, I walk to the car, no Rick, I walk back in and there he is looking around, shaking his head with his PO'd look. They had taken him back to another counter to check him out. But all is well now!
This morning, off to WM, to get Kevin's undies, and Patrick's Santa present. It's the last year for Santa presents at our house. Once you turn 21 Santa doesn't come. Patrick will be 21 in June! :(
Yesterday while at the NEX we ran into the secretary from the old PreK. She was training me to be her replacement when she retired the year when we found out they were closing our school. To say the least she got me where I am today. She couldn't believe Patrick was 20. She remembers when he started PreK! Then at Sam's, we ran into our Prinicipal from PreK. God blessed me yesterday to see them both. I miss them so!
"We" decided to wrap presents while we waited for Kevin to drive home from Tallahassee last night. I wrapped, hubby supervised. I am getting to old to sit on the floor to wrap. But it's just not the same if I don't sit on the floor. So I suffer!
I called Kevin about 11 to see where he was. He said about 45 minutes away. Cool! I figured that would give me enough time to wrap the rest of his presents. So here I am in the middle of the living room floor with his presents all around me, wrapping away and in he walks! It had only been 5 minutes! I start tossing stuff under paper, behind the sofa, etc. And Rick is just laughing! I guess he meant 4 to 5 minutes! What a tease he is! I just hope he didn't see his pressies!
I guess this "flu" is having the same affect on all of us. When we went to Denny's this am, our favorite waitress, Beverly, was not her usual cheery self. She apologized for being so punk, but said she just doesn't have the energy she usually has, that she had this "flu" too, and couldn't get her energy level back up.
Well, I'm off to watch the game, munch and wrap a few presents. Have a happy day!

:J

TGIWF

Thank God it was Friday!
After yesterday being so good, today I was back to feeling punk again. Quite a bit of pressure in my ears, and since today was my last day of antibiotics, I went back to the Dr. after school. My left ear, the one that was infected, looks better, but isn't clear. Also my right ear is now infected. Round two of antibiotics. Oh lordy!

When I got home I was cheered up greatly by my Secret Santa. I have to say, I thought it was one of two people, and it was. Gerri Anne was an awesome SS!!!! Today was final gift and it was awesome! She started off with red kitchen towels with snowflakes on them, that will match perfectly in my kitchen! Then the goodies! A cute, cute penquin frame, Cosmo Cricket Buck Naked ornaments, a Jingle book with matching papers, all kinds of holiday Jolee's, adorable snowman scissors, jingle bells, holiday tapes and some super cool chipboard letters from Daisy D's, and another set of chipboard letters and decorations from Imaginisce. So many things to play with! Gerri Anne you did awesome, and you are the best, and THANK YOU! You just don't know what that did to cheer my soul up!

Kevin will be home tomorrow for a week. It will be good to have him home. I know Patrick is looking foward to him coming in too. I probably won't see lots of him, he likes to visit all his friends when they are all home too. They are a close knit group of guys and girls who have kept in touch since HS.

I'm off to bed, just feeling punk tonite. Need to rest, at least I'm not dizzy.

:J

I Made It Through the Day!

And didn't do to bad either! I was getting sleepy about 4 p.m., but I managed to hang on til 6 when I got home. Then I took a 20 minute nap!
I was glad I went to school today, lots of food and goodies, with probably more of the same tomorrow (Friday).
I had a really delish Key Lime Dip that I will have to get the recipe for. It was served with graham crackers. YUMMMY! Otherwise it was alot of the same party food. I got a $50 gift card from the Athletic Director! I was shocked. My friend Linda gave me a J. It is metal rod with pearls wrapped around it. Too cool! I'll try to get a picture posted of it this weekend. My student assistant got me a Beer Bread beginnings in a Beer Bottle. All I have to do is add Beer! We left that on my desk all day and it drew lots of comments.
Hopefully we will get off really early tomorrow, we heard a rumor that since it's a half day we get to leave at 12:45! I hope so as I have lots to do to catch up. My work, work, is caught up, it's my home stuff that is so behind!
Have a great day!
:J

Yep, I'm Feeling Better!

Nothing like a good sale to make a girl feel much better. I'm talking about LINDA'S sale! She already has awesome prices on her stuff, but now it's 20% off and as always, FREE SHIPPING! Dakota, my everloving, protective puppy, needs the computer so he can order Mama's Christmas present! Head over to Linda's for those last minute gifts every scrapper needs.
I'm off to work in a bit, trying to figure out if I can hit Starbuck's first. We have a couple in town, but not on my way to work. I have become addicted to their Peppermint Mocha's. OMG! Almost as good as the Dark Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Schnapps that I love. And I swore I wouldn't become a Starbuck's ho.
I have to run to WM before work, so I'd better get hoppin'.
Have a wondermous day!

:J

An Update That is Looking Up

I can't tell you what it is, but I feel somewhat better. My ear is plugged but maybe not as bad. I don't feel quite so much like I am in a bubble. I am going to go to work tomorrow.
As for the other, the presents, the cards, the cookies & candy. Well, I'll do what I can, and what I can't, I won't. It is what it is.
I will have two weeks off to recoup, regroup and bake. I don't think they will notice if the cookies are baked between Christmas and New Years. and all the gifts I usually make for my friend's, the cheeseballs, fudge, and peanut brittle, well if that's the only reason they are my friends, I guess if they don't get them this year, they weren't really friends in the first place.
Some days you just can't do it all, finally I realize that.

:J

I Give Up

I am over this, so over this. I tried to work half a day, nope, no way. My head is now spinning and I just don't care anymore. I think the magic has left my Christmas. I just don't care. I want to feel better. Someone else take charge. I'll just sit here in my congested head, spinning. Wake me when it's gone.

J

Quickie from the Sickie

I kept thinking if I can just make it to Friday. Not happening. I woke up about 1:30 a.m. with a throbbing ear ache. Goggled "throbbing earache" and found that I could take sudafed, and use a warm compress on my ear. So I found the sudafed, and the second warm compress did the trick, and I was back asleep til the alarm went off at 6. But, I give in. I have an 11 o'clock appt with my favorite Dr. Good thing I didn't wait, they will be closed starting Friday until after the New Year. So I'm off to the Doc's in a bit.
So much for those Tim Holtz Christmas Stamps I have been coveting, and Dakota was going to get me for Christmas. We'll probably spend Dakota's Christmas Shopping money on meds. I guess that's a good thing.
btw, the Vick's thing on the bottom of my feet worked. I wasn't even inclined to cough all night. hmmmmm, wonder if that brought on the earache?
later,

:J

Posting Early, I'm Sleeping In!

Since I already know I will probably not make it out of bed in the am, I'm posting now. We bowled our butts off tonite at the Christmas party. Already every inch of me hurts.
I would think walking two miles every day would have me in shape, but I guess I'm not. I hurt. My neck and back hurt, I'll take an extra Celebrex before I go to bed.
But it was worth it, we had a blast! I broke a hundred all three games and hubby, the show off who hasn't bowled in 20 years, bowled 7 strikes in a row. He ended up with a 249 game!
Let's see I threw the ball backwards once, it slipped out of my hand. I fell on my face once. I only threw two gutter balls. Otherwise I did pretty good bowling.
It was so much fun having everyone's spouses there, and the kids too! We've never done that before. Greedy Santa went well, we played it that if you got a strike, you got to pick a gift. Then if you got another strike, you could switch or if someone got a strike they could take your present. It was fun!
The Big P didn't make it home from Vegas in time for the party like he had planned. (that's what he gets for not taking us to the conference with him) He got stranded in Dallas because of the weather. But his Wife and kids made it there. I had never met her before, she is sooo sweet! His kids are great too, they are middle schoolers.
Everyone said they had a great time, and it was fun to mingle and not just sit and eat like we usually do when we have stuff at school.
But I'm beat, heading to bed, and when I get up, I'll post more Christmas decorating pics.

:J

The Easy Button

Today is Christmas present shopping day at our house. I'm heading to WalMart in a few to pick up some things we need for the house, and after that WE (hubby & I) are going to hit the stores. We are armed with a list (Patrick's) and we'll come home with his shopping done.
I used the easy button with the other two, and since they don't read my blog, I can tell you. I used the Best Buy online shopping, pick up at the store easy button. I spent some time last night researching cameras. Cheap, easy to use, thin, cameras. Kevin requested one he could fit in his pocket. Dan doesn't know he's getting one so I found this and it should please them. Already paid for them, and memory cards, just have to whiz by BB, and pick them up. Then just a few other goodies for them and they are done. I was tempted to buy one for me too, just to stick in my purse, but it's too near Christmas and that's just not right!
I also spent some time working on my Christmas cards and love how they are turning out. I need to finish them up this weekend.
On top of all this my sinus' are killing me. I can breathe through my nose just fine, but the sinus pressure is killer. UGH! My throat is a little sore, but I keep moving on today. I can rest tomorrow while I watch football, wrap presents, and do cards.
Tonite is our work Christmas party. I'm in charge as the Big P is just returning from Vegas, (he'll show up halfway through it) and the AP didn't even RSVP! So we don't know if he is coming or not. The party is on the Navy base and you have to be on the list to get in, so I hope he doesn't regret not getting back to me. Big P even said he reminded him to RSVP! That's a whole nother story tho! We'll have fun as all the fun people are coming!
I'm off to WM before the crowds hit. Happy Saturday!

:J

More about ME!

1. What one person has most inspired you in your career? My former principal, she told me I was wasting my talents in PreK

2. If money were not an issue, where would you live? If money were not an issue I'd have a house on the beach, a house in my hometown, a house across the street from Lambeau field, a house near the Hilltop Girls and a house in the mountains.

3. What is the best advice you ever received? You can spend your money on your kid's sports and activity fees, or you can spend it on bail money for them. It's your choice.

4. What is your favorite time of the day? When my husband walks in the door.

5. What is the best invention since sliced bread? My car

6. Not including family or friends, the top three things you’re thankful for? Good genes, the ability to see the beauty in nature around me, and being able to see positive in everything.

7. If you had that mobile phone service, who would be in your top five (Which five people do you talk to on the phone the most)? my hubby, Daniel, Kevin, Patrick, my much older sister

8 What things need to happen for you to have a good day? to wake up in the morning, a kiss & hug from my hubby, and sunshine on my face.

9. What is your favorite every day outfit? Jeans & a Shirt

10. When you are alone in the car, what do you do? Sing at the top of my lungs!

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Ford Explorer

12. What one person, whom you have never met, do you wish you could have lunch with? Any of my grandparents. (okay, I met two of them, but I don't remember it)

13. What is the one part of your body that you like the most? My head, it has my two favorite features, my brain and my hair.

14. What song, playing on the radio currently, is your favorite to hear? Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney, & So Small by Carrie Underwood

15. What is the one piece of advice that you wish you could give someone? Work hard! It doesn't come free and it doesn't come easy.

16. What are you looking forward to right now? my husband walking in the door

17. What are the TV shows you watch every week, and hate to miss? Packer's football, Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy and Brother's & Sisters

18. What is the dinner that your family eats once a week? Pizza

19. If you just won $100,000, what would you use the money for? Pay off bills, college education and moving.

20. Name one random fact about you that you think most people do not know.
I played the flute in school.

So there ya go, more than you want to know. I tag Susie,(who hasn't posted my last tag) Wendy, and Cindy.

More Ornaments

I love to pick up Shiny Brite ornaments when I can find them at yard sales. I have a few from my childhood, but alot of them I have picked up since. They are the only colored balls allowed on my tree. Occasionally I can find a few shaped Shiny Brites, like this red bell. The garland hanging next to it is very, very old, given to me by my mother. It is silver mercury glass beads with white bells edged in silver glass glitter. The garland is very fragile and every year I lose a few beads, but that doesn't stop me from hanging it on the tree.

 

Another Shiny Brite from my collection. I love the blue and the winter scene on it. I remember having several of these on my tree as a child. While this one came from a yard sale, it duplicates the one I had on my tree. The blue bead garland is from the same era, and very fragile. Again I hang them on my tree, why have them if you aren't going to use them??

 

Santa is Rick's and this year he hides in the boughs of the tree. Out of sight, but keeping a watchful eye for all the good little boys and girls to add to his list. Santa has traveled with Rick all over the world in his Navy days. Keeping a watchful eye on him. Not sure how many years Rick didn't make it to Santa's good boy list tho!

 

This miniture nutcracker really works and is one of many Christmas ornaments my sister sent us when they were stationed in Germany. She loved to go to the Christmas Market and buy us ornaments. I loved getting them! They are among my most treasured Christmas things.

 

Just a few more ornaments from our tree. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

:J

Thursday Thinkings

I awakened to the sound of my cell phone ringing. It was my friend, Linda, "want some shrimp?" Linda has to be at work much earlier than I and forgets I like to sleep in, especially after a sleepless night and wierd dreams. So here I am, dazed, and confused after being woke up from a deep dream.
It was strange. I was somewhere in south Florida with Patrick and my best friend from growing up, Paula. We were supposed to be at some kind of convention thing, but had a day off and decided to rent a car to take Patrick to the Keys. But when we got to the Keys, it was like the French Quarter in New Orleans. We go in to a store and there is a fortune teller, but when we sit at the table she tells our fortune by cooking, and by the foods we pick, how we chop them, and asks us to pick things out of the pot. Like she said, "Which onion piece looks good to you?" And all these people kept coming in the door and everyone was walking past our table. And then we saw a ghost pass by. I think it was about that time that the phone rang. Oh except while we were driving to Key West, something was biting my shoulder, but I never could get what it was, like a moth or something. And the fortune teller knew that.
I guess from now on I shouldn't eat peanut butter sandwiches at 4 am. On to other things.....
I think I need to do my Christmas shopping. I only have a few presents bought. I can finish Rick's family in one fell swoop. They are getting Blue Angel Christmas ornaments. This year Goodwill has a special commerative ornament featuring the Blues. I think it is perfect as the family so enjoyed the Blues while they were here. So I just have to go get them.
Then all I have to do is the boys. Which should be easy also. It's just getting out there and doing it!
But for now I need to get out there and earn some money to buy these gifts. so I better run.
Maybe I will feel like shopping after tomorrow when our weather turns cooler again!!!!

:J

Hump Day!

It's hump day and I couldn't be happier! We are supposed to get cooler weather this weekend, and it can't get here soon enough for me! 77 degrees is not Christmas weather!
Last night it was nice tho as we sat on the deck of the Oar House for dinner. It was a girls' night out, Linda, Barbie, Debbie and I drank margaritas, ate fish and tried to solve the problems of the world. We left full, happy and world problems still unsolved. Oh well two out of three isn't bad!
The Oar House was founded by "Jezebel" who during WWII had a little restaurant with benefits. Jezebel fell in love with a sailor on his way to war. While he was gone she cleaned up the restaurant, served food and pined for him. But he never returned. One day while walking the docks in sadness, Jezebel came upon a fish who told her to drink his magic concoction, jump from the bridge and he would take her to her sailor who now lived in the sea as a fish. So Jezelbel did this and lived happily ever after with her true love, the sailor, swimming in the sea. BTW, Jezelbel did not become a mermaid, just the opposite, she is a fish with legs!
No we didn't make that up after the evening of margaritas, it's true story!
I'm off to work today and nothing fun planned afterwards. I did enjoy last night it was so nice to just sit on the deck, watch the barges go by and chat with the girls. Life is good.
:J

Morning Ya'll. It's official, I am sick, sick, sick. Okay maybe not that sick, but I have it. But I'm not going to let it stop me, not like it did last night. I got home from work and crashed. I was down and out for two hours, not like me at all.
For supper I had a peanut butter sandwich and a huge bowl of ice cream. I only had the peanut butter sandwich because I was trying to balance the sugar I was about to put in my body.
But I'm not going to let it get me way down. I'm off this am before work to the huge sale they are having at the LSS. Then after work it's girl's night out.
When I told DH a bunch of us girls were going out to eat after work tonite, he said,"Oh, you Barbie & Linda?" He knows us too well. We try to do this once a month, but the school year has just gotten away from us. I can't believe it's almost Christmas!
Speaking of, I need to shop like a madwoman. I have no gifts under the tree. But that's another day, I need lots of energy for that.
So I'm off, send in lemon, honey, whiskey (okay not while I'm at work) and tea. I have too much to do in the next two weeks!

:J

The Tree is Up!

Decorating is finished. Well mostly. I don't really stop until the kids walk in the door for Christmas. There's always something to work on.
So here's the tree. We have it on a revolving stand because I have so many ornaments, it's the only way to see all of them. It's a little wierd for me to walk in someone's house and there tree is standing still. Our revolving stand is the best money we have every spent. I like how it makes the lights look like they are twinkling. So here it is. All in it's glory.

 

One winter, many winters ago, almost 30 (GASP!) I made a set of Nativity ornaments. These will actually be Daniel's someday. They have been on every tree of his. Well they have been on all the boys trees, but his first. This is the three wise men. I always hang them on the tree close together, so they won't get lost in the desert.

 

I made Raggedy Ann the same year. She is my favorite. I have Raggedy Andy too. But I don't hang them together, We don't want a whole tree full of Raggedy's do we??

 

Another perspective. The dog's view. He grabbed the camera from me after an hour and took a picture or two. I think he didn't like that the tree was getting more attention than he was. And no he doesn't chase the tree, nor does the cat. Although the cat likes to nap under it. I'll have to get a picture of him doing that.

 

So I know you will get bored with the pictures of the decorating. But just endulge me. I like taking pictures of my ornaments, and I'm going to make an album this year. So I'm sharing with you!

:J

I love My Guys!

She says with her best sarcasm. Yep, their coughing, sniffling, and stuffy nose has been passed on to me. I love them.
For two weeks I have told them, cover your mouth, blow your nose, wash your hands, don't touch anything and take something for that. It fell mostly on deaf ears. Patrick did keep asking what to take, but only because it has cut deeply into his night life.
Even then, he didn't drink plenty of fluids, etc etc etc. So here I sit, two weeks before Christmas, with a stuffy head, sore throat and head ache. Not the way you want to feel when you have cookies to bake, cheeseballs to create, and a house that needs decorating. I still have about 15 cards to finish, presents to buy and wrap and food shopping to do.
Thanks guys, Merry Christmas. Of course maybe this means now they will recover and take over all these tasks. Fat chance, like maybe when the fat man comes down my chimney it will happen. Ho Ho HO!

:J

ps. I promise tree picts today, I promise!

I'm Decorating!

Like the last 40 questions didn't tell you enough, here are more mundane facts about me. More than you want to be bored with, but I'm busy decorating, creating the perfect Christmas world for my perfect little family.
I'll be back later to show you all I've done, but for now, I need to get hoppin' on Christmas. Let me know you have been here, I want to read your answers too!

1. WHO WERE YOU NAMED AFTER? Well I know for sure my middle name is from Peyton Place (Alison). but really I don't know why they gave me my first name. Except it means "Gracious Gift from God" which we all know I am.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last night watching "Friday Night Lights"

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Hard Salami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT? No, Never!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes but not because I want them.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I dunno, I think it would be fun, but I just don't think I could.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Remember Quake & Quest? I loved those. But now it's Raisin Bran

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I try not to wear shoes that tie.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Mentally yes

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Chocolate Marshmallow

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Depends on the person. I see the whole person, or the one thing that stands out about them. I can't say the first thing I notice is eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU? My belly fat & my double chin

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I miss not knowing my grandparents, but if I have to pick a person I know, it would be my parents.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes, I'm nosy that way

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans and barefoot.

20. WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Two bowls of Raisin Bran

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The hum of the Refrigerator

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Today, I would be green

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Babies, puppies, spring rain and lilac's

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My Boss

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yep

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Green Bay Packer Football, followed by Football, Baseball, Basketball, anything but Nascar

27. HAIR COLOR? Virgin Brown

28. EYE COLOR? Green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope, I can't

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Chicken & Dumplings, after that, anything I don't have to cook.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Some Harry Pothead movie with Rick, I mean Harry Potter

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Grey West Florida High Tshirt

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hmmmmmm, to hard to pick one. Whoopie Pies, Vanilla Ice cream and Hershey's syrup, my niece Jennifer's pumpkin roll, my mom's apple dumplings, Rick's mom's butter horns, studel.....................

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Susie

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Jason

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Not reading right now, doing crosswords

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My one at work is Green Bay Packers Shareholder

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Tivo'd Friday Night Lights

42. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SOUND? My Family laughing and talking, playing at the beach, Rain on the roof.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Led Zepplin

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Colorado or the Bahamas

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not really, I'm a jack of all trades, master of none

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Iowa

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Well Susie's so she has a reason to blog. My brother Jason's because he is so sarcastically humorous, and everyone else's because I'm just plain Nosy!

So there you have it, again. There may be a quiz. Someday.

TGIF!

It's a sad life when you live for the weekends. I don't really, but I love my weekends.
We put an official finish on the Christmas tree. Rick placed the tin foil star in it's place last night before we went to bed. That means the tree is done. The only other ornaments that can go on it are new ones we are given and then Baby Jesus on Christmas.
Yes, our tradition is to keep Baby Jesus hidden until Christmas Day. Then he goes in all the mangers and on the tree. A friend once asked if that was kinda wrong as he should be there all season. He is the reason for the season afterall. But I think he is always in our hearts and his birthday is Christmas, so that's when he makes his appearance. Putting him in his manger is the last thing we do before going to bed on Christmas eve. I'll have to post pictures of the tree tomorrow.
I have a busy weekend planned, tonite is more decorating, tomorrow, more decorating, and tomorrow night I'm going to a crop to make some more cards. Sunday is football and finishing decorating!
On top of all this, both guys have been sick and I think it's starting to hit me. I have a headache, scratchy throat, etc. I'm drinking my water, and oj, washing my hands like crazy, and avoiding them. But it's inevitable, I'll get it too.
I'm off to work, where I finally can see the top of my desk. I'll decorate there on Monday.
Have a wonderful day!

:J

Okay more random things than you really want to know, trust me. But I lead a boring life, and you all really get tired of me talking about Brett Favre.
So here it is, the 40 random facts you wish you didn't know.

Has anyone told you a secret this week?
They have in the past 7 days, and it has to do with Santa!

Can you whistle?
Yep

Next vacation you're going on?
A Crop in January at the beach
Winter Retreat in Feb
A Cruise in March
Wisconsin in July

What did you dream last night?
that Brett Farve wants me....oh wait that wasn't a dream.

Does your phone ring in the middle of the night often?
No, when it does, it's never good.

What is something you've learned about yourself recently?
that I CAN keep my mouth shut

What's your favorite number?
4

How many things in your past do you regret?
just one, not going to college. But it made me, me, sooo no.

Do you have a best friend?
~Yes

Do aliens exist?
I'd like to think that man is not the highest level of intelligence there is.

Would you take a bullet for anyone?
I can think of a whole lot of people I would take a bullet for.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Princess or a Diva

If you had one whole day to yourself, what would you do?
Have as much fun as I could fit in one day!

What makes you mad?
People who play the stupid card.

What makes you happy?
My family, a Green Bay Packer win and my friends

One wish?
A trip to Lambeau field taking everyone I wanted, to see Brett Farve win a Packers football game.

Name something that you would love to eat right now?
A s'more, made on a campfire

Last time you kissed someone?
After Dinner

Have you ever toilet papered someone's house?
Oh Heck yeah!

Have you ever gone camping?
oh yeah! with a tent, without a tent, in cave, in a camper, on a sandbar, many places I have camped.

Do you remember singing any songs as a kid?
oh yes lots and lots of songs, some Navy songs my dad taught me that my mom didn't like us singing.............

When is the last time you got flowers?
ummmmm......yeah...it's been that long. I don't remember.

What does your hair look like right now?
Very nice, I just got it cut and styled tonite

EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT Ring?
~Yes

EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
Yep, and left it lay in the parking lot

LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
PW's MM favorite steak sandwich.

LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED?
George and Carrie's, and I used to change his diaper!

FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?
after my husband, my son's and my brother & sister?? hmmmm a friend from work, to tell them to pack up my desk!

TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? (other than the one you didn't want to know)
I've never had my hair colored

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall in the Midwest

WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?
5:20

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
If I had one more boy it would be Owen
If I had a girl, Kathryne Grace

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
~Yes~

DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
~Yes, but she's much much older

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
3 times to have babies, once for pneumonia, and once because I couldn't poo! (I bet that's a random fact you didn't want to know!)

WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING?
My Black Hills gold cross necklace, my mom's wedding band, and my silver knot ring.

Name a song that describes how you’re feeling.
White Christmas

What do you spend the most money on?
Homeowners insurance (I live in FL)

What is your favorite drink?
Can't live without water!

Are you happy with life?
Generally Yes!

I've been Blog Hopping again!

I found Tazzo Glass from this great website That I found from her website. I got to her website from PW's website that I found out about from my wonderful friend KIP You would think that eventually I would get to meet my hunk a hunk, Brett Favre with all this blog hopping I'm doing!
But getting back to These I'll take any one of them for my Christmas tree. ARen't they beautiful? I would love to see a whole tree done in them, with just white lights and them, nothing else.
Have you explored your world today?

:J

A Favorite Christmas Memory

On the Q & A below, I said there were too many great memories to pick just one. Here's one tho that I have to share.
We had just moved to Pensacola and Daniel, the oldest, was about 11 or 12. You know the age were they start thinking they know all about Christmas, well, actually they start thinking they know everything. Anyway,
We lived in Navy housing then. Navy housing here is ranch style duplexes. We were in a 3 bedroom, Daniel was in his own room and Patrick and Kevin were in the other. Our room was across the hall from theirs.
Anyhoo. Daniel was going on and on about no Santa. Now I am the type were if you don't believe, you don't recieve. I still believe in the magic of Santa, and still think he does exist, he just has help, lots of it!
Rick and our duplex neighbor, Harry came up with a plan to convince Daniel there really was a Santa. Christmas morning, Harry climbed up on our shared roof, quietly walked down to the end over the boys bedroom, then ran the entire length of our house, dragging a golf club on the roof, ringing jingle bells, and shouting HO HO HO!
It woke all of us up. He sounded sooooo realistic, It was AWESOME. This was the conversation that followed.
Kevin: "Hey Dan, did you hear that?"
Dan: "yeah"
Kevin: "What was it?"
Dan: "It sounded like Santa Claus"
Kevin: "Go check and see if he was here"
Dan: "No, you go check"
Kevin: "No, YOU go"
Dan: "what if he's still here?"
About that time, Rick tells them they need to get up and go check. They were so excited! He did come and it kept the magic of Christmas with them for quite a few more years. I don't think we told them what it really was until a few years ago, after Patrick graduated from High School. They can't tell you what they got that Christmas, or who was there that day later on. But they still tell the story of that morning with the same magic and wonderment, like it was yesterday.
That is why it has to be on my top 5 Christmas memories.

:J

Peaceful Sunday Morning

I am up early, have turned the Christmas tree on, and even without the ornaments I am sitting here marveling at the beauty of the tree.
We got a new tree this year. A fakey, but a Frasier Fir. I just love it. When I was a kid we always had long, long needled trees. But this is a short needled tree and I really like it. I haven't gotten the ornaments on it yet, but it is on it's revolving stand and it's clear lights are twinkling so pretty as it turns.
Today I will put all the ornaments on it and take some pictures.
This morning we are off to breakfast with our friends, Lynn & Howard, Chris, George & his wife, and about 6 other people whom I can't remember their names right now. It's been a few months since we joined them, with football season we were just to lazy to get up this early!
I leave you with this, I was tagged by my friend, Teri.
1. Colored lights or white lights on your house or not at all? White lights, icicle lights and I'm trying to convince DH to do snowflake lights!

2. Hot chocolate or Egg Nog? Hot Chocolate (with peppermint schnapps)!

3. What's your favorite holiday dish? Cheeseball

4. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa is too busy to wrap! He just leaves it under the tree.

5. Do you hang mistletoe? I have three unmarried sons, of course I do!

6. When do you put up your decorations? Whenever we can find the time, this year it's early!

7. What's your favorite holiday tradition? Santa bringing baby Jesus for all the mangers

8. What's on the top of your tree? A tin foil star that Rick, Daniel & Kevin made the first Christmas we were all together because our topper got mysteriously broken in a move.

9. Do you have a nativity displayed through the holidays? Yes, three of them. Rick's family Nativity that will be Patrick's some day, a Precious Moments nativity that will be Kevin's, and a set of Nativity ornaments that I made for Daniel when he was a baby that will be his.

10.Candy Canes, traditional or flavored? Or Chocolate Covered Cherries? Both kinds of Candy Canes, not big on the Chocolate Covered Cherries.

11.What's your favorite holiday goodie to make and share? Cheeseballs, Peanut brittle, Fudge and Whoopie Pies

12.What's your favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night and White Christmas

13.When did you learn the truth about the "magic" of Christmas? The magic is always there, for those who truly believe.

14.Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Just one!

15.Is there a special ornament or Christmas decoration that you wouldn't feel like Christmas without? There are way too many to list. So I guess it would have to be the whole tree!

16.Do you take neighbor gifts/treats to anyone, everyone, a select few? Usually one of the last days of school before Christmas, I take in a spread of snackies for our staff.

17.Is your big meal on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or Christmas afternoon? Christmas Day, but usually whenever I can get all three boys together at the same time!

18.How do you decorate your tree? All different ornaments, not very many balls, mostly handmade, and some old ornaments that I have had all my life or collected over the years. No two are alike!

19.Snow? Love it? Dread it? Tolerate it? I live in Florida......but I miss it terribly at Christmas!

20.Do you remember a favorite gift? Lots of favorites. My Barbie furniture my Dad made for me, my doll clothes my mom and sister made for me, my ballerina music box, and all the stuff my sister sent from Germany!

21.Do you have a family get-together during the holidays with extended family? Just the boys, my sister and her hubby.

22.What's the most important thing that you must do each Christmas season? Get all the boys home together at the same time!

23.Do you bake Christmas cookies? YES!

24.Do you leave cookies and milk for Santa? I want him to come don't I? Of course I do!

25.What's your favorite Christmas memory? Oh there's way to many to list.

I tag Wendy, Sarah, Zora, Nicole and Kip!

:J

It's Another Day in Paradise

Okay, I'm over it. Back to my undepressed self. The run by my team this year was good while it lasted, and if it goes no further, I am thankful that my man proved he still had it, and was not the old horse to be put out to pasture. Now he can just be my old stud. That is if he doesn't recover, which I am sure he will. He is just so miraculously hunky, studly like that.
Yesterday was a long but good day. The work Christmas party is planned, at a good price and should be fun. We have rented the entire bowling alley on base, alleys, game room, pool tables, ping pong, and BAR all to ourselves on a Saturday night. This will allow us to bring spouses and our families, if we so wish, and party hardy. I love the easy button. No decorating, no entertainment to figure out, and there's even a rumor Santa may appear. HO HO HO!
I also found out they have a parent who volunteered to sell the tickets at the basketball games. AWESOME! I won't have to spend anymore time there. Tho I will miss watching the games, and my cohart in crime, Vivian, it will give me lots of time to do me stuff.
To celebrate that, I went croppin' last night. I got about 25 of my Christmas cards made. I learned how to make the neatest Origami Christmas tree. I was thinking about posting it, but a few of you may get an Origami Tree card. So I don't want to spoil your oooing and ahhhing. The crop really was fun. Lots of pages got done, but none were mine! LOL!
While I was gone Rick got the carpets shampoo'd. They look great. He thought I was going to be croppin' allllll night and was quite surprised when I showed up right after midnite. Geez, missed opportunity, could have rambleroused all night! I kept thinking he would be worried because I thought I had told him I'd be home around 10ish. But the carpets look good, so we are off to buy a tree today and all that follows that............
So let's get this party started!!! Send me some snow!!!!!! That's all that's missing in this perfect holiday prep day.

:J

From Jealousy to Depression

Packers lost. Brett's hurt. I'm depressed. Nuff said.

:J

Jealousy Day

I've decided that today I am Jealous. Jealous of all those people who already have it all together for Christmas. Jealous of all those people who get to have snow for Christmas. Just Jealous, because that's how I'm feeling.
I truly miss snow. I know you don't hear many former Mid westerners saying that, but I do. I miss snow. It covers everything and makes it perfect again. It gives a new perspective on the world around you. I miss walking in snow, at night, when it's snowing. I miss watching snow fall. I miss snow on the roofs, the windowsills, and porchrails. I miss snow.
The picture in my Title is the snow in my in-laws back yard. I miss snow there too. I miss the woods in snow. To me heaven would have snow anytime I wanted it. To wake up in the quietness of the morning after the earth has been blanketed with fresh fallen snow. That's heaven.
To me snow means Christmas. Since I don't have snow, it has never felt like Christmas in about 20 years. btw, that makes it official, I have lived in Florida longer than I have lived anywhere else, so I am a Floridian. But I still miss snow.
If I had snow, I would feel like putting up the tree, shopping, doing the cards, the baking, the decorating, the parties. But I don't have snow, so to me, it's just another day in paradise.

:J

BRRRR!

Another chilly hump day here! Where's this global warming everyone is so terrified about? I have on my new woolie sweater, it's keeping me toasty!
I just had my wits scarred out of me. Last night as we were going to bed, DH turned off all the lights saying "Pat won't be home tonite". Apparently he had all night poker or something going on. Not to worry, he's a big boy, as long as he lets us know, I don't mind, as much.
So I get up this morning, doing my usual morning routine, finally get to the point were I check emails and blogs,(some of you need to blog btw) and I'm here, in my quiet house, doing my thing, and I hear a male voice. HMMMMM, then I hear it again. Then I hear it, and I think, that sounds like Patrick. But I hadn't heard him pull up, and the next time I hear it, I go to his room and he is there, talking on his phone! Made my heart stop! He DID come home last night, just very late! OY!
So today I'm off to cross another day off this week. Looking for a busy weekend, Friday night I am cropping, Saturday is put up tree, Saturday night is a BBall game, and Sunday is when I collapse exhausted. Oh not to mention that tomorrow night is the big show down! The old Tony Romo vs. the young Brett Favre! Or to those who don't follow football hype, Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys. Go PACK Go! Both teams are 10-1, so it should be a good game! I'll be watching that's for sure!

:J

I have long been a fan of Luxe paper! You need to check out their giveaway for the holidays! Gotta love Luxe! It's on my Christmas list!
It should be on yours!!!

:J

Brrrr!

It's a mite chilly here this am. With the breeze blowing it's even colder. It's supposed to warm up tho, mid 60's this afternoon.
With the cooler weather I've resumed my walking routine. Yesterday it was so nice, my friend, Linda, and I were really walking along and then I got a "stitch" in my side. We had almost hit the mile mark so we gave up. But we are walking, which is a good thing as my pants are getting a little tight from all the good cooking we did at the beach house.
Finally, after almost 30 years of being a wife, I think I have mastered making gravy. I made gravy from scratch last night and Hubby said it was yum mo! Don't ask me what I did, but I even impressed the inlaws with my gravy last week. Wow add that to my resume'!
Last night I vegged, all night on the sofa. I guess gravy making wore me out! LOL! I suffered through most of the Steelers/Dolphins game. Couldn't believe it ended
3-0!
When I finally did go to bed, it was tossing and turning all night long! So today I am sleepy, again.
Off to see the world, and another wild adventurous day at work!

:J

Reflection & Recipe

Well, a good vacation comes to an end. Tomorrow I return to work after 2 weeks off. I know I return to a pile of paperwork, a week of attendance and a whole bunch of other mundane activities. But having this time off was worth it. Soooo worth it.
I crammed as much as I could into these two weeks. Things I wanted to do, not had to do. I didn't do ALL the things I wanted to get done this past two weeks, but then, I don't think two weeks was enough to do everything! I did get to visit my two LSS. I had a great week at the beach, with family I love being around. I did get to shop, and get a little Christmas shopping done. I got to scrapbook a few days, all day.
Did I finish everything I wanted to scrap? Oh no! If I had that done, what would I do with myself? But early darkness is here, and scrapping will give me something to do besides watch TV. I'm on a scrappin' roll now, inspired and creating!
I slept in a few days, but I still feel sleepy. Not tired, sleepy. When I feel sleepiest and go take a nap, I don't sleep long. I think I just a light sleeper. I hear everything, the kids walking through the house, the dog, cell phones beeping, you know, stuff that goes on all night long. I have no problem going to sleep. But once I'm asleep after a few hours I wake up. Then for the rest of the night it's like napping. Oh well!
I did get the house cleaned up. Not once but twice! But we didn't get the carpets shampooed, or the tree up, or the fall stuff put away. But it's okay. I had a very enjoyable two weeks off!
To celebrate our last Sunday home, and because Kevin was here, I made Cinnamon Rolls. They were so good! Here's a pic after Rick and I got done eating. Talk about a sugar high! I was buzzing. I'll post the recipe too, in case you need a good sugar rush.
Off to enjoy my last few hours of freedom!
:J

 

CROWD PLEASER CINNAMON ROLLS

4 to 41/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 package Fast Rising Active Dry Yeast
2/3 cup of Milk
2/3 cup of Water
½ cup of Sugar
½ cup of Cooking Oil
½ teaspoon of Salt
2 Egg Yolks
¼ cup of Butter or Margarine, softened
1/3 cup of Sugar
4 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
Cream Cheese Icing (recipe follows)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the Flour and the Yeast. In a small saucepan, combine the Milk, Water, the ½ cup of Sugar, Oil and Salt. Heat; stir over medium heat until just warm (120 degrees – 130 degrees).
2. Add the Milk mixture and the Egg Yolks to the dry mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the bowl often. Beat on High Speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining Flour as you can.
3. Turn dough out onto a flowered surface. Knead enough of the remaining Flour to make a moderately soft dough that’s smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes). Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Roll out dough to form a 14 x 12 inch rectangle. Spread with Softened Butter or Margarine. Sprinkle with a mixture of 1/3 cup of Sugar and Cinnamon.
5. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting from the long side. Seal seam. Slice into 12 equal pieces. Place in greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size (about 20 minutes).
6. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly; remove from pan. Frost warm rolls with Cream Cheese Icing. Serve rolls warm or cool on a wire rack. Makes 12.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

In a medium mixing bowl, beat on 3-ounce cream cheese, softened, 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened, and ½ teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 Tablespoon of Milk. Gradually add 1 ½ cups of sifted powdered sugar until icing is of spreading consisitency.

Pay It Foward

You never know where you will end up once you start blog hopping. I ended up here, twice removed from Ribinscraps blog. So I was first there, and love the concept, so I'm doing it too. Here it is!
And don't forget, Blog hop sometime! :J

I will send a homemade gift to the first 3 people who comment on my blog requesting to join the PIF (Pay It Forward) exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it!!! The only thing you have to do in return is "pay it forward" by making the same promise on your blog. (If you don't have a blog, just promise somehow). I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this to your blog, and comment away! So get posting!

Table Talk

I'm sure everyone's Thanksgiving dinner has it's craziness. Thanksgiving at our house is no exception. Dinner went off without a hitch. Everything was done on time, I didn't burn anything, or forget anything like I have in years past. (okay the yams were a bit underdone, it wasn't a "perfect" meal). But I have to say, anytime I put my stuffing on the table, the family is in nirvana, the meal perfect.
But Daniel & Felicia were on time, actually an hour early. The turkey was moist and delicious, the stuffing perfect, and I had all the "right" foods. Although Patrick panicked when he saw a large, large bowl of stuffing and said "is that ALL the stuffing??", everyone was food happy. (I did have one more bowl of stuffing stashed) Here is our happy family trying to fit around the table in my tiny dining room. (Thanks Kev, for the "we need to expand this room" comment) Rick is at the head, Kevin to the left, then Daniel, Felicia, my much older sister, and Patrick.

 

The guys chowed in, almost forgetting prayer. I really raised them better, I did! Speaking of raising better, the true test of a girlfriend at our house is if she can survive Thanksgiving dinner conversation. Raising three boys all these years, we have learned to accept that no subject is off limits at dinner. Alot of times it was the only time we sat down together, so the only time we had to talk as a family, and we talk about everything! Felicia has survived a few dinner conversations, as has Erica, who while not at this dinner, has survived "conversational dinners" before. Thus they are keepers!

 

This year's conversation lived up to our normal dinner conversation standards. It jumped around to quite a few topics finally settling on whether or not my brother's house, the one we grew up in, is haunted. The house we grew up in was one of the first built in our hometown. It is at least 150 years old, sits up on a hill, with a woods behind it, and has nooks and cranies, spiders and webs, and let's face it, has all the potential for haunted house status. The boys all told their "haunted house" and basement stories. Then the really spooky part, in the midst of all this, my brother calls! We put him on speaker phone and he joined in on the conversation. It was a great meal!
The guys did the dishes. I rested, we watched football, football and more football. (speaking of, how bout dem Packers! and the tribute to Brett? I cried). Kevin's friend, John came to visit. John is so fun! He showed up to start the BS about next week's football game, Packer's vs Cowboys. John wore his Cowboys jersey. Of course he thinks the "young Brett Favre" Tony Romo, will lead the Cowboys to victory, while we know the "old Tony Romo", Brett Favre will lead the Packers to be 11 and 1. It will be an interesting week.
One last picture of Daniel sneaking out with all the leftovers. "The Food Police", his brothers, made sure he didn't take all the stuffing, but complained that he took the leftover pizza from two nights ago.

 

It never ends! At least I hope not! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was this blessed.

:J

Another Day of Pictures

These are of our last night at the beach, the night Ben, Sarah and I walked forever and didn't go in until dark. None of us wanted to leave. We didn't talk much that night, just walked and enjoyed the beach. It was quite chilly that evening, but never chilly enough for Ben to stay out of the water. Here he is in his hoodie and jeans, but barefoot and in the water. I think he was meant to be a beach bum.

 

Along our walk we saw a momma sandpiper and six of her babies. We followed her up and down the beach. I got several pictures, but this one shows the whole brood, eating while the surf goes out.

 

This crab fooled us. We thought he was alive, until we got close. He wouldn't move. Either he is part possum, or he was just too cold to move! Ben wanted to bring him home, but we said NO! So I promised him a picture so he could show the guys in his Cub Scout Den.

 

Finally one of my favorite sunset shots. The brown pelicans were making their way home for the night too. Probably somewhere warm. The sky was turning wonderful shades of orange, magenta and pink. It is said that is why it's called Orange Beach. Because of how orange the sky gets there.

 

I guess that's it for the pictures. If you want to see more, email me and I'll send you the link to my web album. But I have to warn you, there's 300+ pictures! I love digital!
Our next vacation will be in July in the Wisconsin woods. Home, where our hearts are.

:J

Another Beach Day

Are you tired of pictures yet? Well only a few more and I promise not to bore you any more. Actually this is my favorite picture of my and hubby. Not the one I posted below. I like the one of me below, but I like this one of hubby better. Maybe I'll try my Photoshop finesse and merge the two. HaHa!

 

We all loved the hammock. I took several relaxing naps in it. I tried to get Anastasia, the youngest to nap one day, but she wouldn't have it. As soon as the book we were reading was done, she wanted out of the hammock. Silly girl, doesn't she know it's the best way to spend an afternoon. Some day she will wish she had that ole hammock to nap in. I know I do! Anyway here is the three of them, not napping.

 

Ben, in a reflective moment on the beach. He was probably trying to figure out a way to convince us to let him back in the water. This was the day we were all in sweatshirts, but Ben still swam. He wasn't in there long, but he swam! I took this while we were on a sunset walk. The last night we were there, Ben, Sarah and I walked long after sundown. We didn't want to leave that night, we wanted to cherish every last moment.

 

We saw many crabs at the beach and a thousand many more crab holes. On our last night's walk it was so cold, and we kept seeing very large blue crabs on the beach, dead. (which reminds me, there are still pictures in the camera, I took on of those crabs, we thought they were frozen) Anyway this crab wasn't dead or frozen. Aurora and I chased him a good 50 yards down the beach trying to get a picture of him. Those little buggers are fast! I finally wore him out and got a good picture. He's not really very big, about the size of a quarter.

 

Well I guess I will go down load some more pictures. Who knows what's there?

:J

Beach Days

There is nothing like the beach to make you forget there is a world going on without you. The beach makes you realize, reprioritize, and focus on what is most important. Especially when surrounded by family, you remember what it is all about!
We had another great time in our lives. More than the pictures will ever tell, the stories will be passed on, and this vacation is one we will all talk about for a long time. It was great having young kids around again. They enjoy the little things that as an adult I have lost focus of. They are so enthused by the smallest of things. I feel like a kid again after spending a week with the greats, as we call them.
The grands are no longer kids. They are adults now, parents to the greats. Adults with responsibilities, jobs, bills, and mortages. So much like us, they also enjoyed being reminded of how to be kids again.
As it is with all reunions, there was laughter and tears, hugs and kisses, good days and bad. But as it is whenever you are with family, there was unconditional love. We cooked too much, ate too much, laughed and lazed and played too much. But we were family, for all that it is and all that it will be, we are family.
These two are probably the closest thing I have to daughters right now. Rick's goddaughters, Sarah & Jenny. They are also his neices, but they hold a special place in his heart, as does he in theirs.

 

Ben, all boy and part fish, swam EVERY day. It was his goal from the minute we pulled up to the shore. He was going to swim every day! He swam even on the coldest day. Ben marched right down to the beach, shed his sweats, and jumped in. I give him the polar bear award for that! He thought the Blue Angels air show was most awesome, the USS Alabama really cool, and his own private dolphin show and an extra two days of private Blue Angels show the best! He brought back to us all those little boy memories, the amazement of finding "dead things" at the beach, thrills of finding the neatest shells and skeletons, and the ability to down a whole soda in a gulp. I'd forgotten those things about boys!
When Ben wasn't in the water, pretending he was a fish, he concentrated on his homework, reading, teasing his uncles, aunts and grandpa. He and Patrick bonded, I think because Patrick got to treat him like the little brother he never had. That or like the crazy uncle he's going to be. Ben, like all boys loves Nintendo. Here's a pic of all the kids playing PSP while the adults watched the Packer/Viking game.

 

Sarah captured this picture of me & hubby. I love this picture of us. It will go on my desk for sure!

 

Anastasia,the youngest was content to let everyone in the water. She played in the sand, digging, chattering to herself, happily entertaining herself while the other cousins acted like crazy people in the water. As much as Ben is all boy, she is all girl. So sweet, but like that little girl with the curl, she had her moments! But I love this pic of her the best.

 

So that's this installment. I love our family vacations, what it does to us, bringing us closer as a family. It makes you appreciate what truly is important. Not things, but people.