The Year 2007 in Retrospect

Well it's been another one of those wild and wooley years however there are many things to be thankful for.
Like:
Good health in spite of 2 operations!
A job with good health benefits and retirement
A good season for Sarah's business
Good friends and neighbors
A roof over our heads
A new business for my sister Jan

Things to look forward to in 2008~
Continued healing for my niece Michelle
A new baby (great niece or nephew)
Katie graduates
Going to FLORIDA in February
Maybe a few snow days...
Finishing my scrap book projects & starting new ones
Turning 50............................ (no comments from the peanut gallery please!)

It's Nigh Onto the End of the Year

And I Still Haven't:
*Started eating sensibly
*Started riding my exercise bike
*Stopped complaining about the things I cannot change
*Lost any weight
*Finished Katie's scrapbook
*Gone to the Melting Pot
*Been to Hawaii
*Started Mom's scrapbook
*Started a walking plan
*Given up caffeine
*Bought myself a teapot
*Let my nails grow
I could go on but really what is the point. Maybe on Tuesday I will make a list of things I'd like to do and then see how many I actually accomplish. That sounds too much like a New Years Resolution though doesn't it?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Other Stories

Tonight I tried my new Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tea. It was quite a production since I don't have a teapot. (That is another story) I heated water in the microwave in a 4 cup bowl. Then I carefully measured out the tea with my new tea spoon thingy and let it steep a good 5 or 6 minutes. Then I strained it into a big mug that I got for Christmas. Yummy, sweet good tea. I stirred in a rock candy thingy that I also received from my sistopher.
Sarah and I played my new Risk game tonight. I got skunked by a rookie, I surely was not a happy camper! Anyway, tomorrow I have to meetings for work so I am probably going to bed early.

Two Blogs Today

My 10 Favorite Gifts I Received for Christmas
1. Rachael Ray knife
2. 3 good books to read: John Grishom, Amy Grant & a new author for me from Karen
3. 20 Question game - i love 20 questions, right karen & kristen?
4. Wicked Good slippers from LL Bean
5. Movie Tickets
6. Really cute retro egg nog punch bowl set
7. Cheese Grits (yum-O), tea that everyone raves about & tea measuring spoon
8. Scrap Bookin Kit
9. Christmas Coffee from the Beanery
10. Classic Risk game

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (100th Post)

Yesterday we went to see the TSO at the Palace. It was very good- awesome seats. The light show was amazing, the singing great! I wasn't sure beforehand if I was going to like it or not, but I really enjoyed it.

I don't know about you all but I am wacked out since all this holiday business. It probably doesn't help that I never get a full nights sleep. AND I still have a million things to do. Dentist today and then I want to go to Michael's and get some containers for all my new do-dads. Tomorrow I am meeting a friend for lunch, then I have to conduct an orientation for work. Then between Saturday and Sunday I will be helping Sarah balance the business books, cleaning at dads, having my little sis over, grocery shopping, spend my $5 coupon at Borders etc... Whew! Some time I plan to get some scrappin done. A little birdie told me Renee got a what-cha-ma-call-it uh, oh yeah cricket for Christmas. I will help her break it in. :-) Oh yeah and taking down the DECORATIONS! Oh wait and I forgot we are having a lunch meeting for work at Fire Mountain on Saturday.
Hey, I thought I was on vacation???

Christmas Eve

Had to get up early and put the baked beans on. I am using Aunt Hazel's authentic Boston Baked Beans recipe. One year my brother Rob & I went on vacation with my parents and visited where Mom grew up and met some of the relatives. Aunt Hazel being one of them. I think we went to her house for a picnic and she served these awesome beans. Mom got the recipe and started making them for Christmas day. She bought a real bean pot and everything. We're also having a glazed him, cheesy potatoes, some kind of veggies, salad and rolls. That is a far fetch from the Christmas Eve dinner of my childhood. Chinese - take out style. I'm sure my mom was taking a break from cooking. I often went with my dad to pick up the dinner at Moy's little take out joint. Christmas Eve was very special. I remember just loving it. All those kids! We would turn out all the lights and watch the tree lights sparkle. Then our parents would make us practice for the upcoming church program. (treat!) We always had this mix of Christmas hard candy including these huge chunks of ribbon candy. Someone always read the Christmas poem, the one about sugar plums. Then we opened 1 gift - pajamas or slippers. Then is was off to bed. I would try hard not to fall asleep, but that never worked very good. Oh yeah, I forgot we pinned up our stocking to either a couch or arm chair. That's were our pile of gifts would be the next morning, right under our stocking.
I love talking to people to find out how their families traditions are similar or different.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Put in your George Winston "December" Cd and veg out on the couch. Today is the darkest day of the year. I'm sorry Marlene. I doubt we will even see the sun today. I feel like I live in Alaska. I don't even think I'm going out. I'm going to clean up around this messy house and put on a big pot of White Chicken Chili. Yum-O. Oh and I still have presents to wrap. However, the grocery shopping is done for Christmas Eve (here) and Christmas Day.
Last night we had fun celebrating Christmas with the Aurands. The kids were so excited. We could see them waiting at the front door, running back and forth. We quickly scarfed down three pizzas and an order of cheesy bread from Hungry Howies. After opening gifts we decided to play games. Bad idea. We all got spanked by Tom playing Win, Lose or Draw and then Scene It. I of course had to babysit the babies (dolls) for most of the night.

p.s. This is the most number of blogs i have written in a month.

The Sun

The Sun's energy output (3.86e33 ergs/second or 386 billion billion megawatts) is produced by nuclear fusion reactions. Huh, I never knew that, did you? All I know is that I feel much better when the sun is shining. It doesn't matter how cold it is, the sun makes going outside bearable. It warms up the car. I think it even makes me more cheerful. The poor sun is trying to shine today, but the clouds keep coming around and getting in the way. These cloudy days we've been having are getting old.

Still Haven't Plowed

Our road is a mess. There are tire tracks going every which way. Then you can basically only drive straight down the middle and you better hope another car doesn't come! I thought they would have plowed by now. The sun was out today here in Flint, I hope my sister in Livonia got to see some rays as well.
Probably going to go see neighbor Alissa's 6th grade band concert tonight. Hope they're in tune! The count down is well on it's way. 3 more days until Christmas Vacation, YEA!

SNOW DAY

Snow day today. We really didn't even get all that much snow. Maybe 6 or 7 inches. But it was very windy yesterday, I don't think they could keep up with the roads. It's mainly due to the back roads and side streets they said. It's a nice surprise. I'll get to watch morning tv (go for it Kristen) and finish my laundry and clean up around the house. Maybe I'll even make something yummy for dinner. It's snowing again, imagine that - just flurries though. Would be nice to see the sun today.
We had to go out yesterday in the middle of that mess. It was Sarah's moms family Christmas. We didn't have to go far, thank goodness. The roads were pretty slick. We saw a guy who was driving too fast (of course) spin out and almost hit a bunch of cars. Somehow he managed to miss everyone. It was crazy!

P.S. I decided to make Florentine Meatballs w/Cheese sauce.

Food Network Junkie

We just got cable back so now I am able to watch my favorite channel, the Food Network! I just love to see whats cookin. Sometimes I even try the recipes. You should be so lucky to be the experimentee. I must admit Sarah and the girls are pretty patient. I few weeks ago I made a pasta with pumpkin sauce. It was ok. Nothing to write home about. It sounded better than it tasted. Of course if I don't have alot of the stuff they put in their recipes I improvise. Maybe it's the improvising that doesn't work so well. Tonight there were 2 recipes on Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals that I'm going to try. Papa al Pomodoro - otherwise known as "stale bread soup" and Florentine Meatballs. Think I will try those over the Christmas break. Check out the recipe on http://www.foodnetwork.com/ After I try them and if I like them maybe I'll post them.

Right now I'm waiting for "Paula's Party," at 9:00 p.m. She is going to have the rock-ets and also Amy Grant.

The Scent of the Season

Is....... Twisted Peppermint from Bath and Body Works. Ummmm. Delicious. First, take a bath and pour some of the bubble bath/shampoo/body wash into the water. Then wash your hair with it-- as you rinse take in the minty frothy bubbly scent. Then scrub your skin and wake it up. Upon exiting the bath, lavish several squirts of the body lotion all over your body.
You are now refreshed and ready to start your day.

This is how I start my day. You should try it too! It's almost better than a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks!

10 Reasons Why I'd Rather Stay Home Today

1. It's starting to snow.
2. The weather is going to get worse.
3. I don't want to get dressed up.
4. I miss morning tv. Racheal Ray
5. I'm warm and I don't want to get cold.
6. I don't feel like talking to people.
7. I could wrap Christmas presents.
8. It looks icky out.
9. I feel sleepy.
10. Just Cuz!

Yea Gas Went Down

For about 5 minutes... I just saw on tv a gas station in Flint has gas for $2.73/gal. Hurry run to the gas station. The next time you look it will probably be up again! Well also on the news they are saying that we're getting nasty weather tomorrow morning. That will remain to be seen. We must've had sun and above freezing temps. today because the snow on the lawn and driveway has melted.
Tonight's dinner is lasagna. But it is Stoffer's family size. Can you believe it? I actually broke down and bought frozen stuff for dinner. It's just too hard to work and then make homemade lasagna.
By the way yesterdays' blog (mine) has a record number of comments. (6) Lisa where are you? Ok here is a list. My sister Jan is always making lists.

Favorite Christmas Movies

1. A Christmas Carol
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
3. The Christmas Shoes (A real tear-jerker)
4. Charlie Brown (the one where Chuck is the play director)
5. Christmas With the Kranks
6. Elf
7. Jack Frost
8. How The Grinch Stole Christmas - The cartoon
9. Santa Claus I
10. The Walton Family Christmas

A Very Busy Day

I picked up Alyssa (my little sis) at 11:00. We drove straight to Kroger's and proceeded to buy cookies to decorate and also some cupcakes. She wanted to take cookies to her class and we all wanted to eat the cupcakes! We did the baking and decorating and then had pizza in between. (Whew what a mess!) All at once Niki noticed an animal up in the tree out back. It was a big Opossum. Sarah ran out onto the deck and snapped a few pictures. It's actually kind of cute.

After all the baking I decided to let Alyssa open her Christmas gifts in case Of bad weather or whatever I don't see her before Christmas. She got a summer backpack with a water bottle, frisbee and beach towel. I also got her a big coloring set because she loves to color. There were markers and crayons and all sorts of things to color. I took her home around 3:30 and then I make a big pot of yummy chicken soup. I"m probably just going to chill out and read for the evening. Supposed to get some icky weather but I'm not sure if it's coming or not.

Oh wait, I forgot, we are going to watch "A Christmas Carol" tonight.

Frozen Doggie

We heard a bark at about 7:00 a.m. this morning. This from a dog who never barks unless being threatened by another dog. He was not in his doggie bed. He was not out in the living room or kitchen. NO, he had been left out in the garage by some un-named people since they got home at about 10:00 p.m.. Poor buddy, he was frozen like a popsicle! Needless to say he is curled up in the bed wrapped up in blankets.

Today is our annual trip to Frankenmuth. We'll be eating the sumptuous family style chicken dinner at about 4:00 p.m. Then we usually walk down to the candy store otherwise known as the "pickle store" and browse. They also have a lot of variety of teas. hmmmm Then continue on to the fudge store where the kids spend the $20 that grandpa gives them to buy fudge. A jolly time will be had by all.

I Saw The Sun Today

I got home early and I was in the office checking my e-mail AND talking on the phone and I looked outside and the sun was shining on the snow. It sure didn't last long though. I had a very frustrating day today. Of the 3 appointments I had all three cancelled! Here's the great thing about that. I can wear the same outfit again tomorrow, cool huh?
Thought for the day: 3 weeks from today Christmas will be all over...........

Mobile Concert

Today I listened to the entire CD of "Young Messiah" in my car. I felt like a traveling salesman today. Let's see I was in and out of the car 14 times today including the gas station and grocery store. I think that might be a record. At least it was not windy today. I am going to make a nice big pot of chili for dinner. Bought some nice crusty grainy bread to go with it. Having a cup of decaf with pumpkin spice cream right now--yummy! I should start riding the stationary bike tonight. Got to exercise. WB and let me know if you think I really will.........

Didn't Make The Ham

Can you believe it? I got talked into going out in that rainy, foggy messy mess last night and going to Fudruckers for a burger. I got a 1/3 lb. burger and fixed it just the way I like it, side of onion rings and a pop. MmM So I am making the ham and scalloped potatoes tonight.
Boy it was cold and oh so windy today. I swear I almost blew away. I only had 4 appointments plus a stop at my office, so that makes 10 trips in and out of my car. Yuck! I guess I just need to be thankful that I have a job in this unemployed town.
The mailman just buzzed down the road which means he will be here soon. It's 4:45 p.m. Usually means a sub. I have received 3 Christmas cards already and it's only Dec. 3. Wow I better get a move on. Lisa, e-mail me your address!

Snow Storm - December 1st

This is a picture looking out the front door Sunday morning. It wasn't as bad as some. Officially we got 2.3 inches of snow at Bishop Airport. The weather dude said they got 9.1 inches in Gaylord. Wow! Definitely too cold for a Catfish Stomp! (Read my sister's blog) Anyway, later on today we are putting up the decorations. Then I am making a delicious ham (turkey of course) and scalloped potatoes dinner. Thank you Marlene for telling me how to do colors and other cool stuff.
P.S. I could fly down to visit my sister anytime now!! This weather is not for me, or the birds!

December 1st - Can't Believe It

Well, it finally happened. I got talked into a fake Christmas tree! I've held out all this time. But, alas it's just getting to be too much. Tomorrow is the big decorating day. Yuck. I hate putting out the decorations. Going to put up my Dickens Village this year. I will take a pic. Going to a card party tonight. I hope I win. Taking little weenies. Big storm coming - so they say. Went from a Winter Storm Advisory to a Winter Storm WARNING. Must be the real thing. Good thing the card party is just down the street.