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.

I Couldn't Agree More

A lot of truth in this CBS Sunday The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday.My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. lt; /SPAN> And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their c lassmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding God, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards.

Honestly and respectfully

My Cough is Suddenly Better....

So we drove down to Laurel PP mall today. I wanted to get a refill for my Franklin Planner. I ended up going with the next size up from what I had so I got a whole new planner and a new brief case - on sale of course. The highlight of the trip was of course eating at Olga's! We started with the snacker appetizer, then I had the soup and salad. Yummy! I wish we would get an Olga's in Flint. On the way out we passed the Saunders soda shop. Had to stop and get a Cream Puff. I got a little teary-eyed because I remember going with mom when I was a kid to the same kind of place. I think it was at Wonderland Mall. I wonder if that was before I started school because I don't remember any of the sibs being there. I'll have to ask brother Rob if he ever went there.

I Feel A Cough Coming On...

cough, cough, sniff, sniff. Huh, I might just have to call in sick tomorrow. Let's see. I have 12 Sick Days and about 6 months of work days......
It it Freeeeezing cold today. Too bad I still have to go out to an appointment tonight. This weather makes me want to curl up on the couch with any kind of hot beverage and read a good book or watch a movie. Tisk, Tisk, not tonight. I came home for a couple hours because I have the late app't. Good ole flex time.

Same Old Grind

I'm not talking about coffee beans. (miss those Starbucks beans!) I got up early for an 8:00 a.m. meeting that was not to be. A mix up in schedule for the first day back. Blah Humm Bug! Now I am tired. I sneaked out early to go to Niki's first Freshman BB game though. They lost badly. Then came home and fried up the bacon. Literally. I made bacon, scrambled eggs & toast (with jelly) for dinner. Did the dishes, now I"m blogging. Better quit soon though cuz I keep spelling things wrong! It started snowing today at around 12:30 and is still snowing. We would probably have a foot except for the fact that it's 35 degrees so it's melting when it hits. No SNOW DAY tomorrow.

Got off to an early start today. Went to the "Valley" for breakfast and then picked up the carpet cleaner at HD and picked up Nik at Lisa's house by 10:00 a.m. Caught up with Lisa for a few minutes. I miss her. Dropped Niki off at her grandma's to go to the Piston game. Then we had to pick up Katie's car because she said it was stalling. Turns out she was very low on gas and there must be some water in the gas line. Filled it up with Premium and put some anti-freeze stuff in it. Moral of the story don't let it get too empty. Came home cleaned the carpet and started the laundry. Took the carpet cleaner back, ate at Three Amigos and came home. The Aurands were putting up their Christmas lights so we couldn't be outdone. Put up the lights that actually worked. Sid and Evan helped me put up the Candy canes along the sidewalk. Still have to buy 1 strand of lights because we threw away 3 that wouldn't work. Came in and rested for a bit then took my bath. Now I am making spaghetti for dinner. Will probably read my new book by Debbie McComber after dinner.

Friday Finds

A feather bed for the camper $22
Paper plates .99
Christmas Cards - buy 1 box get another FREE
3 pack scotch tape - .99
A $9 razor with a $9 dollar rebate
A Playstation2 controller w/ 2 games - $19.99
A bag of bows - .99
3 candy cane pens - .99

I need to go back to Walgreens though because we forgot to pick up a new dog bed for Bailey $7.99 I might run up there this afternoon.
Tonight we are going to dad's to clean. Having Turkey A-la-king, yams, stuffing, cranberry and pumpkin pie. Sound familiar?

Movie Review

It might be the best "feel good" movie of the season. It is called "August Rush." It is wonderful, joyful, inspiring and really awesome. Of course there is a really cute kid. I'm a sucker for cute kid movies. But, I think you will really enjoy this one. I highly recommend it. Marlene, you will love this.
***** (Five Stars) I think I might become a movie critic. Wouldn't that be a fun job?

So anyway, it is freezing out, (22 degrees) but sunny and really pretty with the sun making the snow and ice glitter. Didn't get up and go shopping. The girls left at 10:00 p.m. with the neighbor to go to Birch Run last night and didn't get home until 6:00 a.m. CRAZY!! They are still in bed sleeping. Sarah had to get up at 4:30 a.m. to be at the Shack at 5:00 a.m. We may venture out this afternoon or tonight to see what shopping extravaganza's are left.

Over The River and Through The Woods

Wow, we have at least 2 inches of snow and it's still coming! This is like an old fashioned Thanksgiving. I think I remember eating dinner at Grandma's house. But, mostly I remember eating Thanksgiving dinner at Creager's Restaurant in Detroit. How about that parade? I wouldn't be going today with all that snow blowing around.

I'm getting ready to make breakfast, French Toast and Sausage. (turkey of course) I only have to make a salad for dinner today. I got off way easy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Back From the Windy City

And it was windy & getting cold! IT took a while to get out. Waited at least 30 minutes in line on the runway. Longer than the actual flight took! It's taken me all weekend to recover.
Today I took Alyssa to the Big Brother Big Sister bowling activity. We had fun. It's hard to bowl with my ouchie leg. (torn hamstring from last year) We got a piece of pizza and a pop for our efforts. Afterwards we came home and Alyssa played with toys and rode the scooter. I did laundry. Only 3 work days this week, yea! Thanksgiving will be at Sarah's brother's house this year. I am hoping for some leftover turkey to we can do it all over again on Friday. (with my own stuffing! --- well mom's recipe really) That's about it for now. Safe travels Marlene & Don.

Bye

Today I'm heading for the Windy city. See ya Friday!

Scrapin' Good Weekend

Well we are not going to a B & B like Marlene and the girls but we are going to a beautiful location in Tawas right on Lake Huron. It will be warm and cozy and all about scrapbookin'. Unfortunately there will not be anyone to serve our meals or turn down our beds. However, we did make up all the food ahead of time so we won't have to cook!

FYI

The book I'm reading now is an older Mary Higgins Clark. I missed it somehow. "A Cry In the Night." I hope it's not the one that someone told me not to ready because it is too scarey!

Upcoming Events ~
Going on a girls weekend with Sarah, Chris and Renee up to Sarah's Mom & Dad's cottage in Tawas to do some mega scrap booking! Should be fun. Leaving on Friday and coming back on Sunday.

Going to Chicago the 13th through the 16 for the AmeriCorps VISTA supervisor training. Staying at the Wyndam O'hare. Not crazy about it , but we'll see. I hope it doesn't snow!

Catchin' Up

So, where have I been? Working I guess. I was pretty tired last week. Saturday Sarah and I went to visit my old friend (not that she's so old, but more that I've known her a long time!) Laura Therrien and her 2 boys Ken & Tom. Ken is married and has an adorable daughter named Kenzie Rose. She is really cute. We had a good time remembering old times.
Today we cleaned the house and then went to a Campground Place called "Outdoor Adventures." You have to buy into the place. The price is $8000.00 bucks!! But, you have "free" camping for the rest of your life. I say free, because of course there is a yearly maintenance fee of $360.00 And then if you want to go to locations outside of Michigan it is an additional $150 bucks. Needless to say we did not "buy" into the program. But, we did get 21 days of free camping at their campgrounds for the next year and a $40 gas card to Speedway.
I think I'm going to start a new book tonight. I will let you know what it is.