Almost New Years!

Oh yes, it is THAT time again.

You know, the time when the tree is still up from Christmas because you don't have the heart to take it down and yet, you really should.

As I approach New Years Eve, I am focusing on two things. One: Lillie's wedding. I am a little wound at the thought of decorating the reception and wanting to do a fabulous job for her. We all know you can accomplish anything with money. The trick is, what can you accomplish with a budget?

So Lillie, I hope I do you proud. New Years Eve is two days away and I wish I was sitting down at a table right now, relaxing and enjoying the wedding reception.

Two: going back to work on Monday. I know this job like the back of my hand. No problems there. I DO have to learn the Maybelline New York side of it but, no problem. I can handle that.

What I am worried about is my stamina. Or lack thereof. This is a very physical job and I am thinking it's gonna take me a week to get back onto the swing of things. So Cindy, dear friend and boss, have patience with me. And if you can score me some oxycodon, the more the merrier.

I kid, I kid. ( or do I?)

This syndrome I have is the pits. I do not like the "not knowing" how much I am capable of on a day to day basis. So if you ,reader , can get thru a day without worrying about pain, count your blessings. Then count them again. I have not had a pain free day in 9 years now.

So I have Lillies wedding on New years Eve, a wedding show at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday with Breanne, then work on Monday. I need a nap just thinking about it.

I remember when Margarets mom, Jeanette, would schedule a hair appointment and then she would say " I am exhausted, I did so much today" and I would laugh.

I am not laughing now Jeanette! I am sorry I ever did!

I take this opportunity to wish you good health, great joy and many blessings in the coming year.

It holds a lot of promise for us as a family, I hope the same for you!

Happy New Year all!

( and thanks for putting up with my rants!)

"it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"~

Alright people, we are in countdown mode! Ten more shopping days until Christmas!

I am on schedule, only have stocking stuffers to take care of.

Good, because now I can concentrate on Christmas eve dinner and Christmas morning breakfast. Of which I am in charge of. Or responsible for. However you want to look at it.

When I was in Vegas I had the most wonderful beef brisket ever.

So I decided I am doing one for Christmas Eve dinner. After tips from Muncy and Priscella and google, I feel ready to tackle it. I wish I could indirect cook it on the barbeque but I can't.

Don't want to chance it....never done it that way before so there are too many possible negative outcomes for that to happen.

The menu......glazed honeyham, beef brisket, green beans ala Colleen ( I made this one up myself....carmelized onions and bacon, fresh green beans tossed with my own sweet italian dressing I make) company potatoes (loaded with stuff), layered salad.

I am in the process of having a dry run for the dessert. I am thinking of making peppermint chocolate mousse. Sounds great to me. But we'll see. I'll let you know.

And my family will not let me deviate from our traditional brunch casserole for breakfast on Christmas day. So I am adding different dishes TO it....found a great hashbrown casserole that I wm going to make. Still up in the air if I make the crumb cake, after my yeast disasters, don't know if I want to take that one on again.

Off I go to to get ingredients....I love this part too. Cause I might just find stocking stuffers along the way!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, EVERYEHERE you gooooooo"

Honoring our Own

Today, Breanne talked me into getting into my car and driving to the Lowe's parking lot to watch the memorial procession of our four slain Lakewood officers.

At 10 a.m.. the first of the line began to leave McChord Air Force Base and make the 10 mile trek to the Tacoma Dome for the Memorial. A steady stream of police cars and fire trucks from 261 agencies across the United States passed by people lined up with hands over their hearts.

It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen and I hope I never see it again. I could only watch as each car and truck slowly crept by, reading the ensignia and emblems on the sides of the vehicles. They came from everywhere. It was amazing.

I was lucky enough to be able to keep company with a police officer who was on duty.

He told me that there were already complaints about the streets being blocked off and to watch for the editorials in the coming days for those who will complain about "carbon footprints" of all the gas being used for this and those complaining about where the money came from for this procession. Seriously? Where are your hearts people?!?

As I watch the memorial from the Tacoma Dome now on t.v., I cannot stop the tears.

Their children are speaking about their fathers, the friends talking about thier losses.

This was a horrible and heartless thing that has happened here in Lakewood....but this community is showing all that it will not let it overcome us.

May you rest in peace Sgt Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards.

I am making progress. No mean feat, I tell ya.
The tree is now up. I had no idea it was THAT stinkin heavy to assemble.
But I prevailed and it is now done. And not a single breakable item on the thing.
Seven years ago, I awoke to a horrendous crash, shatter, tinkle, tinkle . Silence.
It was Mitchell's 15th birthday and we were going to spend the day in Seattle shopping as a fam.
I ran out to the living room and discovered my beautiful tree had jumped ship.
Mind you, I had covered it with nothing but Christopher Radko handblown glass ornaments.
Two thousand dollars worth. Every piece had a meaning, every piece was special. I even had the Twin Towers. It was all gone. All shattered and broken.
Did I mention that I had so many ornaments that you could barely see the tree itself?
With the exception of my tree topper.
Which was a foot long aqua blue classic Caddy, convertible. It was totally intact.
Everything else was lost. My Eiffel tower, the Twin towers, my hula dancer, my memorial soldiers on the hill, yadda yadda yadda.
The Insurance people told me they would not cover the loss as there was no reason why it fell.
They said that if a tree came through the living room window and knowcked it down, then yes. They would cover that.
But because they had no cause, I had no claim.
Oh well, it was Mitch's birthday so I decided not to dwell on it.
It was only possessions. I had my family and we enjoyed a great day in Seattle.
And I learned.
To only buy shatterproof ornaments.
No one knows they are not glass.
Especially Manny. Who is perched under the tree as we read.
So if it falls, so be it.