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.

AHH, THANKSGIVING~

I know this sounds so typical and trite but, nevertheless, it's so true.
Where did the time go?
It has been a never ending one thing after another month and tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
So today I have been a slave to my kitchen.
I am organized.
I am cleaning as I go.
I am whirling around the kitchen like, well, a whirlwind.
Creamed green beans done: check
Sweet potato casserole done: check
Crumb topping for the sweet potatoes done : check
2 brined turkey breasts cooked in slow cooker done : check
1 Ham with a peach clove honey mustard glaze done : check
Company potatoes ( cream cheese , sour cream, butter and half and half) done: check
Cranberry frozen fluff done: check.
Homemade rolls done: NOT check. I cannot get the yeast to activate for the life of me.
I am on my third try. If this doesn't work, then....tough. So frustrating for me. Store bought rolls just do not do it for me. Such a big difference in taste!
Let it go Colleen.

I have been in the kitchen since 10 am. and it is now 5 pm.
I have consumed a half cup of peaches. Whoppeeee.
But my house smells marvelous!
I am on to the next step which is setting the table....my favorite part.
Gotta go get my Fitz and Floyd Huge Santa centerpiece. What? Santa you say? Yes!
He is surrounded by woodland animals and if I sit him on cedar greens with pinecones , he will be perfect! And after all, once that last bite is taken, it is offically Christmas!!

Dear Heavenly Father,
“Thank You for this special day, a day to remember Your goodness to us.
Thank You for the roof over our heads, and more than enough food to eat.
Thank You for the relationships You have given to us -- for family and friends.
Also, I want to thank You for all the bad experiences we’ve had. We have learned that you were there for us all the time. For this, we thank You and praise You. In Jesus name, amen.”


HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING ALL!!!~~~~~

LOVE NOTHING DAYS~

Click images to enlarge

Today is a "Nothing" day.
Nothing I NEED to do, nothing I HAVE to do.
Nowhere I need to go and nothing I need to buy.
Sometimes, those days are the best.
But, by 3 pm, I started to feel guilty.
Why is that?
I guess I could go into the kitchen and unload the dishwasher..but I don't wanna.
Or I could do a load of laundry, but...see above.
The only motivation I had to get out of bed with my Manny ( who is still ever so cozy in it)
was that if I didn't, I would feel worse as the night goes on.
Kinda like if I nap during the day, I feel sick when I wake up.
This body was not programmed for slowing down, but now that it wants to, I am at a loss as to what to do about it.
So I got up, did the hair and makeup thing, got dressed.
So I am going to to shopping with Breanne for some birthday presents when she gets off work.
That's accomplishing "something", isn't it?
But how nice was it to sit in bed and play PC games and Facebook all day?
I found this large file PC game called "Nikopol: Secret of the Immortals "and I was trying to figure out how to kill this police state futuristic monster that was trying to kill me. When I got too scared, I saved the game and then blogged to see how to make my next move.
Yeah, that's how I play.
So it's probably safe to say that I play these games for the graphics and sometimes, the mental skills. Most of the times I can use the simple deduction skills I have to figure it out. This game looks promising if it is scaring me already. ( see pics above)

So, I am not going back to the computer to play, I am off to pursue and hunt at the Mall.....no blogging neccesary~
later!

SIGN EVERYTHING YOU DO

Today I am feeling a little like the very people I have no tolerance for.
Whiny.....yeah, I said it, whiny.
I need a day where I can just whine. Complain with no repercussions and or comments from anyone. But unfortunately, I cannot do.that. For fear someone would read this and think it was about them.
So to all of you, this is not about you.

Does no one respect and understand the meaning of the word : "responsible" anymore?
Do people think things happen "out of the blue", all on their own?
How do they get by on a day to day basis? I especially love the ones who complain because they feel the limelight is being stolen from them and then,
when you give them the ball, they drop it.
And someone (like someone who writes a blog) steps in to cover their tracks and, tah dah! It's all good again. I have never been one to want all the glory but, sometimes, dog gone it, it should be mine! Or ours!
When you accept a responsibility, follow it through all the way to the end and then, put your signature on it!!!!!
I believe if we have to sign everything we do, then maybe we would think a little harder about how we do it. Can I get an Amen?
Ok, I think I am done venting.
Maybe a good workout at the gym will make me so tired I can't think anymore.
Tomorrow's another day...gosh I hope I am not as irritable as today......