Category: My Life

Friday I went to get my hair done. I was a nervous wreck! Not about getting my hair done, but because it had started to snow. Slowly, at first and then as the morning went on, the snow fell at a slightly alarming rate! I do not like to drive in snow or ice. Yes, I am a real chicken, which I think, makes me a smart driver…don’t go out if you do not have to, but today was my hair stylist appointment! Short of a hurricane blowing in, I wasn’t about to miss this.

The roads were pretty slippery on the way over to Margarita’s Salon, but I stuck the Jeep in 4-wheel drive and drove slowly. I made it in plenty of time, and even had a chance to eat lunch before she started to work on me.

It’s wild, you know, my hair had grown a full half an inch in 5 weeks! I was amazed. I thought perhaps I would just have my locks dipped into the fountain of youth, and not trimmed, but after speaking with the ladies in the salon I decided to go for it and continue flirting with the slightly shorter hair style.

By the time we finished, the salting trucks had run down the road and the surface was nice and clear. I spoke with Hubby who told me he’d not gone to get the mail after he skied, so I stopped and picked it up. Nothing earth moving, mostly just ads.

Then I came home and Hubby needed the magnifier and I could not find it. I’d moved everything during Christmas and since I still have all my decorations out, I could not find it. After nearly an hour I gave up and went out to our camper and got the second one. I know Hubby isn’t happy, but I also know I will find the other one when I put everything away and get things back in order.

However, it always upsets me when I can’t find things. So another resolution is to ORGANIZE!!!!! Which is tough, when you are basically not an organized person!

Oh well, there is much about me that is great! The Lord must have felt I could get by without the organization gene!

Happy New Year to all of you!!! And…here we go!

1. Wait, wait The New Year is here and we have many days to fill with joy.
2. No doubt about it, I am sure things about me are a little different.
3. In addition, I would like to thank everyone for making the last twelve months so wonderful.
4. Help yourself, and feel at home, is the way we do it here!
5. At the end of the year, I like to look back at all that has been and then look ahead to all I can see ahead of me.
6. My grand-baby is one of the things I’m looking forward to in 2012.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a warm fire in the hearth, tomorrow my plans include getting a few things for New Years Eve and Sunday, I want to watch parades and make a nice brunch!

This is the New Year addition where I tell you all the things I am hoping to accomplish. In recent years I have been pretty successful, and I am hoping that 2012 will continue along those lines. So, here we go.

1. I need to get back on track with Weight Watchers and diligently journal what foods I am eating and how much.
2. Move more, We have been deluged with rain for most of November and December, and my little ski area has only opened about 2 days. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get some snow and I can ski.
3. Of course we do have a stationary bike in the basement and a stair stepper, so on those icy days, I can go down there, and work out a little.
4. I’ve been thinking of doing Yoga too. I’ve heard it is great for arthritis.
5. I’d like to grow my hair back out some. People were kind when I got it cut, but after the novelty wore off and it started to grow, people told me how nice it looks…longer!
6. I would like to concentrate on one closet a month. I want to empty it, organize and then put things away.
7. I plan to put the Christmas decorations away in well marked boxes that have been organized. I don’t want to be missing my tree topper next year.
8. I would like to go for a walk every day. Be it short or long. A walk.
9. I would like to read one book per month. This means not messing around on the computer as much in the evenings.
10. I would like to spend time with Mandy and the baby and share in her happiness!
11. I cannot believe I will be a Grammy in June!!!
12. I want to see a few movies, maybe one per month in the theaters. (Should there be any good ones come out.)
13. Last but not least, I want to really enjoy my upcoming vacation with Hubby. We’re planning some really exciting things, like my first swim with Dolphins!

I’m borrowing this from my blog friend, Marti. It seems with the week being so busy my brain is all but dead of creative thought. I I am doing this Christmas Meme, the off I’ll go to wrap!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Both. It really depends on the item. I do have to tell you a funny thing. This summer I bought a present and wrapped it up. When I was in my closet taking inventory, I saw the box and could remember what was inside! I had to open it to determine whose present it was!

2. Real or artificial tree?

Up until a few years ago I always had a real tree. Then I discovered I had terrible asthma during December. Once I stopped getting a real tree and only used an artificial one I stopped having a problem.

3. When do you put your tree up?

Usually right after Thanksgiving, but this year I didn’t due to a sore back. I think it was about the 10th of December.

4. When do you take your tree down?

Usually about a week after New Years. This year I am doing a clear out of all the Christmas items I don’t use.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Oh I love eggnog! Sadly, so. It is so rich. I try to get the low fat version, but that usually sells out first.

6. Do you have a nativity scene?

Two, actually. When Hubby was in the military he spent time making them. One for his family and one for his parents. Now we have both.

7. Favorite Christmas Movie?

It’s a Wonderful Life”. After my car accident and the death of my younger daughter, I had so much anger. I felt I should have died and not Katie and many hours were filled with questions and desperation. One night during the year when “It’s a Wonderful Life” was on, again and again, the movie spoke to me. I was here for a reason. God doesn’t make mistakes. Now, all these years later, I see the lives I have touched and I realize that indeed, it is “A Wonderful Life”!

8. Favorite Christmas cookie?

Snickerdoodles & Lebkuchen!!!

9. Where will you eat Christmas dinner?

Home. Just me and Hubby. The day after, Mandy, Matt, Janet and Dave will come for a big turkey dinner!

10. Angel, bow or star on top of your tree?

A lighted star and red-haired Angel!

11. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

The pushing and the shoving in the stores. “Things” are not the most important gifts. This year my family will be getting small items that I know they love and need.

12. Do you like Fruitcake?

Yes, I do. If you warm it up a little and pour a tot of rum on it, it is even better!

13. What are you most excited about the holidays?

Spending time with Hubby, Mandy, Matt, Janet and Dave! The best.

14. Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

Christmas morning.

15. Will you still be wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

No, I have it programmed in for Thursday night!

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?

We’ll be having two Christmas’s. The 25th it will be just Hubby and me (and the dogs) round the table. I am making Prime Rib, baked potatoes, brussel sprouts and pearl onions. For dessert, my much loved pumpkin pie.

The day after Christmas is when Mandy and Matt and Janet and Dave will be here for a family dinner. I’m cooking turkey and chestnut stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and green beans. Dessert will be apple pie and left over pumpkin. I love it. Christmas will last more than just one day!

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?

I don’t think I have one. I do love Snickerdoodles, but I don’t have cookies in my house often!

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)

I have fat free milk on hand, but today I bought low fat eggnog! Oh total yumminess!~

4. Time magazine recently named their ‘Person of the Year’ for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose ‘The Protester’. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?

The people who stand outside, working for the Salvation Army. They ring the bells to help the poor and homeless. They do good works in a positive way and I say, God Bless!

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day… when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?

Hubby and I always need a flashlight and we keep one right with our pills. We also keep one next to the back door for when we walk the dogs at night. I used the flashlight just this morning.

6. candy canes…yum or yuck?

Love ’em! But do not eat them.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

This always makes me cry, just a little.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We were up town today (by this I mean 30 miles from home) doing our last minute shopping, and I stopped in the vision center to see if my glasses had come in. THEY HAD!!!! I am so happy with them. Not only do I like the new frames, but I can see so much better! Yippee!!!!!

Anyone in the holiday spirit? I’m getting there. So…here we go!

1. As I neared the end of the path, I could see the bright lights of Christmas decorating the town.

2. My computer and the infamous Christmas letter we write is what I’m reading right now. It’s full of all the latest news.

3. I didn’t start out this way, but time, and love and helped make me the person I am.

4. There is nothing I want this year for Christmas. To tell the truth, Mandy and Matt and the baby all healthy and happy are the best gift of all!

5. The best way to celebrate Christmas, is with those you love.

6. This is the reason I am so happy these days!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a little party at a friends house, tomorrow my plans include truly, I would like to get the laundry done and Sunday, I want to work on and finish writing out my Christmas cards!

Monday was a good day. I slept in, and when I did get up, had a nice breakfast of cereal, bananas and milk! Do not ask me why, but somehow this thrilled me! Later we went to the doctors, where we then passed our physicals with flying colors. I also actually feel better and my back is not nearly as painful. Yes, life is good.

Hubby and I also went out after our physicals and shopped. It felt good to stretch my legs, and walk around. I really enjoyed seeing the decorations in the stores and although we only bought avocados and bread, we enjoyed walking through the new grocery store in the next town.

Dinner was easy as can be. Leftover pork loin roast, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and our own apple sauce, that I thawed, from our freezer. I was glad it was so easy as today, well, I just wasn’t in the mood to cook.

As Hubby and I drove home from the shops, it was getting dark, and there were beautiful Christmas lights shining on homes along the way. It made me feel all happy and warm.

Oh, how I love Christmas!