Thirteen Things about Maribeth

1. My best Christmas present ever was my daughter Mandy. She was born 12/20/76!!!
2. I’ve decided my favorite pie is Pumpkin
3. It’s bad to make cookies when you are on a diet! It can drive you insane!
4. I love buying presents for other people.
5. I even buy presents and wrap them for the dogs.
6. I wrote my first fan letter to an artist I discovered in Germany. He draws dackels!!
7. I miss the Christmas’ I spent with my daughters. I would get all sorts of Barbie stuff and they loved it! I did too!!
8. I love Christmas lights.
9. I love writing a Christmas letter each year and putting in pictures.
10. My favorite holiday is actually Thanksgiving. Less stress.
11. The best gifts I give are to my elderly neighbors. I love to see their faces when they open the cookie tin and see the goodies!
12. I always cry on Christmas. Call me sentimental.
13. I love to get Christmas cards!!!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
1.Janet

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Ginger Spice Cookies

* 3/4 cup shortening
* 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup molasses
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add the egg, molasses and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Roll into 1 inch. balls; roll in remaining sugar. Place 1-1/2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. (I always spray mine with Pam) Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 4 dozen.

5 Weird Habits About Myself

Just 5???

5 Weird Habits about Myself

Rules: “The first player of this game starts with the topic “five weird habits of yourself,” and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.”

1.I talk to people while I’m in line at stores or just walking around. No one is safe.
2. I talk to my dogs and I know they understand.
3. I like to get into my pajamas right after I do the dishes in the evening.
4. I must always have socks on my feet
5. I worry about being late for things, so I am always chronically early.

Ok. There you have it. Now, to tag:

1. Casey
2. Loup
3. Amanda
4. GrannyZ
5. Janet
(the art of getting by)

You’re it!!!

Cookie Recipe of the Day

Snickerdoodles

1 cup shortening (I use crisco butter flavor)
1- 1/2 cups sugar
Creme with mixer thoroughly, then add
2 eggs, unbeaten
mix well.
Sift together and stir in:
2- 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. creme of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Chill the dough for about 1 hour. Roll into balls about the size of walnuts and then roll in mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet, gently press each cookie to flatten (not oo much). Bake at 375 degree for about 10 minutes or golden but still soft.
Makes about 5 dozen 2 inch cookies

A Prayer Please

Growing up was not always a happy time for me. My parents were good people, but really had no idea how to raise kids. My mom has suffered from severe depression ever since I was born. In fact, during the first year of my life, she attempted suicide. I never felt bonded with her, and any closeness we have is simply because we happen to share genes.
Dad was one of those removed types. He went to work, came home, ate dinner and went to bed. Or he would go out. There are very few times I can recall actually spending quality time alone with him, or my mom.

But, I was lucky. Besides having the worlds best sister, Mel, (who I have written about) I also had my Aunt Betty and Uncle George. Also known as Aunt George and Uncle Betty! (inside family joke) They came down to our home on Cape Cod several times a year and for 2 weeks every summer. They were the fun in my life. (They are my cousin Janet‘s parents)
Uncle Betty was never too busy to listen to me, or joke with me, or spend just a little time with me when I was growing up. She has a wicked quick wit and sharp tongue, and although I am not biologically related to her, I always tend to think of myself as being like her just a little.
Aunt George taught me to swim, to dive, to bowl, took us hiking and he really liked kids. Unlike my parents who always seemed to be surviving having them. Aunt George is quick with a smile and the gentlest, kindest person I know.
These two adults showed me that grown ups could be kind to kids.

Uncle Betty is pretty sick right now. She’s been in failing health for a while, but it’s gotten a lot worse lately, and she is back in the hospital. I didn’t sleep much last night, because I’m worried about her. I’m also worried about me, about my cousins, Aunt George and my sister. We all love her so much and I can’t imagine not having her in our lives anymore.
So please say a little prayer for her today.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…..

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Oh Christmas tree of Christmas tree…ooooops you all don’t need to hear me singing!

I got our tree up, lights on, including a flashing string, (Hubby loves blinking lights, I’m not a fan) and bubble lights, (also a Hubby favorite) and then decorated with all my ornaments, garlands and tinsel. I spent the entire afternoon doing it while listening to XM radios Holly station, presenting Christmas carols.
Shubi and Greta watched, and poor things, listened to my terrible singing. Usually I have a good voice, but with this lingering throat thing, I sound more like a frog croaking than an true singer.
I put candles in our windows, white bulbs, and today I’ll get the wreath on our door. Things are shaping up. Sometimes I feel like I will just get everything set up and it’ll be time to take it down. I love Christmastime, but it seems to just fly by.
This week, cookie making for my neighbor’s who are shut-ins, and skiing.

Wardrobe Malfunction

This morning we went skiing. I didn’t think that I had too much to write about regarding the skiing, until the wardrobe malfunction!
As I previously wrote, my ski pants were just a little snug since I’ve put on just a little bit of weight. I’m still on the diet and although it looks like this week I will have only lost 1 pound, I’ve been feeling like I was a little thinner and that maybe next week I’ll have another good weight loss. Anyway, I digress.
This morning we were up at 6, dressed, made a thermos of coffee, grabbed the picnic breakfast out of the fridge and jumped in the Jeep. Once we reached the highway, heading to Waterville Valley, I bent forward in my seat to grab the bag with the picnic breakfast in it. When all of a sudden I heard “RRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPP, POP!” The suspender that is on the bib overall ripped right off the back!
Hubby burst out laughing and the words, “When you put that much strain on a little strap like that…” to which I shot a dark menacing glare in his direction!
I tried to play it calmly. Not a big deal. I can fix it later. But Hubby was having fun making rude remarks and teasing the heck out of me.
Then it dawned on me. These bib overalls are 18 years old. The chances are good that the thread just wore away. I looked over at Hubby again, and found that he was enjoying this waaaaaay too much!
We skied. We did 7 runs. The first 4 we literally flew down the mountain hardly stopping to catch our breath.
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We did stop for some sugar free hot chocolate and to rest a bit, and then did three more runs before we stopped. By then, I was literally dragging. Why was this? I skied the other day and felt fine. Today I was totally exhausted. (still am!) Then I remembered. The other day we skied only intermediate trails. Today we skied almost all expert trails!
Once we got home I filled the jacuzzi and hopped in. Once I’d warmed up I stumbled out of the tub and dressed in my sweatshirt and pants.
Now I’m watching TV waiting for Hubby to bring the Christmas tree up so I can decorate it. If he waits much longer, the tree decorating may have to wait until tomorrow.

A Dream about Janet

I had this dream about my cousin Janet. It’s a strange dream, but one she will probably get. Okay here goes…

I was at home when in walks my cousin Janet. She is wearing a woman’s suit! Now this is quit odd in itself because I can name the times I have seen her in a dress, let alone a suit! Anyway, I went over to see her suit and I immediately noticed that the material had the most interesting print. The entire suit was made out of this:
revolver.jpg
Yes, it’s the Revolver album by the Beatles.
She laughed and we stood there as my eyes traveled over the most amazing women’s suit that a Beatles fan can own.

Then Greta kissed my face and I woke up!

So What Did We Do?

We went grocery shopping. Of course. Isn’t that what people do in a blizzard?
Hubby figured that no one would be out driving around and shopping. This was somewhat true. The grocery store was empty, but Walmart was packed!
Hubby is a great driver in snow. We went to the market first and got our groceries. Since I had Hubby with me to ‘help’, he pushed the wagon out to the car.
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I stopped and looked the wreaths, but I just didn’t want all the wet in the car. It was bad enough that Hubby and I got the floor of the car all wet.
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Then we were on to Walmart. It was snowing so heavily then and yet, I was amazed at the number of people out shopping. Doesn’t anyone stay home in a blizzard anymore??
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Driving home was a trip. It was snowing hard, people were driving crazy and I was a tad nervous. As I said, Hubby is an excellent driver in the snow, but some of those other maniacs really scared the heck out of me!
When we got home I had the thrill of watching Greta out in the snow. She just loves it there!
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