Harley Thor Promersberger

This is the "official" name of the newest addition to our family. He is a 10 week old black lab puppy who we named Harley. He is a really good puppy and his cuteness makes up for the couple of times he did his "business" inside. He has done really well with figuring out he needs to go outside to take care of that. We enjoy having him around!

Side note: I actually bought 22 wreaths! Haha! We had to leave them at Grandmother's house in PA so we would have room to go and pick up Harley.

Happy New Year!

Christmas at the Promersbergers

I tried to post this blog the other day but for some reason had serious computer problems. So we will try it again.

Even though I was extremely low on Christmas spirit this year, we have some Christmas decorations up. I would have been just fine with no decorations but my Chris asked if we could please put some - just a little bit - up. Then of course when my friend Cheri (Miss I-have-SO-many-decorations-my-wrapping-paper-even-has-to-match-my-tree. Gotta love her!) found out there would be no tree she put a stop to that. She brought me over a little tree and then helped me put up the garland on the fence. It all did turn out very nice. I plan on leaving the garland on the fence up for the winter months - it should look really pretty with some white snow on it!

That is about the extent of our Christmas decorations. At least our stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

The Little Man and I picked this up for Sissy the other day. Think it's enough??? :) Blog-Savvy Momma: You're drooling and salivating on your keyboard. :)

Tag, I'm it

I was "tagged" by Blog-Savvy Momma (haha - how do you like that name?) to share 7 random facts about myself.

Random Fact #1: Every month my hair HAS to get cut . . . and it has to be different. It doesn't have to be a major change it can simply be that it gets cut just a tensy tiny bit different that only I will notice. I also have the best hair dresser (are they still called that?)! She humors me each and every month!

Random Fact #2: When I sneeze it is a little tiny sneeze - my Chris calls it "his little mouse fart." Wow did I just type that word on my blog???

Random Fact #3: I have several nicknames. Growing up my dad always called me "Pooh" or "Pooh Bear" - he actually still calls me that on occasion. My sister called me "EA" (pronounced E-ah) growing up - she now calls me "Sissy." And my Chris calls me "Sunshine."

Random Fact #4: I sleep with a stuffed monkey whose name is Stooge. He is actually a puppet stuffed animal. I believe he is real and on occasion hold conversations with him. This fact scares my Chris something fierce. It is then followed by the following conversation.

Chris: "Lisa, Stooge is not real. You do realize that, don't you? I hope you do because it really scares me to think that you really think he is real. Repeat after me: Stooge is not real, he is a stuffed monkey."

Me: "Stooge is real, he is not a stuffed monkey." (I can't help it that I get some words jumbled up in there.)

The rest of the conversation is simply this over and over until, amist much laughter, I give in and quietly whisper what Chris wants me to say (see I can't even say it on here). However, he persists until I say it loud enough for Stooge to hear. Yes, I usually go back and tell Stooge I didn't mean it and Daddy really does believe he is real. :) My Chris and I have such fun together! I love him dearly!

Random Fact #5: I have a thing about germs. Each Sunday after we shake hands and welcome those around us, I quietly slip out my hand sanitizer and put some on. Germs, people, germs!

Random Fact #6: I do not eat seafood. Shark has made me seriously ill in the past and now I refuse to eat anything that comes from the ocean. I mean really what do fishy things eat and drink? There are many children and, of course, other fishies who swim (or whatever) in the ocean - 'nough said!

Random Fact #7: 99.8% of the shoes in my closet are backless. I cannot stand shoes with backs on them. The only shoes I really wear that have backs are my snow boots for obvious reasons. There are probably 2 pairs in there with backs on them but I never wear them. Scandalous I know - those heels showing at all times. :)

Hope you have enjoyed these 7 very random facts!

It's Caleb's birthday!

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Caleb
Happy birthday to you!


Wow! Auntie Lisa can't believe it!! Caleb turns 6 today! Happy birthday! Caleb: You will get your birthday gift from us at Christmas time (hope that's ok).

Uncle Chris says "Happy birthday, buddy! I love you!"

I love you too, Caleb!
Auntie Lisa

"C" what I'm thankful for

I gave in. Sissy and a friend (my sister calls her our blog savvy friend) challenged others to a "thankful game." I have to post about 10 of my favorite things that start with the letter "C." I begged and pleaded for an easy one - thanks Sissy, you did a great job! "C" was a great letter!

1. Christ. How can this one not be first?!?! I am very thankful for Christ and His work on Calvary.

2. Chris. Oh my, I am so very thankful for my Chris! Since sappy isn't in the list of requirements to do this, I'll save you all but know that I am very thankful for him. He is a wonderful husband and father! I love you my Chris!

3. Christmas. Although you wouldn't be able to tell this year because I have a limited supply of Christmas cheer, I am thankful for Christmas. Not only do I get presents(!) but it is also a time to be together with family!

4. Chocolate. I can't believe I put this on a thankful list since chocolate is not my go-to dessert. However, I do enjoy Dove Promises and am thankful they are small yet yummy!

5. Comfy clothes. If you know me, I am thankful - oh so thankful - for comfy clothes (aka: jeans, sweatshirt)! Since I stay home most days, this is what I wear 99.9% of the time. So snuggly and warm! ** Please note that was 2 "C's". :)

6. Children. I am thankful that God blessed us with our little girl, Victoria, even if for a short time. I am also thankful for the other children in my life - this is a shout out to Caleb and Kalei - and of course, the Little Man.

7. Computer. A teen girl just said to me today, "What would we do without computers?" For real! I mean like seriously like what if we had to go to the library to look stuff up or hand write letters to people? I guess most of us are in the "between era". We grew up having to go to the library and hand write letters but now we are able to do all of that via a computer. I am also thankful for the friends I've been able to keep in contact with or get-back-into contact with because of the computer.

8. Chipper (my car). Chipper is almost 9 years old and has been the best car! We have had hardly any problems (except for the occasional time that the driver's side window won't go up. This usually happens during exceptionally cold or rainy days.). He has been a great car and I am thankful that he is so healthy and that we actually have cars available to us! (How would I get all my Wal-mart bags home on a horse???)

9. Cooking spray. Honestly this is one that simply popped into my head and made me really think. I am quite thankful for cooking spray because without it all my food would stick to my pans and then the scrubbing would be terrible! So there you go, didn't expect that one did ya?

10. Curves. Old people workout place? Yep, but I love it there! All the "old" ladies there are super sweet and sometimes I'm sad I have to leave because they are having so much fun. I'd probably be more thankful if more pounds came off after I went there but that probably has something to do with the intake of food.

Advent

Lately this word has come up and I'd never taken the time to really think about what it is or means. In my mind, it has always been associated as "a Catholic thing." So, tonight since my mind is restless and I can't sleep, I looked it up.

Advent means "coming" or "arrival." Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.

This really struck me. Advent started this past Sunday. Since then how much of a spirit of expectation, anticipation, of preparation, of longing have I had? I've anticipated vacation - certainly have had a longing for it, but for the celebration of the birth of Jesus?

This time of year is always so busy for us. We are busy with angel visits (teens dress up in angel costumes and go to homes and share the Christmas story from an "angel's" point of view), Christmas musical drama, living nativity as well as "regular" church activities all the while trying to keep up with housework, buy the remaining gifts and get ready for vacation. We prepare for so many other "good" things but we forget to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Messiah. But yet as we focus on the coming Messiah, we are reminded that without Christmas we would not have Easter. "It is only as we experience that full cycle, beginning with unbridled joy in Advent that slowly fades into the realization of what we have done with and to the Christ, that the awful reality of Good Friday can have its full impact." Praise God for the birth of the baby Jesus, but oh what joy that Easter took place. The time when that same baby, grown up as a man, took all of the wrath for our sins upon Himself giving us the wondorous freedom, that upon accepting His work on the cross for our sins, we may have eternal life with God in Heaven.

So I must recant my previous thinking of Advent being "a Catholic thing" since as Christians we should have such a spirit of anticipation every day. Anticipation for the birth of Jesus - yes. But also a spirit of anticipation, of longing - longing to be in the presence of God through Scripture reading and prayer. Interestingly, Advent is also a time of preparation marked by prayer. There are many daily prayers that can be read specifically for the time of Advent. Today's Advent prayer is this:

Almighty God, help us to look forward to the glory of the birth of Christ our Savior: His coming is proclaimed joyfully to the ends of the earth, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

To Christ our Redeemer, who comes to save us from our sins, let us cry out with joy:

Come, Lord Jesus!

One Year Ago

One year ago they told us we were having a little girl. We named her Victoria Michelle.

One year ago they told us she would not live longer than 2 weeks. She lived 6 more weeks.

One year ago God seemed far away. He was there all the time.

One year ago my faith and belief in God was shaken. It did not crumble - it got stronger.

Time flies by quickly! It is hard to believe a year has gone by. My heart hurts to think that in 6 short, yet long, weeks she will have been gone for one year.

Oh how I miss my sweet baby girl, Toree. So many times we go somewhere and I think, "Toree should be here with us." She may not be here but praise God she is tucked away safely in His loving arms.

Miscellaneous Pictures

Chris at the Faculty v. JrHigh soccer team game.

Chris sleeping on the living room floor (note his great balancing act while sleeping)

QVC

Quality - Value - Convenience

Today we took a tour of the QVC Studio Park in West Chester, PA. Chris is off of work for the week and his mom is here visiting for Thanksgiving. So off we all went - Chris, his mom, me and the Little Man. Boy, props to all you moms out there!! This is the first time that we have taken the Little Man somewhere "far" (1 hour) away for an all day excursion. I probably took more than what was necessary but I was quite nervous on not having something that he needs. Needless to say, he did fine and didn't starve or have a diaper blow out. Whew!

The tour was quite informative to the non QVC-er and the cool part was we got to go out on a catwalk over the studio being shown on TV live. Of course, Chris and I had to take turns going out there because the Little Man decided that he would be as loud as he could in the "Quiet Please" section. You would think he could read already.

There is also a store there although I, personally, was disappointed with its semi-small size. Chris and I didn't get anything, but Chris' mom did buy several Christmas presents.

We then drove to the King of Prussia Mall to eat lunch and check out the clearance section in DSW. No buys there either.

Thursday Chris' brother and sis-in-law will be coming up for Thanksgiving along with their little yappy dog, Giddy. I'm thankful to be able to sleep in on Thursday and Friday!!

Chris' Birthday Pictures

Just realized that I never posted pictures of Chris' birthday - Enjoy!

A nice saute pan from his mom and sis.

Money from "BB" to put towards a leather motorcycle jacket. :)

Money from Mom and Dad (for the motorcycle)

Harley-Davidson coffee and hoodie

Do you see a theme in this year's gifts??? :)

On the Map

Hamilton is on the map!! The Christmas tree for Rockefeller Center is from a local nursery, Tree King. Sissy called and let me know so the Little Man and I headed over there to check it out (Thanks Sissy!). When we got there the tree had already been cut down but was being tied down on the truck. "The Girls" are planning on going to NYC this winter so I will be certain to put an "after" picture up.

Apparently this is what the tree looked like before it was cut down (I hope it gets prettier after they decorate it!)

And then we went home because the Little Man was super tired!!

The weight, er I mean, the wait is on

Yes, yes, the weight is on but the wait is also on to get the weight off. It probably doesn't help that I have had these cookies laying around.




Mmm! Pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! Weight . . . wait before you gross out at the combination they are scrumptuous cookies (they are totally good frozen or, as I found out this weekend, with pumpkin dip)! Just ask anyone in my family they'll tell you - delicioso!

Wow, I got sidetracked. Anyway, I am now attending Weight Watchers and am still going to Curves. I have lost a whopping 2 pounds! But then again I, quite obviously, wasn't trying exceptionally hard. So now I'm trying. My Chris has also been quite sweet to watch the Little Man for me in the mornings while I go work out at 7 am. Early start to my day so I can come home and stuff my face. Oh man . . . excuse me while I go give myself another pep talk.

You know you're in a redneck church if . . .

1. the finance committe refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

2. the preacher says "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering" and five guys and two women stand up.

3. a member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of."

4. the choir is known as the "OK Corale."

5. the collection plates are really hubcaps from a '56 Chevy.

6. the bathrooms are outside.

7. in the annual stewardship drive there is at least one pledge of "two calves."

8. high notes on the organ set dogs in the parking lot to howling.

9. the preacher drives his John Deere to church (his truck is up on blocks in his front yard).

10. the final words, of the benediction are, "Y'all come on back now, ya hear!"

Update: My Chris asked me what brought on this post? Well, my last post before this was about the election and I guess I'm kinda being a sore loser although I can claim just wanting something else up on the blog that was a little bit lighter.

Election Day 2008

Well, tomorrow is the big day . . . Election Day! First, let me say this: Oh, I cannot wait for it all to be over! The ads on TV, the topic of every conversation, the talk of every morning show, the news and on and on it goes. It is very scary but in the middle of scary is a calm peace knowing that God already knows the outcome and He knows what is best for us. Trust Him and get out and vote - your life may just depend on it!!

Hmmm . . . who do you think my vote is for???

My Bones Are Showing

Redneck-ness

We have once again reverted back to "redneck-ness". It all began with our fridge being on the front porch (which by the way still is) and now it has moved to the door leading onto the front porch - apparently it is slowly creeping into the house. NOooo! The window pane is out on the door and with the fall winds blowing it is leaving in a major draft into the house. Chris decided to take care of the problem for me. :)

The Little Man showing off some teeth-ies.

Happy Birthday!

Today is Chris' birthday! Happy birthday my Chris! I love you!

Mmm Mmm Good!

This is a super yummy fall recipe (and super easy)!

Southern Apple Crumble

Filling
3 large apples, peeled, coarsely chopped (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into small pieces

Topping
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 300°F. Spray bottom and sides of 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, toss filling ingredients. Spread mixture in baking dish.
2. In same large bowl, stir cookie mix and melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling.
3. Bake 40 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with pecans. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until topping is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

National Day of Remembrance

Well the Little Man's birthday blog will be short lived because today is the National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. Once again, I will direct you (for those of you who don't read it) to Angie Smith's blog Bring the Rain. I was not even aware that such a day existed but was very comforted to find out that there is such a day.

I did leave a comment and it is around comment #905. As of today at 1 pm, there are well over 1,000 comments on there. It made me very aware that although our loss was great, there are those who have stories so much more heartbreaking than our own.

So today we remember . . . We love and miss you Victoria! Can't wait to see you some day!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Friday the Little Man turned 1! He is in the 75% range for his weight and 75-95% range in his height so his whopping 23 pounds is normal for him! He loves playing with his toys (especially those that make loud noise over and over and over . . . ). He is trying so hard to walk but is still a little too unsteady on his feet. Hard to believe I have been watching him for 7 months now! Chris and I love having him - he has been great practice for us!

Happy birthday Little Man!

Blog to Check Out

Every day I have a "computer routine" - check email, snoop at other people's blogs and see if anyone is dying to be my friend on Facebook. One blog that I read every day is called Bring the Rain (click here) by Angie Smith (her husband is Todd Smith from the singing group Selah). Her blog began when she found out her baby, Audrey Caroline, would not live long after birth (she lived 2 1/2 hours). Seeing as our stories are similar, yet different, I enjoy reading her blog (plus she is super funny!). The funniest so far has to be her blog from today (Wednesday, October 8) called "Funny Kids Stories." If you do not already read her blog, you really should go over there and check it out. Not only is this blog hysterically funny, I think you will really be blessed by her love for God and how she handled the death of her baby girl.

Kitchen Pictures

Sorry it took so long . . .

24

Did any other 24-ers see this??? On November 23 there will be a 2-hour event that will set the stage for Season 7 that starts in January. You can watch a trailer for it (click here). This is what the 24 website has to say:

After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer is wanted by the U.S. government and now stands to lose the only thing he has left: his freedom. Working as a missionary in Africa, Bauer is called upon to stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. First, Bauer must confront his own torturous past and face an impossible decision that will change his life forever.

Jack is back!

There is Always Something Going On

Thursday I drove to PA to pick up Grandmother for the weekend. On our way to leave we stopped by the farm (Oak Grove) I worked at one summer so I could say hello to my friends Lauren and Linnette. While there we noticed that the corn stalks were a very good price ($3.50/stalk) but decided that riding 2 hours with corn stalks in the car was not really high on our "this is fun" list. So instead we simply opted to get some smaller pumpkins, gourds and indian corn.

Grandmother

Friday we headed to Columbus Farmers Market (after looking around at a nursery here in town) to check out the corn stalk prices there. I finally broke down and bought 2 stalks ($6/stalk - just about double the price at Oak Grove Farm). The Farmers Market is approximately 20 minutes away from my house and the corn stalks were approximately 2 feet longer than my car. Yes, it was interesting. We started out with them sticking out the back window. Halfway home we decided to rearrange them and stick them out the front window. That didn't work so we once again stopped and rearranged the corn stalks. We finally got them home and right away put them up but alas the corn stalks were simply not enough. Off we went to Walmart to buy some scarecrows . . . a double curtain rod . . . shower curtain rod . . . and window curtain (the last 3 items were not on the list but were on sale - had to buy them!). It was also decided that the pumpkins I originally bought were too small so plans were made to buy bigger ones on Saturday when I took Grandmother back. Grandmother and I were totally crafty that day. After decorating the corn stalks and scarecrows, we cut and resewed the curtain I had bought (it was too wide for the window but at $1.50 we just cut it down to size).

This one is "Chris"

This is "Lisa and Baby Toree"

Grandmother with the corn stalks and scarecrows

Saturday Grandmother and I head to PA to take her home - I stop at Oak Grove . . . again. This time to buy huge pumpkins (approximately 30 lbs. each which by the way cost $18-$20 here in NJ but only cost me $7.50 at Oak Grove - can't beat the prices!). Thankfully I also grabbed a peach pie to take to our church picnic Sunday. I say thankfully because I got home 2 1/2 hours later than I planned. Why? Chipper (my car) decided to have a flat tire (on the side next to the road) on the PA Turnpike. Sounds simple right. No, only certain people can come and fix cars on the turnpike, blah, blah, blah. It took the guy 2 hours to "find me." The other 1/2 hour later part comes because when you have a dorky donut tire on your car you can only drive 55 mph - yes, on the 65 mph (if you are going slow) PA Turnpike. I felt like a NERD!!! I am very thankful though that I heard the air swooshing out of the tire and was able to quickly get off the side of the road before a huge problem occurred.

My view for 2 hours - w a i t i n g . . .

Rewind to Thursday: my husband buys a Harley motorcycle. He has wanted a motorcycle for quite a while. So he saved up his money and found a great deal on one. It needs some work done on it but once fixed up will be great!

The biker and his babe

Other pictures from the weekend:

Flowers from Grandmother

Dad this picture is for you - it's your parents old house (it doesn't even look the same)