The END of 2008...

Reflecting back on this past year...it was a relatively quiet year, "The Wedding" of my Step-son and his New wife, Our trip to Las Vegas and our week Camping with my Grandkids and kids, are the 'Most Memorable "HAPPY" Moments of 2008'.

The 'Sad Moments' were the LOSS of Our Beloved kitty "MISTER" (will repost picture later), our Boston Terrier "STORY" and my Boxer "JAZZE JOSEPHINE BLUE"

And even though we now have our new little beloved "SUGAR", the house and everyday moments are not the same....they are missed tremendously!

And on the LIGHT SIDE of LIFE.....for the past 5- 6 weeks, I have been setting up a SALTWATER Aquarium. I Have everything I need, right?! Tank, heater, light, lid, thermometer, LIVE SAND and LIVE ROCK....I wait a couple of weeks, while daily checking the water to make sure it will be safe for the new future inhabitants...FINALLY I go to our local Aquarium store to purchase 3 inexpensive Damsels, 2 yellow tail and 1 Domino ( I decide to go with the lest expensive fish, JUST IN CASE!) I am SO PROUD...I bring the little fella's home and acclimate them accordingly to their NEW HOME! I have the tank close to my computer area...where I can see them....I keep a close watch on them...enjoying every moment of their discovering their new home...but wait...something is wrong...one at a time...they are not acting right...I check the water levels again, the temperature, I am GLUED to the Glass...trying to figure out WHAT IS WRONG... THEY ARE DYING AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO!!! AND THIS IS ALL WITHIN A THREE HOUR period of purchase! By now the Aquarium store is Closed, I am panicking. I rush into our local all around pet store with a sample of water...it checks out good and OK! I GO HOME... the little fellas have all expired! I AM DEVASTATED! I wait another 10 days...checking water daily. Still wondering what could have gone wrong! Last weekend I take a sample of the water to the Aquarium Store...they test it...It is good water! I run to my hubby and tell him everything is okay...I can try again...and so the guy follows me to the area where I will pick out my new fish...when we get to the tanks...he looks at me and asks DO I WANT Saltwater fish...ummm....DUH...YES! HE looks at me like I'm a little crazy and says...lets check your water salinity...OKAY.....Welllllll... it seems I HAVE NO SALT in MY SALTWATER Aquarium...The guy smiles at me (the kind of smile that says...Is this lady NUTS!)...and very politely, takes me to the area and patiently shows and tells me what and how to add the salt! (The whole while this is all going on, good ole' hubby...is just wandering around the store...acting like he's not with me!)

SO as of now I have had SALTwater for 4 days and yesterday, (ALONE), I purchased 3 more little guys...1 Domino, 1 Yellow tail and 1 Blue Damsel. And I am very PROUD to say....they are all still ALIVE...they even ate last night! My whole GOAL is...if I can accomplish the whole saltwater tank thingy...Someday...I want SEAHORSES! But at $90-$700 for 1 Seahorse...You can be CERTAIN...I will make sure I KNOW what I am doing!

OKAY...back to the end of 2008...instead of making NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS this year, Which the Resolutions are NEVER kept, I have decided to make a list of things I want to do/accomplish that are REALISTIC! LATER......

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!

Christmas Is.....

Memories Shared....

Family...

Traditions.....

Blessings....
Wonderment...JOY...

Laughter.......
AWE......

Birthday celebration....

Today is the Day...

Let us all remember the true meaning of this day...and be Thankful for all Family and Friends....

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

I am so Grateful to GOD for the Family and the Friends that he has given to me!

OMG....What....

Just when you thought you have seen it all.....Going to town yesterday....two cars in front of me, I see a lighted reindeer, (you know the kind you put in your front lawn)...okay....TIED TO THE ROOF OF A CAR!
OF all times to leave the camera at home! Traffice is flowing...at the next stop light I am sitting right beside this car....not only is the Reindeer standing on the roof of the car, it also has lights all over the top...and then I look down ...."lighted" candy canes tied on each fender.....I have seen Wreaths tied to the front or back of cars before.....but this was unbelievable.....
ummmm........what can I do like that for next year!

Winter is upon us...

Christmas is a necessity...

There has to be at least one day of the year

to remind us

we're here for something other than ourselves.

May you have the Gladness of Christmas which is Hope;
The Spirit of Christmas which is Peace;

The Heart of Christmas which is Love. LOVE is what's in the room with you at Christmas,

if you stop opening presents and listen!

As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be.....Christmas is.

(pictures are of out back of our first snow)

Decorating for Christmas...

Putting up the Christmas decorations, usually takes me about a week.

Each year I try to do different colors or themes....this year, a couple of weeks ago, I was playing the Bubble Shooter game...I got down to the last 2 colors...and it hit me...THOSE are the colors I want to use for Xmas decor this year!!! (At least in the family room). So this year the colors are turquoise and lime green. Still in the process of purchasing more to add. And the stockings are NEW, but will be replaced. (Originally, I was going to do a "Country Christmas", which I have never done before.)The living room is gold and white, the dining room are Burgundy, gold and green and the kitchen will remain the same...Gingerbread men.

The Diva came and spent Saturday night with us and caught her in her baby sisters room, playing with the doll houses.

After Pa came back from ANOTHER unsuccessful night of hunting, We played a game of CLUE and watched White Christmas. Of course the Diva wasn't into the movie very much.

After looking at my countdown clock this morning, I realize I really need to do some SERIOUS Shopping...maybe next week. I'm already feeling STRESSED! The older the Grandkids get, the HARDER it is to FILL their STOCKINGS.

Tomorrow, I think the LUV and I will go visit Santa at the Mall....the lil darling LOVES to go to the Mall...

Back to Decorating (and painting)

Our FIRST Snow...

This was our First Snow for this season.... it was still dark out at 7:00 am.

The snow was still falling and it was one of those very hushed, quiet snows....you could have heard a pen drop. BEAUTIFUL!

BLACK FRIDAY SALES...

Well this is the "first" year in a long time that I was not out there at 4am shopping.
Although PP was and still is. I believe she left around 3:30 this am....I am going out later this afternoon... which is still suicidial!

The Rock and I spent a quiet and relaxful day together for Thanksgiving. We still had the Turkey, noodles, scalloped corn, sweet potatoes, dressing, cranberries, etc etc, which all was excellent...later we watched the movie Hancock...

This just in...PP just called me... after 4 hours of early morning shopping to report on what she purchased and the crowds...YEAH! Gotta GO!! 26 days left

Wishing everyone a Safe and Blessed Thanksgiving!

I am Thankful for my Children and Grandchildren and my Husband, who all love me unconditionally!

I am Thankful for my health...even though I complain (to myself and to God) ...I look and see someone worse than I am and I'm truly thankful that I have to take only a cholestral pill and that happy pill every day.

I am Thankful for where God has me in my life at this moment!

( I hope he gives me years more of Moments)

I am Thankful that God has made me the person I am.

(But God...could you take a few pounds off of me!)

I Love my Babies and my life...Thanks be to God!

TURKEY DAY TODAY

Today is our "THANKSGIVING" with my mother and family.
Coooked and baked most of yesterday. PP's 'significant other' is going to cook the 2- 22 lb turkeys. I am so grateful for this...I usually cook the turkeys. The Plus side is HE is a GREAT COOK!! His Lasagna is the BEST of the BEST!
Stopped by there yesterday, (to give the Diva her new phone), and one of his desserts did not turn out....HE THREW THE WHOLE DESSERT IN THE TRASH! ..... it LOOKED EDIBLE TO ME!

Still trying to get out of my DEPRESSION of losing Josie! Last night not even the painting helped, so gave it up!
Anyway...looking forward to visiting with family today!

Busy....painting....

Well...I've done the unthinkable, I have painted 3/4 of my living room a "CREAMY WHITE"!
Anyone who knows me. knows I only go for color....usually 'BOLD' color! Must be my metabolism! AND....I LIKE IT! Okay...the other 1/4 Is a deep, rich BURGANDY!
NOW...going to work on the kitchen!!

Happy Birthday Chase!

HAPPY "15th" BIRTHDAY CHASE!
Celebrated Chase's Birthday with family and friends at a Japanese resturant. Our cook was hilarious! He kept a conversation going, with Rennie, and together they had us in stitches!
Great food!!

God grant us the Serenity

to accept the things we cannot change,

the Courage to change the things we can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference.

In Memory of....

Jazze Josephine Blue August 25, 2000-November 4, 2008

"My Best Friend and Companion"

I miss her so much!

40 YEARS AGO TODAY....

LOOK WHO IS 40 YEARS OLD TODAY!

Pleasing Procrastinator

After putting me in 18 hours of excruiating pain (no spinal) and making me gain 75 lbs.,

Out came this BEAUTIFUL 6 lb baby girl.

November 3,1968.

She is the center of my lifeline, whom has added 2 more

BEAUTIFUL and PRECIOUS girls to my life!

I am Proud of the woman you have become!

I LOVE YOU and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Halloween Camping

Camping at Raccoon for the Halloween weekend.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

YEAH...I have color in my hair

WHEW!! I was getting tired of wearing hats! I think I was holding my breath through the entire process of coloring my hair this time! But when dried...it looks great!
And yes CLady...I think I might try going to a real beautician from now on!
And yes Keeper....I am laughing NOW! The purple was great for Halloween. BUT. unfortunately, I'm just to old to carry that look off, even if my mind is young!

Bad Hair Day...!

WELL...I've done it again! screwed with my hair! actually, it was a complete accident this time.

all I did was try to color my roots....thought I would go with a little different color...so I mixed 2 colors together...

WELL I did not get a picture of the final results, ...

my roots were PURPLE and the rest of my hair turned BLACK!

Great for Halloween! But there is no way I could go out in public that way.

So out came the hats!

Day 2) Stopped at the local salon store and they recommend a peroxide/dish soap treatment....tried that and NOTHING happened!

Day 4) Went back to the local salon store and purchased a "color remover kit"

My hair is now a brassy blonde/brown!

(My roots are WHITE!)

AND my hair is pretty much FRIED!

(even used the "special" conditioners!)

AND I am out of cigarettes!

I have been trying to quit smoking...was down to 3-5 cigarettes a day

(compared to 30 a day)

So the delima now is...do I go ahead and put the new color on my hair....

(I am sure it will still not turn out , because of my roots )

I have pretty much spent $$ what it would have cost to just go to a real salon to have it taken care of properly and I am sure it will have to be cut now

( I look terrible in short hair!)

The Corn Maze

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Last Weekend...

Last weekend, the Diva and one of her friends(Gym) spent the weekend with us.
It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend! We had plans to go to one of the areas Corn Mazes...but when she found out I was going to buy some birds for the 'new' birdcage, she decided we should do that first instead! So off to the local Pet store...I knew what I wanted...Finches. I've had them before. Max and Mabel even had several babies before I gave them up. But I really missed that little chirping sound they use to make. The Diva wants me to get something she can hold and pet etc... and she ususally gets her way....except this time....after we spend 20-30 minutes in the store, while I am trying to decide on the breed I want ....we finally come home with 2 Spice Finches. If you know anything about birds, you know that Finches are the flightiest birds on the planet. Small and quick and hard to catch....(It took the guy at the store several times before he could catch the 2 for us...they kept getting away from him) We get them home...go into the bathroom, shut the door (we have two cats) and start setting up the cage....Of course, Diva HAS to be the one to put them into their new home....okay!! Whoops! IT got away! So there we are, all 3 of us (Gym too) in the bathroom chasing a bird. Next one, I tell Diva, I will get and that won't happen! Whoops! Wrong! All the while we are in the bathroom(chasing birds) the Rock is sitting in his recliner listening to us and Beans and Booker (cats) are waiting at the door, just hoping we slip up might open up that door. Whew! We finally get them in! But now I have to hang them up so HIGH and away from any objects that the kitens can't climb on, that I can barely see them!
BUT at least I can hear that sweet lil chirping sound!


So meet...."Louie" and "Chanel". (named by the Diva and Gym)

"Church Sale"

Last friday...one of the local country churches was having their annual "Garage

Sales". These are great sales....Everything you can fit into 2 sacks is $1. I went on the 2nd day...and only picked up what I thought I really needed! The round cake pans, definately and the weight scale, only to weigh letters. A fish bowl for 'peepers' and a couple of crafty items I will use later. The other bag I stuffed with 2 cute sweaters for PP. A really cute pink kitten raincoat for 'peepers', along with a cute vest and top...all were name brand and like new condition. Also got a 'Retro style' jacket for myself and a bird cage that I have been wanting. The bird cage of course did not fit into the bag, but only cost $2.50...Woohooo. Total trip cost me $3.50. Love these kind of sales!

Happy Birthday SAMARA!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Happy Birthday Ren....

Make a Smilebox greeting

Lane of Corn

This is really insignificant...but I love our 'lane of corn'. We actually live in the woods, but to get to the woods, you have to drive 1/4 mile down a gravel lane lined with corn, It is our own private secluded entrance. (Except every other year when it is beans) But I love the corn Walls! (this is seed corn Jules!) There are actually 8 other homes on the lane where we live but each home is situated on 5-10 acres and all around is nothing but the woods. So in the summer, it is really hard to see our neighbors.

Going to...

closer view of going to the woods...
~~~

Way, way, way behind our house, there "swing bridge" going across a creek...apparently the owner on the other side built this back in the 80's ...it is so neat and peaceful to walk back there sometimes and just sit to listen to the creek and the sounds of nature.

The 'Diva' about 5 years ago, walking across the 'swing bridge'.

My Lil Cheerleader...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Tagged by The Keeper

This will be the one and only time I will do this~and only for my luv for The Keeper

7 Things to do before I die...

1) Live to see my Granbabies married w/Children!

2) Become more involved with Church

3) Get down to and STAY a size 8 !

4) Take Dance Lessons

5) Have a face lift

6) Have another home in the south!

7) Pay off all of my kids mortages and loans! That way when I do go ...if there is any $$$ left...they can just enjoy it!!!

7 Things I CAN do...

1) Love UNCONDITIONALLY!

2) Sit at the computer ALL DAY!

3) Shop all day and still NOT DROP!

4) Complain all winter because it's too cold and I have to wear heavy clothing!

5) Remodel rooms at least every 3-6 months

6) PRETEND things are okay even when they're Not!

7) Start ONE project and end up making it 3-4 differnt projects!

7 Things I CANNOT do...

1) Carry a tune...next life time I want to be able to do this!

2) SEE a frigging thing without glasses...this really bothers me!

3) Think of "witty" things to say at the correct moment and time....The Keeper and PP are very GOOD at this!!

4) Have a job in the Summer months!

5) Ease the hurt/heartache(that is out of my control) of someone I love!

6) Go across a bridge without being Freaked out!!!

7) Have everything I want at the moment I want it!!!

7 Things that attract me to the opposite sex...

1) Eyes

2) The smile and the smile in the eyes

3) Hands (you can see a lot by a guys hands)

4) Tone of Voice

5) Their compassion towards others

6) Sense of Humor

7) Overall mannerisms

7 Celebrity Crushes... I have never been a real fanatic about celebrities, but these "9" guys stand out the most...

1) GABRIEL BYRNE (1950) The Whole Package!

2) Billy Dee Williams (1937) something about his eyes and smile...

3) Sam Elliot (1944) His voice...

4) Patrick Swayze (1952)

5) Harrison Ford (1942) Cute when he smiles

6) Kevin Costner (1955) Certain movies makes him stand out

7) Lou Diamond Phillips (1962)

8) Robin Williams (1952) His humor

9) Denzel Washington (1954) His body

Now that is done...

Sad News

Sad news...the newlywed couple had to cut the honeymoon short (by 3 days)...the brides grandfather passed away yesterday. They left the island shortly after they found out. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to them and her families!

Good news....here are a couple of pictures of the couple the day before....they will still have alot of good memories of the

past 2 weeks......