New year...new goals

I like to call them goals and not resolutions. For some reason it makes me feel better if/when I don't achieve them. 2008 has been a pretty good year. I didn't necessarily reach all the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year but I've made progress and that counts. Our family was free of major health problems. My mother-in-law got a new kidney and it is doing well. We really have been blessed.

This year I am going to continue to work on my food storage and emergency preparedness. I'm also going to work on organizing my cupboards and closets. It's time to clean out some of the old and welcome in the new. I have started already in the kitchen. With my Christmas money I bought my very first full set of matching dishes. I have been married 15 years and I've always had bits of pieces of different sets. I went to Bed Bath and beyond but I just couldn't see spending that much money. So, I found these at Fred Meyer.


I really like them the prices were great. I bought 8 big plates, 8 small plates and 8 bowls. I also got a nice set of glasses. Goodbye ugly plastic stuff that I've had forever. I feel like such a grown up.

Sit on a piece of pie...check

No, that is not a typo in the subject line. Christmas Eve I sat on a piece of pie. How did this happen you ask? Well, I'd like to blame myself but I won't. I'll blame Tim. Yes, that sounds better. After dinner I went and got a piece of pumpkin pie with lots of cool whip. I proceed to take my pie to the living room where Tim gives me the "excuse me, where is my pie" look. How dare I forget to get my man some pie. So, I sat the piece of pie in my chair because the side table was full. Do you see where this is going? I proceeded to fetch my honey up a piece of pie and I made sure to tell my father-in-law to be careful not to sit in my chair because of the pie. I know, I'm thoughtful like that. After I gave Tim his pie, I sat down in my chair. As I sat there I thought "now what was I doing before I got my honey his pie" and then it dawned on me. I sat on my pie. The whole family was in the living room so there was no hiding it. I took the teasing and excused myself to clean up my pie. Luckily we had opened gifts already and my sweet mother-in-law bought me new jammies so I was able to change into the cozy fleece bottoms. So, you see how this was all Tim's fault right? LOL :o)

No, I did not take a picture, I wouldn't subject you all to a scene like that. This is a family friendly blog after all.

Missing you mom

I can't believe it's been 3 years ago today that I lost my mom. I really do miss her. She taught me so much about being a mom and that it's much more than just giving birth to a child. She taught me to laugh when things were hard. She taught me that I could be whatever I wanted. She taught me not to live in the past and that the past did not have to define me.

I'm only sad because I can't talk to her today or open her annual musical Christmas card. I know she is in a better place and I know her heart and I'm sure that she has accepted the gospel. She is no longer in pain. She is watching over me. It seems I can feel her near at times. Today is one of those times.

I love you mom. I know I will see you again. I look forward to that sweet reunion. Thank you for all you taught me and for loving that little 5 year old messed up girl when you didn't have to. Thank you for being my mom.

Winter Blast continues

Okay, so you might be tired of hearing about our weather but I'm not and it's my blog so there..LOL

I can't believe how much snow has fallen today. Yesterday a good deal of it melted so all the pics today are what has fallen overnight and today. It's fluffy and beautiful. Not good for snowmen but great for snow angels.

Blake and I went to his school and played on the slides and had a blast today. I even made a snow angel. I didn't take the camera because I didn't want to ruin it so you'll have to trust me that it was awesome.

Here is another pic from our bedroom window, the snow was coming down like mad so it's kind of hard to see.

Here's Lexie playing out in it and having a ball.

I measured what has fallen on one of our chairs today. It's not scientific but you get the idea.

There is more to come and maybe even some freezing rain for good measure. No ward party tonight and no church tomorrow. The forecast for Christmas....40 and raining. Oh well, we can just pretend we had a white Christmas. It's close enough to count in my book.

Date with my son

So, I figured that since I was home again today because of the weather, I would take my son to see "The Tale of Despereaux". The theatre is probably less than half a mile from my house. I could skid that far. We had a wonderful time. The movie was delightful, the popcorn nice and fresh and I couldn't have asked for better company. This movie is a sweet story of courage, honor and chivalry. I didn't know anything about this story. I just heard the other day that there is a book. I'm so glad they made it into a movie. It made for a wonderful date with my son and hopefully a sweet memory for him.

Back to work

It's a good thing I was able to go back to work today or I might have had to start cleaning the closet. Whew, dodged a bullet on that one. There are only so many presents to wrap, treats to make and decorations to put up.

The weather is still a little iffy and we're supposed to get more snow this weekend. I've lived here for 14 years and I can't remember a winter where the white stuff has stuck around for so long. I do realize that it's only a little compared to so many others but for us it's exciting stuff. Our news is having fun covering "Artic Blast 2008" . I'm thinking those from Canada, Minnesota etc would be laughing now.

In other weather related news, my van does not drive well in the snow/ice. I went to work yesterday for a few hours and the weather was getting pretty bad so I proceeded to drive/slide home, praying/pleading for every light to stay green so I didn't have to stop/skid and restart/fishtail. It took me nearly two hours to get home when it normally takes me 35.

Maybe we'll get a white Christmas out of it. But only the kind where you can still drive around and do what you want to.

Winter wonderland and a childs faith

Yesterday it snowed the majority of the day. I love snow!!! Usually when they predict snow it doesn't happen but they got this one right. Today it is sunny and a balmy 28. We aren't supposed to get over 30 until Wednesday when we might get some more snow. Usually in Oregon it snows and it's gone the next day so this is a treat. I scheduled a vacation day today well before I had a clue it was going to snow so that worked out well. I didn't have to worry about trying to get to the office.

Blake and I went to the park down the street and played with his little sled. I decided we should walk over to the school and left the sled at the park. We were gone about 10 minutes and when we got back the sled was gone. It was just a little cheap thing but it really upset Blake. As we were walking back he said that he thought Jesus would know who took it. I told him that he did for sure. He asked that we stop right there and pray about it. So we bowed we our heads and he asked Heavenly Father to help him find the sled or have the person who took it bring it back to us. I am truly touched by his faith and I wish there were something that I could do to bring that sled back to him. I don't know how it will turn out but if ever a little child needs his prayer answered it is now.

Blake in the backyard yesterday.

Lexie when the snow had just started to stick. She thought it was fun to push the snow with her nose and eat it. Not so fun later with a few inches and she got a cold hiney.

The view from my bedroom window. Isn't is beautiful.

Better late than never

Finally.....the tree.

Some of my Favorite Ornaments The first year Tim and I were together. The date is 1991.

Looks kinda of like Lexie.

Announcing the arrival of the our Lord.

Our 9/11 ornament.

Each year we buy one or two ornaments that will represent things that from that year. This year it was the doggie ornament and Blake's transformer ornament which I didn't take a picture of. Then each year as we are decorating it brings to mind so many memories. It's my favorite part of decorating.

Random Happenings

I'm determined not to let the volume of things that I need to get done in the next 16 days stress me out. I refuse to be stressed this season . Does it really matter that I don't have the tree up yet? Not in the big scheme of things. Right? That's what I thought too.

Tonight I am attempting to make fudge for the first time. So far, it's coming out a bit too gritty from the sugar. I'm sure there is some trick or maybe it's just my recipe. The kind I'm making is called Dreamy fudge and it has marshmallows, evaporated milk, butter and sugar and then you add either peanut butter or chocolate chips after you take it off the stove. I tried the chocolate kind first and after hubby gets done making dinner and cookies I'm going to try the peanut butter. Hubby is going to make cookies and then tomorrow we're going to make up goodie bags and deliver them to our home teachers etc. That's the plan anyway. Wish us luck and that the fudge is edible.

The tree, decorations, present wrapping and the rest will get done eventually. I will be over here not stressing about it and enjoying the season. Even if I have to talk myself into every day.

Christmas Tag

I saw this over at Mindys and thought it would be fun and maybe get me in the mood to get some decorating going over here.

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags...Mostly wrapping paper but a few bags here and there.
2. Real Tree or artificial...even though I threaten each year to get a fake one I don't think I could really ever do it. I love the smell and look of a real one.
3. When do you put up the tree?..A couple of weeks before Christmas.
4. When do you take the tree down?... Usually after the New Year.
5. Do you like egg nog?... Yucko
6. Favorite gift received as a child?... Barbies and my first boom box
7. Hardest person to buy for...Tim's parents
8. Easiest person to buy for...Blake and his cousins
9. Do you have a nativity scene...Yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards...Mail--It's a dying art and I'm trying to revive it.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?... That would be mean ;o)
12. Favorite Christmas movie?... White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?... The day after Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? ...Yes, our family has a set of "I'm with Stupid" shirts that go to a different family each year.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? ... Chocolate covered cherries
16. Lights on the tree? ... YES--the blinkier (I just made that word up) the better
17. Favorite Christmas Song?...Mary did you know and O holy night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? ... Home, all of the family is around here
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? ...Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and of Course Rudolph. Yes, I had to sing the song.
20. Angel on top of the tree or star? ...Angel
21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Morning?... Both because we celebrate with each side of the families on different days.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? ... Trying to get it all done and still not forget what it's really all about.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? ... We always call our tree the "Charlie Brown tree" because it has a little of everything and they all mean something. I love all the memories when we hang the ornaments.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?... Ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? ... To not get stressed about all there is to do and focus on the giving.

Home at last

She's finally home. We brought her home last night and she spent the day with our vet getting more IV fluids. Her labs are still a little high so she goes back tomorrow to check them again. Hopefully we'll be in follow up mode now until we get her off the meds. Thank you all for the sweet thoughts for Lexie.

I'm thinking pet insurance is in order for this little undiscerning eater or ours. I mean she eats kitty roca" (if you don't know, don't ask) so there is not telling what's next.