Hello 2012

Well, the clock is ticking down on 2011.  It's definitely been a defining year in my life.   Changes beyond my control, tough decisions - some life altering, and yet the constant has been the love of my husband, family and friends.

I'm choosing to say hello to 2012, rather than good bye to 2011.  I'm ready for this new year and the possibilities that lie ahead for me and B and for both of our families. 

And I will continue to live by the words of my not-so-famous, but much-loved mom..."what will be, will be".  Happy New Year!

Another night of shopping...

I left work and headed to the big city to try and finish my Christmas shopping.  So ok, it's not a huge city, and you are right - I didn't get finished.  But I did manage to make myself wicked tired and I think I only have things to buy for B.  That's it.  No one else.  Yep...It's 12 days before Christmas and I'm not panicking.  How to heck did that happen?

I had to take stuff back at each stop along the way.  I think waiting in line to return something is more tiring then waiting in line to buy stuff.  Not sure why, just my observation.

And here's a random remark...I'm watching the Biggest Loser finale and some dude had lost like 151 pounds...that's like a whole person!

Wonderful Weekend

Can I just say that as of this moment - this has been such a wonderful weekend.  We have had no plans, no pressure, and no worries, mon!  Friday night we headed to a local outlet area that has beautiful decorations.  Did a little shopping and took a few pics...

 A sleigh built for two!

 

I would love to wrap all the trees in the woods around our home!

We had so much fun!

Saturday we hung at home, watched movies, did nothing!  It was wonderful.  We went out for a great Italian meal and did a little shopping.

Today we went to church, I stopped by my favorite prim shop and picked up a few things and now we are home, kicked back...the Patriots are on in the man cave, and Law & Order SVU is on in the woman cave.

Loving this weekend!  Because tomorrow...it's back to the rat race!

December!

Yikes!  It's the 3rd day of December already.  Just 22 days til Christmas.  And I thought I was doing good.  Got a lot of gifts already bought, our tree is up and decorated.  The house is as decked out as it's going to be - unless someone lets me loose at a prim store somewhere.  But there's still that little bit of panic when I realize the month is here for that all important holiday.

There will be differences for me this year.  My mom won't be there.  My sister and I decorated at dad's after Thanksgiving.  She is going to put his tree up while he is in Florida for 10 days.  Yep, that's different too.  Dad is flying out on Monday (yes FLYING - 2nd time in his life, woo hoo) to Florida and will return in about 10 days.  I'm excited for him, think the warmth, sunshine and friends there will do him good.  We are going to be celebrating with B's family the day after Christmas due to work schedules, etc.  That's going to be different - we've always celebrated (at least while I've been in the family) on Christmas Eve, or for the past couple of years on the Sunday before Christmas.

It's going to be a great month.  There are lots of things on the horizon that I will tell you about later.  So here's to December!  Glad you are finally here.

Thankgiving Eve & Mom

So tomorrow is the big day.  I've already been on butterball.com to check out how long to cook the turkey that is still probably half frozen.  I think I'm going to miss my Mom more than usual tomorrow.  Especially when it comes to knowing how much seasoning and bread to put in the dressing.  How much water to put on the turkey.  How long do I cook the turnip and squash for Dad.  And most of all, not seeing her beautiful face at the table.  It will be 9 months tomorrow that Mom went to her heavenly home.  Sometimes it seems like much longer, some days it seems like it was just yesterday. 

And even though I miss Mom, I know that she is in a much better place.   I'm thankful that I had her for 47 years. And I'm thankful for my husband, family and friends.   What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twas the week before Thanksgiving

and all through our house...Annie was starting to decorate for the next holiday and has even gone so far to order Christmas cards tonight.  Oh yeah, we're just skipping the fall decorating and moving into the snowmen and Christmas trees.  The house is lit from top to bottom and I'm loving it.

I'd like to have my halls decked before we leave for the Thanksgiving holiday.  B is having dental surgery on Monday, so while he is resting and recuperating I'm going to be decorating. 

Stay tuned...hope to post some pics soon!

Nieces & Nephews

So far tonight I've had a call from one of my nieces to discuss ipods and music and what she might like for Christmas.  And I had another nephew declare on Facebook that he loves his auntie. 

It's been a great night.

Sunday

Today was, what used to be and what I hope to get back to, a typical Sunday.   We were up and at church by 9, in Freeport by 11 for a little Christmas shopping.  Back home by 3, with B in the man cave watching football and me playing house everywhere else. 

It was good to get back to church.  The past year, our attendance has been sketchy at best.  With mom's sickness, B's change to shift work, and my fear of going by myself...well, we have not been great at getting there.  That being said, it was good to go today.  We attend a large church - much bigger then what I grew up in.  We sat with B's cousin and played catch up with what's been going on in her family's life, were greeted by the very first couple (friends of B) who greeted us the very first time we ever attended, and B had a chance to talk to one of his basketball buddies.  All that and we heard a great message.

And Freeport was fun.  We got a few Christmas presents, had a nice lunch, and strolled the sidewalks with all the out of state shoppers, ha ha!

When we got home, I put away Halloween decorations and most of the fall stuff.  I'm so ready to put out my snowmen!  It's been a nice 3 day weekend.   I got some much needed rest, and the stress level was so low.

Going to enjoy these last few hours til Monday!

Shopping - Outlet Style

This weekend I went shopping with 2 great friends to North Conway, NH - outlet mecca!  We spent 2 glorious days hunting for the "big" bargains, using the kabillion coupons I had printed out and filling the trunk and half the backseat of the car.  Not to mention eating without thinking about calories for 36 wonderful hours!  I love shopping and I don't have to be the one spending the money, although trust me, I spent money! I love finding a bargain, picking out clothes or gifts for someone to check out.  In another time, another life, I would have made a great personal shopper.

So, I have had this fascination with UGGS, love them, want them, couldn't bring myself to buy them.  Someone told me that a woman of "my age" shouldn't wear them.  New Hampshire is the land of no sales tax.  We saw a sign that said UGGS.  My two friends did not talk me out of them.  Matter of fact they told me how cute they were.  What was a girl to do.  B has told me to get them for years (seriously how long I've wanted them).  I had saved up my mad money and gosh darn it, I did it.  I bought them.  They are now sitting in the entry room, freshly sprayed  to protect them.   I love them.  I'm scared to wear them.  What if I do something to them the first time.  Truthfully, I've been googling how to wear them tonight and with what.  Someone help me!

We are already planning another trip - and I think it'll happen before November 2012.  I'm going to wear my UGGS.

How much can you stuff into one weekend?

This is B's weekend to work nights (which means he sleeps all day and I never see him), so I made the 3 hr 45 minute (4 hours if you don't speed) trip to my Dad's, which is also the same vicinity that the rest of my family lives.  So far I've...had supper at a local restaurant with Dad, 'let' Dad win the best of three in our favorite card game, gone to a benefit breakfast, watched my niece play a game of basketball, had lunch with another niece, let Dad win another best of three in the card game, gone grocery shopping with Dad and tonight we have a Halloween get together to go to.  I'm also anticipating a snowstorm tonight into tomorrow and another long drive back home.

I'm tired...but I wouldn't change a thing!

Special Delivery

So, I'm wondering what the guy at Goodwill thought when we pulled up in our vehicle and B opened the back door and white garbage bags started tumbling out.  Thirteen bags delivered, what a fabulous feeling to unload some of the stuff that has been crowding our closet space.  I'm hoping that someone is able to enjoy those things that we once loved (or bought on impulse)!

When we got back home, we loaded up our vehicle with 4 more bags to deliver to my sister this weekend.  For those of you counting - that's 17 over stuffed tall kitchen bags...the kind that stretch so you can put more in.  It's freaking me out a little bit to think that we had that much stuff that we didn't wear, use, or need.  Heaven help me, but I think there is at least one more closet and dresser that we need to go through!

The Closet

 B and I have been cleaning out.  He's lost 28 pounds and I haven't.  Alright, I've lost 13 in the same amount of time.  Why can guys just stop eating one thing and lose a bag of flour?  Why? 

Anyway...back to the cleaning.  We decided to tote up all his clothes that were too big, throw out our stained stuff, take some things to Goodwill and to family, etc.  As of this afternoon, we have 8 garbage bags for Goodwill, 2 totes in the basement, 2 garbage bags of clothes for my sister and a smaller bag for one of my friends.  The closet is cleaned, organized and I'm in love with it.

It was a bit embarrassing, I found the outfits I'd worn on our honeymoon...the shorts, dresses, my going away outfit which looked so awful.  It's all in a Goodwill bag.  I hope someone won't look awful in it, the way I did.  I found 2 of my bridesmaid dress collection.  I put them in a tote to discover again in another 8 years. 

After all this, I still have more clothes than I should.  And I'll have a hard time not buying more the next time I go shopping.

Old Friends

So I'm getting ready for a visit this weekend from a wonderful friend. I've known her for more than 15 years and when B and I married, my friend and I promised that we would not lose touch. And 8 years later, I can honestly say we've held true to our promise. We might only see each other once or twice a year. But we email often and that helps us keep up with each other.

I probably won't be able to talk out loud on Monday - because I know we won't shut up this weekend. And I can't wait! So much to talk about, so little time.

B will hang out with us for awhile...then he'll disappear, because his ears will hurt!

The past few weeks

Have been exciting and filled to the brim with trips, family, and all that jazz. Let's see, we went to Vermont to spend a weekend with Dad and travelled home in Hurricane Irene. What a trip! First off - Vermont is beautiful and the resort was lovely. We had such a great time with my dad. The trip there took 3 hours, 45 minutes. The trip home took....8 HOURS! Yep, we got stopped twice because of downed power lines. We saw trees down, flooded roads, trees on fire. It was not a trip home I'd want to repeat any time soon. My dad stayed there for a few more days - some of the time without power and all of the roads in and out were closed except for one.

Trip number 2 was my sister and me for a long (long) weekend at Disney World. Yep - no boys, no kiddos, no cooking, no making our bed (if we didn't want to). It was awesome! Highly recommend it.

Trip number 3 was to visit my family this past weekend. It was a short trip - less than 48 hours, but we filled it with soccer, cleaning, harvesting, birthday party, bonfire, and more.

This weekend coming we are celebrating B's uncle's 80th birthday. He is a wonderful guy, and we can't wait to celebrate this milestone birthday with him.

I don't foresee any other trips in the near future, but you never know!

Married Life

So, I love my husband, this is true. He can be the sweetest, kindest, my generous man around. And then sometimes he turns into this dude that I'd cross the street to avoid out in the real world. Yesterday was one of those "cross the street" kinda days. I won't bore you with the details (and they really aren't that boring), but just let me say that there was drama, drama and more drama. And honestly, I caused what happened because in 47 years, I still haven't learned when silence is really golden.

The cool thing about this is that through everything we still love each other. We can talk things out and we are still best friends. He's a good man. A patient man. And I'm going to try to be a better woman. He's teaching me that...and I'm a slow learner, but I think that's going to be ok.

Retirement

Today was the first day of retirement for our now "former" Superintendent. I have worked for this district since 2007 - the year she became Superintendent. She was high energy, detail oriented and always ready to help children and adults learn. It has me thinking about retirement and what it might be like.

I have worked for so many years, on the farm, in a restaurant, radio station, bank, french fry factory, school districts. What would it be like to wake up and know that you didn't have to be at work at 7 a.m. You didn't have to answer the phone a certain way. Didn't have to dress a certain way. I'm years away from knowing this and that's probably ok. Although I'd like a week or two to test it out maybe!

B and I have talked about retirement, what we want to do, where we want to go. We agree on some things. I think it's probably good that we won't be having to decide on anything any too soon.

What I do know is that as a couple without kids, we probably live more of a retirement lifestyle while working full time, then most of our family and friends with kids. We can take off and go somewhere on the weekends...if we want too. We can clean our house and it stays that way for days...unless my sister is visiting (love you, T!) So, when the time comes to hand in my ID badge I will probably be able to blend in with the other retirees pretty easy - except I'll be the cool one, not the polyester, stretch waistband one!

Toilets and Curtains

Well, you know you are married when you go shopping for curtains and toilet parts and it doesn't seem strange. Our upstairs toilet had a major malfunction and required all new "innards". B is on the day shift and headed to the big city last night after work. Got all the parts he supposedly needed, got home and went to work. I'm confused - am I suppose to clean the inside of the tank of the toilet? This is not something I was taught by my mom...but man, I've got to tell you it is a disgusting place! Anyway, after a very late Subway dinner, I went up to help and at 11:00 p.m. when we realized that the handle had nothing to connect to and that we basically were not going to be able to go any further, we quit.

B went back to work today. I cleaned, then decided to go get the other curtain I wanted for our redone living room. Then I headed to our local Lowes and met up with a super duper staff person who really knew HER stuff! I now have the chain we needed , plus the correct parts that the guy from the night before didn't sell my husband.

So...I've put up the curtains (they look fab) and tonight, hopefully we'll finish the toilet repair. It's been a full weekend already!

It's been awhile

Well, I just checked my blog and can't believe how much time has passed and how much has happened since my last post.

First and foremost, my mom passed away on Feb. 24th. One of the saddest days I've ever experienced, and I miss her every day. I still grab my cell on the way home from work to give her a call. Still feel lonely when I get home and I'm not gabbing on the phone to her. Miss telling her about my day and hearing about hers. Just miss her. But - I know she is in heaven and I will see her again someday.

My dad is doing ok, even pretty good somedays. This year of firsts - first anniversary, first of the holidays, etc., is rough on him and us. But, together, we will all get through it.

B and I have been working on living healthier - watching our calories, exercising. It's definitly working for him - he looks great! Me..well the jury is still out. How come I can gain 5 pounds in a weekend - but it takes me 2 months to lose it? Just don't understand.

Work is work. It pays the bills. I work with some terrific people and have some great friends because of it...so I'm gonna try to turn a new leaf and stop complaining about it, ha ha!

This weekend we are celebrating the wedding of 2 good friends. B is in the wedding and can't wait to see him all handsome in his tux!

Well...let's see if we can keep this blog going! Not gonna promise anything, but I'm gonna try!

One More Up

We are staying home this weekend, no 4 hour trip to my parents. While I am glad to be here at our home with our extended family here, a huge piece of my heart is still there with my mom and dad. Mom has had a rough week and I worry about my dad. The time that we spend with them is tiring, difficult and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Since mom started this latest journey with ovarian cancer - B and I have had the motto "no regrets". We want to spend as much time with her and dad as we can and we have done that over this past year the best that we can. I am married to a wonderful man and he has been so supportive during this time.

So B has been working 4 day weeks for the past month or so, with Friday, Saturday and Sundays off. Most mornings when he gets up (at the horrifying hour of 4:30ish a.m.) he will tell me how many more "ups" he has for the week. Well this morning was his final day this week of work...so he has NO MORE UPS this week...but I do! So, I got to say one more up this morning. And I'm not so sure that I didn't hear him snicker as he went downstairs.

Weight Watchers & Treadmills

I am trying (for the kabillioneth time) Weight Watchers online again. In 3 weeks, I've lost 5 lbs. OK, so during that time period I was at my parents stressed to the max...but, hey at least I didn't overeat! This week I have been concentrating on actually keeping my food diary, staying within my points the best I can and I've walked on the treadmill twice. Only twice, you scoff? Well, considering that in the past 4 days, I have broken (or badly bruised) a toe and worked til 8:30 p.m. one night - 2 x's on the treadmill is pretty darn good!

So, the goal is to get healthy. I'm not thinking I'm going to be in a bikini by summer. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 10...and chubby...and should have been wearing a one-piece. Nope, I just want to get healthy, stay healthy, and look healthy. After all...I'm closer to 50 then I am to 40 and just writing that makes me want to cry, or go get some ice cream!

Where have I been?

So the holidays came and went and were. I had a bittersweet, lovely, wonderful, memory filled Christmas. Mom has had her ups and downs during this time since I've written. She entered hospice about 3 weeks ago and life has leveled off. I cannot say enough good things about hospice...except that I wish she had started it a couple of months ago.

I spent 2 weeks with mom and dad after hospice was started. She wasn't doing well, I didn't want to miss time with her - so I went and stayed with them. B was wonderful, supportive, sweet. During those 2 weeks, mom's pain become tolerable through the pain management medication, she began eating a bit again, and she remained her funny, sweet self.

I'm back home with my hubby for a bit. Back to work, trying to catch up on 2 weeks of being away there and at home.

So, the answer to the title of this post...I've been here all along and I will try to be better about writing.