Good bye 2012

December 31st is here already.  How did that happen?  2012 has flown by and I'm worried that 2013 is going to do the same!  It's been a good year - we've made lots of memories with our family and friends.  We've camped, spent time in Virginia, had 2 nieces crowned as queens, watched basketball at all levels, B hit a milestone birthday, and just a few days before Christmas we had part of a tree in our yard fall on our house!  Yes it's been a full, busy year.

2013 promises more of the same.  I'm the one hitting the milestone birthday.  We hope to do a little traveling, and a lot of spending time with family and friends.   No matter what happens in the coming months, we will make the best and most of it together. 

We had a wonderful Christmas season with our family.  I hope to keep spending quality and quantity time with all of them in the next 12 months. 

So, out with the old year and in with the new!  Happy New Year!

It was windy!

We had a little excitement tonite.  B had been home for about 5 minutes and we heard a big bang.  We both ran to the kitchen, determined we were ok and then began looking for the source of the noise.  In the blackness of the evening, we saw tree branches pressed up against our windows.  Several of our windows.  And when we turned on the deck lights we saw a huge piece of our tree on our deck and hot top.  The good news is that it didn't happen 5 minutes earlier when B was walking in.  No windows were broken and we have wonderful family coming tomorrow morning to help clean it up.

I will try to post pics tomorrow!  Stay safe and stay out of the wind!

Tis the season

Tis the season to spend time with family.  Last night we went out to eat and to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. We all ended up back at our house, played some cards and laughed and enjoyed each others company.    Tonight we are heading to B's Cousin Christmas Party.  I'm not sure how many years in a row they have had this, but when they first started most of them weren't married and some of them were still in high school. The next generation has started to attend (they get invited when they turn 16).   It's a wonderful tradition - we draw names and exchange gifts.  Eat lots, of course and just enjoy each others company.   I look forward to it every year.

Tomorrow B and his sister are going to the airport to pick up their mom.  She flies home from Florida for the holidays every year.  I'm hoping to do some wrapping and relaxing. 

This week is going to fly by and then it will be the weekend before Christmas, with more parties, our annual PJ breakfast, Christmas Eve with B's family and more.

We will head to my side of the family late Christmas eve and spend Christmas day and several days after with them.  I'm looking forward to spending time with all of them.  We will eat too much, talk to loud and play lots of card games.  Most of all, we will make memories.

I'm so blessed to have wonderful family on both ends of the State.  The gifts are fun, the food is great...but the time spent together is priceless.

Through all of this, my thoughts will not be far from those families in Connecticut that lost so much yesterday. 

Calendar Mania!

Several years ago, we had the bright idea to make calendars for our parents for Christmas.  My side of the family had all taken a vacation to Florida - so we made it all Florida pics.  We always have tons of pics from B's side of the family, so it was easy to put one together.  We even put a pic of the person on their birthday, or couple on their anniversary.  When the calendars were opened Christmas morning, they were passed around and our siblings wanted to know where theirs were.  We ordered them copies and so a tradition was born.

Here we are in 2012...throwing the annual calendar together.  I worked over 5 hours yesterday on B's family calendar and another 5 on my families today.  They have been ordered, and are set to be delivered before by the middle of next week.  They aren't pretty, some pics are down right awful.  But for some reason, we just didn't have the number of pics this year that we usually do.  I'm not sure if it's because B and I have smart phones that we use to take most of our pics now and those don't come out as great?   Or maybe it's that my family hates having their pics taken (or at least some of them do) and therefore hide their face, stick out their tongue or something to make the pic unusable.  Well, the joke's on them!  I used some of those awful pics.  Bet they'll smile for us in 2013!

Now, I need to make a calendar for us that combines our families and shows every one's birthdays and anniversaries.  I don't care if I don't get it by Christmas.  All I know is that after I make this last one, I don't want to make another calendar for at least 12 months!

O Christmas Tree

It's up, it's short, it's pretty...it's the 2012 version of our Christmas Tree.  We don't have a very large living room, so we don't have tons of room for a fat tree, we could have tall, but it's not easy to find a tall skinny tree.  So we went with the pretty, little well-shaped tree. 

We have peppered our little tree with ornaments from our past.  I love opening the box where they are stored and remembering where we were when we bought them or who gave them to us.  This is our 10th Christmas together as a couple and we've made sure to pick up something for our tree whenever we have traveled.  We have an ornament from Disney celebrating our first trip in 2003 and one from Hershey Park from our honeymoon in 2004.  There is a glass ball filled with sand from Jamaica that we picked up in 2009 when B's brother got married there.  This year we got a buoy ornament from Boothbay Harbor during our summer vacation. We also have little bride and groom ornaments that my friend Jan gave us as part of our wedding gift, and a Tinkerbell that my beautiful niece got us on one of her trips to Florida.  

Our ornament box is also full of special items that my mom and dad gave me over the years.  A little wooden piano, a Goofy with moving ears.  I even have a tiny angel made from a nut that my aunt and uncle brought me from Germany many, many years ago.

I treasure this yearly opening of the ornament box.  Each one holds a special place in my heart and I'm going to enjoy visiting with them for the next little while.

I could get used to this...

B has been on off this week, and today he decided he was going to make supper.  He wanted to try a crock pot recipe that we both love and so I made sure we had all the ingredients.  He was nervous, but he put it together, let it cook all day, put potatoes into bake and broccoli to steam...mostly by himself.   It was delicious!  And then, he told me to go do what I wanted and he cleaned up, did the dishes and started the dishwasher.  Yes...it's true!  What a wonderful way to end a pretty crappy work day.

I'm hoping this cooking trend will continue.  I don't know about you, but most days I hate trying to think of something for supper.  I do plan menus for the week...sometimes.  So, just the thought that he might want to take the lead and make supper once a week is like music to my ears. 

I am a micro-manager, and it's hard for me to just step back and let him do his thing.  I think this could become a learning experience for me too!

The Aftermath of Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.  We played cards, ate too much, black Friday shopped, ate again, helped Dad shop, ate some more, visited, celebrated a birthday, ate a lot, played more cards, and watched a 10 year old play basketball.  It was a full 4 days.

And when I say full, I mean my belly was full 24/7.  The scales are telling me too full.  My pants and shirts are not happy with me.  I am trying to get back on track.  I walked on the treadmill last night, we've been eating healthy again.  I miss all that great food though.  The home cooked stuff, the Chinese buffet, the greasy spoon diner, all of it.

I've never been thin and never really had it as a goal.  I want to be healthy and I want to look OK in my clothes.  So I will work on those 2 goals...again.  Hopefully in the 4 weeks before Christmas (and another round of fine food) I can lose the 4 pounds I packed on in 4 days!

We're packing up...

We are getting ready to travel to visit my family for Thanksgiving.  We are a family of 2 that packs and takes enough stuff for a family of 8.  I wish I was kidding.

This trip, we are bringing warm clothes, boots, food, blanket for the car, a bunch of wall decorations and pictures that I don't want anymore, but one of my friend's does.  Then there is our toiletries, electronics, and who knows what else is ready and waiting to go.

Poor B started loading the vehicle tonight, the back end is already full.  The sad part is that we are going to shop on Black Friday, so it will probably be just as full on the way home!

I always overpack.  I like to have choices for my clothes and shoes.  I want to be prepared for anything.  I wish I was more of a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl, but I'm not.  B has learned to accept that he will have choices of what to wear and double the underwear that he needs.

I've already checked once, but I'm heading upstairs to make sure I haven't missed anything!

Oh no...more shopping!

Tomorrow I am heading out with a friend for more outlet shopping.  I am fortunate to live within an hour and a half of 3 different outlet shopping towns.  And basically, after tomorrow, I will have hit them all in a week's time.  I'm seriously looking forward to the day, my friend is driving, I've got my Christmas list ready and I'm in the mood to get some names knocked off that list.

Now B is treating tomorrow like some sort of sporting event.  He's told me that I need to be in bed early and get rested.  He made me eat healthy tonight...no Friday night pizza...nope, we had Subway.  It was great, but I couldn't help but think that he was getting my physically ready for my big shopping day.  I won't be surprised if he lays out double vitamins for the morning and  packs me a jug of water to stay hydrated!

I don't have many coupons, but I'm hoping that there will be great sales and I will get some good buys.  It's all about the great deal!

My friend and I have promised each other that we won't allow ourselves to buy anything for us...well at least not too much!

I need...

A pedicure.  But it is November and I'm not heading south anytime soon, so who will see this pedicure.  Me, B and that's about it.  So do I spend the money to make my heals look better, my toes all pretty.  Or do I just wait, and let them get yuckier (is that a word?).

This last paragraph makes me realize how weird I am.  And how much I wished I lived in a southern state or had a trip planned soon.  My dad is heading to Florida for a few weeks.  I don't think he wants a pedicure though, and I don't think he will pack me in his suitcase and take me with him.

Well, I haven't made up my mind, do I get one or not.  I am going to let my feet decide.

Weekend getaway

B and I enjoyed a wonderful 4 day weekend away.  I had an eye doctor appointment during the day on Friday and we just continued on our adventure from there.  A side note, B had worked nights - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I let him sleep for about an hour and a half Friday morning, then made him get up, get dressed and get in the vehicle and off we went.  He snoozed to the big city and then snored in the car during my appointment.  So he was just a peach for the first few hours after he really woke up.

We ended up in Portsmouth for the weekend at a decent hotel.  It had a pool and a hot tub, the only major requirements for B.  It was clean (well I did find a hair in the bed and we ended up getting upgraded to a better room...that had clean sheets), and a free breakfast - my requirements.  So everyone was happy.

Veterans Day weekend is a busy shopping weekend.  Not sure I really realized that til now.  We outlet shopped on Saturday - it was brutal.  I waited over a half hour to check out of the first store I was at.  Crazy, yes.  But I got some great deals, so it was worth it.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.

We ate out, and my handsome husband has become king of the "split a meal" lifestyle.  It worked out fine, we ate cheap, had good food and enjoyed each other's company.

Oh, and every night we made a trip to the hot tub.  I'm not a huge fan of sitting in boiling hot water that is being stirred up around me.  B loves it though, so I took one for the team, and soaked each night.

Sunday, we went to Rye Beach and walked and dreamed about owning one of the beautiful houses.  We were bundled up and stayed warm.  We meandered back to our hotel, watched the Patriots (actually I napped during the game) and had pizza delivered to our room.  Yeah, it was that kinda weekend.

Yesterday we headed home, stopped in Freeport, cuz we just didn't shop enough during the weekend.  I love Freeport, strolling the streets, the smells of the hotdog vendors and watching all the out-of-staters with their bags of "great buys". 

All in all, it goes down as another wonderful memory with my favorite guy. 

Physical therapy, me?

So in my quest to be healthy, lose weight, get in shape, I do Zumba.  Or I did Zumba.  Somehow, some way, when I started a new class the first of October, I hurt my arm/shoulder.  It throbbed, it kept me up at night, I babied it and then suddenly it felt better.  Super Me decided to go back to life as I knew it.  I am not bright.

Super Storm Sandy was headed our way and our yard was full of leaves.  I decided B couldn't do yard work without me, so I raked and pulled tarps and picked up.  And 2 days later I was in agony.  My arm was worse than before.  I couldn't move it, couldn't shave my armpit, pick up a glass, work the mouse for my computer at work.  I gave in and went to my doctor who sent me immediately to physical therapy.  I was a PT virgin, never experienced it before.  And after my first visit wished I never had to go again.  This sweet, young girl tried to kill me.  She pulled and yanked and manipulated and made me sweat, tear up and almost pass out.   She gave me an exercise to do  4 times a day and I've done them.  This past weekend was tough though.  I had company this weekend and did my best to not let the arm get in my way of having fun.  Pulling my pants up with one hand, blow drying my hair, putting on deodorant all became great adventures.  I slept all weekend in B's Red Sox recliner.

But a strange thing happened on Monday.  My arm started feeling better....a lot better.  I was reaching across my desk with my right arm and it didn't hurt.  I shaved my armpit today!  And at my visit to PT today, my physical terrorist (that's what one of the ladies I work with calls physical therapist) told me that I was 10 times better.  She couldn't believe how much had changed in just 6 days.  So, what she thought might be a torn bicep has now moved to a tendon issue, thank goodness.  I'm still not looking forward to my next PT, but I'm hopeful that it will now be over sooner rather then later.  And no more Zumba for me for now!

My hair

Today my hair had it's 6 week check up...well, that's what it feels like.  I have been cursed (or blessed) with the gray hair gene.  I've been fighting this battle for about 10 years.  My dad was completely gray in his 20's, as was his mother.  So I guess I come by it honestly.  I have colored and highlighted and permed and gone straight.  I have dyed at home and but prefer going to the salon.  I used to be go 2 to 3 months between visits.  I now go every 6 weeks.  Those 6 weeks fly by - trust me, and I have the roots to prove it.

During the summer I like the lighter, highlighted look.  Makes me feel tropical and sun-kissed, at least that's what I tell myself. 

Today I went with an overall mocha color.  It looks rich and warm and I'm loving it.  B is working nights this weekend, and when I got home from the salon, he woke up for a few minutes.  He mumbled "nice hair".  I asked him what he thought I'd had done to it.  (The last time I had gone dark back in April he never noticed!)  He mumbled, "straight and dark."  The boy is learning!

My sweet little stylist, who is barely 21 is awesome.  She makes my hair pretty, and loves making my next 6 week appointment :o)  My roots will be looking forward to our next visit in December!

This past week...

So let's play catch-up.  Last I had written, I was cleaning like a crazy lady for my company.  My 4 beautiful friends got here friday night and B's ears started ringing shortly after.  Imagine 5 ladies, all talking at once, at least 2 different conversations going on at all times.  Not saying this is a gender thing, but as a woman, I don't see anything wrong with that.  My poor hubby, after 9 years of these visits, has learned that it is best in small doses.  He volunteered to go get supper, ate with us and then disappeared to his man cave.  We each visited him off and on during the evening.  For some reason, when we invited him to go with us the next day he declined!

Can I just say that there is nothing better then getting together with wonderful friends.  I see these gals at most 2 or 3 times a year, but our conversations never lag, they just pick up where we left off.  I met these ladies at work a bazillion years ago, before I knew B.  They know more about me then I've forgotten!  Anyway, so Saturday we shopped, ate, shopped, and ate.  We wore ourselves out and some of us (not me!) fell asleep while we were talking late into the night.   Sunday they got apples and headed home and the house was so quiet.  I missed them immediately.

The good news, was that we had a family lunch with B's family. His mom is heading to Florida soon and we all got together to eat and visit.  So my quiet was short lived and I got to visit with my fabulous in-laws.

By Monday I had developed a rotten cold and spent Tuesday and yesterday on the couch.  Poor B is on his 7 days off and I interrupted his time with coughing and complaining.  He now realizes why he should have been a better nurse because last night his throat started hurting!

I worked half the day today then came home to rest.  I hate colds.  I hate coughing.  Good news is I've lost a few pounds.  I'm just afraid I will find them again when I feel better!

Jean Jean the Cleaning Machine

Company is coming and I'm cleaning like crazy.  Four wonderful friends are driving 4 hours this Friday to spend the weekend with me and B (well mostly me!)  They have been making this trip to our house annually since we got married.  I think we only missed one year during the past 9.  We stay up late, eat, talk, talk and talk some more.  We're going to go shopping on Saturday, get apples at some point and play catch up in person.

So, I've been cleaning the homestead and I've decided that I've been very lazy this summer...at least when it comes to housework.  I've enjoyed myself though - we've travelled and gone to the beach and had a lot of fun.  I made a list last week of all the rooms I needed to clean and other chores that I needed/wanted to accomplish.  Each night I've taken great pleasure in crossing off what I've completed.  I'm down to a couple of things and one of those B is going to do.  I'm sure I can find more to occupy myself tomorrow night, this woman's work is never done.

The good part of this is that I've been able to decorate for fall, so I'm looking seasonal.  And the cobwebs have all been knocked down, which is nice. 

I'm so looking forward to this visit, cuz Jean Jean the Cleaning Machine is going to put away her dust cloth and enjoy her company!

Lazy

I need a shove.  I have been so lazy today.  I slept in, went to the big city and did a little shopping and then came home.  I was going to clean a room, dust, do something.  I did less than nothing, if you know what I mean.  I put away the groceries, put out a few holiday decorations and then proceeded to watch America's Next Top Model reruns.  For supper, I ordered out and B picked it up on his way home from work. 

I'm glad this is a 3 day weekend, maybe I can redeem myself during the next couple of days.  Oh wait!  My dad is going to be visiting tomorrow, so I'll be busy with that.  And B is off on Monday, so I'm sure we can find somewhere to go so I can avoid what I need to do here. 

The good (or bad) news is that B is working nights next week, so I will be on my own and maybe I will actually do a little something around here...maybe.

The Pain of Zumba

I finally went back to Zumba on Tuesday night.  My friend from work and I stopped going at the end of June - July was busy, then it wasn't offered during August.  It started again in September, but the first week my friend couldn't go..so I blew it off.  And the 2nd week I was in Virginia and she didn't go.  So, this was the week that we forced each other to go. 

It became abundantly clear after the first song, that taking 3 months off from Zumba was not a good thing.  I am seriously out of shape.  Not that I think I was in that great of shape back in June, but at least I could keep up and do most of  the moves.  My tank top was soaked.  Sweat was dripping off my nose.  I grunted and groaned and laughed, because, really, the two of us looked pretty bad. 

After 60 minutes of torture, we headed to the car and made a pact to never go that long again without doing some sort of aerobic activity.  Yesterday, my legs were sore and I felt tired.  Hey...that wasn't too bad.  Today, new aches and pains.  My arms are killing me.  Zumba says it's a "dance" form of exercise so who would think your arms would hurt.  Our instructor likes to work the arms, and oh my word, am I ever feeling it today.  I ended up taking some ibuprofen earlier today, and I'm going to pop another couple before heading to bed. 

I'm worried about what is going to hurt tomorrow.  My back, knees, elbow, maybe my ear lobes? 

My oven was smoking...

Yes, my oven was smoking tonight while I cooked my lonely supper. (B is working nights, boo.)  I should have known better yesterday.  I made lasagna, and it was juicy when I popped it in the oven, but I didn't think of putting a cookie sheet underneath it.  I just let it cook for 35 minutes at 350 degrees and then when I opened up the oven door...SURPRISE!  Red goop on the bottom of the oven. 

I know, I should have cleaned it up last night, but I was  having a lazy day and forgot.  Tonight I decided to cook some fries, so I preheated and then the smoke started rolling.  On went the fan and the kitchen window was opened.  It helped, thank goodness.  No smoke alarms, phew! 

I hate cleaning my oven.  I think I take after my mom in that way...she always said that the gunk on the bottom made her food cook better.  She had self-cleaning ovens, but would never use them.  I'm not sure if she was afraid of them, or what.  Whatever it was, she instilled that fear/avoidance in me, because I have never used the self cleaner in my oven.  I don't think I ever will...I think that gunk on the bottom made my fries taste better tonight!

Saturday Shopping

Today B and I went prim shopping.  He followed me around a couple of my favorite primitive decor shops and I spent money.  It was a great day, ha!  We are trying to finish up our living room - which we redid a year ago.  We need end tables by our couch.  I bought one today, but the debate is whether it's too small.  My sis says to leave it for a few days and see if it grows on me.  So, I'm going to take her advice and see what happens. 

B has offered to move it to his man cave and use it next to his recliner.  So far, I'm declining his generous offer.  I wish that I had tons of extra funds and could just walk in those stores and get whatever strikes my eye.  I'd love to have the seasonal decorations and the walls all decked out.  Don't get me wrong, I have lots of stuff, everywhere.  But there's always room for something new.  I love to rearrange and try things in different places.

When B and I gave up the dream to have kiddos, we decided to live more of a retirement lifestyle while we are working.  We might take a spur of the minute trip to somewhere, or stay overnight or buy something new for the house.  I have had a few people tell me how lucky we are...and we are very fortunate.  But, it goes both ways.  If you have children, you are rich beyond measure.  We are rich with nieces and nephews and couldn't imagine our lives without them. 

49

Today I turned 49.  Not 50...that's 364 days away.  I'm 49.  One year left of my 40's.  This has been a full decade.  I got engaged, married, a passport, went to Jamaica, got a new sister-in-law, foster parented 3 sweet children, visited Disney at least 6 times.  Those are some of the highlights.

My 40's have had some low times - I lost my mom to ovarian cancer, we were not able to adopt any of those sweet foster babies. 

My handsome husband was such a sweetheart today.  He brought me 6 long stemmed roses to work.  Then sent me a text a couple of hours later...he dropped by with 6 more long stemmed roses and left them for me in another part of my work area for me to discover.  Heavens, he gets all romantic on me like that and makes me fall in love all over again with him!  Tonight he took me to the movies (I get in free on my birthday, ha ha) and then we went out to dinner.  It has been a wonderful day.

I'm going to enjoy this last year of my 40's.  Going to try to make it the best year yet.  It's started out great, so I'm hoping to keep that momentum going.

Virginia Vacation

Well, we spent a long weekend with my BFF from high school.  Yes, it is possible to keep a friendship going for decades, and we are living proof.  B and I flew to Virginia Beach after work last Thursday and spent till Tuesday with D & D.  We had such a wonderful time.   We packed as much as we could into 4 days, plus we talked and talked and talked some more.

B and I have decided that we'd like to do more trips like this.  Take off for 4 or 5 days, explore an area and enjoy each other.  He is a great travel companion...if I'm relaxed and going with the flow, he is nervous and uptight and vice versa!  This was my first "carry-on" only trip.  We didn't check any bags - everything I needed had to fit in a suitcase that I could carry on the plane.  I'm an over-packer.  Always want to be prepared for whatever might happen.  Hate to wear anything more than once on a trip.  Well...it took me a week to pack.  And every day I would go through my suitcase and edit a little more.  I'm proud to say that I only didn't wear one pair of shorts and neither bathing suit (too cold to swim).  Everything else got worn, woo hoo!  And I wore my jeans 3 different times during the trip.  This is huge for me.  B was pretty proud of me...I think deep down he didn't think I'd be able to do this.

Also on this trip we decided to leave the ideas of what to do up to D & D - we were in their territory.  This is totally unlike me - I usually need to know what I'm doing every second of the day.  And guess what...it was fun!   We visited the Outerbanks in NC and rode on a 4x4 over the sand to find the wild horses of Corolla, we went up 104 steps to the top of a lighthouse at Fort Henry.  We dug our toes in the sand and we went on a sailboat and I didn't get seasick!  I think more going with the flow will be in my future for sure!

I'm cranky

and I don't know why.  Well I do know why.  I didn't get to sleep til after 1 a.m.  Work is super stressful. Dealing with dental insurance and decisions on when to have dental work never puts me in a good mood.  And I'm hungry.  So hungry.  I've been trying to get back on the myfitnesspal.com bandwagon and lose a few more pounds.  And I'm starving.  Fruit isn't cutting it.  I'd like some chips and crackers and a brownie or too please!

So, I'm going to try to not be cranky.  I'm going to eat a good supper.  Healthy, hearty and hopefully, please Lord, let it be filling!  And maybe the rest of my day, I will be a kinder, gentler person.

Um...yeah, right.

Big Brother

Why, oh why, do I let myself get caught up in Reality TV?  I would never go on one of these shows, ever.  But I can sit and watch them for hours.  Right now the show of choice is Big Brother...but America's Next Top Model started last Friday and Survivor is starting in a couple of weeks.  Oh heavens, what's a girl to do. 

Well...first of all, be sure and marry a guy that will watch most of the Reality TV shows with you.  Check.  I married one.  He's sitting on the floor, talking to the TV and the Big Brother show right now. 

So I guess that saying is true, the family that watches Reality TV together, stays together...um, yeah, right.

Wedding Dresses

I have decided that if I had it to do all over again, I would want to go to Kleinfelds in New York and be on Say Yes to the Dress and have Randy help me pick it out.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my wedding dress.  It was everything that I wanted - soft, flowy, cleavage baring.  But still, after watching about 5,000 episodes of Say Yes to the Dress...I want to be on there!

I'm tired

I'm tired and I know why, but it makes me feel old to think about it.  This past weekend my beloved sister and her family came for a visit.  They arrived late Friday night (like 11:15 p.m. kinda late), because my niece had a soccer game.  I stayed up for their arrival and we all hung out til after midnight.  The next morning, we were all up and at it by 8:30.  They left for an overnight stay on the coast of Maine to celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary and B was working days this weekend, so it was me and the kiddos. 

We shopped, ate out, came home and rested for an hour or so.  B came home, showered and off we went again to go big ball bowling.  When we got home, B went to bed (early morning work call!) and the kids and I hung out...to late!  We were back up by 8 a.m. on Sunday.  Hung out some more, played monopoly, went mini golfing and then my sister and her husband and B all came home. 

They decided to spend another night and leave at 6 a.m. on Monday to head home.  So of course we stayed up and talked and watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympics and talked some more. 

Then it was back to work for me yesterday and today.  And now I'm tired.  B did laundry for me today, washed dishes, cleaned out the dish washer and I'm not even sure what else.  Then he went to work tonight.  He is a wonderful partner and I can't thank him enough.

So, I've learned that I get tired when I stay up too late and get up too early all weekend.  My stamina just isn't what it used to be - those kids wore me out, ha ha!

And I wouldn't have changed one second of the weekend!

With a mile to spare

So I've been trying to see how long I can go without filling my gas tank in my vehicle.  We filled it on our way home from vacation almost 2 weeks ago.  In a normal day, I drive maybe 4 miles round trip - I'm pretty lucky to work so close to home.  So I've been nursing the gas mileage.  Well, today the light came on.  You know the one that means you best be heading to a gas station pretty soon. 

Knowing this, and knowing that the monitor said I had about 20 miles left to go before I was going to be stranded on the side of the road, I decided to wait til tomorrow to fill up.  This was a great plan and would have worked, except B decided that we needed to go get his bike from his cousin's house tonight. 

So, we headed off.  B made a comment that we had 20 miles left.  I asked how far it was to his cousin's house (I always forget - oh well!).  He said we would should be fine.  Well....we weren't.  The country, windy, hilly road to their house is a gas hog and we chewed up 8 miles of our 20 before we were even half way there.  It was on 10 miles left as we coasted into their yard.  We didn't dare shut off the engine, so I ran to their house, explained why we couldn't stay and we threw the bike in the back. 

Off we coasted down their driveway.  Oops, down to 9 miles now.  We coasted down hills in neutral, drove 25 when we needed to use the gas and watched it tick down to 5, 4, 3 miles left. 

We made it to the gas station right after it turned to 1 mile left on our tank of gas.  How numb are we?  We were so proud of ourselves for making it...yep, we're numb!  But at least we didn't have to walk!

Too Hot

I'm not sure where you are, but where I am, it's hot, and humid and I don't like it.  I love the sun, love warm weather.  I just don't like sitting still on my couch and have sweat dripping off my nose.  And everyone says it's not the heat, it's the humidity - but gosh darn it - we've got both right now and I don't like either one of them.

This morning I went to my local beauty salon and had my gray hair banished for another 6 weeks.  Thank goodness they had their air conditioner going full blast - I was not looking forward to sitting with a plastic cape wrapped around me, a baggie on my head and sitting under a hair dryer.  But to be honest, those were the coolest (and I mean temperature wise) hours of my day! 

So, on a Saturday where I could be accomplishing much, I haven't done a thing.  I need some ambition, but I think it's melted.

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Today my handsome hubby turns 50.  I remember, not that long ago, when that number seemed so far away...and so old!  Now it's arrived for him and I'm a little over a year away from it and it doesn't seem so old anymore. 

B is in better physical shape at 50 then he was at 40.  He is so young at heart and in his thinking and in his energy level.  I came home from work today to find him running on the treadmill (while watching baseball stuff, of course). 

I hope that I move into my 5th decade with as much grace, dignity and energy as he has.  Unfortunately, I'm worried that I'm probably going to be screaming and kicking and throwing a hissy fit!

I need to slow down...

Seriously, I need a vacation from the vacations, and the weekends, and the surprise birthday parties.  Oh, I didn't tell you about all of these did I? 

First - I spent 6 days with my family this past week.  It was fabulous!  We went to a parade, pageant, family picnic, the lake, a softball game, hung out at the pool, took care of a skunk, had lunch together with the family, celebrated a birthday, played and lost a lot of games of 3-man cribbage and that's all I can remember right now.

On our way home, Thursday, we stopped and visited with my BFF from HS and her husband.  They were home from Virginia and we love to see them.  We talked, and talked, and talked and ate and played cards and hated to leave and then we finally did and then we drove for 3 hours and got home at 11 p.m.

Then I worked on Friday.  Then I had a surprise birthday party for B with his family Friday night.  27 family members joined us - we ate some more (imagine!) and told stories and watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and the Red Sox lose and it was wonderful (well not the Red Sox part).

Then Saturday we got up and headed to a local lake and campground to spend the night with some wonderful friends.  And we ate  and went out on the lake and played cards and ate some more.  And then we came home.

And now it's Sunday night and we are doing laundry and relaxing and looking forward to working 5 days next week (not really)!

Back to Vacation

One more day of work this week, then we are heading to visit my family for 6 days.  I'm ready for more relaxation.  Granted, I've only been back at work from my camping vacation for 6 days - but it feels like forever since I've had time off.  Please don't smack me up side the head for saying that!

It's going to be a busy weekend - parade, pageant, family picnic and that will take us through Sunday.  Then we want to spend a couple of days at the lake, there is a birthday to celebrate and on our return home we are hoping to spend the day with my bff from high school who is home from "away" with her hubby for a week or so.

I'm fully planning on coming home from this 6 day vacation more tired then I left.  But it will be a good tired and I'm ready for it!

Camping on the Coast

We went camping on the coast of Maine this past weekend with B's family.  This is an annual event and we look forward to it every year.  We haven't stayed in the same place/campground any 2 years.  It's a great chance to explore new areas of this great State we live in.

This year we headed to the Damariscotta/Pemaquid Point region.  It was FABULOUS!

I had my first trip to Boothbay Harbor.  We checked out all the little shops and ate homemade ice cream and had fun spending time with our family.

 We spent an afternoon at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse - you can climb to the top for a great view.  We had a picnic and took tons of photos.  The coast is all rocky and beautiful - definitely a must-see.

We laid out on Pemaquid Beach - a surprising strip of sand right in the middle of all the rocks!  The sun was hot, we all burned to a crisp, but it was so relaxing! 

But most importantly we spent a ton of time with our family.  Playing cards, talking around the campfire, eating meals together.  Oh, there are things that happen along the way - the campsites were small - really small.  But we were close to the restrooms and showers.  It was hot, hot, hot - but for the first time we never had rain while camping.  There was a very drunk dude stumbling around the campground one night - he seemed very fond of our site - but he eventually found his way where he was going.  B stepped in dog poo within minutes of being there and declared he was never going tenting again, but he enjoyed the pool and hot tubs and that made everything better.

I rode a bike for the first time in years - to please my husband and nephew.  We saw a 450 pound tuna fresh from the ocean.  We celebrated a couple of birthdays and discussed "Fifty Shades of Gray". 

It was back to work yesterday for both me and B, but we were relaxed and in pain from our sunburns so work didn't seem too bad!

Vacation!

It's finally here - a blessed few days of vacation.  Tomorrow we round up the in-laws and out-laws and are heading out for a 6 day camping extravaganza!  Every summer, since before I knew B existed, his family have gone on a summer family trip.  They used to be a bit more luxurious I believe - their earlier trips might have even involved hotels and restaurants.  Now we go camping, and that's cool.  It used to be that we all tented.  Then campers started being purchased.  And now there are 3 of us left that tent. 

Now when I say tent, what comes to mind?  Sleeping bag, on the ground?  Roughing it?  Yeah, that's for sissies!  We have a queen sized air mattress that sits about a foot and half off the floor.  I'm taking our 600 thread-count sheets and fleece blankets.  We have our ipads, and ipods and xm radio and an ez-up to cover the picnic table.  Someone brings a big gas grill.  We make homemade french fries at least once per trip.  We eat good, we sleep great (after the first restless night - for me!).

The only real problem is that we have never gone on this trip and not had rain.  And tomorrow's forecast is...drum roll, please....for late afternoon thundershowers.  30% probability.  I hear you out there saying, 30%, no worries!  Well I'm still worried, because it's never failed - we get rained on and that's that.  The rest of the week doesn't show one shower - just sunshine.  That makes me smile.

We're going to the coast, going to visit a lighthouse or two, play tons of card games, make s'mores and tell tall tales around the campfire. 

I've promised to not look at my work email and only use my electronic devices for music and games.  I'm going to do my best to adhere to this promise.  I pinky swear!

TGIF on Monday

Last night we went on a marathon shopping trip when I got done work.  We are stocking up for annual camping trip with B's family.  By stocking up I mean, new cooler, new tarps, bottled water and much, much, much more.

I'm the queen of making sure we do these shopping trips so that I get to go out to eat during.  Last night we hit TGI Fridays.  I have a couple of dishes that I love there and so we split a couple of appetizers and each had a favorite entree.  Then we came home and put our calories in myfitnesspal.  Oh my.  It wasn't good.  I'm glad I only ate half of my meal...but the appetizer B ordered was over a thousand calories.  Yes...1,000 plus.  And that was just the appetizer!

No wonder we got chunky after we were first married.  I love eating out.  Darn it, I love eating.  But, for the past year we have been much more conscious of what we've been eating and exercising and it's helped - B more than me...but I'm still working on it.

So, next time we have TGIF we will be splitting meals and appetizers, not ordering our own.  Maybe....

The Story of Us

A little over 10 years ago, I met a guy online.  He lived about 4 hours away and we chatted online and on the phone and after a month we decided to meet in person.  So I brought my sister and her husband and her baby daughter and we met him at a restaurant and had our first date.  We all liked him!  So we dated for a bit, but then broke up.  We dated other people, and then about 8 months later we started talking again.  Then I was diagnosed with uteran cancer.  And he was wonderful friend through it all, sending flowers, visiting and keeping me sane. 

As the months went by, we dated, we fell in love, he bought a ring and kept it a secret.  Two years after we first met online, I opened the oven at this house to find a giant cookie with "Will You Marry Me" written in icing and a ring box in the middle.  We planned a wedding that would include all of our family and friends and 8 years ago today we met at the altar and said "I do".   It was just the beginning of a wonderful, crazy journey. 

He makes me laugh, wipes my tears, and keeps me on my toes.  He loves me and our families and he has stood by my side through thick and thin.  The future is wide open and I can't wait to see where it takes us next.

The end.

What A Weekend!

We are home from a fabulous weekend with wonderful friends.  We have an anniversary twin.   Wonder what the heck that is?  Well, one of my best friends and her hubby were married on the same day as us.  When we picked our wedding date, I had no idea...how cool is that?  Any who, this is their 30th wedding anniversary, and our 8th so we headed to the beach for the weekend to celebrate.

Our husbands really didn't know each other (my friend and I met through work) and we didn't know how that would all pan out, but we really didn't care either - we just wanted sunshine, sand, and a fun weekend .  We got that, and so much more!  Our husbands had a great time getting to know each other and getting to see their brides in a whole different light.  We walked on the beach, panned for gold, got sun burns, ate tons, shopped, got fitted for toe rings ( they hurt going on, in case you are wondering - but look really cool),  most of all, we all become better friends and made sweet memories.   B and I have spent plenty of time at the beach, but this weekend we enjoyed it in a whole new way.  We got to share our favorite places to eat, favorite parking area (next to the beach with bathrooms, woo hoo!) and a great place to stay with our friends.    Because they were with us, we took a stroll after dark on the beach, swam in a freezing pool, found a great place to sit and enjoy an ice cream in the shade and so much more.

It was sad to see them head north, a weekend wasn't long enough!  Time to start planning our next adventure!

Dad vs. the Groundhogs

I love my Dad.   B was working this past weekend, so I headed north to spend some quality time with Dad on his "special" weekend.  He informed me Friday night that he had a small groundhog problem.  Seems that a family had moved in under his porch and he needed to have them vacate the premises, one way or another. He felt that they were mocking him by not going into hiding when he mowed the lawn the night before.   He had a "have-a-heart" trap set up with a red hot dog in it as bait.  Saturday morning rolled around and nothing was in the trap..but the hotdog had disappeared!  These were some crafty animals.

Dad was whipping my butt at cribbage and I happened to glance outside and noticed a groundhog.  Dad took off for his bedroom so he could get a clear shot, grabbed his gun, slowly cranked the window open (which scared the groundhog) and waited.  I was not real sure how great of a shot he was - I don't really remember him shooting a whole lot when we were kids.  He could have hit the gas grill, the porch, the cellar doors, or who knows what else!   Bang!  I look out and see nothing.  Dad just missed, and his uninvited roommates went back into hiding.  We went back to my losing game of cribbage and sure enough, a groundhog popped back up outside just a few minutes later.  Off Dad went to his bedroom, bang!  One down.

Before days end, the world was minus 3 ground hogs.  Dad was feeling like a big game hunter.  And I realized that you can take the girl out of the County (and country) but you can't take the County out of the girl.

Flowers (and a Tomato Plant)

A couple of weeks ago, I went to two of my local greenhouses and bought annuals to plant in buckets and in the ground.  I didn't give a lot of thought to what I was buying.  I knew that I needed some stuff that would hang out of pots and some that would stand tall.  I like pansies.  So I brought home flowers.  A lot of them.   I immediately planted my pretty little pansies with their sweet faces (that's what my mom would always say) near the end of the driveway around the light pole and I filled one of my barrels and a hanging basket.  Then the bugs started biting and I went in the house.

The next day the rains came and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights...or it just felt that way.  Sunshine came back into our world this weekend so I ran right outside to plant the rest.  I filled 3 more buckets, planted inpatients around one of the trees and still had enough left to plant a few more around the deck.  Bottom line, I bought too many flowers, but they looked pretty at the greenhouse and they look pretty at our house.   Now I have to water and deadhead and turn them or they will die.  That's what normally happens to flowers here.  They look good for a couple of weeks, I take pictures and pat myself on the back (or maybe I'm checking for ticks!)  Then we go on vacation for a few days and come home to brown leaves.

Oh, and I forget to mention that B brought home a tomato plant last night that his coworker started from seed    This coworker is into composting so B saved up our scraps in a lovely ziplock bag.  Supposedly this tomato plant is the one he used "our" composting in.   Now we're responsible for that too! 

I have high hopes for our flowers (and tomato plant) for 2012.  I have a plan to keep them looking good.  This is going to be my year to prove myself wrong... and that I really do have a green thumb!

Walking with the Hubby

Today we had a good bye luncheon for one of my co-workers.  I love pot luck luncheons, it's like a license to eat til your belly hurts.  Where else do you put chips and dip, next to lasagna, next to carrot cake.  Yum!  This has been a week of over eating and so tonight B and I went for a walk on the track at our local high school.  Now B has already played an hour of basketball today, and is in better shape then I will ever hope to be, so walking with him is always an adventure. 

We started out at a pretty good clip, side by side, talking and enjoying the time together.  About 3 laps in, my pace was slowing just a bit and Brent had moved over a couple of lanes so he could speed walk to my slow trot.  Middle of lap 5 he called his brother and chatted, while I huffed and puffed and tried not to fall down.  He continued to chat with his brother through lap 6 and 7.  I, on the other hand, made a slicing motion across my throat as we neared the track opening by our vehicle at the end of lap 7.  He made a motion (while still chit chatting easily) to do another lap and I threw him that ice cold "are you kidding me?" look and headed to the car. 

He wasn't winded.  I needed a tall glass of water.  He could have run 4 or 5 more laps.  I wanted to lay on the grass and take a nap.

I love the man...he is my great motivator to become a healthier me.

Growing up a Farm Kid

I just checked out one of my favorite bloggers - thepioneerwoman.com - and today she showed photos of her kiddos helping out on the ranch.  It took me way back to growing up on our potato farm.  We were a family of 5 and we did it all.  From planting to harvesting and all the stuff in between.  It was a small operation, mom and dad scraped by and provided us with what we needed.  Some years were better than others, but we never went without.  Mom sewed our clothes, was a wonderful cook and the best partner my Dad could ever want.

We lived five miles away from town and working on the farm kept us from some things -   I never had a "friend" birthday party - my birthday fell right in the middle of potato harvest.  I spent a lot of Christmas breaks working in the potato house, instead of snowmobiling or skiing with my friends, summer was spent picking rocks and mustard and whatever else might need to be done on the farm.  My "town" friends probably felt bad for me,  but they had no idea how much fun we had as a family.  To this day, we crack each other up with stories of singing Donny & Marie songs on the harvester  and wearing sod on our head like hair.  Or the time I ran over the cute neighbor boy with the rock cart (don't worry, he was ok!) 

My parents worked hard and from them I developed a strong work ethic.  I will forever be grateful for my growing up years.   Today the farm is bigger, computerized and for the most part the jobs we had as kids are gone.  Except for the time honored tradition of picking rocks.  Three or 4 kids, walking behind a tractor pulling a cart, picking up rocks in the field and chucking them in the cart.  It's usually hot, dirty and seems like torture at the time.  If you are lucky, someone brings out milkshakes at least once or twice.  You earn a few bucks and make tons of great "remember when" memories.  I'm so glad all my nieces and nephews are picking rocks this year.  I love that at least one part of the farm work that I did as a kid has not changed one bit!

Graduation

Today we went to our nephew's high school graduation.  Our local high school holds it's graduation down in "the city" at a large arena because there are so many graduates - the high school gym will not hold everyone.  This is a strange thing for me - we had about 50 in our graduating class and we all fit in the gymnasium just fine. 

It is such a time of change - school winding down, summer starting...then the fall.  What to do?  College, work?  It seemed much easier when I graduated.  Off to college I went, without another thought.  It was what most all of us did - at least for a semester!

Our nephew isn't sure what he wants to do - he will probably take a few college courses, look for a job...and look for inspiration for what he wants to do with the rest of his life.

May Day! May Day!

This is an SOS for anyone out there that might actually stop by to see if I've rambled on lately.  Please, help me be better at this.  Leave a comment (or 2 or 3) to let me know that I'm not alone in blogger land, ha!  Maybe it will even motivate me to be more faithful about plopping my feelings and thoughts on here.

In other news, a month has gone by and it was slightly busy.  We spent a weekend in New Hampshire - shopping, hiking, shopping, eating, shopping, hot tubing, shopping.  Yeah...it was great.  Work is terrifying - like normal.  Our receptionist position has been cut and as of July 1, we are all assuming extra duties.  Not looking forward to July 1.  I made it through a 2nd mothers day without mom.  We planted lovely pansies on her grave and talked of her often.  I'm never going to stop missing her.  I'm going with a friend this weekend to help her find a dress for her wedding.  I'm so excited to share this moment with her.  B dropped fresh pineapple on the kitchen floor tonight and I had to scrub cuz it was sticky.   I think that sums up my month pretty well!

I'm looking forward to Saturday.  Right now I haven't a plan in the world.  Just hoping for sunny weather and some ambition!

Friday!

What's better than Friday?  How about getting to leave work an hour early on Friday?  Yes, that is my today..an extra hour of weekend.  I will take it, and thank those that made it possible.  In my extra hour I have sorted through my shirts and made piles for my sister, for my winter drawers and for the garbage.  I've changed the sheets on the bed, put a load of laundry in and folded another.  This has been a productive hour.  Could I please have one again next week?

So now I have to decide what I'm going to do - watch Ellen or do a 30 minutes of Wii fit.  I'm thinking Ellen may win out...unless she has boring guests.  Who am I kidding...she's never boring.  Sorry Wii!

A Reading Fool...

So one night while channel surfing, I ended up on the Twilight movie.  I'd never seen it, I was intrigued and so I watched it.  Bad move.  I then become obsessed with reading the books before I watched the rest of the movies.  But, I'm a slacker so it took me awhile to get to our local bookstore and pick up books 1 & 2.  So, I started book 1 the first week of March.  I finished it within a few days.  Then I started book 2.  Finished it.  Somewhere in there I sent B to the bookstore to pick up books 3 & 4.  He's so good to me!  Needless to say, Book 3 is finished and I've begun Book 4.

These books are big, long, many pages kinda books.  And I love it!  I'm dragging on my Book 4 reading because I don't want it to be over.  But once I finish it I can finally watch the movies.

Plus, my sister just bought the Hunger Game books - so I'm all set for my next obsession!

Family Sick Day

Today I'm hanging at home with a family sick day.  B had some yucky dental work stuff done this morning and so I'm playing nurse.  I'm not a good nurse.  I'm a faints-at-the-sight-of-blood kinda nurse.  This isn't good because today is a spits-blood kinda day.  My patient has been sleeping for awhile.  He wanted me to wake him up at 3 p.m. which is in about 15 minutes.  I'm debating on whether I should or not.  I don't really want to see more bloody spit, nor do I want to deal with the patient.  There...I said it.  I'm not a good nurse, told you!

It's been a busy, but lonely month.  B went to Florida for a week to visit his mom.  So glad that we can make this trip happen for him each year, but I miss him when he's gone.  When he got back he went onto the nights part of his schedule.  So, that meant 3 more nights on my own.  Then he worked days this weekend.  Needless to say...I'm ready for him to have a few days off on a weekend.  Oh yeah - he has this weekend off and we are heading to visit my side of the family.   I haven't seen them in about a month - so I'm ready for this visit!

Well...I guess I better go make some noise to see if I can wake the patient up....

Reason #7,259 of why I love my husband

Today, B gave me reason #7,259 of why I love this man.  He is in Florida, visiting his mom, treating our nephew to his first trip there and getting to some some spring baseball.  My dad is in Florida also.  Today, B was going to a game in the area Dad is visiting so he gave him a call to see if he wanted to go to the game with him.  B needed to get a ticket anyway, so getting 2 was not going to be a big deal.  Well, long story short, Dad did want to go (plus some wonderful friends he was visiting wanted to attend also) and they went ahead and got 4 more tickets to the game...just the wrong game!  It was in a different ballpark, 30 or 40 miles away, with different teams.  So, my sweet B, dropped his mom and nephew at the ballpark they were originally going to and headed to where my dad and his friends were.  It wasn't the game he had planned to see - but sometimes God has different plans for us.  He spent a wonderful afternoon with my Dad, got to visit with some great family friends and saw a great game.

He made me cry when he told me about the afternoon.  He is a wonderful man and I am blessed every minute to have him in my life.  Family is so important to him and he loves my Dad.  What more could a girl want?

Zumba hurts

I'm stalled in my quest to be thinner.  I have gone up and down the scale with the same 2 or 3 pounds for almost 3 months.  Blah.  So, I'm taking a Zumba class through the local adult ed with one of my friends.  This is week 2.  It was harder than week 1, mostly because I knew what to expect and I probably tried to push myself a little bit more.  Things I've learned while doing Zumba are - I'm out of shape, weird parts of my body hurt, and I need a sports bra (maybe 2). 

I'm loving the upbeat music, the fact that I'm burning over 600 calories in one hour, and doing this with such a great friend.  It would not be nearly as much fun to go by myself.

Even though it's been painful so far, we're already planning to sign up for the 2nd session!

The Race Pool

So, at one point in my life I loved NASCAR.  I'll admit it.  I was single.  Dad had tickets to the Daytona 500.  I thought Jeff Gordon was cute.  At this point in my life, I'm not so much in love with racing, but I do run a race pool.  Actually B and I have run one for about 5 years.  It takes time and patience.  And sometimes I run out of both.

B and I started putting entries in the computer tonight.  We have 30 so far...last year we had 270 all together.  We like to call it our labor of love.  Everything has to be entered into the computer by the 1st of March, then weekly I put together stats....for 36 weeks of the year.  Crazy?  Yes!  But, as long as people want to do the pool, we will run it!

So, if you are bored and have nothing better to do, let me know and I'll put you to work!

Our 2 Person Superbowl Party

B  and I stayed home and had a 2 person Superbowl Party tonight.  The game is over, the Patriots lost and we are sad.  (Well, he is sad...I'm just full of snacks and bummed because there were not that many good commercials!).  I tried to be festive...check out our photo:

I made buffalo chicken dip and nachos.  I wore my too tight Patriots shirt and Patriots earrings...and it didn't help.  But I enjoyed my evening with my hubby and there is no place I would rather have been.

We'll get them next year!

Busy, Busy!

What a rotten blogger I am..it's been 8 days since my last post.  I could tell you that I've been without Internet, my computer was broke, I've been working 24/7...but that wouldn't be right.

I have been busy though.  Tonight was "combat cleaning" at our house.  Entire first floor dusted, check.  Second floor mostly dusted, check.  Floors swept, check.  Table and bench cleaned off, check.  Sent husband to grocery store to get supplies in case tomorrow is a snow day, check, check, check!

Our vehicle has been in the shop all week to get fixed from my little accident.  We were suppose to have it back today, but NO, that's not the way things roll for us.  Now it'll be next Monday or Tuesday.  We are a one car family for now..  It's not that bad...for once I can say thank goodness B works shift work.   So what have I learned about car repair this week?  Make sure that your adjuster doesn't try to put an after market bumper on a Honda CRV...cuz they don't fit!  Just a little helpful Annie hint for ya. 

Oh...and is it wrong to hope that tomorrow is another snow day?  I hope not, if it is, I'm in big trouble!

Snow Day...Finally!

It finally happened - a Snow Day!  Nothing better (well there probably is) then working from home, in your PJ's, listening to the snow plow going by.  B had to work today and will be travelling home in it soon.  He has promised that he will drive safe, so he'd better!

So, between the work, work and more work, I've managed to walk on the treadmill, shovel the deck, pack for the weekend visit to my family, and a few other things.  Productive day?  Why yes, it has been.

So, mother nature, if you'd like to make tomorrow a Snow Day, well that sounds good to me.

What a week!

I'll be glad to put this week behind me.  It's been jam packed full of good, bad and ugly!  It bugs me that a 4 day week could be awful...but it was.  I had to give news to someone I care very much about that wasn't great.  B worked nights, which is always unsettling.  It seems like family and friends around me are stressed to the max and the topper to the week happened last night. 

I had an accident.  There I said it.  I'm OK.  Our vehicle is drivable.  No one was hurt, well maybe my pride, but that can be healed.  Still stinks. 

SO...today needs to be better in all ways.  Or else.

Day 2

So, it's day 2 of 2012.  What have I done so far this year?  Hmmmm....went to church, clipped and sorted coupons, made a chicken stir fry, had a disagreement with my husband, slept in, walked on the treadmill, played Word with Friends, chatted for over an hour with my HS BFF, put away clothes that were sitting in clothes baskets in our room, and probably a lot more that I can't remember.

Church was a no-brainer - it's where I need to be, should be, want to be.  It grounds me and brings me away from my self-centeredness.

Coupons - well that's one of those things I'm going to do in 2012.  My sister and I have a competition to see who saves the most using coupons.  Of course, she felt obligated to call me last night and tell me she'd already saved $6.  Whatever...I will be win in the end, ha ha!

Chicken Stir Fry - healthy, yummy, and something fairly new to my cooking menu. 

Disagreement w/Hubby - nothing big, can't even remember what it was about - oh yeah....calendars.

Slept in - thank goodness for Sunday holidays that give us Mondays off.

Treadmill - it's where this old body needs to be 3 to 4 times a week.  I want to keep peeling this weight off and exercise is the only way I'm going to be able to do it. 

Words with Friends - a tad bit addicting and tons of fun.  I have 2 great games going right now...maybe I need to go check to see if they have played...

HS BFF - she's just the best friend forever any girl could have.  We can go a month and not talk, email, text...and it just doesn't matter.  We just pick right up where we left off.  I've got her back, she's got mine.  Enough said.

Clothes - I was lazy.  I left them in the clothes baskets after laundry.  They are now where they are suppose to be.  I'm sorry.

2012 holds such promise.  And I think I've got to go vacuum now!