Christmas at Nana's

Well...it's over. Bummer...Christmas this year came way too quick and left the same way. I had a fabulous time though! My daughter Susan and her family came for the holiday and stayed a week with me and I loved it! Those little girls of hers are adorable..and thier mom isnt half bad either..lol..thought she does resist sitting on my lap! They had a rough time getting here ..took them 16 hours to make a 9 hour drive. They ran into a bunch of bad weather. Apparently they dont care much for snow either. WE had about 2 foot out in the yard and Susan flat out refused to let the girls go out and play in it..lol...I told her it would be ok. If Noe fell thru a snowdrift we could dig her back out but she wasnt having any of it..lol.. So, instead we baked and decorated gingergread men and put glitter names on stockings. Noe decided that her new name was Pumpkin and Mali learned to say Nana and how to do a "victory dance" ..lol...I'm going to post some videos and pics here..for the better looking ones(I made some scrapbook pages) head on over to the Christmas in Kingsley blog. It isnt really finished yet but some cool pics are there. I'm going to get the neat videos on here before Susan does..lol..

Christmas shopping

So, i started Christmas shopping today. I guess you can tell how much I dont enjoy it by the fact that I put it off until the week before Christmas. I did pretty well too considering I have come down with an ugly cold..figures doesnt it? Anyway, I had some questions for Susan about stuff I saw for the girls but she didnt answer her phone so hopefully she will read this blog tonite and respond while I still know where the receipts are. I got both of the girls pjs..kind of a Christmas tradition for our family. I think it all started with the fact that the folks wanted us wearing nice pjs for the Christmas morning pics , so we all always got pjs that were opened on Christmas Eve. I got the blanket kind, heavy fleece with feet in them. I also got Noe a microphone, clipo's, and a pink My Little Pony. Alec got her a pretend mp3 player with headphones. I got Mali some stackable stars that play music and a purple My Little Pony and I still owe her one. Alec got her these drum things..cant remember what they are called but they light up and make noise..lol..now, if Mali doesnt like My Little Ponys then I owe her 2 presents. I also got the girls frosty gum bubble bath..well its from bath and body and its shampoo, bodywash and bubble bath all in one. Need a few more suggestions for Mali....I got what I was told to get for Fai but for Susan I have a couple questions..like...what season of Bones is she looking for? All of these could have been answered if she would answer her phone..hmmmmm..maybe she knew it was me.
When we got home,..the dog had managed to get out of her kennel..we still dont know how because its still latched shut...makes you wonder doesnt it. At least she didnt really destroy anything and Alecs room is already so messy that you cant really tell she did anything.
Hopefully,Susan will respond quickly so I know if I did ok or not..and if she is bringing the glitter or was I supposed to buy it cause I cant remember. Guess I'll go blow my nose again, wash my hands and start making some of that tons of junk food that Susan thinks is gonna be here..lol

Getting to know the Christmas me

I read this originally on Susan's blog..so I thought I could answer the same questions and it would count as updating my blog..Yes?

Christmas Questions

1.wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper except when I start wrapping and then I wish I had bought gift bags.

2.real tree or artificial? This is the first year that I have had an artificial tree and I have to say I'm liking it. No sweeping up pine needles until Easter(at which time I start sweeping up that nasty artificial grass) and the animals dont feel compelled to eat and/or climb the artificial tree.

3.When do you put up the tree? As soon after Thanksgiving as I can without getting nasty looks from Alec

4.When do you take the tree down? The day after New Years. Of course that's usually because all the needles have fallen off and the thing is a fire hazard.. I might leave it up all year round since it isnt going to catch fire.

5.Do you like eggnog? Absolutely!

6.Favorite gift received as a child? You actually expect me to remember when I was a child..I cant remember yesterday.

7.Hardest person to buy for? EVERYBODY!!! I have no idea what anybody wants...

8.Easiest person to buy for? I think I just answered that one.

9.Do you have a nativity scene? No I dont.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail...it's too hard to hang the email ones on the wall.

11. Worst gift you ever received? Sorry that involves remembering again.

12.Favorite Christmas Movie? Well here we have a dilemma. On the one hand, I have loved Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer since I was a little girl. but my favorite grown-up Christmas movie is that one with Jimmy Stewart that I unfortunately cant remember the name of right now..you asked me too fast...

13.When do you start shopping for Christmas? Soon now..very soon...

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No..not yet

15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Gee..might be easier to choose what I dont eat...at Christmas or any other time..unless you are talking about green vegetables and those dont go with any holiday.

16. Lights on the tree? Duhhhh....of course..how else can you sit in the dark and stare at it..

17.Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night..and Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...but I like Nat King Coles version the best.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home of course..how else could Susan travel ?

19.Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course..

20.Angel on the tree top or star? Another dilemma..I like a star..but this year..the fake tree top wont support either one so I have one of those big red tree top bows on it.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? One on Christmas Eve..the rest on Christmas morning..where do you think Susan learned it.

22.Most annoying thing about this time of year? COMMERCIALS

23.Favorite ornament theme or color? I use the multi colored lights and glass santa and snowmen ornaments and bead garland and red bows tied on the ends of the branches.just a polyglot really.

24.What do you want for Christmas this year? I really dont have anything that I'm wishing for.

Susan, by the way I just noticed that you skipped the number 24 and went right to 25. Did this mean there were really 25 and you missed one or that you cant count?I'm sure thats gonna get a comment,...lol

Out of Turkey

With the holidays fast approaching, I start thinking of food. Dont laugh Susan, while its true that I spend a bit of time each day thinking about food..I'm talking about special food. Holiday stuff. Turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie...and even planning on Christmas cookies and such. I always cook on Thanksgiving, turkey with all the trimmings ...but this year I have to work on the holiday. No big deal cause I'm outta there at 3 and since Alec will sleep til noon, there's plenty of time for the holiday feast. But in the interest of saving time and quite frankly, I dont really like spending a couple hours on my feet in the ktichen after working all day so when I saw that Meijer was having a really good deal on a Thanksgiving meal I thought it sounded pretty good. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry relish and 12 rolls for 29.95...good deal huh. And already cooked so all I had to do was heat it up. So, I called them today..the ad said order 48 hours in advance and since I wanted to pick it up Wednesday after work I figured today was the perfect day. I told the lady I wanted to order one of those Thanksgiving meals and she said " We are out of the turkey dinners". "Huh?" says I. She repeats that they are out of the turkey dinners. Wait minute..."Arent you a grocery store?"
"Yes", she says.."but we are out of the advertised special"
Now folks...tell me if I'm wrong here but if they still have turkeys, which they did cause I was there today..and if they still have potatoes..which they did..how can they be out of turkey dinners? Can't they just take a little jog over to the meat and produce sections and get me a dinner to cook up? I'm not an unreasonable person...usually...but this lady is real lucky she was on the phone and not face to face with me...I did consider making that little job myself and taking her the items she said she was out of..but i had other shopping to do and didnt really want to be escorted out by security. Thats no way to start the holidays.
For anyone who doesnt watch the weather..we have about a foot of snow out there..gonna be a long winter I'm thinking.
I also had to go to the mall today...and that isnt my favorite place to go, but Alec was down to 1 pair of jeans.. He managed to somehow put holes in the knees of 2 pairs in the same week as well as inform me that 2 other pairs couldnt be worn because they were too tight...which basically means they dont slide down his butt. But there really isnt any sense arguing with a teenager about thier clothes or thier hair. If he says they dont fit right, they will sit in that drawer until the world ends and he still wont wear them.. So, off to the mall I went, in the snow, to buy jeans. I got that done and then had to go to the Sprint store. Now theres a place I really hate. But the dog*sigh* ate the charger for the cell phones..actually she has eaten 2 of them now. But thats a story for another day. So, off i go...turns out they were out of the particular charger I needed and it wont be in for a week so we have to charge the phones in the car. That isnt cool but thats also another story. In this story...I also had to find out why alec cant get into his voice mail..it rings our home number when he tries..and why even though I pay $5 a month for it, he cant send pics from his phone. The clerk asks if I have the phone with me..I cant help but look at her like shes an idiot...which she is..she smiles all the time... and I tell her, "He's 13". Now that , to me, more than answers that question...but now she's looking at me like I'm the stupid one..So then I have to tell her how the phone never leaves his possession...I think he even sleeps with it...Which is probably a good thing..that way the dog can't eat it....

Tagged again

Susan tagged me again. She says it's the only way she can get my to update my blog and since I havent posted since the last time she tagged me, I suppose she could be right. the problem I have is that I dont have much excitement going on so I dont really have anything to write about. I guess I could write about my dog like Susan did..unfortunately thats more of a tragedy than anything else.

My dog is not a purebreed or well trained. Her name is Katie and we got her from the local Humane Society. She is a Lab/Springer Spaniel mix and for anyone who knows much about those breeds, you know that she is kinda like pogo sticks with hair. High energy doesnt even begin to describe her. The only commands I've been able to teach her are sit and shake...and she only does those when she thinks a treat might be involved. Actually, we love her dearly..we just wish either she was better behaved or that we were better teachers... Our Christmas tree last year..well it was sad looking..lol..we were afraid to decorate the bottom third of it because..well..she chews...incessantly...anything and everything...presents under the tree before Christmas are definitely out..paper is one of her favorite things! The worse thing I think is that she's a whiner...Thats right...she whines...just like a debutante who found out another girl is wearing the same dress she is..I really hate that sound..Not sure what to do about it though.

Today was the first day of fire arm deer season here in Michigan and I gotta say I dont really understand the fascination with sitting out in the cold 2 hours before the animal gets up to move so you can shoot it. Then you have to drag it out of the woods and hang it up for a day and then cut it into pieces. I'm sorry but I prefer my meat to come from the grocery store in little cellophane wrapped packages. Yes I know it costs more...but I didnt have to see it bleeding and that makes it worth it to me. If i had to see all the animals killed, I'd never be able to eat them and I really enjoy a nice rib eye steak. Anyone who knows me, knows I really am not cut out to be a vegetarian. I get nauseous just thinking about peas..lol.

When I read Susans blog..which I check daily by the way Susan...it seemed to me that she is asking for advice...since this seldom happens..lol...I felt I should rush to respond!! But all I really have to say..is enjoy your girls. There is a country song out right now by Trace Adkins. It's called "You're Gonna Miss This" and it says it all. Im sure that you actually enjoy staying home with your children. There is so much that gets hurried through and missed when both parents have to work and the children are in day care centers or with babysitters. When I was a young mother I thought it would be so peaceful and nice when the kids grew up. As they left home, one by one..I'm sure they remember me crying..What they didnt know was that I couldnt even go to thier rooms for weeks after they were gone. And the peace and quiet doesnt balance out the fact that you miss them every day. So, Boo...enjoy the screaming and the whining and the time outs. Take every opportunity to hug them and tell them you love them. Take lots of pictures so you can remember all the adorable things they do. They will be grown up before you know it.

Gee,,,this has been entertaining hasnt it..lol..Susan, I think you are moving this week arent you? Or is it next week. I havent talked to you on the phone for a week and as you know, the memory isnt all that great. I saved that message with Noe and you talking....she's so cute!!

Winter has come to Michigan..its snowing as we speak..ugh...but it was bound to happen sooner or later..

I would tag somebody but the only one I know who has a blog is Susan and there probably arent any tagbacks.....

Yikes! I've been tagged....

So..I've been tagged...What does that mean exactly? I've heard the expression and I think it means I have to post something..which by the way I havent done in more than a month..*sigh*..It's so hard to be entertaining after you have worked all day...lol..

So..whats been going on since my last post. Well, I got a bit older. One year to be exact..as my daughter Susan so kindly pointed out, it keeps happening even though I wish it wouldnt. I keep waiting for the supposed wisdom that comes with age but so far it hasnt arrived. Im wondering when does it get here..and will i remember when it finally does? Alec got a year older too but he is happier about it than I am. He turned 13 this year...thats right..a teenager...dont really have to say anything else do I? The word teenager pretty much says it all. You ever notice that some words are like that?

On the fun side, I went to Detroit a couple weeks ago and saw my first Red Wings game. It was a BLAST!!! I have been a fan for a couple of years now and I watch nearly every game. But watching at home is nowhere near as cool as being at the game. We could see a lot better than we thought we would and theres all sorts of stuff that goes on that you dont see during the commercial breaks..lol..The only thing that sucked was the drive home. We didnt get home til 3:30am...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy past my bedtime (usually about 9:30pm)...
I really would love to go again. I didnt even need body armor to go to Detroit and I was pretty sure that I would..lol..

I'm starting to look forward to Christmas. Susan and her family are coming. I invited Jeremy and Jaquie too but Jeremy isnt sure if they can make it cause of work. It's been a long time since I had the houseful for the holidays. Gonna be great! And the cool thing is, I get paid to be off work while they are here. Thats right folks. I have joined the world of people who get paid vacation..lol...dont laugh...theres been a lot of years where I wasnt part of that select group. But I have a great job now that I really really enjoy. I wont go on about it but I really do like it.

This is not turning out to be entertaining but I worked today..lo..told you it was harder when I worked. If you really want to be entertained go read Susans blog..I laughed so hard this afternoon reading it that I almost peed my pants. Noe would be disappointed..

Later...










me at Joe Louis Arena

My spare time

For all of you who have wondered where my mind goes when I'm talking to you on the phone and you know I'm sitting at my computer...well, above is what I am usually doing. I have Paintshop Pro and Photoshop on my computer and I ADORE playing around with these programs. It gives me a creative outlet that doesnt involve my having to display any real artistic talents. And those of you who know me very well, know that I dont HAVE any artistic talent!
I really love the autumn season too. Not terribly happy about what comes after that but fall is my time of year. The colors..the temps cool down..thank goodness....being over 50 in extreme heat is not a pretty thing. I was kind of surprised this year though. We were in the 90's one day...2 days later highs were in the 60s and theres a possibility of frost tomorrow nite! Yikes! Time to bring in the azaleas that I never got around to planting that are still sitting in pots on the deck...oh well...next year..

Later...

Showing off

Do you remember when I wrote my first post here..and I said I could change the "vacation at the gas station" pic to one from a beach? Well.voila!! Actually there are 2 different beach scenes here so Fai and Boo can choose which beach they would rather have gone to..hahahahaha...Just showing off...

Well, I have discovered a new reason for living...chocolate moose tracks! Don't laugh..have you tried it? It combines chocolate ice cream..already 2 of my favorite words...with chocolate swirls and little tiny pnut butter cups...yummmmmmmmmmmmm.... What better way to cool off. And we need to cool off this week. Temps in the 90's for several days in a row...ugh...Should have had the last of it for awhile though. Temps should drop down about 20 degrees tomorrow they say..whoever they is...of course I still have ice cream left..might have to pretend that its still hot!

I have to go to the dentist tomorrow...Can I just say that theres something wrong with a person who spends thier entire day with thier hands in somebody elses mouth? On purpose!!! Not to mention they are always asking questions..."How often do you floss?" And no matter what answer you give, you get that look that says..."Oh really..hmmmmm"

Thats about the excitement for tonite...I have to go sweat now...

Later...

less chips, more fruit!....

Just in case there are those of you who don't already know this. I need to lose a few pounds...ok..maybe a little more than a few. According to my Dr. about 40 should do it..lol..and I always mean to be good, really I do! My intentions are wonderful...until about 4pm...then I get this uncontrollable urge to sit on my butt and eat potato chips!! Of course, this does tend to make the aforementioned butt even larger...more stable I prefer to think of it...what do skinny people have to sit on???? Must be painful!!!!
Anyway, I had my yearly checkup a couple weeks ago...I explained why instead of losing 40 pounds i had gained 5..I earnestly explained about the chips....then I smiled figuring she would just smile back and tell me to try a little harder...instead, she said...forcefully...less chips, more fruit!! Yikes!

A little happier news...school starts next week!!! Can a get a "YooooooooooooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
Lol..Alec, of course, is not nearly as happy about this as I am. We had 7th grad orientation the other day. You know the drill..met the teachers, got his class schedule and his locker...practiced opening the locker! He does have 3 classes with his best friend Colton this year and that makes him a little happier. The only real argument we are having is about his hair. For years now he has kept his hair really really short. His idea and I was perfectly happy with it. Now for some unknown reason , he has decided he wants to wear it long. Heaven help us! I prefer his hair short, mainly because he doesnt like to comb it....and he doesnt comb it unless i sit on him with a brush...*bet he starts chanting less chips, more fruit!* Oh well..the teenage years are approaching...beginning in September...guess I'll have to get used to never being right again.

Other than that, there isnt anything new going on. And if there had been, I would have forgotten it. I've been meaning to call the dentist office more about 2 or 3 weeks now to give them my new insurance information.Also been meaning to make dentist and dr. appt for Alec so he can play sports this year(he wants to run track)..and theres something else I'm supposed to do..but...you got it..i cant remember! And before you laugh Susan,,,remember you have the same DNA and it will someday happen to you!!

Well, thats all from Michigan tonite..

Later...

So, Here Goes

So, here goes.

Ever since my daughter started her blog,I've been anxiously awaiting each post. Not only to catch up on whats going on with her and her family but because she's pretty funny!! lol Then, I got to thinking, maybe I could try this too! It's certainly an excellent way to keep up with family without using up all the cell phone minutes! In fact , I promised to create one about 3 years ago....so I'm just a little late.

Since most everybody who ever even hears about this will be family or close friends, theres no need to introduce myself. We all already know everything, so I'll just start right in with what's going on at our house.

Nothing.

Well I guess that isn't entirely accurate. Alec just got back Saturday from a 6 week visit to Susans house.Man, I was glad to see him! It was entirely too quiet with him gone. I also had to take care of his dog...his guinea pig(can you say stinky??)..his fish..well you get the picture. We,Cecil and I, redid his room while he was gone and I think he was impressed. I certainly was. Had no idea I was that good...lol

I also got to visit with Susan,Fai and the girls for awhile when we went to get him. Those little girls are adorable!! I got some cute pictures too which I will post here,if I can figure out how to.Theres a really good one of thier little family thats about good enough to frame, except for the big semi behind them. Too bad I cant take that out of the picture and put them on a beach...wait! I can do that..lol...did you like that...a little segue into playing with graphics that I like to do...lol

Drinking and driving

vacation at the gas station

Well , thats really about all for right now. I just wanted to see if I could do this.

Later....