Happy New Year Everyone

Make it unforgettable ~

One years time...

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.
Albert Einstein.

Imagine that...everything that has happened to us within one year . It's a good thing that events get spread out. Sometimes at a leisurely pace other times, more than you can chew off...but we got through it. The good and the bad and the sometimes indifferent. I have to tell ya, I've had my share this year as did many other people I know.

Beginning with a breast biopsy in January that knocked the pasties off of me but I suppose made me a stronger person...which got me ready for a case of diverticilosis....diver...what you say? It just means I'm getting older and my body is telling me to put down the strawberries, tomatoes, and seeds. As far as I see it...that's bird food and just in case I get too cocky...because of my lack of gallbladder, no fat, no grease, no spice...NO FUN...yep, that's what that means. On a brighter note because of my protesting body parts I have lost as of this post 37 lbs....which means 20 more and my weight will actually say what's on my license. I've had my first colonoscopy and it was a breeze but what isn't a breath of fresh air is PERIMENOPAUSE....please don't make me write down the weird, freaky, inconsistent, messy, annoying, laughable, torturous symptoms...read all about it yourself.

Ok...enough of the pity party...09 had some very good turning points as well...hmmm, let's start with....

Raquel having her very 1st boyfriend which was cute and all but as she put it "very time consuming and too much work". Welcome to the club my dear! She also got her driving permit and has been driving around with her father (not me, I wanna hold on to the remaining body parts that I have) and having a great time exploring this great city we live in.

Besides Meredith having knee surgery and waiting for another one in 2 weeks, she became a nursing assistant and was promoted to manager within a 6 month period. I'm very proud of her, especially when you have 3 squirrely kids all under the age of 7 so it's kinda like x's 3 which = 15 children...right?

Besides the usual fixing and repairing and regular maintenance of the house, Eric always has a major project for the year. This year was the dining room and I must say...it look Marvelous! Next year...the living room and if I know me...I'll try to sneak in something else for him to do.

This year has been filled with vintage and new, creativity and artistry, east coast and west coast.
I signed up on Facebook and I've never looked back. I have reconnected with people I went to Kindergarten with...even the wife of the boy who gave me my first kiss...they're divorced now and I had nothing to do with...I swear. I even have contact with an ex boyfriend and that's ok because he's gay and I swear....I had nothing to do with that one either...lol

But nothing has prepared me with you guys. I have been wanting to start a blog for some time and I just couldn't get myself to do it until my friend Marie made me...just kidding, she gave me the incentive to do it and even if it didn't work out...hay! what the heck...it's still my blog...right?
And then...people started to leave comments and call me by my name and ask about my life and family and then....well, you all are now a part of my life and your stuck. I've reconnected with Anita, whom I haven't seen since she descended from a helicopter on the high school football field back in 19#@. And I also become buddies again with my crazy friend Debbie...check out her blog but you've been warned...not only is she perimenopausal...she's crazy. And I've actually talked my friend Brenda into starting a blog too...and a very smart one to boot.

The new friends that I have made have had an impact of my life. They are all so wonderfully creative and artistic and not only with paint and wire and feathers and such, but with words. Words that take me somewhere else whether it's real or not. Words that soothe me or make me cry or words that force me to think. Some of my new friends helped me through trying times because they went or are going through the same things I did. Seems like they were always there for me...cyber there.

This past year has been a journey that I never expected but so glad I ventured into. I look forward to each day with curiosity and interest as to what you all are doing and I treasure your kind words and interaction with me every single day. If I lived close to any one of you, I'd for sure be knocking at your door and traipsing around town with you and probably getting in trouble...like going to honky tonks, or listening to your kids band or chasing down delinquent cyclist or climbing sand dunes...ok, maybe not that one but we'd be crafting our heads off. I can't wait for the new year because I know you all, every single one of you will touch my heart in a way that only you can.

So here's to 2010...remember when the world was gonna blow up in 2000? That was funny...anyways.


Here's to a productive, whimsical, adventurous, vulnerable, healthier, loving,
creative and honest new year.


Salud , Cheers!, Prosit, A votre sante, L'chiam, Cin-cin and here's looking at you kid ~

Merry Christmas to you All

Glitter Graphics

Some famous Christmas Quotes...

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Burton Hillis

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. Dale Evans Rogers

The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart
.Helen Keller

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
WC Jones

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.
Unknown

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.

Emily Matthews

Dear Santa

I don't want to over indulge this Christmas although I can and have in the past, I can easily pack on 5lb with just one rotation around the buffet table





and I'm sure I can eat 1/2 my weight in tuna... although I'll leave the catnip for Ginger






I've been known to have a little drink or 3 but I'm sure you have too. I mean...seriously...all those elves...they'd drive me to drink too!





When Christmas is over I have a big chore ahead of me putting things away and schlepping boxes and it's not like your gonna give me a hand...I know your tired and all






but please Santa I just want one thing this year under my tree





that's all...I'm just sayin'

Welcoming Christmas

Let the glow of the winter lantern show you the way



Past the snow flakes and snow drifts


on this special day. I will entice you with gifts


and whimsy if you may



and perhaps a Santa or two on this Christmas day.




Angels take flight and watch over us all


while the spirit of Christ who's name we now call





The villagers await with fever and wonder


while the house is quiet and silent with slumber



St Nick will arrive with his reindeer in tow



gliding and alighting and traipsing through snow


So we all gather 'round and experience the bliss


but be careful, look up, you could get a kiss



...and with each passing moment in which we hold near ~ our wonderful family and friends we hold dear ~ And through it all we manage to gather round today to bring you love and respect and come what may ~ I cherish you all who come from blogland ~ You've have made my life so sweet and that much more grand.

From our house to yours, may the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your loved ones.

Lil' Lulu

I knew you were up to something...I could only imagine and wish. You are one of the most creative and fun artist I have come to know so it's no surprise that you created this with me in mind....






I absolutely adore this whimsical necklace but, it's not going around my neck, Oh No, it will be displayed somewhere where everyone will see it and they will OOO and AHHH and they will be so impressed at the artistry and I will tell them that my friend Lil' Lulu gave it to me...just because.

Thank you my dear...I appreciate it and most importantly, I know it was made and given in love and that is what makes you so special and me so grateful.....


PS. Everyone please go to her blog, Coastal Sisters and check out her new giveaway...as usual, it is something that she has created with her extra special Lulu touch.

PPS..please excuse the plastic, I was soooo excited I couldn't wait to take a picture, but believe me...he's sooo cute with sparkly pink ears and big red buttons down the front of his bunny jumper...click on pic to see detail....I'm just say'in


UPDATE...

here is a better pic of the piece and I put Mr. bunny on a bird cage where he might even hang out after the holidays

Pajama Party!

This past weekend my closest friends and I decided to get together and enjoy each others company. Then I got a wild idea, a pajama party...mainly because I was in a lazy mood and I've been freezing lately. Needless to say we all had a great time in our pj's. We ate and drank and talked and laughed and cried...just like always. A couple of us couldn't make it this time around but for sure, they were truly missed, so don't worry, we will do this again soon. I call these ladies my friends but they are more to me than that...they are my family. We have know each other for well over 30 and 40 years...a couple I have known since 1st grade...you do the math. Just a few pics to give you an idea of the evening...

just me....Santa's little helper



this is Cynthia...no, it's not the end to our party...it's the beginning...she's faking it...she doesn't even drink and her family owns a liquor store



Hey Marsha....got milk? Do let her fool you...there's captain Morgan in that drink




This was after the giant wreath fell around Sandie....it was hysterical




The table were unspeakable tales are told...



...like the time bunny took a shot of tequila...strictly for municipal purposes, of course!




and like the time Marsha and Sandie secretively went outside...why? gotcha!!


Hey! Wait a minute Cyn...you said you didn't drink...hmmmm






Did you notice I'm not in this picture? Besides taking the pic, I'm the one telling the ladies how to center the wreath...and if you know me you are all shaking your heads up and down sayin' yep!




So anyways...what would I do without my family...Marie, Diane and Julie...par-tay in the new year (my house) and maybe we should start a pajama tradition...I can see us now...30 years down the road, forgetting who's house we're going , wearing depends, music blasting cuz we can't hear and falling asleep at 7ish. I wouldn't wanna get old without you all.....love you guys ~

Fantasy Header...

I found this header and this guy looks like Sean Connery and I'm in lust with him.

Yep...since I was about 10 years old..although I don't know who this other chicky

is...but I can

fantasize can't I?




Santa...if you read my blog.....I'm just sayin'

Glitter Graphics

Curb Appeal...

Look what I found. Yes...I found it. It was sitting on the curb in the neighborhood of the school where I work and there was a big o' sign on it that read "FREE..IT WORKS". It must of been sitting there for all 30 seconds because there is no way it would have lasted. So I picked it up, brought it home and I instantly got into warped speed like I do...I must be feeling better, and painted the base antique white...because even though you can't take a gift horse for granted, the black marble effect does not work for me.

It came with white lights...hence the "it works part" and I set it in my dining room in a corner.
Even though I probably have tons of ornaments to put on it I didn't want to bother with a search and rescue mission at this time and I grabbed the first thing I thought of...Jewelry..yep! It must be on my mind because I ran upstairs..(OK, I methodically walked) to my bedroom and emptied my 3 boxes of costume jewelry and brought some pieces down. I proceeded to decorate the tree with it. I think it looks cute...well it better because I'm not moving it now. If you click on the pic perhaps you could see earrings, brooches and yes..those are a string of faux pearls....the real ones are in hiding. I even threw some stuff on the bird cage next to it. Did I tell you that I have 4 bird cages in and around my house and not one bird in them...because I don't like birds..Sorry, I digress....So anyways...that's what I did today. Oh yeah! I baked this morning and then went to work and worked here on my blog and the average daily stuff. I think I'm getting better...I must be if I'm picking up people's trash...I'm just sayin'

$ For Gold...

The other day I went to a $ for Gold party. I was a little skeptical because first of all, I didn't believe it was worth it...at least to me. I have lots of jewelry but for some reason I hardly wear it. I hardly wear my wedding ring but when I took a peak into my stash of stuff I realized that there were some pieces that I haven't worn in roughly 30 years...Yeah! a long time. So I started picking out pieces that I either never liked or don't like anymore...you know, that old cheesey outdated gold necklace, that old lady brooch that I never liked and of course that ever popular, ex husband wedding band..yikes...didn't even know I still had that. Anyways, I put all the above and a couple of more pieces in a baggie and set off to the party.

When I arrived there were many women in deep conversation about the same things I was hesitant about AND they all had baggies too...that was a hoot! We all talked about getting rid of some stuff and how we thought that what we brought was either fake or not worth much...boy were we wrong. The company that offers these parties was set up in another room with a gaggle of equipment including a table with lamps, magnifiers, assorted liquids and paperwork. Behind the table sat 2 youngish gentlemen with a prospective client on the other side.

During my conversation with my friends, it would be interupted by shouts of "OH MY GOSH" and "ARE YOU KIDDING?" coming from the other room which frankly just peeked our curiosity. Finally I ventured into the room and watch as these 2 men worked they're magic. The lady that was sitting at the table was telling these two guys how sorry she was for bringing worthless stuff and the story behind certain pieces. I stood there patiently waiting till it was tallied ....waiting, waiting....$260.00. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather...WOW! I watched person after person leave that table in either shock or joy after recieving the news that they had gain riches from bad jewelry. One lady left over $500.00 richer.

My turn....I go into my schpeel like everyone else.."I don't think this is real", "This is crap" and again the ever popular, "My ex's ring...I know it's worthless" and lo and behold...wait for it.....



...a whopping $162.00 Yipee!!!!

Later when I came home I told Eric..."Looks like your getting a Christmas Gift this year"...his response, "You didn't sell anything I gave you...right?"...nope, just the ever popular ex's.

A Sweet Design

As a small child I was always drawn to design. The design of homes, cars, gadgets you name it...to me, it was all about the aesthetics and presentation. Which is why I couldn't wait to get to my grandparents house for the holidays..to view their Christmas candy dish which was always filled with the most beautifully designed candy ever.....Ribbon Candy!

I would hover over the dish and be mesmerized by the vivid colors and swirls. I only partook in the eating of this wondrous candy once as I found out I did not like the taste, but the images of the bright hues and circular shapes would stay with me to this day. I even have Christmas ornaments that are replicas of Ribbon Candy but made from glass. And when it's time to decorate the tree, I pull them out of their container very gingerly and hold them in my hands and still stare at them in wonder and tell my daughter the story of how excited I was to get to my grandparents house. It's the little things that bring back memories of childhood.

Promises, promises...

Now that I'm back on my feet after my gb thingy, it's time for my family members and friends to cash in they're promises. Being that I was incapable of doing a whole lot of stuff and I don't mean outlandish or adventurous stuff, I mean regular mom and Nana stuff, I was reminded by Raquel as teenagers do, that it's time. One day when she wanted to go shopping for some new clothes I reminded her that the more I walk the more pain I felt and in a moment of weakness I told her that when this is all over, "I promise" I will take her shopping and we will have lunch and a girls day of it. Well, point me to the mall (gag) as this little venture is in the works. When my squirrely grandsons call and ask me every now and then if they can spend the night, Nana tells them that my tummy hurts and that "I promise" when I get better they can spend the night and we will bake cookies and build forts. Well guess who called and the date is set. And when my girl friends ask when can we get together and I have to tell them soon "I promise" because I can't eat much (surprise) and what's the use? So, I have fired off an email to them giving them a list of places that I think will be OK and that next Thursday is good. And last but certainly not least, my hubby Eric. After telling him and I know he understands, that simple gestures, gently touches and back rubs don't cut it that "I promise" it will get better and we can resume where we left off. This weekend is gonna be goood! I promise!

My list or lack of....

If I inconspicuously leave will there still be Christmas?. I could easily get in my car and go to the market and continue to drive right past it and perhaps end up in Vegas. I have soooo much to do and I feel like I'm behind..I'm probably not, it's just that I'm a control freak and my gallbladder thingy left me feeling outta control....NO LIKEY!!! Being here doesn't help...errr, maybe it does, ya know...venting. This is my to do list.....and I'm not even kidding. Ok....serenity now, serenity now....breathing, breathing...ok, now I'm gonna start...start at the beginning bunny...your an old pro...you can do this, things will get done, your not alone, ok....better.....better.....almost there....gift cards are nice...right?



Glitter Graphics

New temporary family member....

Yes it's true, we have a new 5 month old in our family...a heifer by the name of Rogue. Raquel is at it again with her school's farm project, except that instead of starting with a lamb in the Spring, she is starting with a heifer now until she sell her at auction in July. And, when Spring does come around, she will acquire a lamb for the same auction...two animals this year.

For all you city folk, a heifer is a young cow and by the end of the school year she will weight roughly 1,300 lbs. Now, Raquel is use to riding horses which also weight that amount but the difference is on a horse you are on top of them riding and controlling at the same time. With a cow you are side by side trying to train them for show. Not easy when 1,300 lbs doesn't want to move or do what you want her to do. I have no doubt that Raquel will do well as she is obsesses with animals and has a good head on her shoulders. She's already taken her Christmas pictures with Rogue.



So Merry Christmas and Happy MOOOO Year from our animals to your!

Isn't it Ironic?

Ok...Your gonna love this. So today I decided to decorate a little. I have some energy back...a little, but my intent was good. So Eric hauls in my 32 gallon containers...and there's 12 of them and sets them in different parts of the house. I decide to decorate my dining room first. On my china cabinet I decorate with a Dickens Village theme. So, I start by removing my Fall stuff and then move on to the containers. I grab an item and it slips out of my hand and lands on my foot, more to the point...my toe. Well, I just have to tell you that it hurt like a son of a #*&%@ and my toe immediately swelled up (warning: kinda gross pic coming up on a non pedicured foot...hey!, I've been preoccupied lately)






So after the crying and cussing ended, I hobbled over to the bathroom to clean it. It's not broken because I can move it and I couldn't yell for Eric because he's on the roof putting up the lights so, I hobble back to the dining room and pick up the item that was left on my hardwood floor. It's in perfect condition, no cracks, brakes and nothing lose...even the floor endured. What landed on my foot you ask....this




That's right...my Dept 56 Victoria Station. Being that my given name is Victoria I thought that was pretty ironic...but no, I guess not ironic enough because after I tended to my food and iced it I went to tell Eric of my misfortune. He immediately tells me to sit down on the porch so he could take a look at it and after realizing it wasn't broken he asked me what piece did you drop. Before we were married and while we were dating, our very first Christmas together he had bought me this piece as a gift, so when I told him he wanted to check it out. We come in the house and I show him. He can't believe it because this piece is big and heavy and he gave it to me. We laughed about my so called "Flintstone feet" and then he goes to put my Victoria Station securely in it's place on the china cabinet when apparently he miscalculated the area and hits the top of it on the under cabinet. The gold piece at the top of the roof comes flying off and now there is a large hairline crack on the back side. You see...THAT'S IRONIC!

The moral of this story....don't let you hubby handle your Christmas stuff and always and I mean always have a glue gun at the ready....Oh yeah...and wear shoes when your decorating....I'm just sayin'