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 ~