Happy New Year...

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve! My husbands band played out and it was a good time...all be it odd...there wasn't the usual energy and elation that comes along with the stroke of midnight. After seeing the pics of my kids New Year's I think they had the best time of all!!!

Most years they go to my Mom's when we play out but this year they wanted to stay home. They bought noise makers, hats, balloons and sparkling juice. When we got home (with 10 people in tow) you couldn't tell there had been a party going on...which scares me a bit :)

They even got the dog into the spirit (poor Josie). After Jon tuckered out Morgan went to work with the balloons making her own chandelier. In real life it's VERY cool, the noise makers are the center with ribbon hanging down and the balloons were fastened together...complete with hanging ribbon (I should go check my ribbon stash, huh?).

The year 2008 was a mixture of highs and lows for my family. I certainly hope 2009 has more highs!! My biggest wish for 2009 is improved health. My step-dad is battling cancer, my husband's back is getting worse instead of better and my precious Josie is going to be 12. Not that improved wealth wouldn't be welcome.

Blessings to each and everyone of you for inner peace and whatever you wish for. Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Memories...

My most memorable Christmas was the year I was about 10 or 11 and we were living in Negley, OH. Life was good...I had a dog, my best friend lived next door, I was within walking distance of the local 5 & dime, school and post office and I had an enormous bedroom. It was the entire upstairs of the picturesque rough red brick house we'd moved into from the "little house." (The little house is a story for another day)

On Christmas morning I was disappointed to only find a couple small gifts under the tree and my stocking filled, I guess that's proof I was spoiled, huh?. I tried to hide my dismay, but I'm sure it was painfully clear on my face. The last gift was a Christmas card my mother handed to me.

My Mom had said she was repainting my bedroom and was not allowed in there due to the paint fumes. I was forced to sleep in the little walk-thru room next to my bedroom. And as if that wasn't bad enough they broke my nightstand lamp while carrying painting supplies past my bed.

Inside my card my Mom told me the rest of my presents were in my bedroom. I ran upstairs, flung open my door and was greeted with the most amazing bedroom EVER!!! Mom had purchased the entire white bedroom suit from Sears (maybe Penney's) complete with canopy bed. I had my own dresser, night stand, desk, vanity and full length mirror. And as if that wasn't enough I had brand new bedding with wallpaper to match!! As I scanned my new bedroom trying to make myself believe that this really was mine, my eyes stopped at my nightstand, there stood my lamp. It hadn't broken...but Mom knew I liked that lamp so she had to make up that little white lie so she could include it in my new room.

I still use that nightstand, and while the lamp has changed, the memories are still as vivid as the light cast from that lamp. THANK YOU MOM, for being the greatest Mom, EVER!!!

'Tis the Season...

I think December is the fastest month of the year. It seems compounded when you have hunters in the family. We have been very busy making sausage and jerky, going to Christmas concerts (both kids play instruments in the band), dances, shopping, decorating, baking...and we can't forget the usual work, laundry, dinner, paying bills, grocery shopping....blah, blah, blah. I'm ready for a nap just thinking of all of the things that need done in the month of December. My picture taking hasn't been very good lately but I've included pics just to give you an idea of what we've been up to.

One blessing so far this year is thanks to the internet, the wonderful internet. My husband is from Croatia, he was born here, but he's first generation born here. He still has a lot of family in Croatia. Well thru cousins here in the states his first cousin on his Mom's side contacted us and would like to get to know us better. She remembers Frank from when they were little, but it's been decades since they've seen each other. She lives in Austria now and we've been exchanging photos and "letters" thru the internet.

I've also become friends with a wonderful lady named Amy. She was so gracious in giving a tour of her beautifully decorated home. Take a look just by clicking on the red home.

I hope everyone Christmas is safe, happy and healthy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Baby, it's cold outside...

It's sooo cold outside this weekend. Mom helped me get revved up for the holidays when we went Christmas shoppping on Friday. I haven't done anything except buy a few gifts on "Black Friday", amazing huh...it's what the 7th of December?! So I told the kids we were going to get our Christmas cards made this weekend. So we drug everything to the kitchen table and in between the pancake breakfast at the church, a "quick" trip to WV and church service this morning I think we succeeded. Granted, it just dawned on me all of the things I didn't get done...check register for attorney, treasurers report for band boosters, just to name a couple...and Jon's band concert is tomorrow and my band booster meeting is Tuesday...but my cards are done!!! We made lots of cards, some money/gift card holders and even some tags. We had a good time singing carols and just being together. I guess I should make a list so I can keep everything straight.

By the way, does anyone know where I can pick up a couple extra hours?! haha

Passion....

Presenting my hubby...Frank. Playing guitar, one of Frank's passions. My DH always told me he was a simple man! Anyone who knows him would beg to differ. However, once you get to know him, and grow with him as I have, you will know he really is a simple man. Just too full of emotion and passion to display it in a "manly" fashion. Manly, an extremely big part of who he is. The hunter gatherer who you can count on when the car dies or washer won't work. While he's not one to cry at funerals (if you can get him to go) or get weepy eyed when a friend has a new baby, he shows his friends and family he loves them with his actions. The night this picture was taken (Thanksgiving Eve) we gave a pink guitar to a new friend who's daughter was in a terrible car accident a year ago and (while fighting hard) prognosis isn't great. This amazing family came into our lives by chance and have made a huge impact on Frank. To see the rare emotion publicly displayed when my hubby presented this guitar to Kris (the Mom) was a reminder of the passion locked inside my "simple man"!

Take the time...

What a week it has been!!! Nothing like a couple close calls to remind you what really matters. During church Pastor Scott reminded us of the Sabbath. That doesn't necessarily mean keeping a whole day open and you do nothing...although wouldn't it be nice to spend that day just visiting and no chores. All you need to do is "steal" a few minutes here and there. It could be taking the time to scratch your favorite fuzzy buddy, have a cup of tea with your best friend, read a story with your kids or drink in a sunrise or sunset.



You would also be amazed how good it feels being nice. We tell are kids to be nice while we get frustrated with the person who sits at the green light, roll our eyes when the cashier calls for a price check for the patron in front of us or slight the waitress on her tip when she forgets the ketchup. We never know what a difference just being nice could make. Maybe the person sitting at the light is lost in thought because their Mother just passed away. While their checking on the price say Hello you just might make a new friend. And as for the waitress...she remembered your fries!! We all have hectic, frustrating, stress filled lives. But if we slow down half a step, take the time to love our friends and family, soak in the view of God's amazing creation we call earth and treat people the way we would like to be treated...Wow just imagine.

Finally....

OK, it's official. Me and the children have fallen off our apple cart! You never saw three people more excited over an egg!!! We have been waiting, checking and threatening to squeeze some chickens if they didn't start laying soon. We built them a beautiful new home "The Taj ma Chicken" complete with nesting boxes, roosting boards and as an after thought put an old drawer on the floor for the ducks to sleep in. Guess where our first egg showed up...yep the drawer. If your wondering about the color, yes it is green. We have a couple chickens called Aracaunas and they lay green eggs. They vary from whitish-green to closer to a light teal color and I absolutely love them. The inside looks no different from a white or brown egg. But they certainly are a conversation piece. Hopefully I will have all fresh eggs for my holiday baking.

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to pass my blog along to your friends...blogging certainly can be addicting, huh!