CAUGHT IN THE RAIN

As we were walking in the door to church this morning, I noticed George was carrying his umbrella and I was carrying my sunglasses. I was surprised since he's usually the optimist in our family. I'm not bragging, but I needed the sunglasses as we exited the church. :-) The sun was shining and it was warm. But.....

Tonight Jack and Linda came over for drinks and we all decided to take the golf cart to the village to grab some dinner. Just as we got seated, Linda looked out the window and saw the rain. It was pouring! We took our time with dinner and hoped it would stop before it was time to leave. No such luck! George went into the restroom and grabbed lots of paper towels and tucked them inside his shirt. We were soaked by the time we walked to the golf cart. We tried to wipe off the seats, but it was pretty hopeless. Thankfully, we have the plastic panels on the golf cart we could roll down so we were protected from the rain on the way home, but we were all chilled to the bone by the time we arrived. Oh, and we all looked l-o-v-e-oh-ly. My hair just gets flat and plastered to my head and Linda's gets real wavy. I should've taken a photo. We all looked like drowned rats or cats or whatever. Funny night. Something we'll all remember. Sure wish George had taken the umbrella tonight!

TREASURE HUNTING

Every once in awhile, I get a "wild hair" to go treasure hunting. I just hop in my car by myself usually on a rainy yucky day when I don't (or can't) do anything else and off I go. I visit lots of antique stores, art galleries, home interior type shops, etc. and just walk around looking for a "treasure". Sometimes nothing happens and sometime I find just what I wasn't even looking for :-)

Yesterday afternoon was just one of those days. And it turned out to be a lucky day. I found two large pieces of art for our new home in a small shop I didn't even know existed. They have been in business for two years and somehow I missed it! Anyway, the owner let me bring them home on approval. I had to get George to go back with me to pick them up and we could only get one at a time in the back of his SUV so we made two trips. We both loved them immediately once we got them home and propped in place. Today two friends came by and both loved them too. I get excited when things just happen like this. I can only imagine how the pirates and explorers of long ago must have felt when they stumbled across a treasure.

FRONT ROW SEATS

I'm so excited. Tickets came in the mail today. My Mom, Sherry and I all have front row seats to see Paula Deen and her sons, Jamie and Bobby in Vicksburg a week from Saturday! We even get to go back stage afterwards to meet her personally. Can't wait!

CELEBRATING LATE BIRTHDAYS

Barbara with her tiara and magic wand and Dick with his birthday hat and birthday boy button blow out the candles on their cake. That cake was y-u-m-m-y!

A nice day. I didn't have to be out until this afternoon, so I slept a little late and then did some things around the house and walked for an hour on the treadmill. I bought groceries and ran some errands before I had my checkup with Dr. Moody (I see him every 3 months for the first 2 years after my cancer surgery, then every 6 months for another 3 years). All is good. Thank you Lord!

Tonight we had Garrett and Jeanette and her Mom, Tilly, who is visiting from New York and Dick and Barbara over to watch the Notre Dame game and grill some burgers. We also celebrated Dick and Barbara's birthday a few weeks late since they were out of town for the holidays during their birthdays. The girls ended up playing Mexican train while the guys watched the game. A fun night.

Off to bed. Finally.

FAIRY OF JOY

Just received this from a friend....how sweet!

I WON'T BE CALLING HIM SCARFACE AFTERALL

George had a small cancerous spot removed from his left cheek today (face, not the other!). When he came out with his bandage, he looked kinda cute especially after he tried to smile and only one side of his mouth worked. The other side was still numb. The doctor said he feels very good about it, but the report won't be back for 10 days or so. He will remove the stiches (it took 6) a week from Thursday. He told George he would definitely have a scar because of the location. George doesn't care and I told him I certainly don't either and I teasingly told him I might nickname him "Scarface". My friend told me not to. She said "Don't do that. He might just call you something that would include where your scar is!". She's got a point! Seriously, he's doing great and we're glad it's over.

A GOOD START TO 2007

We have the best friends! This afternoon Jeanette and Garrett had a group of us over for dinner. Six couples and Jeanette's Mom who is visiting from New York. We all sat outside on their platio around a firepit for food, drinks and fellowship. It was a cool night, but so nice to sit by the fire with a beautiful moon overhead. What a way to begin the new year!

Jeanette cooked her traditional Slovakian New Year's meal - pork roast, dumplings, pork gravy, sour kraut and apple sauce. Garrett who grew up in South Carolina made Hoppin' John (a rice and black-eyed pea recipe... Southern custom holds that, if eaten on New Years Day, it ensures good luck for the next year.) I grew up in Georgia so I brought collard greens (in my family for New Year's Day you eat black-eyed peas and collard greens or turnips for luck...the peas represent good luck in coins for the year and the greens represent good luck in dollar bills). There was tons of desserts too. Yum Yum!

We came home awhile ago stuffed to the gills and smelling like smoke, but very happy. Life is good!

A NEW YEAR...A NEW BEGINNING

I, for one, am very happy to welcome in a new year. 2007 just has to be a better year for me personally. Between the breast cancer and breaking two bones in my leg, 2006 was not the best year. Having two surgeries, radiation treatment and physical therapy took up alot of the year. I'm doing really well now....thank you to our God. But, I just know 2007 will be a year when I will truly appreciate life and the return to health in a way I've never truly done before. So, here's to a new beginning!

I like this new version of Auld Lang Syne:

(As updated for the new Millennium by:Annette Rios, Edie Zuvanich,Jaime Cabrera & Steve Hostak)

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
The new year brings us hope for peace,
A new day for mankind,
Where we can all live hand in hand
And leave all hate behind.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
When dreams they seem so far away,
Your soul can feel so low.
But love is never far away;
Your heart won't be alone.
Let's make a world where people care,
A world that knows no fear,
Where we can open up our hearts
And hold each other dear.
Our children grow, they need to know
The Future's theirs to hold.
If we can teach them how to love
Then the world can carry on.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

May this be true for all of us!

NEW YEAR'S EVE

New Year's Eve has never been my favorite time to party. It's scary to be out on the road. I'd much rather be home in my jammies, curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace with a good book and a cup of something warm. This year, since we've moved into the same neighborhood where most of our friends live (and we could walk if we wanted to), it was actually nice to go to a party packed with all of our good friends. But... by 11:30 we were all home, in our jammies and safe for the night. Perfect!

A FULL HOUSE AND THEN SOME

Our church isn't that big but the congregation is growing...it's kinda scary. I like things to pretty much stay the same. Earlier this year they put a tent up around back for the overflow since during the summer weekends and most holidays can cause seating to be premium. Jeff announced today that there were more people in the tent than there were seated inside. Wow! Luckily, we were inside. It was a gray, yucky day and we just made it to the car after church and closed the doors before the rain started. It was nice to spend the afternoon inside before getting ready for the party tonight at Carol's.

SO CUTE!

Dalton, Karrigan and Carson
(for some reason, I can't make the photo larger?)

Just had to show off three of our grandchildren. My daughter-in-law, Jan, is so talented with scrapbooking and photograpy. This was their Christmas card this year. All three are so sweet and so cute!

SIMPLE PLEASURES

I made some chicken salad today and I felt such pleasure eating it with some rice crackers. Yum! It's amazing how something so simple and so ordinary can make me feel so happy. Thank you God for simple pleasures.

ALONE, BUT NOT LONELY

George had to go out of town on business and left early this morning. It was kinda nice to have a whole day alone since life has been so busy and chaotic lately.I stayed in my pj's until I took a shower at noon!!! I never get to do that. I finally got my bags unpacked and the luggage put up. I walked on my treadmill for the first time since we moved into the new house. I played 3 sets of tennis this afternoon and then bought groceries. Tonight, I've caught up on all the e-mail that has piled up for weeks. It feels good to get some things accomplished. A nice day...alone, but not lonely.

ANGELS

I have two personal angels. You can't see their wings with your naked eye, but they are there! My Mom and my Aunt Sherry are always there ANYTIME I need help with ANYTHING! They amaze me! They stayed in town after Bree headed back to school and while we were on our trip to Marco Island. When we returned home last night, they surprised us with a v-e-r-y organized kitchen. Everything is in order and exactly where it needs to be to make cooking easier. Wow...it almost makes me want to cook. Almost!

They left this morning. I'm sure going to miss them!

TIME WELL WASTED

I got the new Brad Paisley CD for Christmas and George and I listened to it on our trip to Marco Island. Lots and lots of good songs, but my favorite one is "Time Well Wasted". It's so true. It's especially true this time of the year when we have so much on our plates. Last week I spent alot of time "wasting time" with my Mom, Aunt and Bree...just playing games, chatting, cooking, eating, etc. even though there was lots to do around the house, but, believe me, it was time "well wasted". I wouldn't change one minute of it. Making memories is more important than empyting more boxes or organizing closets.


Time Well Wasted

I could've been workin' overtime
Or at home tryin' to make that truck run right
Instead of wadin' out in that stream
All day long barely catchin' a thing
Just me and dad
I'm glad he talked me in to that

1st Chorus
It was time well wasted
And there's no way I trade a few more dollars in my pocket
I could've spent
For a day I'll never forget
No, I didn't get a thing done
But I sure soaked up every minute of the memory we were makin'
And I count it all as time well wasted

Those leaves were a foot deep in the yard
And 'wash me' was written all over the car
But watchin' movies all day with you
Wasn't on my list of things to do
But we laid on that couch
Girl, we never left the house

2nd Chorus
It was time well wasted
And there's no way I trade a few more things that I could've crossed off my list
For a day I'll never forget
No, I didn't get a thing done
But I sure soaked up every minute of the memory we were makin'
And I count it all as time well wasted

Bridge
This world spins too fast if you let it
There's always one more thing to do
But lookin' back I never have regretted
Takin' off early or callin' in sick
Or lovin' away a Sunday afternoon

3rd Chorus
It was time well wasted
And there's no way I trade a few more dollars or things crossed off my list
For a day I'll never forget
No I didn't get a thing done
But I sure soaked up every minute of the memory we were makin'
And I count it all as time well wasted

Tag
I count it all as time well wasted

CHRISTMAS ISLAND STYLE

George and I spent Christmas on Marco Island this year and these banners ("Christmas Island Style") were all up and down the street. We really had a good time. It was HOT though...88 was the high! We even walked on the beach on Christmas morning (with our tennis shoes on since their beach doesn't have fluffy white sand like ours...their sand is packed flat and full of shells). We were both surprised at how full the hotels were. Lots and lots of people with small children too. We decided to go on a trip this year so we wouldn't be "home alone" since none of our children would be home with us, but we wondered why so many others were there at Christmas. It was definitely a different Christmas for us.

OVER TOO SOON

Wow...our Christmas is over...too soon. Bree left this morning right after breakfast. It's sad to think she won't be here for the actual holidays. I'm glad George planned a trip for us. He's always thoughtful and plans ahead. I'm also glad Bree has Jay in her life now. At least she won't be alone when she's not working. His family has invited her to alot of their family activities.

To keep us busy this afternoon, we all decided to pack up the decorations, so we won't have to deal with it when we return next week. With all of us working together, it really went quickly, which was nice so we could play some games :-)

Tonight, we packed our bags and we're leaving early tomorrow morning. Marco Island here we come.

OUR PRETEND CHRISTMAS DAY

Today was our Christmas Day. We all made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast: grapefruit, cheese grits, scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. Yummy! We exchanged gifts and played Christmas music and it really felt like Christmas. We had to keep reminding ourselves that it wasn't. We wanted to call all of our friends and family to wish them a Merry Christmas. Tonight we cooked our traditional Christmas dinner: turkey, mashed potato casserole, veggies, rolls, and pumpkin pie. It was wonderful having Bree, Mom and Sherry here with us.

FAUX CHRISTMAS EVE

Since Bree has to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year, we declared today as our Christmas Eve...a faux one. Instead of HO, HO, HO, we said FAUX, FAUX, FAUX! It was a fun day of making cookies, playing games and then George took us all out for dinner (Italian) and we rode around and looked at Christmas lights.

MAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Christmas 2006 Still making cookies and acting silly!
Christmas 2005
Christmas 2004 Christmas 2003
Christmas 2002


One of our family traditions is for my Mom, my Aunt Sherry, Bree and I to make Christmas cookies together....and we wear our silly hats and aprons. What memories!

MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR

Things got a little messy!
Bree with Hershey
Things got a little silly too!
Busy, busy elves!

A LITTLE VINO HELPS!

HOME AGAIN

We arrived back home this afternoon from Columbus. Mom's annual family Christmas party was yesterday afternoon. Afterwards, our four children, their spouses and our nine grandchildren all gathered around for our family Christmas time. Both parties were chaotic, but it was wonderful getting to see everyone and be together. We all went out to dinner together last night. Bree followed us home today and will spend the week with us. My Mom and Aunt Sherry will arrive on Tuesday. I think our "pretend" Christmas will be on Wednesday since Bree will have to work on Christmas this year (her first year of nursing). This will be the first Christmas since she was born that we haven't had at least one of the kids home with us for Christmas.

I tried to take photos, but it was just too chaotic! Too much movement! Kinda like the lights on my reindeer!

TENNIS TEAM CHRISTMAS PARTY

Mitzi, Sherri, Paula, Jeanette, Cathy, Me, Mary and Jeannie

We had a ball tonight at Paula's house for our tennis team Christmas party. Good food, drinks and laughs with good friends! Only 8 of us could make it tonight, but it was lots of fun.

JUST IMAGINE

My daughter-in-law had this cute photo on her blog today. These grandchildren love to dress up and use their imagination. Here's what she said about their play today:

"The kids are off to a far off galaxy where Luke, #1, will fight off the bad guys and his twin sister Leah, #2 is following close behind. #3 is a character all her own tagging along and jumping in when she can."

I sure do miss them and I'm looking forward to seeing them on Saturday at my Mom's annual Christmas party when we'll all be together.

COOKIES AND FRIENDS

Barbara, Carol, Jeanette and Me
Death By Chocolate...you need a tall glass of milk with these cookies!
The kids always love these cookies!
These were perfect...a container and a gift!

Thank goodness I felt better yesterday since I HAD to get my cookies made for our cookie swap and lunch today. I made cookies all day yesterday....I mean ALL day. I tried a new recipe and boy are they good, if I do say so myself. Jumbo chocolate chunk cookies made with dark chocolate chunks...so yummy! Each recipe only makes 12 cookies so I made recipe after recipe. They were worth it though. Afterwards, I made reindeer sugar cookies for the little boys next door. I put on Christmas music and had a ball. I found some cute snowmen cookie jars to give to all the "girls" with their cookies instead of cookie tins and also for the boys next door.

Today, the "girls" and I met for lunch at The Bay Cafe right at the foot of the bridge. It was a beautiful day and we ate outside right by the railing. What a way to spend a December day with good friends.

A DREAM COMING TRUE

Our son Eric has been working for three years on a new game and tonight it was shown on the Home Shopping Network and it sold out in less than 5 minutes! So exciting! We are so proud and happy for him. You can go here or here to see more. Wow! A dream is coming true!

I'VE GOT THE "YUKS"

Feeling real "yucky". I feel like I'm coming down with a cold. Sore throat, achy, headache, etc. Came home right after church, made a pot of beef vegetable soup and stayed home. Can't seem to get warm. Hope this leave as quickly as it came.

CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

Barbara helping Jeanette with her boots. I was laughing so hard I could hardly take the photo.
Me as an elf, Jeanette aka Santa and Barbara as Mrs. Claus


Tonight was the Sandestin Christmas Boat Parade. It was C-0-L-D, magical, beautiful and lots of fun. Jeanette, Barbara and I dressed up for the occasion and passed out candy canes....the things I do for and with these girls!!!!

All the boats were really lit up and it was awesome seeing the lights on the water. One boat even sent up fireworks. There was a pretty good crowd and it was fun seeing the children get so excited. Jim and Nick's Barbecue catered the food afterwards and it was yummy. We all gathered around a bonfire after dinner and it was nice and toasty.

I MADE AN ELF OF MYSELF

Okay, I'm following my friend Cheryl's lead...I just made a total elf of myself. Check me out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=8ec69647c1b0d698531a917G20061208

BECAUSE OF NEMO

My sweet Nemo

I've had my goldfish, Nemo, for quite some time now...over two years, which is a long time for a goldfish I've been told. He sits (swims) alongside my tub in the master bath. I love to watch him swim while I relax in the tub.

I found a piece of art I love for the tub area and it's all Nemo's fault. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

JUST CALL ME THE STOCKING STUFFER

I keep them in a large plastic container to keep them standing up so I can add things as I buy them. (The bells have their names on them.)


Boy, I've been busy. I do stockings for everyone in my family. That means 20 stockings! Yep, I said 20! I fill them for the 3 married kids and their spouse and they each have 3 children, then another one for Bree, Bree's dog, my Mom, my Aunt and George. Lucky him...he only fills mine. I'm almost finished. Then I can get serious about the gifts. "Calgon Take Me Away!"

BEGIN THE DAY WITH P-A-C-E

In reading my friend Cheryl's blog this morning I learned a wonderful new idea. I will begin my day with P-A-C-E.


1. I will praise JESUS for shedding His blood in payment for my sins.
2. I will accept God's authority in my life.
3. I will yield the control of my life to the Holy Spirit.
4. I will expect great things from Him.

Thanks Cheryl for a wonderful way to begin my day!

CHRISTMAS TREES

The tree is up and lit, but no presents under it yet! I gotta start wrapping gifts tomorrow!
My Mom and I made my little kitchen tree about 10 years ago. It's only about 3 feet tall and sits on my kitchen counter. I love it.

I'm a happy girl. I finally got my trees up and decorated. I worked on the main tree yesterday and the kitchen one today. I would love to do more decorating, but this year there's just not enough time and I'm trying to keep my stress level down. I sure do love to sit back and look at the trees though. You've just gotta feel good when you're around a lit Christmas tree!

BACK AT TENNIS

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!

I played tennis this morning with the girls for the first time since I broke my leg! It felt wonderful. It was cold as rip, but it felt so good to be back out there! I played all three sets (and won 2 of them) without any problem. Afterwards, I even walked with the girls for 50 minutes. I had to rush home and shower and dress since I had an eye appointment and then met with the decorator. I felt great all afternoon and my foot never gave me a problem. I'm so blessed. Let's hope tomorrow I'll be able to get out of bed!

HANGING OF THE WREATHS

George and I went to the storage unit to get the ornaments for the tree. We kept pulling out Christmas boxes...lots and lots of boxes... and decided to bring it all home to go through it. It took two trips in his SUV and we left some things we knew we wouldn't use this year. I decided to tackle the wreaths for the front door first since it was warm enough and I knew doing it at night wouldn't be fun or easy. I was able to use ribbon, berries, etc. I already had on hand that I used in the past at our homes in Atlanta. I'm so glad I didn't have to go shopping for supplies. It took awhile though and it was a challenge getting them to hang right on the arched shapped front doors. I also did a wreath to hang on the mirror in the foyer. I never got around to the tree though. We had our "pizza" night at Barbara and Dick's tonight so we had to stop and shower and get dressed for that. It was a fun night of eating and drinks and playing Mexican Train.

CHRISTMAS TREE - PART ONE

I love a "real" Christmas tree. I love the smell, feel and look of a "real" tree. I wanted a "real" tree this year, and one even bigger than the one we had last year. We've got a B-I-G room in the new house for a BIG tree. But.....this year with the move, the season has snuck up on me and I just didn't have it in me to go out and find the perfect tree and to tackle putting on the lights on a real big tree, so I've dreaded it and put it off. I had already told myself that I would only do wreaths on the two front doors and have only one tree this year. Nothing else since we've just moved in and still have lots to do around the house and then there's the shopping for gifts, etc. But I really wanted a "real" tree. My friend, Dale, had a luncheon today for us tennis girls and the subject came up about trees. I was the only one in the group who wanted a real tree. Surprising! Anyway, I came home and talked to George and he agreed. A pre-lit silk tree was the way to go this year he convinced me. Easy to find, easy to install, no hassle with lights and it would cost less than a "real" tree probably. And we can use it again next year out on the lanai and get a "real" tree for our big room when we have more time to decorate and enjoy. So....off we went. We went five places before we found the one for us. It's 9 feet tall and full of lights. It still took us awhile to get it installed and fluffed out. It looks pretty darn nice...for a fake tree. We're go to the storage unit and pick up our ornaments tomorrow so we can begin Christmas Tree Part 2 - Decorating. Can't wait to work on it. Can't wait to finish it and then sit back and just enjoy. I might have to spray some pine scent though.