A New Year, A New Life...

Soooo, tomorrow (today) is New Years Eve.. I've never really been a fan of New Years Eve and would just as soon watch a good movie rather than watch the falling ball in Time's Square.. I know, I must be the only freak who feels like this, but I do and I'm not quite sure why...perhaps it is because it brings to an end all the festivities of the holiday season, or maybe it is a day that brings back many memories of failed resolutions, I don't know.. I'm not one to get glammed up and go out because I couldn't imagine ringing in the New Year not being surrounded by the ones I love.. Being at a formal event with virtual strangers on this night just doesn't appeal to me... BUT... Thankfully there's alway a "but".. I am always hopeful, and this year end is no exception. I am hopeful for a GREAT New Year, a great new life, a healthier new life.. A year full of promise and wonder.. Yes, I AM hopeful.. I may not fully enjoy the day, but that doesn't mean I'm not full of hope for the year.. A day is just that.. A day. My hopes are for the "Rest of My Life", and I'm trying as hard as I can to make it a long, healthy life... Starting January 1st, 2011...

Oh! I have just got to tell you... Do you know how we're always looking for a way to reward all our hard work when we've reached a goal?? I found it!! A MASSAGE!! Oh my heavens... That's all I can say.. Ohhhhh my heavens how incredible it is! I received a gift certificate for a couples massage for me 'n the Hubs for Christmas, and we went today... Ohhhhhhhh my heavens! I've been to Spas, had facials, hand treatments, different massages, but never a full body massage.. Ohhhhh my heavens! I've already determined that for every twenty pounds I may lose, I'm having a full body massage! And maybe one teeeny tiny martini afterward too...

Welp! I'd better get some sleep.. We're having a condo full tomorrow nite.. In case you're not around over the next few days, may you and yours have a Blessed, Happy New Year!! Here's to 2011!!

One more thing... Although my Christmas tree may be up until Good Friday, I promise to change my blog background after I get back to my trusty laptop! I can't do it on the Ipad.... Sorry about that! We'll just say we're celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas!

FIVE Gold Rings....

Until Next Time!
~Lisa

It's All Good...

We're still up at the mountains and I'm having such a terrific time! I really really needed this break and I'm savoring every blessed second of it! I'm getting better on this i-pad thingy although my ginormous fingers are having a tough time typing on the screen! So, if You cant read what I've written in your comments, I will be happy to send you an official translation after I get back to my trusty lap top!!

Yesterday was a busy, busy day.. A fun day, but a busy day. We took our GrandAngel sledding after breakfast! His first time on the hill - and he was thilled!! After the sledding, I went to the Drs for my official weigh in for December.. Ready for this??? Make sure you're sittind down.. The official weigh in for the moth of December was.....(drum roll)... DOWN FOUR POINT EIGHT POUNDS!!!! You heard that right! DOWN 4.8 pounds... Can I hear a "woot, woot"?? So after the Drs visit, we took the Munchkin to the pool for a celebratory swim and trip to the outside hot tub! He thought going outside was pretty special.. I did too!

On the way back from the pool we took a trip onto the golf course to see some of the Trail of lights. I was a bit more impressed with it all then the GrandAngel - he just wanted to get back to e condo to EAT! Yeah... He's a guy... After dinner we all just crashed.. Maybe tonight will be the pineapple and vodka with a movie night! I didn't tell you about the Hubs and his pineapple and vodka?? How careless of me... Every year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Hubs slices about five or six pineapples and.layers them in a huge round glass container. He then pours two gallons of vodka over the sliced pineapples and lets them "marinate" until Christmas week. Sooooooo absolutely yummo!! The vodka tastes like pineapple and the pineapples take on the vodka taste! They're great cut up and sprinkled over fat free, sugar free ice cream!! He has also done strawberries and cherries in the past... The pineapple is the best! The strawberries lose their coloring to the vodka and it makes them look like brains in the glass container - not very appealing unless it is Halloween....

I hope your week is going well!
Until next time!
~Lisa

Our Tiny Piece of Heaven..

We're up at the mountains the rest of the week!! Time for some much needed R&R... We arrived late this afternoon, the pot of chili is done, and I'm sitting here with my new toy (the IPad), a glass of wine, and enjoying what's left of the fire.. Our youngest Baby is here with us, and so is our GrandAngel! Ohhhh, he was wound up tighter than a spool of thread tonight! Our Baby even took him out to play in the snow for awhile hoping that would tire him out! It didn't... I guess a couple sippy cups full of cocoa might do that.. Don't tell his parents!

I can't figure out how to upload pictures on the IPad, so I'll be sure to post them when I get home and back to the lap top.. It is absolutely gorgeous here this time of year! They've been inundated with snow - in feet! The "trail of lights" is lit, and the ginormous Christmas tree in the Inn is stunning! The trail of lights is a Christmas light display that fills the entire golf course at the base of the ski hill. I will get pictures when we take the GrandAngel to see it. Probably tomorrow nite. It is a beautiful nite tonight, I'm hoping tomorrow nite is too!

The Guys did get out this evening for the first ski of the season.. They came back with red cheeks and sore feet from tight ski boots! Why they need to be quite that tight is beyond me, but I'm not a ski racer - I just make sure the health insurance is paid up!

Speaking of health insurance, I have my third weight check appointment tomorrow!! Keep your fingers crossed that Christmas didn't do me in! I really tried to keep the pie hole under control this year.. I still couldn't tell you how my Christmas cookies turned out! I haven't had any - which in itself is a major accomplishment!

Welp. The fire is out, the wine glass is empty, and I'm off to bed! Stay warm, all!!

Until Next Time!
~Lisa~

Toys Galore... Scattered On The Floor..

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!  It was a busy one here, but absolutely wonderful!  The festivities began on Christmas Eve with the annual visit with the Hubs side of the family - which is about one hundred and twenty miles from where we live...  It was fun..  short, sweet and good to see the side of the family we don't see on a regular basis.  I say short and sweet because we had to get back home to get to Midnight Mass (which was actually a 10pm Mass this year).  The Hubs, as a Deacon Aspirant participated in the Liturgy, our youngest Baby was the Lector, and our oldest Baby and I had a duet in the program before Mass, we also played with the choir throughout the Liturgy as well - it was all just so very beautiful and meaningful..  I didn't get through the night without shedding a few tears..  Our parents came to spend the weekend with us - which was quite "Christmas Vacation-esque" - I'm just sooooo thankful they all get along so beautifully!

Christmas morning the Hubs and his Mom went to the 10am Mass together (she just LOVED seeing him dressed in his alb and participating in the Liturgy!) while we made breakfast.  Afterwards, we spent about three hours relaxing and opening gifts!!  Guess what, Amanda???  I got an Ipad TOO!!  Yay! Yay! Yay!!  I'm really going to be "Internet dangerous" now - satellites will surely be dropping out of the sky!!  I also received a "Potty Putter"....  Don't ask.....  (damn kids!)

Later that afternoon, our oldest Baby and his family came!!  That meant present opening with our GrandAngel!  There are few things on this good earth more precious and beautiful then the eyes of a child on Christmas..  There was one gift he particularly enjoyed - and we picked it up as an afterthought!  A wee small Disney couch that opens up to a little bed with a sleeping bag blanket!  Out of all the wonderful things he had gotten - THAT was what he seemed most impressed with!!  He was hysterical!!  Getting in, getting out, back in, back out - all evening!


We all enjoyed a nice, simple, relaxing, dinner.  Everyone contributed to the meal which was wonderful!  I didn't spend most of the day worrying about food preparation!  I made it a point to eat light, chew, chew, chew - and I had nothing to drink during dinner either!  Hey, I'm in training!  Then we sat around having (get this...) cookies and martinis!  Well, I didn't have cookies with my martini, but others did - shudder!!  Everyone left today and we spent the afternoon in "Heavenly Peace"..  I played with MY new toy then we had friends come over for left overs! 

So..  that was our Christmas weekend!  Yeah, there was some craziness getting things done in time, last minute shopping and family drama that makes you want to either scream or choke someone - but to me, it's all part of it and I wouldn't have it any other way.  The craziness of all the preparations we do is in itself a gift to each other - Loving one another.  And, as far as family drama goes, we're not immune - every family's got it.  But those same folks I want to scream at and/or choke are the same people who, in their way, helped to make me the woman I am today.  They are the same family who love me, support me, celebrate with me, mourn with me, and they work really hard at driving me to wanting more martinis to get through it all sometimes! 

What I've learned over my lifetime is that they're mine, they're my family - warts and all.  Families change, they grow, and loved ones pass on.. To me, Christmas is a time to cherish the moments we have together while we have them - even if it takes a couple olives and a shaker topped with gin to help!








Until Next Time...

Peace On Earth....

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

~ Luke 2:11

Wishing you and yours a Blessed, Merry Christmas......

Just Settled Down For A Long Winters Nap...

CAUTION!!  Food Porn Alert!!

I'm done, ready, whooped and exhausted - let the festivities begin!!  The house is clean, the guest room is ready, wash is done, baking is done, gifts are wrapped - DONE!!!  Yay!!  What'd I tell you??  I'll be skidding my way into Christmas on two wheels with flour on my nose - but I got here, that's all that counts!!  Oh Mercy, where is Alice when I need her!!  Remember Alice from "The Brady Bunch"??  I would kill to have an Alice!!

Nothing out of the ordinary happened today other than the fact that I seemed to have gone nonstop.  It always happens this way, why would I think this year would be any different??  I've come crashing into Christmas for the last thirty years - this year was no exception.  My Baby did his job quite admirably - being the chief cookie taster.  My Oldest Baby did his part as well...

So, with that, I think I'm going to go and see if I can get sugar plums to dance in my head!!

Merry Christmas to YOU!!!

Until next time!!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney WIth Care...

Welp, I'm more then half way done with my baking!  I made shortbread, pizelles, biscotti and macaroons - all that is left is mondo chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies..  I went "off the board" this year with the coconut macaroons....  Not a good thing.  Our "Baby", the athlete who eats everything he can get his hands on informed me "Mom...  with all the money you and Dad shelled out for my teeth, do you really think I should eat these??"  They're hard and they're awful!!!  Even our oldes Baby (the diplomat) - who would eat DIRT if I put it on a plate in front of him said..."Mom..  You bake so many good things, just promise me you won't do this again..."  The ungrateful wretches!! The Hubs in all his compassion and love told me that "these will be great with LOTS of coffee or milk!" - yeah, he tried...  I told them ALL I would be giving them home made socks again for Christmas this year!!

The "Sock Saga"...  When the kids were younger, and I was newly diagnosed with RA, I thought it would be a good idea to start knitting..  So..  I bought nice wool, learned how to knit, and made them all warm, wool socks for Christmas - hey, money was tight, the Hubs was in Law School, I had to find a way to make lots of packages under the tree, right??  To their credit, the boys were "gracious" in receiving their home made gift from Mom - at the time - but the hilarity continues to this day!  The socks were just simply AWFUL!!  My first attempt at knitting -  I will admit that they were truly "the gift from hell..."  Well, our youngest - who really should be working at a comedy club rather than being in college - dug this thing out from God knows where and hung it in the fire place - did I say they were ungrateful wretches????  They deserve COAL - the rats - ALL of them!!  Or maybe more socks!!

So, other then baking I've gotten my linens and china done for Christmas and had a friend over for dinner - the wash is done and I just have a bit to do tomorrow then I am officially DONE!!  Yay!!  I was absolutely touched and humbled by your comments on my last post.  However, I must admit, I am really not an inspiration - I push myself - sometimes harder then I should.  I know what the alternative is, and I don't want to be there. I'll move hell or high water not to be where some RA patients are - that scares the absolute hell out of me, and I will go down fighting if I have to!  I take each day as it comes and try to make the most of it.  I've often said that my motto is "if I can get OUT of bed, make my bed and brush my teeth... I'm ahead!"  Everything else is gravy!  I get more inspiration from YOU than you could ever imagine - and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart...

In case you're not near your computer for the next few days, I wish all of you a VERY Blessed, Merry and Happy Christmas!!  May your New Year be ALL you hope it will be!!  May God Bless YOU and keep you - always, in His care.... 

Until Next Time!

...Soon It Will Be Christmas Day!

I had my Rheumatologist visit today and guess what??  I have arthritis - how 'bout that??  Oh brother.....  Over the past three months, I've been poked, proded, x-rayed and examined.  I've not been able to take my arthritis meds because we needed to see "exactly where I am"..  After all that he's come to the conclusion that I have rheumatoid arthritis..  Happy. Happy. Joy. Joy...  Can I puhleeeeeze have my Enbrel now???  My joints sound like a pot of popcorn taking off on the stove when I move, and I'm starting to walk like an accordion - NOT playing "Lady of Spain" either!  It's gotten to the point that the Hubs calls me "Orville" when I get up out of a chair - he's so compassionate..  Otherwise, I am fine. It will take the pharmacy a day or so to get the meds so hopefully all will be well - very soon!  I have my next Bariatric Doc visit on the twenty eighth of this month - I'll keep you posted!

So, I spent most of my day in the car.  I think I heard the same four Christmas carols played over and over by different artists on XM radio while I drove the eighty or so miles to the Rheumatologist's office, just so that I could be told something I've known for five years - he's a new Doc..  so, ya gotta do what cha gotta do..  Then back to town to the pharmacy to make sure that my meds were properly ordered - and will arrive no later than Friday.  I suppose I could have had them called in, but being the control freak that I am, I need to be sure it was taken care of the way it needed to be taken care of!  Then into the office to begin my year end work and to get the files on the computer set up for January, sent out all the January schedules, worked on the web site, then off to choir practice.  Yes Amanda, I had a double martini tonight - filthy..  much needed, too!

So tomorrow is baking day!!  I think that's why I did so much running today - so I can just relax, put in a mooshy Christmas movie and bake.  I was thinking either "Christmas in Connecticut" or "Miracle on 34th Street"..  I've cut down the list of goodies that I usually make since I have only two days to do it, but what I've planned, I'm sure the Guys will enjoy - all their favorites!  We have a grab bag gift exchange on the Hubs side of the family on Christmas Eve.  I like to give out small trays or boxes of home made goodies to everyone as well..

In spite of the the running, hustle and bustle, plans, lists, decorating and wrapping, I thoroughly enjoy this time of year.  Sometimes it is frustrating, exhausting and overwhelming, but it is also beautiful, loving and joyful..  I don't think I would have it any other way....

Until Next Time!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Oh Mercy, what a weekend - I am just about as pooped as pooped could be!!  Would you believe I went to bed last night at eight thirty in the evening?!?!  Yup, 8:30!  I think Christmas has caught up to me - and passed me right on by!  We've hosted Christmas dinner parties for the last three Sunday's - including yesterday.  I love hosting dinner parties, but it's starting to all meld together into one large amorphous memory!  And, this past weekend we took the GrandAngel out to cut down a Christmas tree..  Talk about your Christmas Vacation moment!  Clark Griswold would have been proud..  We traipsed through the entire farm looking for exactly the right tree..  The Hubs and our youngest Baby couldn't seem to find the right one..  Up and down the hills at the farm we went - down paths, over streams, under the large trees - we finally found the one that was "just right".......  one  hundred yards from where we parked the truck...  It was a good walk in the woods on a cold, snowy, day....  (Trying to sound "chipper" here) - have you ever tried walking through the snow covered woods for about an hour and a half, holding an 18 month old because he cried every time we put him down - in SIX degree weather???  Yes, Clark Griswold would have been proud!

So today I finished my shopping - it is done.  finis, finito..  I have my Rheumatologist appointment tomorrow, choir practice, then Wednesday and Thursday I plan to get my baking done.  I think I'm going to be sliding into Christmas on two wheels, screeching and with flour on my nose - but I'm going to get there come hell or high snow!  I think that is what slowed me down the most was the awful weather we've had the past two weeks.  I'm normally so much further ahead by now - but you can't change the weather or taxes, so why capitch about it??

Even though I was pooped beyond pooped, I did manage to keep up on my all important blog reading!  I love reading everything you are all writing about!  I love shared photos, Christmas stories, plans and recipes!  I love reading about the victories that are so hard to come by this time of year, and I even love to give a shout out of support when it is needed... 

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend!!  Christmas is only a few days away....  Start your engines, buckle your seatbelts, and keep your hands inside the car until the ride comes to a complete stop!!  Enjoy!!

Until next time!

...As The Shoppers Rush Home With Their Treasures!

I had a wonderful Christmas luncheon this afternoon at the Allegheny Grill with the ladies from our parish office hosted by our Pastor!  The restaurant is a lovely rustic little place along the edge of the Allegheny river.  Large windows wrap around the entire restaurant so you can eat while watching the lazy river roll by!  You would have been so proud of me too!  I had a bowl of wedding soup, a half of fish sandwich (without the bun), and about six french fries - I brought the rest home..   I'm still working on the chewing thing though.. When I'm yammering (which I do a lot), I get distracted, so I need to work on that one.  I ordered coffee too.  I normally don't drink coffee with meals so it was easy to eat my lunch while not drinking at the same time.  We had a terrific time!  The four of us don't usually see each other in the office at the same time - we're all work different times or days, so it was good to catch up!    I snarfed these photos from the website so you could see how lovely this restaurant is!  I think you can click on the photos to see them close up, if you're interested...

After lunch I headed to the mall to finish my shopping for the Hubs, more Christmas tree lights and a few things for friends...  My problem is that I begin at one end of the mall, make my purchase, remember that I forgot something at the OTHER end of the mall, go there, buy what I need, then remember that the store I was looking for is back at the far end of the mall...   Nothing like a little "mall walking" after a large meal!  It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be, but more then it usually is..  After spending more time at the mall then I would care to, I drove off to the dry cleaners to give the dry cleaning lady her Christmas bottle of wine!  The Allegheny Grill is also a winery - hey, two birds!!

Tomorrow's the big day!! TREE day!!  After maneuvering my way through the entire mall several times over, I drove into town and picked up our GrandAngel!!  We're taking him tomorrow to the tree farm to "help" us pick out the perfect tree!  He's staying the weekend so he'll help us decorate as well....  I'll post pictures when it's all finished!  If he's anything like my boys as they were growing up, all the decorations will be clumped on the bottom of the tree - where he can reach!  We always left them there, made them feel special..  After dinner, we watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and munched on a few Christmas cookies "cooks"..  Nothing nicer then having all of us snuggling under the woobie (blanket), munching cooks and watching a wonderful Christmas show!!

So, I wish you all a very happy weekend!! If you're planning on doing something wonderfully fun, have a toast for ME!!

Until next time!

Over The River And Through The Woods...

Tonight was our choir practice - nothing out of the ordinary.  Thursday night choir practice.  We arrive at six thirty, work on music that will be played for the month, go home.  Tonight was a little different though...  Our Church is about ten miles from where we live and I literally have to go "Over the river and through the woods" to get there..  I drive through back roads - dark and snow covered this time of year - and over the Allegheny River to get to Church.  Tonight I noticed something different though.  As I was descending the hill to get to the bridge that crosses the river, I saw the hill side across the river.  Here in Western Pennsylvania, we're a State of hills, and the Northern Allegheny is flanked with hills on both sides.  Normally the view from the hill I that I drive down is covered with trees, leaves, and foliage, so I don't normally see the hill side on the opposite side of the river until I get to the bridge - tonight I saw the whole hill side!  What a glorious sight it was - I think every home on the hill was lit up with Christmas decorations!  I almost drove off the side of the hill gawking at it so long!  The tiny little town where my Church is located looked so much like one of those pictures of a train village - all lit up and Christmas-sy!  Like a picture you would see on a Christmas card - it was soooo incredibly beautiful!  I wish I could have pulled over somewhere to take a photo, but I don't think the eighteen wheeler behind me would have appreciated my coming to a complete stop on the side of a hugely graded hill!  Perhaps one of these nights I will be able to risk life and limb and get a photo - we'll see how daring I get!  Honest to Pete, it looked like something out of Norman Rockwell!  Gave new meaning to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - which we sang over and over and over and over tonight at practice....

I haven't written much lately about the Bariatric front, because quite frankly, there's really been nothing to write about....  Nuttin' going on one way or another..  Today however, I ventured out again (YAY!) and finally got the head to toe x-rays and blood work done that my new Rheumatologist ordered two months ago..  I couldn't believe how much of me was x-ray-ed today!  Shheeeeeesh!!  I had ten x-rays of my hands alone!!  They did my jaws (each side, and front), upper back, lower back, hips (each side, front and back), knees (front, back and sides), hands (ten pictures total) and feet (ten pictures total) - my WORD, our Christmas tree won't need lights - just stand ME next to it!  Nuclear material??  That's me!  The blood work I had wasn't much to write about, just a simple battery of blood tests.  I have an appointment with the RH Dr next Tuesday.  I don't see the Bariatric Doc until the twenty eighth of this month.  So, all has been quiet, nothing new to report..  The only insurance requirements I have left are my Psych test, the routine weight checks, one more NUT visit and the mandatory three support group meetings I have to attend (shoot me now...)  So, in the meantime, I guess you'll just have to put up with reading about the other stuff that is going on in my life!

That was my Thursday!  I hope you had a wonderful day today!!  Don't forget to check the "TGIF" for today and "Today's Thought" - they're pretty good if I say so myself!!

Oh, by the way..  It's a whopping FOUR degrees here tonight!! Stay WARM!!

Until next time!

And Folks Dressed Up Like Eskimos...

We've started to dig out!! YAY!!  Believe it or not, I have a road outside of our home!!  And, I finally got out of this house and finished our Christmas shopping!!  Ohhhh I absolutely love, love, love going to Toys 'r Us!!  I think we'll be eating weenies and beenies over the next several days for all the cash I left there tonight - it's a Grammy's dream!  We loaded up the Hubs big red truck - "Santa's Sleigh" with lots of goodies for our GrandAngel - I am sooo excited right now!!  Can you tell??

That was our first stop.  After spending several hours being toy shop crazed Grandparents, we drove the eighty miles back toward home and stopped at the outlets - what an incredible experience that was!  I said it, you heard it here.. "an incredible experience" - at the outlets!  Can you imagine??  Normally this time of year the traffic on the Interstate going toward the outlets is backed up at least a full exit, and shopping at the outlets is insane..   We arrived at the outlets and the parking lot was (get this) EMPTY!  What a lovely evening..  The weather was in the mid twenties, snow was falling, carols were playing, the place was decorated so beautifully with lights, garlands, balls..  Me and the Hubs just window shopped, holding hands, and simply enjoyed the lovely evening.  Yeah, we were a little bundled up, but it was just a nice evening all around...  We stopped for ice cream (sugar free/fat free strawberry for me) and coffee, then after buying a few "little bits of something", drove home.  It really doesn't take much to get me all mooshy inside!

That was pretty much my day today.  I was so thrilled to get out among the living, it is amazing what it does for the soul!  I've been cooped up, going stir crazy in this house watching the snow fall for way too many days!  Starting to feel like a mountain woman waiting for spring thaw!  Don't worry, I've been shaving - so at least I don't LOOK like a mountain woman!!

I hope you had a lovely day today!!

Until next time!!

Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose...

Please, someone STOP THE MADNESS!!!  We have so much snow, our poor Brittany - "hellfire" - is waist deep in it!!  We usually don't have this much snow in February let alone December..  It's insane!!  We're expecting another "five to eight" tonight with temps in the single digits...  We've had a fire every night this week - not because me 'n the Hubs can't stop gazing into each others eyes - but because we're COLD!!  Ahem...  uhm..  after almost thirty years of marriage, a fire isn't necessary...  well, you know what I mean....



I haven't done much these past few days other then get things ready around here for the decorating extravaganza that will take place this weekend, and lazy up by the fire...  It's been too awful to really go anywhere - the ice on the roads has been incredible.  The Hubs made it one exit on Interstate 80 before he turned around and came back this morning..  Trucks were off the road, there was a pile-up...  Yup, it is just cr-a-zy - nut-so!!  It is supposed to warm up in the next few days so hopefully we'll be able to get to the tree farm on Saturday!  If you couldn't tell by now, I just can't wait - just like a kid at Christmas!!  This is late for us - usually by now our tree is up and I am busy sucking down the egg nog!  Have you ever made home made egg nog??  I've tried it - once, I made it too thick though.. It was like drinking a frosty from Wendy's overloaded with entirely too much Bourbon...

I want to thank you, all of you, my Friends, for you prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts for my Dad.  He is doing well..  The Doctors believe this loss of vision is most likely permanent and caused by a small, microscopic piece of plaque which may have broken away from a tiny blood vessel and damaged the optic nerve.  He takes blood thinners because of a heart condition, and, after this, they're most likely going to increase the dosage.  He is doing well though and is getting around better then I imagined he would.   He is able to drive and do all the things that he's done before - which is a good thing - his understanding this has really helped him to accept it all..  Again, I thank you..  From the bottom of my heart..  You're the best!



View of the "pond" (below the tree.) This photo was
taken at 11:30 this morning from our
upstairs balcony..
Cr-a-zy!!

Stay warm, dry, cozy and SAFE!!

Until next time!

We Can Build A Snowman...

Well, we're officially in the path of all the snowfall that is inundating the Chicago area as we speak..  Great... still waiting for my share of Global Warming - I won't hold my breath thinking it's coming this week...

The "Deacon Reserves" went really well this weekend, I'm really enjoying the experience.  There's so much stuff to do and to learn - it's been, I think..... uhm...  forever since I've been in a classroom, so it's taking me awhile to get into the rhythm of studying, note taking and writing...  I'll get there though, eventually.  The party afterward was absolutely lovely, and I especially enjoyed spending time with our youngest Baby!  I think he enjoyed going out to dinner too.  He chose Japanese - and I haven't had Japanese in sooo long - good choice!

It was so good for me to just leave the lists behind, the plans, the running in circles, all of it - taking a break this weekend to be with friends and to be alone together with the Hubs did wonders for my soul - on so many levels... 

We had some disturbing and sad news over the weekend.  My Father woke up friday not being able to see out of his left eye.  He went to the emergency room and was told that it was not a stroke - thank heavens - but they're not quite sure what happend, or why this happened..  He has a battery of tests ordered for today, so hopefully we'll find out what's going on.  If you would, I ask you to please keep him in your prayers, send warm thoughts, and keep your fingers crossed for him.  He's being the "big tough Guy", but I know that he is frightened and confused.  Thank you so much..

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend!  And, before I go, I would like to send warm wishes of good thoughts to Amanda from Life of a (hopeful) loser - she's being banded today!!  Yay!!  It's been a journey for her to get to this point, and I know she's anxious to have it all done - I'm praying for you, Friend!

The ski resort opened this weekend - so I leave you with a photo of the lift that is outside of our little piece of heaven!  Have a GREAT week!

Until next time!!



...The Sun To Shine By Day And All The Stars At Night

What WAS that great orb in the sky today??  Darn near burnt my retinas out!!  After two full weeks of non- stop snow, the sun gloriously beamed bright today!!  It really didn't get very warm, but the fact that the skies were blue was all it took to put a huge smile on my face!!    There are actually stars out tonight!!  The temperature read all of nine degrees - but there are STARS!  Can you believe it?? Yeah folks, I can't believe it either - it doesn't take much these days to get me excited... 

This weekend is the Hubs Diaconate weekend - the "Ordination Reserves"..  I  look forward to these weekends, I love the classes, the students... we just have a terrific time.  We're planning on seeing our youngest Baby after class tonight!  Yay!!  Then we're having a Christmas gathering after class on Saturday.  It will be a nice break from my ever growing "to-do" list.  For at least one weekend this month I will put my list aside and will simply not think about it.

I haven't posted any photos of our decorations yet because the only decoration I officially have "out" is a centerpiece the Hubs bought for me.  The rest is still in bins littering my entire living room..  I'm still meticulously going through each bin and deciding..  I could post a picture of the chaos that is my living room right now, but then you'd probably nominate me for A&E's "Hoarders" or TLC's "Clean Sweep"..  Oh, I know!  I could post a picture of the wreaths on the front doors!!  

If you look closely at the door on the left (as you face the door) you can see the lock box that was placed there while we had the house on the market - over a year ago.  It is still there.  No one can get the damn thing off!!  We've even tried removing the  knobs but that didn't work either..  It has become a permanent fixture on our home - a conversation piece, so to speak.  Isn't it lovely??  We're eventually going to replace the knobs - and send the bill to the realtor who did NOT sell our home!!  I'm kind of afraid to have the Hubs do it though.  I love the man with all my heart, but he's just not handy - not in the least.  I'm afraid that if he replaces the knobs, every time we go to use the front door the hot water in the kitchen will turn on or something like that....

Have a terrific weekend, and don't forget to smile - makes folks think you're up to no good!!  And if you are looking for a good smile - check out the week's TGIF!!

Until next time!

It's Doesn't Show Signs of Stoppin'...

Everyone can stop watching the twenty four hour cable news programs..  I'm not going to be headlining any "Breaking News" alerts!  I left the house today!  Yup, I got into my all wheel drive, little red ladybug and I went to Church this evening!  I honestly could hear my Mom telling me to "get out and blow the stink off!".  So, I went out into the wintry wonderland - crap weather - and I braved the elements for the eight mile trek to Church.  The question I have is, has ANYONE in this damn county ever HEARD of a salt truck?????  Hey Kelly!  Where's Joe when I need him???   Sheeeeesh!! It was a little rough going, but my trusty little ladybug did everything she was supposed to do. The snow hasn't let up since this weekend, can you believe it??  To all of you who say that you would love to have snow for Christmas, come and get it!  It's ALL yours - you want it??  Help yourself to every last flake!!   It was good to be out of the house today.  It took me about forty minutes to travel the eight mile ride, but there were no "if's, and's, but's or excuses" I had to be there - I was playing the Mass tonight!

I spent the day getting out the decorations that are going up.  I think tomorrow I'm going to decide which I'd like to take out and which ones stay in the bins.  We've accumulated so much in the almost thirty years we've been married that if I put up every decoration we had, well...  it would be as though Christmas exploded in my house!    The first that come out are the home made decorations that the kids made for us - they go up every year.  The deciding comes after that.  The Hubs and I have decorations from our childhoods, and from my parents childhood. Some of the really old stuff is so fragile that for years they stayed in their protective wrapping.  I have boys, remember??  I put some of the old stuff out the past few years, but now there is a GrandAngel running around, so I think the old stuff will have to wait for another couple of years to come out.  Everything that is decorated from the waist down needs to be plastic, movable, and nontoxic when eaten..  One of my favorite decorations is one that the Hubs and I bought the first year we were married.  Being students, we didn't have much money - none actually.  We purchased a box of eight Styrofoam gingerbread cookie decorations, along with other finery we could find at the Five and Dime store (today's equivalent of a Dollar Store with a LOT more junk!).  I think the whole package of eight decorations cost a total of seventy nine cents.  Anyway, when our oldest Baby was about two years old, he took a bite out of the head of one of those decorations!  Of course, being the Mom that I am, I dated it, saved it, and now it is a treasured decoration!  I have loads of these "special" dated ornaments, and they find their way onto our tree every year!  I've always wanted to try a "specialty" tree like the kind you see in magazines, they're always sooo beautiful.  When it all comes down to it though, I'm not sure I could put a tree up without those home made, self dated, antique, and just plain funny and silly ornaments... 

A second tree perhaps....

Until next time!

  

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful.....

Wow...  I'm not kidding when I say that Alison sent us her snow globe - and shook the crap out of it!!  We've gotten inundated with the stuff - at least a foot in the last twenty four hours!  It's making me stir crazy too - if I don't get out of this house soon, you're going to be hearing about me on the national news!!

I took advantage of the time at home to finally finish my cards..  I lit a fire today, brewed a pot of Starbucks, put on some carols and got to work!  All of them are done, letters written, photos included, addressed, stamped - done.  I always feel pretty good when this job is finished.  I enjoy doing it, but after about seventy five of them, it starts draining me.  Now it's time to move on to the next project - decorating!!  I think I am going to start working on the house.  We're probably not getting the tree until the 19th, but I can finish the house decorating before then.  This weekend is the Diaconate "reserves" and Christmas gathering -  unfortunately we won't be cutting down trees this weekend.  Although, there are a few really beautiful trees that line the drive of the seminary...........  Nahhhhh..  wouldn't work.

That's about all that's been going on here.  Thankfully I've had all your blogs to read through when I needed a break from writing!   Not sure when the baking marathon will be - but, It'll get done, I'm sure..

Have a terrific day!

Until next time!

Out But Not Down..

Welp..  the Cinderella season has ended for our Lakers..  I'm a LOT of proud, kind of sad, kind of relieved, kind of....  well, it was a fun ride and I am so thrilled for our Guys - they did a hell of a job this year and have absolutely nothing to hang their heads over.  To go from being picked to come in second to the last in our region before the season began, to becoming a tiny little College from Erie who is now ranked number six in the nation is an accomplishment that I am amazed of and so very proud of!  We won the State and the boys will be receiving their PSAC ring - a memento they'll have for the rest of their lives.  They were a terrific team on and off the field and have now set a standard.  We're a team to be reckoned with!  The Lakers have been participants in the PSAC for only three years now - I think they've come a long way in three years.  So, to me, it doesn't matter what that scoreboard said today - they're WINNERS in my book - on so many levels!  Well done, Lakers!!  Well done!

Other than shivering my well endowed derriere off in the middle of the lake effect snow, and wind, and ice, for hours today in Erie today - a chill I have yet to be rid of - I didn't do much else today..  Our friend came over, we had martini's and watched - Golf.  Yes, I said, Golf.  Women's golf at that...  I think I am football-ed out for awhile, and just needed to see some blue sky, green grass, flowers and folks wearing shorts!  I should have been cleaning and getting things prepared for tomorrow (we're having a dinner party tomorrow) but I'm whooped...  I'll do that after Church.  Right now I'm just trying to get WARM!

I listened to Christmas carols on my ipod on the way home today.  Was kinda fitting.  I was driving through blinding snow squalls listening to "Let It Snow", and "White Christmas"..  Gotta love Bing!  Hopefully we'll be getting out decorations out soon - I really enjoy that!  Oh!  One more thing!  I heard that the ski resort is opening next WEEKEND!!!  YAY!!  Now to remember what I did with my long johns!!  We'll probably put the Charlie Brown tree up next weekend - I just have to make sure I have some "fresh" wine corks to put on it!!
 









Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Until next time!