The End of 2007....Start of a New Year

2007 In The Beginning...
Where did you bring in the New Year? at home watching movies
Who were you with? Michael
Did you kiss anyone at midnight? yes!
Did you make any resolutions? I don't make resolutions just try to be a better person, treat people with kindness and respect and do my best in everything.

2007 Your Love Life...
Did you break up with anyone? no
Did you get anything for Valentine's day? yes -- a few years ago Michael bought me my art domain for Valentines so he renews it for me. It is nice loving a geek!
Did you meet anyone special? People with Artspace. Everyone I have met there has been really great! And Jessica introduced me to Angie and she is a fantastic friend too.
Did you fall in love? Yes.....with Michael all over again.

2007 Friends and Enemies...
Did you meet any new friends this year? yes
Did any of your friendships end? yes
Did you dislike anyone? yes
Did you make any new enemies? I am sure of it.
Who was your closest friend? Michael always is the person I turn to first but this year I also really relied on Aydeen, Jessica, Caroylnn, Kaylee, Jen and Mandy
Who did you grow apart from? More people than I wanted.
Do you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships? That a few ended with reasons that seemed very odd, one was lying and that I didn't keep in contact with Aydeen as much as I wanted too.

2007 Your BIRTHDAY!!!
How old did you turn? the big 4-0
Did you have a cake? No -- at my request
What did you do for your birthday? My parents came to celebrate with me and we spent the day at Denver Art Museum and then we all went to dinner and Michael's parents joined us too.
Did you have a party? No...thank goodness
Did you get any presents? Yes...many many....Beauty and the Beast from Michael along with several other things and then my dear sweet sisters decided to be cute and gave me 40 gifts! As much as I didn't want to be reminded I was 40.....I did like their present it was very cute!

2007 All about you...
Did you change at all this year? yes
Did you dye your hair? yes several times!
Did you get your hair cut? yes....7 inches off
Did you change your style? not really just cut it much shorter
Did you get good grades? well in 2007 I wasn't in school
Did you have a job? Work for Michael designing websites and then also create art
Did you drive? If I have too....but I don't like to.
Did you own a car? No not this year, I gave my car to a person that was in need a few years ago.
Did you move at all? No
Did you go on any vacations? We did a few road trips. We went to Moab just for the night. And then we went to Minnesota to celebrate my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary. We also went to Louisiana but that was for work although we had a nice time together on the road.
Did you leave the country at all? No
Would you change anything about yourself now? weight always but it is a road block for me emotionally and mentally. Maybe I can get through some of that this new year.

2007.....Wrap Up.
Was 2007 a good year? yes I really feel it was a very good year for the business, our relationship, family time, health and just overall.
Do you think 2008 will top 2007? yes I believe it will be even better then 2007.

Last Count

We went to see The Golden Compass on Christmas Eve. Although of course not exactly like the book it was still a good movie. CGI great...because the animals were just amazing. It was a nice way to spend Christmas Eve!

As I have mentioned in other posts I really didn't read much last year as my depression just wouldn't allow me to concentrate enough to get into a book. So I getting back into reading I thought might be hard so I set a loose goal of 25 books this year. Well I was thrilled when I went past 25! I have enjoyed reading so much....it is a nice way to relax and I read a lot of page turners this year. My final count is 53 (as I think I will finish the 53 before the new year.) So not too shabby but I really was a little deflated when I found out a friend met her goal of reading 10 books A MONTH. She must be a very fast reader. Because I just don't think I have the time for that many books. I hope to be able to just enjoy 50 more in 2008.

Gift of Love for Christmas!

This morning I woke up seeing the Christmas tree in the living room from our bedroom...all the lights on it were sparkling. And Christmas music just starting to float through the air. It was Christmas! We were out of town with family on the actual Christmas so decided to have our traditional Christmas celebration today. The stockings were packed full, the presents spilling out from under the tree and it really did feel like Santa had visited our house last night.

We opened our stockings first....I pulled out a folded piece of paper...that had me in tears the first line. Michael has a way with heartfelt feelings coming through in words. It basically was a reflection of this past year together and just over all our time together that touched me deeply. His words were beautiful and full of love. We are romantics at times. Today was definitely filled with romance and love.

I am very grateful for each moment together. As I said in my last post there are moments everyday that make my life truly special. And of all the gifts under the tree that letter will be one I cherish and remember always. Because it is the gift of love. I know I am being all mushy...believe me I am sitting here in tears as I type. I am very blessed and grateful for being a part of his life. And I love you very much Michael!

(photo is a cropped image of a painting I did for Michael for his birthday a few years ago)

Friday Gratitude

5 Good Things in my Life...
1. A good Christmas with Michael's family
2. Excited about celebrating our Christmas tomorrow
3. Friends having their baby yesterday. And baby and Mom are good!
4. New stockings to fill full of treats
5. Snow so pretty

Merry Christmas!

Michael and I just got home a few hours ago. We were going to come back tomorrow but well the weather decided to act up so we needed to take the clear window.

We had a really nice Christmas with Michael's family. It was definitely a WHITE Christmas! That was really neat....I always prefer Christmas with SNOW! I so wanted to go out and play in it. I did get a chance to throw one snowball at Michael! And of course he retaliated.

We will be celebrating our Christmas on Saturday. Opening gifts and having our traditional dinner -- well mostly because we have had a lot of ham the last few days so thinking of doing a pork tenderloin in the place of the meat. Although the ham Frank and JoAnne had was oh so very good! Really good flavor to it.

I was able to go shopping this morning and hit some good after Christmas sales. I love after Christmas shopping to get stock up decorations, home decor and paper goods. I got some little hand towels for the bathrooms, cards, tags, mailing labels, stickers, napkins....AND STOCKINGS! Michael and I have been needing new ones. They are a wool - one red one green with our initials on them...very simple but Michael and I like them!

After that we hit a few more places plus had breakfast at on of our favorite places over there. We also got a chance to go to World Market. They had 75% off all their Christmas items so I got a few ornaments that were really inexpensive.

So it has been a long day with shopping and then 4 hours of traveling. I am exhausted and we have to get up early tomorrow to run errands and get ready to celebrate our Christmas on Saturday.

I hope everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas....filled with happiness and love!

Out of Town...

This will probably be quick post as I am out of town and not really a lot of free time.

We had a good day although very long. We are just ready to go to sleep for a few days. We went to bed at 12:30pm and got up at 5:30am. Then it has been a day of celebrating with family. Although very good.....very long.

We had a TON of food. Really I think I am going to suggest a change for next year -- that we all bring less. As really the food could feed all 13 of us for weeks I am sure. But it was all great!

I mentioned on Friday we went out looking at lights and that is one of my favorite holiday traditions with Michael. Really Christmas Eve traditionally is my favorite time/tradition. We have a really nice dinner, wine, at times dance and then go out and look at lights. We come home and just enjoy the time with each other....knowing how blessed we are to be together enjoying this journey. So although we aren't going to be home tomorrow....I know I will look at him throughout the day tomorrow and still reflect, remember, and remind myself how truly blessed I am.

Enjoying Christmas!

I talked with my Mom on the phone tonight. It was a long and good conversation. We hadn't talked in a couple of weeks so glad to be able too just chat. She told me I was on the ball this year as they got their present and card early. I told her I really thought it was because the tree and decorations around the house were up earlier then usual. Most of the time things kind of fall all together...where I am rushing to decorate, shop, do cards and bake all within a short time frame of each other. But this time it was like one thing ended the next started and it wasn't a rush between. Last week was pretty busy but it still wasn't like years past. So I got cards out, did letters with a few of them, got shopping, baking and mailed out packages and this week really I haven't had much Christmas stuff to do. I actually have had a pretty laid back week - and thank goodness for that as I had 2 migraines.

So it has been a very pleasant Christmas season for me. I have been enjoying it thoroughly. Tonight was one of those things I always enjoy of our Chrsitmas season together. Michael and I went out looking at lights! We got some starbucks, turned on XM Holly, sang and went looking at all the pretty lights. There is one neighborhood that really has great lights. They have a pond and the lights reflect on the pond.

We reflected on the last year a bit. It has been busy. I do remember though last year at this time he was just starting to use a cane after his knee injury. So I am glad his knee healed and is better! Another I am thankful for is that it has been great year for his business. It just keeps growing and I am VERY grateful for that! We got to go see my family this past summer and have a celebration that was incredible. One I know I will always remember and cherish. There are many more moments of course. But I should wrap this up...

Tomorrow is packing and just getting ready to leave on Sunday for Michael's parents.

(photo of kitchen table while I baked during this Christmas season -- covered with cookie sheets, a place to roll out cookies, cooling racks, containers filled with cookie and all the things needed while baking LOTS of cookies)

Friday Gratitude

5 Good Things in my life...
1. Gifts and Cards from friends and family arriving
2. Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
3. Chatting with my Mom
4. The DVD Michael made for my parents 40th Anniversary....I can watch it when I am missing my family...and I am missing them lots
5. Going out looking at lights and having that special tradition with Michael

(photo is of the invitation I designed for my parents 40th anniversary celebration)

Christmas Tins

I have quite a few Christmas tins for baked goods but here are a set of 3 that are some favorites. My Mom got them for me several years ago and they are perfect for Christmas candies! They are by Mary Engelbreit...I enjoy her whimsy!

Christmas Delivery....

We had a knock at our door earlier this evening....it was a Christmas delivery. Friends of ours in NJ sent us cookies from Mrs. Fields! The package though is so cute I wasn't almost wanting to take it out of its wrappings.

It had a lot of sweet treats!

Isn't it cute....

Christmas Around Our Home

Snowglobe that I got Michael for his birthday. It is one of those motion ones that when you turn the music on the snow starts swirling around. The tin has 3 country holly hobbie like angels and 3 girls always reminds me of my sisters and I. The little bowl that is just peeking out form behind the snowglobe....is a set of 3 that Michael bought me as just a little holiday surprise. They are really cute and I need to take pictures of the whole set!













Please don't mind the crooked picture in the photo as I knocked them when putting the garland up and didn't get them straightened before snapping a photo. The Santa and sleigh are by Jim Shore. We got it when visiting my parents for Christmas in 2004. We got it after holiday sales at the Mall of America. We ended up getting several things in that store.


















We have quite a few glass cupboard fronts so I take paper garland and put it on the shelves to peek through and give it just a bit of Christmas cheer. I have several different garlands - nutcrackers, snowmen, Santas and angels.












Chair with a quilted pillow....the table runner is on the table next to it and then we also have the matching tree skirt.

















The reindeer Michael's parents gave us...I think it is meant as a plant stand but because of the cats we don't have plants because they might eat them. So instead I am using to hold all our Christmas cards!

















Not a full nativity set but this is just a tiny set with manger, angels and sheep that was Michael's Grandmothers. It sits in our 2nd bathroom.














In the little bathroom again....tins and paper snowman and Santa.

O Christmas Tree

Full view of the tree...(click on picture to get a bigger view)


Bears around the bottom of the tree....


Close up of a some of the bears...

The bear with the blue vest and cap is a bear that Frank & JoAnne gave me while they were here and I was sick. It is very soft and cute!

And a few more...

Silly Tired

I am silly tired today. Where nothing is making sense. I am dropping things. I just can't focus. I went to bed stupid late last night but my mind was just kind of going and going so just not ready to go to sleep. I also am getting really caught up in the
Drums of Autumn. I had been only reading a few pages before I hit the pillow but right now it is so good I can't put it down.

We leave Saturday for Michael's parents so I have some things to get done before we leave. But for the most part I can say most of my major projects are done. I have a gift I making Michael but we aren't having our Christmas probably until New Years so I will have time if I need to finish it when we come back. But I am hoping I do get a chance to work on it this week some.

Today is cleaning yay! I need to wash the kitchen floor after baking the end of last week it is needed. I had been wrapping presents in the living room on Saturday so I have to vacuum and straighten up in there because I have Christmas wrap, ribbon and tags scattered about. And I have ironing/steaming to do and clothes to fold. So not a huge day. Tomorrow I need to get some goodie baskets ready for neighbors and friends. I am sure we will need to run out and get some last minute gifts. And then I will need to pack us.

Michael unfortunately has a very full and packed week. He has a ton of work and not much of it I can help him with so it will be very busy for him. And I know stressful to get everything done he needs to before we leave. And I am sure he is going to stress over leaving some of it until we get back.

Perfect Christmas

Tonight I watched one of those cheesy sappy Christmas movies on ABC Family. It was called Snowglobe. I watched it while I cut and wrapped about 70 chocolate caramels.

The synopsis from online: "Everybody has their own ideas about what constitutes a "perfect" Christmas. Angela is about to get hers when she is transported into a mystical snowglobe. Will it really be better than how her holiday usually goes?"

It was very predictable but I still enjoyed it. I love Christmas too but I never had looked for the perfect Christmas. Because each one has something about it that makes it "just perfect." Of course there are things would like to do someday. Like Michael would like to spend Christmas in a cabin in the mountains -- having snow falling outside while we are snuggled up in front of a fire. I think that sounds pretty good too. But how we spend Christmas most years is pretty good too. And usually that is just us and the kitty cats. Christmas Eve we have a big dinner....ham, creamed potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls and then Christmas goodies. Then we drive around looking at the lights. Christmas Day morning is opening stocking, presents and having cinnamon rolls. We then just have left overs for Christmas dinner. Usually ham sandwiches and such and watch movies. It is just quiet, peaceful and very cozy!

(Christmas tree photo from 2006)

Friday Gratitude

5 Things Good Things in my Life...
1. Baking Christmas cookies!
2. Remembering Cali
3. Decorating the tree with Michael -- it is always a special tradition for us
4. Wrapping Christmas presents
5. My warm robe and slippers!

Insane with Christmas Baking

Okay so yesterday morning I finished up Christmas cards and then the afternoon I started baking. After dinner, I did some more baking -- more like mixing. I just mixed up several recipes of cookies and got them in the fridge so I could bake them today. By the time I went to bed last night I had a batch of peppermint bark, maple fudge and then dough for jelly cookies, cardamom butter cookies and molasses cookies.

Then today I made chocolate fudge, chocolate caramels (really this is Michael as he does all the stirring for it -- and they require constant stirring), festive bark (almond bark with m&m's and pretzels), mint thins and then I baked jelly cookies, molasses cookies, peanut butter blossoms, and cc peppermint cookies.

Tomorrow I am rolling out the cardamom cookies and also doing sour cream cookies. And making a crab dip for a party that we are going to tomorrow night.

I really don't like living in high altitudes at times. This year my molasses cookies turned out more like ginger snaps. And then cc peppermint cookies turned out tasting good but I always get them mounded high.....and this year nope flatter. (last year pictures and this year below)

Do you have something you make that you don't want to admit what the ingredients are in it? Like I really like homemade mac-n-cheese with Velveeta but I don't like to admit I use Velveeta. Even just sitting here typing the word out makes me cringe. I hate touching it and can't eat it straight. But I like how it makes mac-n-cheese taste.

Okay so I am always on the look out for things with mint in them as Michael really like mint. So in years past I have tried bars and cookies but never found something that was really good. Well in November I got my holiday issue of Kraft Food Magazine and they had mint thins. I looked at the recipe and though okay easy but umm RITZ crackers ewww no. No I don't have anything against Ritz with a veggie dip or some sliced cheese but Ritz in a cookie made me cringe. But it had mint and it was easy. SO yes I made them! (photo below) And....well I am surprised how well they taste. They do taste almost like a girl scout thin mint cookie. I actually will probably be making another batch as I think Michael's family will like them. And they are actually kind of pretty too so will look good on the trays I am making. But it is going to be one of those recipes that when someone asks me how to make them I am going to cringe and say Ritz crackers. I know probably very silly of me to worry about.

Last years CC Peppermint Cookies

This years

Mint Thins

Other cookies I made today...

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Jelly Slices

Molasses Cookies (more like ginger snaps this year though -- again altitude)

World Aids Day

December 1st was World's Aids Day and this was the first year in many that I forgot. I didn't mention it or even think about. And I feel ashamed. Years ago it was something that I think was more up in the face with education and awareness. And it bothers me that has disappeared because I know HIV/AIDS hasn't disappeared. Stats -- 33.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2007. It is hard to think about so many people suffering. But is something I don't want to ignore or pretend isn't an issue...it is still here. And I hope that one day there will be a cure.

The First Ornament on the Tree

Last Monday I put the tree up but we didn't get to decorate it really until this past Saturday. I unpacked the ornaments on Monday though. Michael and I were watching TV together while I unwrapped and unpacked ornaments from mounds of tissue. I wasn't really paying attention as I did...but I finally looked down...the ornament I had in my hand is very special to me. Tears welled up....the emotions spilled through me and I began to sob. I let it all out...the ornament is my dog's ornament that we got for her 1st Christmas.

She died this last spring. I hadn't seen her for years as she was with my ex-husband but she still was in my heart.

So when Michael and I were ready to decorate the tree on Saturday night, he handed me the ornament and said that it should be the first one on the tree this year. More tears shed of course. But she was the first on the tree.

Here is what I wrote the night I found out she died...

May 3, 2007

When I was married and my husband and I bought a cute little house in March 1994. It was 80 plus years old at that time and needed some work. But we were looking forward to making it "ours." My husband was a pet person. He grew up with dogs. And so when we got a house, I told him I thought we should get a dog. Now at that time, I was not really a pet person. I liked animals...but much like children...I didn't know how to interact with them. I am also a girly girl...licking, drool and such grossed me out. And so I wasn't over joyed with the prospect of getting a dog but loved my husband and knew his really missed having a dog so I wanted him to have one. After living in our house for just a couple months, I woke up one Saturday morning and said, "Let's go to the humane society today." He turned 8 years old and bounced up and down. Yes he really did....that was kind of his thing.

We walked through the first part of this humane society...and it was all the puppies. We didn't see anything really. Then as you moved in further it had older dogs. The part with the puppies also was a part that had like little doors so they could go in and out...so part of the kennel was outside and part inside. I was looking but really I felt it was going to be up to him and really we thought we would just look because it was good time to discuss what kind of dog would be good for us. But over all I knew since he was the dog person he was going to have to find a dog that he liked. There were a few older ones he really liked but they were pretty big and he wasn't sure our yard was big enough for such big dogs. So we were heading out...going past the puppy cages again...some had been out when we walked in and as we walked past...

I stopped.

There were 4 puppies in this kennel and they were playing and having so much fun. I stopped. And he had kept walking he noticed I wasn't with him. He then turned back and saw me bent down and eye level with the puppies.

One of the workers came over to me right away. She said, "Would you like to see one?" I said, "YES!" I told her which one and he at this point is looking at me puzzled but happy. The worker brought the puppy out to me....and handed it to me. I pulled the puppy close to me holding her. The little pup was shaking in my arms but she did a big lick all across my face and I started to giggle. We played with her and held her some more. He said, "I think you found our dog."

We did....she came home with us! Because we had not been prepared to bring home a dog....we really had just thought we will go look to start getting an idea of what would work for our house and such. So we didn't have a collar and leash and she was so tiny so I held her and as soon as the car started moving she peed all over me. Again I remind you I am the girly girl who doesn't really like to get dirty. But here was this little puppy that had stolen my heart and so she was my baby. He dropped us off at home and he ran out and got food, leash, toys and all that stuff.

I thought we were going to get a dog for my husband and we came away with a dog for both of us. She captured my heart. My husband traveled quite a bit so she became a good friend for me. There are so many stories I could write....I just loved her so much. She helped me through some dark times by making me get out of bed and making me take care of her. And am so thankful for for finding her and my heart just being captured by her. I have a picture of her that hangs above my desk as there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

I found out tonight from my ex-husband's Mom that my dog had to be put down. She had a brain tumor and causing her to have so many seizures she became totally unresponsive. She hasn't been in my life for many years but my heart aches as though it was just yesterday when I hugged her close and I will miss her.

Uh Oh....

Laid down for a nap yesterday and woke up with a broken blood vessel in my eye. It looks oh so very lovely! NOT! Grrrr! We have a party to go to this coming weekend too so I am not a happy camper with the thought of red splotch in my eye.

Christmas Baking Upon Us

It is getting that time to bake so today when we went to the grocery store I picked up lots of baking supplies. I think though I am still suffering from sticker shock over the eggs. Eighteen eggs $2.93. Ouch!

I usually try something new every year sometimes those things don't get made again. Sometimes they get on the permanent list.

This is standard every year...
Sour Cream Cookies
Foolproof Fudge
Cardamom Butter Cookies - I roll out to do cutout cookies
Chocolate Caramels
Molasses Cookies
Festive Bark

Then I made these last year and they were a big hit so I am going to do those again...CC Peppermint Cookies - chocolate chip cookie recipe with 1 1/4 cup crushed peppermint bark.

And I have a couple new recipes I want to make and then one old one I would really like to make again as I miss them. I haven't made them in probably 10-11 years. One new recipe I want to make is similar to an old recipe I made the jelly thumbprints....but going to try this one. And then Peanut Butter Blossoms is one I used to make and always enjoyed. I also want to search down a recipe for gluten-free cookies as a family member will need those with all the gluten goodies around -- she needs something for her. So I will be checking out a favorite read to see if I can come up with something.

I always enjoy baking Christmas goodies. I make up plates and containers for friends and family. I also want to make scones as gifts. So I see quite a bit of baking in the near future.

(photo of sour cream cookies from last year I think)

Stomach Flu....

I woke up sick this morning. It is horrible to have company and be sick. I hate having the stomach flu....I mean who likes it but really there is just something about throwing up that makes the stomach flu worse then a cold for me.

Michael's Dad helped out with some tasks around the house that we needed help with -- so I am very thankful they got all those things taken care of for us. That was very nice of them! They had to run out to get some parts and such and on one of their outings they found a very cute bear in a vest and hat that they thought I must have to make me feel better. So I got another bear to add to my collection under the Christmas tree (pictures of bear and tree will come I am sure in a few days).

I stayed in bed most of the day but finally felt at least a little human around dinner time. And dinner stayed down so that is great! I just have a headache and just have achy muscles now. So just watched a movie tonight while hanging out.

I felt horrible that I couldn't spend much time with everyone today but thankful they totally were able to keep themselves busy with the little projects.

Going to go read a little before bed.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday my Love! I hope your day is truly a celebration of YOU! You are an amazing man that words never enough for me to express just how much you mean to me. I love you and Happy Birthday!

Time - Yesterday, Today and This Week

Michael and I had work yesterday that required us to be up at 5:30am. That was a little insane. We worked really hard plus the room where we were working -- the heat was broken so it was 85 degrees which is quite warm for when just sitting but we weren't just sitting we were working are asses off. On our way home we stopped for Chinese take out so that we could just go home and collapse. We ate and then took showers as we were beyond the expiration date of our deodorant. After showers, we just relaxed and watched movies. We watched the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I was singing along with the songs -- it was fun! And a nice way to unwind after a long day.

It was our annual parade of lights here in Grand Junction but we knew after having such a busy morning there is no way we would be able to make it. And thank goodness we didn't as the weather got horrid just as it would have been starting last night. Ice hitting the windows and forming on our deck. Baby it's cold outside!

Today I have been doing some cleaning and then one of my eyes all of sudden started acting up. I am still having problems with. It was like the lids stuck to the eye so when I opened my eye it felt like ripping across my eye. Michael looked at the eye after - so did I and it looked fine but at one point today the only time it felt okay was closed. It is like a film is over at at times and also is pretty red tonight. I have been having allergy issues and goopy eyes so not sure if it is related.

This week is going to be very busy for me. Tomorrow I am going to start Christmas decorating. I am sure with other things I have to do I won't get it all done. So I will finish it up on Tuesday. Tuesday we need to do some grocery shopping and I need to finish shopping for his birthday. And then Wednesday finish any cleaning and get ready for Michael's parents to arrive on Thursday. It is Michael's birthday Thursday. I am not sure what I am going to make for dinner on Friday but most of the other meals are planned. Though we did get an email from Michael's parents tonight saying lots of snow in the forecast for the week so that could mean they won't make it over the mountains to our side. Either way my plans for this week will still be busy.

Well I am off to finish cleaning the refrigerator and then fold clothes. We are recording Tinman but probably won't watch it until after all 3 parts are recorded. While I fold clothes, I am going to watch Project Runway as I haven't watched this past weeks episode yet.

Exciting I know.

all the above was written early in the evening...I just forgot to hit post.

What else can I babble on and on about...

We have a new Goodwill here that seems like really well run operation. They have a drive up which is great. People meet you to help carry in your stuff and have real receipts (other place just hands you a little slip with their name on the top and lines to fill out what you brought). We got rid of so much -- it was nice to get rid of it. We were trying to find out if there was a local coat drive too as we have 11 coats and jackets but we couldn't find one. So those will need to be dropped at Goodwill now too.

I am reading the 4th book in the Outlander series. I also have the 2nd book in His Dark Materials series. But I am really enjoying the 4th book. I love that Brianna is in this one. I really hope that continues on as it seems like it might. I am only a little ways into the book yet so don't know how much she is there. But enjoying it so far. I am actually thinking I will go read a bit before bed.

I feel really tired today but I don't know why I do.

Shared the same Birthday...

Online world...I have been online for over ten years. There are many things about my first internet experiences I wish I could change. They weren't very positive. But I am still thankful for the internet. Michael and I connected that way at first. Many other people I count as very good friends offline were first encountered online. Because of the internet I am able to share my art. And I am not sure I would have ever gotten up the courage to do that offline to galleries and just friends and family if I hadn't had this place first. So there have been some positives too.

I am also blessed to have the internet now after moving from Cleveland where I had big social circle and schedule to a smaller town where I don't - has been a hard thing for me. I love all the quality time Michael and I have but I do need friends and other types of relationships. So right now the internet has been that place where I can stay connected to friends from offline and far away and also with just people I have met online through blogs, forums, elist and such.

Someone I have known online died today. I had known her through various elists and such for quite a while...6 or 7 years but didn't know her well. She shared my birthday but actually 3 years younger. It was just shocking to refresh my daily reads and see her husband's announcement. It sounds like it was sudden - nothing as far as I knew was wrong health wise. Her husband hasn't posted how it happened. My thoughts are with her husband and family but I am just still a little shocked by the news. And I wasn't even close to her -- but... it still is very sad to know she isn't here anymore. My thoughts are with her friends and family...and her animals. She was an animal rescuer and had over 25 animals at her place....so I know they will miss her too.

(image from an ATC I did but don't have on the website as the photo isn't the best)

A Friend for All Seasons

Michael and I have a friend that has just been so supportive to us personally and also with the business. She is amazing at tax information and with a business you know that is imperative to understand taxes and do that correctly. So she has been a remarkable wealth of information for the business. I told her many many times she should write a tax book - because Michael is a very smart man but some of the tax info confused them before he started consulting her. And she made it so clear that often I could understand it and numbers confuse me! I know she doesn't feel she has the right qualifications to write a book on it but I think she is amazing!

And also as I said she personally has been just a great friend. She has let me vent to her before, given me a new perspective and just been there as a good friend in so many ways. I am really blessed to call her my friend.

So Michael and I wanted to do something for her. At Christmas time my family sends us little packages to open each day before Christmas and I remembered our friend commenting on how neat of idea that was and that would be so fun. So I created "A Friend for all Seasons" package - 30 days of little packages covering all the seasons of the year. Also right now she is on bed rest as she is pregnant with her first baby so I thought sending it now would be fun for her since she is going a little stir crazy.

I wrapped each little package and then put labels on them 1 to 30 with little clues of what might be in them. I made labels in word with dingbats and different fonts. It was fun as I love fonts! My sister gave me some perfect little bags recently that worked out good for several of the packages. I stamped them with a rubber stamp, punched holes in them to tie them with ribbon. I wrapped other packages in all sorts of tissues, wrapping papper and ribbons. It was a lot of fun to make this package up for her.

Well she got it yesterday so she started on her first package of the 30 days. I think I am just as excited as she is in opening her presents!

Here is a print screen of the labels I put on them....clicking on it will bring you to a bigger view.

Business Cards

As I said in another post,I ordered some business cards recently for my art. So I noticed on one of our chairs on the porch a little box. I was so excited to open the box to actually see the cards. I opened the box and Michael said the look on my face was priceless because the cards in the box weren't mine. I had one of those blonde moments with a puzzling look of why isn't my card in here. I got someone else's card. Michael contacted the company last night and they are printing a new batch and sending them out right away. But in my email box this morning there was an email from the gentleman whose cards I received - as he got mine. He said he would send me my box and I am sending him his too. So it is cool I will have 200 cards instead of just 100.

The Golden Compass

Since I haven't had a book to read for several nights now I have been reading Cosmopolitan. Michael purchased something about 2 months ago and he got 4 subscriptions to magazines for very low price to free. Cosmo was free. I think Food & Wine was like $4 bucks and the most expensive one. So I got Cosmo because it was free. It has been years and years since I picked up a Cosmo. Was it always this bad? I remember reading it in high school and college but just don't remember it being this bad. The gal & guy confessions, the articles (if you can even call them that), the advice - it is all just horrible. I know I shouldn't be shocked it is Cosmo but I really don't remember it being this bad. The confessions I felt had to be written by kids and sent in because do people really do the things they "confess." Thank goodness I received email notification of the next book in His Dark Materials series is on hold and waiting for me. I think we might be picking that up today.

I am so excited for The Golden Compass movie to come out. I really enjoyed the book. Every time we see the trailer for it on tv -- I get so excited! Of course this movie is being protested just like the Harry Movies and other like movies. But I read a pretty good article about the movie. I understand Pullman critizies the Narnia series but I still like the Narnia series and actually thought of asking for that for Christmas as I would like to read those. I read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was a young girl but none of the others. Although I thought we had them. I think my sister got them for a gift. But back on topic I really am excited to see the The Golden Compass.

Absolute No's

I think this is a really good list of things not to do when doing freelance work. So I am putting it here so I remember it!

Sale! Sale!

I am a posting fool today....

I just got an email from Addicted to Rubber Stamps...

They are having a REALLY good sale so go check it out if you create - art, cards or scrapbooks it is a great sale! Plus 1/2 price shipping!

Christmas Decorations - Blogstyle

I am keeping this blog as is but I did put up a cute Christmas banner on our Michael & Darby blog. Check it out! I made 2 more banners too and so will probably rotate between the three.

Holiday Blues

I really get annoyed with myself though because although we had a VERY nice Thanksgiving I still got sad and down yesterday. I was missing time with family. I even thought of one particular Thanksgivings. As I said in my last post cooking Thanksgiving meal isn't my favorite for a crowd. I am always worried the turkey won't come out good. Why I worry about that...I am not sure as I have always had my turkey's turn out really good.

I remember the first Thanksgiving I hosted was when my parents, sisters and one of my Grandma's came...when I was married. I think actually it was our first Thanksgiving after moving into our house. I had at that point in my life never made a turkey so thankfully my Mom was right there to help walk me through it! Such as I was forgetting to pull the sack of giblets so she caught that! And she made the mashed potatoes because it took me years to master those...I always have had lumps. I finally can make mashed potatoes without lumps (well most of the time). But everything else I made turned out really good. I just remember being so intimidated because my Mom and my Grandma are amazing cooks. So here I am doing turkey dinner for the first time and they are my guests. Oh my the panic! I remember freaking out on before they got there in the morning - they had stayed in a hotel as our house had lots stairs and my Grandma couldn't take those. So it was just my sisters that stayed with us. I was told all would work out and of course it did.

I know I hosted Thanksgiving a few more times...once when my sisters couldn't get to Minnesota they came to our house at least Michelle did. I recalled some past Thanksgiving memories during my sadness although all the memories I recalled were good memories. It just made me a little nostalgic thus making me feel a little sad. But as I said it annoys me because I have so much to be thankful for plus I had such a nice day with Michael that I shouldn't have been sad at all. I just feel this year is going to be year of recalling old memories for me because of my mindset about being 40.

Well that is enough reminiscing for today. I need to work.

(image is from an ATC - Lost)

Friday Gratitude

5 Things I am Thankful for in my Life...
1. A wonderful Thanksgiving spent with Michael!
2. Yummy left overs!
3. That I can play Christmas music now!
4. For being really productive this past week!
5. For family and friends!

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was lovely. I had cinnamon rolls raising before I went to bed on Wednesday so we had a few of those for breakfast on Thursday while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Michael talked to several of his family members while I got things ready for the turkey dinner. We don't eat until 4pm so I just prepped.

While we waited for getting things in the oven, we watched a movie. We watched The Prestige. We ate about 4:30pm as pop up timer on the turkey didn't pop up until then even though I thought just by poundage it should have been done sooner. Michael and I had a good wine and stuffed ourselves! After we cleaned up the kitchen, I called my parents. My sister just closed on a house so I knew they were spending Thanksgiving working on the house. We chatted a bit and then Michael and I rolled ourselves to the couch to watch The Polar Express. It was so nice to be snuggled up on the couch watching it...I get such a gleeful feeling when I watch it. Eventually we had pumpkin pie and watched Project Runway. We ended up getting to bed about 1:30am with the alarm set for 4:30am because we decided to be insane hit Best Buy and Circuit City on Black Friday.

Best Buy was packed packed. They had everything really well stocked. Lots of tvs and other merchandise out ready to just be carted off. They had lots of people directing traffic as well as arrows and balloon throughout the store so you could stop and ask where are ipods and they would say go to the blue balloon. The had a person at the cashiers to direct plus each cashier had bright orange signs with numbers to wave when they were done. It really wasn't a horrible ordeal. But.... Circuit City I am just so over it with them. Last week we went in to get a few movies they had in their ad. They had notice of the misprinted ad - the list wasn't just one or 2 movies - no it was a list of like 15 to 20 movies that shouldn't have been listed leaving the real list to like 10 movies really on sale. Then the ad online for today had some things on sale that weren't on sale in the store but the ad online didn't say anything about being web only...and of course their website was out this morning. Crashed at 2am or something like that. They had lines for everything so if you wanted the hot deal on the big tv you had to wait in a line and then see if they had anymore in stock and then after that if you wanted game system you had to go wait in another line. And then you had to get in the cashier line with a print out slip(s). Oh and they were only letting so many people in the store which was probably good for their store as we have a smaller Circuit City. But waiting out in the cold to get into the store that really didn't have many of the things we were looking for really wasn't fun.

It was a good Thanksgiving though so that is what matters! We had a really nice day! Michael and I had good quality time together yesterday. It was very nice and I am very thankful to be with Michael.

Turkey Eve

I haven't had much time for anything lately. I go from one project to the next, to the next...and so on.

Yesterday was shopping, working on a website and working on a Christmas present. Today I have cleaned most of the day, baked and then did a little bit of work the Christmas presents I am making.

It will just be us tomorrow...which is fine with me. Cooking for a large group on Thanksgiving isn't one of my favorite things to do...I would rather do Christmas dinner. We are having a pretty traditional menu this year. Roasted turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and I even made parker house rolls - something I haven't made in over 10 years.

Michael gave me a surprise the other day.....he said we will be putting up the Christmas decorations BEFORE his birthday this year so his parents can see the house all decorated. I am so excited! He usually likes us to wait until after his birthday...which I totally understand. But it does still make me very happy we get to have the decorations up a few days longer then usual! I am such a sap for Christmas.

I will be finishing The Golden Compass tonight (only have like 30 pages left). I really enjoyed it. I have put on request the second in the series. I am still waiting for the 4th in the Outlander series. So looks like I will be out of books for the next few days. I reached 50 books for the year though -- which was 50 more then last year so I am happy about that.

Well I better sign off and get some sleep.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving full of friends & family and love & laughter!

(Another Christmas photo from a few years ago -- I have a bunch of Christmas bears and they sit under the tree)

Bringing on the Busy...

I have felt kind of down this weekend. But today I finished up something for a friend and that actually helped me feel better knowing we will make her smile. I don't feel I accomplished much else though this weekend. I have 2 websites that I need to work on...changes to one and finishing up the other now that the client decided what template she wants. I also need to finish up an article. And then prep for Thanksgiving this week.

Michael's parents are coming for his birthday (Dec 6th) so I need to finish the autumn cleaning I started a few weeks ago (when I was steam cleaning). I would like to wash and press all the curtains and steam clean the hallway and Michael's office before they come (then all the carpet in the house would be done). I have bunches of stuff to go to Goodwill but I need to get it all together (one spot) and then typed up for taxes.

I started making our holiday card list today, got out the cards and labels so that I can try to get those out early this year. Maybe I will even get a letter done this year.

(The photo is one Michael took of our tree a couple years ago - the ornament is one his Grandmother made.)

New Business Card

Michael had a coupon for 100 free business cards and I am out so he said I should use it. So I made up some new designs. I ended up ordering number 5 (which is the photo below). I sent it to a bunch of friends and the majority liked 5 the best. But it was close between 1 and 5 - in the end though 5 had more votes. I would like to get a batch of 1 sometimes too.

Friday Gratitude

5 Things I am Thankful in my Life...1. Although I wish it was more like the first season, I am still glad Project Runway is back -- it is a pure guilty pleasure.
2. For getting Michael hooked on Project Runway!
3. New business cards about to be ordered!
4. Some work things that I really did good on this past week. Inspired me to want to redesign my website and also Michael's business site.
5. For having my 2nd try at getting some blood go well...tests came all normal. Just got general blood work up.

(image from a piece of my art -- I think I have posted this before but I posted it over on Michael and my blog so thought I would just do the same here.)

Deep Thoughts...Okay not really...

Sunday
I thought my day was going to go bad. Once a month my cooking skills go out the window. For brunch I burnt our turkey bacon and then the biscuits were more ummm blackish-brown on their bottoms then they should have been. Luckily Michael took care of the eggs or we wouldn't have had anything that was -right-. I forgot a few things that day too - like meds.

I did though get lots of work - coding websites templates - done. I really kicked ass on them actually. They look really good and I need to keep them in my portfolio because I might be able to modify them for another client. It really made me want to redo Michael's work website to though because I just was really in a groove -- so I jotted some notes down to redo his -- this will be version 3 now. I just redid his probably 6 months ago though. I need to start also working on a holiday banner for our blogspot.

Monday
Sunday night I think we went to bed close to 2am. And I read until 3:30 am and then got up fairly early so I was dragging ALL DAY. You would think that last night I would have slept soundly but I didn't. I didn't do a lot yesterday - some chores, laundry, a little graphic thing Michael needed me to do and that was about it.

Tuesday
It is only 12:45 and we have been really productive but just got home a bit ago. We left the house at 7:45am. I had to go get blood drawn. I have border line high blood pressure. Then I have white coat syndrome - meaning as soon as I set foot in the doctors office my blood pressure sky rockets. But because I am a big girl my doctor always worries it is just not white coat syndrome and that I have heart disease. So I get to go do blood test every so often for a lipid panel. It always come back in the acceptable range but I guess it is better to have her care enough to do it then not.

When we got there, I was freezing. I said to Michael I bet it will be a hard go on my vains today because I am so cold they all are shrunk up and hiding. He laughed and nodded his head like my girl is silly. I get back in the nurses chair and she is saying how busy it has been and everyone has been a hard stick. And I said you will probably have problems with me too. My doctor walked by as I was getting it done so came to see how it was going and both the nurse and I said not good. I said I am so cold this morning it is hard to get one to come up the surface. They both commented that my hands were ice. So I get to come back as she didn't want to stick m again...she only stuck me 2 times. Thursday morning I have to be back at 8:10am -- I told Michael that I probably should get up and get moving around more so that I warm up long before we leave the house. We woke up, showered and left so I know my body wasn't awake at all. Even my usual for sure place on my hand wouldn't pop up and that vain always springs right up with a few times of clenching/unclenching my hand.

Getting stuck this morning though reminded me of when I was getting married. I was having lots of asthma problems - in and out of the ER several times right before our wedding. I knew it was probably just stress of the wedding. Our honeymoon was going to be in Colorado...going to high altitude with the asthma problems - made me a tad bit worried. So I made an appointment with my doctor to maybe change my inhaler or do something to help me out while there. My appointment was 2 days before my wedding. And they wanted blood. The nurse stuck me once, twice, third time...I threw up. By the 6th time she knew I was on the verge of getting sick again she is trying to keep my mind off it by engaging me in conversation where I then tell her - I am getting married in 2 days. She went white and looked like she was going to get sick. She blurted out in a very worried tone.."omg does your dress have long sleeves?" Because after sticking me that many times I had bruises on both arms appearing before I even left. I told her yes it was long sleeves but after that she was so nervous she ended up sending me to the hospital lab...which they stuck me once - barely felt the needle go in. It actually was one of the best blood labs I have been too. Oh I guess the nurse in Cleveland too was good too but she had to stick more then once sometimes. But her attitude and energy were so great...she was funny and just so nice. She usually had me crying - not because of pain but from laughing so hard.

I guess back on track of daily report....so had the lab appointment this morning, then after we went to breakfast, target, grocery shopping, library and post office. I am starting to stock up on stuff to make Christmas goodies. Library didn't have the next in the Outlander series ready for me yet. Someone was suppose to return it on the 8th but well that hasn't happened. I never read The Golden Compass before either so I requested that one and there is not even a waiting list on it. I figured there might be since the movie will be out soon.

I need to do some laundry today and I need to finish some work.

(from an ATC - Monster Joy)

Friday Gratitude

5 things I am thankful for in my life...1. Being able to request books online to pick up at the library!
2. Doctor appointment going smoothly this week and for the wonderful staff in my doctors office. They are all so good!
3. For the yummy comfort food I made on Sunday - Chicken and Dumplings
4. For Michael because he is so amazing
5. For airborne keeping the cold away from me

(cropped image from Allergy Season)

Elizabethtown

Last night I watched Elizabethtown. I put it on my netflix queue after seeing Orlando Bloom in the 3rd Pirate movie as I just really liked him as eye candy. Well I wouldn't say the movie was great but it did touch me. It had some really beautiful touching moment for me and some really good lines (I will put at the end of the post a few the lines). But then...what really pushed it over the top was the MUSIC! It is a Cameron Crowe movie and his movies usually have good music but this really seemed to even out do Almost Famous (which I have that soundtrack too because I love the music - icon is from it too).

In the movie Kirstin Dunst's character (Claire) has told Orlando Bloom's character (Drew) that he should take a road trip because he said he never done one. She makes him this really cool altered book with maps (including places where he should stop and why), pictures and then mix cds for the whole way to fit with where he is driving. And the music....oh the music...gives me shivers just thinking of it now...as I was just so completely absorbed in it that I know I missed some of the feelings Orlando's character was suppose to be going through as I was going through my own emotions.

I immediately went to amazon.com to see about soundtrack and of course there is the orginal score and then there are 3 more cd's the main soundtrack vol. 1 and plus 2 more. One just for when they (Drew and Claire) were The Brown hotel...that one I would really like to have but it wasn't available on amazon (which btw the hotel looks like an amazing place to stay!). So yesterday Michael had some reward coupons for Best Buy and he was going to look something so he said go see if they have soundtracks for Elizabethtown. They had the main one - vol. 1 and then vol 2. I picked vol. 2. But would like to get the other sometime too.

So I am sure I will be listening to Elizabethtown soundtrack for several days/weeks.

Lines:
Claire: I'm impossible to forget, but I'm hard to remember.

Claire: Trust me. Everybody is less mysterious than they think they are.

Claire: Most of the sex I've had in my life was not as personal as that kiss.

Claire: Men see things in a box, and women see them in a round room.

Claire: Sadness is easier because its surrender. I say make time to dance alone with one hand waving free.

Hollie: All forward motion counts.

Claire [voice over]: Some music *needs* air. Roll down your window.

Claire: To have never taken a solitary road trip across country? I mean everybody's got to take a road trip, at least once in their lives. Just you and some music