Work seems to take more and more of my time lately. Maybe it is just that my time at work is not as crazy busy, as it was just before Christmas. I don't have 300+ orders to get framed. I only have to take 3-5 orders during an entire 8 hour shift. I have had time to re-stock shelves, and even do my counts. This means that we will get new frames to fill in some of the holes made from holiday shoppers. Those crazy shoppers who DID come out in the snow and ice.

On the 26th, we made it to my sisters for my nephews birthday party. We also swapped gifts with my side of the family. I was so happy to get an espresso machine from my parents. SCORE!! :)
It felt really good to give presents this year, even to some that didn't give themselves. I was able to enjoy giving for what it is, not feeling like we were just swapping $$.
The kids got things they really enjoy. New remote control cars, skateboard ramps (Teck decks for those that know what those are), and a barn set for Meghan's new (plastic) horses.

I am not sure what we are up to for New Year's Eve. Probally just a good movie, popcorn, and some sparkling cider with the kiddos. I hope to get some organizing done in my scrap area AND actually scrap a layout or two. Wouldn't that be a GREAT way to spend a holiday!!! I get time-and-a-half working on Thursday, so I am thinking about spending the extra and getting a few new shelves for my wall.

Ok... I am rambling now. LOL

Hugs to all!!

We'll we have a "white Christmas!". Woohoo! LOL
I am over the snow. My car is stuck up the hill from our house, and will have to wait out the rest of the snow melting process... before I can go get it. I was doing a good deed, and taking a co-worker home last night. He failed to explain that when we went up the hill, then started downhill... that I would have to go back UP to get home. Yep... I got stuck, high centered, and had to leave my car on the roadside. It is a neighborhood, and right outside my co-workers house, so I am fine. I just hate not having my car, whether I could drive or not. Anyhoo... back to the holiday pics...

The kids got their annual "PJ's" last night. This year, I got all the right sizes!!!

The kids got what they wanted. :)

Lucy got a new bone! (It's nearly GONE already LOL)

I think one of my favorite presents that I gave this year, is the Basketball poster that I framed for Jordan. I did a baseball one for Sean a few months ago, and thought Jordan would enjoy this one. I plan to start decorating the boys room, bit by bit with things they can keep as they get older. :)


For all the things I could learn at this time in my life... I love what I heard Amy Roloff (Mom from Little People, Big world)say the other night "I could spend my time and have a clean house, but I wouldn't have the times that I have shared with family and friends. Just getting to know the people around me!"
I always cringe when people come by or might come by... is my house clean, what will they think. Well... I am striving to think "I don't care about the house, I don't care what they might think; I only care about enjoying the time I have to spend TODAY!"

more snow pics...

It's been a nearly a week of snow and fun. Sean is working today, and supposed to the next four day s too. I am a little nervous to have him on the road, but I have faith and prayers said for his safe arrival after travel.
My parents anniversary vow renewal has been cancelled, and will possibly happen at a later date. SO, no cake to bake for me. Two days off of work and simply time to spend with my kids.
We took the dogs on a walk (a bit of ice under the snow made for fun slipping and sliding as the dogs pulled in excitement). I am SO glad that I took the extra time this last spring to really train them on leash manners. :)
We returned to the house and took them to run in the back yard. Meghan and I made snow angels. A true MUST for any adult that is willing to remember their childhood days of life wonders.


I was taking a pic of the beautiful snow around my backyard, when Meghan has the idea to slide down the snow-filled slide.


"Oh NO!, THAT is COLD SNOW". To which I replied "Is there any other kind"?
She says "No, but does it HAVE to go in my PANTS"?

In the house we went, for Hot Cocoa (with half n half YUM!)
The boys quickly followed from where ever they had gone to chuck snowballs at one-another. Now here we are... warm, and "BORED!" again. LOL

It's SNOWING!! AGAIN!

Yeah... it is snowing. It's beautiful! I am hoping that we won't get the sleet and ice that is predicted, and for now... I want to think about the beauty of this snowfall. :)
Sean made it to work today. He hopes to get there one more day this week too, to make up for his no-pay day on Sunday. I work tomorrow and Friday too, but luckily I am just blocks from work.
My parents anniversary party has been rescheduled to the afternoon on Sunday, instead of the evening. I just heard there may be another storm come through this weekend. Sure is a wait and see kinda week around here.
I am running to the store in a minute to get baking supplies (target had sugar, but not FLOUR last night.) Then to pick up Jordan at his friends house. Am I serious crazy to have allowed him to go there last night, in this weather. LOL
Anyways... that's life for us. How's everyone else??
Is your shopping and wrapping done? I have one more gift for Jarod, to get. BUT... that one could wait for his birthday in January. Then I still have to figure out if I am getting anything more than sweet baked goods for family and friends on my decreasing gift list. :)

Molar pulled...

Oh yeah... Meghan had to go to the dentist today too. Her cheek/ gum has been sore for about two days. Slowly swelling. I headed to work and Sean called the dentist. Sure enough, it was infected. Her baby molar was pulled after two x-rays to ensure the right tooth being the issue. The dentist was impressed that Meghan knew which tooth it was, and he thought it was another. He said she should become a dentist, just fof good instincts! LOL
She is still swollen and may need antibiotics tomorrow, but for tonight she is sleeping with Motrin. :)

Snow, ICE, and no electricity!

It started last week, with the weatherman saying "It's going to be a winter storm, and snow too!" Sunday at 8am... it started snowing! Somehow without warming above freezing... ice filled the streets. It's slick out there. Diane's daughter slipped, fell, and broke her arm. My friend at work drove her car off the road, and banged her forehead on the steering wheel. Wrecks litter 82nd ave, just up the street. Firetrucks litter the Linen's n things parking lot (near walmart) and I saw firefighters on the roof there too. We got a brown out at about 5:30pm and full black out at about 8:30pm. Everything, including our heat was back around 9pm.
It's been a rough few days, and I am now hearing more snow is in the Wednesday forecast. So sad... a 15 year old girl crashed while sledding, into a parked car. Head injuries! :(

On a lighter note... my dogs loved the snow! Dash loves his winter jacket. Lucy didn't know what to do with this stuff... it is her first experience with this white stuff. The kids were able to get in a few good snowball fights with the neighbors before the ice rink showed up. :)

Direct TV !!! is getting installed today.

I can watch ER tonight, when I get home from work. I can watch Survivor too. WOOHOO!! I am going to enjoy DVR services! LOL

Our weather is changing, we have a "cold front" moving in. The beginning of next week is not supposed to get above freezing for about 4 days. Lower than this area has been in 15 years, I heard last night on the news. Oh my!! Gotta get the trailer antifreeze put into the water tanks. UGH!

Anyone else watching the "casey anthony" case. They found the little girl today. So sad!! Ok... yes they only found a body near her home, and haven't confirmed the identity as of yet. But, I was really hoping that she might have sold the poor little girl.

Well... guess I should get off here and listen to the guys discussion with DH. LOL

The kids have started their annual chocolate "calendar". I get these every year, and for the past few years... Michaels is the only place I find them. Good thing I work there and grab them before they get put out. Hee-hee!
This is Sqeakers. He is Jarod's class pet, and was our visitor over Thanksgiving break. He will visit again over Christmas break too.

Sean went to the Oregon coast with his dad, overnight on Friday. They enjoyed a little father / son time and got to shop for all the grandkids too. They stopped by the "Tillamook Cheese Factory" and brought us back beef jerky. YUM!
Lucy decided that my newly folded towels and clothes were a great pillow for a nap. Oh my!!

This is our family, in clay. Meghan and I made it today... out of "Crayola Model Magic". We even made the pets. Everyone became a snowman / snowpet. LOL

Direct TV

We officially signed up for Direct TV today. We have wanted to reach through the phone line and throttle the comcast employees for more than a year now. I am a horrible procrastonator. Well... today was enough. I want a DVR. I want to watch movie channels. I want to watch the Oxygen network. I want to veg in front of the "TUBE" with a blanket and a cup of coffee. I want to finish an entire show without it getting fuzz or scrolling "we are currently doing upgrades in your area, sorry for the inconvinence". LOL

SO... I am now saving money! I actually decided to reduce my download speed on my internet service too. Do I really need to pay $46 to download things about 60 seconds faster. No not really. I can pay $35 and put in a load of laundry during a download. :)

Oh... I also got a free YEAR of Showtime (9mns. more then the advertised deal). Yep... I can be a *itch at times. But, if your company advertises "NO out of pocket money" to sign up, then please don't ask me to a pay a fee for "shipping n handling" of the equipment. I happened to tell dh, (while on the phone with the sales guy) that "they weren't quite HONEST in their ad... GO FIGURE!" they want $19.95 for shipping. The guy says "let me see if I can wave that fee." Of course, they can't. Well... "No, wait... (the guy says) I can charge you for the s/h ing BUT give you another 9 mns of Showtime FREE!" OK... that works for me!! "Sign me up!" LOL

Dh's friends wants me to call them back and re-sign them up, now. LOL

So... that is my news for today. Oh, and my computer is STILL getting adware, trojans, and worms. UGH!!! Anyone know a CHEAP computer repairman? LOL

What a crazy hour!

So I have had the most stressful hour. I got a call from my mom. She wanted to confirm with me, that it was OK for my siblings and I to NOT buy for each other. I am so frustrated with gift giving. I love doing it. Yes, it is stressful sometimes, to find the perfect gift for everyone. BUT... I love the hunt, the search, the wrapping. I even enjoy the opening. LOL
I have really worked on not looking at who got what for who. I have worked on appreciating what I get, but also what I am able to give. I still want to get things. I want to give the PERFECT things I already found this year. Yet, now I will feel like I shouldn't get anything for my siblings and parents; because it would make them feel funny. I don't want that. I just want to enjoy giving what I give. I LOVE that feeling. UGH!
My biggest fear is that as we begin to stop all our tradition holiday meet-ups; that we will not see each other anymore. How close are we really? Do we even know each other at all? No not really I guess. :(
That is something we should look at working on I guess. At some point though, I guess some families just aren't as close as others. Noone has the perfect relationship. I just worry about this all being even more stressful on my parents too.
So... what traditions do you have for the holidays? Do you gather together and drive around to see lights? Do you go caroling with a church group? Do you cut down the annual holiday tree?

Sometimes I feel like the older I get, the more I find I am loosing. That isn't supposed to be how this season works, is it??

On a better note... I am excited to be going to the annual Christmas Bazaar this weekend. Not just once, (with my mom, sister, and nieces) but TWICE... going with my daughter, my friend, and her daughter. WOOHOO!!! :)