Monday Memories

Since Thanksgiving is this week, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share some memories of past Thanksgivings. It seems that regardless of how chaotic life was for our family, holidays always seemed to come together and were special. I don't really remember spending Thanksgiving with my grandparents. Perhaps we did and I was too young to remember. Here are some things I do recall.

I can clearly remember waking on Thanksgiving morning when it was still dark outside. I would hear Mom in the kitchen cooking and even though it was still dark I could already smell a delicious aroma coming through my bedroom door. It was one of the few mornings we didn't have to worry about getting up too early (probably because we'd just be underfoot). I'd fall back to sleep for awhile but when I woke again it would be because the smell was even better than it had been earlier.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was always fun to watch. It still is. Even though I don't get to watch all of it now, I still enjoy as much of it as I can. I think this year I'll be able to see most of it because of doing much of the prep work on Wednesday, including roasting the turkey.When it was time to eat we'd all gather at the table. A leaf would be added so that all the food would fit. Mom would set the table with her finest china. You knew you had made the "big time" when you got to sit at the "grown up" table and eat off the china. It was always neat to drink from the crystal.Now I have a family of my own. I have china and crystal which the girls love to eat off of just like I did. It's every bit as special to me to share in the bounty and blessings of the season... just as I'm sure it was for my mother. We have made it a bit of a tradition to invite a family or person to our home for dinner. Perhaps they may be alone or away from their own loved ones on Thanksgiving. It always feels better to spend the day with others, doesn't it?

So as Thanksgiving approaches, may the blessings we have been provided with be in our hearts. May we be mindful of family, friends and those who may not have the things we do. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Here you have it!! Our first snow of the season. According to an old farmer's tale, since the today's snow was deep enough that you could see a chicken's tracks in it, we'll have snow 21 times this season. I'd never heard this tale before today, but who knows. Stranger things have happened, right? Anyway, happy snow day!!

Another Late Halloween

I think I posted last years Halloween pics late and I'm doing it again this year. Oh well, with the computer down for awhile, I sort of got behind. Here are just a few of the "best" pics.....Brie looking like she's ready to make a killing on candy.Brie and Kaitlyn.... can you tell they coordinated their costumes?Jakey and Gabby looking spectacular!
An example of a man who's really secure with his "manhoodness." Here's Todd with Gabby. He's the tooth fairy... she's some kind of fairy too.Here's a really scary example of an old hag. YIKES!!
Here's the Grandma Witch from next door (Sue). Doesn't she look fantastic!

So there you have it. Halloween 2008!

Brie's Birthday Party

Brie asked if she could have a slumber party/birthday party since she was turning 12 this year. I figured it would be fine especially since Emile had done the same thing just a few weeks earlier. She was allowed to invite 5 friends (that way there would be even numbers). The night began with a trip on the "roller couchster" in the den. It was VERY SCARY as you can tell!!The girls had plenty of snacks to share... and conversation revolved around their bodies and boys. YUCK! Was I ever like that? I suppose I was but it was still funny hearing the chatter coming from the other room.A perfect shot wouldn't you say!?!

Brie's cake was homemade (of course). One layer was pink marble, the other was purple marble. Brie wanted leaf green 7 minute frosting on which we sprinkled pink and purple sugar crystals. It was quite pretty. One of the girls actually thought we had bought it somewhere and was impressed when I told her I had made it.Brie received some very nice gifts from her friends... she was super excited. Thanks Rachel, Contessa, Sara, Sammi, and Kelley. It was a fun evening and it was nice having you share in Brie's Birthday!

I Just Couldn't Wait....

...for Thanksgiving to come so I could start decorating for Christmas. Since I can't decorate the house just yet, I decided to at least "decorate" my blog for the holidays. What Fun!!! It really was fun learning new things. Emile and Brie both helped. Also, thank you Dusty. I used the blog template site you suggested and I LOVE IT!! It truly was super simple. So for everyone out there... enjoy. I hope you like what you see.

Monday Memories

Stealing the "Flashback Fridays" idea from Jamie, I decided to start "Monday Memories." I thought it would be cool to do this ... these will be upbeat memories I have. Hope it works out well.

Today's memory..... Winter Foot Attire.
As I was reading "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck, I was reminded of a similar winter "tradition." When we were kids growing up, money was very tight, as I'm sure it was for a lot of your families. Our mother never really worried about winter foot attire as much as I wished she would have. We lived in places where we received a fair amount of snow... not tons, just enough. As with most children, I thought I needed the best (and pinkest) boots one could find. Mother thought otherwise.Why would anyone spend as much money as it cost to purchase boots when we had everything needed to keep our feet dry right in our kitchen?The trusty loaf of Wonderbread. The "SUPERMAN" of breads... the "LIFESAVER" of feet everywhere!!All you had to do was save the bags, empty the crumbs, and walla.... instant boots! Of course you needed to make sure you had rubber bands too. I clearly remember the daily ritual. First 2 pair of socks, next the shoes, followed by the bag... or two if needed, fastened just below the knee with the rubber bands. You had to make sure your pant legs were tucked into the bags as well... thus finishing off this fashion statement. How mortifying!! Somehow it worked.... and I really did survive.

So what about you? Anyone else out there use the old bread bags? As much as I hate to admit it, I've even used it with my girls. Although they have snow boots, I've still had them put bags over their feet (but before the boots) just for added protection. Not lately since they can get themselves ready to be out in the cold. Have I become my mother????

Farewell Guido

Our little guinea pig, Guido M. Sarducci, passed away a few minutes ago. I came upstairs to check on him (for some reason) and discovered his food uneaten and his water bottle level hadn't lowered at all. He was lying very still. When I reached in to pet him he "chattered" to me but I could tell he was in distress. I was looking online at possible problems and decided to hold him to warm him up. Brie held a towel while I lifted him out of his cage. I wrapped him up and gave him a few loving strokes while continuing to read online info. He made a few more sounds, moved around a few times, then seemed to settle down and get quiet. After a few minutes I pulled the towel away a little to check him. He had died. Just like that, he was gone. I called Brie back upstairs and we cried together. Brie even called Emile to let her know. What a bummer.

I had never had a guinea pig until Guido. What a pleasant surprise he turned out to be. He was very personable. He loved attention and would pull on his hanging bells to get you to acknowledge him. He "talked" a lot... especially if you were feeding the cat and hadn't gotten to him yet. He knew the sound of the food containers opening. I'm always amazed how much you have the capacity to love such tiny creatures.... and how much you mourn their passing. Guido was a blast to have. He will be missed.

For now I think we'll stick to one dog, one cat, and the 5 fish we have. Guido's moved on and I'm sure he's right where he's supposed to be.

Sometimes I Just Can't Leave....

well enough alone! I thought it would be cool to change my blog background to a Thanksgiving theme. I ended up deleting all my family and friends from instead. Now I'm trying to put everyone back. Isn't that just how life is? I never know when to leave well enough alone. Maybe someday I'll catch on!

Christmas Books

I know it's a little early to be thinking about Christmas books, however, I love the season so very much that I decided to share the titles of a few good ones I've read over the last few years. I finished my most recent book just a few minutes age. I cried my eyes out. These are not storybooks. I have a slew of those too, but for now I'm listing "adult" book titles.
This is the book I just finished. ANY book by Richard Paul Evans is a good book.A great pick from last year.A story of the birth of Christ told from the perspective of the Innkeeper's Wife. It's short and touching. A very easy read.Along the lines of "paying it forward," this is a wonderful story. I actually think it would be a special tradition to start with my own little family.Another fantastic Evans book. Just "Google" Richard Paul Evans and you'll get a list of all his books.
And finally.... this book is scheduled for release tomorrow. It's about the last Christmas Glenn spent with his mother. He's been talking about it on his radio show and it sounds great. Can't wait to read it.

Back In Business??

Here we go again.... I HOPE. I think my computer is up and running again. Believe it or not, I'm actually blogging from home for the first time in 2 weeks. YIPPEE!! Thanks go out to Dave Moss for his assistance. Without him I would not be connected yet. Just for the record.... I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with computers. I'm sure most of you can relate.Still, when the computer is running and I can stay connected with all my friends and family, there's nothing like it in the world. I can't imagine life without technology!

P.S.

Thank you Rita for allowing me to use you computer to blog. Without you I'd be lost. I still have no internet from my home computer. If anyone has any suggestions on how I may fix my computer, please call. I'll explain what happened and you may be able to help me figure it out. I'm open to any ideas.

The People Have Spoken

Here we go.... our new President Elect of the United States of America is....

Barack Obama.

While you may or may not agree with the outcome of the election, it is historical nonetheless. Obama is the first African-American to be elected President. Unfortunately I'm not sure if he was elected because of his race, his policies or the utter hatred so many people feel for President Bush. For the record, I still support President Bush! Regardless, in January Obama will be our next President.

New we'll see just what the Dems will do to "fix" everything wrong with America. The ball is in their court and we ALL must hold them to the same exacting standards the Republican Party has been held to.... yeah right, like that will happen. All I can say is I hope and pray we don't become a socialist country. If we do, we have ourselves to blame. The people listened to the bag of goods Obama sold. He was very smooth and convincing. Only time will tell.

Happy Birthday Brie

Here I sit at a clients home trying to update my post. I still have no internet access from home. What a drag. I really don't like not having a computer that actually works! Anyway today is a special day. It's Brie's birthday. Sorry I can't even post a pic... but you all know how cute she is already, right!?!

A little about my Brie Brie...
She was born on Monday, Nov. 4, 1996 at 1:06pm. She weighed in at 6lbs 14oz. She was a cutie from the get go. She had a gentle spirit about her. She's always been quieter, more thoughtful, and has a tender heart for the most part. Brie is creative and artistic. She loves to draw. She has a love of learning and is a deep thinker. Sometimes she amazes me. She loves her big sister.... even though they fight at times. That's normal though. Brie is the "balance" in our family.

I can't imagine a day without Brie in it. She has been a joy in my life. So.... HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!!! I love you forever and for always.