Well my, it's been a year...I thought I might write a really profound post, but time has gotten away from me today and my brain is fuzzy now. And besides I doubt I have anything really profound to say anyway :) And I am all ready for bed now and will most likely be asleep when 2009 is ushered in. I am alone this evening as MiB is in FL and LilBlue is at the church youth lockin. It was my choice, there were options, but I am not a crowd kind of girl; especially in my temporary single girl status. I prefer the solitude. I have accomplished some tasks around the house today that were on my "to do" list--I am so thrilled! I also used a bunch of coupons before they expired this last day of 2008! How fabulous is that? Tomorrow I hope to be even more productive. I also hope to get a workout in, but I am not even sure the gym is open, hmmm?
So, my friends, I do pray that your 2009 will be GREAT! I hope you will be healthy and happy and enjoy your friends and family everyday of the coming year. And hey, don't wait for special occasions to let those you love know how important they are to you and lastly, try to make everyday an adventure.
As for 2008 I am grateful for it but I look forward to what 2009 will bring. I know we will have many adventures for sure and I am ready so bring it on! Bring on the 2009!
Happy Birthday Gigi :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Missouri Pictures
In no particular order from our time in MO.
Playing choo choo
Aunt Shari napping
Smilin' Papa Smurf :)
All the grandkids including the littles
Sissy-she really liked my diet pepsi bottle
South of the Border with Papa Smurf
LilBlue with her favorite Take5s
Playing choo choo
Aunt Shari napping
Smilin' Papa Smurf :)
All the grandkids including the littles
Sissy-she really liked my diet pepsi bottle
South of the Border with Papa Smurf
LilBlue with her favorite Take5sWell 2008 is nearly done...I have many thoughts whirling around in my head about that but I will wait until tomorrow and try to put them in better posting form. Needless to say it is getting late and I am heading off to bed. The day started very early with LilBlue up at 5:00 a.m. to get out the door by 5:30 to go to Topeka, KS for a youth retreat. I am enjoying some quiet time and catching up on house things as well as correspondence and hopefully tomorrow I will get some much needed scrapbook pages completed!
night :)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Back in the Heartland
After an uneventful drive down and back we are back home. Going down we did have a bit of ice and snow to contend with but we sailed on through. PTL! Coming back today we were blessed with a lovely sunny day and no ice on the driveway when we pulled in!
It was a nice trip, lots of visiting, relaxing and way to much eating, ugh, I did go to the gym this afternoon after we got back home. I think, um, no I know I needed it, too much brittle, chocolates, lumpy dip, black olive dip, cheese dip, and the list goes on and on...I have a new favorite, almond m&m's, who knew they were sooooo yummy :)
Oh, and we got a call from our realtor this afternoon and we have a showing in the morning.
A post with pictures will be coming soon!
It was a nice trip, lots of visiting, relaxing and way to much eating, ugh, I did go to the gym this afternoon after we got back home. I think, um, no I know I needed it, too much brittle, chocolates, lumpy dip, black olive dip, cheese dip, and the list goes on and on...I have a new favorite, almond m&m's, who knew they were sooooo yummy :)
Oh, and we got a call from our realtor this afternoon and we have a showing in the morning.
A post with pictures will be coming soon!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Still in the deep freeze here...
Well, it was another frigid day in my world. We did not get above 2 degrees and we were at -27 degrees with wind chill for most of the day. According to the weatherman here we have not seen this kind of extreme temperatures at this time of the year since 1990. And believe it or not, I do remember it, I was pregnant with Lil'Blue at the time and it WAS extremely cold and I was trying to get to MO for Christmas...hmmm, there are lots of things that happened 18 years ago that are happening this year in my life as well.
Lil'Blue and I did venture out for church this morning. Roads were icy with snow pack on top and still quite slippery in the subdivision; although the main roads are starting to have "tracks" in them they are not clear and plenty of icy patches remain. The church parking lot was an ice rink! Whoa, talk about slippery, glad I wore sturdy shoes along with my wool pants, wool tights, and wool sweater. It was so cold it took your breath away.
We are trying to be hopeful for warmer weather so we can head south tomorrow. Usually we head out at first light but since it is so cold I think we will wait for mid morning and pray for warmer temps before making our trek. I really do not want to wait any longer, we have snow showers in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon and again on Tuesday, so waiting is really not an option if we want to be there before Christmas Eve day. Interstate road conditions according to the DOT webpages for IA and MO report they are clear. I pray so.
Unless we are delayed again tomorrow this will be my last post before Christmas, so MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! Take time to really enjoy the true meaning of this splendid season and share your blessings with those that you meet : ) While we celebrate the birth of the baby in a manger, please do not forget that the baby grew up and died a horrible death for our sins. He is our redeemer, our saviour!
...He came to pay a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay.
Lil'Blue and I did venture out for church this morning. Roads were icy with snow pack on top and still quite slippery in the subdivision; although the main roads are starting to have "tracks" in them they are not clear and plenty of icy patches remain. The church parking lot was an ice rink! Whoa, talk about slippery, glad I wore sturdy shoes along with my wool pants, wool tights, and wool sweater. It was so cold it took your breath away.
We are trying to be hopeful for warmer weather so we can head south tomorrow. Usually we head out at first light but since it is so cold I think we will wait for mid morning and pray for warmer temps before making our trek. I really do not want to wait any longer, we have snow showers in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon and again on Tuesday, so waiting is really not an option if we want to be there before Christmas Eve day. Interstate road conditions according to the DOT webpages for IA and MO report they are clear. I pray so.
Unless we are delayed again tomorrow this will be my last post before Christmas, so MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! Take time to really enjoy the true meaning of this splendid season and share your blessings with those that you meet : ) While we celebrate the birth of the baby in a manger, please do not forget that the baby grew up and died a horrible death for our sins. He is our redeemer, our saviour!
...He came to pay a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
ICE
Well, today I shoveled more snow, I'd say a couple inches or so maybe more, it was hard to tell since the wind was/is blowing so much. It is COLD, like -15 with windchill, actual temp was 7. The bad thing is the layer of ice underneath the snow.
After shoveling the snow, I let what little bit of sun was out do it's thing while I warmed up and then headed back out to chip away at the ice. That my friends is not an easy task, I was using a shovel, not a snow shovel, more of a garden shovel. I was able to get the upper and lower steps done and most of our stoop and part of the landing. It's slow going and very hard on the hands.
Since tomorrow's high is going to be 0 and -30 with windchill not sure I will tackle the driveway. I am still uncertain when or even if we will head to MO this week. I don't really think we need to be out traveling in such bitter temps even if the roads have cleared. I just don't know yet. I don't even know if I am getting out to attend church in the morning.
Well, I am going to get a big bowl of veggie soup and warm up, I have been in for over an hour and am still quite chilled. I am listening to the wind whip violently against the house as I write. Ugh, it is supposed to do that all night long, I never sleep very well when the wind in whipping like this.
After shoveling the snow, I let what little bit of sun was out do it's thing while I warmed up and then headed back out to chip away at the ice. That my friends is not an easy task, I was using a shovel, not a snow shovel, more of a garden shovel. I was able to get the upper and lower steps done and most of our stoop and part of the landing. It's slow going and very hard on the hands.
Since tomorrow's high is going to be 0 and -30 with windchill not sure I will tackle the driveway. I am still uncertain when or even if we will head to MO this week. I don't really think we need to be out traveling in such bitter temps even if the roads have cleared. I just don't know yet. I don't even know if I am getting out to attend church in the morning.
Well, I am going to get a big bowl of veggie soup and warm up, I have been in for over an hour and am still quite chilled. I am listening to the wind whip violently against the house as I write. Ugh, it is supposed to do that all night long, I never sleep very well when the wind in whipping like this.Hmmmm, I guess I will do a little future thinking and tell myself, "Lord willing, this time next year you will be in sunny Florida" yeah, that's it, that's what I'll do :)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday Flashback
Christmas Morning 2005
Maniago, Italy
Just a nice relaxing morning. We opened gifts in shifts and stretched it out all day, it was so much fun and we did lots of eating throughout!
It's a party with pictures, you can play along! Join the fun over at CandidCarrie's!
SNOW Day
No travel for us today, we had a SNOW DAY...woohoo! We will see how the roads shape up in a day or two. Right now there is only a couple inches of snow but underneath that snow is a good 3/4-1 inch of ICE. So we are staying put for now.
Hillary is doing a PJ day and did not take kindly to being photographed...
She has only moved from the bed twice to take care of necessities and to get the spinach artichoke dip from the kitchen. Other then that she hasn't done much except maybe send a couple hundred text messages since she woke up!
Hillary is doing a PJ day and did not take kindly to being photographed...
She has only moved from the bed twice to take care of necessities and to get the spinach artichoke dip from the kitchen. Other then that she hasn't done much except maybe send a couple hundred text messages since she woke up!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday Thoughts
Well, here we are still hemmed in with brisk weather and more on the way, in fact we are getting our third winter storm this evening and it's NOT even winter yet...go figure, seems to reason it would be this way when I am manless :)
Onto the thoughts...
- I ran 4 miles yesterday
- I seriously need to get wrapping
- I have no use for brussel sprouts
- I am ready to be with the family for Christmas break
- I am sporting 5 extra pounds since Turkey Day and I didn't even eat the turkey :(
I truly envision having a fabulous evening while "the storm" hits and then anticipate the roads being travel worthy tomorrow so we can head on down to MO for Christmas. I think we are ready to go but if the weather is not good we will wait a few days and head out on Monday when the next break in weather is supposed to be. Internet is not so readily available while I am there so updates will be in short supply.
Oh, and the latest on Papa Smurf is that hormone therapy continues, possibly another surgery in January and also radiation should start in January. He will go 5 days a week for 6 weeks. He is feeling good, though still weak and not able to be as active as he was, his strength has just not returned like he would like and he plays out pretty quickly. We are thankful he is doing as well as he is! I know that prayers are sustaining not only him but all of us in his world!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Weather and Barking
Well, I don't really know how to tell you this but it is still COLD here and we now have snow in the forecast, as in when we wake up in the morning it's likely the white stuff will be starting to cover the ground and will continue to fall from the sky until late afternoon. They are calling for 2-3-4 inches, they aren't really certain. Who is "they" anyway?
Do you think I am excited to hear this...um, only if it means a snow day, which at this point is doubtful, but we can still be hopeful. Oh and our temperature got all the way up to 5 today, though it is currently -1. But tomorrow we are going to hit double digits, 13, woohoo!
On the homefront, LilBlue came home from school early today, she doesn't have classes the last two hours of the day anyway so she asked to come home. She did, went straight to bed. She has a barky cough with sore throat, achy body and headache...do ya think it's the flu? I am not positive, but I have a feeling it might be, I think she will be home tomorrow whether there is a snow day or not.
Off to administer the night time meds, goodnight!
Do you think I am excited to hear this...um, only if it means a snow day, which at this point is doubtful, but we can still be hopeful. Oh and our temperature got all the way up to 5 today, though it is currently -1. But tomorrow we are going to hit double digits, 13, woohoo!
On the homefront, LilBlue came home from school early today, she doesn't have classes the last two hours of the day anyway so she asked to come home. She did, went straight to bed. She has a barky cough with sore throat, achy body and headache...do ya think it's the flu? I am not positive, but I have a feeling it might be, I think she will be home tomorrow whether there is a snow day or not.
Off to administer the night time meds, goodnight!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
WindChill :(
This is the severe weather alert from the National Weather Service...
THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM CST MONDAY. STRONG NORTHWESTERLY WINDS COMBINED WITH BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL CAUSE CHILL INDEXES TO DROP TO AROUND 20 TO 25 DEGREES BELOW ZERO THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.
Sounds fun, huh? Well, I am not complaining, (yeah, right), just sharing part of my world...at least I have electricity :) for which I am grateful. There is no precipation with this wind chill and I am thrilled to report that as well, so it could be soooo much worse and I am thankful it is not. BUT, it IS COLD!
I'm off to shower as I just got back in from the gym, then I am putting on my flannels and fuzzy socks!
THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM CST MONDAY. STRONG NORTHWESTERLY WINDS COMBINED WITH BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL CAUSE CHILL INDEXES TO DROP TO AROUND 20 TO 25 DEGREES BELOW ZERO THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.
Sounds fun, huh? Well, I am not complaining, (yeah, right), just sharing part of my world...at least I have electricity :) for which I am grateful. There is no precipation with this wind chill and I am thrilled to report that as well, so it could be soooo much worse and I am thankful it is not. BUT, it IS COLD!
I'm off to shower as I just got back in from the gym, then I am putting on my flannels and fuzzy socks!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday Flashback
Piazza d'Italia2004 - MiB "marching" with the statue in Trieste, Italy. This picture is just so "him" that's why I like it!
Even though it's late in the day you can still play along with CandidCarrie and the gang...come on, it's fun!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday Thoughts
Besides having scattered thoughts for today I finally made a grocery run. I have been holding off, trying to use up what's in the pantry. The grocery run was mostly "cold stuff" like milk, creamer, yogurt, cheese. I think we are set again for awhile.
This morning we warmed up to 36o but the temps are falling again already and they say next week we are going into the deep freeze...I hope they are wrong, it's been known to happen before, just see my last post.
Random scattered Thursday Thoughts for today:
I really like salt, a lot!
Is Christmas really just two weeks away? OH MY...
I am really not sure if I am going to MO for Christmas or not.
I am thinking of buying LilBlue a newer vehicle with less miles...
Living geographically separated in cold weather is not my idea of fun.
This morning we warmed up to 36o but the temps are falling again already and they say next week we are going into the deep freeze...I hope they are wrong, it's been known to happen before, just see my last post.
Random scattered Thursday Thoughts for today:
I really like salt, a lot!
Is Christmas really just two weeks away? OH MY...
I am really not sure if I am going to MO for Christmas or not.
I am thinking of buying LilBlue a newer vehicle with less miles...
Living geographically separated in cold weather is not my idea of fun.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
BRRRRRRR.....
Well, that big storm that they predicted missed us (PTL) but it is still frigid, and the wind is just down right bone chilling. Tonight we are supposed to dip down in the single digits, which surely calls for an extra quilt on the bed.
I am waiting for LilBlue to get home so we can have dinner. She stayed after school today. It is chicken tonight and hot tea with our meal since it is so cold, I know she is also going to want mashed potatoes so I should go get them peeled.
Stay warm, I am trying :)
I am waiting for LilBlue to get home so we can have dinner. She stayed after school today. It is chicken tonight and hot tea with our meal since it is so cold, I know she is also going to want mashed potatoes so I should go get them peeled.
Stay warm, I am trying :)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday Flashback
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday Thoughts
hmmmm...it's Thursday....so here are my thoughts!
- I am cold...the weather is definitely feeling like winter today.
- I do not like cold...especially with wind.
- I like hot tea...especially on cold days.
- I love soup...especially homemade ones.
- I need to do laundry.
Hope you are having a swell day, I have been to the gym and tackled mountains of paperwork. Paperwork that I have neglected since MiB returned in October. I still have some organizing to do, but the bulk has been sorted, shredded and now just a small stack to take action with and some to still be filed! It has been a very productive day!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
1220 Reef Court
This is my new home and I am excited about getting to live there... eventually.
It makes me feel warmer just looking at it. But first I must plod through another winter in the heartland in which an inch of snow is predicted for tomorrow's morning communte :) Until then my MiB will be baching it in this lovely abode without me!
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