Just to see my 4 grown children, all under one roof (especially if it happens to be home).  Yes, I was exhausted and worn out, but that quickly faded away throughout the day as I watched my family come together to celebrate.

 

We started out the holiday Christmas Eve at my Dad's house.  The preparation for that was pretty easy as we all draw names for gifts.  But the day before Christmas eve I let Jaime borrow my car in the evening to see a friend and spend the night there.  As I calmly went into my bedroom to wrap presents later, it occured to me that they were all in the trunk of my car -- with Jaime.  AcK!!!  Now what?  Ok - might as well work on the house and meal.  I had planned to have all the wrapping done so I wouldn't be so rushed on Christmas Eve evening.  Ah - another failed attempt again this year...LOL.  I'm beginning to think it is my tradition to have to wrap gifts Christmas Eve.  So after returning from my Dad's, we had a wrapping frenzy..Nikki and Jessica helped.

 

Christmas Day was all it was supposed to be.  You can see from the pictures Eric decided to pick that morning to sleep late and because we were all anxious to get started -- I ACTUALLY HAD TO WAKE MY FAMILY UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS! -- Nikki woke him up.  He didn't seem too impressed.  LOL!  All in all it was a great day.

 

I do have to say that I'm glad the preparation and work is all over.  I feel relief.  New Years is in a few days and since Kevin and I don't go out to celebrate (we mostly watch movies or have a few friends over for drinks) there is not much to the preparation.  I have a nice roast beef for New Years Day dinner (easy to cook in case I tip one too many Bud Lights the night before).  I try not to though because I don't like starting the New Year all slugish and sick feeling.  I'll leave that to my husband.

 

No New Year's Resolutions -- just a few goals I'd like to acomplish - no pressure.  To pay down some of my debt, and use the gym membership more often.  Not so much for weight loss, but to feel healthier.  After all, I am getting on in years.

 

Well - back to work.  I'll get around to a little visiting today.  Meanwhile enjoy the pics.  They look better if you hit the photo thing. They come up bigger and clearer.

 

 

 

 I want to thank all of you for the wonderful gift of your friendship throughout this last year.  Thank you for sharing my joys, my accomplishments and even my crabby days.  For encouraging words, for letting me whine and moan when I felt like it -- for being a part of my world.  No matter how far away you are or how close, your friendship means the world to me....

 

Isn't it fabulous.....I feel so good.  What a wonderful gift for all of us.

 

We got the phone call yesterday and the final call came at about 6:00 pm.  We were at the hospital by 7 to see the little one.  He is fine and healthy and doing well.  Weighing in at 7 lbs., 13 ozs. and 20 inches long.  Kevin Christopher Provost Jr.  Mama and the little one will go home probably tomorrow.

 

Other than that excitement I've been busy getting ready for the holiday, and taking care of work (our customers are wanting to be billed and such before the end of the year, which is fine because I get to clear up all the old things hanging around.  Also my sales tax is done for the next 3 months and I feel free!

 

Sunday will find us at Bleeker for my family Christmas Eve Celebration.  It's about a 45 minute drive up into the mountains.  If it snows alot we are in big trouble.  But the weatherman is predicting 45 degree weather throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend so the forcast doesn't include snow.  Maybe a little freezing rain Saturday morning.  Figures as that is when I head out to finish up last minute things.

 

I will definately be back in to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday.  And tomorrow is Friday!  Yippee!

I had an enjoyable time this weekend.  The mall, our company coming, playing with Eric... and I watched the Chargers play Kansas City Sunday night with Cindi.  She was on her messenger and I was on mine.  Well Cindi - now we are even!  You won one and I won one.  No, I won't say neener neener even though you did. 

 "L.T. Sets More Records; Chargers Top Chiefs"

LaDainian Tomlinson  turned a simple off-tackle play into an 85-yard touchdown run, lighting up Qualcomm Stadium and carrying the San Diego Chargers  to a 20-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs  on Sunday night.

It's been a busy season for most of us I think.  I was laying in bed this morning thinking how wonderful I felt, waking in my bed, nice and warm and I had a few minutes to just lay and enjoy the comfort.  Somtimes I forget to take time to appreciate the simple things in life.  Lunch and strolling through the mall with my daughter, how nice my house smells when I light candles and how homey it looks, one of Eric's smiles or better yet when he laughs out loud, the early morning quiet with my coffee, sitting silently before everyone wakes up.  A good joke on the computer that makes me laugh (yes, you guys do send a few I haven't seen).

So to all of you my friends: 

--- Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracl
--- A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself.

--- An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

--- Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

--- I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...

--- The fastest line at the grocery store.

--- A good sing along song on the radio.

--- Your keys right where you look.

--- I wish you a day of happiness and perfection-little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.

--- I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.

Ok- I'm taking a break.  A nice cold beer and my space.  I downloaded the pictures of us at the mall.  LOL!  You notice they are of Eric again.  I can't resist.  You know I look at those pictures, and the ones from a year ago and it's so amazing how much he has grown.  He is such an interesting little person.  The pictures were taken while we were waiting for a seat at 99 Diner for lunch. 

 

Well everyone, yes I did get sick. I slept all day Thursday and dragged myself to work on Friday.  I moaned and groaned, but I got through it.  I finally got to feeling better around 3:30 and that was fine, I did make it to the Company Christmas party.  We had a wonderful time.  Dressed up, with fabulous food, great people and lots of laughs.  Can't get any better than an evening like that.  I had a great Spinich Salad w/parmesan dressing, the Bleu Cheese Crusted Filet Mignion, topped it off with Tiramusu and they had to roll me out of the place.  We didn't drive.  Daniel drove us and picked us up so we didn't have to worry about getting a little tipsy.  Kevin did -- I just got jolly.  LOL!

 

Now it's back to business - Christmas shopping, cleaning, wrapping, working, laundry.......Right now it's just kind of lazy around here.  Shopping slump I guess.

 

We are having Company tomorrow.  We invited Charlie's girlfriends (Jessica) family to dinner to meet them.  Something simple like Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, etc.  I don't want to spend all my time in the kitchen.  Football will be on as well and my Chargers play Kansas City.  Chargers MUST win.  They are 11 in 2 and one of the 2 that beat them was KC.

 

Right now I must get back to my chores and do some wrapping.  Who wants all those presents to wrap on Christmas Eve.  So I hope you all are having a enjoyable and productive weekend.  Take care!

 

 

It seems funny saying "rainy" as it is the middle of December and it should be "snowy" Wednesday.  The weather here in Upstate New York sure has been weird.  It is almost 50 degrees here.

 

Well, I'm not making much progress with my Christmas shopping.  Besides lack of funds, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.  I've done a bit online (crossing my fingers that they will get here on time, regardless of promises), and hopefully plan to hit 2 stores this evening.  Unfortunately, I am feeling a cold/illness coming on.  My head is aching and my throat dry and my eyes feel gritty (ewww) and I am simply bone tired.  God please, I have no time for a cold or the flu.  I went and got some hot chicken noodle soup for lunch, am drinking a big bottle of water and I did take my vitamin C this morning.  Enchincia --- darn I knew I was forgetting something.  Tomorrow will be better - I just know it will... won't it?

 

Let's see now...what is new?  My "At Home America" party stuff came last night.  Pretty quick since she only put the order in on Thursday.  Now I can put my big red barn star up over the computer desk.  It will fit right in with the Christmas theme. 

 

The office Christmas party is Friday at 6:00 - I need to find something dressy to wear and dig out Kevin's dress clothes.  Otherwise he will wear jeans and I won't walk near him.  *kidding....  We are having it at the Stockade Inn this year with Hor Durves and drinks at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00.  We are usually home by 9:30 p.m.  It's a nice treat, a very fancy meal and a chance to relax and be Deb and Kevin, rather than mom and dad.  I hope we know how to act.

 

Well, I had to put this update on hold because work is getting busy.  Time to go home now.  Have a great Wednesday evening everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

·  1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate when I'm curled up by the Christmas tree.

·  2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He has to wrap them - kids would peek.

·  3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White. White is classy.

·  4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, I don’t need an excuse to kiss my husband, but what if there's another "hottie" hanging around?  *kidding

·  5. When do you put your decorations up? 2nd weekend in December

·  6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Roast Pork with Cranberry Sauce

·  7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Sneaking out of our room with my sister to see Santa.

·  8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember, it just gradually dawned on me.

·  9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not now, but when my sister and I were kids my mom let my sister and I open one and she always made sure it was a color book and crayons to keep us busy.  I did the same with my kids when they were little, but when they outgrew the colorbook and crayons, it stopped.  Now we open presents with my sister and her family on Christmas Eve.

·  10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, stars, misc ornaments from when the kids were little and silver garland.

·  11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it -- I would love a Coastal Christmas.

·  12. Can you ice skate? Nope - ankles cave in.

·  13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I don't remember a particular gift that was my favorite, but I love getting books.

·  14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering why we’re celebrating, which can get difficult in all of the hub-bub. I love being with my family also.

·  15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Christmas Butter Cookies.

·  16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Two things, - putting up the tree with my family and getting together with my side of the family on Christmas Eve.

·  17. What tops your tree? A Shiny lit Star

·  18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I LOVE giving. I love the challenge of finding the right gift. I love wrapping it. I love seeing the face of the person who opens it. It’s fabulous! (Receiving ain’t so bad either ;)

·  19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bells

 

 

It seems like I haven't updated in forever -- sorry everyone.  Life has a way of turning things upside down and inside out at times.  Charlie woke up Monday with a pain in his stomach and to make a long story short, by 5:00 pm he was in surgery having his appendix removed.    I just cannot belive how quickly things moved along!  And I am so glad that I went with my instincts as usual and took him in, as the surgeon told me that if I had waited, his appendix would have ruptured that evening.  All I can say to all moms "GO WITH YOUR INSTINCTS".  I could have thought maybe he had a stomach flu or gas, but for some reason I knew my child well enough to know that that wasn't the case.  He came home yesterday and is healing just fine.  Crabby as can be, but I can deal with crabby.

 

On top of that, I lost time in getting ready for my "At Home America" party.  But my friends are cool and know that my house is clean and just because I am "not ready" when they arrive, it's OK.  A few had to cancel anyway and it turned out to be a small get together which suited me just fine after the harrowing Monday and Tuesday I had. 

 

Now I'm catching up once again at work and tying to do the usual, like pay my bills and make sure the laundry is done and get food in the house, and feed everyone, dishes, etc, etc, etc......whew!  Not to mention that once again I am missing what is going on here with my friends.

 

 

Ok - last but not least I have been waiting for my sister to call, as today is my brother-in-laws surgery for his prostate cancer.  Please as you read this hold him in your prayers for a bit.  I have butterflies in my stomach as I wait for the call.  This surgery will determine if they have removed all the cancer.

 

On that note, I'll get back to work and see if I can fit in some visits as well.  Take care everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week.

 

 

Ah - now this weather looks more like winter. Ewwwwwwww...I wish it would have stayed warm out.

Nothing much on the schedule for the weekend.  My party is Tuesday night, so I will do some shopping for the snack and clean as usual.  And I vow I will get my Christmas Lights up.  Leave it to me to wait until it turns cold again. 

 

I had a pretty enjoyable evening last night.  I had the whole house to myself, which is an extremely rare occurence.  Kevin went to his bowling league, Charlie was at his brother Kevin's and Nikki, Daniel and the baby were out.  I puttered around a bit and watched a few shows I normally don't watch (HGTV decorating shows, My Name Is Earl, Jeapordy) before my Grey's Anatomy came on.  The wind was blowing something fierce, rattled the doors a bit.  I got nervous and locked them because I kept thinking someone was trying to open them.  I did up a wish list for my party to order with my Hostess Rewards.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but I really enjoyed the quiet and not having to watch SVU or Forensic Files, or CSI.  They are my hubby's favorite shows and I am pretty well sick of them.  I usually read my book when he watches them.  I enjoyed the quiet and the feeling that I could do as I please and not disturb anyone else, or have to talk or answer questions, or clean up after anyone, or jump up and do something for someone. 

 

Well, I am rambling because there really isn't much to say.  I received the Picture CD from my friend Anita with her set of pictures on them and need to download them to the computer before I post a few here.  There are quite a few of me in there than there were on my own camera.  Now I have to decided just how much I want to let you all see....