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29 décembre Hello from Zombie land....Here it is, the start of another 4 day weekend and we are heading into another new year. And once again the compulsion to organize everything in sight has hit me. Don't worry though, I'm sure it will pass. Everything is quiet on the home front after the holiday. Actually I think we are like zombies. I can't think of a darn thing that has been accomplished since Wednesday morning. I'm hoping to make up for that this weekend
Nothing much is planned for New Year's Eve. Kev received a gift certificate to Chili's for helping our co-worker Scot move last Saturday so we will probably go for an early dinner on Monday night. We are not ones for big party type deals, so we will watch the little man for Nik and Daniel so they can go out for awhile. Sunday there is a going away party for a young bowling friend of the family who is going into the service, so we will probably go there and wish him well, enjoy a few drinks and the company of some friends. That gives me 2 days to recooperate just in case I induldge a bit much.
I just realized the one thing I put on my wish list for Christmas again I didn't get. My palm sander. Darn I guess I will just have to get one myself. I don't think anyone is taking me seriously. I have a table and a dresser I would like to refinish. It has been on my Christmas list for 3 years. You would think they would get the picture that this must be something I really want. Kevin has been yelling about the table and dresser cluttering his garage. Well Duh -- buy me a palm sander dummy.
I'm also headed out to buy a new microwave. This one is pretty much shot and we sure do use it alot Then, after that I'm on a strict budget beginning with this coming paycheck. Kev and I want to set aside enough to take the family for another week in Delaware on vacation. We usually rent a rather large house there but haven't gone in the past 3 years. The house is big enough for all of us and the beach is only a block and a half away. Ocean City about a half hour south and tons of outlet malls 20 minutes in the other direction. We all love it. And the grandkids are old enough now to get in on the fun. The 7 hour drive is no fun, but worth it.
That's all I have for ya my friends. It's still early so I wonder what I can do with myself now. I wonder if I can sneak my top dresser drawer out of the bedroom without waking Kevin. I really need to clean that junk magnet out.....
Till later!
26 décembre Made more memories...Yes, it was a great holiday. Being with family, lots of chaos, presents, food and picture taking. Working the day after Christmas isn't so fun though. Oh well, it is what it is. And there's another 4 day weekend coming up so that's good.
Sunday the Christmas celebration at my Dad's was great. We had to take two cars, and Daniel decided he knew a faster way -- mind you, there is only one way up the mountain, but he knew a faster way to get there from home, and how to get to my dad's once he did. Yep, we arrived and they were nowhere to be found. Of course the cell phones have no service way up there. Now mind you, it took me quite awhile to completely manage to know the way to my Dad's. Lots of twists and turns and not too many landmarks. It takes about 20 minutes to get up the mountain once you reach the road at the foot of it. And it isn't just one road. You do have to turn off onto another road a few times. he houses are far and few in between, and the town of Bleeker consists of the Town Hall, and the Fish and Game Club (my Dad is president). That's it...the Town Hall and the Fish and Game Club. Now I had my doubts, but went with it. So, after my sister and I had to go down the mountain to lead them back up, we could proceed with the celebration. It was fun as you'll see by the pictures. Eric bonded with Bear, my sister's black lab and they shared crackers together. My sister gave me a lovely silver sterling necklace with the cresent moon and stars engraved on it. I wore it Christmas Day. Nik, Daniel and Charlie left about a half hour before us, and Daniel decided to try the way he thought he knew was faster once again. We were home an hour before them. No --- lol -- I'm not exagerating. Nik and Charlie glared at him all night.
Christmas Eve was a day of rest, last minute wrapping, cleaning and getting things ready for Christamas Day. My favorite part....all four kids in one spot. Yes, I know I say that every year, but truly it is. It's worth all the work and stress to make things nice for everyone. And it sure was nice. We put all the presents under the tree, and I fell asleep half listening to the tv and reminsing of Christmas's past. About 10 pm Jaime came home from visiting friends and woke both me and Kev up (he had fell asleep in his chair, lol), by yelling "look Santa came"!!, making a big deal and fuss. It's the familiar yell in our house on Christmas morning. But this year, because the kids are grown, and Eric was already in bed, we put them out earlier. He's such a smart aleck. We had a drink and talked for a bit. Kevin and Jaime got caught up in The Discovery Channel shows (their favorite aside from football) and I headed to bed.
I did get the i-pod shuffle that I wanted. It's no bigger than a half dollar. Amazing. Now I can rock out while doing housework and nobody will yell that they can't hear the tv or roll their eyes at my choice of songs. Eric was into his new presents, his new spongebob couch especially and his books. (That evening, he spent alot of the evening plaing with bottle caps from the water bottles (he loves to spin them), while Kevin Jr. played with my old colendar, and the wrappings). Nichole got a ring from Daniel with all three of their birthstones on it and their names subscribed next to the birthstone. Beautiful. Jaime was his usual smart aleck self and had us all laughing while wearing his traditional Santa hat. I had gotten him a pair of boxer briefs with a Suomo (sp?) wrestler on them. He loves off the wall stuff. His remark "yeah ma, these will look do me good when I'm on a date"....
We had dinner and Kevin, Jamie and the kids showed up. Eric was so excited to see Kevin Jr. -- he jumped up and down laughing a smiling while Kev Jr. smiled back. FINALLY - a person my size!! Jingles (we call girl Jamie that when they are both around) wanted to pose everyone for the yearly picture of the four kids. She did a good job. Adding her, Daniel and the three little ones was quite a chore though. But we got it. A good time was had by all.
Jaime had to work the next day (today) so Nikki and Daniel took him to the bus stop at 8:30 so he could head back to New York. All was quiet , Kev and I had a drink and wound down before heading to bed. Now I"m off to work and things are back to normal.
Ah yes, the New Year is coming up. Has me wondering what the new year will bring for us all. I'm so glad to be here and to be sharing the coming year with all of you. Enjoy the pictures...(Jay - I put it on the automatic setting last evening, there just was no time to try to adjust things with all the pics being snapped). All in all I ended up with 103 pictures. Don't worry I won't post them all. LOL! Just the pertinent ones. Have a good rest of the week everyone. I will spend the rest of the week probably visiting to hear about your Christmas. 23 décembre Greetings!
I wanted to come on and share my greetings to all of you. I don't know when I'll get to get on again and I wanted to make sure you all knew what a great gift your friendships have been to me. You've given me laughter, support, compassion and caring and even knowledge and those are my greatest gifts. And Merry Christmas even to MSN Spaces for bringing us all together (even though it can be quite ornery at times). LOL! But can't we all be?
It's once again a quiet morning. Nikki and Daniel just returned from picking up Jaime in Brooklyn. Taking after his dear mother, he waited until the last minute to make travel plans, and couldn't get any. Unless you count the $386. it would cost to fly from NYC to Albany - that's not even a half hour is it? Car rental places were closed on Sunday. To top it off he had to work until midnight. It's 4:30 a.m. and I just sent them off to get some sleep. Jaime has always come home for Christmas, and while I know that his being 28 years old, there are going to be times he won't, I didn't want it to start this year. It's difficult enough sharing Nik and Kevin with their significant others families. I look forward to having them all in one place. It's so rare when that happens.
We are leaving at 10:30 to travel to my dad's to celebrate Christmas. Lots of food, family, football (cause it is Sunday you know), and all around fun. He lives about an hour away in Bleeker, which is in the mountains. We have a wind advisory in effect, so I hope we don't get blown off the road. No snow predicted though - and temps in the high 40's so it's all good. I'll take pictures of course and even if I don't get a chance to say hello, maybe I can get some time to put them up to share with the organized friends I have, who will have time to come and see them. LOL! -- well, at least this year I am ahead of where I was last year, so I'm making some progress.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! 20 décembre Hello? Anyone here??Wow - no ones been around in a few days. I'm not the only busy one. It hardly seems possible that Christmas is only a few days away and we are heading towards another new year. It's just been a frenzy of last minute things around here. Planning Christmas Dinner, desserts, wrapping, shopping. Other than that, I have nothing. Work will be busy today and I'm not looking forward to it. Sales Tax has to be mailed and postmarked for today so everyone had better tiptoe around me for a bit.
It's 5:00 a.m. - Nik took Daniel to the ER as he is passing a kidney stone. Of course Eric woke just after she left so I had to settle him - all without my morning coffee. I'm sipping at it now as he throws his woobie on he floor and gets down and gets it and throws it again and so on. He's perterbed that his morning routine was all upset. Usually by now he is back asleep, but apparently I'm not his mom and don't know his morning routine as they are upstairs and I rarely see them in the a.m. before work.
It snowed again last night, not much, just enough to cover the ice on the roads. I just know it's freezing cold out there. Ok - lets just suffice to say I'm tired, don't look forward to the cold this morning, and hate doing Sales Tax. See what the lack of morning coffee will do to me?
Hopefully I'll be able to get on later this afternoon and I'll have something that might be worth reading. So -- till later!
17 décembre Hello from the great WHITE Northeast!It's kind of chilly sitting here this morning - I don't hear any cars outside like I ususally do, with people heading to work, . The wind is blowing like crazy though - you know that whooooing sound? I looked out the window and all I can see is white - complete white. It doesn't look like they could keep up with the plowing.
It was quite an interesting weekend. Saturday I went to the store super early to avoid the crowds. It's a good thing I did, as I heard on the news the roads were full of traffic heading to the stores for storm and Christmas shopping. I worked on my cleaning, wrapped presents and played with Eric. All anyone could talk about was the storm coming. Oh - we did have a bit of excitement. Eric managed to sneak into the living room without us knowing - we thought he was in my room exploring (not much he can get into there as long as the closet doors are closed). Daniel saw him go in there, but none of us saw him come out. We were in the kitchen (full view of the bedroom door) when we heard CRASH -- Gotta tell you that in that moment I aged 10 years. Running through the hallway to the livingroom all I could see was the Christmas tree flat on the floor. No Eric in sight. Flashes of Eric under the tree, me yelling Eric where are you??? (With Eric's autism, he doesn't answer to his name, so you could tell I was in a mind numbing panic) -- He was standing next to the tree with a "what the hell?" look on his face. We saved quite a bit of ornaments, as there were not many glass balls on it - most are "memory type ornaments" which held up nicely. The living room was flooded from the water in the tree stand which Kevin had just filled a short while ago. Of course - Eric loving water like he does, wanted to run through it -- broken glass balls and all. So -- another memory goes into the book of Memories!
I did my regular shopping Sunday morning after digging out my car. Get this -- we have 3 snowplows in possession at any given time. My neighbor who's driveway is across from ours has one he just bought, Charlie's friend Dougie, who he works with, was here to pick up Charlie with his, and Daniel brings the company plow home every night, just in case he needs to head out to plow. 3 snowplows. Yet when I got home from shopping about 45 minutes later, our driveway still wasn't plowed. WTF?? Come on guys - get organized! They had the nerve to say I wasn't gone long enough. True the walks front and back had been snowblowed, but they knew I'd be home - -- and usually they yell at me "where have you been?" when I come home from shopping. Three snowlplows clogging up the street and no plowed driveway. Men -- how do they survive with their organizational skills? (sorry guys, but I'm just saying.....). Bet if a woman was in charge, all the streets would have been done by now, and not only that -- every driveway plowed. 3 plows...I'm still amazed.
It will be a busy week - plus the Company Christmas Party is Friday. I'm looking forward to that as it is in one of the most expensive restaurants here in town. There will be 26 of us and my boss goes all out for it. Last year we played a game with the lottery tickets, everyone had an envelope with their name on it, and we switch them with different people each time a waiter or waitress came into the room. At the end of the night, we were given the choice of keeping our envelope or letting the person who had it keep it. When they were sratched off I lost, but my Co-workers wife won $500. - and it was with the envelope with my name on it. Damn I knew I should have kept it.
Well, I've babbled on long enough. I have to start getting ready for work early today -- it's trash day and the trash goes out, as well as a bit of shoveling and car cleaning off. While the boss doesn't mind if we are a bit late on days like this, I'm sure he doesn't mean by hours.
Take care - and all my snowed in friends -- keep warm and safe!
Deb
14 décembre Winter Wonderland!Yep, it's officially winter. It's so darn pretty, but so darn cold. I have to admit, as much as I dislike the cold and winter weather here, the first snowfall is always so pretty. The weatherman predicted it would start at noontime, but at 11:15, I saw the huge flakes from the big window by my desk. I figured I'd better head out and make the bank deposit and get some lunch. By the time I headed out to leave at 15 minutes before noon, only half hour into the snowing - well, just take a look....
The first is a view from my window at work -- and this is what I saw headed towards my car to go to the bank. BTW - snowbrush was in the trunk! Whew!
By 4:00 when I headed home we were pretty much buried. I had to move my car into the yard at work, because the snowplows were burying me in. That was a chore as there was ice under the snow. AND, I forgot to bring my gloves to work. (By the way, does anyone know what TCS is? The light kept blinking on my dashboard as I was trying to get out of he snowbank). It was nice to watch the snow progress outside the window where I work. We finally headed home and found Nikki getting Eric bundled up to go out and explore. He was so excited. I took a few pictures (I deleted the yucky ones Jay, since I was playing with settings), while Eric and Nikki played and Kevin shoveled, then since my hands were freezing to the camera, we managed to coax Eric back inside. That was a job as he decided he loves snow as much as he does the swimming pool in the summer.
Kevin and Charlie headed out bowling and I did some chores and settled in with my usual Thursday phone call to my sister and to watch the snow continue to fall - yes it was still falling, but tapering off. All through the night all you could hear was the snowplows. Daniel left for work before noon yesterday (he does snowplowing) and is just stumbling in the door right now (5:30 a.m.). Charlie also works with his friend's uncle plowing and shoveling. He left after bowling at about 8:45 and got home at 3:00 a.m. Charlie works local while Daniel does alot of the outlying areas, going as far as Saratoga.
Anyway - enjoy the pictures of Eric's first official snowfall (he was headed out to Florida last year and only got to touch the snow briefly before he boarded the plane to sunny skies). I'm going to get ready for work early as I'm sure there will be some car cleaning off to do.
Till later! 12 décembre Wednesday Morning (for lack of a better title)You know - I don't know why I insist on reading the paper in the morning. Is it my morbid desire to walk around rolling my eyes and shaking my head for a half hour after I do? For example, they just passed a law or such letting paramedics carry narcotics in the ambulances. Now why did that rate a headline? The public can find out on it's own, or by word of mouth, or heaven forbid by experience. Why did it have to be anounced at all? I mean why don't you just issue an invitation to addicts that they can rob ambulances now? And I am already tired of all the politics flooding the paper. It's confusing trying to keep up with issues among all the gossip and scandal everyday. Back in the day, campaigning didn't begin two years before the election. Well on to another subject. I'm rolling my eyes and shaking my head already and the paper isn't even read yet. The paper guy just thunked it on the porch but I'm ignoring it. All I really like is the lifestyle section, and to see what events and such are gong on. Every Wednesday there's a food section and current events. I try to skim so I don't get too worked up.
I wanted to take the time to catch up a little and say hello. Besides being a bit busy, I've gotten a case of the lazies. I know that it's ok to tell you all that, because a few of my friends around here have admitted to getting them as well. It's been so cold, all the energy I have gets me home, dinner made, an extra chore or two, playtime with Eric, and cuddling in my chair with an afgan and my book. Yes, I know it's not consructive neither to the holidays coming up, or my regular errands, but a day or two won't hurt.
Well the tree is up and my snowman collection all in place. Lights and wreath out front - although I cannot find the garland for the railings so I have to stop and get some. Also missing the red ribbon for the posts. I can't remember if I threw them out last year because they were getting worn, but I bet I did. Eric is fascinated with the tree this year, as opposed to last year when he ignored it completely. I was in the kitchen last night and all I could hear was "Eric, no touch" or "Eric, no throw" (he likes to throw balls at it) or "Eric no jump" -- (he loves to jump on the couch even though it isn't nearly wide enough to jump on). Uncle Charlie finally distracted him which made it even noiser as he was laughing. As I told you before, his laugh is amazing. Straight from the belly. You can't help stop what you are doing and watch him laugh as he plays.
So my friends, that's it. That's all I got. I can hardly believe that it is approaching the last weekend before Christmas weekend. I'm further ahead than I was last year so it's ok. I won't be having a wrapping marathon this Christmas Eve, thank heaven. I'll spend work today catching up on my visiting -- see what mischief you have all gotten into. I'm headed off to read the damn paper and see what other nonsense is going on. I do have to know today's weather don't I?
Oh -- by the way. We did get our money back. She showed up Saturday morning with everyone's money, much to our relief. I have to say I hate the fact she did what she did, but at least she made it right. I do wonder though, as she had 3 little children, if she will be allright this holiday season. I am going to check in with a friend of hers, and have her check to make sure. Yeah I know, but when there is 3 little ones involved I can't help but have a soft spot. I would hate it if they went without because of their mom's lack of judgement.
Have a great da everyone!
7 décembre Friday MorningI just wanted to say a quick hello this morning. It's been a busy week and looks to be he same for the weekend. The Christmas tree is here and ready to be decorated, my layaway is out and toys for my little ones ready to be wrapped. A bit of shopping to be done and hmmmmmm I've got a few cookie receipes and I wonder if Nik is up for the task. Most of the Christmas cards are done but I need to pay some bills. The regular cleaning and grocery shopping. Yep, busy time. And I want it all done by Sunday so I can relax. Oh - and I want to win the lottery too. It might help if I buy a ticket.
My Space friend Jay has been helping me with my camera settings and I'm hoping to get some nice pictures of all the busy activities this weekend, along with Nikki's Christmas family picture for her Christmas cards. Jay, you are such a sweetie for taking the time. I've been playing around with it and trying what you suggest. Other than a few completely black pictures, LOL, it's gotten better. What the hell is an image stabelizer? I'm hoping "continuous" is the right setting. I thought I was the Image Stabelizer.
My other Space friend Cindi finally made it to Georgia and then of course took right off again for North Carolina to see the sights. That is after driving to Daytona Beach for a little warm weather. She didn't mention she would be living in her truck. Safe driving Cindi -- have tons of fun.
Ok - time to get my act together for the day. Have a great weekend everyone!
4 décembre How does that happen?Geez - it's like Grand Central Station here this morning. Sealcoating and paving is over for the season, so Daniel is working nights at snowplowing and salting and such. He just arrived home at 5:00 a.m. and decided to take a hot shower before he headed for bed. Nik is up because she wants a shower because Eric's therapist is coming at 8:00 a.m. She knows that with Kevin and I taking up the bathroom this morning, and me doing the little bit of dishes before I go to work, she has little chance of any hot water before the therapist comes. She leaves to take Eric to school at 8:40. Yep, busy morning.
Anyway, nothing much is going on in my little corner of the world. The girl who ran off with our money asked that she have until Friday morning to repay it before I go to the police station. Actually it will be 4 of us going to the police station. Turns out a neighbor of mine also gave a party through her and the same thing happened. So, hopefully things will turn out for that. By the way - I had to laugh my butt off at all of your who commented about that. I have some pretty kick ass friends on here. One of a kind we are.
I went to the store last night for some forgotten items and as I was heading toward the checkout, I heard an announcement and thought they said something about exiting the store. I looked around and no one else seemed concerned or anything so I continued on my way, stopping to check out their array of Christmas things. I get to the checkout and sure enough they are herding everyone out the door. Damn --- don't tell me I did all this for nothing. Seems that their water pressure was low and they had to clear the store. Just in case there was a fire, they wouldn't be able to put it out and it was classified as endangering their customers. Huh? Oh well, I guess in today's world stores have to be careful like that. Too many people suing and such. So once outside no one knew how long it was going to be. We all did about 5 minutes of chatting away and comparing "leaving my grocery stories" before it got too cold and people started wandering off. Me included. I didn't need that much so I headed to a different store.
So there you go folks. The sum and total of my exciting evening. Keving was bowling so I made dinner, read awhile and once he got home I headed to bed. OH - I never did mention that he bowled another 300 game last Thursday. This one was real special to him as Kevin and Charlie were there to see it. And this one tied my oldest son Jaime's games (they both have 2 now) so he got to call him in NYC to tell him to get working on his third. Men and their competition.
So now to the title of my blog. How does it happen that I spend 10 minutes staring at a blank white screen, clueless as to what to blog about and actually get a pretty decent sized "ramble about nothing much" go on the screen?
Have a great day!
1 décembre Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow -- Pffffft......I woke up to about 2 inches of snow this morning. Now I'm sitting here trying to get up enough motivation to get dressed and go out in it. It is pretty though. Nik and I will probably take Eric outside in it for awhile, if it isn't all melted away that is. Two inches isn't that much. But then again there is snow predicted for most of the weekend on and off. I do so want to take pictures.
You might notice that lately I haven't posted many pictures. I just can't seem to get any good ones out of my camera. My flash is so bright everyones' eyes are closed in the pictures, or it's blurry. I thought it was supposed to have automatic focus -- damn I have to get a book. The photography class isn't till January but I want Holiday pictures. I will NOT let this camera beat me. Stupid camera. But Melissa wants pictures of the snow (what is she, out of her mind). That means I do have to go out in the stuff. Oh and her hubby Swampgump actually wants to move north so he can play in it. Personally I think he's crazy. LOL!
Well it seems we have a little problem on our hands. Remember Nik and I each had a Partylite Candle Party? Well it seems that girl that did them, abscounded with all the money and never sent in the orders. And not only mine and Nik's party, but other people who had parties as well. She will not return any calls, and when I spoke with Partylite they told me not only that our parties were never submitted, but that her account as a Consultant there was closed. And....Partylite can't do anything for us. Some company that is. Now I have to pull out my kick ass attitude, which I don't like to do. I don't care for that side of myself, but it gets things done.
WARNING -- IF YOU GIVE A PARTYLITE PARTY OR BUY ANYTHING FOR ANYONE ELSE WHO DOES, PAY BY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD. PARTYLITE MIGHT BE SORRY IT HAPPENED TO YOU BUT THEY DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP. Consultants cannot process credit card orders. Personally, I will never deal with the company again. It has a poor policy of protecting their consumers.
Well lets see - decorating, wrapping presents, and Christmas cards are on my list today along with the usual cleaning and laundry so I'd better get off my butt and get started. First I need to go buy the darn cards. Hmmm - I wonder if my snowbrush is somewhere in my car. Can't remember the last time I saw it.
Take care everyone and enjoy your Saturday.
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