Not A Book Worm in 2009

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber (****)
Gatecrasher by Madeline Wickham (***) (2 many "F words")
Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber (****)
Mommywood by Tori Spelling (**)
Candyland by Candy Spelling (*)
sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling (**)

How pathetic is that list?! I am hoping to get into books more in 2010. I guarantee that is the least number of books I have ever read in one year.

In 2010 I hope to read these that are currently sitting on my bookshelf:

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (before the movie in February)
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale

What is the best book you read in 2009?
What book are you gonna read in 2010?

Everything A Man Won't Do...A Woman Can Do Without Him!

For the little ones' 2009 birthdays BIL & SIL bought them this Mini Market for their playroom at the schoolhouse. I have been wanting them to get a play kitchen ever since.

This Christmas they received the Sizzlin' Kitchen from FIL & MIL. I promised them I would have it put together this weekend. Well, there wasn't a man in sight willing to help me.

So I did it all by myself. Those things are not easy...the screws had to be screwed into places where there were no premade holes. My arms got so sore, and I wanted to quit several times. I am glad I didn't...

cause these smiles and giggles were well worth the effort! They love it!

Do you have trouble finding help putting things together?

Do you have an item laying around because no one will give you some help putting it together?

Disney On Ice

On Saturday we attended Disney On Ice. I think I was even more excited than the kids. Wild Child cried and wanted to stay with her mama...and don't even get me started on the teen's attitude about going.

We got there right on time...the lights lowered...the music began...and Goofy came on the ice. The kids were glued to their seats.

I love Beauty and the Beast. I think it was my favorite act of the show. Cutie Patootie spent the first half with her face buried in her dad's arms. She is so tenderhearted. Wild Child was adorable to watch...her big blue eyes were wide and her hands were clasped at her chest.

The skaters jumped and twirled...I couldn't get anyone to budge from their seats for the intermission bathroom break.

The finale was awesome as the princes carried their princesses in a circle.

I didn't want it to end...

EVERYONE enjoyed the show. We came home with 3 $10 Stitch snow cone cups and 3 light up toys ($50). Yikes! It was a great event!

I {heart} Disney!

Handmade Happiness

Last year Lil Sis made these 6 Mary Engelbreit ornaments for me for Christmas. I was amazed at the detail and the time she had to put into such cute creations. I loved them! I couldn't bear to put them in the storage totes so I put them in my computer desk drawer and occasionally through the year I would bring out the box and look at them.

I love handmade gifts. I love that someone took the time to create something special that they just know I am going to love. So I was really excited when Lil Sis hinted that she was making something for me this year, but wasn't sure she would get it done. She had even purchased a "back up gift."

Well, on Christmas evening she presented me with a large box with this inside...

I was shocked! She had made me the matching tree skirt to my treasured 6 ornaments. Oh my goodness the time...the effort...THE DETAIL! Pictures do not even come close to doing it justice.

The stitching is perfect..

She had to make several of the same ornaments to attach to the skirt.

She is so talented and I am one lucky girl to be the recipient of such beautiful handwork. The only problem is...it won't fit in my computer drawer. I am buying a special plastic tote box for it and the ornaments today. I can't wait til Christmas 2010!

~~Thank you so much Lil Sis. It means the world to me that you spent the time making something so beautiful for me. You were not the only one crying on the way home. I miss you so much...and now I am crying on my keyboard.~~

We're off to Disney on Ice today!

Happy Weekend!

Lady In Waiting...Not Anymore!

We toasted in the New Year last night with a party at our home with all the family here on the farm. We played partini, the game of things, and apples to apples. At times we laughed til tears ran down our cheeks. It was fun.

I love new beginnings. I am looking forward to working on my "35 Things" list this year. I was trying to remember what I was doing on New Year's Eve 2000. Oh yeah...it pretty much sucked. Dr. Hubby and I stayed at FIL/MIL's home while everyone went to the hospital for the birth of a cousin. We thought they would come home. I had the party ready...we waited...and waited...and the ball dropped...and we went to bed.

One thing that drives me nuts about get-togethers here on the farm is that usually BIL/SIL are rudely late...not 5 or 10 minutes...we are talking 30-45! We usually wait on them to get here before we eat of start celebrating.

Well, last night I decided to start this decade off a little differently. No more waiting. We had already eaten before they walked through the door. Funny thing is...I don't think they even cared. Oh well...made me feel alot better!

btw...my camera is not broken...just the lens. I am substituting the 55-200 until I can find a new one.

Happy 2010!
What was your resolution?

Now This Is Not Good

Yesterday Cutie Patootie got mad and pulled on the USB cord attaching my Nikon to the computer...the camera fell onto the floor kinda hard...I picked it up.

This morning I tried to take a pic...and when I went to focus it...it made wheezing sounds!

I think I am going to vomit.

She Said What?!

My sweet grandmother's mind has started to get confused. She said a few "entertaining" things this weekend...

{While talking to BIL's grandmother}
My grandma: Scrappy Girl adopted those 2 little ones. They had Manga Dork.
(turns to Manga Dork) Dr. Hubby is your daddy isn't he?

My grandma: Dr. Hubby is a doctor.
His grandma: What kind of doctor is he?
My grandma: All sorts I guess.
Manga Dork: He's a family practice doctor.
My grandma: I thought he was a real doctor!

She introduced Manga Dork as the one my parents' adopted...we think she thought Manga Dork was me!

This last one cracked me up!

{talking to Lil Sis and Manga Dork at their 70th anniversary party}
My grandma: Manga Dork, you and Lil Sis are so tall. I don't guess Scrappy Girl will ever grow anymore...but she seems to enjoy life anyway. She's always so friendly.

The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

On the Tuesday before Christmas the stomach flu gave to me...one puking/pooping teenager.

On the Wednesday before Christmas the stomach flu gave to me...one puking/pooping Cutie Patootie...and a nauseated teenager.

On Christmas Eve the stomach flu gave to me...one puking/pooping ME!...one puking/poopimg Wild Child...one puny Cutie...and a teenager afraid Christmas is ruined! Oh yeah...and a party that went on in my home despite the fact that I had to run and puke after exerting myself (I opened my present).


I hope we didn't make Santa sick! And I am here to say that I could not have made it without my MIL...she helped with Wild Child til 2AM and I was knocked out by phenergan.

On Christmas Day the stomach flu gave to me...a completely puny FAMILY! We opened presents at our home and then went for "dinner" (none of us could eat much) at FIL/MIL's home. Then I miraculously summoned the energy and motivation to pack all our clothes and the presents for my family and drive 4 hours to my parents' home!

Lil Sis and BIL were there! My parents liked the Wii we got them...I hope Mom can get Dad to play!

My "furniece," Morgan the Jack Russell Terrier, loved helping my Papa open his presents. She opened her pile too. When a dog gets a pile of presents it is definitely time for the couple to start working on children...lol!hinthint

We visited BFF Ruth and her sister, Marilyn. Oh yeah...the stomach flu hit my MIL and she was puking/pooping!

On Saturday we had dinner at my parents' home and then we got all dressed up...

to attend my grandparents' 70th anniversary reception. They loved all the attention and getting to see what is left of their siblings.

I loved the old photos...my dad is the boy at the top of the photo!

Our family...it should be illegal for Lil Sis to wear heels...she makes us all look like midgets.

On Sunday we all tearfully parted and went in our different directions.

On the way home we visited Dr. hubby's papa and then dropped Manga Dork off to spend 3 days with her cousins.

We came home exhausted, but full of love for our family. We feel blessed to have gotten the opportunity to visit and enjoy the holiday with some very special people. The holidays are a reminder of those we have lost and the ache we feel when we remember the good times only makes us hold on tighter to those who are still with us.

Now who wants to come over and clean up this mess?

Just Emptying My Brain

My thoughts...

I am ready...Christmas can come now.

Manga Dork puked for 2 hours last night...I hope we don't all get it.

My grandparents celebrated 70 years together yesterday.

Dr. Hubby put 3 large gifts under the tree for me.

Do something special to honor Jesus this holiday.

I can't wait to see Lil Sis.

I will not be blogging til Monday!

I sincerely hope each of you have the best holiday ever! You have no idea how much your bloggy friendships mean to me. I {heart} you!

Merry Christmas!

Oglebay Festival of Lights!

Last night we piled the kids into the Escalade and headed for the Festival of Lights! I was excited to see them and to be marking the second item off my list of 35 Things I Want To Do While I Am 35!

We turned on the holiday music as we drove through...

I think I was even more excited than the kids. Cutie kept saying she wanted to go to Walmart...lol.

The American flag was gorgeous...my 2nd favorite display. Dr. Hubby loved the line of trees wrapped in only blue lights...we called it the "blue forrest."

This display is over 60 feet tall and sit on a hillside...it is gorgeous...and my favorite. The snowflake tunnel was a little disappointing since it was very short and I was expecting longer and brighter.

It was a great time. It was so cold that we did not do the Zoo lights or the Gardens, but it is always good to save something for next year!

Merry Christmas!