Looking Back

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2008 was an okay year I guess. Some ups and some downs.

We lost some very special friends. Mandy, Cole, Jamie.

I had my twenty seventh anniversary at work. That’s over half my life. It is my home away from home. Those people are like my second family.

I became an “official” member of the MRBA after lurking for a few weeks. Those people are like my third family!

I started my blog.

My daughter started her final year of high school. It seems like just yesterday I was taking her to kindergarten.

The redheads turned one.

I got a Dyson.

Gustav gave us a scare but didn’t do any major damage in this area. Lights were out for only a day.

I ate my 9,999 batch of cheesy tots (or so it seems).

It snowed in December!

My husband and I celebrated twenty five years of marriage.

I ENJOYED Christmas.

I spent New Years right where I wanted to…at home with my family, safe and sound.

I hope 2009 brings more good times than bad (cause I know they’ll be some bad times mixed in) to you all.

Happy New Year!

Almost Done

2008 is almost gone but it just wouldn't be right to get through the holidays without hearing Same Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg. Rest in peace Dan.

Survivor

I survived Christmas 2008. I actually enjoyed this Christmas very much.

Over the past few years I guess I had become rather scroogey about the holidays. I was always running, cleaning, shopping, and cooking. And cooking and cooking. I was always tired and stressed out. I worried if people would like their gifts. I worried if I had enough food fixed. I worried if my house was clean enough. I worried about money.

I always over cooked and over spent. Now I can’t say I over cleaned because I’m really not a very good housekeeper. I cleaned more than I normally would anyway. You know, dusted things that only get dusted twice a year, like ceiling fans and chandeliers.

This year I was determined to keep my goal of cutting back on both gifts and food. I would NOT put anything on a credit card. And I’m happy to say I did it!

I shortened my menus. I didn’t fix so much that we’d have leftovers in the fridge to throw away after a couple of days.

I found some really good bargains. I stuck with the amount of money I had budgeted for each person. Even for my daughter and the redheads, I kept it reasonable. They all would be getting gifts from two families so it was no need to go overboard. And they got plenty. The redheads are still enjoying their toys. And my daughter got a Wii from her boyfriend so that has topped anything we got her. That’s okay though. I don’t mind at all.

We put the tree up earlier than normal and are keeping it up a little later. I’ve enjoyed watching the redheads so much. Even the times we had to say no when four little hands were reaching for the ornaments. We just finally moved them all up top. And I didn’t even blow it when Big Sis hooked her new baby doll stroller in it and almost brought it down.

So I hope everyone had as much of an enjoyable Christmas as I did. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Christmas Models

I'll say it again, it is almost impossible to get TWO seventeen month olds to stand together, smile and pose for a picture. I was needing a shot for our Christmas cards. I finally got one. It may not be a perfect pose but it is my girls. Looking just like they always do.

I gave up on the black dresses. They just wanted to get the camera and play with it. So I tried the blue dresses the next Sunday. I finally showed them their picture on the camera so it kinda became a game. They run stand by the tree and then run look at their picture on the camera.

Lil Sis LOVES those two fingers. How are we going to break that habit?

This Little Piggy

I have wanted to get a picture of this sign for the longest but it isn’t in the best part of town so I was a little skittish about stopping and snapping. But I got brave the other day. There was a parking spot open so I pulled in, opened the door and just had to take about four steps, and got it. No knives flashed. No gun shots. Whew.

So tell me, are the pigs feet part of the $2.99 breakfast? Or at which meal do you actually serve pigs feet?

And are the feet hot as in temperature? I’m sure warm feet are much better than cold feet. Or do they mean spicy hot. Ummm, crunchy, spicy hooves. Or do all their pig feet come from smoking hot sexy momma sows? Look out Miss Piggy.

No matter, I really don’t think I’ll be checking them out any time soon. What about you?

Relaxing Weekend

Last weekend was so nice. I didn't leave my house from the time I got home from work Friday afternoon until Sunday morning for church. Which meant no make-up and no hair washed on Saturday. A rare occurance. Me and the redheads spent a lot of time outside. The weather was pretty nice and they love going outside. No mosquitos to contend with this time of year. And not many fireants after the snow.

Now next weekend will be just the opposite. I've got to clean house and start my cooking for the three Christmas meals we'll have at home. Hubby and I will go out for our anniversary one night. And my daughter and I have to make a trip to town so she can finish her shopping.

Then hopefully after Christmas I can relax again. I'll be off for THIRTEEN straight days. This is the first time I've taken off this long at Christmas. I don't know how I managed to save vacation for the end of the year but I did. I can't wait. So the blog may slow down, or even stop unless they get my home pc fixed, but that's okay. I'll be back for the new year.

They say "Rock, rock" the entire time they are in the rocking chairs.

In the glider with Pawpaw.

Sonny says "I wish those girls would stay out of my space"

Walking with Great Grandmother.

Naptime in the big bed!

Snow in McComb 12-11-08

Actually most of these were taken at work in Magnolia.

Pearl River Avenue on my way in. (and yes, that's a crack all the way across my windsheild meaning I'll have to have it replaced before the next inspection)

Ordering my cheesy tots!

Intersection of Highway 51 and Presley.

Work

Paul

Paul and Keith

My truck.

David, Dianne, Brenda, Rebecca

And yes, Brenda is out there in short sleeves and no jacket.

Brenda, Rebecca, Melissa and Dianne

That afternoon. Getting slushy.