It's snowing pretty hard outside, and the wind is really kicking up. This system is a big, nasty one, so this might get pretty interesting before it's all over with.
The College closed at 5 PM today and cancelled all evening classes. If we get the 6-12 inches of snow they are saying we might, and if those winds keep kicking up and blow it all around into mile-high drifts (well, maybe not QUITE that high) . . .
I'm thinking SNOW DAY for tomorrow . . . (keeping fingers crossed!)
I'll keep ya posted.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WHAT Is Going On With the WEATHER????
TODAY: By early afternoon, it reached a high of 62 degrees.
LATER: By mid-afternoon, we were under a severe thunderstorm warning, and the torrential rains started.
LATER STILL: By the time I left work at 4:30 PM, the temperature had dropped. To 22 degrees. And it was sleeting. And everything was frozen. And covered in ice.
TONIGHT: It is presently 15 degrees, and the winds are gusting up to 45 MPH. It is snowing and sleeting.
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED HERE? :-(
LATER: By mid-afternoon, we were under a severe thunderstorm warning, and the torrential rains started.
LATER STILL: By the time I left work at 4:30 PM, the temperature had dropped. To 22 degrees. And it was sleeting. And everything was frozen. And covered in ice.
TONIGHT: It is presently 15 degrees, and the winds are gusting up to 45 MPH. It is snowing and sleeting.
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED HERE? :-(
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
All Settled In - - FINALLY!
I am finally moved in and pretty much settled in my new office - - FINALLY! The only thing I have left to do is bring a small chrome shelving unit in on Monday morning so I can finish putting some things away, and then maybe I can actually get some WORK done! (What a novel concept THAT will be!)
My little office is really pretty nice, and my new boss is pretty much moved into my old office, so that is working out well. My poor student workers, however, are not faring so well . . . their space is so cramped, they can barely do what they need to do! We have been told that this is just a temporary thing, until they finish up some other construction and moves around campus, and that we will then be moved to a permanent spot with more room (Gee, maybe they can time it for the first week of FALL classes - - that week is even MORE hectic than the first week of Spring classes! Yeah! THAT'S the plan!)(No, I'm not bitter - - not a bit . . . )
I'm just glad to finally be in my space, have boxes unpacked, and being able to DO something to help the students. That's what I'm there for, and it's been rough not being able to help this past week. But come Monday, that is all going to change - - Lizzy's back in business! :-)
My little office is really pretty nice, and my new boss is pretty much moved into my old office, so that is working out well. My poor student workers, however, are not faring so well . . . their space is so cramped, they can barely do what they need to do! We have been told that this is just a temporary thing, until they finish up some other construction and moves around campus, and that we will then be moved to a permanent spot with more room (Gee, maybe they can time it for the first week of FALL classes - - that week is even MORE hectic than the first week of Spring classes! Yeah! THAT'S the plan!)(No, I'm not bitter - - not a bit . . . )
I'm just glad to finally be in my space, have boxes unpacked, and being able to DO something to help the students. That's what I'm there for, and it's been rough not being able to help this past week. But come Monday, that is all going to change - - Lizzy's back in business! :-)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Good News on the "Dad" Front
Dad went to see his family doctor yesterday, who said he was doing great, and pronounced him "worth a million bucks" - - or "ten million at today's prices" . . .
So we are very pleased with the news!
His next appointment is his recheck with the heart doctor on Feb. 7th.
Yay for my Daddy! :-)
So we are very pleased with the news!
His next appointment is his recheck with the heart doctor on Feb. 7th.
Yay for my Daddy! :-)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Renew the Dream
I read about this post on another blog, followed the link . . . and - - well, please go here and see for yourself.
There is nothing I can add - - this says it all.
There is nothing I can add - - this says it all.
Friday, January 18, 2008
By The Way . . .
Did you notice the new addition to my sidebar??
Over there, on the left - - just under my Profile - - just keep scrolling . . . There! Do you see it?
Eileen Cook, an author who hails from Vancouver, Canada, has her very first book, "Unpredictable" coming out February 5th.
You should check it out. Also, you should check out her blog.
Go ahead - - I'll be here when you get back! :-)
Over there, on the left - - just under my Profile - - just keep scrolling . . . There! Do you see it?
Eileen Cook, an author who hails from Vancouver, Canada, has her very first book, "Unpredictable" coming out February 5th.
You should check it out. Also, you should check out her blog.
Go ahead - - I'll be here when you get back! :-)
This Week is FINALLY Over!
Thank God!
This has been a LONG week - - lots of hours. And, it's been a ROUGH one . . . and it went just the way I was afraid it would. *sigh*
When I first heard they had hired a full-time director for our Department, and that they were going to have to rearrange our area to squeeze in another office and another whole person, I said, "As long as they don't have everything all torn up during the first week of classes, we'll be okay."
This was the first week of classes.
They started construction on our area Monday morning.
*sigh* Damn.
All week long, we have had to put up with our furniture all moved out, my student workers in a different room than I am (makes it hard to supervise, and also train the new one), the new boss in another room in a whole different area, students trying to come back for help that we are not able to provide because ALL OF OUR STUFF IS SOMEWHERE WHERE DID WE PUT IT DAMMIT.
Along with all this, there is the actual construction process itself - - concrete drills, drywall saws, drywall sanders, drywall DUST, paint fumes . . .
And still trying our best to serve the frantic students coming back for help, trying to hold Orientation sessions ("I can't print out the attendance sheet for this session! Where in the hell is our printer!?!?!?") and just trying to keep some small shred of sanity (NEVER easy for me, even in the best of circumstances).
But the construction is FINALLY finished, the furniture will get moved in next week, and hopefully we will all be together in the same area and all settled in soon. The new boss will get into the swing of things, and we will finally be working together as a team. And, it will be good to FINALLY be able to help the students like we need to!
But right now - - I'm heading for some well-deserved rest!
This has been a LONG week - - lots of hours. And, it's been a ROUGH one . . . and it went just the way I was afraid it would. *sigh*
When I first heard they had hired a full-time director for our Department, and that they were going to have to rearrange our area to squeeze in another office and another whole person, I said, "As long as they don't have everything all torn up during the first week of classes, we'll be okay."
This was the first week of classes.
They started construction on our area Monday morning.
*sigh* Damn.
All week long, we have had to put up with our furniture all moved out, my student workers in a different room than I am (makes it hard to supervise, and also train the new one), the new boss in another room in a whole different area, students trying to come back for help that we are not able to provide because ALL OF OUR STUFF IS SOMEWHERE WHERE DID WE PUT IT DAMMIT.
Along with all this, there is the actual construction process itself - - concrete drills, drywall saws, drywall sanders, drywall DUST, paint fumes . . .
And still trying our best to serve the frantic students coming back for help, trying to hold Orientation sessions ("I can't print out the attendance sheet for this session! Where in the hell is our printer!?!?!?") and just trying to keep some small shred of sanity (NEVER easy for me, even in the best of circumstances).
But the construction is FINALLY finished, the furniture will get moved in next week, and hopefully we will all be together in the same area and all settled in soon. The new boss will get into the swing of things, and we will finally be working together as a team. And, it will be good to FINALLY be able to help the students like we need to!
But right now - - I'm heading for some well-deserved rest!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Oh His Way Back Home
Dad has been doing great! He finally decided he was ready to go home, so this afternoon, that is what he did.
It was fun having him around for awhile, but I understand his wanting to get back to his own house, sleep in his own bed, play on his own computer . . . and not have darling daughter watching him like a hawk! (Actually, I'm not THAT bad!)
I'll still be keeping a close eye on him for the next six weeks or so, because that is when the second procedure will be scheduled. Once he has that done, he will probably spend a couple of weeks in the hospital, then a couple more in a rehab facility, then a couple of weeks more with me.
Keep you all posted . . .
It was fun having him around for awhile, but I understand his wanting to get back to his own house, sleep in his own bed, play on his own computer . . . and not have darling daughter watching him like a hawk! (Actually, I'm not THAT bad!)
I'll still be keeping a close eye on him for the next six weeks or so, because that is when the second procedure will be scheduled. Once he has that done, he will probably spend a couple of weeks in the hospital, then a couple more in a rehab facility, then a couple of weeks more with me.
Keep you all posted . . .
Saturday, January 12, 2008
One Down, Three To Go . . .
Dad had the stent placed in the one heart artery that was 90% blocked this past Thursday. The Doctor proclaimed the procedure 'smooth as silk' when he talked with me after it was done, and that Dad was doing great!
They admitted him to stay overnight, as they wanted to monitor him for 24 hours, but by 8:30 the next morning, the Doctor told him he could go home anytime he could get a ride.
Unfortunately, both Dear Hubby and I were at work, and had not anticipated this . . . *sigh*
SO - - Steve took off work at 1:00, came home and showered and changed, and headed on over to Springfield to pick up Dad. I left work at 2:30, headed to the store to pick up a few things, and then went home to make sure everything was ready.
Actually, they beat ME home! Dad was already discharged and sitting there waiting for Steve when he got there! They headed down to the car and back to our house.
Dad is staying with us until Sunday, just to make sure he's doing okay. So far, he is feeling and doing very well.
Dad goes back to the heart Doctor in 4 weeks for a recheck, and if all is well, he will be looking at having his second procedure - - repairing his abdominal aneurysm - - about 2 weeks later.
2008 is going to be a L - O - O - O - N - G year . . .
They admitted him to stay overnight, as they wanted to monitor him for 24 hours, but by 8:30 the next morning, the Doctor told him he could go home anytime he could get a ride.
Unfortunately, both Dear Hubby and I were at work, and had not anticipated this . . . *sigh*
SO - - Steve took off work at 1:00, came home and showered and changed, and headed on over to Springfield to pick up Dad. I left work at 2:30, headed to the store to pick up a few things, and then went home to make sure everything was ready.
Actually, they beat ME home! Dad was already discharged and sitting there waiting for Steve when he got there! They headed down to the car and back to our house.
Dad is staying with us until Sunday, just to make sure he's doing okay. So far, he is feeling and doing very well.
Dad goes back to the heart Doctor in 4 weeks for a recheck, and if all is well, he will be looking at having his second procedure - - repairing his abdominal aneurysm - - about 2 weeks later.
2008 is going to be a L - O - O - O - N - G year . . .
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
My Dad
My posting may be a bit sporadic for awhile - - my Dad is having some procedures done, and between work, running him to Springfield for his procedures, doctor appointments here in town, and having him home with me for some recuperating time, well - - getting on the computer and having time to blog has not been possible.
Dad had a heart cath done last Friday, and then stayed the weekend with us, because they did not want him doing any driving or much else for 48 hours afterward. He went home Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday we went to the doctor here in town, and discussed what will be done next.
This morning, he found out that he will have a stent placed in the main left heart artery to clear a blockage that is at 90%. This will be done tomorrow afternoon. They will keep him overnight, and will then come to our house for a few days.
There are a couple more procedures he will have to go through, but they will be spacing them out every 2-3 months or so.
SO - - 2008 is off to a rolling start! (*sigh*)
It sucks already.
I'm hanging in there - - wish me luck.
And if you are one who prays, please say one for may Dad - - appreciate it.
Dad had a heart cath done last Friday, and then stayed the weekend with us, because they did not want him doing any driving or much else for 48 hours afterward. He went home Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday we went to the doctor here in town, and discussed what will be done next.
This morning, he found out that he will have a stent placed in the main left heart artery to clear a blockage that is at 90%. This will be done tomorrow afternoon. They will keep him overnight, and will then come to our house for a few days.
There are a couple more procedures he will have to go through, but they will be spacing them out every 2-3 months or so.
SO - - 2008 is off to a rolling start! (*sigh*)
It sucks already.
I'm hanging in there - - wish me luck.
And if you are one who prays, please say one for may Dad - - appreciate it.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy 2008!
So - - do you make resolutions?
I do, but only if I know I can make a serious effort to achieve my goal. I try to be realistic about my resolutions.
That being said, here is what I resolve to accomplish in 2008:
(1) Continue the "year of un-dieting"
I learned this from reading Crazy Aunt Purl - - she resolved to never diet again, but to walk for exercise, and watch what she eats, and the results were fantastic. I decided to give it a try, and it worked for me also. Therefore, I will continue this for 2008.
(2) Sell our other house
It has been on the market for a year now. I know the market is not good for sellers, but it WILL sell. We just have to keep working at it and get the job done. Fortunately, we have excellent professionals working for us, so we are not in this alone. I would hate to be trying to do this ourselves - - what a nightmare that would be!
(3) Remember to take my meds and vitamins every day - - even on weekends or when I'm on vacation
I try to remember to do this - - honestly I do - - but I tend to get busy on the weekends or when I'm on break, and the next thing I know, it's bedtime and I haven't taken them. I will do better in 2008.
And last, but certainly not least - -
(4) Tell my Dear Husband Steve, the best man in the world*, that I love him. Every. Single. Day.
Well, I do that anyway, so that will be an easy resolution to keep! :-)
I hope 2008 is good to all of us!
* He really IS the best, and I'm the luckiest woman in the world having him in my life!
I do, but only if I know I can make a serious effort to achieve my goal. I try to be realistic about my resolutions.
That being said, here is what I resolve to accomplish in 2008:
(1) Continue the "year of un-dieting"
I learned this from reading Crazy Aunt Purl - - she resolved to never diet again, but to walk for exercise, and watch what she eats, and the results were fantastic. I decided to give it a try, and it worked for me also. Therefore, I will continue this for 2008.
(2) Sell our other house
It has been on the market for a year now. I know the market is not good for sellers, but it WILL sell. We just have to keep working at it and get the job done. Fortunately, we have excellent professionals working for us, so we are not in this alone. I would hate to be trying to do this ourselves - - what a nightmare that would be!
(3) Remember to take my meds and vitamins every day - - even on weekends or when I'm on vacation
I try to remember to do this - - honestly I do - - but I tend to get busy on the weekends or when I'm on break, and the next thing I know, it's bedtime and I haven't taken them. I will do better in 2008.
And last, but certainly not least - -
(4) Tell my Dear Husband Steve, the best man in the world*, that I love him. Every. Single. Day.
Well, I do that anyway, so that will be an easy resolution to keep! :-)
I hope 2008 is good to all of us!
* He really IS the best, and I'm the luckiest woman in the world having him in my life!
Monday, December 31, 2007
2007: The Year In Review
It's hard to believe this is the last day of 2007! It's been quite a year . . .
2007 started out with us involved in a hassle with AmerenIP over damage they caused us after hooking our power up wrong after the ice storm in December 2006. We were sending packets of information to Ameren, their Claims company, the Lt. Governor, and every legislator I could think of. Eventually, thanks to pressure from the right legislative offices, they paid our claim.
March found me in a new job at the College, in a completely different type of work than I had ever done before. After nearly 30 years in the Administrative Clerical field, I went into Information Technology. My job now consists of supervising a Help Desk for online students, presenting Orientations and workshops for online students and faculty, and many, many other things involved with online learning. Quite challenging, to say the least.
Other things at work (aside from my new job) became very challenging, to the point where I actually found myself considering submitting my resignation. Yes, things got that bad. But instead, I decided to step back, take a deep breath, and stand up for myself. Part of the situation has been resolved, but a lot has not. My stance at the moment is just to "wait and see" what develops, in part because I have nearly 20 years built up in my retirement, and don't want to have to start over at "square one" going somewhere. Time will tell . . .
Our nephew, Travis, got married this summer. Dear Hubby and I got to travel to the Northern part of the state to attend the wedding. While up there, we had the chance to spend a lot of time with friends of ours who made the trip from St. Louis. It was fun being able to connect with them again. In fact, 2007 gave us many opportunities to spend time with dear friends. They are dear, true friends, and we have developed a support network in which we are there for each other. Steve and I are truly blessed with having some really special people in our lives.
In October, I made a 'road trip' to Peoria to the Women's Lifestyle Show, where I was able to meet a person who is a wonderful writer, and one of my personal favorite bloggers, Laurie Perry (Crazy Aunt Purl). She was on a book tour, promoting her book "Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair" - - a fabulous read. The book tells her story about how she survived her husband leaving her, and her transition into single life and dating. Knitting was her salvation, and she attacked it with a vengeance; in fact, I'm surprised one of her four cats didn't get caught up in one of her projects!
Near the end of the year, we lost our dear little fur-baby, Callie. I cannot say any more about this; every time I try to talk about her, or think about her, the tears start up again. So enough about this . . .
Throughout the year we have been trying to get our other house sold (see my other blog here). With the market being in such bad shape, it's been difficult. But Dear Hubby and I will keep trying to do our best and try to remain positive.
Here's to 2007 - - and may 2008 be a happy and healthy year for all of us.
2007 started out with us involved in a hassle with AmerenIP over damage they caused us after hooking our power up wrong after the ice storm in December 2006. We were sending packets of information to Ameren, their Claims company, the Lt. Governor, and every legislator I could think of. Eventually, thanks to pressure from the right legislative offices, they paid our claim.
March found me in a new job at the College, in a completely different type of work than I had ever done before. After nearly 30 years in the Administrative Clerical field, I went into Information Technology. My job now consists of supervising a Help Desk for online students, presenting Orientations and workshops for online students and faculty, and many, many other things involved with online learning. Quite challenging, to say the least.
Other things at work (aside from my new job) became very challenging, to the point where I actually found myself considering submitting my resignation. Yes, things got that bad. But instead, I decided to step back, take a deep breath, and stand up for myself. Part of the situation has been resolved, but a lot has not. My stance at the moment is just to "wait and see" what develops, in part because I have nearly 20 years built up in my retirement, and don't want to have to start over at "square one" going somewhere. Time will tell . . .
Our nephew, Travis, got married this summer. Dear Hubby and I got to travel to the Northern part of the state to attend the wedding. While up there, we had the chance to spend a lot of time with friends of ours who made the trip from St. Louis. It was fun being able to connect with them again. In fact, 2007 gave us many opportunities to spend time with dear friends. They are dear, true friends, and we have developed a support network in which we are there for each other. Steve and I are truly blessed with having some really special people in our lives.
In October, I made a 'road trip' to Peoria to the Women's Lifestyle Show, where I was able to meet a person who is a wonderful writer, and one of my personal favorite bloggers, Laurie Perry (Crazy Aunt Purl). She was on a book tour, promoting her book "Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair" - - a fabulous read. The book tells her story about how she survived her husband leaving her, and her transition into single life and dating. Knitting was her salvation, and she attacked it with a vengeance; in fact, I'm surprised one of her four cats didn't get caught up in one of her projects!
Near the end of the year, we lost our dear little fur-baby, Callie. I cannot say any more about this; every time I try to talk about her, or think about her, the tears start up again. So enough about this . . .
Throughout the year we have been trying to get our other house sold (see my other blog here). With the market being in such bad shape, it's been difficult. But Dear Hubby and I will keep trying to do our best and try to remain positive.
Here's to 2007 - - and may 2008 be a happy and healthy year for all of us.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Party Time
We hosted our annual Holiday Party for the gang yesterday evening, and as usual, it was a success!
Jerry came over from Springfield, Curt and Judy, Cindy, and Paul came also. Jan had a conflict, so could not be there this year (and YES, she does know what she was missing!).
Since I am on Holiday Break this week and most of the others were working, I had supper all ready when then came over - - homemade Veggie Beef Soup, Sweet-n-Sour Meatballs (I used Chili Sauce and Cranberry Sauce to flavor them), and a new recipe - - Brie filled with seedless raspberry preserves, wrapped in a sheet of puff pastry and baked. I also had lots of leftover Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge. Cindy brought her "World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Curt and Judy brought goodies also. But the kicker was - - Paul's Bourbon Balls, made by him and his sister, with some really fine Kentucky Bourbon in the mix. (They make your eyes water, but - - YUM!).
After food and good conversation and our gift exchange (including Jerry's "Mess With Your Heads" gift game!), we opened a bottle of wine and toasted the upcoming New Year.
It was a good time with good friends. Steve and I are so lucky to be blessed with friends such as they - - very blessed indeed.
Jerry came over from Springfield, Curt and Judy, Cindy, and Paul came also. Jan had a conflict, so could not be there this year (and YES, she does know what she was missing!).
Since I am on Holiday Break this week and most of the others were working, I had supper all ready when then came over - - homemade Veggie Beef Soup, Sweet-n-Sour Meatballs (I used Chili Sauce and Cranberry Sauce to flavor them), and a new recipe - - Brie filled with seedless raspberry preserves, wrapped in a sheet of puff pastry and baked. I also had lots of leftover Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge. Cindy brought her "World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Curt and Judy brought goodies also. But the kicker was - - Paul's Bourbon Balls, made by him and his sister, with some really fine Kentucky Bourbon in the mix. (They make your eyes water, but - - YUM!).
After food and good conversation and our gift exchange (including Jerry's "Mess With Your Heads" gift game!), we opened a bottle of wine and toasted the upcoming New Year.
It was a good time with good friends. Steve and I are so lucky to be blessed with friends such as they - - very blessed indeed.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
We Survived Christmas! *Whew*
The Holidays were hectic, but it was worth it!
There was lots of fun, good food, good people, and the kids were wild!
The Orange Sour Cream Cake was a hit, as were the Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge at Dear Hubby's family gathering. I also made a pan of browning with Marshmallow Creme topping for the kids (they almost taste like a S'More).
The Lasagna was a big hit with my family on Monday! I left a couple of containers with Dad for meals this week, and sent the rest of it home with my son and his family.
The kids got lots of neat presents, and they were wound up beyond belief; but the Holidays do that to little ones, don't they?
Dear Hubby went back to work today, and I am off work until January 2nd. But, it's not like I don't have anything to do - - there is cooking and cleaning the house for our Annual Holiday Party with the gang this Friday. Since everyone else is working and I'm off, I'm treating them to homemade Beef Veggie Soup, Sweet-n-Sour Meatballs, Baked Brie with Seedless Raspberry Preserves in Puff Pastry, Summer Sausage and crackers, and of course Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge! I'm looking forward to getting together with the gang - - we don't see each other enough, and have so much fun when we finally get the chance.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
There was lots of fun, good food, good people, and the kids were wild!
The Orange Sour Cream Cake was a hit, as were the Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge at Dear Hubby's family gathering. I also made a pan of browning with Marshmallow Creme topping for the kids (they almost taste like a S'More).
The Lasagna was a big hit with my family on Monday! I left a couple of containers with Dad for meals this week, and sent the rest of it home with my son and his family.
The kids got lots of neat presents, and they were wound up beyond belief; but the Holidays do that to little ones, don't they?
Dear Hubby went back to work today, and I am off work until January 2nd. But, it's not like I don't have anything to do - - there is cooking and cleaning the house for our Annual Holiday Party with the gang this Friday. Since everyone else is working and I'm off, I'm treating them to homemade Beef Veggie Soup, Sweet-n-Sour Meatballs, Baked Brie with Seedless Raspberry Preserves in Puff Pastry, Summer Sausage and crackers, and of course Key Lime Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge! I'm looking forward to getting together with the gang - - we don't see each other enough, and have so much fun when we finally get the chance.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Countdown To the Holidays
Today has been a crazy one, and it's not looking to slow down anytime soon!
Dear Hubby's family Christmas get-together is tomorrow evening (Sunday), and my family gathering is Monday evening. Lots of things to prepare for each . . .
I am bringing dessert items to Steve's family tomorrow - - the Orange Sour Cream Cake is baked and cooling, and tomorrow it will get its Vanilla Pudding/Cool Whip/Mandarin Orange topping. The Key Lime Fudge is made and cooling, and will be cut up tomorrow. Next on the list is Peanut Butter Fudge, which will also cool overnight and get cut into squares tomorrow morning.
The Key Lime Fudge is YUMMY, by the way . . . I got the recipe from a coworker, after she brought it into work and I absolutely raved about it! (The Peanut Butter Fudge is awesome also . . . YUM!)
Tomorrow morning I also need to prepare a large pot of spaghetti sauce, and prepare meat filling with Italian seasonings. I have decided to follow our family's Holiday tradition and make my Dad Lasagna! I'm using my Mom's sauce recipe, so of course it has to cook slowly all day, and then cool overnight to let the flavors blend. Monday morning I will build the lasagna and have it ready to take down to Dad's and bake in his oven. We will also have Sweet Italian Garlic Bread, and salad. My son and his family are bringing a cake, and Dad has a pumpkin pie for us to bake. It's been ages since I've made Lasagna, and I'm looking forward to it.
Tuesday I plan to SLEEP . . . as if the kitty-babies will let that happen? We'll see . . .
I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed Holiday! Spend time with your loved ones. Give your sweetie an extra kiss under the mistletoe (Hubby and I are about to wear our mistletoe out!) Enjoy the season and all that it means - - love, togetherness, peace.
Merry Christmas!
Dear Hubby's family Christmas get-together is tomorrow evening (Sunday), and my family gathering is Monday evening. Lots of things to prepare for each . . .
I am bringing dessert items to Steve's family tomorrow - - the Orange Sour Cream Cake is baked and cooling, and tomorrow it will get its Vanilla Pudding/Cool Whip/Mandarin Orange topping. The Key Lime Fudge is made and cooling, and will be cut up tomorrow. Next on the list is Peanut Butter Fudge, which will also cool overnight and get cut into squares tomorrow morning.
The Key Lime Fudge is YUMMY, by the way . . . I got the recipe from a coworker, after she brought it into work and I absolutely raved about it! (The Peanut Butter Fudge is awesome also . . . YUM!)
Tomorrow morning I also need to prepare a large pot of spaghetti sauce, and prepare meat filling with Italian seasonings. I have decided to follow our family's Holiday tradition and make my Dad Lasagna! I'm using my Mom's sauce recipe, so of course it has to cook slowly all day, and then cool overnight to let the flavors blend. Monday morning I will build the lasagna and have it ready to take down to Dad's and bake in his oven. We will also have Sweet Italian Garlic Bread, and salad. My son and his family are bringing a cake, and Dad has a pumpkin pie for us to bake. It's been ages since I've made Lasagna, and I'm looking forward to it.
Tuesday I plan to SLEEP . . . as if the kitty-babies will let that happen? We'll see . . .
I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed Holiday! Spend time with your loved ones. Give your sweetie an extra kiss under the mistletoe (Hubby and I are about to wear our mistletoe out!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Finally - - Stage Three!
The presents are all wrapped and under the tree, which, by the way, is STILL STANDING! After just a couple of minor incidents, the furbabies have decided they have better things to do than mess with the tree. In fact, Dear Squeak has decided she likes laying under the tree, where the heat vent points out towards the tree, and take a nap. I do believe we could put a bow on her and she would just blend right in with the rest of the packages!
So here we are - - Stage Three:
Nothing left to do now but sit there in the loveseat, hot mug of tea in hand, nice warm kittycat on my lap, and snuggle up with Dear Hubby and enjoy! And with my Holiday Break starting after work tomorrow, and not having to go back until January 2nd, there will be plenty of time to do just that!
So here we are - - Stage Three:
Nothing left to do now but sit there in the loveseat, hot mug of tea in hand, nice warm kittycat on my lap, and snuggle up with Dear Hubby and enjoy! And with my Holiday Break starting after work tomorrow, and not having to go back until January 2nd, there will be plenty of time to do just that!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Tree, Stage Two: Uh-Ohhhhh . . .
I was home all weekend.
Furbabies never ever paid a bit of attention to the tree. All day long, they acted as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in that corner of the sunroom.
"Nope, Mom, we don't see anything over there in that corner. Not a thing. You can relax!"
Uh-huh.
Today we go to work . . .
Instead of coming home at lunchtime as I usually do, we had a Holiday luncheon in my Division, so I stayed on Campus.
When Dear Hubby got home this afternoon, this is what he found:
Furbabies never ever paid a bit of attention to the tree. All day long, they acted as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in that corner of the sunroom.
"Nope, Mom, we don't see anything over there in that corner. Not a thing. You can relax!"
Uh-huh.
Today we go to work . . .
Instead of coming home at lunchtime as I usually do, we had a Holiday luncheon in my Division, so I stayed on Campus.
When Dear Hubby got home this afternoon, this is what he found:
The best we can figure is that the new little girl, who LOVES to be up high, and who LOVES to jump, launched herself from either the loveseat or the window bench into the tree.
Steve reprimanded both of them (oh yeah, I am SO sure they listened to him, and they have learned their lesson) and put the branches back in where they belonged.
I am determined to have my tree up this year, in spite of the little furry terrorists roaming the rooms of my home.
However, in the spirit of compromise, we have decided that the tree will have lights and garland (up from the bottom row of branches, of course!) but no ornaments except for some jingle bells along the bottom branches (that's our 'alarm system'!).
We also moved the loveseat back, and removed the bench from in front of the window . . . at least we have taken care of TWO of her launching points!
So, here we are - - Stage Two - - White Christmas Tree with blue lights and blue garland:
Stage Three will be adding the topper (I'm still looking for a blue one) and the tree skirt, and then piling packages underneath. We have also decided against putting bows on the packages until just before we take them somewhere - - Carmichael has a SERIOUS ribbon fetish, and our packages often arrive with bows filled with teeth marks . . . *sigh*
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Christmas Tree - Stage One
It's time - - actually, way PAST time for my liking - - to put up the Christmas Tree.
In past years, we have not had much problem with the fur-babies and the tree. We knew how each one of them would act - - Callie would just lay under the tree, among the packages, and nap. In fact, if we had stuck a bow on her head, she would have blended right in with the rest of the packages! Carmichael's main problem was that his tail is so long, he kept brushing it up along the bottom branches and knockin goff ornaments. That problem was solved by moving them all up to the nex layer of branches. (Actually, I have some jingle bells that we hang on the bottom branches - - just to mess with his little kitty-head . . . yes, we are five.)
However, now that Callie is gone and we have this new little kitty-girl Squeak (formerly named Destiny) in our lives, it is anybody's guess how she will react to the tree. So, we have decided to put it up in stages.
Stage One:
Yes, I have a white tree - - wanted one for years, and finally got it last year!
Stage One is just the tree itself, with no lights, garland, ornaments, anything. Squeak showed a bit of interest at first, and had to be reprimanded a couple of times, but she is now not evey paying any attention to it.
Stage Two will be next - - either this evening or tomorrow after work. We will attempt to string the lights and add some garland, and see how that goes!
Wish us luck . . .
In past years, we have not had much problem with the fur-babies and the tree. We knew how each one of them would act - - Callie would just lay under the tree, among the packages, and nap. In fact, if we had stuck a bow on her head, she would have blended right in with the rest of the packages! Carmichael's main problem was that his tail is so long, he kept brushing it up along the bottom branches and knockin goff ornaments. That problem was solved by moving them all up to the nex layer of branches. (Actually, I have some jingle bells that we hang on the bottom branches - - just to mess with his little kitty-head . . . yes, we are five.)
However, now that Callie is gone and we have this new little kitty-girl Squeak (formerly named Destiny) in our lives, it is anybody's guess how she will react to the tree. So, we have decided to put it up in stages.
Stage One:
Yes, I have a white tree - - wanted one for years, and finally got it last year!Stage One is just the tree itself, with no lights, garland, ornaments, anything. Squeak showed a bit of interest at first, and had to be reprimanded a couple of times, but she is now not evey paying any attention to it.
Stage Two will be next - - either this evening or tomorrow after work. We will attempt to string the lights and add some garland, and see how that goes!
Wish us luck . . .
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