Happy New Year!

I've tried all day to wrap up 2011!
I've had a fun filled week!
Christmas was great fun with V & S, and Ray's sisters family!

Here's the game playing children after supper!

V & S & I went to town to check out the Christmas lights!

This is the old hospital in town....fantastic!

My tree of course got lots of laughs!

"Don't touch the star!", was heard many times throughout the evening!

I put the tree up, the star was crooked, I straightened it out, the lights went out, fixed the lights, the star went out!

It was a vicious circle!

By the time I had everything working the star was crooked again, and I just thought 'Oh Well!'

I worked Tuesday, then Wednesday morning 2 GF's & I left for GP to work in the casino, for Friends of the Library!
The roads were terrible;  we got there in time to check into our rooms, and walk over to the casino for our shift!
We shopped til we dropped before and after our shifts at the casino, and yesterday morning before we came home!
AGAIN, in crappy weather!
I got free stuff at London Drugs!
Not my fault, I tried to tell the cashier!
I almost got free stuff at Michaels.....again, not my fault, the cashier was in lala land, and not listening!
And I got an extra 40% off my purchases at Sears......what can I say!?
She rang my stuff through, and I had signed the till slip, when she said, "OOPS"!
I said, 'You're not taking it back now!"
She said, "No I'm not."
She said, "Thank you."
I said, "No, Thank YOU!"

I went to work for 3 hours when we got back to town.
Cleaned the skylights off twice last night and,
 I tried really hard to stay awake until 10 pm!

I slept til 8:45 this morning, and am wondering if we ever get too old to Shop Til We Drop!?

I've got some BD cards made for SAS4K's.

A friend came over this morning to get me to e-mail pictures of bulls (as in cattle) to a buyer!

The nativity set is put away, I've put a few other things away, done laundry, put the new (cheap) duvet cover on the bed, put up a snowflake (cheap) shower curtain, cut tags off my new (cheap) bath mats & facecloths, put my crafty stuff away!

I've been reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy!

It was really hard to get into the first book; I'm now on the second and can't put them down!

Now I'm going to play in my room, and try to stay up to welcome in the New Year!

All the best to You & Yours for 2012!

Ta ta for now!

If you can't return a favor, pass it on.--Louise Brown

Merry Christmas everyone!
Just a quick note, cause I was so excited yesterday!
It actually started the day before, when my SU lady gave me this!

One of my stamp cases from the last order was squashed!

Look at all the ribbony goodness in what should've been an empty case!!

But wait............there's more!

Yesterday at work, one of my bosses tosses this package on my desk.

Then bugged me til I opened it!

Ya know yur a redneck when!

Yup, it's wrapped in duct tape!

So I started peeling it off, and about half way through, I said; "Is this really what's in the box, cause my kids do this and when I get excited they say, 'that's not what's in the box'"!

SERIOUSLY!!!!

That's what was in the box!

I'm gonna be smilin forever!

Kalen will be happy, cause it has a camera and we'll be able to chat face to face!

HA, there's even an icon that says "Face to Face'!!!!

Enjoy your Christmas with friends and loved ones!

One of Ray's sisters & her family are joining us tomorrow!

You know me!

The salad's made, cranberries/check, potatoes/check, stuffing/check, dessert will be made as soon as V gets here, and I'm working on pasta for supper tonight too!

Gotta go, gonna whip up a batch of poppycock!

Have a great Christmas everyone!

Ta ta for now!

Family is not an important thing, it's everything.--Michael J. Fox

Friday December 16/2011
This might take a few days to write!
Did Daddy & Me at the library last night!
Always a blast!
Except for one rude child....about 5.
Are there rude 5 year olds?
She was at the computer writing a letter to Santa with her dad.
Child, "What are you doing here?"
Me: " I'm helping this little boy write a letter to Santa."
Child: "My dad's helping me."
Me: "I see that, you're very lucky."
Child: "Why're you helping him?"
Me: "His dad is helping his sister right now."
Child: "Why're you here?"
Me: "I'm helping Santa with his 'NAUGHTY LIST!"
Too much!? Nough said!
This is the site we use, case you're interested!
The letter writing is the first box on the left undet the Santa video!
It says new, but we've been doing this for about 5 years!

Going home to make my cabbage rolls.
Hopefully Ray got the tree to the house!
It's in a storage trailer across the yard!
Normally I'd go drag it across, but we have no snow, and I don't want to wreck the duffle bag it's in!
It's too heavy for me to carry!
I got a lot to do this weekend!

My poor friend T at the OFH!
Her grandpa died this week.
She texted me Tuesday.....'I got a trip to Peace River with the seniors tomorrow, can you go?'
I had to say no! I did give her a couple names though!
T texted me Wednesday morning.....'I've got the light drive planned for tonight, can you go?'
I texted back.....'Change the light drive to next Tuesday, I'll be in town anyway, I'll take them then.'
Such a big help I am!
Apparently the light drive is changed, but I don't know what to!
The funeral was today, I'll talk to her this weekend!

Sunday, December 18, 2011
Well, I think everything's under control!
Cabbage rolls are made, the Peanut Squares & Christmas Trees (that's what they're called) are made!
The tree is up!
The Nativity is UP!
Got a million little things done!
Sugar Cookie dough will be made today; for tomorrow!
B & L's December treats will be put together today...to be dropped off tomorrow!
The vacuming might get done today!
Floors will be washed about Thursday!

Here's a picture of the Christmas Tree cookies.

And this is them with the snow on top!

SU had an awesome sale; it's probably still going on, I know I ordered things I couldn't live without!
The glossy paper!? Not on sale, but ordered it to try the wax paper technique again!
I gave over half the package to a friend making a calendar!

Kalen doesn't have his Christmas card, or his parcel......... the tracking link says it was delivered Friday! Told him to get on it!

I might get a nap in today.....here's to wishful thinking!
I've been trying to find my Baked French Toast recipe for either Saturday or Sunday morning!

I've got some cards on the go, pretty sure they're nothing you guys wanna see until after Christmas!

Got dinner out with the GF's Tuesday & Wednesday! (Different GF's!)
Maybe the light drive with the seniors Tuesday...then my calendar is clear until the Casino the 28th & 29th!
Gotta work in there somewhere too!

V & S will be here Friday night.
Got the menu planned for the big day!

I did find this site for you though, good stuff here!
They're wise words......everyone should think about them this time of year!
And all year!

Better go!
Have a great week everyone!

Ta ta for now!

May your days be filled with love, joy and laughter.

Hello everyone!
The nativity is out!
Out, but not set up!
I'll fit it in!
I'm going out with the GF's tomorrow for supper.
Then to a friends house to put together the bags for Daddy & Me at the library Thursday night!
I tried to find a link, but of course I failed!
The dads bring the kids, and P & I help them write a letter to Santa, that he answers right away!
We print it out, and the dads read it to them!
Mrs. Claus serves cookies & milk, and the librarian reads all sorts of Christmas stories!
Friends of the library originally were the helpers when we started, now it's just me & P!
Makes me laugh...one year a 5 year old girl wanted a mechanical bull! hahahahaha

Yesterday morning the outdoor furnace was out!
Oh bother! I was outside at 6:15 am!
Ray had to go to work!
I was late for work (I texted the boss); Kalen said, "That sucks" later in a text.
I told him; in the book of AWESOME it was 'awesome it wasn't -40'!
I have a theory!
I think Ray places the wood in the stove too neatly.
It's piled up just so, and can't breathe!
I toss my wheelbarrel full in haphazardly, and pack it to the rafters, and as long as it's in, and not in the way of the fan, it's good to go!

I've made some cards for SAS4K's.
Been working on some birthday cards!
Did some for girls.

Then I got these cute Popcorn the Bear 3-D die cuts from Scrap & Stamp and played with them!

It's a 5 X 7 card. I used my new Bow Easy (how do you get your bows tight?), and a new die cut for the sentiment, which I embossed.

I have several more of Popcorn the Bear.

Each sheet makes 4 scenes!

I'm hoping they'll be good for younger boys!

Then I'm going to make some Valentine's cards!

Gotta send my aunt some recipes for Christmas.

Oh, I'll gitter er done!

(In the words of Larry the Cable Guy)

Better go.

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.--Dr. Seuss

I watched Disney's Prep & Landing yesterday while I had a minute in my craft room!
I'd give you a link, but who knew it was from 2 years ago, and now there's a sequel!
It was soooo CA-UTE!
Later I watched Santa Baby, while finishing up some BD cards.

I tried to watch Santa Baby 2, but couldn't get into it!

I watch TV or a movie while I'm making cards.

Yesterday the goal was to make spaghetti with meatballs & sauce.

Got the meatballs made, over half went to the freezer.

Made 2 batches of poppycock!

A batch of fudge.

Some of the poppycock ended up in the pails behind the fudge!

I have to get B & L's December treats to them this week!

They're leaving next week to Jamaica or Cuba or somewhere for their honeymoon!

They'l be gone for Christmas.

Got the house kinda cleaned, dug out the Christmas stuff...of course it's not up yet, but it will be!

Cleaned the freezer in the kitchen fridge, so besides the spaghetti & meatballs last night; I also cooked a package of fish (we caught), and a package of pork sausage. Go figure!

When the kids were home, once a week we'd have fridge soup.......clean out the fridge!

Now there's just not too many left overs!

Made a loaf of bread in the machine!

I also took out a bag of strawberries, and one of frozen pineapple, and they got turned into muffins!

Together!

They're not bad!

I've made Candy Cane Bark, shortbread cookies with a marachino cherry in them, and iced them!

I want to make Christmas Tree cookies yet, and some Peanut Squares, then I'll call it good!

I also have some hamburger out, and my cabbage to make cabbage rolls.

They'll be going back out to the freezer, they're for Christmas!

I'm gonna be busy this week!

All my Christmas cards have been sent!

No letter; I can't wait for the whining to begin!

I have about 15 cards already for next year!

The cats have all been fed & watered, twice!

Shadow's been looked after!

Garbage has been burnt, laundry's done!

Supposed to be warmer than normal this week too!

I got my treasures from Stamp Club, from being the Hostess!

I used a few on the birthday card on the top!

Gonna try out a few more later!

I've got a few more cards on the go!

It tried to snow last night, but was just a skiff.

Ray's hauling logs, Kalen should be moved into his new place, V had the day off from Michaels & Home Depot, her & S are coming for Christmas (so far)!

Hope you're all well!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

December Challenge for CCAYR!

December Challenge - We're going to make it easy this month because we just want people to play along, so the challenge is... Anything goes! Just make sure that they're newly created this month!
Yes, you heard it right - anything! Get out those scraps or the new stash you had to have this year, but never got the chance to use. Just start creating!

My cards for CCAYR!

Got a new embossing folder!

Can't really see it, but the Joy ornament is popped up, sparkly heat embossed, and tied with metallic thread!

Ta ta for now!

Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.--Richard Bach

I'm eating chicken (turkey) soup!
It's been my main diet since Friday, cause I woke up snuffly; except for dining out Saturday night and having the Baked French Onion Soup! I'm such a rebel!
I left for Rocky Mountain House at 10:30 am on Friday.
My favorite gas station in PR had shut down! WHO KNEW!
So I carried on to Nampa, which is about 20 miles south; where MY BANK CARD DIDN'T WORK!!!
I called my bank to see if there was a Credit Union further south, and there was...WAY further south!
I turned around & went back to PR where their CU had 1 (ONE) teller working!
My bank card had expired!
NOPE, didn't get a new one in the mail...NOTHIN!
That put me behind an hour!
Got to Rocky in the dark, and didn't know until I got to the stop sign to turn off Highway 22 that they had SNOW!
Got there in the dark people!
They had LOTS OF SNOW!
It snowed the whole time I was there!

Saturday I woke up and couldn't talk!
I told my aunt, "It's gonna be a great day!"
I'm from Rocky, so have a myriad of friends & family, and I don't necessarily get to see them all every time I'm there!
By 10:00 am I was coffeeing with an aunt & uncle and a cousin & husband!
12:00pm I was at my favorite scrapbookin store; where I bought things I just had to have! NOT!
1:10 I was at the anniversary party I went down for!
Remember THIS post!?
Here's the happy couple & the kids!

The guy in the middle here.....ring bearer!

By 5:00 pm I'm at my aunts, and we're on our way out the door for dinner & then to the Parade of Lights!

Was my first time seeing one, and I wasn't disappointed!

Look at these die hards!

They're actually in lawn chairs & blankets!

We sat in our vehicle, but it was only -1.

Great show!

I then went to the anniversary couples place to hang out a bit more with the relates!

This next one I took just before I walked in the back door at my aunts!

Did I say they had SNOW!?

My aunt said, "I bet you're glad you came?"

I told her I was, and told her that as I sat taking in the hum of voices, the laughter, minor squabbling, (some things never change), I couldn't help but reflect on the people who had sat in that family room with us at different times, for different occassions; who are gone now.

It was kinda sad.

I'm REALLY glad I went!

This is the road on the way home....didn't get much better the whole way!

See, my windshield's icing up too!

I got to work this morning with my scratchy voice and the guys are like hol-la!

I told them not toget their hopes up, I was gonna make it!!

Here was the sunset tonight!

A perfect ending to a whirlwind, fun weekend, and first day back to work!

I've got most of my Christmas cards in the mail, need a few more addresses.

I will be getting creative this week sometime!

Got a bunch of stuff to play with!

Better bake & decorate too!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.--W. Clement Stone

Oi! I don't know what's going on!
'I'm up insanely early!'
Ah well, Kalen did some research and discovered that him & I were in the 6% of people that only required 4-6 hours sleep, and could still function normally! (Whatever that is!)
I'm having trouble with the 'required' part, cause I'm pretty sure I could use more sleep!
Feels like it anyway!

V called last night. Her & S are splitting up.
I made all the appropriate 'mom' noises.......I think.
But in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "better now, than a few years down the road when there might be children involved."
I'm still sad cause my girl's hurtin.

Our snow is almost all gone.
I think this is our "Indian Summer"!
I've found out that nothing empties the bird feeder faster than a 100 mph wind!
It's hovering around 0 this morning.

Been busy at work.
We have to hire a Safety person.
We need someone to do all that paperwork and catch us up.
We've been doing just enough to slide by, but that area's sorely lacking, and D & I just can't spend enough time on it.
D's decided that the safety person needs to be able to get stuff ready in the yard for the guys, and be in charge of getting the Field Tickets signed, so I can invoice them, and be the dispatcher.
Those are some pretty BIG shoes to fill; then of course they have to pass the 'Gail test'!
That's a story for another day!

I baked all day Sunday, Monday after work I had a meeting, which gave me a headache, Tuesday was my stamp club, last night I sorted AVON & went for dinner with the GF's.
Yesterday I came home from work, and it smelled like something had died in here!?
I took the garbage out, poured a little bleach into the dishwasher (that sitting water smells sometimes), smelled in the pantry...........
Sorted the Avon, went out for dinner, came back, and the smell hit me when I walked through the door!?
I had to get serious about finding that.....I opened the cupboard doors under the sink, and my nose was close enough to the dishrag to get a whiff, and I almost gagged!
The dishrag got tossed into bleachy water ASAP!
Gotta ask Ray what the heck he's been washing with it!?
Glad I figured that out though!

Here are the wonderful things we created in Stamp Club.
The one on the left holds tea bags!
The 'NOEL' holds a gift card.

This stocking is a gift card holder too!

And this little purse holds lip balm, or your lipstick, or a gift card....it's so cute!

Our demonstrator also showed us how to do the soot stamping.

We didn't get to try that, cause she didn't want her house burned down....smart girl!

AND......I found out that SU has even glossier paper than the stuff I used for the wax paper embossing fiasco over here!

YUP, I ordered some!

Hope you're all well!

I'll be off on my adventure for the weekend tomorrow morning, hopefully all the guys time is in today so they get paid!

Have a great weekend!

Ta ta for now!