Mom's everywhere - this is too good not to share!

I saw this on a blog of Kay Luna from the QC Times, she used to be my Clinton contact for the paper before she moved to QC area, anyway, she had this posted last month and I thought you might need a laugh! I promise to post more updates here soon, but when you take a week off to play, you end up paying when you return and time is short.... so until later - Have a great day! www.mothertalkers.com/story/2008/11/25/22412/880

Enough already......

Where is global warming when you need it? We have already surpassed our snow amount from last year at this time. In December 2007, by today we had measured 7 1/2 inches, we are over 14 for 2008.... As a person who is required to physically move that white stuff, I say let's all think spring!
The only thing worse than the white stuff, is the ice and they are calling for 1/4 - 3/4 inch of that junk with 3-8 inches of white stuff on top of it.... now that has got to go!
Well at least I've vented, and that's about all we can do... hang in there!

Family Christmas 2008

I am ready for Family Christmas...for the past decade plus, we have been celebrating the holiday on the Saturday before the 25th. This has been nice for my sister's family from out of state. Their second daughter celebrates a birthday on December 26th (poor kid), and so it allows them to have the holiday at home as well as her special day. My other sister hosts the event and it frequently ends up in a major sleepover, an adventure in itself!

I just need to finish wrapping a few more things (4 to be exact) and do the cookies and prepare the appetizers, all last minute details.

Christmas has always been very special to our family, hard to believe Dad's been gone 14 years, but somehow I think he would be pleased. The family has grown by leaps and bounds (22 now with 18 planning on being together) and we add another member this year with my daughter's fiancee. Everyone is anxious to meet him and get to know him. The grandbaby is one now so will add an extra level to the festivities for sure.... I am ready!

It probably adds up, but my math skills are lacking...

Take a cold icy, snowy, stormy day
add a community that is not famous for street conditions
Stir into the mix a bored board who cancels their monthly meeting because it's too treacherous
to go out
partial in the fact that the community (city managed) rec center found it unsafe to remain open
and it equals a closing time of 9pm as usual for us.....
I feel so loved :(

Symphony of Lights -

Last night I had received a "free pass" to view the Symphony of Lights. Ironically the pass was from the Financial office that handles my IRA... okay so I guess they can now say they offered a "bright light" to the dim situation we have all been encountering.

The pass was only good from 8pm - 9pm and they offered holiday refreshments and Santa in the Lodge.

I decided to drive thru and further boost my holiday spirit. It was beautiful with the new snow from yesterday.

I guess maybe I need to take some vitamins now to help boost my energy level to match my boosted holiday spirit!

Well hopefully this weekend I can get started on my holiday baking.....

Merry Christmas!

Chicago Shopping -Reconnecting

I had a call Tuesday from a dear friend and former neighbor, Barb. She was going to Chicago on a shopping trip and wanted to know if I could join her. I had taken the day off previously because of use or loose vacation status so quickly agreed.

Barb moved to Bettendorf and then later to Des Moines area over 15 years ago, but we have stayed in touch.

It was a great day to shop, sunny, brisk, (but not extremely cold) and snow falling as we left town. We shopped Water Tower, had lunch at Cheesecake Factory (I had peppermint special with fudge crust and white chocolate.....) stopped in Tiffany's (just couldn't decide so guess will have to go back), Crate & Barrel, Macy's and then the popcorn shop. It was definitely a great way to get in the holiday spirit and fun watching the people!

Thanks Barb for a great chance to catch up and let's try and do it again!

He's 1 Already

It was a great Thanksgiving as Chris, Mary and the little guy were able to be home for Thanksgiving. It was nice to be able to spend time with them and neat that I had been out there in October, because it only took a few minutes for him to remember me!We celebrated an early birthday and he definitely was getting into opening the packages. Since he open's all "his mail" (junk mail) at home he was excited about the cards.Hard to believe he is no longer a baby - but he still is grandma's sweetie!Can't wait for Christmas.....

Love Knitting

I knitted this hat in prepartion for the January Knit-a-thons. I will be teaching girl scouts and young adults how to knit in December. In January & February we will have several Saturdays where we will knit baby hats for the hospital nursery.

Stay tuned, I found some really simple patterns that are all knit and make a quick cap for the very beginners!

I am entering the blogging world on a personal front.
Hopefully this will be a place I can save, share and store projects, ideas and who knows....
I work two jobs and maintain a home and garden, so posts might not be real frequent, we'll see.