A question from Alayna

Tonight we are watching the movie "The Santa Clause" and Alayna asked if Santa was real. I wasn't expecting that question so soon.

Ode to the Onion

I know I have been up a long time today (check previous post), and I know that I am old and my memory is failing me...but this afternoon I was cleaning out the fridge and working on meal prep for next week. Well, I had a really nice onion...really a 1/2 of an onion in a ziploc bag in the fridge. I know it was there...I touched it...I saw it...and I moved it I guess. I went to get it to cut it up and can't find it. I looked everywhere - even in the trash and can't find it. I spent about 30 minutes retracing my steps and can't figure out what I did with it. I will find it, probably in a drawer or somewhere. I even ask Alayna if she had it (now that is bad when you have to ask a 5 year old about an onion!) and she said "Grandma you had it, where did you put it?" Now, if I knew the answer to that question, I would not have been asking her!! Someone contact the nursing home...I will be there soon.

Visit with Santa.

Here is the picture that was taken today of Alayna with some strange man!!! She won't tell Santa what she wanted, but with some prompting from me Santa and I got her started talking about some of the stuff she wants...like a puppy!!! Please Oma???

Great Thanksgiving and other stuff...

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. Mom and I went to my brother Larry's house. My sister-in-law went all out with an absolutely gorgeous table. We ate the meal by candlelight on her mother's china which, of course made a wonderful meal taste even better! I really loved the boys (you know who you are) playing the "glasses" after dinner. They were putting liquid in the stemmed glasses and running their fingers around the top of the glasses to make music. It is a shame that Thanksgiving only comes once a year since the food it so great. Gail made some really pretty pies with cutouts on the crust instead of crimping the edges. I had pecan pie with real whipped topping - not that bought stuff!!

On Friday, we went back to Larry & Gail's and had waffles before mom and I went off to points beyond. Mom was flying to Phoenix later in the day, so we went to do a tad of shopping. We went to Joann's Fabrics but the checkout line was terrible. Mom and I didn't feel that we needed anything that bad. We went to Archivers, which is a scrapbook store, and spent some time. After that we ate lunch and then sat at the airport for about 2 hours before mom finally went through security into the gate and I left the airport. She still had about an hour to wait. I hung around the airport for about 3o minutes before I finally left. I felt bad about leaving her alone at the airport. She called later during her layover in Denver and said that it was really snowing hard. She made it to Phoenix right on time and I know if enjoying the warm weather.

I made it home last night about 7. I was so tired, but the traffic was pretty hectic which helped me stay awake for the drive home. This morning I was up at 4:30 and at Wal-Mart by 5:15 for grocery shopping. I left there 2 hours later, REALLY broke, and very tired. Came home and put the groceries away and then off to Sears with Kristi and Alayna to have their picture taken, then off to Bass Pro with Brian to get his coat and stuff for his job change. And finally, I am at home and really tired. I am "resting" for a short time before I start on meal prep for next week.

Tom, Kristi, and Alayna went to Carl & Janice's house for Thanksgiving. They said they had a really nice time. Kristi even brought home some ham with the request for scalloped potatoes and ham for dinner tomorrow. I think I can do that!! I didn't ask Brian what he ended up doing...am I a bad mother or what????

Right now, Tom is out hanging new Christmas lights on the house. I wish that I was more excited about Christmas, but as those of you who know me really well know that I really don't like Christmas. I hate re-arranging my house for a tree that is only up a few weeks, having to buy presents (I hate to shop), and the cold. But, Tom had the tree up before I got home and is going to decorate it tonight or tomorrow. Bah Humbug.

I guess I should go "supervise" the light show outside. Everyone knows that you must have a female present if you want something done right!!! I have a feeling that we will be at Lowe's tonight getting more lights. Men can't have enough lights.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Today is turkey day and this is the first time in years that we have went in our separate directions and the first time in 28 years that Tom and I have not spent it in the same place. Mom and I are going to Independence to have dinner with Larry and family. Tom, Kristi and Alayna are going to Granny & Grandpapa's house in Booneville. Brian is planning on going to his friends house, but I wonder if he will bail out and stay at home!

Mom and I will be staying at a hotel tonight because mom flies to Phoenix tomorrow afternoon to spend 2 weeks with Debbie and family. We are talking about being up early and going shopping a little for a few good deals while we are in Independence, but don't have a lot of money so it won't be a long time out there. It will probably be just me, but I will go to get a few items if I feel like it. Got my sale ad's and going to study them tonight and make my list. We will see how far I will get!!

I thought I would close this post on Thanksgiving Day with a partial listing of what I am thankful for...there is so much that I could never post it all.

• I am thankful for my family.
• I have the wonderful opportunity to see and talk to my mother on a daily basis. I know that I don't have a lot of Thanksgivings left with mom, so I want to enjoy each one I have.
• I also have a terrific husband who is very understanding and loving. He puts up with me on a daily (at work and at home) and still smiles about it - wonder what he is really thinking!
• I have 2 great kids who have grown into wonderful adults. They are both very loving and caring and show that daily to everyone they encounter. They are very close to both Tom and I and are a great support group for us.
• I am very thankful for a beautiful grand-daughter that lives with us and it allows us to see her daily, and see the changes that she goes through each day. She gives the best kisses and hugs and tells us that she loves us each day.
• I am thankful for a wonderful set of in-laws in Carl & Janice. They have been great to our family, helping out whenever we need it. Thankful for all the laughs, smiles, dinners, and just chatting not to mention the love they share.
• Something else that I am thankful for is siblings - all 4 of them. Gene, Larry, Kris, and Bob. Even though Gene is no longer with us, I am thankful for the opportunity to know him and have great memories of him. Larry is going through cancer treatment right now and I am thankful that he is enduring this treatment and so thankful that I can spend part of the day with him today. I am thankful to have a sister to talk to as well. I also have another brother by marriage and am thankful for the time we spend together and all of the great memories I have with him. He has provided a lot of laughs through the years.
• I am thankful for my extended family, Lauri, Jody, Steve, Beth, Rob, Scott, David, Jason, and all their families. There is nothing better then getting together as a family and hearing all the voices, laughter, and smiles that come from having a family gathering. I wish we could get together more often, it always leaves such great memories.
• I am thankful for friends. Great people who make you laugh, smile, and help you understand what is going on in your life. Like a cheap psychologist!!!
• I am thankful for my job - even if it is a pain sometimes. At least I am able to contribute to making sure we eat, have a home to gather, cars to drive, and a few luxuries in life. Also, the friends that I have there. Makes going to work worth while.
• The wonderful military folks - both active and retired. They have giving so much to make sure we stay safe and enjoy the life we have grown to love. If it wasn't for them, no telling where we would be. They have my admiration. Thank you so much for your sacrifices.

There is so much more that I am thankful for but I don't have time to list it all here. I hope that this gives you a glimpse of some of the things that I am thankful for and remember to give thanks today.

Have a great Turkey day!!! Be safe if you are traveling.

Nothing much going on here...

I thought I would update to say that we are pretty boring around here...at least for a short time. We are busy, but it seems to be boring busy to the outside world I am sure.

Kristi had her 3 month biopsy on Monday. The doctor was so concerned that she wanted Kristi in right away for this biopsy. They got the results back today and told Kristi that it is still mild...the last one that showed cancer was wrong. We talked about it and Kristi is going to go to a another doctor to make sure. Cancer is nothing to play with and this has been going on for a over a year now and we are getting concerned.

Mom has been busy getting ready to go to Arizona. Her back is hurting again and I am not sure how she is going to make this trip to and from. She is in a lot of pain by the middle of the afternoon after sewing. She has 3 quilts in a quilt show that is on this week-end. My sister-in-law is coming from Independence to see it. I hope to go on Sunday since I have to work on Saturday. I have to take her on Sunday to pick up her quilts anyway, might as well look at a few while I am there.

Alayna is about the same. She got in trouble tonight for saying something very bad, so she got sent to bed early. The daycare seems to be rubbing off the wrong way, but of course she is 5.

Well...I guess this is enough about us...more when we are exciting!!!

TGIS (Thank God its Saturday)

This has been a heck of a week. It was a payroll week for me, so that meant a very busy week. Top that off with Brian's job woes, Kristi sick, weather, and all of the other stuff going on at work you set yourself up for a week from down below! Of course, this wasn't all that happened this week.

Brian did not get the job that he wanted. He will be transferring to Telephone repair on December 1. He is not happy about this and has started sending out resume' for other jobs. Brian is really quick learner, but I don't really think he is cut out for telephone repair. He is looking forward to the raise in pay, but not anything else. I told him to keep his chin up and do his best until he can find something else.

Kristi is getting over her cold/sinus infection. This really grabbed her and held on. On top of this she is dealing with a terrible teacher in Sociology class. Also, she has to go on Monday for another uterine biopsy. She has to go every 3 months for tests and the test results are not getting any better. Pre-cancerous with more cells at each biopsy. I am going to ask the doctor this time about switching to a oncologist instead of a GYN doctor. I am really afraid that she is going to have to have a hysterectomy in the very near future.

Mom is leaving to go to Arizona to see the grandkids on November 28th for 2 weeks. I happened to check the airline and she could get a ticket for $90 and we couldn't pass up this deal. Mom is really excited about seeing the grandkids out there not to mention the warm weather. We are going to Larry & Gails for Thanksgiving dinner and then mom and I will spend the night and I will take her to the airport on Friday.

Amy is in the hospital. For those of you who don't know - Amy is my van. When we bought my van the salesman kept referring it to Amy's van because it was used by the owners wife, Amy. So we just named her Amy after that. Anyway, Thursday mom and I decided that we wanted to go see Larry while he was in the hospital for his 2nd round of chemo. I noticed just after we left home that I was getting cold air while mom was getting warm air. Stopped at Chrysler and they put in a new module. Well, that only made it worse - now it was all cold. We made it to and from Independence to see Larry with the aid of heated seats. At least something was warm!!! Took the van in on Friday and they have to ordered parts so she won't be home until mid-week next week. They said that she was sick. They told Tom that we could come and get it last night to drive it until the parts come in, but no heat. Tom told them absolutely not...we have both mom and Alayna riding in there and we need heat. So they got us a rental car.

Today, Tom, Kristi, Brian, and one of Kristi's friends are going to see the new James Bond movie. Alayna, Oma, and I will be stuck at home...ahhhh we won't be out in this cold...bummer :)

Another birthday celebration for Kristi

Today is Sunday and we are waiting for Granny, Grandpapa and Uncle Bob to arrive for our birthday dinner for Kristi. Must be nice to have several celebrations for your birthday. On Friday, they had a breakfast celebration and then a lunch celebration with a couple of the deans from the college attending. Then we had our celebration on Friday night and now another one today.

She is feeling a little better today, spent most of the day sleeping yesterday which is probably what she needed. It was jammies day for Alayna and she was so excited about staying in her pj's all day. She helped me scrapbook, so I only got one 2-page layout done. I would have been done with 2006 Christmas if I didn't have such a good helper.

Tom worked on my desktop computer which is the print server here. It will be nice to print at home again instead of taking everything to work to print it. He also watched most of the NASCAR / Nationwide race yesterday while I napped. I just couldn't stay awake yesterday afternoon. I think my blood pressure was up again. I know this week has been miserable without my medicine. But, I finally convinced the Rx that I needed it and they got off there tushies and called the doctor. I didn't know that they had not called or I would have called the doctor myself. My blood pressure this week has been running 176/112, 182/108, 170/115, etc. No wonder I felt bad.

I understand that we are going to Larry & Gails for Thanksgiving dinner this year. (Oops, Gail, forgot to call you didn't I? Well, we are planning on coming...set 3 more settings for dinner). Dinner is a 6 pm, so this gives us time to get up, ready and to KC and we don't have to get up before breakfast if we don't want! Alayna and Kristi are planning on going to Booneville to Granny & Grandpapa's this year. I know Brayden will be upset about not seeing Alayna, but it is hard to split a 5 year old in two! I am not sure what Brian is going to do yet, he hasn't decided. We just sprung this on him Friday night.

I better get back to the kitchen. Alayna just decorated her mom's birthday cake. It is one of a kind!!!

Happy Birthday to Kristi...

Yesterday was Kristi's birthday. Sadly, she is sick with a sinus infection so it didn't make for a nice birthday. We did have her requested meal last night even thought she really didn't feel like eating. I will make it again when she gets to feeling better. She got a lot of nice presents this year. Brian surprised her with an external hard drive full of the series and shows that she has been asking for. Now, she can watch them or copy them to a DVD. She also got a satellite radio for her truck and a picture frame with a recorded message from Alayna. Her last present was a container of "puppy chow" for her to snack on. It was a joke since Tom would not allow her to have a dog for her birthday. I told her that since she couldn't get the dog I would give her the "chow" for her instead. Since she didn't want a cake until Sunday with Granny & Grandpapa I made chocolate fondue. Do you know how hard it is to explain to a 5 year old what fondue is when you are buying stuff for a lettace salad. But, once the chocolate was melted and she got the idea she ate very well. She loves chocolate and this was chocolate covered everything!!!

This has been a wild week. With the election, weather, my blood-pressure, Kristi sickness, Brian's job issues, and his recent break-up with his long time girlfriend. I am glad that it is the week-end and we don't have to go anywhere today if we don't want. Mom is going to town to get her cheese cloth for her fruit cakes (yuk!). She forgot she needed some when I was at the store yesterday.

Mom is working on another quilt. This was is really pretty. It is black and white - mainly black. I can't wait until she gets this one finished. She has a couple of quilts that will be displayed in an upcoming quilt show. There is a record number of quilts on display at this show, so I guess that I will have to go and see them all. I am sure that she will want pictures of some of the designs to try to make on her own.

Last weekend we spent all weekend outside cutting trees for firewood. But, this weekend our chains are getting sharpened so we can't finish what we started. We have another chain saw, but don't think Tom wants to use it. If it wasn't so windy, we would get the mower and vacuum out and rake leaves but we can't burn them due to the wind so I doubt we will do that. I see a quiet week-end in my future. I guess I have rambled on enough. I think I will go start breakfast and then maybe I will scrapbook some today. I am still working on 2006 Christmas pictures!!

Busy Week-end

Last week was a busy week for everyone here. It was my 4-10 hour day week, meaning that I am suppose to get one day off, but it never happens for me. I have a hard time taking off a day because I have to have reports done on a daily basis. Usually, I take half-days off when I take time off and that it what I did to burn my 8 hours this week. Part of the day was on Friday. I always dress up as the same sweet lady, V. D. (Virginia Davis, Certified Bovine Midwife). Everyone loves it when I dress up but I am not fond of it. I get a headache every time I do this which I think is from being an idiot for a long period of time. Of course, I have a wig on, lots of make-up, funky teeth, etc. On Friday, I left at 2 to go to Alayna's pre-school for her program but realized sitting in the parking lot that I was the only one dressed up. So, I came home instead. Kristi and Alayna didn't stay very long either since it was a mad-house there.

Friday night we went to several house and ended up at Booneville trick-or-treating at Granny and Grandpapas house. I think they really liked seeing her and having her come to the house. She got to trick-or-treat here at home with Oma who gave her a DVD that I had bought for her. We also made a stop at Uncle Owen and Aunt Kris' house. Alayna has to stop there to see Uncle Owen because he always has candy - even if it is not Halloween.

Yesterday and today we have been doing the "Reynolds family - we need wood for winter game." On Saturday we spent 4 hours outside and today was about 6. This is a heck of a work-out. I have been hiking for the last 3 week-ends and this was a better work-out than any hike I could have done. We got one area cleaned up, but it is not quite done. The chainsaw kept breaking so we decided that it was telling us to stop, so we did. On Saturday, the entire family got out and worked for most of the time, but today everyone scattered except Tom and I. I guess they figured out that they didn't like to work!! Really, Oma went to church and the lunch at church and Kristi went to spend some time with Bubby.

I may have to go to jury duty this week. I know I don't have to go tomorrow but they said that there are jury trials Tuesday - Friday so we will have to see. Since I have served on a sequester jury that ended in the death penalty I am suppose to be exempt from jury duty, but I got called anyway. I am not sure if they will keep me after they find out. I don't mind serving, just really don't want the experience the emotional toll that the last trial did to me. Sentencing someone to death is a real hard thing to do.