found this cool giveaway and what looks to be a neat Christmas album…will have to go back and check it out in more detail…
http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2008/12/20/christmas-mini-album-pages-6-7-plus-150-give-a-way/
Back to non-procrastination…
Sh@ron
A quote:
“Others may argue about whether the world ends with a bang or a whimper. I just want to make sure mine doesn’t end with a whine” - Barbara Gordon
Something to think about…
Sh@ron
The big Secret, that is! Stay tuned for more details and information. And no, you won’t have to wait very long, because it will happen in less than 3 days. I can’t wait to share and hear what y’all think… Stay tuned!
Hugs…
Sh@ron
Things are going to get a bit crazy around here and the mounting pile of things-to-do is growing, not diminishing. So, I’ll try to do a quick post, now and then, to let you know I’m still here and kicking but stay tuned for more news, photos and other good things. Which it all is really. And will only get better. Here’s to a POSITIVE new year - 2009!
Hugs,
Sh@ron
Mom - this is what you got Adam…he’s been asking for it forever! And you know how he is about Dinosaurs!
And we put together our resources to give Thomas some cash to help get his car back on the road.
The boys opening more gifts…one of the few I have both guys in the shot…until I made them pose by the tree before Thomas left. Thomas got some necessary stuff…but like I told him, that’ll free up his cash to buy what he wants/needs later. Adam got a video game, a new controller for his PS3 and a bluetooth so I could have mine back! “They” got me a shiatsu massager pillow (w/ heat) to help with my tension headaches that I get now & then, a cupcake kit w/ a pretty little stand, and a Sansa Clip 4 gig mp3 player to keep me company when I start doing the 5k’s with Chryssy next year. I think they’ve also noticed my Willow Tree collection…as Thomas mentioned something about another gift after he gets his first paycheck.
Even the animals got a few gifts. That’s Copper with a new squeaky toy. It was destroyed earlier this morning. He also has a round, rubbery ball for chewing…looks like a snowball. I don’t think that he can destroy it. We actually time him to see how long it takes him to decimate the fabric ones! This one’s taken him the longest,but I think he was just trying to be nice and hang back so we didn’t feel too bad for the poor squeaky. The cats got a new SuperScratcher with fresh catnip. They both Love this thing…just look at them all kicked back and looking chill.
And finally, one last photo of the boys in front of the Christmas tree. I believe they both had their shoes on, so you can see how close in height they are. I think Thomas is 5′9″ to 5′10″, Adam is probably 5′8″ to 5′9″…and I’m 5′7″, so yes, they are now both taller than me. Sigh. It’s undeniable now…
And if you’re looking for one of me, there’s probably one coming that was taken yesterday. I’ll put it up after I get it. Along with a photo of my stand mixer! Look out Giada, Rachel and Paula!
Hoping you all had a Merry Christmas and get to spend some time relaxing and enjoying what’s left of your holiday!
Sh@ron
I had no doubts. Even without the Martha-like decorating and food presentation…we had a great day. I started out at church for a quick Christmas morning service, stopped by Walgreen’s to have some 4 x 6 prints made (my photo printed at home decided to stop printing red, it only liked green. Not attractive) to go in my cards, then swung by to pick up the boys to go up to my dad’s (45-60 minute drive). We had a wonderful time…the boys played their Wii, we ate, talked and caught up with each other’s lives, I french braided Ali & Barbara’s hair - hadn’t done that in forever - especially someone else’s hair!, opened gifts - more handmade ones this year - will have to share, they were fab, and truly enjoyed spending time together. Thomas drove home and we chatted the whole time. It’s really nice to just be able talk to your grown (yes, but really?!) kids and relate to them more as adults than parent-to-child. Praise God the boy got a job this week! It’s back at Sonny’s but the whole management team has changed and they really needed the help. They were very thankful that he already had the “uniform”, knew all the procedures, menu and how everything worked. He should be getting a raise next week as well. So, he’s happy, busy (40 hours a week!) and should be able to get things back on track soon. Thank goodness! We got home around 5pm and opened our gifts. Yes, I tortured them a bit by making them wait nearly all day. But they didn’t seem too bothered…they had presents last night with their dad and his family. Then up at Grandpa/Grandma’s…then at home. More Christmas…all spread out. It’s getting more and more difficult to buy for them as they get older. Cash always seems to be a good fit, but you still want them to open some lumpy, rattling, “what could this be?” gift. So, I usually go back to when they were little and get them a thing or two from that time period. Mostly for fun…so I don’t spend a lot, but their eyes really light up at these little reminders. This year, it was matchbox cars (Adam’s really into classic muscle cars right now - the really ones, of course) and those mini skateboards (tech decks or something like that) with cool graphics on the underside of the boards. Adam’s into skulls and Thomas’ had a king of hearts playing card on it…he loves poker, but they both have lots of great holiday memories of playing cards with Grandma & Grandpa and Great-Grandma in Illinois. Wonderful memories. Then and now. Stockings with candy, gum, and an ornament for their own trees someday. Traditions. A good day. A very, very good day. I’ll upload photos tomorrow… Peace!
Sh@ron
The pies have been baked, the turkey is ready to be stuffed, bagged and put in the oven, the casseroles are prepared and my *new* KitchenAid stand mixer is ready to be christened! Yup, a bit of an early present and I am so excited to use it. Normally, I’m not crazy about getting an appliance for a gift, but this one is the exception. I can whip up to 6 pounds of potatoes with it! Several dozen batches of cookie dough…oh my! And these things last forever, so I’ll probably have to leave it in my will to a granddaughter or something. LOL…
So, it’s after midnight now - Merry Christmas!! Looking forward to spending the day with family and friends. I’m off work until Monday, so it’ll be a long, luxurious weekend. Well, luxurious might be overstating it if you saw my “to-do” list! Anyway, it’s never boring around here.
Wishing each and every one of you a very merry and safe Christmas holiday…when I count my blessings, I always count YOU!
With love….
Sh@ron
Okay…a few answers to some questions I’ve gotten (wow, do you people sleep?! LOL….).
No, I am not “looking” for a boyfriend. Having come this far in life I realize that when the time is right, things will change. So be it. I’m okay with that and being what my priorities are right now, it’s probably for the best. So, relax…don’t start calling Aunt Martha about that guy in her neighborhood that drives that “responsible-looking” Volvo. Really. Also of note…I am writing more…and my blog is an extension of that. So, I may play with words, take a thought out for a test drive and see what it can do or where it takes me. And finally, no…I am not a lesbian. Power tools and volleyball not withstanding.
Looking forward to expounding on some New Years thoughts I started last night. I’m thinking it might wind up in some “book” to my son’s as they start facing the world. “Was Mom Right or Just Full of **It? “ Okay, okay…more coffee. Got it. Have a great day! Love ya. Mean it!
Sh@ron
I bought a “boyfriend” sweater yesterday. (Forgive the typo’s, it’s 48 dergrees in Florida tonight and the dog decided he had to urgently go outside. Again.) I’ve been single for so long that any former boyfriend garments are long gone. Gone to Goodwill, thrown out the window on to the lawn, used to wash the car, whatever. They’re ex’s right? It’s fair game… Anyway, it looked so good and I knew there’d be nothing cozy and comfortable in the women’s section. So, what if the sleeves are a little long (like 4″ too long!) and it “hides” my shape because it’s really too big? It’s warm, it’s comfortable…and a bit reassuring to think that maybe someday there’ll be someone in my life that has more of these that I can “borrow”. Or, if you are (or know of someone who is) on the tall side (the sleeves, remember?), likes black and wear a size Medium - maybe you can borrow my “boyfriend” sweater?
On another note…gearing up for the new year and the fresh start a new calendar always seems to inspire. With the economy being in such a mess, it’s good to feel like you’ve got a bit of control over your life, even if it’s little things. Like eating better. Or training to run 5K’s (or more?!). Or scheduling time to write. Maybe even make a career change if the situation warrants. What would you do if there were no roadblocks? (Detour here, hold on!) Nothing. Including money, time…all the usual suspects. Write them down. Now, consider them. Really, why couldn’t you do it? Maybe you can’t just quit your job, leave everything to go on a missions trip to South America. But maybe you can use some of your vacation time this summer to chaperone a teen missions group to South America. Or maybe you can’t put everything aside to go back to school and study whatever-it-is that would make you happy. But why can’t you begin taking a course or two during the evenings? You won’t get there as fast, but you’ll certainly get there faster than if you continue to do nothing. True? (Back to the main road) So, that’s what’s on my mind…getting to some of the goals I’ve already set for myself…maybe I can try sailing now that my shoulder’s somewhat healed (though yes, I know…always at risk for injury). Finish up my web design certificate, renew my Massage Therapy License…and go back to school to be a Physical Therapy Assistant (have to look to the medical field for employment possibilities - it’s the most stable!). The Year in Review (2008) and the New Year Ahead (2009) sound like good themes for some projects Jenny and I have been discussing.
Good day at work…will share more on that after the holidays. Let’s just say the count is at 2…those in the know, shhhh…we’ll see what happens by the end of the week! We’re off Wednesday at noon for the remainder of the week. Back to work Monday 12/29 - but again off Wednesday at noon for the rest of the year! And the best part…I’m carrying 2 personal days from 2008 into 2009!
Time for bed peeps…it’s getting late. I’m tired and Jenny wore me out chatting earlier! (What’s that saying? I never said it was your fault, I just said I was going to blame you?)
Sh@ron
This is how it starts:
And it should end up something like this:
to be used like this:
And I’m making more tags today.
Housework? Umm, yeah…maybe later. Much later! Hope everyone has a great Saturday doing something they love. Like skipping housework when you want to play. So, if you drop by to see me, great. If you drop by to see my house, call first! Like a week ahead! And I’ll still probably try and convince you to meet me at Panera Bread or something! LOL…
