New Year's Eve!!

Wishing all my friends (and family) here on Blogger a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!!!

Monday Quiz About Me....

The MEME Monday Quiz About Me:  Brought to you by Heather and Wayne, at Acting Balanced.  Join in by going HERE.

1. Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?  I really didn't have anything in mind that I wanted. I got quite a few very nice things, and a generous gift card to go shopping at my favorite Coldwater Creek store, so no complaints!

2. Do you plan to make New Year's Resolutions or set new goals?  What do you resolve or hope for in the new year?  I stopped making resolutions years ago. Of course I hope to lose weight, but resolutions get broken by week two, so I just don't make them anymore.

3. December 30th is National Bicarbonate of Soda day - (yes this is really a day) - what do you use it for?  I use it in baking and sometimes to clean the stainless steel kitchen sink, but that's about it.

4. Liam wants to know what kind of car you drive... or what kind of car is your dream car?  I drive a Kia Sportage that is going on seven years old. It is paid for and I take good care of it. I always keep a car for 10-12 years.  Love my Kia, though.  Joe drives a Kia Spectra, that he likes very much. It is also almost seven years old and paid for. I like having them both paid for!!  If I won the lottery (a BIG one) I might have to go look at Land Rovers. 

5.  My question for you folks reading this is:   My sister-in-law leaves their 7-foot tree in the formal living room all year long, and she changes the decorations for the season. I'm not sure I could handle that. When do you take your decorations down (or do you leave them up and change them, like she does?)??

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Monday (if there is such a thing)!!  Peace, love & hugs!!

Sunday....

When I woke up this morning (at 8:30!!!), my first thought was that 'this time tomorrow, I will have been at work for over an hour already'....  Good golly, what happened to my time off??!!

After a nice big breakfast (really, brunch), Joe and I got busy and put the inside Christmas decorations, including the tree, all away.  The boxes have been taped shut and returned to the attic.  We still have outside decorations to put away, but it feels nice to have taken back the inside and cleaned up a bit.  I think this is the first time, ever, that the tree has been put away before New Year's Day.  It got here too fast, and with it being in the middle of the week, it just really feels over now. I know it should continue until January 6th, for the Epiphany, but I don't need the tree up to keep the reason for the season in my heart.

The 50th anniversary party we attended last night was very nice!  David and Jean have three children - two boys and a girl. Their daughter did all the food for the open house, and she also scanned and put together a video of 1,300 photos, documenting their life.  We watched 10 minutes of it and saw a section on pets, a section on birthday celebrations, and part of a section documenting how they bought the old farm house and did the addition and renovation.  I'm sure we missed most of it, but what a wonderful gift for them to have, and to add to.  Their announcement was in the newspaper this morning - also well done.  There were so many people there that it was hard to move about. The house is about a mile from the main highway, back a dirt lane that sees tractor traffic more than automobile traffic. They even had valet parking. It was a great tribute to their life together.

I cooked a turkey breast a couple of days ago, and pulled it apart in lunch-size bags and put them in the freezer. Yesterday, I made meatloaf....actually two. We had one yesterday and most of the second today, so I have meatloaf packaged and ready for me to take for lunch tomorrow. I like meatloaf, and make mine with oatmeal, rather than bread crumbs. Haven't had it for a long time. It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.

We have no plans for New Year's Eve, but I invited Helen and Cheryl to come for lunch, New Year's Day.  I have a roast to put in the crock pot.  I'm the only one who likes sauerkraut, so we won't be having the traditional pork, black-eyed peas and sauerkraut.  Do you have traditions for New Year's Day?

The Eagles vs Cowboys football game is on, and we are (of course) hoping the Eagles win. The last load of laundry is in the washing machine. Life is good.  It has been a wonderful Christmas break for me. Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you a good week ahead!  Peace, love & hugs!

Saturday Blessings....

I spent the morning writing thank you notes to friends and family, for gifts, delicious meals, and for love and friendship offered all year long.  As I wrote them and addressed them, my thoughts were on the blessings given and how a simple thank you note seemed not enough. So many blessings!!

I am also blessed with the friendship and love I feel from my connections here. Over the years, I have met some of you in person, which takes the 'cyber-friendship' up a notch. Blessings indeed!!  Thank you for stopping by my page and reading my sometimes very boring drivel and leaving an encouraging message for me! Friendships made here are true friendships.

We will go to church this afternoon, for the 4:00 Vigil Mass.  Then we are stopping by the home of one of the Museum's Board Members.  He and his wife are celebrating 50 years of marriage and are having an open house today, from 4:30 - 8:00.  We were honored to receive an invitation!  I really like David and appreciate his leading the building & grounds committee of our Board.  Building & grounds is part of my department, so I work more closely with him (and the treasurer) than any of the other board members.  His wife is also a good supporter.  They live on a ranch south of town. They have a lovely old restored home, acres of land with cattle and out buildings holding old car hobbies.  We have been there before, a couple of times. They lend their home to the American Cancer Society for a big fund-raiser each year (Cattle Barron's' Ball), and have hosted the Museum staff there for picnics that included hay-rides through the fields. Generous, very sweet people.

I intended to get Christmas put away today, but Joe wanted to rest his knee (good idea) so I didn't ask him to climb up into the attic to bring down boxes. Maybe we'll get to it tomorrow.

I need to start getting ready for our evening, so will sign off for now.  Thank you again for your friendship and I wish everyone a wonderful new year!  Peace, love & hugs to you all!!

Oh - I almost forgot!  Took this picture at Sam's Club yesterday.  On to the next holiday, I guess!!

Friday Five.....

I won't link up with the Friday Random Five today, but will keep my post short, just the same....

• We had a great time with our friends, last night, enjoying a delicious dinner, some interesting drinks, and lots of good conversation and laughter!  We are so blessed, and are only sorry we were missing two of our usual group. Fran and Bob weren't back from their Christmas travels.

Luisa & Ernest and Mary Ellen & Mike (our hosts)

• My back is better today, for which I am extremely thankful!!
• Joe hurt his knee yesterday, putting the trash out for pick-up.  I resisted telling him "welcome to my world" and rather got him an ice pack and he borrowed one of my knee braces this morning. He mentioned going to the walk-in clinic....(he is out at a client's office right now)
• We need to go out and do some shopping this afternoon. We need cat food (urgent!) and a few other things. Will see how he is doing when he gets home. I may have to go out by myself.
• I promised Joe I would make him some Italian Biscotti while I am home this week.....here it is, Friday already! I think that is on my list for today (just what we need-more goodies to eat).  If my back continues to feel better, I make take down the decorations tomorrow. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you are having a good Friday!  Peace, love & hugs.

The Day After....

Well, the big day is behind us now. I couldn't believe how quickly it got here this year, and now it is all over.  Maybe I should feel sad, but I find myself wanting to take down the tree and get things put away. We won't do that until next week, but once Christmas is over, I really feel the need to put the house back in some semblance of normal.

We have a kitchen island full of nuts, cookies, and candy. We have given some away, but it doesn't look like it.  So much will be thrown away. We just can't eat it all.  It tastes so good, and looks so festive on trays, but no more visitors are expected. We will nibble for a couple more days, but then it has to go.

We had a lovely Christmas lunch with Helen and Cheryl. She made ham, mac & cheese, scalloped potatoes, peas, mixed veggies, cranberry jello salad, pickles....it went on and on, and was delicious. She sent some home with us, too.  More food. Blessed to have plenty, so it isn't a complaint.

Our phone rang all morning long. We spoke with both of our boys, including Joey - all the way from Kuwait. We spoke with both of my sisters, we spoke with my grandmother and we text messaged with Joe's family and our gang down in Naples. It is always nice to talk with everyone, but I surely do miss having everyone here.  Even granddaughter Lauren told me she remembers how much fun we had when they were little and came to our house for Christmas. Sigh.

I apologize for not checking in with your blogs. My intention is to get to that as soon as this is posted. I am having some issues with my back, and moving around is painful.  My chiropractor is closed until Monday. I do okay just sitting, or just standing, but the getting up is so painful that I could cry. I cleaned out the kitchen pantry this morning, because I could do it standing up.

We have a little dinner party tonight, at Mike and Mary Ellen's house.  I think there will be six of us, instead of the usual eight. Our friends, Fran and Bob, are up in Ocala for the holiday. It will be fun to see our friends and spend some time with them.  We have no plans for New Year's Eve - never do, actually. We stay home and watch the ball drop from the comfort of our living room!

I'm excited to read your blogs and catch up with everyone!  Thanks for stopping by my page today! Peace, love & hugs.

Christmas Eve Day, 2013

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!

We returned from Naples, FL, yesterday afternoon.  It was a wonderful long weekend, spent with Kathy, Jim and our beautiful grandchildren, Lauren and Tristan.

We left Lakeland on Saturday morning, timing our trip so we could pick Lauren up at the airport in Ft. Myers.  We got there with 15 minutes to spare and waited in the cell-phone lot for her call.  Ft. Myers is 40 minutes or so north of Naples, so it made sense for us to pick her up, rather than have Kathy or Jim drive up to get her. PLUS, we got to spend that extra 40 minutes with her! Lauren just finished college at Monmouth University, in New Jersey, and is still working at a company where she has been interning.

Saturday evening, Kathy and Jim hosted a Holiday Soiree at their house.  There were about 24-25 guests, and we knew many of them from previous get-togethers. Nice people, and a fun time.  Kathy hired a harpist to play background music, and she also hired a woman to keep dishes washed and things cleaned up. That was really nice!! She did all the cooking, though, and worked all day getting things ready.  Lauren and I helped with the chopping and mixing and cooking clean-up.

Sunday morning, we opened gifts from each other, then went out to lunch at the Naples Ritz Carlton. That is where Kathy and Jim got married.  For my new friends, Kathy is our former daughter-in-law and the mother of our only two grandchildren.  We are blessed to remain as "family" in her life. We still consider her our daughter.  Jim is wonderful to the kids, and has accepted us into his life, as well. Blessed again.  Now that they are in Florida, we are also blessed to be able to see Tristan on a more regular basis. Hoping that Lauren moves down, now that she is done with college.

Sunday night, Kathy cooked a delicious Italian meal, and while 'the boys' watched football on TV, the rest of us played games and talked. Kathy had to work Monday morning, and Jim had a doctor appointment. We bid them farewell and got our things gathered and loaded in the car. We woke the kiddos up long enough to get hugs, I love yous, and Merry Christmases.  Our trip home was quick and safe, thank goodness.  Just trying to unwind, get the laundry caught up and some grocery shopping done. I need to bake a cake for our Christmas lunch, tomorrow, at Helen's house.  We will go to Mass this evening, then out to dinner.  Joe and I will open gifts tonight, when we get home and settle in for another Christmas movie.

Here are some photos I took of our weekend.....

 Kim, the harpist. She was great!

 They live in a penthouse condo suite. This is their front door, just off the elevator.

 Tristan's nutcracker collection decorated the elevator foyer.

The dining room, with all the desserts (more to come!).

 The island, separating the kitchen from the living area, ready for drinks & guests.

 Their real pine tree, in the living room (artificial in the dining room).

 Joe and me, ready for the party.

The food buffet, lots more was loaded on when the guests came.

 Granddaughter Lauren, Grandson Tristan, and their mom, Kathy.

Joe and our friend (and theirs) Rob. Rosa was busy washing dishes.

Some of the guests, enjoying food and drinks.

We did a "Silly Santa" (Chinese gift exchange). Gifts were not to exceed $10.

This is what Joe and I ended up with...nail polish and K-Cups!!

 Their tree, again.

 This is their new living room furniture, that we hadn't seen yet. It 

arrived in time for the party!

 Another view of the living room. Not done yet (according to her decorator), but beautiful, and surprisingly comfortable!

 Jim and Lauren, opening gifts.

Tristan and Lauren, at the Ritz Carlton (Tristan was thrilled to have his picture taken with the Gingerbread House - can you tell?! LOL)

 The Gulf of Mexico - our Florida kind of Christmas!

Our lovely Lauren!

Tristan and Lauren, ready for lunch at the Naples Ritz Carlton.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas Eve and a very happy Christmas Day. We will be going to the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass this evening. What a wonderful way to welcome, once again, the Christ child into our lives!!  Remember the true meaning of the season!  Blessings on you all!!  Peace, love & hugs!

Friday Five....

I'm late getting to the computer today, but it has been a nice first day of my Christmas vacation!

• Today was my group of girlfriends' Christmas get-together.  Cindee was our hostess.  She prepared a very nice lunch for us, of chicken salad, with veggies and fruit on the side.  Her home is decorated for Christmas and her table looked so nice.

• We arrived around 11:00 a.m. and didn't leave until about 3:30.  We ate and we talked, and we exchanged gifts, and we talked some more. Melody and Shirley are talented crafters and always make something wonderful for us. Cindee's mother-in-law is there for Christmas, so we enjoyed her company too.

Cindee in front (wearing green) Melody behind her, then Shirley and me. Nadine (MIL) took the photo for us.

• I took dessert, and am pleased to say it was a big hit. I used Brenda's recipe for rum cake, and it is absolutely delicious!  Cindee's MIL even said it tasted as good as the one she makes from scratch. You can find the recipe at the end of the list of recipes, behind my Recipe tab at the top of my blog.

• The candy I made was also a hit, and I picked up some more Godiva melting chocolate this evening, and made more to take down to Naples tomorrow.  Easy, easy! Melt the chocolate and add nuts or crushed pretzels, or even rice krispies. I used pretzels in tonight's batch. Yum.  Click HERE for the recipe, but I used Godiva melting chocolate (from Sam's Club) instead of almond bark.

• We are packed and the gifts are wrapped and ready to load in the morning. I have candy and a loaf of home made bread to take with us (the bread was part of Shirley's gift today). We are so excited to see our grandchildren, Tristan and Lauren! 

I will take my computer with me, but will probably not post until we get home on Monday. Planning to spend as much time as I can with family.  I will have photos to share, too!!

Thanks for checking in!! Wishing you a great weekend.  Peace, love & hugs.

Whew, it's been a busy week!

From reading your blogs, I know I'm not the only one whirling around in a tornado of activity this week!  I'm not complaining, but I AM a bit tired.  Stamina is one thing I have noticed I have less of as I celebrate more birthdays....

Last night was our staff Christmas party.  Our boss decided to have it at her house and have it catered there.  We usually go to a restaurant or hotel, but she wanted to welcome us into her home.  She really had lots of room for extra tables and chairs, and the food was served buffet style.  The caterer even stayed to clean up, so it really was nice for us (and her!).

Claire posted this panoramic photo that she took, on Facebook last night, so I copied it to share here...

Spouses and children were also invited, and she had a gift bag made up for all the kids with some toys and art supplies. That was really nice.  In this picture, we are passing out Secret Santa gifts.  That's me standing in the background with the list.  I didn't participate in the gift giving this year, so got elected to help be the ring leader.  It was fun.

I took a few shots, not posed....

 

 Joe, talking to Trae....

 That's our boss, Claire, in the red top....

 

 

 The kids table....

Claire, opening her gift from staff - an espresso machine. We learned that she likes espresso, but didn't have a machine - so now she does!

I've said it before, but I just have to say it again... my job is such a joy because of the amazing people I work with.  Our staff is tight. We all like each other, have respect for each other, and have a passion for art and all the good we do in the community. I am truly blessed, and that is why I am still there after almost 17 years.

Today, Thursday, is my last day at work until December 30th!!  We are still a little crazy, with things to do, but looking forward to all of them.  I have my facial tonight, after work. Joe always orders subs (sandwiches) for dinner, on my facial night, and has them waiting when I get home.  That's nice!  I have to bake a cake tonight (I'm using Brenda's rum cake recipe that she posted here a few days ago - thanks Brenda!) for my Christmas lunch with 'the girlfriends' tomorrow (and why I took Friday off).  Saturday, we head down to Naples, to spend a long weekend with Kathy & Jim, and our two beautiful grandchildren, Lauren & Tristan.  So looking forward to that!!

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you a good Thursday!  Peace, love & hugs!!

December 18 Hodgepodge....

Thanks to Joyce, yet again, for the thought-provoking Hodgepodge questions!  You can join in the fun HERE!!

1. Do you believe in miracles?  Yes, I most definitely do.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?  I think it has been years since I followed a fad (though I DO have Crocs and still wear them!).  I actually Googled 'recent fads' and didn't even know about some of the ones that came up!  I'm too old for fads, I guess.

3. Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?  No. I don't like peppermint. I can eat a York Peppermint Pattie now and then, but don't like candy canes or anything peppermint flavored (or spearmint!).

4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.  I was snubbed at last week's opening reception - that was 'cold as ice'. It's all good, and I just laughed because I know the person and I know why. It's her problem, not mine.

5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?  Yes, I have. Specifics don't come to mind, but I know I have, more than once.  I don't think something like that would hurt a real friendship. It wouldn't at my house, anyway. Accidents happen.

6.  'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?  I don't think I am ever a Grinch, so I guess it is Buddy the Elf.

7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.  "God bless us, everyone!"

8.  Insert your own random thought here. This is the most wonderful time of year!!  My birthday slides right into Christmas, so I always have much to celebrate and feel blessed about.  Even having lost my mom (1995), Joe's mom (1999), and my dad (1989) during the month of December, I am blessed with wonderful, warm memories of them during the holidays. Blessed, indeed.


Thanks for stopping by my page!!  I wish you a good hump day!!  Peace, love & hugs to all!

Tuesday Tidbit....as in one tidbit!

Oh my goodness....I made candy last night until past my bedtime. Tonight, it will be cookies.  I just keep telling myself the fun times are coming!  LOL  (And they are!!)

No photos, but I'll get some tonight.

That is my one tidbit....

Thanks for stopping by!!  Peace, love & hugs as you move through this Tuesday!!

Monday Quiz About Me....

Once again, Heather and Wayne, over at Acting Balanced, have posted their Monday meme "Quiz About Me" for us to enjoy.  You can join in by visiting their page HERE.

1. What song represents your last week?  Well, that one is pretty easy for me....

2. Have you made your list and checked it twice?  Yes, indeed, and got everything wrapped over the weekend!

3. December 16th (Tuesday) is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day... what is your favorite thing to eat covered in chocolate?  Well, I LOVE chocolate covered macadamia nuts, but really - cover it in chocolate and I would probably try it!  LOL

4. Speaking of songs, what Christmas Carol is following you around this year?  It is the same song every year. My absolutely favorite "new" Christmas Carol is 'Mary, Did You Know".  I catch myself humming it at least twice a day.  Here is Clay Aiken's version.

5. My question for YOU is, if you are cooking Christmas dinner, what are you serving for dessert?  I need to make dessert for a luncheon with my girlfriends, and for Christmas dinner with Helen & Cheryl, and I haven't decided what to make for either.  I need your ideas!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you a good Monday as we head quickly toward Christmas! Peace, love & hugs!!

Sunday winding down....

It has been a good Sunday for us!  When we got up (no alarm!!) I made us a nice breakfast, we read the Sunday paper, and I mentioned getting started on the cleaning.  Joe spoke up and said that he would get the cleaning done this week, so not to worry about cleaning today. What a gift!!!  I went ahead and got laundry started (and it is now done).  I did get presents wrapped and ready, except for my girlfriends'. I don't know whether there will be the usual four of us, or if Heather and Terry will be joining us. I am prepared with gifts, but just didn't wrap any until I know what I'll need.  I also don't have my work gifts ready. I'm only doing candy and cookies this year, for those in my department and in Administration (12, all together!!).  I just can't afford to buy gifts for everyone, anymore, so it's just sweet treats this year.

Given that, I will make some candy tomorrow night, and I'll bake cookies on Tuesday night.  Wednesday night is the staff Christmas party, at my boss's house.  I'll take the gifts in on Thursday, since I have Friday off and won't go back to work until Monday, December 30th!! Friday is my lunch with 'the girlfriends', so I look forward to that!  Saturday, we head for Naples and two nights with our dear grandchildren!!

It really is 'the most wonderful time of year'.  Joe and I were also blessed to be able to take two tags off the giving tree, at church. We delivered those gifts this weekend, and also have some food to take to the food pantry at church.  We have a dear friend in Sister Giovannina Saleeby.  She is an elderly nun, working from our church.  She is 82 years old, and like the energizer bunny.  She helps parishioners organize funerals, and her ministry is with the shut-ins.  We gave her a check and Joe told her she was to use it for herself - cigars, cigarettes, or whatever she wants.  She laughed and said what she needs is booze!  What a hoot.  We love her dearly. She is from Malta, and just lost her brother. She wasn't able to travel to Malta for his funeral, because she is just too frail for travel like that any more. I have a feeling she will spend the money on some of her shut-ins, but hope she treats herself too.

Well, I've rambled on enough.  I hope your weekend has been good!! I thank you for stopping by my page and wish you a good week ahead!  Peace, love & hugs.

Pecans, anyone?....

It is almost time for us to be heading out the door for church (our usual 4:00 Vigil Mass), but I wanted to post before we leave.  I was up early (before breakfast, as Joe would say) and headed downtown to help sell some pecans for the DAR fundraiser, at Lakeland's Saturday Farmer's Market.  It was lots of fun! I spent the first hour with our Regent, Janet. She was a delight to talk with and get to know better.  She had to leave early, though, for her church's choir Christmas program rehearsal.   Joe came down just before she left, and he hung out with me until my replacement came. Her name was Sarah.  It was nice to meet a couple more ladies, since I've just started going to meetings.  I've been a DAR member since the early 70s, and a member of the Lakeland Chapter for 8-10 years, but I never went to meetings until this year. I'm enjoying it very much.

Here is a photo of our table, at the Farmer's Market....

In three hours, I only sold 5 bags of pecans (and one was mine!). I think people baked for Thanksgiving and aren't thinking about baking for Christmas, but at least we are almost done with them.

A friend posted this on Facebook and I really like it, and believe it to be true (for me, anyway).

I will leave it with that, and wish you all a good Saturday evening!  Thanks for stopping by! Peace, love & hugs!

Friday Five.... on Friday the 13th!

1.  Tonight is a members' opening reception, for the new Stephen Knapp exhibit.  I have never seen anything like his art, ever. He puts fused glass and mirrors on the wall, and using ONE light, creates an amazing 'painting' out of light. Amazing.  He will speak about his work for an hour, before the reception. I am so looking forward to his lecture! You can see some of his work HERE.  

2.  I'm getting excited about having time off for Christmas, and even more excited about spending some time with our two grandchildren!! We're going to Naples on Saturday, the 21st and coming home on Monday, the 23rd.  It will be fun seeing everyone open the gifts we take down for them.

3.  We went to Lowe's and Sam's Club last night, after work. We have a yard full of fire ants and needed to get some ant killer to spread around. I'll do that on Saturday.  No snow and ice to send the ants farther below ground. They are everywhere (outside - thankfully not inside!).  Picked up some blueberries at Sam's Club, and some melting chocolate, to make some candy with - for gifts. Now I don't have any excuses for not getting started on that project!

4.  I haven't heard, yet, whether there are still pecans left to sell for the DAR Chapter fund raiser. If there are, I'll be going very early to the Farmer's Market in our downtown district, to help get rid of them, tomorrow morning.  I don't mind going and know it will be fun, but I really hope they are gone and we don't have to set up. Am I awful for just wanting to sleep in?  Note added later.... I ran into the DAR member in charge of pecans, when I was out to lunch and running errands today, and I will be needed at the Farmers' Market in the morning.

5.  My boss asked me to go to lunch with her yesterday, and then she picked up my tab!  We just walked across the street, to The Red Door. It was very nice. We didn't talk business, we talked books and family. Very enjoyable and the food was much more tasty than what I took to eat at my desk.

Wishing you a good Friday!! Fridays that fall on the 13th have never been unlucky for me. It doesn't bother me at all - are you superstitious about it?  Thanks for stopping by.  Peace, love & hugs.

Thankful Thursday!!

I am thankful for the wonderful birthday I had yesterday!!  It was a great day, and Joe took me out to dinner at Bonefish Grill, which is one of our favorite places to go for special occasions. I had a coupon for a free Bang-Bang Shrimp, for my birthday, so I had that plus ate entirely too much - but enjoyed every bite!

I am thankful for all the good wishes from my friends here, and on Facebook!  I am thankful for the phone calls I got from family and friends.  I am thankful for the text messages sent by other family members and friends. All of it made me feel very special.  Thank you!

The next few days at work will be spent catching up and preparing to be off for six working days (10 days in all). I have to do payroll early for the end of the month, because I have Christmas week off (and the Friday before), but will be working New Year's week (Monday, Thursday and Friday).  I am looking forward to the time off, and the time spent with family and friends. Thankful for that and so much more!

Wishing you a good Thursday!! Thanks for stopping by!  Peace, love & hugs.

Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Once again, Joyce has given us some thought-provoking questions to ponder!! Thank you Joyce!

If you want to join in the fun, go HERE!

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so, please share.  We have an Advent wreath and take time to light the candle(s) each Sunday of Advent, contemplating the coming of our Lord and Savior.  Our Church, of course, marks it well, too.

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?   Probably Dasher, since I’ve been dashing around, here and there and everywhere, getting things done – both at work and at home.  It IS that time of year!

3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?  Too loud is always the worst for me, but I also find quiet distracting. A happy medium works best for me, but it really does depend on what I am doing and where I am.  Over all, too loud drives me crazy.

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?  I am probably administratively gifted (smiling at that!), and I do find it difficult to delegate.  Perhaps control freak would be a better description – but administratively gifted sounds much nicer!  LOL

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?  I dread putting everything away. By the time January 1 comes along, I am ready to put the house back in order.  But – I really look forward to putting up the tree and revisiting so many wonderful memories.  Second for most dreaded would be getting Christmas cards written, and second most looked forward to would be receiving all the Christmas cards and greetings that come in the mail!!  Dread does not equal hate in either of these cases.

6. Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)  It was, is, and will continue to be, politics. Even though we are Catholic, we don’t talk about Pope Francis much.  Having grown up protestant, I like things he is doing more than Joe does (cradle Catholic).  Time will tell.

7. What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?  My digital reader!! I had a Kindle, but got a Nexus7 a couple of years ago. It is in my purse, always. I can now carry hundreds of books with me, wherever I go!!  I could lose my phone before I could handle losing my Nexus.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  Today is my birthday!!  I think birthdays are special – not just mine, but everyone’s!  I have now completed my 62^nd year, and embark upon my 63rd.  These numbers have a special meaning to me.  Cancer has devastated my family over the years.  I am a cancer survivor!!  But 60, 63 and 65 are milestones I need to conquer, both physically and mentally.   I lost my two first cousins to cancer when they were 59, so turning 60 was big for me.  I lost my dad to cancer when he was 63, and my mom to cancer when she was 65.  SO – I am actually looking forward to 66.  I don’t mean to make my birthday seem morbid, and that is not how I see it, but these things are always on my mind when my birthday comes around.  Also, because I spent my birthday, in 1989, at the hospital, at my dad’s bedside; he was concerned about me spending my birthday there with him, which I assured him was the only place I wanted to be.  He waited until 10:00 a.m. on December 12^th, to take his last breath.  I know he waited until my birthday was over.  He did that for me.  So, my birthday (and yours!) is special, but mine also comes with bittersweet stuff every year.  But – happy birthday to me!!  I am so blessed to be celebrating 62 years!!

Thanks for stopping by my Hodgepodge!!  Peace, love & hugs!!

 

Tuesday Tidbits....

Copied these from Facebook.  Everyone is having fun, making fun of Florida for being WARM during December!!  Y'all just come on down!! There is plenty of sunshine to go around!

The funeral I attended yesterday afternoon was very nice and standing room only.  I am always happy to see so many people paying their respect for the deceased and the family.  The Parry family is well known here in Central Florida, and my friend, Margaret (wife of the deceased), is from the Pope family - the ones who founded Cypress Gardens way back in the 30s.  St. Joseph Catholic Church is the oldest church in Lakeland, and is so beautiful.  http://www.stjosephlakeland.org/history

I am getting my hair color touched up this afternoon.  I have three more hours of personal time  to use or lose, and will use it today - leaving at 2:00.

The last of our gifts that need to be mailed is going out today. Bless Joe for running the post office errands!  He made a trip yesterday, and another today - then we are done!

That's all that I have for you today!  Thanks for stopping by!! Peace, love & hugs.