Emergency Road Trip

My REAL Christmas came late this year. The Christmas spirit was just not all the way there for me this year. I was missing my boys, my oldest stayed home for Christmas with his precious family. We talked on the phone and I know that this is the future for them.

My youngest son had to work on Christmas and was supposed to come home the day after. Well, we got a message that he had car trouble and would not be coming home. I just accepted that news in stride. My husband talked to him and tried to help him figure out a way to get the car going with no results.

Soooo, the next day I called him. Right away, I just didn't think he sounded okay. I could tell (it's a "mom" thing) that he was bummed about not coming home and being stuck there. So, I made a quick decision to go get him myself. I told him that I was coming to get him and I gave him no room to argue. He didn't try very hard to discourage me.....another "sign".

It takes about 3 hours to get there and 3 hours back..... Except....the last "hour" turned in to TWO! The road was completely covered with snow and ice and only chains and 4 wheel drive allowed. This was my first time to use 4 wheel drive. It was slow and I was nervous! But, I made it!!! And I brought my baby home!

We had planned to have a dinner with our Christmas dinner leftovers, and I called my daughter to ask her to get the food ready. When we walked in to my house, it was full of our family in a hustle bustle way. Very festive.

And, when we walked into the dining room, the table was all set up with my Christmas dishes and table cloth. I was soooo suprised! I turned to my daughter to thank her, and she said it was like that when she got there! What??? My DEAR Hubby had gone to my blog and found the photo of our Christmas dinner and had duplicated it to the letter. It does NOT get any sweeter than that. Does it?


Her is my youngest son with his funny glasses from Dad, and a beautiful painting from his nieces:



So, we had a wonderful, HAPPY, fun meal. We gave him his presents. He gave me a beautiful pair of earrings, butterflies...my favorite!!

It seems like this year everyone was conscious of their budget. And, the cool thing is that everyone got really creative with the gift giving! And, I must say that these heartfelt gifts were so much more valuable than what you can buy with dollars!!

My oldest son wrote everyone a long letter. Wow. I will cherish that!! We had lots of homemade gifts.

I gave my son a binder with all of his and my emails printed from when he was on the ship in the Navy. He seemed to really appreciate it! Today, I will take him back. It was a good Christmas. Maybe the best ever!!


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Last Pink Saturday of 2008!

Click on the pretty lady to visit our PINK hostess, Bev, of Pink Saturday fame!



In just a few days, we will say goodbye to 2008 and HELLO to 2009. Wow. Another year gone by. Was it a good one for you? It was a very big year for me. My daughter's wedding, my son coming home from the Navy. So many precious moments.

My first resolution. I resolve to keep a positive outlook and expectation for 2009. May this be the best year ever!!!

Here is your party hat/crown:



And, here is your horn!

Your magic wand to make all your wishes come true!!


Grab a glass of pink bubbly....


And, let's toast!!

Happy Pink Saturday....and many MORE to come!!



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Post Christmas

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did!! We were missing those who could not join us...it was the first Christmas in a long time that our whole family could not be together. Our youngest had to work and is coming home today (yay!), our oldest and his family could not come, so we were REALLY missing those grandkids!! While our celebration was small in numbers, it was BIG in joy and love!

Here is the table dressed and ready for the big meal. Dear Daughter fixed a wonderful YUMMY ham. Mmmm good. We are having our leftovers for another meal when my son gets here....so the eating isn't over yet!


I always wanted Christmas dishes. I got these a few years ago and I just love them! They are part of my Christmas tradition now.


I also wanted to share some of my custom (ie homemade) gifts that I gave this year. These 3 scrabble necklaces were for my daughter in law and my 2 granddaughters, they have their initials on the back.


These 2 were for my sister and my niece, also with their initials on the back.


This one is with a photo that my hubby took of his Mom's plane. He photoshopped it to have a blue background. My Mother in Law built this plane from a kit. Isn't that great? She loves to fly it! I would say that she is an inspiration for all women to be a pilot, have a plane that she built and fly it....AND...she will be 80 on her next birthday!


This necklace was for my dear daughter. I love the way it turned out.


I just knew that she would love these colors!


And, there is a SECRET message on the back.....it says M R S F. The Mrs because she is still a newlywed and F for her last name. Her last initial did not change when she married. How handy!


And, it looks great on her!! Don't you think?


Pookie was all about the holiday spirit with his very own Santa suit. What a doll!!


Now, I'm looking forward to the new year and all that it will bring!


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Great Giveaway!

Take a look at this great giveaway and enter to win. Hurry and enter, the drawing is January 5th. Why do I want to win a saw? I DO have a LOT of projects that I would like to get done around the house. Maybe with a great tool like this saw, those projects would get done. If I win, I would certainly let hubby borrow it!! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

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Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, we wish you all the best this Christmas.
May God Bless You!


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Pink Saturday secret...

Happy Pink Saturday! Check out all the pink, go to Beverly's and take the PINK tour:


I have a new addiction! I can't stop making these scrabble tiles. We won't be able to play scrabble around here anymore...I've taken all the pieces for jewelry. I'm on the search for more letter tiles!!

This is only about my third try at the tiles, and I really love the way they turned out.



I'm also brand new at Chinese Knotting. The last one was the best one!


Do you love all the little messages? XO, hugs, kiss...


and here is the SECRET message in the back:


Thanks for sharing your Saturday with me...I'm off to visit all the other Pink lovers!


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I'm a WINNER!!

Oh the anticipation!!! I got this wonderful package in the mail from Syndee at Syndees Space!! Let's see what's in side, shall we?


OOOOOoooooo!! Look at this!! It's full of TREASURE!!


I'm so excited!


Look at these gift tags. Aren't they so special? I already used them for my granddaughter's gifts. They will really appreciate them!


And these cards! Each one is so very special. Syndee is SO creative and talented!






Syndee...I just can't thank you enough. This was such a special treat for me, I just can't thank you enough. You really made my day!!


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I've been busy!

Yesterday...we raked. It's a delicate balance. You have to wait for the leaves to fall first, and that is usually at the same time as rain. Wet leaves are no fun! It was nice to be outside as a storm was blowing in. We could hear it roaring in the trees and as we raked, tiny snowflakes started to come down. This did not stop us until we finished....and we DID!!



Hubby used the leafblower that we picked up at a yard sale this summer for only $5! THAT was a really good buy!


We were just in time!! Last night it began to snow in earnest, and today...it's ON!


We don't get snow often around here, maybe a few times each year if we are lucky, and never this early in the year! So, this is pretty exciting for us! It gives us that giddy feeling, like something special is happening. Our kitties have never seen snow, I wish I could describe Earl's face when he looked out the window and saw it! He was mesmerized! This is a good time to stay INSIDE where it's nice and warm! Here is a question you might be able to help me with....this is our first winter with our new deck. Turns out it can be very slippery! Any ideas of what we can put down for that?


I spent a little time in the craft room yesterday working on 2 things that I have been thinking a lot about. First up is 2 Christmas banners. These are a little smaller than the one I made for Thanksgiving. I also made a few changes to the process after the first one and I am so happy with the results! If you can't see the letters, it says J O Y.


It would look good over a door way or hearth. I think I am going to give these away as gifts.


I made a little loop for hanging and a pretty bow to finish it off!


This idea has intrigued me ever since I saw it here: It's a scrabble tile with some pretty paper applied on top. It's so adorable!! I plan to make a bunch of them now that this one turned out.

This is the back:



And, this is the front:


Isn't it cute?

It's still snowing outside, so I am going to retire to my craft room and MAKE STUFF!

Happy Monday!!


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32 Years ago Today!

December 14, 1976 is the day that my son, my eldest, was born. I fell in love with him from the very beginning and he has remained in my heart ever since. I was so young when he was born, I used to say that we "grew up together". He was a happy sweet baby!


This next photo is one of my favorite pictures (I could post about a million!!). He was in preschool and I just could not bring myself to get his haircut. I knew that it would make him look older. I guess I just wanted to keep him little for as long as possible.


He never really cared to have his picture taken, but on this particular day, he hopped up on this log and said "Take my picture!". Ah the memories.


He was a busy little boy, with a lot of curiosity. He was always "in to" something! A constant challenge! And, he was so smart. I don't miss all those QUESTIONS!!

He's always been a take charge kind of person. The kind of person you go to for help and advice. He is the kind of big brother that makes me wish I had a big brother.

And, now he is a man. When did that happen?

Here he is this past summer with his little sister, the Bride. He was the "Wedding Singer" and it was a wonderful performance. When he made a very special toast at the reception, there was not a dry eye in the place!


Here he is dancing with his old Mom:


And, here he is with the newlyweds and his own beautiful wife and adorable daughters. They are a very close family, I'm so proud of the man he has become.



Happy Birthday Son!


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