Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Years..again

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year's Eve! I hope 2011 brings each of you happiness, good health and the love of family and friends. May you continue to grow, and evolve, into the special person that God has designed.


Eleven Hopes and Wishes for my Family and Friends:


I hope you read a good book that will make a deep impression on your heart.
I hope you find the beauty in every sunrise and sunset.
I hope you find the courage to try something new, that you have put on the back burner, in 2011.
I hope you stop to smell the roses because life just passes so quickly.
I hope you can take a deep breath if unkind words pop into your thoughts.
I hope if unkind words are spoken to you, they will fall on deaf ears.
I hope you have a prosperous 2011.
I hope you always feel loved.
I hope you can give your love freely.
I hope your smiles, and laughter, are abundant.
I hope you know that your presence, on this glorious earth, is a blessing to all!

Have a wonderful day. If you are going out tonight, be safe.

Blessings,
Shawn
New Year

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy New Years..

It has started snowing in Denver and the surrounding areas.  According to the weather reports,we are supposed to get 5-10 inches by this evening, followed by a cold New Year's Eve with temperatures hovering in the low teens! We have been so lucky this winter with the snow falling in the mountain communities, where it is needed, and missing the Metro area, which I love.

Yes, I must admit, I do not like snow, cold weather, Colorado winter winds, dreary skies...I am a confirmed Desert Rat. I love blue skies, hot temperatures, slight breezes and the feel of the sun's warmth, while sitting by the pool, watching the grand kiddo's swimming.

This will be one of the few times I mention my Fibromyalgia but I just wanted you to know that when the weather changes like this I feel like *#%# grrrrrrrrrr!  I had breakfast, took my 800mg of Ibuprofen and will  sit at the computer until it starts working.  That being said, no more complaining!

Today, I will be linking up to a few Hop's and adding them to this post. Also,  I was thinking about setting some goals for 2011 and read, on FB, about a challenge hosted by John "the Penguin" Bingham. He is challenging his followers to exercise for 30 minutes a day for 100 days. That is doable, and he even gives the option of breaking it into two, fifteen minute, segments! The object is to get up and move, be it walking, running, going to the gym anything that gets us going. I can not think of a better way to start the New Year.

 I JOINED!
The 100 Days Challenge





HOPS:


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Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Monday Hop

I am linking up with java @ Never growing old, i am adding her instructions:


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2010
Meet Me on Monday!!
Welcome to the 28th edition of 


"Meet Me On Monday!"
 
Blogging  is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read  and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is  this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want  to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great  way for all of us to "meet" each other!

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

"Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!! I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

I  will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them  better!!  Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!





Questions: 

1.  What are your New Year's Eve plans?
2.  How tall are you?
3.  What is your favorite pudding flavor?
4.  What room of the house do you blog the most in?
5.  What is your best physical feature?
-----
My Answers:

1.  We will be joining friends for a night of dancing at the Ramada Hotel in Denver. The night will include meeting for a light dinner then the dancing starts at eight in two ballrooms.  Denver hosts an annual fireworks display at nine, and midnight, which can be seen from the hotel.  The hotel will provide a buffet dinner at ten, followed by champagne toasts at midnight and more dancing. New Years morning there will be a complimentary, full service, breakfast then we will head home for a nap!
Dancing Party
2.  I thought I was 5'3 until I participated in a health fair at work and I measured in at 5'2. Soon, I will be the shortest one in the family!
My oldest daughter
My three younger daughters and my daughter-in-law ( the tallest one)
The grand kiddo's..they will soon be taller than me!

3. I like chocolate pudding the best but it has to have a dollop of whipped cream!



4.  I blog in the office. When we bought our new computer I decided on a desk top (to save $$) and added an iPad to use when Hubby hogs uses the computer.
I would love my office to look like this!
5. This is a hard question..especially the older I get. Many people compliment me on my eyes, others my smile or thick hair.  Because my roots are gray ( get my hair colored tomorrow), today I will say my eyes, which are blue with long lashes!
I have been toying with the idea of letting my hair go gray since meeting a beautiful woman with short, silver colored hair. My Grandmother's hair was silver and was wondering if mine would be too!













Sunday, December 19, 2010

Meet Me On Monday hosted by Java

This is one of my Favorite Hops hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2010


Meet Me on Monday!!






Welcome to the 27th edition of 
"Meet Me On Monday!"
 
Blogging  is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read  and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is  this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want  to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great  way for all of us to "meet" each other!

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

"Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!! I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

I  will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them  better!!  Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog




Questions: 

1.  What will your Christmas dinner consist of?
2.  Do you watch commercials or flip through the channels?
3.  How long will you leave your Christmas decorations up?
4.  What movie makes you cry every time you watch it?
5.  Do you have a Facebook?


MY Answers:

1.  This year my very clever daughter, Erin, is hosting our Christmas Eve dinner. She e mailed all of us a few weeks ago and announced that we will be having an International Dinner, then assigned each couple a country.
  • Our ( Me and Hubby) Country is Germany and I will be making;  Sauerbraten, Red Cabbage and Apples and German Apple Cake.
The other countries are:
  • Italy
  • Greece
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • Thailand









On Christmas Day,  the kids go to their in-laws and we will host a dinner for our friends who are in the same empty-nest boat! I will be making spaghetti and meatballs because I wanted something easy with little fuss in the kitchen!
Spaghetti
















2.  I watch, rather tune out, commercials. Hubby puts the remote on Mute, which for some reason just drives me crazy! The only commercials he likes are the ones for Geiko..(especially the little Gecko) and the Baby for E trade!






3.  I leave my Christmas decorations up until after January 1st. I was taught that taking the tree down  before New Years would lead to a year of BAD LUCK. Although I do not buy into that, I do not tempt fate and also eat Black eyed peas on New Years Day.  Actually, I have been tempted to leave the tree up year round and just decorate it for all the holidays! U would love a tree with red lights and hearts, then one with eggs and Easter bunnies..how about one decorated for the 4th of July..hmmm..I think it could work!


Merry Christmas




4.  The Titanic...does it every time!

MySpace Graphics
Titanic Graphics & Titanic Movie Pictures



5.  Yes, I have a Facebook!
 I used to be on it all the time and it was, and is, a great way to keep up with all of my children and the older grand Kiddos's! Before Blogging it was my drug of choice! I was a FB addict..now I am a blogging addict!
Blog KEY

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Lord's Prayer sung by Andre Bocelli with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir



This is beautiful..I  Love praying the Lord's Prayer...the song always brings tear to my eyes..add The Mormon Tabernacle Choir with Andre Bocelli....OH MY GOSH!!!!!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Road ID

Hop op on over to Stephanie Ann's blog, Running To Health, and check out her giveaway! She is giving away a Road Id which every runner should wear in case of an emergency! BTW she has a great blog and worth checking it out even if you do not want the ID.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Meet Me On Monday hosted by Java

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old.  This hop is a fun way to learn about your fellow bloggers. I will post the instructions from her blog.






Welcome to the 26th edition of 
"Meet Me On Monday!"
 
Blogging  is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read  and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is  this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want  to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great  way for all of us to "meet" each other! 

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

"Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!! I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

I  will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them  better!!  Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!



Questions: 

1.  How do you order your steak?
2.  Are you superstitious about anything?
3.  Who is your best friend (not including your spouse)?
4.  When is the last time your wore a dress (for the guys...a suit)?
5.  Do you have any trips scheduled?
---------------------------------------------------------------

My Answers:


1.  I rarely order steak  (because Hubby can grill it perfect), but if I did, the steak would have to be medium rare! I like steak to be warm in the inside but still a little bloody! I know that is so gross to some but that is perfect to me!




Beef Steak
Now, That is a Meal!

2.  I do not have too many superstitions  but the few I have are:
  • When I hope something bad will not happen I always say..Knock on Wood  and usually knock one time on my head!
  • If there is a full Moon, I think the day will be a little off at work..and it usually is but lately we have been thinking every night is a full moon!
Moon
The way to a full Moon
         


    


I do not care about black cats, ladders, salt ( although I do throw it over my shoulder), numbers or anything else I can think of. 






3.  My best friends are my daughters..followed by a long time friend in Arizona.
    My daughters have always been my best friends and that will always be..they are the best. My Birth
    Daughter was added this year!
My Girls!
My Birth daughter, Wendy


As far as BFF girlfriend it would have to be DW, who I have known since I was eighteen. We had babies at the same time, we had so many good times as young mothers before I moved to Missouri in 1982. Although we do not see each other often, we can pick up the phone and it is like we spoke the day before. We know each other! We have a six sense about each other and we seem to know when the other needs a phone call.
With her Grand Kiddo's






4.  I think the last time I wore a dress was to my son's wedding. I prefer pants and do not like to wear heels. I am a laid back type of Gal!
This was a nice dress too bad it is not a full shot.






5.  So far, we have not talked about Summer vacation. Next Fall, I plan on running the Chicago Marathon and we are planning a Family Cruise right before Christmas 2011.
Queen Mary 2


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Holiday Bliss




Two weeks until the big day and I was finally able to cross a few things off my, rather long, list of to do's!



  • I ordered gifts to be sent out of state. 
  • I bought gifts for the giving tree at church, still need to wrap them. 
  • We have made our cookies. 
  • The house is as decorated as it is going to be, for this year.
  • I have picked out recipes for our Christmas Eve dinner that Erin is hosting..we are having an International dinner and each couple was assigned a country! 
  • The last thing I did today was take our furry kids to have their picture with Santa!
Cecil..his bow is turned around!!


Chloe, looking at the D.. O.. G !!!

I still have quite a few things to do but feel I now have a better handle on that daunting LIST.


Erin and the kids are coming for dinner tonight and are bringing the newest member of their family.

Miss Lucy!
Of course, Nana had to buy her a present!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Holiday Bliss









There have been so many days of Holiday Bliss starting with the Girls Annual Cookie Day which was last Sunday.   My daughter-in-law, Mary, hosted for the second year and believe me a good time was had by all. I have posted about this before but for me it is one of the special times of the season!




The Goodies


My Girls, minus two that were missed sooo much!


Nana and the Cookie Baker's!


Worn out after a day of baking and playing.
This one too!
The gang!

Just a small portion of the Loot!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Meet Me On Monday hosted by Java

One of my Favorite Hops hosted by Java@ Never Growing Old


Welcome to the 25th edition of
"Meet Me On Monday!"
 
Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other! 

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

"Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!! I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

I will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!!  Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!















Questions: 

1.  What is your favorite kind of cheese?
2.  What size is your bed?
3.  What is your most overused phrase?
4.  Green or purple grapes?
5.  Shower, morning or night?



My Answers:

1.  I can not think of a cheese that I do not like but my favorite would be Brie!
This is the way I like it,  fruit, crackers and a meal it makes!





2.  We have queen sized beds in both houses, I don't want Hubby getting too far away! Although, now that we have our Furry Children sleeping with us it would be nice to have a King!

Some of the Grand Kiddo's watching a movie!
3.  I can not think of a phrase that I over use!  The only thing I can think of is;   when I teach patients at work... Over and Over....I tell them,  "Always eat before you take narcotic pain medication and remember, it may cause constipation and do not drink alcohol while you are on the narcotics"!!!!!!  I must have said this a Gazillion times in the last twenty years!  Now, I am sure that is not what anyone wanted to hear but it is the only thing that came to mind!!!   :  D


Taking Alcohol And Pills








4.  I like both, but red grapes are my favorite because they seem to be a little sweeter than the green!
Purple Grapes
Yummy, crisp grapes!




5.  On the days I work, I shower in the morning and at night! I need a shower in the morning to wake me up but I also need to shower after a hard day at work! Working in a surgical unit, a shower is a must when I return home!
Medical Pan
I never know what is going to happen!
<>

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Merry Christmas

Holiday Bliss



Today, as every Saturday, was a busy day. I woke up, waited for the temperature outside to warm up, went on a run, ran errands with Hubby and finally returned home at 3:30 to face the Christmas Tree!  Hubby had retrieved all the decorations from the garage yesterday and all the boxes were sitting in the living room.  While I started emptying the boxes,  Hubby started dinner and he was done way before I was!  After eating dinner,  I made one batch of cookie dough so it could refrigerate overnight for the Girl's Annual Cookie Day, tomorrow.  


Needless to say, the tree is not decorated and may not be because I am enjoy sitting on the couch and looking at the lights..at least the ones that are working this year!  It does not matter because we are happy and life is good!

I did get the Hoosier decorated.

Love my Hoosier..one of my favorite finds!

Oops!  The tea towel is not straight!
Hubby put the candles in the window and Cecil decided to inspect his work!
Always a big help!





Have a great day,
Shawn

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Holiday Bliss

This is a meme hosted by  Brenda@ Garden of Learning and each day she asks you to hop along and share how you are celebrating the season. This can be anything from decorating, recipes, family pictures, music or anything you would like to post about this holiday season!







Today I am still in the process of decorating the house and because of the problems we are having with the lights on the tree, this has been a very slow process. Hubby wants to wait until after Christmas to buy a new tree and I do not want to decorate a tree that may not have ANY lights in the next day or two.   So, I have been adding a few decorations, each day, around the house and I have a very special helper!
Yes Cecil, you knocked over the Christmas tree



Got to Love Him!!