On the Road again...with Willie and the Gang

Want to wish you all a very "Happy New Year"....the hubbin and I are on the road again...heading for Denver to play Santa at my daughter and son-in-laws house...we just couldn't let a Christmas pass without seeing them....for we know it won't always be possible.... but this year we were able to squeeze in a visit before 2008 becomes so hectic...AND it just passes us by. We have been accompanied this trip (we are traveling by car...b/c of ALL the presents we need to take AND some things that daughter has been storing at home for while...so they needed to be delivered...so we decided to drive AND I never travel without Willie...he just has a way of calming my soul with his earthy songs... We love road trips...most of the time...it gives us a lot of time to talk, sing, laugh, just listen to the other breath, take in the sights and figure out how to solve all the problems in the world...we always have a blast...kind of like being young again...and taking trips in the car....because we thought they were fun....! Hopefully, barring any treacherous weather we should be playing Santa Clause by tomorrow evening...it's snowing here in Salina...but it looks to be a rather small storm...and I think I hear the snow plows gearing up...so wish us luck....please pray for our safe journeys...as well as all of the family and friends of our blog world as they are out and about. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers...and wish for you the happiest of the New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR...FRIENDS... my new motto....looking great in 08...I can't wait!!

blessings...
Teresa

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas...from our home to yours!!

Fireworks, weeping willow and Thank you's....

Today my hubbin is HOME...I know most of you don't know that he has been away from home for almost 2 weeks... He has been extremely busy (which is great for his new business, but makes for some lonely nights for both of us) so I haven't had very much time with him...BUT...Today he arrived back home around 6:00 this evening...He called to let me know he had landed and would be home very soon...Well, folks being the goober I am...I started crying ( I know I can't believe I'm admitting this for all the world to see...hmmm)...I don't know why other than I have missed him a lot more than usual this trip...maybe because it is Christmas time...maybe b/c I've been a little under the weather or just MAYBE I'm an emotional menopausal wreck...either way...when he told me he had landed and I knew he was safe and sound...The "fireworks" began or should I say the water-works...my heart just about exploded...poor guy...thinks he's coming home for some R & R and I'm just a mess. However, it did get me to thinking about all the people in the world who won't be with family during this holiday season...most especially the men/women of our military...Thanks to them I CAN see my husband when I need to...and I CAN celebrate Christmas however my heart desires AND I can feel free to express my thoughts, emotions and beliefs without fearing for my life! So, all in all I am very blessed...I can dry my tears and not fear what tomorrow may bring...so with that...I want to THANK all the individuals in the military and their families for ALL they do for us! God Bless them ALL...and be with them and their families during this holiest of seasons!

If you're wondering what the picture and title are about...well, in my mind (thinking I might be clever) when I saw the exploding fireworks...it made me think of how happy my heart was to have hubbin home and to be loved, plus it reminded me of the fact we live in a country were we can celebrate FREEDOM...the weeping willow would be me (for being a cry baby) plus the fireworks look like a big ole' weeping willow tree...so that is THAT connection...and the Thank You is the least I can say or do for our service men/women and their families/friends!

God Bless all of you...I don't think I'll be back to posting until after Christmas...I have my hubbins undivided attention...and I'm taking full advantage of it!!


I love THIS man>>>>>>





Merry Christmas....

Christmas is fast approaching...

Well...Friends...Christmas is fast approaching. I hope this finds you all well, rested, happy in knowing that all of your shopping is done and the presents are wrapped and under the tree. Ok...so...if you're not there yet...don't worry it will happen. I find myself through with everything needed/wanted as far as shopping...but I keep finding just one more thing someone needs...so if I buy that someone one more thing...then I have to buy all the other someones one more thing...b/c by golly if we are anything around this crazy household...we are surely FAIR! (maybe it would help if I would stay home and out of the stores) This could stem from having a sweet precious child who was at one time, but not now...a present "counter" (their identity will remain unknown...but she knows who she is...lol and yes...she has always made Christmas the most fun!!) Seriously, though I am done with everything except for the 2 gifts I ask my hubbin to take care of...yes...you guessed it... being entirely male...he has until Sunday to get things done...and that is probably when it will happen! Oh well...it's not his only job in life...so I can't complain...well, unless it doesn't get done...and I HAVE to do it! Then you may ALL hear me complaining.

I am currently working on a couple of projects I saw on Dawn's site...TheFeatheredNest...she does some amazing things...so I stole...I mean borrowed a couple and am currently finishing those up...I love them...I wish I could take credit for the total genius of both of them...but alas that "kudo" belongs to Dawn and deservedly so...she is a great talent! Hopefully, if they turn out half as great as hers...I'll try and post them!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas...full of fun, memories, love and most of all reflection as to what we are all here to celebrate. I think every day should be Christmas...w/o the gifts of course...just celebrating the birth of our Saviour...wouldn't that be awesome...to see the spirit of that love flourish throughout the year!

Blessings to you and yours...and again, if I don't post before Christmas or have contact with you before then...Please know...someone in Texas is thinking of you...and praying for the Merriest of Days for each and everyone of you!

God bless,

I am on the MEND....

Thanks to all of you who have sent me well wishes...I appreciate all your thoughts, prayers and concerns. I did make it into the doc yesterday...and thankfully, I am on the mend...the bladder issue is hopefully cleared up...but he has referred me on to a urologists to check out some things...not anything to worry about...just something I need to do...and the headsinusthingy...is getting somewhat better...not feeling that "vertigo" movie replaying over and over again in my head...the doc changed the medications around a bit...and me thinks it is working...yes...my REAL doctor actually takes the time to listen...unlike the "doc in the box" I went to last week...I call it the doc in the box...mainly due to the fact it is almost a "drive thru" type of service... it's one of those Care Centers type offices...it's privately owned by a lady doc who is sweet as can be...but lacking a little in the brain department...yea! I know...kind of scary going to a doc who needs to follow Dorothy to The Land of Oz...to help her find a brain. Actually, she's not that bad for the day to day kind of things...but she is just so funny when she comes in to examine you...it's as if she has already decided what's wrong with you by reading your chart and symptoms long before she enters the room!! I think she must access that if head colds are going around...then we must ALL have them...I am thankful to be "on the mend"...because these next few days and weeks are going to be none stop...

Thanks again...for uplifting my spirits...I have enjoyed reading all your blogs and
seeing all of your wonderful Christmas decorations, trees, traditions, and foods...you guys all amaze me everyday, with your talents and humor!

Christmas Blessings...

Candy Canes...and other delights....

Tonight while thinking I needed to post something... I found this on the web...I certainly hope I haven't broken any blog rules by posting something found...but I rather liked it and wanted to share it....

The LEGEND of the Candy Cane

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

Hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas season...we finally started getting some colder weather...so that helps with the whole holiday spirit thing.

I just love that...there are other stories out there, too...but this one is the one I wanted to share...enjoy...

In other news...


I am having to return to the doctor for further test tomorrow on my UTI...it seems the meds I was given last Thursday are gone but the urinary tract infection isn't...I won't be able to get in to see the doctor till Thursday...but the nurse tells me with more involved testing it will take that long to get the results...Have I told you how much FUN menopause is...plus I think he needs to change my meds for this cold/sinusthingy, too...so far that is still lurking...but the ear is much better...thanks for all your kind wishes, thoughts and prayers...please keep em' coming...I'm thinking this week is going to be a little stressful with all I have to do...I don't have time to be sick!!

Blessings...
Teresa

I'm not being a Scrooge...REALLY I'm not...

Just a note to drop in on all you very merry and happy folks...I haven't posted in a while...so I just needed to let you know...I'm still around...but I've been a bit puny...actually I have been procrastinating about getting into see the doc since I returned from Italy...awwww...Italy...ok...sorry...I digress....anyhoo...I FINALLY made an appointment...b/c well...I was suppose to fly out today to meet up with hubbin in Sacramento for a business Christmas thingy and then a day trip to San Fran on Saturday...but it is not to happen b/c when I went to see the doc...I was informed my ear had about a gallon of fluid built up and that he would not advice me to fly due to a possibility of PAIN (nuff said)...ear drum problems or worse...ear drum rupture...well...say NO MORE!!

The strange thing is...I've had a low grade temp for a few days on and off...and I've had a cold and upper respitory thing going on for a while (and YES I have been self-medicating w/over the counter stuff...b/c I don't like going to the doc..but who does?)...but the kicker is I found out yesterday...I have a Urinary Tract Infection ( I am so THANKFUL somebody nudged my stubborn self to go...thank you Lord)...I have NEVER in my life to my knowledge had one...sorry...if this is TMI...but hey...if we can talk about menopause...certainly we can talk about UTI...anyhoo...big meds...lots of water..rest...and actually I am so relieved not to have to think about boarding a plane...no place like home when you're feeling puny....Thanks hubby...for understanding...glad you're taking the next flight home!!

OH...and a bit more information for you Meno sympathizers out there...I read up on UTI and menopause...seems that women may be troubled w/UTI's along with all the other crap we have to endure during this grand season in our lives...well...isn't that lovely:)...but I'm making the best of it...actually...I feel I have an excuse to take a nap today...and so I'm off to my cozy warm bed.

All things pink...

Today my daughter-in-law and her mother gave a shower for Emily's brother, wife and new baby due to arrive in Feb. This is their second baby with the first being a boy...might I add...a precious boy in fact; that will soon be welcoming his sister. The shower was great...my DIL went above and beyond as she usually does...plus her mom decided to decorate their Christmas tree in ALL pink this year in honor of the new baby and to go along with the shower theme...PINK!! It was so cool...I wish I had remembered my camera...the tree even had pink lights...with pink boa's as garland...way cool...way girly...and way pink!! I was excited to see and feel all the precious things she received for her and the baby...there was not one BLUE outfit in the whole bunch.

I finally got up off my "lazy" and made something for the baby. I usually make these little burp pads...but for some reason lately I haven't even been motivated to do that...but I MADE myself...at the 12Th hour go to my sewing cave and produce something for this precious child to be. I might say...this is one of my favorites AND easiest ones I've ever done...I wish I had been taking pictures of all the others...some I have added ruffles (those are for girls of course) to be trimmed with a large rick-rack or sweet ribbon...and usually personalized. I usually do the boys a little simpler and of course more "boyish" and personalized. Last night I decided to make this one a little simpler than normal b/c I know the mom is a more practical gal...I am pretty pleased with the results...it just looks so sweet and romantic. I also couldn't resist the sweet ballet slippers...either...I think they were both a hit...plus I threw in a couple of things off her registry...again...the colors were mainly pink with some sage...I love baby things!! So sweet!

Sorry for the blurriness...it was late...bad lighting...not to mention tired photographer!