Sunday already!

We have had a busy and long week here.

Yesterday most of the day it snowed. Tim and I stayed home, he has a cold/allergy and did not have it in him to drive to Delaware. Not a problem with me! I thought we'd stay home and I'd get the tree up. It is 1230 on Sunday and no tree up. But sitting here typing I have encouragement from my lack of doing.

I made my infamous waffles this morning for breakfast. Jesus wound up staying here last night as the roads were not in any shape to start a 2300 mile road trip to Phoenix and on to Los Moches, Mexico. So both Tim and Jesus were like little kids when I asked if they wanted waffles. Of course I obliged! I watched my Sunday morning show and now see all the snow melting....I'll open the curtains and get the tree up and start decorating.

We have our first ever artificial tress with lights pre strung. I convinced Tim it would be easier for him and cut down on the crisp tree and needles issue we have in January. I'll let you know what I think of the whole thing soon.

Otherwise all is the same here on Conover Drive. No cat, no dog, one wonderful husband, one very cluttered office, one clean house, one clothes closet that is in desperate need of cleaning, One cherry desk I need to sell on Craig's list.

But the Christmas cards are mailed. Yea! And I've made a list of what I still need to buy. Now to that tree and to start wrapping some of the gifts I need to mail.

Jesus is leaving Maryland

My sister, Holly, arrived 10 years ago with a new husband! A surpries to all of us, as they had eloped! That was not the deal we had had when she said she would move out here from California and we would live together. I bought the house I am in with Holly in mind so she would be happy living here. Well, she kept up her end of the deal, she did move out here, but with a 36 year old Mexican husband in tow, who was quite nice, but spoke very little English. They moved in to the basement bedroom and I began to adjust to my sister at 49 and her husband 36, going on 16. He grew on me. They were here 5 years, I met a man who would become my husband. They moved out and I have adjusted to my own wonderful husband of 5 years. Holly and Jesus divorced after 10 years of marriage. Their marriage had it's ups and downs, as I think a lot of marriages do that don't work daily on making the relationship work. My manicurist at my bridal weekend in Rehoboth gave me sage piece of advice on marriage: don't let both of you fall out of love at the same time. When she told me this I thought it was odd advice to give to a bride. Little did I know what sage and experienced advice it was! I think that is what happened with Holly and Jesus.

I drove Holly out west last October. She made a new life in Chelan in a canyon out of town with Gloria and David as neighbors. She is helping to raise her grandson Will.

Jesus stayed in Maryland long after they separated and divorced. Now his family in Mexico needs him. His father is 94 and still farming. His mother misses him daily. His parents have raised 9 children and Jesus is the furthest from home. Two still live on the family farm land.

Jesus leaves for Mexico on Saturday. May he travel safely to his destinations and his brothers help keep him safe in Mexico. I will miss him. He is a good man. I hope he finds love and happiness in his home land.

Farewell Pinnynola

Christmas cards

My weekend in a nutshell. I LOVE CHRISTMAS cards! I've done about 190. I am almost done, just the drebs, and the people I know have moved and I do not have their new address.

48 hours of Christmas music on the TV cable channel. Time for my own selection. I like my own Christmas music much better! Ever heard of the Roaches? They sing beautiful harmony and make Christmas songs rock.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Look for your card in the mail soon!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Pilgrams and Candles.
Mom and Garry at a beautiful table.
The perfect "Norman Rockwell" Thanksgiving Turkey at Eileens.


Eileen and Joe put on the best Thanksgiving.

Wonderful meal, wonderful company.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

I am thankful for (in NO particular order):

*my loving husband
*a mom who is active and vital at 86
*loving sisters who mean the world to me
*adoring nieces and nephews with a huge family that they welcome me into
*music, my ipod music is found! at least it is on the computer now!
*a new great nephew-Gideon.
*a car that is very comfy and makes me want to go places
*a relaxing home in Rehoboth beach
*many girlfriends who some of which i have a hard time remembering not knowing, I can count on them for anything any time
*a warm home with all I could ever want
*a good job
* the ability to life a good life
*the ability to type rather fast....usually!
*the gift of photography
*adopted family, everyone needs a home

that is all for now, I am sure I will add to this list often.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Thanksgiving Eve

I love this time of year. Funny really as I have terrable allergies to all the mold and wet. I dread the days getting shorter, going and coming home in the dark from work. And yet, I love the food, the comradery, the time with family and friends.

I am thankful for all I have and lucky to be where I am in life.

My pies are made. Two pumpkin, one pecan and one key lime. I wasnted to make a pumpkin chiffon pie, but the grocery was out of pumpkin! Can you imagine!

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.

An early mini Thanksgiving

Tim and I always love to attend Thanksgiving at Eileens house. We just miss the left over Turkey for sammies after. SO. Today after Tim watched Dallas pull through with a win aganist the Redskins in Dallas....... we had a mini Thanksgiving dinner with Mom. Cooked up an 18 lb bird, mashed potatoes, a yummy yam/apple mashed dish (I must jot down the recipe as to how I did it, as I loved it, but Tim does not eat yams......) Tim had lima beans (his fave, not mine!), Mom made a trial run of her spaikopita for Eileens and an interesting cabbage cheese dish. And I made a gigundo batch of my cranberry sauce, Mom and Jasen at work (my 2 official tasters since Tim won't eat that either) both say it is great. So my Thanksgiving/Christmas presents for everyone at work are done. One less thing to stress over after Thanksgiving. All 10 of my employees will get a generous dish of yummy cranberry chutney/sauce for their Thanksgiving table.

That is it in a nutshell for today. No photos, but will on Thursday.

Friday was another story. Long story short, all is well. BUT. My sister Kate landed herself in the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) She had an episode of high blood pressure. 220/110. NOT GOOD. Many tests later and a 24 hour monitor in the CICU where every one commented on the fact that she was so young and walking and able to care for herself. She drove herself home on Sat. and took it easy today. Needless to say there will be more to follow. But OY, she tests my strength. Once again I get to call Holly and tell her Kate is in the ER and we don't know what is wrong with her. I delivered the whole story to Mom in person. She took it well.

I hope all goes well with the rest of her tests. But please keep her near the top of your prayer lists!

And now it is back to work on Monday! But a short week for a real Thanksgiving at Eileens with 15 or so. A small group, but will be so very nice as usual.