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dbjc364's December 2010 Entries

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Dec 30, 2010 | 2:54 AM PST
Tag: xmas paper..
With about 8 inches of new snow! The main roads are back to dry again-just the side streets are messy and their still clearing them and doing snow removal.The after holiday sale frenzy has started,I bought a few things like next years LED outdoor lights for $1.24 ea.-extension cords etc.I lov a good sale.I had picked up a bureau for myself for $20 at the yard sale next door,the day after xmas,and one for my brother.I was also sick with this head cold thru xmas,but felt good enough to get it all washed down yesterday,and start putting my clothes away.I had a bureau,but it was too small for what I needed,so I sold it, and it took me awhile to find one to replace it.I'm not crazy about contact paper,but I'm thinking I may try that instead of painting it this time.Jim gets another long weekend,with tomorrow off again,but he's not feeling good now.He's got the snow cleared in the driveway,just needs some tweaking along the roadside to do,but no storms in sight for a few days,,so he can try to recouperate.The temps are climbing once again-and we're due for some rain they say this coming week.This time we didnt have to shovel off the roof,because it blew in from the northwest side.Landon was the first to get this head cold,and pass it on to all of us,has been trying to shake it,but it turned into Tonsillitis.So I'll go sit with him if the daughter needs to go get groceries this afternoon.He'll be fine after the antibiotics kick in,but the doc told him he needs to take it easy for a few days.As ususal,he tells them a story when he goes to the docs, and will tell it to anyone that will listen.This time he told the doc a tiger was chasing & got him-thrashed him around the house & yard, and gave him scratches,which he promptly pulled up his pants and produced a scratch on the knee that his mom didnt even know he had.He's got quite the imagination that one,and will mesmerize anyone within ear shot.We thought we might go out to dinner friday nite,but since we're not feeling that great-I will pick up something yummy and cook it here.Xmas dinner was so yummy,and the Ribeye came out so good.We had 2 added quests but had enough to feed us all, and everyone walked away full and happy.We were there Xmas morning by 5:30 am, since she wanted me there early.I told her next year if we do it again-I'm not going to be there till 7 am.Landon is not an early riser,especially not feeling well,even on Xmas morning it seems.Well, I had plenty to do about dinner,to keep myself busy while I waited for him to get up.His eyes were as big as saucers when he saw the tree.Santa was good to him this year,and he's got plenty of games to play to keep him from getting bored this winter or on rainny days.We played alot of ping pong and pool also.I waited till all went on sale, and picked up the dart board for the game room yesterday,so we will mount that when jim is feeling better.Ok, Santa baby, gave me a kitchen demolition IOU,so thats 1st on the list for the New Year! Ahh, the smell of new sheetrock,and the sounds of that hammer & drill- warm the cockcals of my heart...

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Yes, a white Xmas!

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Dec 23, 2010 | 3:16 AM PST
Tag: pretty lights twinkling..
as we finally got some snow. Its looks like this batch will finally stay with us, and winter has begun! Thats awesome,cause of course we want a white xmas.Just wouldnt be the same without it.Looks like we'll be ending up with about 6 inches at least. The plows have been going by steadily since yesterday.It kept starting and stopping,but went all night, and its still going now.So that changed my going to get Landon at school and playing pool for the afternoon with him. So we're suppose to do that this afternoon instead.Its suppose to stop sometime this morning.And he wants to spend the night too.I got all the presents wrapped up finally,and will pick up the Prime Rib or Ribeye for xmas dinner today.I had a houseplant that I succeeded in killing,or so I thought, but it persisted, and grew new shoots, as I was ready to chuck it out the door.OK, so now I'll water it,cut it back, and keep it going.The wreath & lights are oh so pretty,so I'm keeping them on non-stop till xmas is over.I don't know why I didnt decorate the garden window last year-but this year that also looks quite pretty twinkling with the collection of glass cruets,blue & silver balls & clear white lights.I always go shopping after xmas for next years wrapping paper,etc.,as all is on huge discount sales, so will remember to pick up more outdoor lights so I'll be ready.I wont decorate the whole house,but adding some would be nice.The blue set that was hanging on the window all year,I thought I had plugged them in and they didnt work,so was ready to hang a new set,but they worked fine.No longer blue though,now white cause the color wore off,but just as pretty.Ok, we're on a countdown now, and I'm ready!! Stay safe and healthy, Merry Xmas everyone...

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The inner child,

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Dec 20, 2010 | 2:39 AM PST
Tag: having fun..
just loves to come out and play.Both of us lov it.Since we've worked hard the last 7 yrs here, we're catching up & overdue for more play.A happy turn of events. Friday nite I spied the pool table.On sale for $200.Its not regulation size,only a 7 footer,but close enough.Long time ago,I had one of those little ones, and that was way too small.Since we have the Ping Pong table on one side of their basement, we had to put this on the other side, with just enough elbow room-sort of.The son-in-law was glad it wasn't any bigger,just the right size.The oil tanks in the way-so when shooting,one has to use the short stick,but thats ok.If the table was any bigger we couldnt have done it.Well, Friday nite I really wanted to put that on lay-away-but I ran out of pocket money.I had to return 2 shirts on sunday,then the sign was taken down.I told the lay-away lady I wanted to put a pool table on lay-away,she said they had none in the store,and the price had changed.Of course, I was sure I wasnt quick enough this time.No, it had gone down in price again to $179.Ok- now I really had to have it.They reeeled in my cheap side hook,line & sinker.Ok I said,talk to whomever you need to- I'll buy the demo,as is.I really didnt want to have to travel another 55 miles to the next store.Yup, within a few minutes,she came back-I could have it,but we decided to take it then, instead of letting them store it in the back room to get kicked & dinged up, and pile stuff on top of it.Well, to begin with the dang thing certainly wasnt worth the original price of $300.Now thats inflation in the middle of a recession.They were quite happy it was going, as the new stuff was coming in.One pocket was torn.Not actually torn, just the stitching had let go. jim says, no problem, I can sew that.Home we went,jim had to grab the truck to bring it home.Oh ya, and this had the package with it,the ping pong top and ball set up.When I got home I called the daughter to let her know it was coming today.While jim was gone,Landon was very content with his movie,I made a great batch of chocolate chip cookies I havent had the time to make.No, I'm really not June Cleaver,just had a bad hankering.He said they were a good batch of store people- since they left it all together,4 of them helped load it in the truck.Then the best part- they took off another $20 for being the demo,& the ripped pocket. $159. SWEET! On the way home, Jim squeezes my hand,& says," Your a nut." Ya, sometimes you feel like a nut-sometimes you dont.Ok- well the light bill, will be just a little delayed,but it will get paid.We took the carpet out of our living room, since it had 3 small stains on it anyways,to put under the table, put down my braided rug instead,and on our way.Well, I'm making it sound simple, but alot of staples had to be pulled.Jim got a good workout.The guys had it off the truck & in within a matter of minutes,easy to take apart.We only have an inch of snow on the ground thank god,so layed it on a tarp.Once inside,while they had it upside down, Jim sewed the pocket,then they got it back together and 3 sides leveled.We need to bring some shims next time,as its still a little off.We dont really need the ping pong top, so that gets sold on the garage sale.The pool table looks brand new,nothing wrong with it.Ok-now need to pick up a couple more sticks & rack holder.We had a good time,now can have two tables going.Oh-ya & brought a small pork roast for dinner,so it was a good supper & time.Daughter says she's only played maybe 3 times in her life, but she absolutely liked it.Landon needs a small stool to stand on,but somehow he managed to beat Jim twice,which made him real happy.We left at a decent hour,as Landon needed to get his bath in for school,and of course, he didnt want to stop playing.But we all had a good time,the daughter and I can squeeze in some playing time during the week by ourselves.I told her when I was growing up,there were five of us,and of course, the boys were always hogging the table.When my daughter was growing up, we were poorer than dirt,and had no room for such things.Now, we can play ball.Yup, I told Jim,if we had the spare change, another room would be built onto this house,heated of course,and a game room in play in a heartbeat.I'd still be playing when I was 80....

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The Grinch who stole Xmas..

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Dec 19, 2010 | 1:54 AM PST
Tag: wreath & lights..
is a classic.I can't go thru the season without watching one or more of the 5 classics.The Grinch, Charlie Brown, Rudolph,Its a Wonderful Life,Frosty.Yup,I quess that tells my age.Last nite Landon wanted to watch his movie he brought with him,Finding Nemo.Which he's seen a hundred times.And I caught parts of it-so I'll sit with him and watch the whole thing this morning.But flipping thru the channels-I came across The Grinch,so I insisted we watch it.Of course, you would have thought the world was gonna end by all the fussing going on.But I stood my ground, knowing full well, he would lov it,if given a chance.Now come on, this is Dr. Seuss,a literary genius.No one can not-not like it.Ok- got the popcorn pot out, and started popping to beat the band.Good ol' Orville,does a great job everytime,long as one pays attention.A fantastic big bowl of buttered popcorn and a classic.Does life get any better than that?As soon as the music broke out in song, his head turned from all the fussing,and I had him hooked.Ok- he's reeled in now.I don't think his eyes left the tv,except for the commericals.Soon as the program came back on, he stopped what he was doing, and glued in again.Yup, he loved it,just like I knew he would.Well, I've been watching it for 40+ yrs?, and still lov it.I also caught A wonderful life, but konked out on the couch 20 min into it.Oh, well, next time.They've just got to put these programs on early enough for us big kids...A little behind the eight ball this year,hemming and hawing about getting a wreath, and putting up one string of lights.We said we'd put up the lights back in October,but that never got done.Ok, I picked up a wreath at the store,decided on fake,but it sure looks real.I'll save a few bucks over the next few years,not having to replace it,and since I'm even slower about taking them down, I dont have to look at a dead wreath. Bad Feng Shui.Today we'll put up one set of lights & that wreath and one line of garland on the window box.I've got presents covered over in the spare room to wrap tomorrow.The kids have a nice basement.Well, alot nicer and bigger than ours.And bone dry.That always helps.Last year right after Xmas, the sales started of course.I wanted a ping pong table for some fun over the winter. So we bought a table top version,the guys made the bottom frame for it to sit on,and we were up and running.Landon has become pretty good in a years time now,he can serve pretty good,and hit a few times before losing it.And we have some rowdy fun with it.Now,I want a pool table.Its on sale of course, so I'll get that on lay-away for now,and the kids will split the cost with us this time,and we have time to pay it off after the holiday.We got the garage bays much more straightened around yesterday,all is good with them now,plenty of room for the cars.My trash barrel situation & extra compost can is good now also.Because of all the rain & flooding, the campers jacks and blocks sunk down and kicked out.So that had quite a leaned pitch to it & Jim had to straighten that out, but it didnt take him long.Everythings all frozen over now.A trash & coal run, and nice breakfast out.I was falling asleep by 8:45.Landon was outlasting me this time.But hubby woke me up,and shuffled us all off to bed.I hope we have no storms Xmas day,since we'll go to the kids place mid morning.So far the weather is going to be clear.Daughter checked on the Prime Rib, pricey but yummy, so thats a go.Landon says he's going to call us when he gets up early Xmas morning to tell me Santa has come.I said my phone is right beside the bed-so you just call away.Are you sure Santa will come? Maybe all that will be there is coal in your stocking...no way he says,,,there's going to be presents.I said, warm up your pong paddle,the Pong Queen is coming..

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Well, its finally festive enough,,

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Dec 17, 2010 | 2:17 AM PST
Tag: red bows & ribbons..
with the Xmas decor up.I didn't do as much as I usually do, but it looks nice anyways.We didn't go get a real tree either, just a very small tabletop.I didn't want to have to move any big furniture out of the living room and have nowhere to put it just to get a tree in here.Maybe next year,things will be a little more sane.With Thanksgiving behind us,the shopping hunt began,and now almost wrapped up.I only have the one to spoil at xmas time,and I lov shopping for kids.A new recipe for Cranberry bread which was very good.I've never made cranberry bread, only banana,so that was a real nice change, and will do another round since I bought a big bag of cranberries.The first round of Cranberry Salsa, which was so bad,it went in the trash.I bombed out on that one,which happens every once in awhile.And I knew as I was reading the recipe that it sounded like a huge amount of Cilantro,which I'm not crazy about to begin with.And then I used my new Killer machine,which did kill it.Now, I will get a different recipe,and use the food processor,and it should be fine.Since the kids came here for Thanksgiving, we will go there for Xmas.Everybody decided they wanted Prime Rib this year.I told them it would be a bit of a pricey piece of meat,but we'll split the cost,so it won't be so bad.Today, I will go explore that, and pick up the lay-a-way.A day away from the house,to Jims office xmas party,which was a bit of a ride,but a very nice time.Lov those yankee swaps,and oh,so good food.A last minute yankee swap with my daughter yesterday,to the city,another round of alot of good food, and good company.And women can make alot of food when they have a party.lol.That was an all women party, and a good time too.We got home a little after dark,and Landon konked out on the way home as usual,with a Transformer in each hand.He sang in his first Xmas concert last week, and kept winking and giving his parents the thumbs up all during the songs,but he sang and knew most of the words.What a character he is.We didnt go,as the weather wasn't that great that night.Its possible we'll get a Nor'easter this late weekend,depends on how it turns.So far,only a dusting,the temps back in the teens finally,but will get balmy on Saturday with a temp of 30*.Another round of 40-50* this past week,so my blueberries I'm sure are totally confused.The cars squeezed in their bays,just barely,so we have some work to do outside this weekend.With the temps the way they have been,its been an easier fuel heating season thats for sure.It really hasn't felt like winter to us yet,other than a few very raw windy days.We figure we'll have 2 months of it,then spring will begin.My sister is now getting our snow in Pennslv.,which doesnt make her happy one bit.We'll have Landon overnite again this weekend,as he wants to come spend the night more frequently now.Daughter says he's home for 2-3 days, and wants to come back.She says what are you doing over there?having a party? I said nope, jim plays frogger with him,and we play cards,just the usual stuff we always do.I said,heck, just enjoy it while you can.You get a break,and can do some things with hubby together,that you normally wouldnt get a chance to do.I know Jim lovs the fact,that we've picked him up a cot to sleep on,no more getting kicked in the back in the middle of the night,as he is one rowdy sleeper.We have him at the foot of our bed, and Landon lovs it that he has his very own bed here.We have a spare in the other room,but he's not ready to sleep in there he says.With some sadness,he's outgrown his John Deere.We know he won't be able to ride it this summer.We did pick him up another though.I dont know what its called- a 4x4-?,battery operated one.Even though it doesn't go fast,I'll still buy him a helmet.We just need to buy a battery for it.And since his is still in good condition w/ 2 batteries, I have a chance to sell it.I didnt think I'd have a hard time selling it on my garage sale this spring anyways,as their a bit pricey brand new.I swear for the little ones,if a person has the room, its one of the best toys a kid can have for the outside.It was also my daughters birthday last week,so it seems there's been alot going on. I stuffed a big basket full of her favorite things,and between the hubby and us,she got some new clothes,and the girly stuff that she likes.She was born with the prettiest red hair I've ever seen.I always told her it was like a new shiney copper penny.A gorgeous color,just right for her.Well, of course, she never liked it,so has managed to be every other color,cut & style in her life.Last week,being impatient,she was screwing around with it yet again,and ended up with a color pretty close to her own natural color.She was going to change it,making an appt. with the hairdresser,but somehow I convinced her how nice it actually looked.Even though she thought it was a major goof up, I thought it looked pretty darn nice,and besides we've even got purple hair walking around now.After a few washings it calmed down a bit,she decided to keep it for now-but does want it trimmed up.She liked my yankee gift of a matching purple scarf & headband,and put it on.I liked her necklace-so a switch was made.We get on the subject of hair,even though I've always thought the purple hair was a bit silly,I told her with her color eyes,by golly,that purple she could get away with in her hair and it would look good too.Not alot,just some streaks.So if she's going to change it-then go for it.Nope-she decided she'd stay with the red for now.Go figure..well, anyways, my yankee gift was the scarf set & free haircut by a hairdresser who gave the gift. We just had this conversation that we all needed haircuts after xmas.So daughter and I will make the trip next month,go get our hair done, and visit with her aunt while we're there.Ok,today I need to go to moms for coffee this morning, and pick up the compost,before the day starts..

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