Christmas Time is Here

The Holidays are only a few days away now. The last minute shopping will happen this weekend. The schedules, post-its and shopping advertisements cover the counter tops! The chocolate chips and sugar cookie decorations are ready and waiting. This year we have had many blessings!

The biggest is of course our new home. A place to hang our hats! Most of you have been to our house and know that it is perfect for us. It's warm and cozy and just the right size for our little family. Well, the pets are another thing! We realize though how fortunate we are to have this place, to have each other. I'll have to admit that the holidays have come really fast this year. We all say that every year, but it feels like it now.

The great delight is that I have the week of Christmas and the week after as a work holiday. I only had to take two days vacation and that is SWEET! Mike will also have the two weeks off but it is because he get laid off work during that time. Not to worry though, we will be okay because of his vacation and holiday pay. Our Family Christmas will be at UJ's this year. I like that idea because now Mike and I and the others who have helped over the years, don't have to work! Mom won't have to bring her Nutcrackers, Garland and table cloths either. We can now walk in, take our seat, eat and order a glass of wine and play games. Sam is looking forward to showing off her new Christmas outfit and Jennifer Aniston hair! It's all about the dress and hair!! I learned this after Pig Skin. Well, of course Mom (Sandy) hasn't bought anything for herself to wear this year. It may be that I am too fat now. Which sucks because I can't ever remember being fat, only when I had Sam but that doesn't count.Mike, Randy, Ron and I will be performing Christmas carols at Emanuel Lutheran on Christmas Eve.

It felt really good to be back at Church but we still miss Pastor Bill. Our practice went really well, after a few outbursts from Mike but not too bad. I thought my voice held up pretty good after a year of not using the singing vocals chords!! If you want to come and share the moment on this joyous occasions, please feel free.

Well, we are looking forward to a peaceful new year! We pray for our children and families. We pray we always keep God close to our hearts! We pray for our troops and our President that our future may be brighter, One Nation, Under God.Peace to all and many blessings,Our love to you at Christmas, Mike, Sandy, Samantha and Jaden

Winter is Here

Time sure flys by during the holiday season and comes to a screeching halt in the Winter. Oh, the cold and the wet. Don't get me started on daylight savings time, when you go to work in the dark and go home in the dark. I guess that is why God gave us Spring, to make us forget the cold, the rain and the snow. Springs just happens to be my favorite season. The smells, the bugs, the colors that are all the glorious testiment to God's creations.

Well, back to the winter festivities.The big news is that Samantha turned 16 in January. Now, she loves the cold and the snow. Infact, I took her and three of her friends to a cabin in Arnold, California. They partied on and played in the snow for hours. It was a really fun weekend. To top it off for me, my bestest buddy, Trisha, came to help and enjoy the beautiful sites. The weekend was too short but filled with many memories for Sam.The sledding was so fun to watch and they had a blast...The party continued at the cabin with Sam's favorite meal of Polska Kelbasa, Mashed Potatoes and Corn. The girls made the cake and everyone signed it.

Back at Home - Mike and I are loving the new house and enjoying the weekend projects. However, I'm still training my musician husband on how to use a drill (my Christmas gift this year). He'll get there but we'll have to see how many stripped screws and chewed up walls it will take before we can feel safe with him and a power tool in the house.

Update on my Dad - He is recovering so well! I'm sure it has to do with the loving hands of his beautiful nurse and my Mother!!! Life seems to be getting back to normal for them and it feels so comforting to know that. I'll have to tell you that my Dad asked me to give him a haircut! Can you believe it? I was so scared because if you know my Dad, his hair has been the same style since he was born. To top it off, he wanted a mirror to look in while I was working. Whew! I made it through and he didn't look to bad but to tell you the truth I didn't want to cut off much. My Mom kept telling me, just cut it! It will be fine! Eghads!!

Time to get back to life..I will write again soon and let you know how the projects are going. Next up, making a platform bed and vanity for Samantha's room. Wish us luck. Until then, God Bless!!