Hello from the North Pole...

...at least that's where it felt like I was when I woke up this morning...sans the white stuff. It was 15 degrees with a wind chill in the single digits...in NORTH TEXAS!! Of course by week's end it will be near 70...yesterday we got to almost 80. Oh and now, as I am typing, we are getting freezing rain...ughh! I hate the ice...especially when Aaron is working. He has a 40 mile commute, works 12-14 hour days so that means he doesn't get home until 8pm usually but when the weather gets cold and we get precip, you can count on his commute time to at least double. I am like a worried mom waiting on their teenage child to make curfew (or is it with a ph...sp?!). Thank goodness for cell phones is all I can say.

Anyway, seems like forever since I have updated...not like I missed out on telling of anything interesting. Our harddrive crashed early last week (the puter is only 4 months old) so Aaron spent the better part of his days off and evenings getting us back up and running. I used the boys' puter to check email and stuff but didn't so much of anything else online. I lost all the pics I had uploaded since August...(that'll teach me to backup my files)...and of course, all of my bookmarked favorites...and I had A LOT (understatement there).

We were able to complete most of our Christmas shopping over the weekend. Am I alone in feeling like shopping is a chore?! I don't care if it is for groceries, Christmas or whatever...I just detest having to do any of it. I don't know what happened as I used to not feel this way but I haven't really been able to get into the commercial part of Christmas this year. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole idea of getting together with family...visiting, eating and celebrating the real reason for the season...but the shopping part hasn't been my thing this year. Oh well...

So much sadness and loss has been occurring around me the past couple of weeks. My friend's mom (that I asked for prayers for previously) went Home week before last. It was not suddenly or unexpected but still is always a sad thing when those we love go before us. Also, one of my friend's from high school lost her husband last weekend. He was 38. I found out my aunt and uncle (they are married) have to have surgeries this week. My aunt for occlusions in both of her carotid arteries and my uncle on his eye. There is a strong possibility he could go blind. Another of my uncles is going through chemo for mesothelioma which he contracted working for the school system years ago. He told my Nanny the other day he just wanted to give up because he was so tired and felt so helpless most of the time. And today, is one of my very best friend's (ever) birthday. She is no doubt celebrating in Heaven. She earned her angel wings 5 years ago at the age of 36. I find myself thinking about her alot and just missing her...she was the epitome of what a true friend should be...I have yet to meet anyone who even comes close to the type of friend/ person she was/ is.

I'm sorry for making what now seems like such a downer of a post...I guess it reflects the "mood" I have been in. Just have had a lot to think about lately...and feeling sad for so many in my life.

Count your blessings...no matter how smalll you think they are...let those you love know it NOW...we're on this Earth for a short while, make the most of it.

Love and HUGS!!

Tis the season...

...for head colds, sinus infections and the crud! I look forward to this time of year but dang I hate feeling sickly. I have been trying so hard to not succumb to whatever is floating around but I am about to give up. I have been so tired not to mention achy, sniffly, itchy (nose, throat and eyes), hot (when everyone around me is freezing) for the past couple of weeks, on and off. Guess it is time to bite the bullet and go to the doc for my yearly shot, nasal spray and antibiotics.

Anywho, we had a really good Thanksgiving...way too much food for the few people we had this year but that was ok, left something for us to eat on for a couple of days after. Well, all except for Aaron...he doesn't do leftovers, unless it is cold pizza. My Nanny turned 92 the day after (last Friday) so Aaron, the boys and me took a cake and presents over to her house. My uncle and aunt were there, so we had a nice visit. Then on Saturday, we went back over along with my brother and his family and my mom...we each brought snacks and my Nanny's favorite, LOTTERY TICKETS...LOL. She loves to sit and scratch those things so she was very happy to get some. I forgot my camera at home so I didn't get any pics. I was very disappointed in myself for not remembering to bring it as I promised myself I would start taking more pics of Nanny and the family...after all, she is NINETY-TWO. She is an amazing woman and I am so glad the good Lord has let her be here with us so that my boys can grow up getting to know the wonderful woman she is.

Usually, by this time I have my tree up and have decorated the house, but I have to say I just haven't been able to get into "it" this year and I really don't know why. Hopefully, the bug will bite in the next few days or the Christmas fairy will come one night while we're all sleeping and Holiday our house...Of course, I hope she then remembers to come back by New Year's and un-Holiday it as well. Isn't that the worst part? Taking everything down, wrapping the breakables and packing it away...ughh, thank goodness hubby and I made that deal years ago that I would unpack and he would pack...LOL...

Hope everyone is having a good week!

HUGS!!

Happy Thanksgiving (and free gift from Oprah)!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. May each of us realize our blessings and be thankful for them all.

I am very thankful for my wonderful family and friends and that I am able to spend the holidays with those I love.

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksiving!

HUGS!!

PS: Go to http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081118_tows_holiday/2 (sorry, still can't link...ughh!) and follow the instructions to download a free Christmas cd. Some great music from some really talented artists!! You can only do this over the next 48 hours so get yourself over there and start downloading!!!

My mini-book FINALLY

I have to apologize in advance for the crappy quality of the pics in this post. I am in dire need of a new camera...the one I have is 4+ years old. Hubby bought it for me before he left for Iraq in August of 2004. Hopefully, Santa will read this and bring me a new one...I've been a good...err ok girl this year! :)

Anyway, thanks to Miss Mel over at www.mojoy.blogspot.com (sorry, I couldn't get it to link), I am starting to get my feet wet in the scrapbooking world. This is my very first attempt at it so judge accordingly...LOL. On my next project I want to "journal" more but this time I did not have the right writing utensils for this tiny book so looks like another trip to Hobby Lobby (don't tell hubby, he'll hide my check card)is in order. You don't even know how exciting that is to me...just getting to spend 2-3 hours in that store...*sigh*.



























And here's a better look at the one above on the right. It is Aaron in his "disguise" costume (Groucho Marx glasses/ stache) from one of the care packages we sent him while he was in Iraq.









Way too blurry pic of my Jack Sparrow












And a better one, to show you the cute little 3-D trick or treat bag sticker.



And just for fun, here's my sweet *cough, cough* little Tyler TRYING to act all angelic...but you see his horns right?!










HUGS!!

Goodnight!

Prayers please...

My dear friend's (Alison) Mom is not doing well at all. She was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago which had already metastized to many areas of her body. The family decided given the progression that chemo would only buy them some time and would not be comfortable for her. They (as well as she) wanted quality not quantity. A went to visit her Mom on Sunday after church and found her lying on the floor, quite dioriented. They are pretty sure she had a stroke but there's nothing they can really do as she is on hospice care. Her nurses are keeping her as comfortable as possible...she has only been up a couple of hours today. A sent an email earlier and said they don't think she will be "here" much longer. Tonight, I pray for comfort and peace for A's mom and strength for the family. I know from experience it is not easy watching someone you love being called Home.

Take advantage of time you have with those you love...we never know when any of us will be called Home.

HUGS!!

A Whole Lotta Nuttin Goin On!!

That pretty much sums up what has been happening around here. Had a fairly low-key weekend. Aaron and I took my brother and his wife out for their anniversary on Saturday night. We went to this awesome seafood and steakhouse in Addison (Dallas area). I highly recommend it if you are ever in the area, it is called Nate's Seafood and Steak House, Inc. Their cooking "style" is Cajun which made my hubby from New Orleans so so happy. He was able to get his crawfish and softshell crab so he was one happy camper.

On our way back to HICKSVILLE we stopped off at Old Navy for a quick 10 minute shopping spree. It was 8:50 pm by the time we got there, we thought we had plenty of time to shop since we THOUGHT they closed at 10pm. Nope, got there and the sign said 9:00pm. WHAT?!? You should have seen me running through the store (and Aaron trying to keep up) trying to find what I wanted. I should have prefaced by saying we had a Friends and Family coupon for an additional 30% off of EVERYTHING!! Yeah, now you see why I was running frantically through the store. Anyway, 10 minutes later and I had racked up quite the bargains. Three outfits, socks, gloves for the boys, pet clothes and a wool coat for me...all for $170!! Yep, I was so proud of myself. I can't believe I actually got started on my Christmas shopping and it is not even December yet! YAY me!!

Sunday we went to spend some time with my precious Nanny then home to cook din-din and clean...FUN! Well, everything except for the cleaning part.

Today, I have been sick with some type of crud...slept most of the afternoon. Hate these kinds of days. I will probably be up most of the night with all the sleep I got today...or maybe this red beer will help put me to sleep. HA!

Anyway, hope your week is good thus far!

HUGS!!

Singing Laynie