The non-resolutions....

I've decided to do something new this year.  It seems that whenever I make a resolution,  I end up doing the exact opposite of what I intended to do. So, with that in mind, I give you....

"Sherry's List of Opposite Resolutions, 2006"

1. I resolve to enjoy carb, fat and sugar laden foods in order to become the woman I want to be. No longer will I be a slave to celery, fat free dressing and gallons of Crystal Light. I will make it a point to eat well after 6:00 pm, and possibly throughout the evening, whilst sitting on the couch watching tv.

2. I resolve to take a nap for 30 minutes, three times a week. I will trade in my New Balance walking shoes for fuzzy slippers and snooze my way from breakfast to lunch....or perhaps lunch to dinner, whichever fits my schedule. I will not sign up at my local gym,  park further from the doors while shopping, or take the stairs instead of the escalator.

3. I resolve to spend my money like water and not put a penny into savings. I'll use my credit cards until the little strip melts off, and scoff at those who use coupons. All of the clothes I buy will be full price and from the mall instead of outlet stores. I will be the best dressed woman at the debt consolidation office.

4. I resolve to let London have run of the house. I won't take her to obedience school, but give her free reign....my harvest table will be her fantasy chew toy, my carpeting her luxurious outhouse. I will set a place at the table so that she does not have to beg on the cold floor, and make John sleep on the couch so that my precious pooch is sure to have a restful night sleep on our expensive new mattress set. She will be our little princess! (Okay, that last sentence will be true either way....lol).

That is all of the "opposite resolutions" I can think of right now....I'm sure I will remember some more later. Betsy has gone out with friends for the evening, and wee one is spending the night at one of her little girlfriends. Of course, that leaves John and I alone....

We started our romantic evening at my mom's, setting up her dvd/vcr player. After that we had a superb dinner at Steak & Shake.  Then, we came home for a quiet, cozy evening....he is snoring on the couch with London at his feet, and I'm here on the computer. Sometimes I wonder how we went from New Year's out on the town, partying until dawn, to sitting at a hamburger restaurant next to a senior couple out with their two grandkids whilst their own kids were most likely enjoying a spectacular evening somewhere....but what is really scary is that we WANTED to spend our evening like this! I suppose time goes on, we all get older, and things change. But that's okay. I like where I am....and who I'm with. And I suppose, that is all that truly matters.

I wish every one of my wonderful friends a very Happy New Year! Have fun and be safe!

 

Finally a few minutes to sit!

I still can't believe Christmas has come and gone. It seems like we waited forever for it to get here, only to have it immediately leave. Sigh....

We attended the candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve, a wonderful way to begin the celebrating. The service was a sort of "unplugged" version of our usual Sunday mornings with lots of music and even a solo sung by our minister. It was wonderful....who knew he had such a lovely voice! My mom and sister came with us, as well as Betsy's boyfriend. Mom and Jody came home with us and we relaxed in front of the tree for a bit....and opened a few gifts. The next morning the girls were happy to see that Santa had been there, and we spent an hour or so opening gifts. The girls were thrilled with all of their presents....

Of course we also had wee one's birthday to celebrate, so she got to open those gifts as well. Everything she got was somehow related to "The Nightmare Before Christmas". She now has a hoodie, shirt, pj's, slippers, lip gloss,  pillow, blanket, PS2 game, soundtrack and special edition DVD to keep her occupied! LOL. She just loves that movie.

After the gifts were opened, we went to church and then came home to have Christmas with mom and Jody. When my mom came over she gave the girls their gifts....portable dvd players, which they were thrilled with. Each of them also got a tub of chocolate peppermint reception sticks (thin peppermint sticks covered half way up with chocolate) "from" my dad. He always used to have reception sticks on his headboard in the bedroom, and he would share them with the girls. They used to sneak into his room and get them all the time....of course he knew they were taking them but would act like he didn't know where they were disappearing to.

Later in the afternoon we packed up and went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner. It was a nice visit, thankfully. JB and I put aside work issues and enjoyed the afternoon as a family, which made everything much nicer. We actually had a great time, especially playing bingo. My aunt always has the quirkiest ideas for things to do. Last year she got wee one a set of handbells and after we were done eating, we were each assigned a bell and we played Christmas music. It was hysterical....and after the first 20 or so times, it started to sound pretty good! Of course, I'm not sure how the neighbors enjoyed it, being that we were out on the back porch! This year we had a great time with the bingo. She had bought 10 gifts and wrapped them, so that after someone got a bingo, they could choose a prize. Wee one won the first game, then the second. By the time she won the third game she said she didn't want to play anymore. Janice asked her if there was something wrong and she said, "No, I just think I've won enough. And I want mom to pick a prize instead of me this time." Awwwww.....everyone thought that was so nice....and she ended up being the caller from that point on. We decided since things were moving rather slowly, that we would not clear our cards on the last game to get things going. Of course my sister and I got Bingo at the same time....so like the immature brats that we are, we raced over to the tree and pushed and shoved each other to get the gifts we wanted! LOL....we stayed until 7 and then it was back home to wind down.

I didn't go anywhere on the 26th....I wasn't going to fight the crowds. Of course I have been out since and now have more to pack away until next year. To be honest, I didnt' see anything that was a real bargain....but it didnt' stop me from buying! LOL. I did have all of my decorations down the day after, however, I was told to leave the trees up until New Years. Guess what? I'm taking them down tomorrow! Oh, if you could only see the girls rooms. It looks like a tornado went through them! I can't wait to get organizing!

Okay, I am outta here for now. I have come down with a terrible cough and I feel like my head weighs 20 lbs. I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas!

 

 

Christmas pics....

I am going to put these pics in for your viewing enjoyment....but I'll write later as the dh is standing here, coffee in hand, sighing as he waits to sit down and play spider solitaire. Man, he acts like this computer is his too!

HO-HO-HO

Only 12 minutes left of Christmas Eve....where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was putting up my decorations....and you all know what I'll be doing on Monday! LOL....

Tonight was a lovely evening. We went to the candelight service at church at 8, and it was just beautiful. I love it when all the candles are lit and we sing. It is so peaceful, and such a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Today Betsy went for a bike ride with my aunt whilst I finished up baking the rest of the cookies. I had three different kinds that I wanted to make, but I only got one done. My aunt from NC is here, and she stopped by which meant I stopped baking! LOL. We had a nice visit and will see her tomorrow at our family gathering. I knew that wee one would be anxiously waiting for tomorrow, so I let her open one of her birthday gifts. She got "The Nightmare Before Christmas; Special Edition" movie on dvd....but that wasn't the one I wanted her to open. I also got her "Oogies Revenge" for the ps2....but both packages were the same size and shape....so she ended up opening both of them. Needless to say she was well occupied all day long! JB spent the day outside washing the car and waxing it. I have to say (and it's killing me to do so)....the weather was beautiful. Sunny and mid 60's....it felt like the beginning of spring! I was sitting outside in the rope swing, enjoying the breeze as London chased her ball around the yard. I will never get used to winter here!

Santa has already visited, and I see a pile of presents under the tree. It's amazing that you can spend so much money and have such a small pile! LOL. Still, I think the girls will be very happy with their gifts. I have a feeling that wee one is caught between knowing who Santa is, and wanting to believe who she thought he was. She said to me, "I already know the tooth fairy isn't real." I asked her how she knew and she said, "Well, she forgot me TWO nights in a row!" (Hey, I was really tired!!!!) LOL. I suppose they have to find out sometime....still, it will be a tradition I will miss.

Only 4 minutes left until Christmas Day....so I shall go and dream of sugar plum fairies and such....

Have a Very Merry Christmas my friends!!!!

Baking....and baking....and baking....

I spent yesterday baking, however, I don't know what happened to all of the pics I took. Methinks Santa needs to bring me a new camera....or perhaps I'll just wait for the after Christmas sales....

As you can see from the pics, I have made a good start. I have the gingerbread dough in the fridge right now, and tomorrow both girls want to make their "own" batch of cookies. Betsy has agreed to the chocolate Reeces pb chip cookies, and wee one wants to make thumbprints. Yes, leave it to my little culinary delight to want to make the most involved cookie of the year. Maybe once I remind her that those cookies have NUTS on them, she will decide to make something easier. Yeah, like that will deter her....

I have a really cool cookbook that has all sorts of interesting facts in it about food, and it had all of the different names that people call Russian Tea Cakes. There is; Mexican wedding cakes, butterballs, and my personal fav....moldy mice. Hmmmm, I can only imagine ringing the doorbell of a cherished friend, plate of holiday goodies in hand, saying "Merry Christmas! Our friendship means so much to me.....here are some freshly baked moldy mice for you!"

It's freeeeeezing outside right now. Of course, it's also 4 am. I woke up and London was on the bed once again (JOHN!!!!) and when she realized I was awake, she attacked me with puppy kisses. I decided before she got too excited, I'd take her out for a potty break....which was obviously needed! I was a bit warm anyway with all the covers and the heat register right above me, so the cool air felt mighty good.

I think I "tested" too many cookies yesterday. I'm thinking about finishing up my baking in a few hours and it's making me nauseous. What am I going to do with all those cookies? I can't help it....I start baking and then I want to see how many I can make. I love watching them pile up on the table. I think I'll take a plate over to my friend today. Her daughter has strep for the holidays....poor kid. And, I'll also take some to my uncle's house on Sunday. I suppose someone will eat them.

Last night at midnight, my mom said that she heard someone ringing her doorbell. She looked out the windows and didn't see anyone, so she said she wasn't going to answer it. She said that whomever it was rang the bell really fast, so she thought it was me (as I love to annoy her by ringing it at least 10 times in a row). Finally the phone rings and it's my sister from Indiana, telling her that her Christmas present is outside her door and would she open it....and there was my goofy sister, standing there with her luggage. She had decided to come spend the holidays with mom, being that it was her first without dad. So, they are making plans for things to do for the next two weeks. I can't believe I'm saying this but....this is one time my sister had a GOOD idea! LOLOL....(Love ya Jody! ;o)

Okay, undie boy just shuffled his way out of the bedroom to find out where I went. I guess that is my cue to go back to bed. Night all!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Drinks, anyone?

Let me just start by saying that I am not, by nature, a drinker. I have wine at weddings, and maybe once a year a mixed drink....so having all of this liquor in the house is new to me! Whilst shopping at the World Market, I saw the mix for the Peppermintini and couldn't resist. I love anything peppermint and figured John and I could celebrate the season with a festive drink. Tonight I decided would be the night. I got all of my ingredients together, and caught it on film. I measured out the proportions, and as you can see shook it just right....and ended up with a drink that tasted like....cough syrup over ice. It was horrible! What a disappointment. So, it was on to the 7&7. I didn't hold out much hope for it....however, it is wonderful! So mild and smoooooooth. I'm feeling very, verrryyyyy relaxed right now.....and that is a good thing as I am just about to balance my checkbook after finishing up my Christmas shopping!

We went to the mall yet again today, so that wee one could get her gift for me, and Betsy could get her gift for John. Afterward we went in search of the one thing we wanted to get for my mom....and could not find it anywhere. So, we ended up getting her our second choice, as well as something to go along with it that I hadn't even thought of. Betsy found it and it will be perfect for her! I'm not going to say what it is, in case she reads this....but trust me, she will love it.

I spent an hour or so in my room wrapping things and re-hiding them. I got all of wee one's birthday gifts wrapped as well. I think I bought them MORE this year than any other year....and I was going to cut it down being that the puppy was supposed to be the big gift. However, it seems that the excitement has worn off and John and I are the ones with the new puppy and all of the responsibility. The girls will walk by, give her a pat on the head and run off.....leaving me to walk around all day, talking in baby talk to her, and feeding her Fruit Loops. All I have to do is say, "Does my Lon-Lon want her fruity loops?" and she runs to the pantry and sits so pretty for me. LOL....so much for keeping her on a strict diet! And last night John committed the cardinal sin....he let her sleep on the bed all night. I couldn't believe it when I woke up at 2 am and she was snoring on my legs. He is such a wimp when it comes to her. He calls her his girl, "Where's my girl???? Oh, there she isssss....isn't she a pretty girl?" WTH? Why am I not greeted like that when he comes in from work? Sheesh.

Tomorrow is baking day. I will be baking up a storm all day. I can't wait to sink my teeth into some good, homemade cookies. Last night we went out to dinner and bought a candy cane pie. OMGoodness....it was so good! This restaurant has them every  Christmas and I buy one every year. So rich and creamy and mmmmmmmm good! I wish we had some left. Okay, I'm outta here for the night....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Movie day....

Once again I braved the mall today....this time to purchase dress pants for Betsy, as she had a Christmas party for work tonight. We found some really cute black pants with pinstripes at Gadzooks....along with two pairs of corduory's in chocolate brown and turquoise. I ended up buying them for her, as she didn't have enough money to cover it. She wanted to use what money she had to buy gifts for her sister, dad and me. Awwwww....what a kid. I love shopping for Betsy because she is so tiny. She fluctuates between a 3 and a 5....so I get to spend time amongst the "fashionable" clothes....lol. Of course, I often get the "shouldn't you be on the fat side of the store" look from the sales girls....but that's okay. One of these days I'm going to walk up to one of them with a size 3 and ask, "Don't you have anything smaller? I really love these but they are just too big." LOLOL....

After making the purchases, we walked around the mall so that Betsy could get wee one's present, and wee one could get Betsy's. She had planned on making her a stuffed dog at Build-A-Bear (Betsy had requested it), however the line was out the door. Being that we didn't have much time before the movie started, I told her she could return with her dad when they went shopping on Thursday. She was not happy with me....and begrudgingly followed me out of the store. We ended up at the Disney store where she found the PERFECT gift for her sister. It was on sale for $40, so I told her I would split the cost with her, since she didn't want to spend all of her money....she still wanted to buy something for her dad. Anyway....Betsy will LOVE the gift.

From there we went to the movies to meet up with my girlfriend and her kids. Her son is in the same grade as wee one, and was in the same class with her last year, which is how Kim and I met. I've been teasing wee one for two days saying, "Now, you are NOT to kiss 'M' when the lights go down at the movie," or "you can sit by him, but no holding hands!" LOL....she just turns red and yells MOM! at me.

We ended up seeing Chicken Little....which I thought was a disappointment. I didn't think it was as funny as Disney movies usually are, and not as entertaining. The kids liked it though....which is what mattered. John and I had taken the kids to see Narnia on Sunday and boyoh boy, that was an awesome movie! I highly recommend it....both of my girls loved it, and both of them cried. (I did too....but don't tell anyone!)

I am feeling a little more in the "spirit" of things....although it was hard today with the sun shining and the a/c on in the car! Of course, it was only in the high 50's, but the car was hot for some reason. We didn't have coats on either, just sweaters. I have to say, that the ONLY thing good about Christmas shopping in Florida is that you don't have to fight a coat, hat, mittens, etc., while fighting the crouds as well. I always hated that.

I only have one more person to buy for....but on the off chance that they are reading this, I am not going to say who. I got my mil's gift last night, and even sent a few cards. However, they were only to his side of the family. I am going to assume that my side knows I love them and that I hope they have a Merry Christmas....lol. I've gotten a total of five cards this year (if you count the one from Linen's-N-Things and the one from our realtor), so I don't feel obliged to send many! LOL.

Okay, it's late and I need to get to bed....I finished the ironing tonight (sans burns....yippee!), and I've got baking to start. Not to mention tomorrow is JB's last day of work until the New Year....thank goodness I stopped at the liquor store yesterday! J/K....kind of....

(Oh! I forgot to mention that Betsy got a new job! She will be working better hours and much closer to home. She is excited....she will be working at a grocery store so instead of discounts on crappy frozen yogurt (yuck!) we will get discounts on real food....woohoo!)