Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday!

I survived four nights of rehearsals this week.  Whew!

I survived sophomores doing research and short presentations over Julius Caesar.  I even survived a girl raising her hand at the end of all those presentations and asking, "Was Caesar a myth or a real person?"  (Yeah, I really feel like I am doing my job.  *sigh )

Now, if I can make it through a day of sophomores complaining while they paraphrase Shakespeare into modern English, I know I will be ready for this weekend.  They consider this assignment translating from one language to another.  "Why can't this just be written in English, Mrs. E?" 

"Uh... it is!"  Imagine their surprise.

Can you tell I am ready for a weekend? 

Yeah, I thought so...




Thursday, January 30, 2014

Tomorrow is Today

I'm picking up the Bug after school.  She's staying with Nana, until Papa gets home.  Then Papa will watch her when Nana goes to rehearsal.  Mama will pick her up after her activity tonight.

Last night I had a phone call from a crying Bug who didn't want to wait one more day.  "Tomorrow is today! I wanna see Nana and Papa."  Saddest thing ever.  If Nana hadn't had rehearsal, I would have gone and scooped her up for the evening.

The good news:  Tomorrow really is today!!


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Perks

*Pictures of Baby E sent over text at lunchtime.  Makes my whole day cheery.

*Funny stories of the latest Buggyisms.  (When an I-hop waitress asked her how she was the other morning, she said "Grumpy." And she was.)

*Rotten bananas = Banana Bread warm from the oven.  Yum!

*Needing a breath mint and finding a candy cane in my desk drawer. Bingo!

*Catching up on grading before the next onslaught.

*Cristal Bic pens.  Kelly over at the Hays Crew blogged about them.  I love them!  These were a great find. I almost (ALMOST!) love grading with them:  pretty pink, U town purple, and Tiny Town green are my favorites.  The colors are wonderful, but the way they write!!!  I am in love with my pens.

*Scented creamy hand lotion.  My dry hands love them and so does my nose.

*Evening meals in the crock pot, so I can eat before rehearsals. 

Yes, Wednesday is always a nice perk, too.  



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Such a Good Weekend

Saturday, we traveled to Big City to see L, CB, and Baby E.
It was early when we left Tiny Town on a cloudy morning.
The clouds made for a beautiful sunrise.

And then, Baby E was so happy to see us.  OK.  Maybe he had no clue, but his Momma was glad to see us!

Baby E and Papa had a long talk.  (Complete with quite a bit of drool.)  Then he started flexing his muscles. 
In the afternoon, the boys all stayed at home, while L and I went to see the stage version of "Sister Act."  It was a great show and so much fun.  And the boys managed to survive, too.

That evening we took them out to dinner for L's birthday.  We loaded Baby E up and headed to his Momma's favorite Mexican restaurant.
He was such a good boy.   He was pretty tolerant of all the kissing on those chubby cheeks.

Sunday morning, we went to church with L and CB.  They go to a beautiful church just a few blocks from their house.  The people were so friendly, and it was good to see so many people who already knew them.  

We hated to leave Big City after church, but knew we better head home for Bax, laundry and paper grading.  In the evening, we had an impromptu pizza dinner for CT's birthday.  

There were haircuts for the guys, bubble blowing for the Bug, and then the wind kicked in.  Temperatures dropped like a bomb.  So, the Bug and I found other ways to amuse ourselves. 
Photo booth is quite fun when you are two. 
(Heck, it is kind of fun when you are 56!)

We saw all the grand babies in one weekend.  It doesn't get much better than that. 

And now off to a crammed week full of show rehearsals and grading.  Fortunately, I feel up to it after such a great weekend!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Belated Birthday Weekend

The Mr. and I are headed to Big City to celebrate L's 31st birthday a week late.  The plan is to spend a lot of time with L, CB and the Little Man.

There will a be shopping trip for L's birthday gift: a long coat with a hood. (Elementary teachers get COLD on recess duty.)

L and I are also planning to see Sister Act.  Big Big Brother and his wife buy season tickets to the Music Hall shows on tour.  They couldn't get away for this weekend and were so nice to give the tickets to me.  L and I are leaving Little Man in charge of the two Big Men.  Yikes!  Hope Little Man likes sports, cooking shows, and beer.  (Eclectic tastes, I know.)

We will go to church with them on Sunday and then return to Tiny Town.

I almost forgot about Baxter.  I was kind of used to having "live-in" dog care.  Little Big Brother and sweet SIL agreed to look in on him from time to time.  I'm sure Bax will be glad to see his old friends.

Little Man has started giggling and smiling and "talking" since we last saw him.  I can't wait to see that little guy.  I hope he didn't forget me!!

Looking forward to a weekend of celebrating some of my favorite people.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Friday Favorites

I babysat the Bug yesterday for about an hour. It was a crazy hour.  She is a hoot and quite busy.  We played with paper dolls who went swimming and jumped into the deep end.  We played a Dora game that teaches the sounds that go with the letters.  We hunted for the one Easter Egg that I still had from last Easter, and couldn't find it anywhere.  She opened drawers and said "Nope."  Eventually, she had to eat unhidden jelly beans.  It was a sacrifice. I love that little Bug.

Tomorrow, we are headed to a belated celebration for L's birthday, and so I get to see the Little Man.  I can't wait. He's changing so much.

A couple of other favorites this week:

This blog post by L for Martin Luther King Day made me cry.  She sees our world from a little bit different place these days.

This poster says it all sometimes.  (Should I be taking advice from Elizabeth Taylor??)
 
But I'm leaving you with video.  I fell in love with this poem when I saw Dead Poet's Society, and I love this commercial featuring it.


Happy Friday--and excuse me, but I have to find my tube of lipstick! (That drink will have to wait until this evening.)


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Some Days

The Mr. has been fairly sick.  He's missed two days of work this week; though he tried to go yesterday.  (That lasted about an hour. No one wants to be around "typhoid Mary.") I'm hoping he bounces fast.

To top it off, I had some tests at J town hospital. (Nothing major.)  I came out of the hospital and found I had a flat tire.  And I mean flat.  The Mr. was in no shape to come to my rescue, though we had a pretty good argument on the phone about him staying home. (He doesn't listen very well!)

K and CT came to my rescue.  K picked me up and took me home.  CT, K and the Bug were headed to U town for errands, so they changed the tire and brought my car to Tiny Town on their way home. It is now sitting at a local garage. 

And to really top it off, I have a faculty meeting at 7:15 this morning.  Granted, they do feed us breakfast, so I shouldn't complain.  Shouldn't is the operative word. 

Oh, and the temperature with wind chill today is -20.

Am I having fun yet? No, but maybe tomorrow...

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Begin Again

The cast is posted and tonight is the first rehearsal for The Outsiders.  It seems like a long time until March 13th & 14th, but it will go fast.

I'm working around basketball and wrestling schedules.  There are also three music concerts in that time. (One of them is the Tuesday before the show opens on Thursday.)  And also Parent-Teacher conferences that take up a good part of two nights.  So, the two months equals out to about two practices a week.  Fast?  It flies!

However, this is my last Begin Again.  I have resigned my directing duties at the end of this year.  I can teach or I can direct, but there is no way I can do both again.  I'm exhausted--and a little bit of everything suffers.  (Who am I kidding?  A LOT of everything suffers!) 

All that being said, I am looking forward to this last show. 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Inservice Day

I think Inservice is a synonym for day-long meetings where we talk about what I would be doing if we weren't talking about it.  Then my colleagues and I have to find time in an already packed schedule to do it, when it would have been more effective to use the inservice day to do it.   *sigh

Whining done.  (I sound like my students!)

Thank you for listening.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Happy Birthday, Momma L

L is 31 today.  It is hard to believe.

In the last year, her life has done a 180.  She has married and had a baby.

This new world seems to suit her.  Little Man E is adorable and such a good baby. And she is such a good Momma!

In spite of all the big changes, some things never change.  L is still quite the entertainer.  She was always good at making tense situations evaporate with her crazy sense of humor.  I could be so mad, and yet she would have me dissolving into laughter.  She still can.

Last night's call was about a squirrel that had made its way into L and CB's house.  I'm still chuckling.  There was a time in her life where L might have been quite upset by their adventure, but last night--she was still laughing about the squirrel that sent them all over the edge.

Happy 31st, L! Hope the year ahead is full of more giggles and no more wildlife in the house.  May your days be filled with hubby and Baby E and kindergartners who love their teacher.

We love you, dear girl.  Now celebrate your day by putting your feet up and snuggling that baby!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Friday!!!!

Auditions are over.  Yea!  Have I picked the cast?  Nope. 

Why?
*36 students auditioned for 17 parts.
*Only about 8 or 9 of the 17 parts are "larger" roles.
*That means a lot of disappointed kids.

I think I am going to be in Sticky Note craziness trying to figure it all out.  (Every student's name goes on a sticky note, and I play rearrange until I get it right--or as close to right as I can get it.)
Wish me luck on that.

On a really happy note this Friday:

*The Mr. gets off early, and we are going to U town for pedicures (me), wood shopping (the director me), book shopping (me) and dinner.  Doesn't that sound like a grand time for the Mr.?  In all fairness, I am paying for dinner.  Poor guy.

Oh, and I almost forgot.  Our new lunch program makes a special lunch that the faculty can purchase on Fridays. (Trying to encourage staff to eat at school.)  The meals are delicious, but the best part??  WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE!

Yea for Friday!!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Auditions Days

Auditions for "The Outsiders" are from 4-7 tonight and tomorrow night.  Two twelve hour days ahead. 

I'm guessing that I will be ready for a weekend.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A Bit of Random

*I need a pedicure desperately.  No one would see it, but I still need one.  Either that or I could take sand paper to these feet!

*My car odometer turned over 200,000 miles last month.  It might be about time to shop for the next used car.

*I hate shopping for cars.  I'd rather go to the dentist. 

*I hate going to the dentist.  This stems from a childhood of Novocain not working on me like it does everyone else.  I felt every bit of that drilling.  The dentist didn't know it until he tried to take out my first wisdom tooth.  He cut and I about died. (Not really. I was just wishing!) Since then, I dread dentist appointments.  And yes, I'd still rather go to the dentist than shop for a new car.  Does that tell you how much fun car shopping is to me?

*Oh, and my new car can't be gray.  Gray/silver cars have more accidents.  Well, that's my theory.  Besides, if my hair is gray, my car shouldn't be!

*Our road didn't get bladed by city crews after the last snow storm. We have about three inches of hard packed snow (ice), and I'm wondering if it is ever going to melt.  Just a tad scary trying to walk the first 50 feet down the drive, especially at 4:45 in the morning.  Yikes!

*After 4:00 every day, I am shot.  Good for absolutely nothing.  (And play rehearsals begin next week from 6:30-9. *sigh!)

*New favorite recipe: Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti.  It cooks in the crock pot and is a Weight Watcher friendly recipe.  Absolutely delicious!

*Buying stock in a Kleenex company would be a good investment this month.  I'm pretty much keeping them in business.  However, the antibiotics and the nasal spray seem to be working. 

And there is your randomness for this week.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Show Weekend

The Mr. doesn't sell RV's any more, but during an RV show they need a few more salesmen on hand.  So, he spent the weekend at an RV sale.

Saturday, I went with him.  Well, I dropped him off at the show and then had my own agenda.

I shopped a bit. 

And then I met up with the Mr.'s cousins.  They took me a restaurant that might have had the biggest hamburgers I have ever seen.  Nobody ate more than half of their burger.  (To-go boxes are popular there.) 

We shopped in a cooking store, a barbecue store (who knew there were grills that cost $3,800??) and a bookstore.

Then we took in August in Osage County.  Great acting, but strange and unsatisfying ending. 

And I got to play with a new dog that was adopted last Thursday.  Pickles is adorable.  (And kind of makes me want another dog.)

Sunday, the Mr. went back to the show, and I stayed home and did laundry.  Baxter and I also walked with Sweet SIL and her two dogs. It was a crazy walk, and ended with Baxter pitching a fit all the way home.  He wanted to hang out with his dog friends, Minnie and Toby.  (See, I think he really does need a new dog friend.  Mr., are you listening?)

The Mr. arrived home fairly late: tired and hungry.  He's going to end up working 13 days in a row by the time next Sunday rolls around.  (Pathetic, but that is better than when he used to work sometimes 21 days in a row.)  

Now, I'm off to school to announce the three contest winners in Mrs. E's classroom contest.  Valuable prizes to hand out.  (Well, movie theater candy at .99.  Last of the big spenders.) 

And this is audition week.  Wish me luck. 

So, Show Weekend has ended in RV world, but the show is just beginning in Tiny Town High world.  Let the craziness begin.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Little Things

Sometimes, it's  the little things--

*the student who posts amazing links about teachers on Facebook and tags me in them
*finding the Bug's little tiny elastic pony tail band in the Mr.'s pocket (rescued from somewhere)
*shopping for a DVD that I need for school and finding it for $5.00
*the para who volunteers to run something to the office and brings back a cup of coffee for me
*a leopard print nail file
*putting on a coat I haven't worn in awhile and finding a ten dollar bill in the pocket
*sunshine!  (Especially after days of clouds)
*the Sunday paper
 Sunday, January 11th Sunrise

Who am I kidding?  It's almost always the little things!

Friday, January 10, 2014

My Favorites this Friday

*Spider Solitaire
*Students picking up audition forms for "The Outsiders"
*Flonase Nasal Spray--love the smell of this and hope it shakes off my sinus infection
*Downton Abbey's new season
*Figuring out set designs for "The Outsiders
*Knowing that L is surviving her first week of leaving little E, and even enjoying her kindergartners
*Hearing that the Bug had a "slumber party" during naptime at the sitters.  (In other words, she and her friend giggled and talked like a couple of teenagers instead of napping.)
*Using an RV show as an excuse to meet up with the Mr.'s cousins, which leads to...
*Movie theaters that deliver wine to your seat!
*Walking with K in the mornings on a regular basis again

Oh, and today is sweet sister-in-law's birthday. She is the better half of my former favorite homeless couple.  Happy Birthday, A. Little Big Brother better spoil you a bit!

Happy Friday!



Thursday, January 9, 2014

Meat Locker Temperatures

Yesterday, the heat was off in my room (and several other rooms) at Tiny Town High.  There was some kind of problem.  Experts were called. 

I borrowed a clock with an indoor thermometer from my young colleague.  The temperature in my room???  (Drum roll please.)

...56 degrees. 

Another colleague covered for me during 2nd hour, so I could run home and change into something warmer.  My students wore coats--and sometimes gloves. 

Thankfully, shortly after lunch, the heat came back on and temperatures gradually began climbing back to 68 or so. 

On this Thursday, I am thankful for the people that keep our heat running. 

Very thankful.  (And I'd be quite happy not to do that again this winter.)

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

This and That

This is a hodgepodge post. OK. I know. Most of them are. This time I am following the truth in advertising rule.

*  Monday was Baxter's 4th Birthday.  He didn't get a cake or even an additional treat. Poor guy. (Just a lot of hugs and kisses.) 

*  I have cousins who are watching their mother die. She was my aunt.  She is my aunt.  (Divorce doesn't really end some relationships.)  She took sick before Christmas and thought it was asthma or some other respiratory problem.  It wasn't.  They have called in hospice.  The three cousins and their mom have been on my mind.  Cousin A and her family came from Chicago.  All of them are staying with Cousin R and his wife.  Cousin M is about the age I was when Mom died.  She faces a lot of years ahead without her momma.  They all do. Breaks my heart.

*Yesterday was the first day back to school since the Friday before Christmas.  It was good to see everyone, but I forget how crazy scheduling is after the fall semester.  There were a lot of students trying to get schedules changed.  Heck, there were a lot of students whose schedules showed that they were only enrolled in a class or two.  I guess they call that a "hole" in their schedule.  (And that would be an understatement.) 

*Did I mention that besides the crazy enrollment issues, the scheduling computer system wasn't working?  Yeah, that means if changes happened, they didn't get put into the computer.  Today will be more fun, unless they fixed that glitch.

*I tried to go to a Tiny Town High basketball game last night.  The huge scoreboard that hangs over the middle of the court wasn't working right.  Instead of a steady display, the display was constantly blinking. I sat for about five minutes before I staggered out of the gym and headed for home.  Ever since the stroke, blinking lights have not been my friend. 

*In Big City, L survived her first days of leaving Baby E at the sitter.  I imagine there were a lot of kindergartners glad to see her again.

*And Buggy was quite excited to see all of her friends at the babysitters.  (Someone to fight with besides the dog!)

*I'm not behind at school yet.  Woo hoo for me.  (Give me a couple of days and that will change.)

Happy Hump Day!  

Gray Diaries of 2013

This journey isn't over.  I'm nine months in.  I'm not sure I love it, but I don't absolutely hate it either.  I guess that means, I'm trudging on.

As I was unloading my phone's photos yesterday, I decided to document this graying process through collages. 
That top picture was the color job that helped push me over the edge.  I hated it.  And the morning after I had it done, the hair around my temples was already white at the roots.  The hair wouldn't take color any more.   So I went to a Tiny Town hair salon in mid April and talked a hairdresser into taking me gray.  She added highlights, knowing that would help the gray roots blend in.  

So then this experiment began...
In May, I went in to have her trim and highlight it again. The gray was becoming a lot more noticeable.  My hairdresser thought that she would add low lights in June, but I changed her mind.  She put highlights in again, and my hair was almost blonde this time.  I haven't touched it since.  I guess I thought that if I kept adding highlights and then low lights, I would never get to my natural gray/silver color.  
By July, I knew I was going to have to go shorter.  In August, she cut layers into my hair and shortened it.  I'm not a fan of short hair on me, but it makes sense in the growing out process.  New glasses, new haircut, somewhat strange blonde, silver, brown hair is how I started the school year.  

By October, I liked the length in back, but hated how short the hair is around my face. (I still do.)  And now my biggest challenge is finding clothes and makeup in colors that look good with the changing hair color.  (I'm not there yet!  Still looking. Maybe if my hair would decide what it is doing, I could decide what I am doing about colors.)
Nine months in, I am more concerned about the style and length of my hair than the color.  It is darker (more pepper than salt) in the back than I thought it would be.  My temples are quite silver; in fact, ear to ear forward I am very gray.  It is an interesting look. (Well, that's what I'm calling it.)

It's kind of a relief not to have to color my hair.  I save a lot of time and money (2 1/2 hours and $85 every six weeks), though I am spending quite a bit on trims to keep myself from absolutely hating the process.  (Actually, I pay $10 a trim in Tiny Town every six weeks.  And that is a bargain!)  I will probably splurge on an awesome haircut one of these days, but for now I am just riding it out.  

This hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Before I started the process, I read a lot of articles about women doing this.  Most were not that encouraging.  Some were downright frightening.  Now, that I've gone this far, I'd say it really is easier that I thought it would be.  And my hairdresser says the same thing.  She wasn't sure it would be this easy either.    

So that is the first nine months of this graying process.  It's hard to get great pictures that show the color, but I will keep posting from time to time.  Eventually, all those blonde ends will be gone, and I'll know the color of my natural hair once again!

Monday, January 6, 2014

I Love Winter

I know it is crazy, but I really do like winter.  (Kelli at The Hays Crew blog feels the exact opposite, and I do sympathize with her right now.)  Well, I guess I should say that I like winter as long as when the calendar says it is spring--the weather cooperates! 

Probably, in another life, I was a bear.  (Yes, that might fit me in more ways than one.)  I like to hibernate in winter.  The early darkness suits me.  I get home to my warm house and don't want to go out again.

I love...
  *snow
      *thick socks
         *flannel sheets
             *wood stoves (in our case- a facsimile)
                  *hot soups and thick stews
                       *snow days
                           *boots
                               *cute knit hats and scarves
                                    *hot cider and hot chocolate
                                         *shoveling snow
                                              *warm fleece pajamas
                                                   *over-sized sweaters
                                                        *ski jackets
                                                             *lap blankets
                                                                  *time for a good book
                                                                      *long underwear--especially long underwear tops
                                                                           *and cute snowmen

It helps that we live on the same power grid as the Senior Citizen housing, meaning our electricity is never off for long.  (Hope I didn't just jinx that.)

It would really help if the Mr. would buy me a remote start for my car.  I would love to get into a warm car and not have to scrape windows after school.

Did I mention that I love snow days?  I do.  And I'm having one today.  (Or at least a bitter-cold-minus-zero-wind-chill day.)  And I'm not complaining.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Play Days

The last week has been full of playing.  Yesterday was no exception.

Since Mr. was off, we took a drive to Big City to see Baby E and family.  We shopped a bit on the way up and back to justify a couple of hours of snuggling that little guy.  (Spent a whopping $19.00.)

Little Man was quite happy to see his Nana and Papa. (Well, that's what I think!)  He endured a lot of kissing and some singing. He is starting to do a lot of "talking" and smiling. So sweet.  (He's changing so fast, I hate to miss a week.) 

The drive home was a bit treacherous with blowing snow and cold temperatures.  We seemed to be driving in a snow globe!  Temperatures are to remain frigid with dangerous wind chill. 

As cold as it is, any playing on this last day of break is going to have to be indoor playing. Might be time to dust off the cribbage board and look up the rules again.  Or I could pop in another season of Downton Abbey. The Mr. would be so thrilled. (Though I think it is growing on him!)

Oh, and I might break down and do a few things to get organized for tomorrow.  About 80 sophomores would be so disappointed if I didn't have some work for them to do! 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

So What Did You Do Over Break?

Besides Christmas celebrations, I don't think that I did much.  I call this recovery mode. 

Let's see...

*I cleaned out all the drawers in my bathroom vanity.  I still can't figure out why I save old lipstick and mascara tubes.

*The Mr. took me to see Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks.  (Both great movies!)

*I might have immersed myself in Seasons 1, 2, & 3 of Downton Abbey.  I haven't quite finished, but I'm getting there.


That is a short list of accomplishments.  Other things of note?

*I have had recurring dreams about a former student who had brain surgery on Nov. 21st and again on Dec. 18th. She had been studying elementary education at my college alma mater, when she experienced horrible headaches.  She ended up being rushed into surgery and was lucky to survive. She was originally diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma which was Stage 3 cancer, but right after Christmas she was told that she actually had Glioblastoma Multiforme, which is Stage 4.  She is facing the fight of her young life. (And I'm wishing I hadn't googled the disease.) Her parents are in Texas now, so she is recuperating at home with them. I keep dreaming that she is staying with us, and I wake up concerned about where she is sleeping and if she is OK. I guess she has been on my mind a lot. Please add 19 year old Morgan to your prayers.  She and her family are trying to be positive, but I know that they are scared for what 2014 will bring.  (And I am, too.) 

*There are several other friends and relatives going through some rough times.  More about those in the days and weeks ahead.  My prayer list is growing long.

*There are several things that I should be doing:  new seating charts, lesson plans, planning for "The Outsiders" and my Professional Development notebook for re-certification approval. And I have two days.  Two Days!

You'd think that I might be feeling pressure, but I'm not.  I'm going to have several cups of coffee--and then take a trip to visit Little Man E and his parents. 

I think this is going to be a Scarlet O'Hara year.  "I'll think about that tomorrow" sounds like a good mantra for the year.  (Except for my post Christmas eating, which is more of a "You HAVE to think about that today--and every day.")

That is a sad little list of accomplishments, and I have to admit that I am glad.  I needed this break!
 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Day 3 of 2014

Three days into this year and no resolutions.  What is with that?

OK.  Here goes:

Resolution #1-  More fun in 2014.  The water park, blowing bubbles, riding a bike down a big hill, laughing until pop comes out your nose kind of fun.

Resolution #2-  I'm going to adopt the attitude: "It will all get done" and not necessarily by me.


That's it.  The motto for the year:  Lighten up!

And there you have it.  Profound, I know.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Jackpot

New loves:

Lindt Lindor Truffles- And I can be completely satisfied with one.  They are rich and creamy and feel like a splurge.

Dillard's New Years Day sale:  Almost everything that is on sale is another 50% off.  Some things that aren't on sale are 30-50% off.  I don't need more Christmas decorations or kitchen gadgets; however, I was quite happy to buy two bras for $10 each and cute underwear for $2.50 a pair.  I looked at shoes, clothes, and purses and didn't find anything that I couldn't live without.  I probably saved $80 on my purchases.  I hate paying full price for undergarments, and I hate to shop for them, too. 

Shiraz wine-  a bit of a switch from my typical White Zin, Moscato, or Riesling. I guess I am branching out.

Zillow-  This is a great internet site and app to "window shop" for real estate or homes anywhere in the country. (I'm downsizing in my mind!)

Ski socks-  OK.  This isn't a new love, but wearing them when I'm not skiing is.  Warm feet, a cushion in boots...what's not to love?

Manicures and cute nail files.  Not only did I give up coloring my hair last year, but I also gave up my acrylic nails. (Stagecraft class with painting, etc. wasn't kind to nails.)  My nails are still in recovery mode.  (Acrylics are really hard on them.)  I splurged only once on a manicure with a hand massage, but nail clippers and nail files have been getting a workout. Keeping my nails short is a priority.

Sundried Tomato Basil Wheat Thin Crackers- I like sundried tomatoes period.  These crackers are delicious.

The recipe for Fool's Toffee-  A para gave me this little gem.  I made a batch and it was delicious and a hit with everyone who tried it.  Yum!

And that's what I am loving right now.

Oh, and I love these two munchkins!  Grandkids are quite fun.  I am in post-Christmas withdrawal.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New Year's Day 2014


Happy New Year! 

Some New Year Randomness:


*I always thought I wanted to celebrate a New Year in Times Square, NYC.  Then I went there a few years ago  and realized something.  There.Is.No.Way.  There aren't public bathrooms.  'Nuff said.

*I spent my New Year's Eve with a sinus headache and a fever.  Not much fun.  But I'm better today. I think.

*I have yet to purchase a 2014 calendar.  What might I be waiting for????  *sigh

*It will take me most of January to remember to write 2014 instead of 2013. 

*On a sad note:  last year there were several times when I wrote 2007 or 2010 or some other random year that was long past.  Losing.My.Mind.

*I have a strange relationship with odd numbers.  I tend to avoid them.  If I have a choice on a date, I will always choose an even number or a number ending in 5. Where did this crazy quirk come from?  No idea.  So...2014 is good. 

*As a kid, we always took down the Christmas decorations on New Year's Day.  I like to do it a little earlier than that now, but guess what?  Today, we will be taking down the Christmas decorations.  Happy New Year to us.

So the plan for today?  The Mr. will be watching football today, while I run out and buy a 2014 calendar.  And there might be black eyed pea soup.  Do we know how to spend the first day of the year or what?!

Happy 2014!