my Thanksgiving fun...

Well, an interesting Thanksgiving. We only had 9 people, but it was great!

For the first time in the 20 or so years I've been cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I set off the smoke alarm. It was the attempt to broil the layer of marshmallows over those sweet potatos. I don't broil much...came out with flames and the marshmallows were a layer of ash on top. DD and I scraped them off the best we could...and it wasn't quite a disaster.

THEN while serving the chocolate pudding pie, well, I managed to slide part of it out of the plate onto the counter. OH Well! still tasted pretty darn good.

I also went Black Friday shopping. We were up at 3am to be at Kohls at 4am.
My game plan, is not to have a game plan. I go with my dd, her bf and her mom and my ddil...I'm along for the 'ride'...what bargains I find..makes me happy.

The stores I went to, people were polite and cordial...and helping each other. And we were kinda shaking our heads at ourselves...wondering what we were doing. The lines are an opportunity to 1) shop some more (as we walk by stuff) and 2) meet people.

I met a woman, who just had her 7th grandchild!! (she looked at my stuff and asked 'First Grandchild'? teehee) Since Nyki was there, she tried to control my baby shopping...even steering me out of certain stores at the mall. teehee. But she mainly had a 'resigned' look on her face.

My favorite purchase, I got myself a small Harujuku Lovers tote for $17. Macy's has an incredible Black Friday sale of 50% off already clearance designer purses. NOT all of them...but this is where I got my Harujuku purse last year...this may be a yearly stop for me.

So, today is a day at home, decorating for Christmas and putting the cards together (I still do a yearly letter)...and on Thursday, I'm off to help the kids move to Tx.

Now that Michael has 'taken over' finances, I had to give him a Christmas budget. A first for me, I usually just shop and in January think "what have I done?". Actually, it wasn't too painful.

Did a little shopping today....

Here are my purchases today!

I have a granddaughter!
The kids are leaning toward Adrianna...its a compromise,
Nyki really wants Audrey and Jason comes up with 'fancier' names
like Caroline and Jacqueline...sooooooooo.
This is not final, and the middle name is still a point of serious discussion.

She wants Leigh, a family name (I like it too, as my dad is Max Lee)
He wants Marie, just cuz he thinks its a good middle name...a lot of gals he knew growing up have Marie (including his sister)

But I also threw out Zoey...Adrianna Zoey...then he could call her 'A to Z!!'

But, I'm having a granddaughter.. yay yay yay!!!!

see what a good girl I was...I did not go overboard on the pink!
Nyki is "allergic" to pink...teehee...

Today is the day!

Today is the day we find out whether I am having a granddaughter or grandson.

I was taking a poll at work and amongst the family, when I left work yesterday it was at a ties...11 votes boy, 11 votes girl..

Its funny what people based their votes on...

here are some of the funniest:

my mom: guess Japanese conventional wisdom is that when a woman is pregnant with a boy, her face looks mean...Nyki does not look 'mean' so, girl.

my son in law: most of the guys in the shop have girls, so he thinks there is something in the atmosphere that zaps the boy gene, since both J and Nyki worked in the cal lab...his vote, girl

co-worker Dan: - my husband's family are all boys (3 of them) of the 3 boys all had sons...but only 2 girls...boys outnumber girls..so his vote, boy.

daughter: Nyki has not gained weight in her face, and you cannot tell she is preggo from the back...her vote, boy

me: whenever I talk about my future grandchild, I keep saying 'he'...though I would love a granddaughter to buy all the pink froo-froo stuff for... my vote, boy

oh, Gordon had the one that made me laugh the most...when asked what J and Nyki are going to have, he said..."A Marine"! (they are both former Marines)
(his vote when I got him down to gender...a girl)

Its pretty even...but today we find out.

One thing I have changed my mind about...instead of shopping tomorrow..I'm going tonight!! Just one outfit!! or two, or three...

DH has just left..

for a 3 day trip to Pismo with his buddy...FREEEEEEDOMM!!!!

okay, first thing, NO MORE NEWS CHANNEL!! time for country music videos.

2nd thing...S H O P P I N G!!
though I went last night with my ddil..she took me to her church that was having a trade as one bazaar...very cool. Did find a few unique things for people on my list..and got myself a bracelet. ONe item is one of these bowls...it is made of recycled magazine pages.

3rd thing...I don't have to leave for work till I'M GOOD AND READY!! No more, leaving at 7:15...AND I get to leave for home when I clock out...no more waiting till after 5 or 5:30.

4th...Percy and I can HOG the bed!!

5th...Whatever I want to watch on tv!!

3 days is perfect, just enough time to enjoy my freedoms...but not too long, where I start to miss the stinker.

(note countdown to tomorrow, we find out if I'm having a granddaughter or grandson..but ya'll won't know till Weds!!)

good day, bad night..

had a great day, CROPPED from noon till 10pm!! Now, that is a wonderful day.

We had a lasagna potluck. Yuuuuummm!

Got quite a bit done, some pages may need to be redone, and embellished.

Got home, got in bed, and dh tells me..oh, ds (who was visiting when I left) got a call, he is working tonight.

Ds JUST finished his Field Training, on Friday!! He was supposed to start his regular, patrol, in a car by himself on Monday morning...not on a Saturday night.

Needless to say, I did not get much sleep. Kept waking up, "please God, watch over him...make it a boring night..." "Hi God, its me again, I know I can trust in you, but watch over my J" Every 2 to 3 hours. I woke up at one point, it was a little after 4am.."Oh good, if his shift ended at 2...we're clear, cuz there have been no phone calls saying, could you meet us at the hospital? oh, wait, what if his shift ends at 6?"

Here is my dream conversation:
me: Hi Mr. Police Chief, this is Karen M, Jason M's mom.

mpc: Hello, Karen M...what can I do for you.

me: I just wanted to point out how wonderful, intellegent my son is and he is soooo much better suited for a nice desk job. He knows how to type and is even pretty good at math... And his mom worries everytime he goes to work, the gray hairs are popping out as I speak.

mpc: Oh, silly us, why would we put such an outstanding man on our streets where he has to deal with sh__theads with guns!! You are right, a young man such as this belongs in an office where his greatest danger is a papercut! I will transfer him right away.

me: Thank you, your box of Godiva Chocolates is on its way.

even better:

me: J, have you considered the exciting world of floral arranging?

J: You know mom, I've already been looking. Here is my practice bouquet filled with pretty daisies.

of course, I'll be worried about him getting a staph infection from a rose thorn...

I'll be taking a nap this afternoon.

next week....I can't wait

I scrapped a little. Not much, just finished some pages for the 'family album'.

Tomorrow is a crop, so the question is 'which project'?

Feels like so much is going on... dd and husband are coming down for Thanksgiving, just can't wait. On the 25th we find out if the grandbaby is a boy or girl...really can't wait!!!

Ooooh, Fox News is talking to Joe the Plumber...geee, what our government has become!!
Makes me think of the phrase, "Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely".

okay, off the side note.

I got my auction giclee print!! I bought it on the cruise, it's called "Venetian Window" by Bressanello...of course it is on the floor right now. Could be a while before it is put up on the wall! AND dh told me I could get my other watercolors from Italy framed. Soooo, I've got to make a trip to Michael's.

We are actually starting to decorate the master bedroom. Why is that the last room done? Guess cuz people will see the other rooms, and most won't see your bedroom.

a step...

Thought I'd write a note about my quote in my header.

At church, we are going through a series based on the book "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've got to Get Out of the Boat" by John Ortberg. This weeks message was "Good News for Cave Dwellers - Hope". Concentrating on the time David was living in caves while being hunted by Saul. Anyways, we all have our cave dwelling times...and how God is there for us and gives us hope.

Our pastor told the story of little Kiera, a 6 year old classmate of his daughter, who passed away a couple of weekends ago. Friday, she was healthy, Saturday, she was sick, Sunday, she was gone. They still don't know what happened. (if you think about it, please pray for this little girl's family)

But during a conversation while she was going thru this, this is what she told her aunt. "Tell everyone I believe in God"...and this just touches my heart beyond measure.

My biggest fear as a Christian, is telling people my beliefs. I don't know why, I'm afraid of being mocked, of 'doing' it wrong, being judged by an unbeliever's standards...but here is the crux of what my life should be about...stepping out of that boat, and TELLING everyone that I believe in God.

I'm not perfect, but I am forgiven. I don't have all the answers, but I do know who to turn to. I love the lyrics by Rich Mullins in Creed:

Link to Creed Lyrics

I finally scrapped!

feels pretty good.


Yesterday started out with cat boxes, and some puttering around, then dh asked me to help him in the garage. We moved in 2 1/2 years ago, but still have a lot in storage. So, mom and I went out there...we ended up cleaning up and bringing in some storage furniture. DH's grandma's hutch and 2 towers to finish up mom's tv area. Anyways, I decided to put some finished scrapbooks out on the hutch.
(oh my, they are out in public, now) (yikes!)

which created room in my scraproom, which meant, I ended up spending time doing some putting away and organizing in that room, also. (yes, my back is feeeeeeling it).

I've been wanting to do a 2-page layout about my son-in-law. I have one family book that has a 'survey' by each family member...but he says his favorite color is orange, and I just couldn't think of any papers w/orange that I wanted in the book.
While organizing I found my stack of Sassafrass Lass, with the edges. Cool combos of orange...I had my paper! SO, yay!! got page one of his layout done!!

so, what can I say, my scraproom is calling me...

my head is 'spinning'

hmmmmm, so much going on in my 'noodle', I'm not sure how to or if I should share this.


I have been reading the Twilight series. When I saw the commercials for the movie, I thought it looked so 'thrilling', so I got the book. And the book was EXCELLANT. The (sex free) passion, love and commitment...The angst of a consuming love...wowza.

So, I got book 2, and it got me thinking, what is Edward's appeal? Is he the Rhett Butler of today? So, I thought, it is because he is so committed to Bella, that he gives up his own 'appetites' to be with her, to protect her, to love her. Contrast that with the young men of today. And maybe that is what appeals.

(though I have my own theories as to why our young men are the way they are)
something about how they are getting sex so early, sometimes by Jr. High, so why should they commit to a relationship?


[side note, my sis sent me an article about a book about 'Trophy Kids' and the workplace...but it is interesting how this article points out we have a whole generation who feel 'entitled' and its our (the parents') fault]

Book 2, was difficult to read, Book 3, was okay...pulls somethings together well.
Then Book 4...haven't finished it, but when it switches from Bella's narrative to Jacob's...it lost something. So, I read the end and put it down. (That's what I do when I read the ending. It usually means I won't finish the book)


Anyways, it started a whole new train of thought...

bear with me...or not..


many years ago, when dd was in grade school, a series of books came out, called Goosebumps. I hated it then, I hated how it gave kids a little, harmless taste of the occult. I hated hearing parents say, "well, at least my kids are reading". I even went to the principal and asked they take it off their shelves (its a Catholic school, I did not see any issue with them making a stand against the occult). Which they did not do.

Then, Harry Potter came on the scene. And commercialized the occult. I refused to read them, have anything to do with them. Became a cutural phenomenom...which I ignored. Did not sweep my kids, so why worry.

Now we have all types of ghost hunter shows on the tube. Okay, change the channel.

Now, we have Twilight. Twilight is not bad, the writing is good, the story compelling. Though it deals with vampires and warewolves, it is not gory or violent. Though it deals with passion, it is not pornographic. BUT, I'm thinking it would leave an appetite for this type of fiction for our preteens and young...and not all of these types of books are as tasteful So, when they finish these 4 books, where will they turn...and how hardcore will these books be?

And I think back to my teen years, and the cultural phenom of Star Wars. Do you remember how stupid kids got, even starting to "believe" in the force.

So, with Twilight, is being 'goth' going mainstream? I guess, in many ways it has.
touches of it in fashion, home design, and even scrapbooking.

I have a 12 year old neice, who is reading the series...how is she going to change? Right now, she is one of the sweetest, most giving young ladies you could ever want to know. But as she enters her teen years, will she go 'goth'? will she go 'emo'? Cuz its the fashion? Cuz 'everyone' else is?

And as we have gone from Goosebumps to Harry Potter to Twilight...what is next?
(oh crap...it came to me...but I can't write the words)

I don't really know where I am going with this; but these are the concerns, thoughts that have been raised in my mind and heart.

still adjusting..

I'm having a tough time adjusting my schedule. During the summer, I could come home @6pm...slam some dinner...then work out on the treadmill @8 while watching tv.

Now, when we get home, it is pitch dark..sometimes we skip a dinner,(can you say, bowl of ceeal) and then I dvr my shows, so I can go to bed.

DH suggested that since I get up earlier, I should switch my treadmill time to the morning. But even getting up at 6am...we leave for work at 7:15..and I don't see the time to eat a li'l something and treadmill and shower ...as it is he is usually waiting for me.

BUT I do have a solution. Since, I clock out at work at 4 (thats when the brain runs dry)..and spend the rest of the hour to hour and a half waiting for dh...(we commute together)..we can bring my treadmill to the office! and I'll do it then! PERFECTO!!

I took the day off from work. Got a list of errands to do. I seriously don't see how women who work full time also manage their households. Esp young mothers. There are so many things that have to be done during the day, during work hours. At least in our town, bank and post office close before I get home.

(We also have a 45 minute commute each way, and that is why we ride together.)

so on my to-do list: workout w/Kristen, bank, post office, Terry's, grocery store (we are on empty), lunch w/mom...and a little shopping (?). )(We have to drive about 30 minutes for that. Our town only has a Savemart and a Longs) (but a taco bell opened recently, we are getting so metropolitan) But no mall, or Walmart or M's or J's or anything like that, yet.

better get started!

an idea,

so, as I was thinking about those circle journals, esp with topics like as the Woman You've become and Introduce Yourself...I thought these questions that are used at the end of The Actor's Studio might be a good start. If you are in the mood to do these, let me know, so I can see your answers.


What is your favorite word?

dream, what a cool gift God has given us, whether it is fantasy type to escape, or a goal to achieve

What is your least favorite word? budget, goes against my basic rebellious spirit to be restrained.

What turns you on? pajama days, when I can just chill at home with a book or movie or scrappin

What turns you off? lies and deception and theives and cheaters

What is your favorite curse word? hate cursing, think it shows lack of class and education, but the word that slips from me, SH__

What sound or noise do you love? the sound of running water, a fountain or brook. When dd was in the hospital, they had a running brook in their cafeteria area, it brought me a lot of peace. I really want a water feature at home

What sound or noise do you hate? rap music and Alan Colmes' voice, doesn't matter what he says, its his voice, I can't watch the show for that reason.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? interior design or professional shopper

What profession would you not like to attempt? anything to do with sales

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Welcome Home, would you like to decorate your kids' mansions, too?"

interesting...

This is an interesting map, it was in the Wall Street Journal the day after the election. Red are the counties won by McCain, Blue by Obama.

The strategy is either ingenious or deceptive ...depending on who you wanted to win!! You don't have to win the American People...just the big cities.
(of course, when I went online, I could not find this map again...that's why the scan)

circle journals...

I'm in a couple of circle journals at Scrapbooks.com. I'm in one, where we send out scheduled layouts, one a month...but in another, where it is being sent randomly. They are both fun. Mine for November is going out this Thursday.

Sometimes, the topics are tough. One I've done is "Hope Happens". Wow.
the next, I'm working on is "Celebrating the Woman You've Become" Wowza.

We are also planning a circle journal for the local group. This will be your 5 favorite songs, we plan to make a cd of all the songs. This should be fun.
I'm thinking of something chronological.. my first fave song as an 11 yr old was Partridge Family, "I think I love you"...then as a teenager...then as a young woman/mother...then recent years...my fave today.

Gee its kinda hard to limit to 5.

Side note, if you have a Stampin Up demonstrator handy, get that Parisian Summer paper...it is gorgeous!

I broke down...

and read Twilight over the weekend, and LOVE it, what does that say about me?
Yeah, its a teen love story that is very predictable...but, man I got lost in the world of Bella and Edward.

I can't wait for the movie.

Country Life is fun!

Yesterday @5pm, our electricity went out. I was in the middle of journaling for a circle journal I'm involved in.

Right about that time, dh was taking the garbage out. This has to be done by tractor. Anyways, apparently 2 power poles (oops correction, the line between 2 poles) in the field across from us...fell.
He did not see them fall, but he heard the crackling as small parts of the field caught fire. He called T.I.D, our electric company, and head out there to put some dirt on the fire...and redirect traffic till T.I.D was able to send a truck.

You know the fence fire we had last month, this was directly across the street from that area.

So, we walked around the house with our flashlights, had pb&j for dinner and finally went to bed around 5:30pm. Couldn't do anything else...

Its just one adventure after another for us!

Home!

I'm back, what a wonderful vacation. What a wonderful place, Italy, Greece...we also had stops in Monaco; Nice; France, Kusudasi, Turkey..it was a great trip.

If you get a chance to cruise with Princess, I highly recommend it. Talk about being spoiled 24-7.

So much is going on in my head. I've taken about 680 pictures. I do just love these places. But I am glad to be home, and still believe America is the greatest country on earth...and I am lucky to be an American. Yeah, I see the news and see that we have problems, (and so do they, watch BBC), but America...is still the best.

Favorite Places... Rome, Venice, Florence, love the Greek Islands, was surprised by Kusudasi.

Least Favorite, though the French Riviera is a beautiful setting...Nice, France and Monaco/Monte Carlo. The M's are way too status driven for my taste, the guide mentioned that the 'workers' are bussed in...cuz it is too costly to live there. Nice, France...too socialist..the government is too intrusive for my taste...guide pointed out 3 multimillion dollar homes that were seized by the govt...(but its okay, they were owned by Russians and Arabs)..anyways...I was least impressed by those places. THOUGH the scenery was a 'little bit of heaven on earth'.

Also, less than impressive was the general treatment of the Gypsies. I'd sure like to do a study on the history of these people and why they are so looked down upon as a race.

I like Italian food much more than Greek food. LOVE the history, architecture, SHOPPING!! Though I could not find Pepsi..only 2 places, a cart near the Colossium in Rome and a cart near the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

We took excursions at every port we stopped at. And had great guides, who spoke good English and were very knowledgeable...though it did occur to me, that they could be making stuff up and we'd never know it.

So, Okay, that's a general overview...to help me remember, I think I'll do a blog of each stop during the next week or so... this way, I can share my travel journal with Michele, also.