I'm 57 today

I had a wonderful birthday today. A relaxed day spent mostly crocheting and reading. Then we all went to dinner at a Chinese Buffet. It was great that all my kids got to come along--we rarely can coordinate ourselves. I wish Erick (my future sil) could have come, but at least I got the basic 4--and Mike, too, of course!

The kids gave me a beautiful plant, box of Godiva chocolates (oh, lordy, they are gooood) and a cashmere scarf! The scarf (which is downstairs with my coat, hence it's absence in the photo) came in really handy as it is snowing tonight.

Mike is giving me spending money. I used some tonight to buy a 9-cubicle shelf for my office, to help organize all my craft junk stuff.

Here's some of my gifts:

Sunny Sunday

It was warm for January today, almost like Spring. Much nicer here on Long Island than in Wisconsin, where Katherine is visiting a friend. She told me it was going to be 9 degrees there today.

My squirrels are so fat that I was certain this would be a terrible winter. Well, it's only January. So, either we're going to get slammed in February, or winter is going to last forever and not end until May.

Michael came over today. We played Jeopardy on the Wii. I won, mostly because I know a lot of trivial crap. I had wanted to go on the real show, but when I took the test a few years ago I could only swing about an 85. Sports and politics are my two bad subjects. Maybe someday, if I'm brave enough, it might happen.

2013

Here January is almost over and I haven't written a thing. You'd think my life was very busy, but trust me, it isn't. I just don't get around to things.

Our family status:

Mike--still at work, still working out, still the best husband in the world. He's off at a shooting range today. It's in the 40s and sunny, so a nice day for target practice.

Me--planning on putting out two more e-books. I need to get up the attic to get a copy of one so I can remember what the hell it was about (for cover art purposes). Made $6,000  plus on first month of ebooks at B&N but less than $10 at Amazon. My agent says it is because we had a 'front page' promotion at B&N. I'm going to ask if we can do the same for Amazon with the new books.

Still working on my back pain. I'm easing off of meds that I think are upsetting my stomach (by doctor instructions). Also dealing with weird shoulder pain--more way up on my upper left side by my shoulder. Aches a lot. Already tested for my heart and that is not it. Just more aches and pains, I guess.

Michael is still at his job and doing well. He got a shelter kitty! He named her Laser and she is adorable.

Speaking of animals, this is my year to finally get my puppy. I want a small, female dog, preferably a chihuahua. I would take a shelter dog if she fits those criteria. I would adopt them all if I could.

Katherine and Erick are still going strong but have not set a date yet. Yet! I have three grand-nephews now (Patrick, Liam and Tommy) and I want a grandchild! Katherine promises I'll have one in two years. We'll see.

James is talking about moving up by my sister's house. He really likes her husband, his Uncle Tom. I think he would be very happy up there but I would miss him terribly. Also, he has lost a lot of weight, maybe a hundred pounds. He goes on the treadmill 5x a week. I am so proud of him.

Nicky still doesn't drive. He will when he's ready. Working hard at the supermarket and still a big Halo fan. I actually like driving him to work because we get to talk, something I don't have with his brothers. (Girls are different if you're a mom. You can talk to girls.)

All my animals are still alive and kicking, even Rocky the ferret. I have no idea how old he is but he has to be pushing 6 or 7 at least.

And that's it, for now.

Christmas 2012

I will have some Christmas Eve Party pictures to show, when my daughter sends me some. I took it extra easy that night (even wore a sparkly sweatshirt and jeans instead of a dress) and forgot to take pictures!

Here is Christmas Day. But first, the BEST present I got, among many lovely ones:

A tiny little pink dog collar. Yes, I'm getting a puppy! Mike and I agreed winter is not the time to bring a new baby into the house, and I told him I wanted Katherine to pick the puppy out some time in the spring--then Mike and Katherine could surprise me. My only criteria: tiny and female! Hence, the pink collar!

Here are some Christmas Day pics:

My little nephew loved the play mats I made for him! He took the fencing I gave him and put it around the 'ocean,' so that: "The water won't leak out all over the room!" He's such a funny kid, so full of imagination! You know, he organizes all his animals? All the hippos in one pen, all the tigers in another! I gave him the first lemur and first family of manatees in his collection!

John got a cool working crane from Santa, so Nicky had to take a picture of it to show his friends!

Katherine has a big smile as she mugs the camera.

Jamie's watching something on TV. Erick's texting, I think.

Didn't get a picture of Michael, or anyone else, but the whole family was there. Noreen made an amazing prime rib, with twice-baked potatoes and more! Mmmmm.

Another wonderful Christmas.

Our Tree, 2012

I am not totally ready for Christmas (who ever is?) but at least the tree is up and decorated. Michael came by last night after work, and Katherine came by much later. James helped out, too, but Nicky was at work until 11.
We got a Douglas Fir this year, instead of the usual balsam. It is fat and happy, as you can see. I really need to get something for the top. We had an angel but it doesn't work any more and I can't find it anyway.
The kids did a great job!

James--much thinner than last year, after spending an hour almost every day on the treadmill! He looks great!

Michael helped me put the lights on before the other kids got home--even so, we didn't finish until about 10 p.m.!

Katherine, joyful even after a long day of work (all she had time to eat was cookies!) and Shadow as a little elf.

Christmas Play

My little nephew John (who's middle name happens to be Joseph) played Joseph in a little play put on by his second-grade religion class. The kids were adorable, and we joined them in singing some of the Christmas Carols. John was great as Baby Jesus's earth-daddy, and he actually held the baby more than "Mary" did! We were all so proud of him!

Count Down

I can't believe Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. I usually start prepping right after Halloween. but lost 9 days because of the hurricane. I've been crazy busy, but I still feel there is so much to do.

This year I'm cheating with some store-bought appetizers, although I'm still making quite a few of my own. Of course, all the cookies are from scratch. I made up some cut-outs yesterday--froze half and hid a few for Mike to enjoy this weekend. They came out really good (the recipe is in the December issue of Redbook) and I think this will be my go-to rolled cookie recipe. I have the dough made for some other recipes, too. Just a matter of taking it out from the freezer and using it. I do my baking like this: mix dry ingredients, bag and label; then make dough another day; then take out dough and bake. Makes it easier not to take up an hour or so between prep and cleaning.

My house looks festive. All but the tree, which is sitting out on the deck until we put it up, probably the weekend before Christmas.

I like to set my decorations up by category. All my snowmen are on top of a hutch, for example. Here's my Snoopy display:

I'm keeping my eyes open for a Charlie Brown to go with the tree.