Thursday, December 27, 2007
December 27th
December 26th
It was dark and raining; a good day for sleeping in a bit. Arthur wasn't feeling well- too much of everything I guess . Lol! My Mom and I went to the Museum of History for their Lost Colony Exhibit. They wouldn't let me take pictures in the exhibit so this is the tree in the lobby. We also walked around the rest of the museum. I'd like to go back when we have more time. Both my mom and I were starving! We went to our cheap Mexican restaurant for lunch. Sierra and Andrew came over for dinner that night.. Arthur made Chicken & Pastry. Chicken & Pastry is usually our Christmas Eve dinner but we couldn't figure out how to fit it in. If they ate steak at lunchtime, then chicken and pastry and then Portuguese food on Christmas Eve we would have exploded!
December 25th
Merry Christmas!!
Sierra was buried under gifts.
Daniel was so surprised by a Sheetz gift card! Considering that he walked into the store while I was buying it I think he might have been a little melodramatic.
Arthur was surprised by his football jersey. See we both had them during the Superbowl a couple of years ago but they disappeared in the move. Since we have never found them, we think they got thrown out by accident. Of course, they will reappear now that I bought a new one.
Sierra and Grandma and Gracie checking out their gifts.
Sierra and Grandma and Gracie checking out their gifts.
We had prime rib, twice backed potatoes, and Caesar salad for dinner. Dessert was Chocolate Trifle and Pecan Pie. I didn't want to go crazy with desserts since there was only 7 of us this year (Andrew, Sierra's boyfriend, joined us) but the kids have been bugging me for the trifle. I make it to bring to everything but they never get to eat it! After naps all around, we went to the movies. We ended up seeing Charlie Wilson's War. Not your usual Christmas fare but National Treasure was sold out. I though it was good although there was some questionable scenes (nudity) in the beginning.
December 24th
I had to work today which isn't great but I do have the Wednesday and Thursday after Christmas off. It was very slow; mostly people picking up packages. Arthur's family invited us to their house to grill steaks for lunch. Arthur, my Mom, and Dan were able to go.
I gave my camera to Arthur to take pictures - he took pictures of the grill (and his cousin Andy!)! Now it is an amazing grill but...
He did take a beautiful shot of Jessie and Cole.
And Cole with Anna.
And Cole with Anna.
That night we went to Rose and Joe's for a Portuguese Christmas Eve dinner. Most of the neighbors came so we got to meet some new people.
Monday, December 24, 2007
December 24th
No we haven’t dropped off the planet the last couple of days. It has just been crazy here as I’m sure everyone else has been. I’ll do a brief update of the past week.
Wednesday – We had our Christmas Party at the apartment complex for the residents complete with a visit from Santa! I got home late that night.
Thursday – Arthur and I and Rose and Joe went to the Tran Siberian Orchestra at the RBC after work. It was fantastic! They put on a fabulous show; 3 hrs of music and lights. Of course, we did get home way past our bedtime.
Friday – My Mom flew in! Mom came in at around 10:00 and Sierra and Dan picked her up, ran by Sierra’s apartment and then went to lunch. I had to work in the morning and then we had our company party (Lunch) at the Hampton Inn in Cary. After lunch, we were free to leave so I got home around 3:00. My Mom was pretty wiped out and was napping and apparently Dan and Sierra had to sympathy nap. I made cheese enchiladas for dinner and we just hung out at home.
Saturday – Mom and I went grocery shopping and made a few other stops. Arthur straightened the house up. We had the youth Christmas party at our house that night. We ended up with 21 teens and 7 of adults (including my Mom and Rachel who got roped into being kitchen staff). It was a great success.
Sunday – We went to church and everyone came this time. After church, we went to Knightdale Barbecue and Seafood for lunch and then headed home. My mom and I went shopping for some last minute presents. Arthur was glued to the tv watching the football game (s). I made a delicious vegetable soup and then we wrapped presents.
Wednesday – We had our Christmas Party at the apartment complex for the residents complete with a visit from Santa! I got home late that night.
Thursday – Arthur and I and Rose and Joe went to the Tran Siberian Orchestra at the RBC after work. It was fantastic! They put on a fabulous show; 3 hrs of music and lights. Of course, we did get home way past our bedtime
Friday – My Mom flew in! Mom came in at around 10:00 and Sierra and Dan picked her up, ran by Sierra’s apartment and then went to lunch. I had to work in the morning and then we had our company party (Lunch) at the Hampton Inn in Cary. After lunch, we were free to leave so I got home around 3:00. My Mom was pretty wiped out and was napping and apparently Dan and Sierra had to sympathy nap. I made cheese enchiladas for dinner and we just hung out at home.
Saturday – Mom and I went grocery shopping and made a few other stops. Arthur straightened the house up. We had the youth Christmas party at our house that night. We ended up with 21 teens and 7 of adults (including my Mom and Rachel who got roped into being kitchen staff). It was a great success.
Sunday – We went to church and everyone came this time. After church, we went to Knightdale Barbecue and Seafood for lunch and then headed home. My mom and I went shopping for some last minute presents. Arthur was glued to the tv watching the football game (s). I made a delicious vegetable soup and then we wrapped presents.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
December 18th
Yum! Yum! Yum! I can not say enough about this sandwich. Pioneer woman has some wonderful recipes with step by step pictures (I love pictures!!) . A disclaimer though: They are not healthy recipes. This one has REAL butter and lots of it. Her last line in the recipe says it all.
"And go get on the Stairmaster. Now. "
December 17th
December 16th
The children sang at church today. I just totally had a melt down - I could picture my kids at that age and it really hit me that this is the first year that the older boys won't be home for Christmas. Everyone tells you to enjoy your children while they are young because it goes by so quickly. It is so true! It is just like the song running in the background of the blog - Don't Blink.
Don't Blink
Turning a hundred and two today
Asked him what's the secret to life
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said
"All I can say is .
"Don't Blink
Cause just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads
next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't Blink
I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hour glass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again
Take every breath God gives you for what it's worth
Don't Blink
Cause just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink
So I've been tryin' ta slow it downI've been tryin' to take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in
Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't Blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years go faster then you think
So Don't Blink
No, don't blink don't blink
life goes faster than you think!
Don't Blink
Life Goes faster than you think, so
Don't Blink
Lynn, Me, Rose, Lisa & Kim
I spent the afternoon wrapping some presents and finishing making the family calendar for my Mom. It was Rose's birthday today so I went down to her house for her cake - Arthur was already there for the Patriot's game. Lol! Happy Birthday Rose!
December 15th
Saturday, December 15, 2007
December 14th
Another big box going to Iraq for Ben's unit. Today was the "cut off" day to get packages to Iraq by the post office. Today wasn't too bad at the post office. I took a late lunch at work and went about 2:00. I waited about 15 minutes in line - much better than I expected. RI had a nasty snow storm yesterday (You Rhode Islanders already know that!). Poor Andy still went into work and it took an hour 45 minutes for a 3 mile trip! Christine, his girlfriend, took about 4 hrs to get home to her home in Providence. Although I don't envy them that I do miss the snow a bit. Arthur, of course, is laughing maniacally in the other room. I don't miss the snow in February when it just looks nasty and you swear it will never go away; or the stupid little storms that you have to go to work in anyway so you have to go out and shovel and then try to get to work. But I do miss the really big storms that you just sat in your house and watched the snow fall. The next day, the kids would shovel us out, not that there was much to shovel since we had 5 cars backed into the driveway, and all the neighbors were out shoveling as well. I'd make hot chocolate and stacks of pancakes for when everyone came in. I'd take the kids up to the Coventry sand dunes for sledding. I'd always go sledding with the kids and then couldn't move the next day! Lol! Arthur would always say, "You know you aren't 18 anymore!". That part I miss. Now mind you we were suffering on Thursday as well since it was 78 degrees here but we all have our crosses to bear. Here is a couple pictures we took back in 2004.
Yes, that is Ben in the middle with the mountain man beard. Lol!
Arthur enjoying the weather. Don't you miss this honey?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
December 12th
Dex trying on our Santa outfit
December 11th
Fallen angels?
A drive by blessing?
I think it was the wise man in the stable with the pitchfork...
He was pushed! I swear!
Sorry - a strange sense of humor today.
Monday, December 10, 2007
December 10th
I brought 9 packages to the post office today. It was crazy there and I hadn't thought about how I was going to get all 9 packages into the post office! Lol! I finally brought in half, stacked them in a corner, and then went for the other half. I kept sliding them along with my foot in line. These 9 packages are addressed specifically to Ben's squad. Tomorrow I'm going to mail out 2 big boxes for his whole unit (there are 31 guys in the unit). I got a chance to IM him today. His touch down in Kansas is set for April 16th. Then he has leave from April 25th - May 25th. He'll probably be sent to Maryland for his training for 3 months and then is requesting to be stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. We'll have to see what happens. But that would be wonderful since he would be relatively close!
December 9th
I sent out an email this week letting everyone at church know that I was sending out Christmas packages for the soldiers. I can't believe all of the gifts. Nancy at work also donated a bunch of stuff. Tomorrow I'll bring it all to the post office. I worked 1 -5 today. It was pretty quiet. Then Arthur and I went to Fargo Cattle Company for steak. It's been awhile since just the 2 of us went out.
December 8th
I had to work today. It was surpizingly busy. Arthur went to the Men's breakfast at church and then cleaned out the garage. Wow! It looks fantastic.
December 7th
Ssshhhh.... Christmas presents in hiding amongst my shoes! Lol!
I had today off since it is my weekend to work. I almost completed my Christmas shopping. Just a couple gift cards are left. Ironically, I mostly bought small items or stocking stuffers today. I found most of the other stuff on-line and it was cheaper and had free shipping.
December 6th
New Tires!
I took my van for an estimate and it would cost around $650 plus a rental while it was being repaired. Since the dent was not a big thing, I asked the manager if he would just give us new tires instead. He checked with corporate and they were all for it. So today I brought the van down and he put 4 brand new tires on and balanced and aligned them for me. The manager told me that he put the best tires he had on - the same tires that his wife has on her car. My car doesn't know how to behave with expensive tires!
Monday, December 3, 2007
December 3rd
You know that you are in North Carolina when...
You have to stop at 3 different stores to buy an ice scraper and finally end up at Auto Zone where the salesman gives you 2 of 4 in the box and says that they "never sells out of scrapers". Lol!
December 2nd
Today got changed slightly. We were supposed to have our Crown Ministry class over after church but it just wasn't going to work for most people so we had the afternoon to continue the lights! We did get over to Jenn & Mike's house to plan the youth Christmas party which is going to be at our house. But mostly we put up decorations.
Arthur making sure that Dan doesn't fall.
What do I do with all these lights??
Sam and I handled the important jobs such as hanging up the bells,
Putting up a new flag,
And decorating the mail box.
Ta Da! It doesn't look like too much in the daylight. I was hoping I could put a video of the house all lit up but blogger won't let me. All the lights are coordinated with Christmas music!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
December 1st
We were supposed to go to Fairmont today for the family "Thanksgiving" but Arthur's cousin Wyman is in the hospital so they've postponed it. Please pray for quick recovery for him. Since we aren't going anywhere, we decided to decorate the outside of the house. It isn't completed yet so you'll have to wait for tomorrow for the final pictures but here's some of the fun.
Daniel is trying to very carefully hang the lights up with his father directing.
You want the lights to go where? Remember I voted for the one story house!
Oh, this looks safe!
November 30th
I picked up a new wreath for over the fireplace. I've got only a few things left to put up in the house now.
November 29th
November 28th
I had to go to the courthouse again. I'm very good at getting in and out now! I was parked on the high level of the parking garage so this is the view from above.
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