Finally Friday

I finally got a new camera! Now I just have to figure it all out. I love taking pictures and have a ton of old pics in plastic containers in the basement. A few people have told me to scan them into the computer and save them on disks or something so here's my thoughts on that.

In just the past 10 years think about all the changes in computers and technology. If I save my pictures on Cd's today will I (or descendants) be able to view them in 10, 20, 30 years? Will Cd's be obsolete? Will the technology be so advanced that we won't be using Cd's ? How about your wedding video for the VCR? So the pictures are staying in the tubs. I may take out some of the very old ones I have of my grandparents/ family that I don't want to lose and save them. I am open to suggestions on how.

Since this is the time of year where everyone tries to start fresh I have been thinking of my time-management issues. I work, don't have kids and should have some spare time somewhere...I DON'T. I work out on Mon., Tues., and Thurs. evening after work. I usually run errands like grocery shopping on Saturday and then I cook on Sunday; a big dinner so we have leftovers and something else for the week. I try to plan my meals for a few days and prep items I will use for lunch. I also do my laundry. The Bobster does his own laundry and keeps the house mostly clean (that could be a whole new blog). So where does my time go? I have quite a long list of things I want/need to get done at home. It has been sitting on my desk and every once in awhile I hear it snicker at me.

The Bobster wants to move to Texas. I understand his hatred of winter but I am not sure about moving. Thinking about selling the house makes me hyperventilate and the man has something like 6 doctors he sees regularly...and what I mean by regularly, at least one doctor appointment a week sometimes two or three! So we settled on discussing it seriously a year from June :D Not sure how I came up with that time frame but I think it has to do with him turning 65 next year in April.

I am heading to Seattle to see the little brother and his family. I am so excited to see them I can barely stand it. I will post pictures and more after I get back...oh and someone please save me, the Bobster is dragging me to the Auto Show Sunday! help ...please...

Happy 2011!

I wish you all a happy, health and prosperous 2011 and I am very happy to say "f-off 2010!" It was not a year I will look back on with any kind of fondness. The Bobster was in the hospital 5 times this past year and I injured my back. I like to think I deal well with stress but sometimes it just gets to be too much so I am very thankful for my mom, sister and the rest of my family who help when called. Aunt Rosalie is a godsend and my friends keep me sane by letting me dump on them and making sure my alcohol levels are maintained at a healthy level :D

We did have a nice little ray of sunshine at the end of the year when the Bobster's VA benefits finally materialized after a long 4 year appeal. Not only does he now get a monthly check, they gave us a settlement that helped pay off all the little dangling medical bills we had. Whew.

My wish for 2011 is that Bob stays as healthy as he is now and we get to go on a vacation. He hasn't been up to any travel lately but he is feeling much more "normal" so we are going to plan a trip to Florida for the spring, fingers crossed.


Just as a little FYI... I finally bought a new camera! I am pretty excited to be able to take pictures with something other than my iPhone. I want to learn to edit them a bit and may take a photography class. Speaking of classes, I am going to take Cake Decorating 101. If you know me at all you know I am not the most patient person so trying to decorate a cake or cupcakes makes me nuts. I figure if I take a class it might help...maybe not...but I have always been optimistic!


I know 2011 is going to be a good year for all of us.

Gracie the Wonder Dog

She snorts and she itches

the cats wish her dead

She's stinky and smelly

but she doesn't shed

She's fluffy and soft

but has venison breath

She is our Gracie

we love her to death!

Thank you!!

Just a short note thanking all of my loyal followers.....all 14 of you!!! My 2011 goals for my blog are to post more recipes, post better pictures and get just a few more followers! Muchas Gracias Mi Amigas y Amigo!

Christmas and Chuckie Cheese

3 more days! I am close to being ready, Not! The Bobster broke his little toe. He was walking into the kitchen and banged it on the doorframe. Walked around for almost a week with it swollen and bruised before he finally decided to get it looked at and of course it is broken. So right at the busiest time of the year when I need his help with errands and chores (and really, isn't it all about me?) he is supposed to stay off his foot, elevate and ice it. Poor thing, it's always something with him.

My sister finally made it in from Dallas Sunday night. It was touch and go, literally. Their plane took off and the landing gear wouldn't retract so about 1/2 hour into the flight they turned around and went back to Dallas. Had to wait for another plane so by the time they got in it was 2:00 am. I am super happy that they are here for the holiday, so much so that I ordered snow just for them, and hey, what do you know, it got here just in time!

This picture is with a cell phone, have I mentioned that I need a camera? We went to Chuckie Cheese for our great-nephew, Robert Jasper's, first birthday. First let me say, I will NEVER go to Chuckie Cheese again and you can't make me! I am not sure I can describe the chaos and confusion accurately so just picture a thousand screaming, germy little rug rats running amuck!

I wish you all a very happy holiday season! Stay safe and warm and enjoy yourself!

Friday Morning Rambling...

This week I went to 2 holiday parties, worked out twice; would have been 3 times but Mallory (trainer) was in Vegas picking a wedding venue, made cookies, wrapped, packed and mailed presents to the munchkins in Seattle and finished up my Christmas shopping. Oh and my mother decided to have eye surgery this week. It was elective but she didn't want to wait until after the holidays, she wanted to "get it over with". Still to go... Christmas with the Bobster's side of the family tomorrow, sister and family flying in Sunday and all the crap that goes along with cooking and cleaning to get the house ready for Christmas dinner....all while working right up through Thursday. As much as I hate flying at the holidays, I am seriously considering going out of town next year for Christmas.

Last night was my work party. Everyone stands around talking and eating and that is pretty much it. Is this how most parties for work go?

Why can't I find a bra that fits :D Just saying...actually along that line...when I find one that is comfortable I have to buy a few because the next time I go back to buy more they will have been discontinued! What is up with that? Most women I know are very loyal to products that they like such as a good pair of jeans, the perfect lipstick color and a comfortable bra. I would think the retailers would get that but I guess not.

If you haven't visited the Pioneer Woman's website, www.thepioneerwoman.com , I highly recommend it. What I want to know is when does this woman sleep? She has a big ranch, 4 kids she HOME SCHOOLS, a cookbook, a Harlequin romance book, a very cool website that she updates pretty much every day and she travels around promoting all of this. She is smart and funny and I want to be her when I have a minute but still...exhausts me just thinking about it.

I just finished the 3rd book in Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series, "City of Ghosts".

From Amazon "In this dark futuristic urban fantasy series, Kane (Demon Possessed) blurs the boundaries between the living and the dead. Chess Putnam works for the world-ruling Church of Real Truth, debunking false claims of haunting and banishing the occasional real ghost."

"Chess herself isn't someone I should like and root for, but I do. Even as she gobbles her drugs like smarties, uses people for sex and hurts the only person who has looked out for her. It speaks volumes for Stacia Kane's writing ability that I still want to see Chess come out on top. I also love that chess isn't the best of the best at her job, she doesn't do Buffy-style roundhouse kicks and she doesn't have mystical powers developing here, there and everywhere. She has numerous flaws and makes mistakes, shes human."

The author is so very good at describing Chess's pain that I cried for her, three times! I know most of you aren't into this kind of reading but I enjoyed it very much and wanted to share.

I have been working out 3 times a week for a month and haven't lost one freaking inch or pound! If you know me you know I am not a very big eater, I barely snack and pretty much never eat after dinner so WTH? Mallory is not only trainer but a nutritionist too and we have been discussing my food every week. Let me repeat NOT ONE POUND! Open to suggestions here...

Bowling Ball Earrings

Really! They are made from recycled bowling balls and are my new favorite earrings.

http://matt-cole.com/

I really need a new camera. These earrings are very light weight and fun. I met Matt at a craft show and he had a funny story to go along with the great jewelry. He has no idea who I am but I thought I would share because his jewelry is fun. I know quite a few of you bowl!

Well the holiday craziness is upon me. I don't think this is my favorite time of year.

1. To commerical. Really nuf said!

2. One brother and sister live out of state. I miss them on the holiday and it is a hassle to mail their stuff. I love them and want to make sure they have presents from me but on the other hand I never seem to have enough time to get their stuff in the mail on time. This year sister is coming here so that is great but ...sniff...snifff....this is the first year little brother and his family won't be here. It is making me pretty sad; I just got teary-eyed typing this. bwwwwaaaaaaaaa.a..

3. It's freaking cold. I hate running around to all the store in this weather. When I have time, which is usually after work, it's DARK and COLD.

4. Back to stuff. The Bobster and I are very lucky have everything we need so I find it silly getting more. We have a very small limit for each other which helps make it a bit creative but I are at the point where honestly, I don't want anything. The Bobster really really works hard to make sure I have something fun to open under the tree every year so I can't really him, "sorry honey, I don't want anything".

5. Sigh..family......

I love July 4th.. fireworks, bonfires, marshallows.. I love Halloween, kids, candy, fall. After all these years I am finally standing up and saying "hi, my name is Colleen and bah humbug".