Just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. I hope you have lots of laughs, good food and great presents. But mostly, I hope you're lucky enough to be with the ones you love.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Three Christmas "Bugs"
I am really enjoying the Christmas season this year. It's been refreshing to feel excitement about shopping, baking, decorating and counting down the days! I can hardly wait for Christmas Eve when we can relax and enjoy all that's gone into making these days so special.
Sadly, I have a few gripes too. Let's be honest... I wouldn't be me if I didn't. I am really trying to see only the good in things, but sometimes the negative is just too much to overlook. But I will say this in my own defense, I was thinking of sharing a top five list of things that annoy me this Christmas, but I could only come up with three! See! I am doing much, much better. I think last year, I could have found twenty to list.
Anyway, here we go. The top three things that bug me this holiday season.
1. Annoying sales people with annoyingly fake whiny baby voices. Please! Just use your God given voice to ask me if I need help! I counted sixteen of these voices while shopping with Becky last week. In one day! Sixteen! Women, please. It's not cute to talk this way. Just be you. Quit trying to fake sweetness. We appreciate you're probably not having fun at work during this month and it's okay. Be pleasant. But don't be fake. Please.
Oh. And don't follow me around asking if I need help. I appreciate being asked once, after that it just makes me mad! Becky and I were shopping for pajamas, and I'm not kidding, every single time we picked up a pair to look at, one saleswoman popped out of thin air to tell us how cute they were! Needless to say we didn't buy any at that particular store (Hello Nordstoms). Okay we did. Because they have the cutest pajamas ever, but we did not buy them from the buggy baby voiced stalker saleswoman. We found a normal person to check us out.
2. Mall Christmas decorations. Where are they?? I've been so disappointed with the lack of decorations out in the malls this year. Every Christmas I look forward to seeing the extravagant decorations throughout the stores. This year it looks like they borrowed a few of my Grandma's old decorations and put no effort into arranging them up. I swear I spend more money when it looks nice. I can prove that by saying the only money I've spent at the mall this year was when I bought pajamas from Nordstroms. I am just not feeling it . Sorry mall. But it's your fault.
3. Okay. This one is my biggest gripe:
Why on earth would Best Buy think it was a good idea to be so mean to Santa? It's not just Best Buy though. Have you noticed how mean spirited television is becoming? Do you remember this one:
I also saw a commercial for a sitcom recently titled, I Hate My Teenage Daughter. That bugs me. I know I got off track, but seriously. Quit being so mean everybody. I think maybe our priorities are a bit off track if we're being so hateful to our husband, daughters and even Santa Claus!
Oh! I almost forgot my all time biggest Christmas pet peeve. So as a bonus to my list, here is #4:
Santa Baby. Do I need to say more?
I. Hate. That. Song. Why? See #2.
To end things on a happier note, I have to tell you a funny story. When shopping earlier this week, Becky bought a gift for Greg in the tool department at Sears. We left the store and walked into a shoe store and their alarm system went off. It was Becky's bag. So we trudged back to Sears and they couldn't find any reason why that would happen. So we left Sears, and went to a clothing store and again the alarm went off. It happened in every single store we visited that day at the mall, except Sears. No one could ever figure out why it was happening, but I thought it was hilarious. Becky? Not so much. Ha!
Sadly, I have a few gripes too. Let's be honest... I wouldn't be me if I didn't. I am really trying to see only the good in things, but sometimes the negative is just too much to overlook. But I will say this in my own defense, I was thinking of sharing a top five list of things that annoy me this Christmas, but I could only come up with three! See! I am doing much, much better. I think last year, I could have found twenty to list.
Anyway, here we go. The top three things that bug me this holiday season.
1. Annoying sales people with annoyingly fake whiny baby voices. Please! Just use your God given voice to ask me if I need help! I counted sixteen of these voices while shopping with Becky last week. In one day! Sixteen! Women, please. It's not cute to talk this way. Just be you. Quit trying to fake sweetness. We appreciate you're probably not having fun at work during this month and it's okay. Be pleasant. But don't be fake. Please.
Oh. And don't follow me around asking if I need help. I appreciate being asked once, after that it just makes me mad! Becky and I were shopping for pajamas, and I'm not kidding, every single time we picked up a pair to look at, one saleswoman popped out of thin air to tell us how cute they were! Needless to say we didn't buy any at that particular store (Hello Nordstoms). Okay we did. Because they have the cutest pajamas ever, but we did not buy them from the buggy baby voiced stalker saleswoman. We found a normal person to check us out.
2. Mall Christmas decorations. Where are they?? I've been so disappointed with the lack of decorations out in the malls this year. Every Christmas I look forward to seeing the extravagant decorations throughout the stores. This year it looks like they borrowed a few of my Grandma's old decorations and put no effort into arranging them up. I swear I spend more money when it looks nice. I can prove that by saying the only money I've spent at the mall this year was when I bought pajamas from Nordstroms. I am just not feeling it . Sorry mall. But it's your fault.
3. Okay. This one is my biggest gripe:
Why on earth would Best Buy think it was a good idea to be so mean to Santa? It's not just Best Buy though. Have you noticed how mean spirited television is becoming? Do you remember this one:
I also saw a commercial for a sitcom recently titled, I Hate My Teenage Daughter. That bugs me. I know I got off track, but seriously. Quit being so mean everybody. I think maybe our priorities are a bit off track if we're being so hateful to our husband, daughters and even Santa Claus!
Oh! I almost forgot my all time biggest Christmas pet peeve. So as a bonus to my list, here is #4:
Santa Baby. Do I need to say more?
I. Hate. That. Song. Why? See #2.
To end things on a happier note, I have to tell you a funny story. When shopping earlier this week, Becky bought a gift for Greg in the tool department at Sears. We left the store and walked into a shoe store and their alarm system went off. It was Becky's bag. So we trudged back to Sears and they couldn't find any reason why that would happen. So we left Sears, and went to a clothing store and again the alarm went off. It happened in every single store we visited that day at the mall, except Sears. No one could ever figure out why it was happening, but I thought it was hilarious. Becky? Not so much. Ha!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Is anyone still here?
I wonder if anyone is still out there... I kinda left you hanging. I was feeling overwhelmed, ill, depressed and lonely and didn't want to fill the pages of my blog with anymore of those negative emotions. So I took a break. It lasted too long.
I'm feeling so much better now. I have a better outlook on my life. I'm excited about Christmas and for the first time in several years, I am enjoying every day leading up to it. Becky and I went Christmas shopping this past Monday. We lasted ten hours (!) before we finally gave in and went home. I only bought one thing that day. But Becky did very well. We'll go again next week...hopefully, I'll find what I'm looking for then.
I won't be with my kids this Christmas, but you know what? It's okay. PJ will be with close friends and Hayden is still in Japan. They're okay, so I'm okay. I do hope we can all be together next year though. It's my Christmas wish. Maybe I shouldn't have said that...now it won't come true.
I've noticed a lot of my very favorite blog friends are taking breaks from updating. I miss them. But I really understand. I hope they'll come back though.
I'm going to be much better about updating. If you're still here, thanks.
I'm feeling so much better now. I have a better outlook on my life. I'm excited about Christmas and for the first time in several years, I am enjoying every day leading up to it. Becky and I went Christmas shopping this past Monday. We lasted ten hours (!) before we finally gave in and went home. I only bought one thing that day. But Becky did very well. We'll go again next week...hopefully, I'll find what I'm looking for then.
I won't be with my kids this Christmas, but you know what? It's okay. PJ will be with close friends and Hayden is still in Japan. They're okay, so I'm okay. I do hope we can all be together next year though. It's my Christmas wish. Maybe I shouldn't have said that...now it won't come true.
I've noticed a lot of my very favorite blog friends are taking breaks from updating. I miss them. But I really understand. I hope they'll come back though.
I'm going to be much better about updating. If you're still here, thanks.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
What's New
(I accidently hit publish before I was finished writing this post, so you might have already seen part of it in your reader. I'm so sorry for any confusion or trouble this might have caused.)
It was never my intention to stop posting here on my blog. I hit a rut and I couldn't seem to pull myself out. I was feeling depressed and I couldn't find light inside of me to share for anything! I didn't want this to become a negative place, in spite of how I was feeling, so I thought I'd take a week or so to get a grip and come back with a smile. The only thing is, it's taken longer than a week.
Please understand. I know how blessed I am. I truly do. I've had many trials the past couple of years, but I've also had loads of good things come my way too. It's just that sometimes it's so overwhelming and I find myself wishing for what I don't have, rather than being grateful for what I do. It's a constant struggle. But enough commentary... I want to tell you what's been happening this past couple of months.
The good news is, I was found by a Social Security Judge to be disabled, and therefore, I am now receiving disability payments every month. I earned the right to these payments through my work history in the past, so I feel good about it. I have enough to pay for my current needs, with some left over to start a savings. I cannot tell you what a relief this is for me.
I am also eligible for, and receiving benefits from Medicare. I am probably most excited about this. It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to take care of myself medically and it's been a constant worry. The first thing I did was to get an MRI. I was about two years overdue and I had a feeling something was wrong. I was right. Something was wrong.
I was diagnosed with two brain tumors, that are big enough to come out. There are two more that have not grown much, so that's the good news. I am waiting for a call from the family neurosurgeon (I'm not kidding. We have one of those). Hopefully I can get an appointment to see him soon and get this over with quickly.
I have been experiencing constant bouts of dizziness and occasional moments of nausea. It may not sound like much, but it's exhausting. I am almost looking forward to brain surgery. I just hope recovery is quick. I can handle anything if it will heal quickly.
So there you are...you're caught up with what's been going on with me. Sort of. At least, all I care to share right now.
I just felt you all deserved an explanation. I looked at my tracking history yesterday and was touched so many of you are still coming by to check on my blog. It means so much to me! Thank you.
I am hoping to be back better than ever in a month or so. I miss blogging and hearing from my friends, old and new. Please keep me in your prayers. I would appreciate it. Also, if you're a facebook friend, I am asking you don't comment there about my health as I have yet to tell Gus about it. He is so far away, on deployment, and I know he will worry. I am waiting until the last minute to tell him so he doesn't have to spend time worrying. Thank you.
It was never my intention to stop posting here on my blog. I hit a rut and I couldn't seem to pull myself out. I was feeling depressed and I couldn't find light inside of me to share for anything! I didn't want this to become a negative place, in spite of how I was feeling, so I thought I'd take a week or so to get a grip and come back with a smile. The only thing is, it's taken longer than a week.
Please understand. I know how blessed I am. I truly do. I've had many trials the past couple of years, but I've also had loads of good things come my way too. It's just that sometimes it's so overwhelming and I find myself wishing for what I don't have, rather than being grateful for what I do. It's a constant struggle. But enough commentary... I want to tell you what's been happening this past couple of months.
The good news is, I was found by a Social Security Judge to be disabled, and therefore, I am now receiving disability payments every month. I earned the right to these payments through my work history in the past, so I feel good about it. I have enough to pay for my current needs, with some left over to start a savings. I cannot tell you what a relief this is for me.
I am also eligible for, and receiving benefits from Medicare. I am probably most excited about this. It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to take care of myself medically and it's been a constant worry. The first thing I did was to get an MRI. I was about two years overdue and I had a feeling something was wrong. I was right. Something was wrong.
I was diagnosed with two brain tumors, that are big enough to come out. There are two more that have not grown much, so that's the good news. I am waiting for a call from the family neurosurgeon (I'm not kidding. We have one of those). Hopefully I can get an appointment to see him soon and get this over with quickly.
I have been experiencing constant bouts of dizziness and occasional moments of nausea. It may not sound like much, but it's exhausting. I am almost looking forward to brain surgery. I just hope recovery is quick. I can handle anything if it will heal quickly.
So there you are...you're caught up with what's been going on with me. Sort of. At least, all I care to share right now.
I just felt you all deserved an explanation. I looked at my tracking history yesterday and was touched so many of you are still coming by to check on my blog. It means so much to me! Thank you.
I am hoping to be back better than ever in a month or so. I miss blogging and hearing from my friends, old and new. Please keep me in your prayers. I would appreciate it. Also, if you're a facebook friend, I am asking you don't comment there about my health as I have yet to tell Gus about it. He is so far away, on deployment, and I know he will worry. I am waiting until the last minute to tell him so he doesn't have to spend time worrying. Thank you.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Lemon Creme Dessert
Despite some of the hottest temperatures of the summer, I can feel fall coming. There is the slightest hint of coolness in the hot breezes that are blowing through town. It seems to be getting dark earlier, and fall decorations are already hitting the stores.
Becky and I couldn't be happier about the change in seasons, no matter how slowly it's happening. We are gearing up for casseroles, pumpkin recipes and Halloween candy. Just the thought of it makes us giddy.
But before summer leaves and fall moves in, I had to find time to make my favorite summer recipe. It's a must for me to make this dessert at least once during the heat of the summer months, as it's so refreshing. Not to mention, delicious.
I first saw this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine several years ago. I made it immediately and it was such a hit that it immediately became a family favorite. I like to make it for company because not only does it look like I spent all day putting it together, but it's really beautiful to serve.
Lemon Creme Dessert
First layer (crust):
1 cup flour, 1 cup finely chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, ½ cup chilled butter
Combine flour, nuts and sugar. Cut in butter until pieces are very small. Press into buttered 11x7 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes, until edges are light golden brown. Cool.
Second layer:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened, 1 cup powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
Third layer:
1½ cups sugar, 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1½ cups cold water, 3 egg yolks (lightly beaten), 3 tablespoons butter (cubed), 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
In large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add water. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for one minute, until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of cooked mixture into egg yolks. Add mixture back to pan, stirring constantly. Heat to gentle boil. Cook and stir one minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and lemon peel. Stir in lemon juice. Refrigerate until cool. Spread over second layer.
Fourth layer:
1 cup cold milk, 1 sm package instant vanilla pudding mix, ½ tsp vanilla, 8 oz. cool whip, thawed.
Beat milk and pudding mix on low for two minutes. Beat in vanilla. Fold in cool whip. Spread over lemon layer.
Chill four hours. Cut into squares to serve. May serve with additional cool whip.
I hope you'll give this delicious dessert a try before summer ends. Maybe it will become a family favorite for you too.
Becky and I couldn't be happier about the change in seasons, no matter how slowly it's happening. We are gearing up for casseroles, pumpkin recipes and Halloween candy. Just the thought of it makes us giddy.
But before summer leaves and fall moves in, I had to find time to make my favorite summer recipe. It's a must for me to make this dessert at least once during the heat of the summer months, as it's so refreshing. Not to mention, delicious.
I first saw this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine several years ago. I made it immediately and it was such a hit that it immediately became a family favorite. I like to make it for company because not only does it look like I spent all day putting it together, but it's really beautiful to serve.
Lemon Creme Dessert
First layer (crust):
1 cup flour, 1 cup finely chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, ½ cup chilled butter
Combine flour, nuts and sugar. Cut in butter until pieces are very small. Press into buttered 11x7 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes, until edges are light golden brown. Cool.
Second layer:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened, 1 cup powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
Third layer:
1½ cups sugar, 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1½ cups cold water, 3 egg yolks (lightly beaten), 3 tablespoons butter (cubed), 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
In large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add water. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for one minute, until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of cooked mixture into egg yolks. Add mixture back to pan, stirring constantly. Heat to gentle boil. Cook and stir one minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and lemon peel. Stir in lemon juice. Refrigerate until cool. Spread over second layer.
Fourth layer:
1 cup cold milk, 1 sm package instant vanilla pudding mix, ½ tsp vanilla, 8 oz. cool whip, thawed.
Beat milk and pudding mix on low for two minutes. Beat in vanilla. Fold in cool whip. Spread over lemon layer.
Chill four hours. Cut into squares to serve. May serve with additional cool whip.
I hope you'll give this delicious dessert a try before summer ends. Maybe it will become a family favorite for you too.
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