What will the new year bring?

Trying to think of what I did right in the old year and will make better plans for the next year I hope..... I lost 30#s but I did it on a bad diet and it wasn't healthy. I used Suzanne Somers plan that is a lot like Atkins diet.... It was a big mistake for me as now I have this pancreatitis to deal with. I will follow my doctors advice and stay on a low fat diet and hope it clears up completly soon. Funny but I had gained about 6 #s after Thanksgiving and have lost that plus 3 more so I'm feeling positive about my eating habits for the new year.   Last year I planted a lot of flowers in my yard and kept it nearly weed free too. This year I think the plan for that is about the same. Every year I straighten up my house on the inside during the winter and every summer I let it go so now I have clutter the same as every year.... maybe I will try to cut down on the clutter and give more "stuff" away.... not promising mind you but going to try a little harder. ;)

I hope the New Year finds me healthy and Happy and able to share my happiness with others.   We shall see.... Can't wait for the fun to begin, LOL

Yesterday we went to the Target store and I was looking through the different pain pills and came accross a good one... Tylenol PM  took 2 before bed last night and slept great and then when I woke 4 or so hours later I took one more because I was in a lot of pain and Hip Hip Hooray I went back to sleep in only minutes and slept the night away.... even had a funny dream. That was the first night I didn't walk the floors for hours in pain. I hope I don't have to use them too often or may get used to them and then they won't work but it sure was nice getting that sleep last night  ;)

Just wanted to share

Isn't this a precious picture of my Grandaughter?  Well, I think it is anyway, hehe   They were in Florida today at Crabby Bills to get a bite to eat and some t shirts etc when they spotted this sign and being the ham she is had to get her picture taken and it turned out so good. Look at those big eyes.... Makes me miss them so much but am glad they are having such a good time. Don't you just love the computer and being able to share pictures like this so easy. I don't know how I ever lived without mine, lol

 

The Day After

I thought I would put in a couple of pictures and to let you all know I think I am starting to feel a little better. At least I didn't need a pain pill all day today so that is a huge improvement. I may have to take one tonight but I am waiting. Trying to toughen myself up a little.

It was a beautiful sunny day today but I stayed home and did a little laundry and putzing around... Tomorrow is supposed to be nice too I guess. Spring can come anytime now that Christmas is over, lol We have a long January to get over and I plan on finding some things to do to make it go faster... I think once January is over a person can get the seed catalogs out and really get serious. I got 3 in the mail so far.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Can You Believe Christmas is Here Already?

I hope everyone has a very happy and blessed Christmas! We had 3 of our children over tonight and a grandson and grandaughter and a daughter in law and we all had a very plesant time too. I am so happy it all went well and my pain didn't start up until everyone left.

                     In Bethlehem

Let us go now to Bethlehem

Upon this Christmas Day,

And there within a manger bed

Find strength we need alway.

A faith to conquer every doubt....

Love which is good and true.....

Hope that can banish all despair.....

Peace to bring joy anew.

And let us there accept the gift

God sent so long ago;

That in our heart on Christmas Day

Eternal hope can glow.

Winter is Here

Winter's Shadows

The sun climbs down the dark'ning sky

     And leaves a crimson afterglow,

With long, blue shadows here and there

     Across the frozen wastes of snow.

And ere 'tis gone the moon peeps up

    Beyond the rugged poplar's height,

To spread a pale gold setting for

    The twinkling diamonds of the night.

The weary seek the cheer of home,

    Where warmth and refuge are akin.

Tho frosty silence reigns without,

      Gay song and laughter sound within.

Gettin the Spirit back

My sisters have been showing me pictures of what they are doing for Christmas and I will do my best to make this a Merry Christmas too. No more feeling sorry for myself.... at least when the pain pills work. :) maybe this is a good time of the year for me to get these things as I can try harder to pull myself out of it... would be worse in the middle of January I think as its such a long cold month.

When will it end

I had to go to the hospital again tonight but got to  come home this time. Seems besides pancreatitis I also have Shingles.... sure hope it doesn't last too long. I am taking lots of pills now.................. I hate pills!  I should get better soon though and when I feel good I will try to spread a little Christmas cheer... :)  Just wanted to tell all so you understand if I am not in here too much.

Christmas is getting near

ALWAYS....A CHRISTMAS NIGHT

As long as there are pine trees

Growing on a hill,

As long as there are firesides

With a candle on the sill.....

As long as there are reindeer,

Snowflakes glistening white,

As long as there's a Santa Claus

There'll be a Christmas night.

As long as there are stockings

Hanging in a row,

As long as there is holly

And a sprig of mistletoe....

As long as there is tinsel

And wrappings gay and bright,

And chruch bells chime throughout the land,

There'll be a Christmas night.

As long as there are wise men

Who  choose to be star-led,

And loving hearts made ready

To crown the Christ Child head...

As long as happy children

Sing with pure delight

The age old song. "Good Will To Men,"

There'll be a Christmas night.

My hospital stay

I am back home but still in pain so came in to check things out while I am waiting to take a nice strong pain reliever and go to bed. I have Pancreatitis and its very  painful. funny but the doctor said it usually comes from drinking or smoking or gall stones and we have ruled out all three as they don't pertain to me so I figure its from a fatty diet ( I was on the Suzanne Somers diet) and lost 30#s but its not worth it if I got this pain. Hopefully it will leave soon and now I have to follow a low fat diet ( doctors orders) I will too because I don't want this back as I have been in so much pain for the last 6 days. Only at the hospital 4 of those though. Went when I couldn't stand the pain anymore. I still can't but now I have a diet to follow and pills to take until I get well.

It was nice to see a couple of comments in my last post and thanks for welcoming me home.

Sweet Charlie

Charlie seems obsessed with the tree doesn't he. I was sitting in the living room, just me and my camera when he came in and started looking at the tree. He knew I was there so didn't jump in but I knew he wanted to. I was up early and had the lights on the tree and was just sitting there reading when I decided I wanted to take a picture. It was then I noticed he had been in the tree again because a branch was squashed and an ornament was fallen. Must have happened while I was sleeping. He didn't climb up to the top like he did yesterday though. Maybe he figured if I came in he would have to jump too far .......I will decorate this tree for Christmas this year though even if its only for one or two days. Last year we didn't decorate our tree and it wasn't good.... He only has 10 more days to get over it.... or maybe I will keep him in the basement when I am not around for those 2 days. Citrus didn't do anything for Charlie, in fact he probably liked the smell. Sounded too easy for me anyway. ;-)

Snow and freezing cold

So cold and I am starting to get depressed. Gotta snap out of it after all Christmas will be here soon and I must get it all together for that.... Holidays get harder and harder for me these years.... I guess I want 'all" my kids around me and they just won't be anymore and I have to get used to it. Maybe a good nights sleep will snap me out of it.

Charlie was in the tree again today ;( Well I saw him just as he was trying to figure out a way to get out I think. He actually threw the 4 ornaments into the middle of the carpet in the living room. I looked at him looking at me and left the room to get the squirt bottle..... now I do know you aren't supposed to let them know how they are getting wet but I have had it with him and he now knows it,  I looked right at him  up close and told him he was not supposed to be in the tree and I squirted him right in the face. I know I am not nice.... he is not nice either and I am supposed to be the master of him, right? He didn't go very far but just sat there staring at me and licking his face off..... until I yelled at him some more and he left then for a while.... A couple of hours later he was outside freezing his feet and of coarse I carried him into the house. I hope now he knows I really really love him but he cannot go into the tree again. Oh boy, will I get it decorated this year I wonder.

Freezing cold today

It was a freezing cold day but at least the roads were clear of the ice and snow so we could go shopping. Lots of shopping had to be done yet so we did that today. Tomorrow we will have to go grocery shopping if we plan on eating I guess. Anyway I had to get cat food and also a Christmas toy. Then we went to a yarn store and 2 craft stores to get more yarn. I have been knitting pretty steadily, but I now wonder if I will get them finished before Christmas. My arm is already getting sore. Maybe I will knit one and then crochet the next and knit the next etc. Sounds like a good plan to me and will keep my arm guessing. I really should have started them earlier but was making something else before I decided to do scarfs. I only have a few more rows though and the purple one will be finished. Anyway who is to say I can't give them away after Christmas too. So now I only have time to read some journals and finish the scarf and hit the sack. LOL talk to you later, Goodnight.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I suppose I could go out and make a snowman but its kind of a wet snow today. Started as rain. Not my favorite kind of snow but its doing the trick and making everything white. I heard there are a lot of fender benders though and thats not too good, so I'm staying in today and doing my Christmas cards. I wrote out 40 today. I did have my list all updated and my stamps bought etc etc so it went pretty fast. I had a little poem to put in each and used a pretty gel pen.  Starting to get in the spirit I guess.

I  put 4 ornaments on my tree today ~ up high though. I'm getting brave, sort of. So far  Charlie hasn't gone in again but I know he wants too, even with the lemon smell. He went up to it and sniffed and another time my husband saw him on the arm of the sofa next to it, he thought he was ready to jump into the tree but he told him to get and he did. I think I will wait until next week to decorate it and by then I will know what I can put on the tree. Charlie threw up today and it could be because of the lemon I guess but I let him have some of the milk and cereal in my bowl too so I don't know what  caused it. I really don't want him to get sick over it though.

I am going to get my 6 year old grandaughter one of those musical mats I think. Does anyone know if they work good? She likes to keep active and I thought that would give her something to do for awhile. If I get the double one maybe my son can have fun too. Has anyone gotten them for a child?  How much fun did the kids have with it I wonder?

14 MORE DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS EVE

After we spent the morning shopping and eating lunch out I came home and finished my scarf.... It went so fast. I just got the yarn Sunday afternoon but it was so much fun chrocheting with new yarn and it went so fast because it called for a "J" hook. It is very warm so I won't be at all cold when I wear it and I just love orange and the eyelash fun fur toned it down just enough..... next I will make a purple one with just the fun fur yarn.... after all I'm pretty old and that means I can wear purple ;) Maybe I should wear my red knit hat to go with it too..... how fun will that be. haha  I'm going to knit the purple one with big needles as I saw one a lady at the store made like that and it was very pretty.... How much fun to try something new. (new for me anyway) ;)

My Cat

I just have to write in black today  because I am really, really frustrated.Last year he was only a little kitten and this year he is a 17# cat....... and he climbed our new beautiful tree and I don't know now what we will do. I certainly won't be laughing and taking his picture.... Maybe I should not have done it last year either, but it was so cute.... now what to do?  Everything I think of will spoil it for us. I want to put my beautiful ornaments on the tree this year but was waiting. I really didn't think he would do it again. We have had many other cats and they were well behaved and didn't climb up the tree. Anyone have the problem and how did you solve it? I suppose that spray might work but it doesn't smell good does it...... darn darn darn !

Looks like we may get snow soon

It sure looks like it may snow soon.... its starting to get cloudy and its sort of humid too. You could almost say damp if it wasn't so cold. I do think it will have to cool off a bit though for the snow.... which it is starting to do also.

I'm starting to get in the mood to do my Christmas cards. It will be nice if it snows while I'm writing them out but  I don't have any  Christmas stamps ~` but its early yet  and I don't even have to mail the  out of state ones yet do I ?  I have my list all typed out and ready to go . I have 40 names on my  list this year . You know how some always have a letter telling of all the great things they  have done during the year  or how many illinesses they have?  Well I am going to put a typed poem in mine this year..... Just a small one about the Spirit of Christmas and how I treasure  everyone on my Christmas  card list.

Nice Day Today

We had a nice day so far ~ well the day is over I guess. ;) After church we went to get a few things at the store.... I picked another name on the Christmas tree.... I'm getting in the mood now and there is only one week left to buy gifts for those whose names are on the tree. This time I got a girls name and she would like Jeans in size 10 and some markers.... I had a good time shopping for her. I got a neat pair of jeans I hope she will like and 2 different kinds of markers. and I threw in a nice colorful tablet and a Dr Suess cane with candy in also... I'm sure she will like and I had a good time shopping. I would like to get her more but I have my grandchildren to shop for yet etc etc. I also went to the yarn store and got some pretty yarn to make myself a scarf and if it turns out I think I will make one of my great grandaughters one and maybe my grandaughters one also.... if I don't have time for Christmas I will just make them for a just because present. after we got home we watched a little of the Packer game and put up our tree. It was heavier than ones in the past and really really full with lots of lights..... We think it would have been just as easy or easier to get a real tree but then I would get my headaches etc ..... I will wait until I decorate it to put it in here in color.

I hope everyone is having a nice day too and the Christmas spirit is in your heart!  Its the 2nd Sunday of Advent already ~ only 2 more left. All the kids won't be home for Christmas so I think we should start a new plan like maybe go and look at Christmas lights when the kids that come have left to go to their own homes. I hear there are a lot of beautiful lights only blocks from us and our neighborhood is getting very pretty already too.

When we were in Florida we went for a walk to see the lights and that was a good thing to do as we walked their Dalmatiions, Lucky and Lady.  What are some of the things everyone does on Christmas eve and Christmas day if they aren't with a big family? We haven't had much practice and usually just listen to music or watch tv.   Of coarse we always go to mass but thats only an hour.   Maybe we will get some snow........

Finding a store

So far we have gone to a few different grocery stores looking for one that suits us and is close to home.... I will tell you we won't be finding just one I'm afraid but will have to go to several to find everything we want. Yesterday I went to another Jubilee store about 3 miles from here and it was nice in a way that it had the bakery items we like but the store is not the cleanest ~ same name and same baked goods but not nearly as nice and clean as we are used to and didn't have the items we wanted either so today I went to the giant one that is taking all the business away from the small stores.... took me four times as long as my store because its 4 times as big and That does not make me happy. There is another store in a different direction and about a mile and a half away but the prices are too high and they don't have everything either. I can't just run to the store anymore if you understand what I mean.  We were spoiled I guess but it sure would be nice if someone would take it over and begin again but I guess that s not going to happen any time soon and I have to drive and drive and drive to get just a loaf of bread or a bottle of milk etc. I'm just like a little kid aren't I ~~~ stamping my feet because there is no way I can have what I want.... So I will keep looking until I come upon a place I can call my own.... that is just down the block a way.... Lol

The Jessica Lynch Story

I just couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. I personally will always think of her as a Hero no matter what others may say. She is such a sweet girl and I only hope the future will bring her happiness. I couldn't imagine going through what she went through even in my worst nightmare.

Happy Holidays

I had fun today giving my puppies treats so I could take pictures.... these are the ones that turned out the best..... they are so sweet I could have taken them for hours but didn't think that would be nice. Peaches is the oldest at 1 & 1/2 and Twinkie is her brother and he is just 7 months old now.... they are good pals and my wonderful companions along with my Kitty Charlie! I am so lucky to have such great pets this year after having such a sad year last year when i lost 2 precious cats and our 2 wonderful dogs...... Smokie and Grizabella my kitty kats and Peppi my little tiny chihuahua and Loopi our beautiful Westie...... I will never ever forget  those precious pets of ours.   So I can't believe how I can love my new pets so much already while still missing my old friends...... funny isn't it.  Oh, in case you were wondering Peaches and Twinkie are long haired Chihuahua's and they are the offspring of the same parents. Very sweet, loving, dogs I may add.

I'm practicing what John said we could do with the pictures,,,, So far I think I have it sort of figured out. Now how do I get a picture in the space on the side or a pic of me I wonder.... same way?   The above pic is of me and my friends when we were in 7th or 8th grade. Just happened to be in my hometown so I used it. I'm the one in the middle, lol

The Spirit of Christmas

I have a list of people I know

All written in a book

And every year at Christmastime

I go and take a look

And that is when I realise

That those names are a part

Not of the book they're written in

But of my very heart

For each name stands for someone

Who has crossed my path some time

And in that meeting they've become

A treasured friend of mine

And once you've met some people

The years can not erase

The memory of a pleasant word

Or a friendly face

So when I send a Christmas card

That is addressed to you

It's because you're on that list

Of folk I'm indebted to

And you are one of many folk who

In times past I've met

And happen to be one of those

I don't want to forget

And whether I have known you for

Many years or few

In some way you have a part in

Shaping things I do

This, the spirit of Christmas, that

Forever and ever endures

May it leave its richest blessing

In the hearts of you and yours.

grocery store closing

Sorry to say this chair is not as comfortable as the blue one was but it fits in the room nicer and is very easy to get in and out of~~for me but not my pets. Maybe when I get this room in order there will be space for another chair and I can put this in the family room. It was such a good buy. Maybe I can get one of those pet beds that are raised off the floor ~~ maybe a doll bed would work. they all like to be higher than the floor. Oh well, I meant well and Leo already took the chair to St Vincent DePaul.... Maybe someone elses pets will enjoy it as much as mine did.... I will get another one someday, I promise.

Now for the closing of our corner grocery store after 30 years. I must have been one of the first customers and now am one of the last.... Its so sad. I could walk to the store or ride my bike with the basket I used just for that reason. Foolish people for not using that store more often. We waited for a store to come in the neighborhood and when we finally got one we were all so happy but then the shopping malls etc came and bigger stores with them and everyone seemed to just stop going to the neighborhood store.  Except for a bottle of milk or a loaf of bread etc.... now the gas stations all seem to have that and they are just around the corner too. I guess that store was there just for people like me and there aren't many of us left anymore..... times change and I must change too but you know I like to be able to walk to the store and pick up a few things now and again. It was in a little mall with a barber shop and a gift store and a music store etc. What will become of those now I wonder..... I bet the owners of those stores wonder too. I got a big cart of groceries today and they were all 30% off. The cashier said there are people coming from all over to get the bargains. Not much left now though..... makes one want to weep.

I got my chair !

I got my new little chair today and also a few other things. One is Finding Nemo the Disney video.... I was going to get it so my grandaughter could watch it here or bring it home but she already has it at her mothers house so I didn't get it until today. I already watched it and its so cute and beautiful at the same time. Im glad I got it! You can even use it for your very own beautiful fish bowl on your tv screen. After we got home my husband didn't want to put the chair together and he didn't want me to either.... he had planned to put the snowflakes on the front porch and put the little deer out in front with the red nose. Now all he has left in the front is the nativity set and I hope he waits a little to put that out as its really early yet isn't it? I have to put some garland in the back on the trellis yet too but we are doing good I think. I'm not baking yet as I am still trying to lose what I gained onThanksgiving. Anyone else have my problem? I will put the picture of the chair in as soon as it gets put together. Guess when you only pay $50 for a chair the least you can do is put it together, lol

Shopping day

I am going shopping today with my husband.... not for Christmas presents as I have most of that taken care of but for a new little chair for my computer room. It seems my puppies have learned to stop chewing on chairs now if Iam around so I can buy a new little one they have on sale this week at Shopko. I hope it fits me or I will have to find another one..... so Iam hopeful I will have a new chair today. You might say its a Christmas present from me to me. Others sit here with me from time to time and they might enjoy it also. I'm hoping. Its just one of those little glider chairs with  a green back and cushion. My neighbor has one she got several years ago and hers is comfortable, hope this one is almost as good as hers. :) Big day in the mall today for Senior's and you only have to be 55 at Shopko to be considered a senior..... and they have special places near the store to park also.... I will come back soon and finish this entry.

Sunny winter day

Jimmy Buffetts Christmas Island reminds me of one of our vacations to Florida at Christmas time. We had a very very  nice Christmas that year with one of our sons and his wife and our daughter and husband and 2 children. We could be going again this year and I will miss it but its nice to stay home too. Wish the whole family could be together anywhere for a vacation this year..... dreaming agin. :)

The pictures above are pictures of my yard in previous years. pictures we could not take if we were in Florida. When it snows everything looks so beautiful and clean. Just like a fairy land. I would not give up living in Wisconsin for anything. Can't figure out why our son & wife want to live in Florida either. He used to love snowmobiling etc in winter but guess he likes warm weather better. He probably likes his job at Sea World better too and she likes hers at the Disney resort.  And we all have a nice place to visit when we decide to head in their direction.