Pretty day!

83 Days til Daytona 500

I just had to add the cars... and am counting down til the first race. 83 days doesn't seem so bad but then when you figure out its less than 12 weeks it is even better. Or you could go with the months and its then down to less than 3 months... and then if you go to the championship race in France its even less.:>)

Iam still trying to work on my diet although Thanksgiving did set me back a little........ or.......... back to square one as they say.
I saw this card with these words written  that Iam saving on my desk.....
"You've been provided with a perfect body to house your soul for a few brief moments in eternity. so regardless of its size, shape, color, or any imagined infirmities, you can honor the temple that houses you by eating healthyfully, exercising, listening to your body's needs, and treating it with dignity and love. "
Sounds to me like it may be a good place to start over. I figure Monday is always a good starting day, don't you? :>)
I found some cute Jim Shore snowmen in the mall yesterday and I got myself 3... I really love them and today guess what? good ole QVC had him on and I bought 2 more. I just loved them and couldn't pass them up. They will make my winter I think and put some pretty color in the house. Now I have to go into my boxes of stuff and see what I can give away. Iam sure there are a lot of things someone can use and I won't be so I will share. I have way too much Christmas stuff  for one person but I do get tired of it after so many years. I saved because times were so tough when we were young and raising a family. They don't seem to be that way anymore. Maybe we have just learned some things aren't necessary. I know, I know that these cute snowmen aren't necessary but they are pretty and I like pretty things. So I will share the others and won't feel so bad getting some nice new things for myself. I won't get to many this year so I can add as I go along. Im sure I will like them for a long time. I will keep them out all winter, Probably til Easter time when I can put my bunnies etc out...
Hope you are having a happy day. Sandra

My little tree

Good Morning,
As you can see by the picture I started putting my tree up in my computer room. I got the tree up and noticed that one of the legs it was standing on was broken so I got some masking tape and "fixed" it. (tree skirt will cover it) then starting to fluff it out and fix the lights but it just wasn't working so I took the lights off and fixed all the branches and put the lights back on. I got some ribbon hangers from K mart and started putting those on all the ornaments. It was fun and now I won't have to look for the hangers anymore when they fall off. the ribbon hangers are from K mart ( good ole Martha)
Here is a quote for today and then Im off to get ready for church and our shopping trip. :) No game today and no race so we will take our time...... I guess we won't have a choice as its probably going to be crowded at the stores today... Have a fun day!
Sandra
"Personal rewards multiply when you're focused on giving rather than receiving. Fall in love with what you're doing, and then "sell" that feeling of love, enthusiam, and joy generated by your efforts."

Laundry day

I just wanted to add a little entry today because I don't want to be reminded of that turkey everytime I come in my journal, haha
I already have it in my mind what to do next year.. and it won't be a tough turkey or probably not any turkey.. I figure you should be really thankful and eat something you really like. Thats why I like Christmas better because I never made it a habit of making the same thing every year.
  Today I did my laundry and straightened the house and I got 14 gifts in the mail ~ didn't have to go to the mall on black Friday. The other day I got more in the mail so now I just have to get something for my young grandaughter and my 2 greatgranddaughters and I expect that will be fun. Then I can look around and see what else to get for Leo and decorate the house.  I am finally learning not to stress myself out so much. I will enjoy it more.
Today I ordered a fishing calendar for Leo. One that tells about what the weather was like on each day this year and gives room to write what it will be next year and where the fish are biting in Wisconsin on any given day... He should like it and I should get benefits too about the weather etc. He says his snow blower is his Christmas gift this year but I am finding little things for him to open too. Hope you will have fun getting ready for Christmas too.

It's that time, again
The days are getting shorter now.
I feel a snow flake on my brow.
The leaves are crackling as I run, (I walk)
The squirrels' searching almost done,
The turkey's restless in the pen,
Oh! No! I see my breath again!
It makes a person take a pause
And think about old Santa Claus!!!!
            Grandpa Tucker
                          1996

Hope the day is a good one, Sandra

Turkey

Thanksgiving meal is finished.... I decided I don't even like turkey. That must be the reason I don't like making the dinner for everyone anymore. This year I got this small turkey, about half the size I usually get and it was dry and tasted like it was wild turkey, blah. I used to get it at my neighborhood store and that is gone so I tried a different brand and I did not like it one bit. I had it in the oven for over 7 hours at 350 and that should have been enough for 11 #'s but it tasted tough and not moist even if there were plenty of juices at the bottom. but I did find something that worked like a charm if I should evera want to make or have to make a turkey again. you put large whole carrots on the bottom instead of a rack and its much easier getting it out of the pan and no rack to clean. I alwo found out I love pumpkin fluff. :) so it wasn't all bad and we have a nice looking pumpkin pie I made just waiting for a plate and whipped cream. So I guess it wasn't all bad. I also found out we like cresent rolls from Pillsbury too, and I got a great buy on some nice jumbo olives. But the turkey :( I had to wash my hands several times to get the smell off. I hope you had a good turkey or whatever you like for Thanksgiving. I think Iam turning more and more into a vegetarian. Probably a good homemade bowl of chicken vegetable soup and crackers with pumpkin pie would have suited me better. hahaha

John Scalzi's # 36

John finally has a weekly assignment I can do. He wanted to know what to do with the change he had in a cup on his desk, and also a pic of what we put our change in. I put mine in this cute little kitty bank I found while shopping in one of my favorite stores. It isn't nearly full yet though so I haven't a clue as to what to do with the money... vacation money maybe or a day trip to my favorite store to get something to match? Now as for John, I say he should do something special with the family. If you like movies John there should be a good one to take your wife and daughter too ( a funny Christmas one) and get them all the candy and popcorn that their hearts desire... or whatever they have at the movies where you live) Hows that for a good fun day? You could also get one of the new blow up Santa's or snowmen for your front yard this holiday season or maybe 2. I think you should do something fun and the next time it gets full your daughter can decide what she wants to do with it.... tell her far enough in advance so she can think about it and wait with excitement as to when the cup will be full.... she may even add some of her own change from time to time to hurry it up.

a little bit of fun

We had a bit of fun today after we got the groceries for tomorrow and everything was in order in the house. Leo put the snowman up. We bought it than took it back and bought it again and then took it back and the third time is supposed to be the charm because we got it again today and Leo put it up right away. It is so cheery and I love snowmen so much. Its arm waves to everyone that passes and to the children in the house accross the street. We got it up while it was still easy ~ the ground is not frozen and it has not snowed yet either. Besides I was in so much pain last year at Christmas time and before and after that I couldn't enjoy Christmas, this year I hope to make the best of all of the stages of the season. It can't start too early or last too long for me. When we have to take the lights down it will be a long snowy winter and a waiting time for spring and my flowers again. So I will make the best of this. And then it will be a time for Leo to use his brand new snow blower and me to take pictures of the beautiful snowy days. So this is a nice beginning of the winter... Its getting very cold out now here in Wisconsin... and will be getting colder ~ I have not worn my winter jacket yet but I probably will tomorrow if I go out at all.  Hope everyone will have a beautiful and happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the parade and football if that is your choice.
Sandra

Little poem

                           Giving Thanks

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honey comb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home--
                  Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the working mans hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendshop that hope and affection have brought--
                  Thanksgiving! Thannksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea:
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free"--
                  Thanksgiving! Thansgiving!
                                    author unknown

I'm getting ready to prepare a nice dinner for my husband and son and whoever else shows up. I bought the turkey today and a few other things but tomorrow will be a busy day with making the pies and stuffing and making sure the darn bird is thawed out.... Even if its a small one I think Im a day behind. Oh well, I will get it all done and we will have a nice dinner... :>)
I spent most of the day today cleaning my family room. It wasn't so bad but I wanted to take things off the shelves and mantle to get ready for the Christmas and winter decorations. I can't believe how much Im getting done. I even put a Christmas record on that was nice.
Leo went fishing  because it was a beautiful warm day today... think the high was 48. that could be the last of our warm weather so he put the blue icicle lights on the house. He still has to put the lights on the blue spruce in the back garden. I like that one the best because I see it the most. letting the dogs in and out and getting a drink of water etc etc. I always hate to see the lights come off because that is the part of winter that seems to drag on and on... Maybe this will be a good winter and I will get some of my projects finished and even get a chance to put some puzzles together and read some wonderful books.
  I hope you all had a nice day today too and are looking forward to the season, Sandra

Cleaning

The Packers won another in the last minutes of the game. I believe Brett loves the excitement.
I was thinking of putting a small Christmas tree up in my computer room but first I had to do some major cleaning. Who likes to clean I wonder? Well the cleaning is mostly finished and maybe tomorrow my husband will get the tree down from above the garage and I will put it up and decorate it early. It will be nice to come in here with the lights on the tree etc. Cleaning got someone some nice things I believe because I took out 10 bags of Clothes etc. Things I have not used in awhile and I think someone else can get some use out of. I don't know how it happens but I have more than I can use in 2 lifetimes. Its actually fun to send it off to someone else. Some darn nice things too but How can I use so much. Its a lot neater in here now and I am going to benefit from that. Now if I only remember not to bring so much stuff in. Ive had it both ways ... too little and too much. Too little is easier to clean, lol
My diet went well too because while I was cleaning I didn't think of eating. So I lost the pound I gained after starting my diet and 1.5 more. Not bad. I should have enough incentive now to stick with it. would be nice to spend the summer gardening without huffing and puffing.
Hope your day is going well, Sandra

Good Morning,

Its a cloudy day here in Green Bay and looks like we will be getting rain... not snow. We are all ready for the snow though if it should happen to come.Everything is put away and cut back or pulled out etc etc etc. Leo even put lights on the evergreens in the front already. We won't turn them on though until after Thanksgiving sometime. Its just that its so much easier to put them on before it snows.
The above picture is one I put in my calendar. I thought the clover and the spots on the deer was pretty and it kinda matches doesn't it.
Yesterday I started a diet and gained a pound.... what do you think of that? It's just not fair is it. My husband knows I retain water and it has been very humid so he says its a water gain... I will go along with that but cut back some more I guess. I thought I would have lost a half because I did cut back and worked outside yesterday plus went shopping ~ I guess I have to try harder or just not weigh myself everyday. Anyone else picking this time of the year to start a diet? But if I don't I will really be chubby by the first of the year. Seems I am always dieting but I will hang in there. Wish me luck. I need all the "luck" I can get.
Hope your having a nice day today!  sandra

The Making of a Calendar

I spent all day yesterday on the computer and looking for pictures I have taken during the last year to make a calendar. You have no idea how many pictures I had to go through to do this and then take them off the disk and put them into the site. It looks like it will be a good one though. All the pictures are of Animals and if this turns out I have one with flowers waiting to be sent out. I hope it turns out nice so I can have a new hobby. Wish I would have thought of it sooner as it would have made nice Christmas presents at a fair price too. darn. Deborah you did remind us of this awhile back and I put it in the back of my mind. Christmas is coming so fast now that I want to do things like this for everyone.... darn darn darn. Maybe I can do early for next year ... well as soon as they will do the 2006 calendars.
  Hope everyone is having a nice day today!  Sandra
This picture is one I want to put on the cover of my next calendar.

Just a cloudy Monday

I just had to add another picture of the ducks and then its the last I guess. I love ducks! :>) This picture turned out so good I just can't believe it. I printed one out and it looks like a professional picture postcard. Not that Im bragging its just the camera doing its job and the ducks were all looking at me because I had some corn to feed them.
  After church yesterday we went for breakfast and then shopping at Kohls. They had a nice sale and I got a coupon in the mail for another 30% off so I had to go... got 2 christmas presentsand a few other things. Came home to watch the race( got pretty exciting) and the Packer game after the race. It was an early race and a late game. The Packer game got exciting too. We were winning and then the Vikings tied it up and we got the ball at the end and made a field goal to win ... wow. High scoring game too. One to talk about for awhile for the guys I guess.Thats all they seem to talk about in Green Bay, now that the election is over that is. Aren't you glad its over? I just hated getting all those phone calls and junk mail. Didn't like how it turned out but sure am glad its all over.
Now I have to go and get some work done. Have a good day and hope the health issues are getting better for my friends in Georgia and Tenn. God Bless.  Sandra

Beautiful sunny day

I wanted to take a picture of my Christmas Cactus this morning and Charlie had to come and see what I was doing... Aren't cats great. I couldn't have gotten him to pose like that if I tried. I had the cactus outside all summer and when I brought it in I put it in this big pot ( couldn't find the right size) and a week or so later it started to get buds. I thought I was going to have to throw this plant away but its getting pretty now. I guess all it wanted was some fresh air and a bigger pot, :>)
  I still don't think I want to do Thanksgiving this year... I have done it and done it and I think its time for a nice long break. I have done it every year since we were married except for the 2 first years when we go invited somewhere else. It was fun in the beginning but after the kids started getting married and having kids, well it was still fun but every year it seems to have gotten harder and harder and I got pooped out to put it bluntly. You see I always do everything and with feeding 24 its just too much. Thats why noone else does it because its too much. I still haven't told the kids though so we shall see.
Today I got caught up on all my mending. Leo surprised me with 5 pair of jeans he said he wanted shortened and I did 3 pairs of pants for me and made 2 little pillows. Now I have to go to the store and get Gary a tape he wants for his birthday today and see what I can come up with for cake and ice cream for him. Leo went fishing of coarse.... Its cold out but nice and sunny and he said fishing is coming to an end and he wants to see his friends and catch another fish or two...
So that is our day so far. Hope the sun is shinning for you too, Sandra

Getting Cooler

I thought I would add a few more pictures of the Wild Life Sanctuary.
Its easier putting them all in this way and I can add more
pictures. Teri is back in Orlando now and we miss her already.
Now our weather is cooling off. It held out until after she left.
The same thing happened when Mike was here in September we got such beautiful weather then too.
My kids want me to have Thanksgiving here again this year but its so much work. I didn't have it last year and I guess they missed it. 24 people in my house is a lot all at once and I don't know if I can keep my composure for a whole day of that... I'm trying to talk myself into it. My daughter says she would help but she doesn't even cook at home... her husband does all the cooking. Iam torn ...... We shall see I guess.

Wild Life Sanctuary

I went to the Wild Life Santuary yesterday with my daughter Shari and Daughter in law from Florida, Teri. We had a lot of fun and took a lot of pictures. My camera dial moved from Auto to Program though so all the pictures didn't turn out. I'm going to have to check that more often I guess. About 50 pictures did turn out though so I got lucky. We had corn to feed the ducks and as soon as they saw that they were all over us... look at the late comer flying in for a treat. One of them was so anxious he even took a piece out of  my hand... It kinda surprised me. Anyway it was a beautiful sunny day. I think the last time I was there was with Teri about 6 years ago. I miss doing all this fun stuff with her. Wish she and Mike would come home to live again... At least now they both know they are wanted. They do like the warm weather in Florida though so time will tell.
Did anyone see the Northern Lights the last 2 nights? I didn't see the most spectacular part but I did see the lights. They were very colorful this time. Most times I see them I only see the white lights... Hope you saw them too. 
Sandra

Beautiful Sunny day

This is the sweatshirt I got myself at the craft show yesterday... it fits perfect and I have been wearing it every chance I can get already... I also got My Great Grandaughter a winnie the Pooh and a blanket to match. Its so soft and cuddly I couldn't pass it up for a birthday present for her. We are going to her party the 15 and I didn't know what to get her.. It was meant to be. I had given her a smaller winnie the pooh and winnie the pooh books when she was born and her daddy reads it to her almost every night. Now this one will be so soft and cuddly and will get her into the mood for sleeping. So I got 2 really nice things and then I took my Daughter, Shari and Daughter in law out for lunch and we had a special day. Lots of talking and laughing and reminiseing. It was also a nice sunny warm day.
Today after church we went to look for a pasta maker for Teri for Christmas but I couldn't find one. I ended up looking in the QVC site and found one there. She loves pasta and especially home made but doesn't always take the time to make it from scratch because of rolling with a rolling pin... I thought she would have fun with the machine... I hope anyway.
Rich and Carley were here yesterday and today after we got home... Carley played with the neighbor girls almost all afternoon so I didn't have to entertain her like yesterday.... That reminds me I found some cute Barbie clothes for her at the craft show yesterday, Now maybe I can find her the perfect suitcase to put them in and some more at another show. She has so many dolls that I believe this is the way to go... No doubt Rick or her mother will get her yet another doll. :) She does like to dress them and play house with them etc. So that is 2 presents out of 22 ~ Well, its a start anyway. haha  Still plenty of time left but the hardest part is deciding what to get.
Hope you also are having a beautiful day, Sandra
Opps, I repeated myself from yesterday. :(  I forgot I had an entry. Thats what happens when I get busy and excited I guess... Sorry

Good Morning. So far its kinda cloudy here in Green Bay and cool. We are still having nice weather for November. It has been in the 50's and thats good. Yesterday I went outside and cut back my hydrangeas and got the roses ready for winter... still have to add some mulch around them though. I was so engrossed in my work I didn't see the birdhouse hanging and bumped my head pretty good... is getting better already today though so no harm done. When I came in to eat John Kerry was coming on tv to concede. He is a good man and I am sorry how it turned out. The only good thing I noticed ~ no junk mail yesterday and no phone calls on the answering machine... what a plesent relief.
I have a feeling noone is going to be able to read this. too darn small and I set the type at 14... sorry
Hope you have a very happy day!  Sandra
I just got this picture of Carley that was taken on Halloween... she sure looks different with brown hair and braids, doesn't she... I think for now I like her natural blonde hair better but I think she had a good time anyway.... :>)

Charlie and Twinkie

My poor little Twinkie has tears in his eyes because I used a flash... I usually don't but it was such a dreary day today... I don't think I will again especially if he is looking right at the camera. I felt like a meanie but put the picture in anyway because he is just so sweet.
 I spent the day today putting the Halloween things away and doing laundry.... Tomorrow we will go to vote and if the sun is shinning I will do a little more work outside... I guess I won't be finished until the snow flies. I always seem to find more to do but its nice to get fresh air every day too.
I hope whoever you vote for wins and I hope who we vote for wins too... is that possible? I hope we are all voting and voting for the same person, lol
Sandra

Know that the right people, things, jobs, books, pets____ everything ___ will arrive to assist you in every aspect of your life.

VOTE...... VOTE......VOTE....VOTE.