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