awake at 5 AM!

Ughh .. i woke up at 5 AM and couldn't go back to sleep!  I guess I went to bed way to early last night.  I spent the morning getting those dishes done that never disappeared and then I picked up the house from the grand kids this weekend and put up the few ornaments that were not hung on the tree.  Although I still have boxes of Christmas decorations strung all over the house.  Decisions, Decisions ..

Later in the afternoon I went over to my Aunt Louis home as my Aunts (dad’s sisters) meet for coffee most days.  My other aunt Pearl and Rosie were there as well as my cousin Carrie (Aunt Louis daughter) we had a  great time visiting and since Carrie couldn’t get her phone to post a picture of Aunt Louis tree on facebook I did it for her with my phone.  Aunt Louis was so happy to see her tree on facebook esp after Carrie had shown all the other family members who have posted pic’s of theirs.  She was one happy lady.  I had a great time and before you knew it, it was time to head home and get some dinner going as the grand daughter came to spend the night even though it’s her mom’s night.

A Blah Day!

Wow November is gone and December is here!  Feels like it should be February or March with all the cold we’ve been experiencing. 

Sunday was another exhausting day .. oops I meant .. more wonderful time spent enjoying the grand kids.  Later in the evening it was time for them to head to their mom’s and Grammy headed to bed to get some much needed rest!

Today (Monday) was a a blahhh day for me! I was aching all over and have no energy! I think my busy holiday weekend has finally kicked in and put me down for the count. I'm sure the dishes and house isn't going anywhere soon .. hmm unless a fairy shows up. 

It’s been a dreary, foggy and looked like it could rain or snow at anytime.  Although the temps are in the low 50’s which is a heat wave compared to last week!  Although never fear more severe cold weather and a chance of that bad 4 letter word .. Yes *snow* could be heading our way soon.

seeing Santa and putting up the Tree!

The sun came out and it was a bit on the nippy side but compared to previous temps, today felt like a heat wave!  I got up and got around and my sister in law picked me up and went up to the park to see Santa!  Hey I’ve been a good girl and all good girls get to sit on Santa’s lap right? 

There was already a line waiting to see the famous guy and his lovely wife.  Of course we waited patiently .. well as patient as kids can be ..

Colton who is my brother’s great grandson (his mother was killed in a car wreck when he was a baby) was first to see the big fella

then his aunt whom we all call Lady Bug was next … see I told you .. big girls do sit on Santa’s lap if their good girls  

after seeing santa it was time to walk around and see all the neat stuff!  I couldn’t resist a few things but I have to keep quiet as they are Christmas gifts .. hmmm

all my dad’s sister’s but one Aunt Rosie was holding down a seat for me and so while my sister in law chased her very energetic grandson I sat and visited and listened to the great Christmas music and listened closely to see if I had a winning number.

as you can see we were all bundled up .. in fact see the color hats, they sold them here at and several of my aunt’s were taker’s ..  it really wasn’t that warm  .. not like it is in Miami!! Once the sun started going down it was getting cold, but it was a great day to spend time with family. 

Once the grand kids arrived it was time to get started on putting up our Christmas tree!  They have been so excited about doing it.  This is their first year of getting to do this family tradition with their grand parents!

 

Once Hailey had the tree the way she wanted it, it was time to let little brother join in on the fun of decorating. 

there were so many ornaments since I thought I lost mine and bought new ones and then found the old ones.  this poor tree is loaded and here is the final results!!

I love it!!  I’m so thrilled I decided to purchase a white tree this year and going with Red and Silver with a tent of green here and there was great!  Nice job my precious and guess what … Grammy never moved one ornament or anything like I used to do with my kids (back in the days, my tree had to be just perfect and nothing out of place) not this year .. this is my grand kids tree.

Black Friday!

It was an up early to rise and get going .. things to do today.  First on the list was to get the grand kids up, feed and ready to go and we were out the door about 8.15 AM.  It’s their day to have Thanksgiving with their mom (their dad left for work already).  Okay!  I guess compared to most Black Friday shoppers that isn’t early but for me .. that is early to get moving at the time of the day!  For what I wanted it was early enough to get a couple good deals!!    I wanted a vacuum they had at Wal-mart and I figured they wouldn’t sell out real early on those.  I was right and next on the list was a Christmas tree and ornaments.  After lots of searching I finally decided what I wanted .. NO peeking!  Your going to have to wait and see .. Well Okay I will give you a sneak peak of a few things ..

After too much shopping I was hungry so we headed over to have my favorite food!  Yep .. if you guessed Chinese you are the winner.  It was a great relaxing meal and the first time I have eaten out in several weeks!  Yes, it’s true I’ve been staying home and cooking!  I know .. I never cook right??  Well with this cold weather it’s just been too cold and yucky for me to get out! 

On the way home, stopped by the home on wheels and picked up a few things I had on my list I needed and next was to storage to see if I could find my Christmas ornaments from when the kids were little since my wonderful son Tyson brought me practically every Christmas decoration I owned except for the one thing i requested! After lots of searching and determination, I was finally one happy camper when i found them! I’m looking forward to the family putting up the Christmas tree tomorrow night! It used to be one of my favorite things to do for the holiday!!  Oh just wait until you see what I decided to do this year .. oops did I mention that again?  Sorry your going to have to stay tuned to find out more :))

I have to admit, I just couldn’t wait to look through my old decorations and ended up sorting them and setting them out on the desk for when the grand kids get here.  Yes It was late and I'm exhausted and my back and legs are killing me!  The rest of the evening was spent relaxing enjoying the Christmas shows on Hallmark. I’m starting to get into the Christmas mood

Happy Thanksgiving

The sun came out and it wasn’t my desired temp but compared to the cold, it actually feels like a warm up with low 40’s!

It’s our son’s year to have the grand kids for Thanksgiving and so we spent the day enjoying family and eating way to much.  I didn’t cook this year as we went to my mother in laws house to celebrate with her.

Later in the evening we came home and spent the rest of the evening just enjoying spending time as a family.  Papa and Toby played cards while Daddy and Hailey laid in bed relaxing playing candy crush.

It was a great day of enjoying family and being thankful for all that we do have.  Before we knew it .. time came to get the gkids bathed and ready for bed and then it was time for this exhausted Grammy to retire to her bed.

From our family to yours …

Hope you all had a great day .. thanks for stopping by

oh the weather is frightful!

Me O My it’s been one very cold weekend!  The temp’s have been low 30’s to high 20’s and in teens at night .. can you say brrrr!!  I truly believe I have went insane to agree to stay in Illinois for the holiday’s!!  Spending the holiday’s with family is great BUT …. It sure didn’t have to get this cold already!!  Mr. Winter you may go away and come back another time.

Saturday I spent the entire day curled up trying to stay warm … my body does not like this weather at all!! 

Sunday morning the grand daughter wanted to come over .. even though it’s her mom’s weekend she wanted to come see Grammy   So we spent the afternoon baking cookies and brownies.  I do enjoy spending time with my precious girl.

Around 7 pm it was time for the grand daughter to go home to her mom’s and I spent the rest of the evening curled up in front of the stove trying to stay warm while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie.  Hope your all staying warm where ever you are. 

Bad News and Decisions!

It’s still been cold and it’s not looking any better for the next week .. in fact their talking high of 30 tomorrow and a low 11 at night, all next week is high low 40’s.  Yep .. winter is here.  Dinner tonight was some home made Turkey veggie soup and it sure did hit the spot on a cold winter day!

One thing about it, I’m nice and warm inside the comfort of home (I’m in my stick home for the winter) which is a good thing as going up and down stairs is not a good thing for me with my knees.  No stairs and there is even a handicap walk to get into the house.  I’ve really enjoyed being in my dad’s home.  The dogs seem to have settled into their new environment.  Family stops by to visit with me and I’m getting to spend lot’s of time with the grand kids

I finally broke down and went to the doctor and had a few test done on my knees and sure enough I have been scheduled to see an Orthopedic surgeon.  Between my neck, low back and knees.  I haven’t been doing much of anything but just resting.  My knees hurt the worst when I try to lay down which makes it difficult as when my low back is bothering me, laying down is the only relief I get from it.  I’m in the worst of 2 choices.  Sitting up which helps the knees but hurts the back or laying down to relieve the back but makes the knees hurt worse! 

I can not get in to the surgeon for 2 months!  Are you kidding me?  Ughhh the life of health problems!  I have some decisions to make about what I’m going to do regarding my health.  Stay here and take care of my health issues this winter or pack up after the holiday’s and head to warmer climate and continue to deal with my health issues until returning in the spring?  I’ve decided for now, to just enjoy the holiday’s with family.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been home with my family for both holiday’s!

I guess like everything in life you take the good with the bad.  The cold weather is very hard on my body but I sure do enjoy spending time with family