wishes

Happy New Year's Eve! as the Christmas decorations get put away, and the vacation time runs down, and the kids & adults get ready to return to their working schedules, it is my hope that you will remain filled with the wondrous magic of the Spirit, and all the hope, love & joy that is Christmas for as long as possible. today, we think about the new year and what we hope it will bring for us, our families, and our country. i pray the Lord will keep us all healthy & safe, and see us through the difficult times ahead- emotional, physical, financial or other wise. i am awful at following through on new year resolutions, but i still always make them. this year, i'm going to try to pray more, and try not to get so upset or stressed out about stuff so easily. i'd love any tips or suggestions you may have that can help me. i'd also like to take more & better photos, and create more often These are my 'realistic' goals. On the 'now your pushing it' side of my list, i'd really like to purge & organize my scrap tools/stash, complete my daughter's room makeover, and the really big one-- wait for it---wait for it... i'd love to finally lose the 'baby' weight that i've been carrying around for 4 YEARS! i do need to take better care of myself not just for me, but for my family too. it's even more important now that i'm older. it's such hard work and i so struggle to stick with it. i'll work out and eat better for a few weeks, but then i fall off & stay off the wagon, and really don't even try to get back on ;) i don't want to give up pizza or sweets! lol! just being honest, but it would be nice to have more energy to tackle some of the other goals! so for the new year, i decided to RE-RE-sign up for 3 months of WW online, and a 3 week SIStv workshop called Love Myself in 2009 taught by Ashley Wren (it's a support/ journaling / scrappy workshop for those with health & fitness goals--there's a picture link on the right side of the page for more info.) i would like to say i'll be working out constantly & be 25lbs. lighter in no time, but instead, i'm just going to say that i'll be taking it one day at a time, and i'll check in & let you know how it's going, and hope you'll be patient with me. anyway- lots of love to you and yours today. have tons of fun, please don't drink & drive, and let me know what you're goals & wishes for the new year are.
{{big hugs}}
xo
-g
^o^

happy christmas!

hi! i hope everyone's having a wonderful Christmas time! some of my in-laws are here until next week & we're having a great visit! Christmas was even more magical this year, as we all scaled back and focused on quality time together & the things that are most important. i have been cooking & cooking & cooking-- and have really been enjoying it! i am sorry to report that everyone's card is STILL in my kitchen! LOL...and it's all good, because i know that you know my heart's in the right place! my dh has been very sick for the past 3 weeks with a very bad cold/virus/ick (my dd & i had it for 2 weeks after we got home from our Thanksgiving trip!) but today at least, everyone seems to be doing so much better (please knock on something for us), and for that, i'm very thankful! wanted to share some pics with you. sending all my love & best wishes as we get closer to 2009!
{{{GIANT HUGS}}}
g
^o^


made with the Dec Scripts Kit


Mimi with her dad & grampa


mimi loves playing ju jitsu with uncle florin!


mimi & her grama meemo playing pirate girls


some of the feast! deep fried turkey (made in a hail storm!), honey ham, green beans, roasted potatoes, pumpkin bread, glazed carrots, cranberry relish, pear/blue cheese salad with a champaign vinaigrette (amazing), gravy, buns, gingerbread cake, cookies & on & on & on!


uncle flo enjoying another Jager Monster (jagermeister,grenadine,OJ)



brothers being silly!

snow day

it snowed like crazy here in las vegas on wednesday, as in a REAL snow storm (can you say global warming--we're in the middle of the desert people!) it was so beautiful & fun! we haven't had a white Christmas time since we lived in Maryland LOL! Mimi & i had some awesome snowball fights (she's a natural!) & then when we got too cold, we'd run inside & cook up some homemade hot chocolate & then rush back out! it snowed all day long from about noon on! we ended up with several inches of snow! Chris closed the office early so everyone could get home safely & have some snow fun too. we've lived here since '93 and we've had a couple of snow showers over the years, but nothing like this. super cool. wish you could have been here with us!
^o^

(i think these will open larger if you click on them)

thankful

we had a wonderful trip to Maryland to celebrate the holiday with family. it was very cold, but so beautiful- i'd forgotten how lovely all the trees and grass & deer in the yard can be! my in-laws home is one of my dream houses- it's so comfy cozy, and it just felt good to be back home. Mimi & i left lots of apples out for the deer, and enjoyed watching the squirrels. she loved every minute of being with her Meemo & her Grampa & Uncle Florin-so cool- makes my heart happy. one night,we drove out to the bay & stayed overnight on their boat- which also reminded me of how very much i miss the water and spending time with them. The Chesapeake Bay is one of my most favorite places on earth- i have so many wonderful memories. yes there were some tears leading up to the holiday and a moment or two while i was home - i miss my mom & dad & the holidays are still hard- i just always wish they could see my sweet girl and be with us too. i know they're smiling down. hope you had a wonderful holiday too.
xo
^o^