Trip Plans (Update)

Survived the trip even though I was still sick. Hoping to feel better real soon! A very long weekend and we’re all very tired!

We’re making plans for a trip the first weekend of Feb. Praying the weather cooperates for us! We don’t usually travel in the winter, but this trip has to be made.

It’ll be Lucy’s first trip in the car, besides Vet visits. She better behave, that’s all I can say!

January 2010 is here!

Life continues to be very stressful with changes and more to come. There’s not enough hours in a day to get done what needs accomplished and I’m getting slower every day.

It’s cold and very dreary here in the Northwest. We’ve had some snow and ice,Chinook winds came through and melted every thing away, then pouring rain, some sun and another storm on the way tonight. This is what it’s like living in the desert side of Washington State. I will never get used to it and we’ve been up here from California for 29 years already! Guess if I’m not used to the ever changing weather here now, I never will get used to it.

We have very pretty sunrises here and since I’m up very early every morning, I see them!

Another year behind me!

2009 came and went in a flash, with lots of bumps along the way. Was a very stressful year too!
Health problems and other stressful situations all year long!

Family has always been my main purpose in life, but the family unit has fallen apart again this last year. And at this point I doubt it will ever be the same again! My heart has been broken and cannot be mended.

As usual, we didn’t do much this last year. Rudy started making plans to retire in 2010, in April he’s been at his job for 27 years. Where all of those years went, I have no clue!

In June we went to my annual family reunion, it was in Oregon and rained alot. Was good visiting with family members that I only get to see once a year.

After we got home from the reunion we packed and flew to New Jersey to visit with Mona and her family. We went to alot of places, like Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and numerous other places. (Gosh! I need to start scrapping our NJ trips, I’m so far behind.)
Rudy helped Marc get their bathroom remodeled while we were there, took a few days of our time there to work on it.

Always sad to leave, but have to get back home. Wish they’d move back to the Northwest!

In the Fall we spent alot of time watching Jakob and Ben play football, it brought back alot of memories from when Rudy was younger and he played football.
The rest of the year, we pretty much stayed at home, Rudy golfs when he’s not working and when weather permits.

The holidays were rather quiet, just Gina and her family were here with us. Mona called alot during the holidays to be a part of the celebration too!

December was very stressful for me, trying to get ready for Christmas and dealing with another situation that came up.

My time is always taking care of the house or someone!

As the years fly by, the grandkids are growing up and we don’t get to see much of them. Before we know it, they will be grown-ups!

Hoping 2010 will be a better year all around!

Christmas 2009

We had a very quiet Christmas with Gina and her family. Mona called several times and I called my Mom several times so they could be a part of our Christmas Day!

We had a very old fashioned Christmas with just a couple of small gifts and being together. They all played some Wii games, watched some movies had and a good day!

You don’t need expensive gifts or showered with gifts to have a wonderful Christmas with family.

Marry Christmas to all!

It’s Christmas Eve already!

Still a few things to do today. Hope everyone is ready for the big day tomorrow!

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends!

Even though we are miles apart, you will still be in our hearts on Christmas!

I need a maid!

Mopping floors tires me out so quickly these days. I have sit down every once in awhile to rest and then it’s back to work again. Takes me all day to do what I used to do in a couple hours.
I’ve slowed down so much in the last 3 years. But I try to keep on top of things.

Family Traditions!

Traditions at Christmas mean alot to me! The little plastic gold star with an Angel attached has been on every Christmas tree we’ve had since Mona’s first Christmas in 1972. The poor little star is getting very fragile, but it’s on our tree each year.

I have decorations that we’ve made, my Mom has made, my girls have made and now my grandkids, each year that’s our tradition to honor our family and make our Christmas tree a Family made tree.

Through the years we’ve made many ornaments for our girls to put on their Christmas trees every year.

One year I crocheted special Angels for the tops of the girls’ trees to be a tradition to use each year. Two out of three of them have honored me by decorating their trees with the ornaments and Angels.

My heart is totally broken right now! Nothing at this time will undo what has been done!

Only one more day!

Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

Gina’s family will be coming over for our traditional homemade Clam Chowder Christmas Eve dinner. We’ve had this tradition for years now!

Wishing more of the family could celebrate with us this year. Whatever happened to family being together for Christmas? Times sure have changed and some put other priorities ahead of family and traditions. Even though they won’t be here with us, they will be in our hearts.

We’ll be saying a few prayers for a loved one that is spending Christmas in a Rehab Facility.

Christmas Goodies!

I’ve been making candy and baking cookies for sharing with family and friends.

Candy

Peanut Clusters

Raisin Clusters & Peppermint Almond Bark

Fudge

Sugar Cookies

Shortbread Cookies

Gingerbread Men

Here’s Mona and her family’s goodie pkg I mailed them this year.

Madi had asked me to make her some Oatmeal cookies

The only thing left to make now is caramel corn.
I want to thank Gina for all of her help too!

Stressful Time at the Holiday!

Not only with the Christmas stress, snow and icy conditions, there’s another crisis I’m dealing with the last couple of weeks.

Do you ever feel totally helpless in situations and just cannot remedy it? That’s the way I’ve felt for a couple of months and now with a new crisis bearing down on me, it’s sure taking the Christmas Spirit away!

My cards are made and sent, tree is up, baking is completed, yet it does not feel like Christmas!

Coping with stress, remembering family members and just the daily stress can sure take a toll during the holiday season.

I’m praying for peace to come!