New Beginnings

                  

I'm not sure if I'll have time later so I decided to update my poor little old journal that I tend to ignore.

I think that New Year's Eve is a bridge for each and every one of us.  We reflect upon the old year and have many hopes and dreams for the new year approaching.

This past year has brought many, many blessings my way.  I got a promotion after years of frustration.  I met a JLand friend, my dear friend, Penny, and attended an inspirational concert with her.  I met many new JLand friends (--->waving to Jackie) with whom I have soooooo much in common with.  I also have met even more wonderful friends through my graphics journal.  Each and every one of you mean the world to me.  I hate to single any one of you out. 

To ALL my JLand friends, may you bring the new year in safely.  May your dreams come true in 2007.  May we each hear the music that plays in our hearts and souls and dance to it.  And...may we never give up our hopes, desires and dreams.  Every morning that we wake up brings the promise of a new day......

LOL...off topic but yesterday was a good day.  My oldest daughter, Becky, came for a visit.  We had some wonderful mother/daughter bonding and picture taking.  Thought I would share some pictures of my "other" princess.

          

                  

                  

 ROFL...can ya tell I love my new car and, no, I'm  not drunk although what a face I'm making.

           

My Dreamsicle collection is below.  They aren't expensive or anything special.  The one at the very bottom on the left that is off white is the original which started my collection.  My beloved father bought it three weeks before he died in Sept. 1994 and actually wrapped it and made sure my mom knew where he put it.  He had no idea that on 9-24-94 he was going to suffer a massive heart attack.  He did know that he was the only one who ever bought me a Christmas present at that time.  Love you, Daddy!  You've made me the person I am today with your unconditional love.

 

Love & Hugs to All!  CHRIS

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2006

         

Merry Christmas!  I did stay home last night; well, not exactly...my BF picked me up.  We had a nice quiet night with each other.

Today it was off to my mother's.  I took pictures.  My memory card was full.  I didn't realize it because I was still able to take pictures.  They wouldn't download so I deleted some and that did the trick.  Now, I sort of wish they hadn't.  Sheesh, I have gotten f-a-t.  I know what one of my New Year's resolutions will definitely be.  Joey and I are planning to quit smoking for the New Year.  I sure hope I don't gain any more weight :(

         My brother and Megan.  I'll be nice because it's Christmas.

                      Joey and the Bah Humbug shirt.

Becky, Megan, my SIL, who Joey says took my cute little stuffed snowmen ornament the kids got me and stuffed it in her bag.  LOL...I'll give her the benefit of the doubt because she also got one so maybe I'll get it back on New Year's Day.  Something smells fishy, though.

                        My mom, who is soon turning 88 and sharp as a tack.  I took her by surprise with this one. 

                        And...moi...I hate pictures of myself...totally...

             Megan being cheesy.  She is always willing to have her picture taken.  Dang, I would be also.  She is so photogenic.

                               ROFL...this is the picture that is going to force me to send myself to fat camp.  Megan said my outfit looks like a pirate outfit.  She was also supposed to be posing me so that my triple chin and jowls were disguised...

I'm getting up early tomorrow and actually going Christmas shopping.  Yep, you heard it correctly!  I was so short on funds before Christmas.  God Bless my mom as she was super duper duper generous this year.  I plan to go and get the kids a few things tomorrow that I just couldn't cut before Christmas.  I also should be able to pay off most of Grizzly's surgery with it.

I forgot my coat at my mom's.  Now, how in the world I did that I'll never know but I only have a raincoat here with a thin lining.  I may just buy another one on sale tomorrow.  My mom lives 45 minutes from here and it's getting cold again by the time I go back to work on Wednesday. 

All in all, it was a wonderful day today for the most part.  My SIL loved the wooden Santa I got her half price after Christmas last year.  Cracks me up because I always buy her stuff after Christmas.  Now, I'm hoping she didn't pilfer my little snow guys. I might just have to "lift" them at Thanksgiving next year.

My kids bought me two Dreamsicles again which I collect.  Becky got me a neat pewter angel and some Christmas decorations and a couple of snowmen.  None of them have any money.  I really didn't want them to waste it on me but they did anyway. 

I'd take more pictures but I'm still hating mycamera.  I should have asked my BF for a better one last year but didn't know squat about digital cameras and still don't know much more.

Another Christmas is almost over with.  This one was a hard one to get into this year.  I hate not to cherish each day because life is so fleeting.  I hope each and every one of you were able to find some peace and joy today!

Chris

Christmas Eve

               

It's not the holy night yet but it is approaching.  The best laid plans of mice and men seem to always intervene each year.  I need to focus on just what Christmas means to me.

I was supposed to spend today with my BF, his mother and brother.  Both he and his mother are suffering flu symptoms so it will be next Sunday.  My children are off to Pittsburgh to spend the evening with the in-laws and the longstanding tradition that I have sorely missed over the years since a couple of years after my separation.  They will have a magical time with their cousins and extended family which is very important to me that they continue.  Megan is at Heinz Field as we speak attending the Steeler game.

Yesterday was a rough day for reasons which I won't go into here or now.  I had a bit of a meltdown and will focus on steps to take after the holidays for remedy, if possible.

Many in JLand are dealing with first Christmas' without a dear loved one, injuries, fires in their homes, etc.  Nothing that severe is going on here.

I still need to make a trip to the stores today...I need the good old gift bags which have saved this one here from the need of wrapping.  I am also planning to scout the stores for my annual day after Christmas shopping extravaganza to plot my course of which store to attack first.  I'm thinking it will be Target first, as usual.

               

Tonight is the night little ones goes to sleep with thoughts of sugarplums dancing in their heads.  LOL..we always had to incorporate Santa into the religious aspect.  Santa was a Christian and delivered gifts as a way to honor baby Jesus.  Ok...that's stretching it a bit but that was my way of dealing with my church's teachings at that time that Santa shouldn't be a part of Christmas.  I still think fantasy is a wonderful part of childhood (even us "big" children).

Some have been asking what my BF is getting me.  In fact, he was lamenting the fact the he is a bit short of cash and wasn't going to be able to get me much.  I needed to remind him that he bought me the 32" JVC flat screen tv and spent hundreds on a new tv stand also in April.  That was my early Christmas gift.

I still haven't heard from my mother about Christmas dinner tomorrow.  She is cooking but it's always when my SIL can make it in accordance to her family's plans.  I need to call and find out what is going on.

I am supposed to go to my mom's this evening.  She lives 45 minutes away.  My problem is the cataract in my right eye has progressed to the point that I can only drive short distances at night.  I can't spend the night there because of Grizzly needing his meds.  I'm really dreading this.  My instincts tell me I may need to cancel this trip for safety's sake.

What I think I miss the most is the huge Christmas celebration that was always held at my old house with both sides of the family.  This continued until my ex bought the old house off of me and I bought this one.  There was a huge feast and tons of Christmas cheer. 

Enough of my laments.....May all find the peace and blessings that surround this evening and Christmas Day no matter what the circumstanes are at this time!

Faith is what has brought me this far and will continue to travel with me into 2007.

Chris  (Thank you, again, Lisa Jo, for sending me this lovely tag!)

 

Ending with a Laugh

               

Today was just one of those days where I felt like I was, at best, tapping my foot in aggravation.  I didn't realize it but it started last evening with my picking up my medication for high blood pressure.

I'm not sure about the UK but here in the states the pharmacies change generic drugs like tomorrow's clean underwear.  I hate it because sometimes the new generic does not work as well as the last.  Of course, I got a new generic last night and told myself this is all in my head.

Of course, I was lightheaded this morning after taking two doses of the new medicine.  The nurse at work confirmed that my blood pressure was far too high for someone on meds.  After a few phone calls to the pharmacy, I found out that the pharmaceutical co. quit manufacturing the medicine.  Grr.....but they did have 100 left at the warehouse so I'm trading it in tomorrow and have to discuss this with the doc in the next three months.

I took my car to get the tires checked.  This is my old car, by the way.  I couldn't find the receipt for the life of me.  Well, as it turns out I never took advantage of the free tire rotation.  But...lol...good news, the rear ones are perfect and the front ones aren't that awful.  I got a free rotation and got the oil changed but nothing is ever totally smooth.  My radiator is gunked and needs to be flushed.  Their machine was broken so now that has to be done soon.

I get home and my son says he could have told me that because the low coolant light has been going off and on even though it doesn't need antifreeze.  Megan echoed this.  Sheesh...why don't they say something?  So, this is my next week's chore because I simply won't be able to get it done before Christmas.

I got home...finally...and saw Jeannette's two doggies wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  Of course, poor old Griz had to get an elf hat put on his head; very grudgingly  and with a good many doggy treats to bribe him.  Megan was very willing to help with the cause.  (ROFL...I seem obsessed with turning my family and pets into elves.)  Thank you, Jeannette, for the idea.  It brought laughter back into the household once again. 

              

My poor old pooch has cataracts which is why his eyes glisten in most of the pictures taken.  And I got some Christmas cards today; Jan/Serendipity; Penny/Bits and Pieces of Ohio; and one from Millie in the UK who sent me a card she had made from one of my tags.  Thank you all!  I promise next year I will get cards sent out to all my JLand friends.

One more day of work, and then the crunch begins.  I must say I do well under last minute pressure; not that I have a whole lot to do.  I have a couple of last minutes gifts to get and a few more gift bags.  No wrapping for me anymore.

             Chris  (Thanks, LJ, again.  I think this is one you sent me.)

A "Tornado" is Coming

      

Thank you, Terry Ann a girlnexdoor creation for the tag.  Yep, my tornado is coming home tonight.  Joey just left to pick Megan up.  Life will just be one storm after another or maybe just a few.  I just never know.  We will be shuffling cars again.  Lord have mercy but I don't want her driving the new one.

Joey said I need new tires on the old car.  Grrr...they are BF Goodrich Control Plus and weren't cheap.  I got them last summer so on Saturday I have to go and complain about them.  There's only about 20,000 miles on them and they are generally just wearing out.  Sounds like I may need to take my BF as he "smoozes" with they guys at the tire place all the time.

LOL...you get to be bored by a bigger, better picture of my Christmas tree.  I spent two days super cleaning the diningroom and found my book for my camera.  I suppose it pays to read about the settings.  No shopping today for me as I really want this house organized.  I still had things from the closet in my family room shoved in a corner of the diningroom.  No more.  I threw three more bags of stuff out for the trash today.

So this is my pre-lit, skinny, Martha Stewart tree with white lights.  It's sort of growing on me, especially the part with no needles dropping.  Maybe I can adjust to these new-fangled artificial things.  I pine sol'd the basement today.  ROFL...there's that pine smell for Ms. Megan.  My prediction for her first words when she sees the tree are "Ewwww."  I'll let you know if I'm right but I think I will be.

Two more days of work.  I wish I had taken the rest of the week off but the phone has been ringing off the hook there, and it's only ringing right now in my area.  I'm just so impatient because I think of all the things I could be doing at home.

I have a new journal I'm reading.  I met her through my graphics journal.  Indigo is Cherokee and became deaf later in life.  She has a gentle spirit and has just acquired Pickles, a hearing dog for the deaf.  If you have a minute, stop by and welcome her to JLand.  Clicky----> Raven's Lament  And that is a day in my life in a nutshell.  Pushing into full gear for last minute preparations, which is the way I seem to work best.

Blessings to all and big hugs and smiles :)

  Chris  (Thanks, LJ for the dancing elf!)

          

I'm thinking that this year it will be a total mystical Christmas for our family considering the miracle of Megan's tests.  I still have a hard time believing that there wasn't a mistake made.

I also can't believe I haven't made an entry for a week.  Life is so hectic.  It's hard to believe that next week is Christmas.  Where has the time gone?  It certainly seemed to sneak up way too quickly this year.

The weather here is unbelievably mild...in the 60's.  I'm not complaining a bit.  LOL...I'm finally getting some outside lights up today.  Joey is putting my spiral trees together that I got at Walmart.  (Yes, Lisa Jo, our SuperCenter is super freezing cold.  It was terrible in there today.  Do they have the AC on?)

I'm kicking myself for throwing out the tree I always put on my sunporch.  It was super dusty but I should have held on one more year so I could get a new one after Christmas this year.  Live and learn.  My sunporch just looks so drab without it.

And my bonus had a couple of hundred extra in it.  I still won't have much left but it will pay for the car repairs and insurance.

I am taking Wednesday off to finish cleaning and shopping.  I do a one sweep day of Christmas shopping.  Thankfully, I don't have a whole lot to buy.  My kids want money.....lots of luck.  They will have to split what's left from the bonus which won't be a whole lot.  This new car is draining the budget more than I thought.

But we've had many a meager Christmas since separation and divorce hit.  My kids are the best.  They are truly happy with what they get and work for what they want.  Many Easters, we celebrated the day after.  They would wait for me eagerly to get home from work that Monday and off to the store we'd go.  50% off; double the pleasure.  I felt bad but they loved it.  We still laugh about it.  Thankfully, the extended family has provided enough at Christmas for what I lacked.  One thing that is never lacking in this house is love and laughter.

Off I go to put some lights outside.  Better late than never.  I will be around later today and catch up on my journal reading, as I know I'm close to a week behind.

Love you all.  I can't thank you enough for your prayers for Megan.  Sheesh....such a miracle I'm still in awe.

             

The Tree

Wow, I'm popping out the entries.  I got my tree up and took a picture or 20...lol.  My camera sucks or else it's the picture taker (moi) who doesn't know how to read directions.  Not surprising because Joey had to give me a lesson with my new car today.  I still didn't know how to use half the stuff on it.  Anyway, the tree is up and lit.  I put these stick things of berries in it because Mocha is fascinated with shiny beads and shiny garland and would drag the tree to kingdom come if I put anything shiny on it.

                      

 

I got my collection of snowmen out and put them out in the living room and bought a small fibre optic tree to stick on the end table in there.  My son likes that one because it's colorful and the lights flash like crazy.  I also had to get a new tree skirt because Grizzly thinks they are his blankies and nestles in them every year.

So, it's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas here finally although I'm still not used to a small, not live tree.

Uh oh, I see a kitty under the tree who looks like she's up to no good.  Later......

         Thanks, Angela, Dazzling Designs, and owner of my PSP group for the tag above.

Thrilling Phil...lol

Thanks Missie  Missie's Magical Creations for the tag.

Rofl...since Ms. Scrooge is climbing out of the Bah Humbug box, I got this from Jackie's journal and decided I would play along.  (My tree is up thanks to Joey getting home early tonight.  I was ready to pitch it to the curb because I couldn't get the darned thing together.  I must admit sometimes smaller is better...lol.  This tree is much smaller than previous years but really does look nice.  I have a homespun theme on it so I need a few more things for it but overall I'm amazed that I actually like it a lot.)  My answers to the quiz are in red.

Phil the Thrill over at IT IS WHAT IT IS, gave all us FEmales a little quiz over at his journal and ask us to answer the questions and then he would supply us with the answers later.  So.. if all my awesome female readers want to play along.. go ahead and copy and paste the questions and then your answers, in your journal.  Phil will supply what your answers mean, later! :)

 

1. You have $150 to spend on holiday gifts for family and friends.  Suddently, you spot the party.  You:

 

a.  Resist and put every cent toward other people's presents

 

b. Spend most of your loot on gifts first, then put the frock on lawaway.

 

c. Drop it all on the dress and send people cards instead of packages.

 

2.  You've been totally stressed on the job.  you deal by:

 

a. Treating yourself to a soothing massage or bubble bath.

 

b. Cutting out early all week--your coworkers cover for you.

 

c. Working even harder . . .This is just a rough patch.

 

3.  You're heading to yoga class when a friend calls, begging you todrive her to the airport tonight.  You:

 

a. Say you're sorry but no can do the chauffer thing.

 

b.  Drive her and silently get pissy because you missed your class.

 

c. Agree to take her but tell her that you'll need to drop her off right now because you want to make the last half of the class.

 

4. My guy is most likely to say ______________to me in bed.

 

a.  "Okay, now it's time for me to please you . . ."

 

b.  "C'mon, tell me:  What do you want?"

 

c.  "Hey, I ned some lovin' over here!"

 

5.  When you need something, from advice about work problem to man support, you turn to:

 

a.  Whoever is in your immediate orbit at that moment.  You.  Need.  Help!

 

b.  The top person for the job, who has the time and right frame of mind.  Note everyone can give you what you need, so you don't waste your time or theirs.

 

c.  Yourself--burdening other people makes you look like a drag.

 

Have fun with this.  I can hardly wait to see what all my answers mean; probably psychotherpy.

 

CHRIS

Tis the Season

      

I love this tag but didn't make it.  I have no idea who did.  It came through my PSP group so thanks to whoever created it.

I'm really trying to shake the "Bah Humbug" syndrome I've fallen into this year.  I've always gone all out with decorating, etc.  This year I'm just not motivated.  I can't put my finger on the reason.  I alway have at least one tree up by Thanksgiving.  Well, I got rid of my artificial trees this past summer and have the one new one.  I'm still so procrastinating about the familyroom and my carpet.  I'm just not in the mood to go buy a live tree, drag it in and string lights on it.  Tonight, I will see how the tree I bought after Christmas last year looks in here.  The whole thing is I know I'm not going to like it.  It was bought for my tiny livingroom.  Sheesh, why can't I just make a decision this year?

Megan will find out the results on Monday.  They got them Friday but the doctor wasn't in to read them.  She doesn't start her break until Dec. 21st.  I know she has to be pushing zero in the money department.  I suppose finances are also weighing heavy on my mind as I just made my first car payment.  Thanks to the good Lord for my bonus which will just cover the repairs to my old car plus the car insurance.  I finally was able to take Joey's Mustang off insurance this week for the winter months, which will help some.

I am noticing that so many in JLand are struggling with health issues and have plates so full right now.  My prayer lists just keeps growing but the comforting thing to know is that the Lord does answer prayers.

I'm hoping to go to church with Becky tomorrow.  I would love to have Megan go and then take the girls out for lunch.  That just might revive my motor and lift my spirits.

Boy, this is turning into a downer entry; not what I intended.  I'm sure once I get some of my decorations out and up I'll start to feel the spirit move me. 

I've had some more duties added at work...an answer to my prayers as I was starting to have to pace things.  I hate not having tons of work to do.  The day goes so much faster when I have priorities to set.  It motivates me to be there everyday because I don't want to get behind.  If I can keep up too easily then it's far too easy to be tempted to blow off a day.  Weird, but that's me.  And, whoo hoo, I'm able to take off the day after Christmas.  I absolutely love my division chief and Rose, who does the same thing I do and trained me so well.  Yes, I am super duper thankful for my new position. 

So, my JLand friends, I am just tired today.  I'm behind again on what alerts I have gotten and behind on visiting.  I will be around to visit this evening.  And just maybe there will be a tree in my familyroom.....

            Thanks to Missie, Missie's Magical Creations, for the adorable siggy!

 

ADDENDUM LOL

Please do not feel that you have to remove any of my stuff that any of you have resized in your journals.  I'm not offended.  I create them for fun and because I'm addicted to PSP.  What you do with them is your own choice.

Like, I said, I have no rules or restrictions set in my graphics journal.

It's for fun and your pleasure.  If you are happy with it, then I'm happy.  That's all that counts.  I'm sorry I made it sound like it bothers me because actually that is very low on the scale of life's stresses for me.

So, continue to snag away, and have fun doing it.  That's what it's all about for me.

Sorry, I came off differently than intended.

This and That

I've been meaning to share this with you.  As you can see, the picture was taken in October and sent to me soon after.  It came in an e-mail from Millie Millie'sMessings.  She was very worried because she makes her own cards, and she had used one of my tags for it.  Honestly, I was quite touched that she had used a tag of mine and made such a beautiful creation.  Isn't it lovely? 

Now, just a small comment about the tagging controversy going on.  Everybody who has a tag journal sets up certain rules, restrictions, whatever.  Some are stricter than others.  That is each person's right who makes graphics to do so.  Really, those who snag should respect the personal preferences of the creator. They are putting much time and effort into creating things, the least that should be done is to follow their rules.  I, myself, don't particularly care for setting rules and regulations with my tags.  I make them to be used and for fun.  LOL...ok, the resizing.  Yes, some resize them far better than others but really I and most others know what my tag looked like originally.  So, some may butcher it.  JMO, I make tags for the fun and pleasure of others.  Life is too short to get myself in an uproar over something that I created from the work of the talented artists who actually make the tubes we use.  All we who make tags do is use artists' work and put it together.

Nuff of that....I found out on Friday that my division was #1 in the country and was getting a pretty good sized bonus from our central office for it.  Naturally, I was only there for three months of the fiscal year so I was expecting it to be pro-rated.  Nope, I'm getting the full amount.  I was stunned and blessed...totally.  So, I had plans of what to do with the money; like maybe some neat gifts this year.  Well, Murphy's law applies to me always.  Joey took the Oldsmobile to get a hose replaced in the coolant system.  That's where the tranny fluid was leaking from.  $52 :)  I was doing a happy dance until the next phone call came from Joey.  LOL...my whole brakeline is rusted out totally and has to be replaced :(  So, there goes probably most of my bonus because the line is rusted into the calipers.  Joey is taking it Tues and helping at the old place he worked at which will save a tiny bit on labor.

My plumbing cost a total of $20 to fix.  It was a couple of washers that needed replaced on the whatevers going into the tub plus the labor for Randy to shop vac and clean most of the drain out for me.

I'm still on pins and needles with Megan.  She should find out the biopsy results on Tues although I sort of know the answers already.  I can't thank you enough for your continued prayers.

I haven't been to the basement since last night.  I would like to shut the door and never go down there again.  OCD but it's something I need to get over.  The basement needs a serious clean up.  I think I need to enlist the BF with this issue.  I've unloaded so much out of there but I really need to just get rid of way more.

So, I'm off to pay my Target bill, grocery shop; yuck, and buy some storage containers so I can get my summer clothes out of the cellar.  No more storing my clothes down there now.  I'm using my old bedroom as a huge walk-in closet for now.

Have a blessed Sunday!

             CHRIS

Wind and more Wind

If that girl were standing in Pittsburgh right now, she would be airborne.  The wind gusts are simply awful.  Joey said the DISH went out a couple of times for a minute or two this morning.  Grizzly has settled down but was very nervous around the time the satellite went out.  It is still extremely gusty and starting to get cold.  The wind just blows through this old house of mine.

My fuss tonight....a critter in my basement.  Some of you may not know but I'm totally creeped out by mice, moles, etc.  Joey came up from the shower and said he saw what he thought was a mole scurrying into the coal cellar.  Now, where in the world my killer cat has been all day I don't know.  She perches herself on the basement steps constantly since she caught a mouse last fall.

I dug out some sticky strips and put it where I caught the last mole a couple of years ago.  Caught that sucker within minutes but didn't want to pick the strip up while it was still squirming coz I was kind of queezy.  I read a couple of journals and went back down.  The darned thing is gone; got off of the sticky tape stuff.  Sheesh, now my dilemma is where the heck did it go to?  I'm hoping it isn't half dead somewhere in my basement.  A lesson to be learned...I should have gotten when I had it.  So, tonight I'm on mouse patrol or whatever it is.  I know Mocha doesn't have it because I closed the basement door.  I didn't want her or the dog getting stuck to that stuff.  Grrr....I'd rather plunge sludge out of my bathtub.

I'm staying home tonight.  The power is out just about everywhere around me (including Day's Inn) but my house is still on; keeping my fingers crossed. 

Please continue to keep Jackie in your thoughts and prayers as it appears the lesions her sister has in her liver are cancerous and have spread from another area.

Have a good evening!