Sorry about this, please go to #193

Not Me Monday

Over at http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ everyone is posting what they think they didn't do but in reality they did.

Today is not anywhere near January 4 2010, I have not even finished blogging last year's events, I'm always on time, well except when it comes to blogging. Oh, how will I ever post CHRISTmas stories in January? (if you want to see them come back in December (haha) or try again in a day or two).

Oh and another thing I did not do is I did not cancel my upcoming surgery in exactly 1 week from today, what am I thinking, I know one thing I am thinking if I ain't showing up, I better get on the phone and get that cancelled, it's just the right thing to do.

Oh and as you might or might not know we're still having trouble with our new car, (does 8 months constitute NEW) my husband did not gripe and moan severely yesterday (said nicely) one too many times about the drivers mirror being defective, he first told me to get it fixed a month ago and today I finally called and I have to wait an entire week! Oh dear.

And the very last thing I just did NOT do is link to Mcmamma's post wrong, but I did correct it and now I'm on the list twice, sorry folks.

Tippy Tuesday

WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS OIL?

Suppose you are deep frying dinner and when you are done your wondering whether you should keep the oil or toss it out.

It used to be your mom/grandmother or maybe even you (I'm guilty) would let the oil cool and store it. This is no longer the case.

Once you use oil for deep frying, when you are done you need to throw it out.

The food that you cook will leave little particles, and even if you take the time to strain it, the oil could go rancid.

The next time that you used it you could end up getting sick from the rancidity or the oil could catch fire because of the extra proteins and sugars that are left in the oil along with the basic structure being broke down from the initial use.

It seems like a waste but getting sick or worse yet, the whole family gets sick, but worst of all; having a house fire isn't worth it because of one mistake, just throw it out and start new next time.

The Envelope...

contained 2 tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I am so looking forward to this concert. I will take my sunglasses in because last year when we went, the light show was out of this world!

I do believe I've just opened my last CHRISTmas gift for the year.
Thank you honey!

What's In The Envelope???

Our morning routine wasn't much different than any other morning around here EXCEPT:
Sam: "I'm going to need you to something for me today"
ME: "Oh, your making me nervous the way you said that, what is it?"
Sam: "A package will be delivered here sometime today for me, I need you to be here because it is signature required, and they've already attempted once and we were not home."
ME: "hmmmm, alright but what is it?"
Sam: "I can't tell ya"
ME: "If it's not for me then you can tell me what I'm waiting for!"
Sam: "No, I can't" (we kiss good-bye as he heads out the door)

So a little after 10:00 A.M. the doorbell rings and a lot of knocking, I run down the stairs and sign my name and bring in this envelope. The only clue is it came from CA, and addressed to Sam.

WII Fit

Since my shingles are gone I'm back to getting fit with the Wii, today I did the step counter 2 times for 10 minutes each, the first 10 minutes I did 980 steps and the second time I did 1062 (whew, was I hot). I was listening to Mamma Mia songs off the dvd, and from the looks of things I was really stepping right along!

Also, I'm really happy with her (the wii voice) today she gave me a wii fit age 3 years less than my actual. whoot, whoot!

Our CHRISTmas Card

http://walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com/ is hosting a Christmas Card exchange and I joined in.

I thought I'd show you our card. I had a tough time choosing but managed to narrow it down. I just added the caption on for this post. Sam took several photos (we had 4 photo shoots) while we were in Florida on Thanksgiving vacation, hence the lovely background.

Did You Know...

A blue whale can grow as long as 3 Greyhound buses and heavier than 35 elephants. Its tongue alone is the size of a small car and weighs as much as an elephant. While immense, a blue whale’s heart beats only nine times per minute. Yet blue whales can also produce extreme sounds of more than ’185 decibels nearly twice as loud as a jumbo jet at takeoff.

Tippy Tuesday

Do you need to peel a bunch of oranges? This'll make it so much easier soak the oranges in boiling water for 5 minutes then when you peel them the white part will come right off with the rind. Oh, and the bigger the orange the sweeter it gets.

note: I've not tired this personally. Let me know how it works if you do it.

I Missed My Exit

I offered to keep Jayde today because I had shingles all last week and really missed her. Her mom was happy I did because she was running around Christmas shopping and did a fun activity at Blake's school with them while they had indoor recess.

I'm not surprised I missed it because for me to go more than a15 minute drive from my house usually goes like this if I don't take my trusty GPS.

Jayde and I were going to go here again today, I'm so glad she had no idea where I was taking her because I really went wayyyy out of my way, but it was just that far till the next exit, so instead we took a nice ride on a cold sunny day:-)

We got back and I fed her lunch, here I've discovered she loves clam chowder, I put it in a Tupperware midget and she just drank it up, I really can't blame her, this is the best recipe, it's home made and just taste so good.

Then it was nap time, I went to check on her and this is how she was, I think she was praying, how adorable is THAT....2 and praying.

Tippy Tuesday (Wednesday)

I had a busy afternoon and way busy evening yesterday sorry for being late.

I've heard that if you take candle wax to your snow shovel it will keep the wet snow from sticking, I've been pouring my wax as I get it in hopes of a trouble free shovel, just make sure you put it in the grass first so you don't get wax on your driveway. I've also tried cooking spray last year but it didn't work as smooth as I anticipated. So far I haven't had to shovel yet...(knock on wood)

Not ME Monday

Well today is the day McMamma ( http://www.mycharmingkids.net/) is hosting a Not Me Monday blog carnival it's where you actually say things you did but make it sound like you didn't, does that make sense, it might when your read what I'm about to deny doing because I would never be so anxious I mean mind whacked or be this nuts. Go see what others are denying doing.

Yesterday, while we had communion at church after I ate the bread (symbolizing Christ body broken for you and me) what I did NOT do was tip the grape juice cup (symbolizing Christs' blood shed for our sins) right straight to my mouth and then IMMEDIATELY spit it right back in my cup. If any of you aren't familiar with the method: we take the bread individually then wait till all are served and the preacher says "Drink of you, the blood of Christ shed for you") Crazy, I was busted by my daughter, I told her "but I didn't drink it, see, it's back in the cup". I have no idea who else behind me saw what I had just done, but I could have crawled under my chair.

Ok, today I didn't quickly get all ready to head out the door for an appointment. First you need to know...we got "the first snow of the season" early this morning, we didn't just purchase a new car, in May and I've already practiced driving in snow for several months with it, (like August and September) for sure I'm experienced with my 7 month car already and with all the crazy's out there I sure didn't need to be rushing. So I'm grabbing my shoes to put on and then I say to myself (which I often do) am I supposed to be there at 7:45 or 8:45, yeah after rushing and shewing the dog out the door one last time in the cold with no indication she wants/needs out, I'm ready an hour early. At least It gave me something to write about and time do deny doing it .

Our CHRISTmas Tree's

I'm linking up with KellysKorner this Friday, she's doing a show us your tree day.Above is last years shot
I gave these swinging Santa's to Sam's grandma one year and after she passed I got them back. I keep them out all year long, it's the only Christmas item displayed year thru, I think they're just so sweet and make me smile every time I glance at them in the china cabinet.

A shinny bulb

Our tree from the other side of the room

Of course I have to have panda something:-)

a few of my favorite ornaments, the penguin is a San Fransisco Music Box ornament

The Merry Christmas used to be on my parents tree every year, mom gave it to me one year,

the teapots are another S.F.S.M.B.C. I love how they play music!

Mice from mom and dads tree, I keep em on here every year, just so cute.

We bought these ornaments a few years back and I really like the colors, so much that we bought 2 sets of 20 each!

Here she is our Christmas angel, I need to find something new for next year; I'm kinda tired of her

This is my little itty bitty tree, this year I let Blake put it up and decorate it.

Just a few of my Dreamsicle ornaments, I used to collect those but they've become hard to find.

Tippy Tuesday (Wednesday Edition)

As you can tell from my previous post, I just wasn't into hunting for images but today is a new day and I'm here to help you do some holiday shopping or just get some for your own use (like me) okay, some will be for gifts , after all who doesnt enjoy a night off from cooking!

Here is just a small list if some gift cards that include a "BONUS CARD":

IHOP buy $25 get a $5 B.C.

Outback Steak buy $100 get $20 B.C.

Gold Star buy $25 get $5 B.C.

Container Store buy $100 get $25 B.C.

Applebees buy $50 get $10 B.C.

Smoky Bones buy $25 get $10. B.C.

Red Robin buy $25 get $5 B.C.

It is important to know usually if not ALWAYS these B.C. normally start Jan 1,10 and have a short time span; normally but not always into February. If you read the details and are careful these can make great gifts for the mail carrier, newspaper carrier, babysitter, friends or just yourself.

I'm not sure, but I would imagine you could purchase for example: at Smoky Bones a $10 and a $15 and still receive the $10 B.C. There ya have it...3 gifts.

If you find others doing a Bonus Card please post here or get in contact with me and I'll share it on my blog.

Shingles (and not the roofing kind)

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same thing that causes chicken pox. If you have never had chicken pox, you won’t get shingles, however, you can get chicken pox from someone who has shingles though!

I'm feeling a sharp burning pain in my thigh (where the rash is) I have blisters and red skin, it's just awful. I really feel for burn victims, for I can only imagine what they're going through is many times worse than what I am dealing with. I have Vicodin but am not excited about taking it, it really knocks me into space for a few days even after I'm done taking it. Maybe if I just nibble on a pill it will give me some relief.

The really bad part is we just returned from a weeks vacation with our daughter and grandchildren, I sure hope the little ones don't get it. Fortunately I have a whole lot of fresh pictures to tie me over till I get to snuggle and play with them again.

This is nothing you would wish on your worst enemy.

Kid Chatter

As I was driving Blake to my house for some hang out time after school yesterday we had a chat:

B: Grandma, can I ride my car in the rain?
M: No, because I don't have a raincoat for you here.
B: I don't care, that's alright if I get my jacket wet.
M: I mind, because then you'll be cold and besides I have something else planned.
B: What is it gramma?
M: I was thinking you can help me put our CHRISTmas tree up!
B: You have it already?!! (excited)
M: Yes, it's artificial (not knowing if he knew the word artificial, I said) yano it's not real
B: You mean it's pretend?
M: (sigh)No, not pretend, you can REALLY see it, it's just called artificial:-)


Kids say the cutes things.

He sorted out the branches pretty well, but I temporary forgot I had trouble packing them ALL back in the tree box and we were short the stand screws, so we had to stop and I gave him my miniature tree to see what he could do with it. He did this all by himself.

Tippy Tuesday is Back!

I don't know about you but, I don't like to waste much and when my shower items get down the last bit and you know there is still some in there; (the bottle requires two hands to squeeze it out), I squeeze it onto the window sill ledge and wipe it into my hand and go from there, and if you don't have a window sill you can use the back corner of the tub ledge. Happy Tuesday everyone:-)

Friends

So, after we went shopping, took our stuff home, unpacked, repackaged (one thing was broken before we got it out of the box) we nearly killed an hour and it was time we went to dinner with some friends we have known for many, many years, we just kinda lost contact when we moved out of state and life got spinning, but now we're back in town and we're out to dinner and having all kinds of stories to catch up on.

This is one of my first shots with my new camera, and after working it and seeing the pictures I know I'm going to like it nearly as much as my old one...Still miss that swivel screen it really kept it from scratches, and was easy to take a shot of me and a friend. {sniff, sniff}

SHOPPING

My beloved camera died some time ago, and after months of using Sam's big, bulky camera and I do mean bulky, I finally did some research and we went out shopping to get me (us) a new one. I can't believe the deal we got and to make it even sweeter, Staples gave us an unexpected rebate to send in for another $50.00 Staples credit.

So yippie, I have a new camera! (very similar to my old one, but sadly it doesn't come with a swivel screen) {sniff, sniff} Might I add, I do like how it's a bit smaller too. I have to get used to it soon, because we have a big event coming up (please, all you who know, don't lead on, I don't want the whole world to know, not yet anyway) so I need to get my grand kids or something I can practice with.

After instant price reduction and with the rebate, this camera only cost $79.00! I can't wait to start using it. I actually might have to keep the grand kids a bit tomorrow so I can try it out.

Handdryers and Germs, NO Thank-You

I can't take the credit for this post because I was blog hopping and came across this at:

http://delongzoo.blogspot.com/2009/11/for-love-of-pete.html

Everyone in the cleaning industry has always been told that hand dryers in restrooms are not sanitary, they spread germs and bacteria around. I always thought that this just came from the paper companies because they are loosing sales to the hand dryers. A couple of year sago, I was working with a rep, and I noticed that after he washed his hands and noticed that there were no paper towels, only a hand dryer he left the restroom with wet hands. I asked him about it. He said that hand dryers blow a lot of germs and bacteria around. He also told me to take a look under the hand dryer next time I was in a restroom. There is a filter underneath the hand dryer that is supposed to be cleaned on weekly basis. I looked at one, and it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. It had layers and layers of caked on gunk(disgusting). Since then I will not use hand dryers in restrooms. Now this is where the story gets really interesting. The schools and universities that have had the H1N1 (swine flue) outbreak this year are being told by the health department that they have to take out all of their hand dryers and replace them with towel dispensers because the hand dryers are spreading disease. Please pass this along so everyone knows not to use hand dryers.

I heard this many years ago and I just cringe when I must use one of these dirty germy things. I'll use them in the winter or when it's cold out, but seriously, I am going to try to never use one again, YUCK, I think they need to put a MR. Yuck sticker on each one, or better yet, tear 'em out and give us paper towels.