Happy Birthday To Me!

Fun-E

We watched a hilarious Budweiser commercial tonight. So I got on UTube to find it again.
Snow Ball Fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA0QQO2KMi0


Here are some more that almost made me pee my pants!

Streaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbAdoAt__9w

Man Opens 21 Buds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCsMw-6SaQ0

Budweiser Good Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euAk2LaN9Go

Sleigh Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWRbqP7bXwI

Which left me puzzling. WHY are these ads never seen on TV?

Pants Off Dance Off

Yes. I told him that if he runs around the home without clothes on his body that I would post it for all to see on my blog!

This is the man I married all those years ago. Slobby shirt, knobby knees, tag out of his shirt, 1 sock on/1 sock off, saggy white briefs, t-shirt flapping.

He was in the kitchen last night, making toast for himself as a late night snack to go with the glass of wine we were having.

This is what makes a marriage. The day-in, day-out boring unimaginative things we do with each other. It isn't the exciting, jetting to Paris to drink champagne at the top of the Eiffel tower. It isn't looking to find something better. Love is Familiarity. Sharing the same secret looks. Knowing what the other person is going to say before they even think of it. Sharing. Our home. Our children. It's finding contentment with the person you are living with; sitting down to dinner every night, brushing your teeth and going to bed with the same person in the same bed. Every night.
For the rest of your life.

How exhilirating.

We played several games of Yahtzee last night even though it wasn't Monday night. It was a draw at 2/2.

It looks like he might be off until Feb 14 as that is when he receives another injection to his disc. He contacted his supervisor and she had received approval until that time.

Drunken Ramble...

G ran in2 the Dr. Ganz to revue his case & take more x-Rays. He then went to pt and the chiro's office. He brought me home a few "romance" books . How sweet.

I had taken a pill and slept late. If I cut the nerves in my finger, WHY does it hu-rt so damned much? I am sitting here trying to type this with 1 hand while getting on a nice buzzaaaaa from the glass of wine i had 2-nite. maybe i shuld not ha ve mixd win with drrugs?

it hurts 2 typ.

n-e-way, g's doc said 1 mor shot in feb. and the toe movment was proba bly becuz he got feeling in his foot & not his toe. g mite go back to work in jan 2. maybe not. we will see.

i gotta go to bed. hope my fingr is bedr 2-morrow. nitey nite.

365 Days Until Christmas

The countdown begins. Only 365 shopping days until Christmas!

So. We spent yesterday restful at home with our holiday goodies. Watching TV and playing games. Isabelle adored her special Christmas bone, spending the whole day gnawing on it. She took a few minutes to go upstairs to rest inbetween for eating sessions; getting the leftover meatballs, bacon, & turkey.

My finger is still in agony and I am terrified to remove the dressing. Hubby threatened that he will need to see it by tonight to determine if it is healing. Hope it is not still bleeding. I am SUCH a bleeder. Anyway...can you still get gangrene? I have visions of the doctor at the emergency room cutting off my index finger with a dull, rusty saw.

I hope that I am not TOO impaired for the Digi Scrappin' Race. Maybe I should apply for special dispensation because I am handicapped!

And I was oddly awoken by yet another woodpecker knocking on the same EXACT place where the other two obnoxious birdies had been pecking. What a wake up call.

Greg is going into Sears today for the special after-Christmas sales. I refused to subject myself to the insane people that would be at the mall today. Told him to bring me back a Roomba so that I never have to vacuum again!

My birthday is December 31st. So everybody will again be celebrating on my special day.

Whoops!

We had taken the pictures of all the presents under the tree, Christmas music was resounding from the surround-sound, and Greg was out shoveling snow from the deck when our daughter called long-distance from the UK.

I had just popped the traditional Chrismas tree shaped cinnamon rolls into the oven when I decided to cut the beef log. And the knife slipped.

Yep. I think it's been a whole 6 months since I last cut myself. So this one is a doozy. Probably should have gone to the hospital to have a few stitches...because I fileted myself. Had to type this whole entry with my right hand only.

Christmas day has been fun. Will write more later.

Merry Christmas To ALL and To ALL a Good Night!

A well spent day making cookies, turkey, bacon wraps, meatballs, and hawaiian punch spritzer.
While watching "A Christmas Story" featuring Ralphie and "Miracle on 34th Street" with Kris Kringle.

Last year, (or the year before) we gave all our Christmas DVDs to our darling daughter & son. So we forgot to purchase new ones to watch this year. Thinking we had the DVDs in the TV unit, we were dismayed to find nothing.

So after Christmas sales, here we come. We will be purchasing all the typical Christmas movies.

Though this year will be exceptionally sad as this will be the first since 1992 that we won't be able to watch "Muppets Christmas Carol" on Christmas eve.

www.noradsanta.com states:

Dec. 24: Sydney, Australia — Only two hours after his sighting in New Zealand, Santa has now been spotted over Sydney harbor in neighboring Australia. Sydney resident Nathan Lily, age 9, said: “I couldn’t sleep, so was I looking out my window, and then I saw him! It was definitely Santa – I counted all 12 reindeer!”

1.Dasher
2Dancer
3Prancer
4Vixen
5Comet
6Cupid
7Donner
8Blitzen
+Rudolph

Who are the other 3?

Merry Christmas. Hope you have a great one!

Sleigh Ride

Or not. If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all.

The power was down at the Guest Ranch we were to stay at last night. So we got no horse-drawn sleigh ride and no overnight at the Log house-Ranch.

We might go on a sleigh ride later this winter season.

But in the meantime, we are having friends overnight for a "ski" oriented dinner. I am having Ski-Lift drinks, with Slalom Pizza. LOL. This is decorated with designs from the Apres Ski kit featured at http://www.ndisb.com Natural Designs in Scrapbooking featuring the works of designers Theresa Hernandez, Tania JPS, Shawna Clingerman, KandA Designs, Helena Jole, Cindy Simon, Anita Stergiou, Monica McLain

Please Note-The upper left hand corner of the photo shows a little bit of the Christmas cards I received from digi-friends.

We went into town for Greg's physical therapy and got WONDERFUL cookies from our PT's office admin. She made them from the Wilton cookie recipe. Yummy. Love the frosting she used. She gave us a special Wine that she & her husband had made for friends. We will pop it open tomorrow night for dinner. It should go well with pizza.

Town was ablaze with last-minute shoppers; driving wildly and being rude. Fortunately, we were only there for a short time. I really can't imagine what Sat & Sun will be like. I am going to vacuum the house tomorrow and settle in for a long winter's nap.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Christmas Cow Wishes You

A

Merry Christmas

Fleas Navidad

Greg got his SHOT today. The nurse Jill, and Physician's Assistant, Molly were very kind, nice, and humorous. I did not get to meet the surgeon, Dr. Magnusson. They refused to let me go with him while he got his shot. Duh. it's not surgery. It's just an injection. So I had to spend 20 minutes kicking my heels in the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room. How ironic. Pain Management of North Idaho has the most Painful waiting chairs in North Idaho!

Greg was in severe pain afterwards, so we came straight home where he took 6 pain killers. He was also very irritable. So I thought it best to get him home and in his recliner so he had as little stress as possible. The PA, Molly, told us about a timed release Tramadol that would help him deal with the pain better. Instead of having to wait to take the 50 mg, 4 times a day...waiting for the pill to absorb into his system, it it easier on his body for the timed release all day long, not having such a severe effect. So he will call his general physician tomorrow to enquire about a prescription. (why didn't the doctor recommend this?)

The office personnel said that he would feel some results in about 5-7 days. The pain from the injection should recede within 2 days. However...when we got home. He got a REACTION in the CROTCH area. If you know what I mean...And he hasn't had any REACTIONS there in a long, long time. He kept showing me, and pointing to it. I finally told him, if he didn't SHUT UP about it, then I would blog about it. So I suppose this was a good sign?

We watched 2 concurrent episodes of Cash Cab. Now Greg wants to go to New York and find a Cash Cab, so he can play on the game show.

I scrapped a couple pages.

Kelsey got on a Creative Team for Misty Mareda at http://www.thedigishoppe.com and I am so PROUD of her. Congratulations, Kelsey. You deserve it. Good luck. Have fun.

The kids reported that all 10 boxes got to the UK. I am so excited that all of them got there B4 Christmas.

Bert, my father-in-law's girlfriend, sent me the following. I split a gut. So true. So funny.

1. It is important that you have a man helps you around the house.

2. It is important that you have a man that makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and does not lie to you.

4. It is important that you have a man that loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year

The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo, Huckleberry Hound, Tom & Jerry.
Both Hanna&Barbera have now passed away.

I feel like a part of my heritage has died.

Did you know that Best Buy declared a $43 million dollar profit in 2006 from unclaimed Gift cards? If you don't want to spend your gift card, just send it to me, I'll be MORE than glad to use it!

Good King Wenceslas

We are the King and Queen of our own Castle again. Wow. The relief. No major damage. Only the fish tank had 2 solid inches of ice in it. We thawed out the poor things and gave them lots of food.

Catching up on the laundry, and doing a bit of Christmas card posting. Sorry, my cards will be late getting to everybody as Greg forgot to mail them. I found them in the truck down behind the seat.

Isabelle did get a nice bath complete with jacuzzi jets. She smells extremely nice now. While at the hotel, she slept with hubby and me on the ultra huge king bed.

(Kelsey-WARNING-Avert your eyes)
Greg & I also found a chance to get naked in the jacuzzi. This was a fun couple days from home.

While it was nice to be away for a while, it was even nicer to get home, sweet home.



Plus, my extra-special magical winning Amazing Digi-Scrappin' Race t-shirt came in the mail while we were gone. This shirt has to be worn while scrappin for the Race. There is only ONE team that has t-shirts like this. And THAT is the WINNING team.





While we shopped at Olde World European,
we found that absolute delicacy of delicacies...
Spotted Dick.
So we are sending it to Matt & Kelsey to try.
I want Kelsey to scrap a pic of Matt eating it!

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer (carrying a gas can)

Three days later and we still have no power. this is getting SO truly irritating. everybody around has electricity, but we don't.

When we called those idiots-Kootenai Electric Cooperative, they could only offer the airy-fairy statement that a major power station was affected; crews were working around-the-clock.
- - - - - -

Well, finally regained power at 9pm on Saturday night. Hopefully, the pipes did not freeze. We are staying at the hotel Saturday night and will return home Sunday afternoon.

While at the hotel, we were forced to tolerate children running in the hallways, up and down the stairs, and screaming. Of course, I understand that this is a family hotel with the water park next door, but there comes a time when such behavior is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Where are the parents to control this rudeness? Also, I don't know HOW many times we used the elevator, only to be met with a solid wall of stupid people when the doors opened, who refused to move. Let's not be totally ignorant, people! Nobody can get ON the elevator until the people wishing to exit GET OUT. How stupid can people be?

Which reminds me of two other stupid things seen recently.

While we were here, we complained twice to the front desk about a vehicle parked in a no parking "FIRE ZONE" which is illegal. The vehicle was never removed. When we asked the front desk, we were advised that they had to "notify the people" before having it towed. Am I hearing this correctly?????? What if a fire emergency happens? What the fuck? These rules are made for safety. Are we going to have to nicely go to these assholes who commit illegalities and "notify them" that the building is burning...and to ask them nicely to move their f-ing vehicle?????

Plus, there was an idiot that filled his gasoline can on the BACK OF HIS PICKUP. Now if you don't know WHY that is illegal, stupid, and totally ignorant, then look it up! DUH! The can is not grounded, sparks, and static electricity!!!!!! Then we have the idiots that do not shut off their vehicles, and the equal idiots who stand around...or the people who sit in their cars SMOKING CIGARETTES. Around gasoline. Is the desire to smoke so bad that you really want to kill yourself and other people? Or does smoking destroy every brain cell that you so sadly possessed?

And remind me to NEVER move into town. Noise, neighbors, idiots, sirens, smoke, constant vehicles, and LIGHTS. I hate it all. We live in the country where most of the neighbors are farther away, so I don't have to listen to them thru paper thin walls...the area is relatively quiet...and we have no lights every 5 feet. I never realized how BRIGHT it is in town at night. I certainly hope there is a dark room in heaven, as I am not looking forward to going into that "bright light".

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Hello from the land that time forgot. 2 of those 12 days will be spent in a luxury hotel.

We had an enormous wind storm here in the Northwest United States. 100 mile per hour winds; downed & uprooted trees, lots of misc. damage.

Our area lost power at 11PM last night. We endured a cold night with creaks, groans, and hurricane like wind buffeting the house. Still without power at this time, and after a phone call to the local electric company, they predict we will be without elec until NooN tomorrow.

So we packed up and are staying at the Holiday Inn Express room 429. The telephone is 208/772-7900.
There is a gas powered fireplace, full size family jacuzzi & walk-in shower; & kitchenette. Complete with room service - I don't have to make the bed or clean the room! I wanna move here.

Hopefully, I can make the chat at NDISB; the DSL is kinda iffy here. I believe it is because of routing problems from Seattle.

The Grinch's Theme Song

I hope to goodness that everybody was glued to the television tonight watching this perennial favorite. How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch

You really are a heel,You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch,

You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch,

Your heart's an empty hole,Your brain is full of spiders, you have garlic in your soul, Mr. Grinch,

I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch,

You have termites in your smile,You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch,

Given a choice between the two of you I'd take the seasick crocodile!
You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch,

You're the king of sinful sots,Your heart's a dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots, Mr. Grinch,

You're a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch,

With a nauseous super "naus"!,You're a crooked dirty jockey and you drive a crooked hoss, Mr. Grinch,

Your soul is an appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgracefulassortment of rubbish imaginable mangled up in tangled up knots!
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch,

You're a nasty wasty skunk,Your heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch,

The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote,"Stink, stank, stunk"!

Greg to physical therapy today; his apppointment for his injection to his disk is on Tuesday, December 19 at 9:50AM. He will probably be administered a local anesthetic; and I will have to haul his butt home. The office told him that he will expereience burning, cramps, & pain in the area afterwards.

We got Kelsey & Matt's Christmas package in the mail today. Thanks for the Swiss magazines. A wonderful chalet in the alps only costs $1,300,000 Euro.

My right knee was in pain as I think I bumped it yesterday. I was awake all night and couldn't sleep-so I was REALLY tired today.

Temperatures have been drastically warm here. In the 40s! Very balmy.

We got groceries at Wal-Mart, purchased wonderful bbq meatballs, got my nails done, stopped for salt lick & hay for our moose friend, then came home.

Welcome Christmas as we stand; heart to heart and hand-in-hand.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Ahhhh. Yes.
When I slide the supple leather
over my digits and
down
onto my hand, the depravity
radiates through my body.
I want to do bad deeds…
Evil
courses through my veins.
Fiendishly dreadful thoughts
~ invade my mind.
My intellect is besieged by
sin.
Yes, Santa,
I am a naughty girl.
I don’t deserve anything this year.
I must be punished,
because these gloves make me feel
Wicked.

Anita Stergiou's Little Black Christmas Dress Kit at NDISB;
Stitching by Helena Jole Apres Ski at NDISB;
Frosty Flourishes by Nancie Rowe Janitz at ScrapArtist;
fonts featured-VNI Thuphap; Satisfaction

Wish You A Merry Kris-MOOSE

While at my garden window, filling my cup with water for green tea, I espied a big bump in our backyard. Thinking that a tree had fallen, I looked out the sliding glass door to find...

KRIS-MOOSE. He was resting on the snow, having found our salt lick. Panicking, rushing for the camera, finding that the batteries were dead, I desperately attempted to replace the batteries while calling for my husband at the shop. While quickly dialing, I was repeating the mantra..."pick up the phone, pick up the phone"; he finally answered, and I told him to run down to the house so that he could view The Biggest Moose I Have Ever Seen!

Greg brought Bruce, who happened to be in the shop with him, and I finally got the batteries loaded into my camera. We stood on the deck for about 45 minutes in the cold, talking and joking while Kris-Moose just licked away and paused to look up at us. He did not have any fear of us. We were only 15 feet away from him. What a beautiful animal.

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

We stayed up very late last night so that we could talk with our baby in the UK. Hi BABY!

Did anybody notice the repeating pattern of CHRISTMAS SONGS in my titles lately?

These are the glass ornaments we made. Greg's is the perfectly round blue one. Mine is the egg shaped pink one. The artisan actually stepped back and away from my hubby when he was twirling the glass in the fire. However, when I had the chance, the young man did not release the hold, and I was forced to "twirl" the pipe while he was assisting me. Obviously, hubby has more experience with molten glass.

Christmas is fast approaching, along with depressing month of January close behind. But this January, will be different. The Amazing DigiScrapping Race at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking will commence. I look forward to winning with my teammate, Theresa Hernandez. I just KNOW that we will ROCK the house!

*note to any grandkids in our future-Grandpa & Grandma really enjoyed the TV Show HOUSE starring Hugh Laurie.

Hubby is still in pain from his EMG test yesterday. The doctor was sticking long needles into his skin to touch the nerves. So Greg has extensive bruising on his left leg and he says it feels like severe cramps where the needles entered. Poor baby. Hope he gets better soon. Last night I tucked him into bed after giving him more pain medication.

I think that on Monday we might go to Spoky-Jo to get our Christmas pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids. That place is so amazing. Wish they had been around when KRL was little.

Silver Bells

Johnny Mathis did this song the best. I used to love listening to him at the holidays when I was a kid.

Today, Greg went in for another EMG. From an expert, this time.

Dr. Lea, who is a kindly older gentleman, stuck two inch needles into my husband's left leg to test his motor functions. The doctor also used electrical stimulation to test the nerves.

After the test, the doc stated that from an old injury (probably when Greg rolled the Jeep Cherokee 8 times UP hill) Greg has damage to his nerves on his left foot, which is probably the reason why he is suffering from the numbness. Dr. Lea stated that with the injections that Dr. Ganz has prescribed, the pain in his legs & back will subside to a manageable level. The doctor did not think that surgery was a diagnosis at this time.

So we are STILL waiting for the doctor to call to schedule his series of steroids shots. They were supposed to call by Monday, but I presume that it is the front desk clerical problems. (That office needs to hire competent help.) Greg has called 2X to follow-up and been told each time that Dr. Magnusson will call "tomorrow". Well, so far, "tomorrow" has not come. I suppose I will have to call and raise HOLY HELL ~ (why do i always have to be a bitch to get anything done? i really hate being the "bitch")

*Thank you, Kelsey, for not killing us when you were a teenager.* (this relates to the front-page story of a teenager who attended Mt. Spokane High School killing both of his parents overnight at their home in Mt. Spokane, Washington)

We stopped at the Great Harvest Bread Company to pick up 3 Cheese Garlic bread and Cranberry/Orange bread. Isabelle also got a "bread" dog cookie that she just LOVED.

The boxes were mailed and it came to a total of $172.45 for the 10 boxes for a total gross weight of 200 pounds! Greg had estimated $300, and I estimated $200, so...I WIN, I WIN!

Dooney & Bourke has mailed out their new catalog. So I will definitely be getting a new purse. Wow. Some lovely designs this time! (p.s. Kelsey...I wonder HOW LONG the 18" handles are?)

The off road club invited us to go with them tomorrow to a 4WD trip in the mountains and cut a Christmas tree, but I don't think I can tolerate the 2 hour drive into the mountains to go 4WD. Too far.

VZ picked up Greg's work truck yesterday for servicing. When he went in to the office to talk with his supervisor, she stated that the vehicle would have to stay "on premises" until Greg was released for work again. Gee. It was here for over 2 months...and only NOW they decide it has to be there. Duh. Greg is dispatched from home...what is wrong with it staying here. Those people are so dumb and piddly over the weirdest things! If this was SUCH a concern...why didn't they come pick it up right away? Maybe Ivan has ordered that ALL vehicles have to be sold to declare a profit this quarter...(Enron tactics-investors beware. This company IS going to file bankruptcy soon).

Here Comes Santa Claus

Next year...hopefully we will be in the UK to celebrate the holidays.

But I am NEVER again sending Christmas presents to the kids overseas.

Shopping extremely early. Wrapping...and then after writing out by hand (because the dumb United States Post Office has not stepped into the present century...) the TEN Customs Declarations and Dispatch Note...I have foresworn to NOT play this game anymore. Wouldn't it be so much simpler to have all this technology on-line? Automated? Hello? Postmaster General...Are You Listening?

We will send CASH or gift certificates to the kids. No hassle. Much easier.

See? 10 Boxes. All presents. My husband did an OUTSTANDING job of wrapping the presents. Love you, Greg.

Merry Christmas Kids. We miss you.

A Child Is Born

Greg and I were picking up bacon cheeseburgers for the dog when a couple walked alongside the truck, and before we even saw them...I heard a familiar phrase.

1...2...3...Wheee!

I immediately started bawling; tears running silently down my face as I remembered fondly the days when we had a little one and would walk with her in-between us. Doing the countdown and then lifting her high...swinging her up...and then gently setting her down again. To start all over again.

Yesterday, I scrapped this page. Utilizing Bauer’s Hat by designer Tania JPS at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking; and featuring fonts-Emily Faith, 2Ps Blocks.

Journaling reads:
those beautiful baby blues staring up at me made my heart melt.
you are the best thing i have ever done in my life.
if i never accomplish anything else...i can always say
i was your mother.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

In the last week, two woodpeckers moved into our garage, made a nest, and decided to wake us up by attacking the side of our house every morning at 6AM. HOW did they know this exact place is where we sleep? I did not take this picture, as these woodpeckers are very devious and avoid detection at any cost. This is a picture I located upon the internet which is very similar to the birds that have invaded us. These wing-ed creatures are NOT small. They are about the size of a condor!

Poison bird seed, here I come...

Noel

SO...did everyone get a chance to see the flat-chested Amazonian anorexic models on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show tonight? Wow. VS does quite a show. Lots of money flying around; in addition to the windblown hair. But this is the ultimate chance to see just what the models look like without all the airbrushing.

And this is what the young women of today replicate themselves upon. That is so sad.

Yes. I like SOME of their clothes and I find that they have ONE line of bras that fit me. But this is a company that does nothing whatsoever to promote women's self-satisfaction of their own bodies.

When a couple of the models turned sideways, it was like looking at a piece of paper. Flat.

These women are NOT the norm. And if men (in general) are turned on by that, yuch-I do believe they need the help of a good mental health care professional.

As a matter of general interest, did you know that THE LIMITED BRANDS, who owns Victoria's Secret & Bath and Body Works...made $937 million in November, 2006? Multiple that by 12. What do you get?

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Redux

Yes. I have a team. And a logo, a song, & a team name.

________________________

And our management company contacted an ad agency in NY. The ad agency is getting our promos on the Super Bowl for commercial time...we will also have a logo shortly. We are also sponsoring a Nascar race car.

________________________

The Bare Naked Ladies have also approached me about wanting first dibs on our song. Sorry Jilly.

________________________

Yesterday we grocery shopped at Miller's. We got everything but the stuff I needed to make Puppy Chow. Darn.

________________________

Today, Greg thought his PT was at 10:00am. Instead, Karen told us it was scheduled at 1:30pm. So we did a few errands in town to waste time. (I'm really getting tired of running in every Mon/Wed/Fri) Costco, Chocolate Candy Store, Schucks, Merle Norman.

________________________

I really love Merle Norman makeup. Their Luxiva line is just great for skin. It is the only makeup I have found that I can tolerate. It also makes it so much fun shopping there because you always get a "bonus" sample pack. Today, I got Changing Skin Night Cream/Foaming Cleanser/Micro Refiner/Delicate Balance Soothing Toner/Lasting Eyecolor in Champagne/and Luxiva Delites LipGloss in Cranberry Splash.

________________________

There was a kindly gentleman with a white beard at the Costco gas station and he was wearing a Santa hat. He gave Isabelle a dog cookie. She also got a dog cookie at the bank drive-thru window the other day. This dog gets cookies EVERYWHERE!

Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer

Carol of the Bells

I love that song. It is my favorite song of the Christmas season.

Did you know...that I wear a different pair of Christmas earrings (and sometimes two different pairs as I have 4 piercings in one ear & 2 piercings in the other) every day from Thanksgiving through Christmas. And after Christmas, I wear my "winter" earrings. The snowmen, the icicles, the snowflakes...

Last night was fun. Pics to follow.

While listening to Sirrius radio on the surround sound today, heard a song that sounded like a bad acid trip; some group did a re-mix of Bing Crosby's I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. I was baking & cooking, so I enjoy listening to holiday music as I piddle in the kitchen.

Peanut Brittle

Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Rice Krisy bars

Tomorrow I think I will tackle No Bake Cookies, Puppy Chow, Marshmallow Rice Krispy Bars, and Fudge.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Finally. I was finally able to post the picture of the Road Grader* that used to plow snow for us when I was younger.

*courtesy of Shawna Clingerman

Tonite is the big night and we leave shortly.

Santa, Baby...

Took Greg into physical therapy and chiropractor at 10 am this morning. We stopped to get a “turtle” latte for Karen, the receptionist (she is a god-send for the office; so sweet & personable)

Our barista, Curt, lent Greg the Merck Manual of Medical Information. Oh dear. A little information is a bad thing. Now Greg can peruse all these illnesses (with vivid diagrams) to his heart’s content.

Afterwards hubby had to run to Schuck’s to make some automotive part returns; and we stopped into Wild Idaho Chocolate Company (which had been closed on the 2 previous attempts to visit). We were thoroughly glad we perservered as we were rewarded with the most amazing gourmet chocolates we had ever tasted. Even Greg who is not big on chocolates, was pretty impressed!

Then we drove to Spoky-Jo to see the Christmas trees at the Davenport.

We were too late to see the movie Happy Feet at the Imax, so we will go next week.

When we returned home, we picked up the mail. I discovered a letter within for me, and was surprised to see that the woman I had sent pictures to last week (while we were at the glass blowing emporium, an elderly woman approached me to take pictures of her grandchildren as she had forgotten her camera. She asked if I wanted any money, and I had told her not to worry about it. After exchanging addresses, I took some pics, and we left.) So in the mail today, I discovered a very nice thank you note and seven – 39 cent stamps which were comic book heroes. I seem to remember that I had a crush on the Green Lantern when I was younger. What a sweet woman.

I scheduled my Christmas massage for December 6. I am looking forward to one hour of back rubbing!

We stopped and washed Izzy on the way home. She is so golden after being cleaned. Loves being told she is a “pretty dog”. Smells good, too!

The picture of the road grader from yesterday's post (hey, it took me time to find this picture from 30+ years ago! )

Oh. One last thing. Sometimes, since I am SO old, it feels like I am no longer alluring to men. Sure Kevin Reese is in his early 20s and just SO adorable; WHY am I old enough to be his mother?...I digresss. However, while waiting for Greg at the Chiropractor’s office, I entered into a conversation with an older, very funny gentleman. When in walked a very handsome man about my age. Tall, distinguished, striking. He sat near us and started talking with us. We had a hilarious time and I was discouraged to think that it had to end when one of our spouses exited the doctor’s office. Pretty soon, the tall, dark & handsome man and I were alone still discussing something or other. This was a charismatic man that I could have easily jumped his bones if he or I had not been married. And I believe that he probably felt the same small attraction to me. I have not flirted in so long that it felt exciting and good.

Now. I would NEVER cheat on my husband. But it was so nice to have an adult conversation with someone that was not a friend of my husband or a fellow co-worker of mine. Just a total stranger, passing a few minutes. We didn’t exchange names, but I did learn that he was a retired CA law enforcement officer. The encounter made a secret, small place inside of me feel very alluring and feminine to the opposite sex for a few moments.

Gee and I didn’t even have to hang out at the bar!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

As of 9:00AM Thursday November 30, 2006.

You can see from the evidence of the picture that it is a dark & dreary day here.

Snow, Snow, and more Snow. We had another 4 inches last night.

We do all our decorating by ourselves. It is thrillingly fun to get out into the woods, or climb up on the ladder to secure the lights against the house. No joy would be had if we were to hire somebody else to do this for us. We both eagerly anticipate the day when the grandkids can come see grandpa & grandma’s house at Christmas time.

It has been awfully difficult to come up with the motivation to digi-scrap. I am busy and it is such a chore to download for me, but I have an awesome collection of ideas & pictures. I want to scrap so bad, but when I sit down to do it, there is just nothing there. Blah. Blank. It feels more like the middle of January than the beginning of December.

p.s. all of north Idaho and eastern Washington has been hit by the stupidity of the tire stores cult-like brain washing advertisements of STUDDED SNOW TIRES.

You can certainly tell it is winter by the noisy crackling of studs hitting BARE pavement around here. Excuse me folks, just think about it for a moment. METAL on ICE? does that make sense? Why not just slow down, drive with more care, drive more defensively. My husband and I grew up in Iowa where the snow drifts were 10 feet tall, everybody had 2-wheel drive, and we drove slowly at a reasonable distance. We were taught mandatory winter defensive driving in high school driver's education. One year, even the all-wheel drive Road Grader with all tires chained up which they used to plow snow got stuck in our subdivision because of the extreme snow drifts.

Come on, THAT's pretty bad weather. Schools would be closed for DAYS...

The only thing that studs do, is ruin the roads that much faster.

Yes. I love my four-wheel drive SUVs, but there is no reason why our two-wheel drive is not just as good in inclement weather.

And. There. Are. NO. Studded. Snow. Tires. On. Any. Of. Our. Vehicles.

Hair Comes Santa Claus, Hair Comes Santa Claus

<=== THIS is the hair!


I got it trimmed and pouffed today so that I am
ready to par-tay on Satur-day!

The kids returned from their Thanksgiving trip to Switzerland full of photos and neat info. Kelsey called and talked to both of us. I don't know if Matt is still alive. We never get to talk to him! :)

However, Kelsey did advise us that Matt LOVES the Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Creme Filled Rolled Wafers that we sent last time. So here comes some more, Matt! Hope you enjoy them.

Greg went to the (good) neurosurgeon today. What a difference. Dr. William Ganz is understanding, compassionate, and kind. He even showed us the MRI, which was TOTALLY amazing. Moving the computer indicator down centimeter by centimeter, we could actually SEE Greg's body as if he had been cut in half, then lengthwise in half. L6, L5, & L4 disks were degenerating. We observed a cut away view of his kidneys! The doctor explained the different options he wants to use to approach Greg's problem. One of them is another EMG procedure (with a competent technician) to diagnose more accurately. Then Greg is to undergo shots (quite painful) of anesthetic & steroid into his disks to motivate the nerve regeneration & healing. Accordingly, a patient can have up to 3 of these, but the doctor has only prescribed 2.

The hubby has self-diagnosed himself as having ALS (my husband-the doctor!). Sometimes the Internet is a bad thing. I told him to get more life insurance on himself...so that any very handsome 35 year old males* looking for a rich widow, can come knocking at my door! *must have strong muscle.

I was totally flabbergasted when the doctor said that he was the same age as Greg (referring to the effects of aging...) as he looked like he was no more than 30! I suppose it was that lost "fountain of youth" that all those doctors have access to which made him look so well preserved!

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland

Yep. We got over 18 inches now.

And here are the lights. We have 25 trees lighted in the woods and more to come.

We picked up the blown glass ornaments. Mine looks like a lopsided egg, but Greg's is very pretty.

Plowed out the driveway tonight. The weatherman says 15 degrees tonight. A balmy high of 20 tomorrow, with tomorrow night's temperatures going BELOW ZERO!
Get ready. Winter's here, Baby!

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful

But inside it's warm and delightful.

We made a brief trip into town at 11:00 to see the annual Festival of Trees at the Resort. There were many beautiful trees, and even some that were decorated upside down!

Children playing Christmas bingo, making crafts, school children singing, snacks & drinks, parents & grandparents. It was an enjoyable time to get out and experience the festivities of the season.

It had begun snowing lightly this morning as we left home, but gradually increased. We observed that the traffic on I-90 was totally stopped for as far as the eye could see.

I decorated the inside of the house. Greg rested on the couch most of the day. I worry as he is relying too much on his pain-killers. We rented "Click" starring Adam Sandler & Christopher Walken on pay-per-view; and settled back to watch the snow come down.

I enjoy putting on my long winter faux beaver coat, bundling into leather gloves, black leather boots and tying on my cashmere scarf. As warm as anyone could be, I walk the dog out into the silent night amid the trees adorned with their snowy foilage. The only sound to be heard is the crunching of our feet on the icy snow. We make our way inbetween the sparkling lights circling the evergreens as the brisk air nips at our extremities.

As of this writing, we have 15 inches of snow.

It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Greg had quite a bad night last night. Lots of pain. So he went to bed quite late...and we woke up late. I staggered out of bed at 7:30 to feed the fish, then fell back to sleep afterwards. We finally got up at 11:00 and both of us felt beat.

His friend Tom, from the machine shop was here to start work on his truck bringing his wife. So I entertained the wife while Greg & Tom worked on the truck until 3pm.

It snowed another 4 inches. There is quite a lot of cold, white wet stuff covering the area.

Washed the truck in town, got lattes and then stopped at Kmart/Fred Meyers to check out their Christmas areas. Walked the dog. Looked at Christmas lights in the neighborhoods.

Worked on Gifts & sent to bed EARLY!

Thanksgiving Dud

The Thanksgiving tradition of misfortune continues…we again lost electricity for 4 hours on the night before Thanksgiving. KRL will remember that one year we lost electricity ON Thanksgiving day! Fortunately, we had already roasted the turkey that year. We celebrated in the cold with candles & served coffee to the technicians who got to come out to our home on the holiday for overtime and restore service to us!

They were here for about 5 hours that year.

Yesterday was spent sitting like couch potatoes, waiting for the hours to pass until we had to leave…reservations were for 7PM--We had planned on eating at the Resort, but when I went to change clothes I came down with the mother of all migraines. I usually don’t suffer with these, but this was the worst that I have ever felt. I was going to tell the hubby to take me to the emergency room. But with a heating pad to ward off the chills, an ice pack on the back of my head, and cuddled under the down comforter…no lights, no sound; I finally was able to fall into an abortive sleep. Therefore, SO depressing=No Thanksgiving for us.

Got a foot of snow last night! Then icy conditions tonight.

We ran into town tonight for the annual Christmas parade, walked 10 blocks in the freezing cold, (we caught the last of the parade) the crowds have gotten totally enormous. And watched the fireworks display. Greg got Hudson’s hamburgers while we waited. Isabelle was quite dismayed at the noise. But it lasted for over 20 minutes, which is somewhat better than the 4th of July fireworks!

On the drive home, we detoured into a couple neighborhoods to look at the light displays.

Ours is the best, however.

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

THIS IS THE DRESS!




These are the shoes











And these are the nails............



and the toenails.








Cinderella is going to go to the Christmas Ball on Saturday, December 2! Hopefully Prince Charming dresses up just as nice. My Fairy Godmother has promised a nice pumpkin.

We went to Erlendson Art Glass in downtown CDA to blow our glass ornaments. It was extremely fun learning how to roll the glass and watch as the artist molded it and cut it! We will get to pick up the ornaments after they cool-probably by Friday.

Another package was mailed to some people in England. We sent magazines, a CD, PSP9 (because she had a mishap on her computer) and lots of neat Christmas surprises. The kids are vacationing in SwitzerlanD for Thanksgiving weekend. Those lucky dogs!

Hunt For The PERFECT Christmas Dress

This sounds like the theme for a new movie. Why are there are all these movies out there wherein the fathers compete in a mega lighting of their homes, but no movie in which mommys turn into sadistic little devils fighting over the ultimate Vera Wang dress?

Well, I did a little tongue-in-cheek layout for Christmas.

There are only 34 days to go. Are you getting closer to
being ready?

Hubby wrapped Matt's presents today...and will try to
wrap Kelsey's tomorrow. (we save the best for last...baby!)

We woke up late today and walked in Farragut after getting java. It was rainy and cold. Greg ran to Spirit Lake with Mark to see if there was a auto frame, but it had been crushed with all Carl's stuff. I made hot cocoa & peppermint Schnapps to warm up and Chili with peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.

Lights on at 4:00pm when it got dark. A night spent by the fire reading the newspaper & internet surfing!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Holidays coming up are going to be VERY busy.

You know that the metropolitan area is expanding when you cannot get reservations at the CDA Resort on Thanksgiving Day for a window seat until 7PM. We are going for the Buffet. I feel like I am over 65 and going to eat at a Buffet for Thanksgiving.

The following is our itinerary for the upcoming festivities*...

Saturday November 18-Holiday Bazaar
Monday November 20 - Physical Therapy
Tuesday November 21 - Glass Blowing Ornaments
Wednesday November 22 - Physical Therapy
Thursday November 23 - Thanksgiving Dinner CDA Resort
Friday November 24 - CDA Annual Christmas Light Parade
Saturday November 25 - CDA Strolling Singers & Carriage Ride Downtown
Monday November 27 - Physical Therapy
Tuesday November 28 - Ballet Idaho "The Nutcracker" at the Panida Theater
Wednesday November 29 - Physical Therapy & NeuroSurgeon Appointment & Hair Cut
December 1 - "It's A Wonderful Life" at the Lake City Playhouse
December 2 - VZ Christmas Party
December 21 - Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Sleigh Ride, Dinner, & Overnight Stay

*Subject to Change

So if you call, and we are not home, check the schedule.

Most of our Christmas lights are up....Greg helped place (actually he just walked & pointed) the rocks along our property today with Joe Holman, the excavator...I worked on cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, & Christmas presents...Our brand new laptop computer we purchased on October 10 died. It is going to be returned to Costco.

Holiday Bi-Zarre

So the rounds of the holiday bazaars have started. Craft fairs/bake sales/raffles/entertainment.
This is the time of year when there is just not enough time to do everything.

We have scheduled an artistic endeavour with a glass artisan in CDA. Picking out your colors and blowing your own glass ornament. (referred by our bestest chiropractor's assistant...Karen) This sounds like loads of fun.

Memories...stuffing snow down Greg's butt with Kelsey while he cut the tree at Camden Ranch Tree Farm...eating Rocky Rococco pizza with Kelsey in Spoky-Jo...cold showers at Farragut State Park...Greg taking Kelsey & a friend to the rock climbing wall & gun shooting club in Spoky-Jo...birthday party for Kelsey eating pizza, having balloons, laser tag, go-karts, video games, goofy golf, playing at Go-Kart Family Fun Center...birthday swim parties for Kelsey at Shilo Inn, then the Fairfield Inn...Greg distributing Thanksgiving Turkeys with the Volunteer Fire Department...210 inches of snow in 1991 when we first moved to Eye-D-Ho...buying Sorels for the first time in my life...Kelsey watching tv/videos on the 9", looking down at us from her bunk bed...silence of the property at night with only the hoot owls, coyotes, and wild turkey calls to be heard...thousands of stars in an inky sky...no neighbors...no phone...doing the happy dance with Kelsey when we got power on December 31, 1991...meteor shower in 1991-1992...the Aurora Bourealis...mysterious UFO when we came home from Kelsey's school late one night...picking Samson up in Spokane and driving all the way home in a horrible snow storm with him growling at us from the back seat the entire time...spaghetti feeds at Kelsey's school with the most delicious spaghetti I have ever tasted...children's Christmas programs at school...Kelsey picking out presents for us at the parent gift bazaar at school...water leaks breaking out all over while we were in the basement...the first year we got carpet in the basement...burning my hands constantly on the QuadraFire wood stove...the year of the Ice Storm and driving home at 10 miles an hour - dropping off Bonnie first, then slowly making my way home by myself - unable to even see 1 foot beyond the hood of the Jeep Cherokee...being the only home in the area to not lose our electricity (thank you God)...my supervisor (Kathleen Bitch) insisting we stayed working until 5PM the night of the Ice Storm even though it had been announced that the storm was worsening & she only then allowed us to leave when we lost electricity - can YOU find your way out of a building with no lights & no windows?- why was I such an idiot to stay? why didn't I just tell her "fuck you" and leave?...4 Rottweilers - Samson, Shadrach, Puppy & Brutus - huddled together on the couch in the basement...our pot-bellied pigs - Bacon & Hammy who ran with the dogs would squeal when you picked them up, but immediately quit squealing when you put them down again...Kelsey's goats for 4H dancing on the hood of the Jeep...Kelsey's leg aches & cramps in the middle of the night...Littlest Pet Shop toys all over Kelsey's room...Kelsey winning the "World's Biggest Christmas Stocking" at Arby's the first year we moved...

Today I got my hair installed...4 hours. That's is why we were not at home when you called, Kelsey!

No Sno

Saturday-It was partly cloudy, and Greg wanted to find out where we were to drop the Mercedes for the painter guy to install the new seats...so we went looking for his house (painter guy had moved recently). We ran into some wild turkeys again...and a deer along the road. When we arrived back home, I managed to capture the image of some Grouse that were walking through the woods.

Greg took the new Dodge to get Line-X (polyurethane protective coating) installed in the truck bed. We got black. It looks SO good. While he was there, I ran down with the Mustang to pick him up and we went over to Spoky-Jo for a last color test for my hair.

We came back and his truck was finished. He drove thru CDA as a guy that had hauled the 6X6 called to meet him; and I drove directly home. However...the sky turned black dark and down came the rain. I was praying that I would make it home before the heavens let loose with snow.

Sunday-We strung up the Christmas lights on the trees and ran out of extension cords. We also installed the Snowman on the front deck, the Fucking-Reindeer on the back deck, and the new Penguins on the outside steps. It was raining and miserable. We decided that a further trip into town for more lighting apparatus could wait until tomorrow. I worked on Christmas presents...and Greg relaxed by the fire with Isabelle.

There is severe weather predicted for tomorrow. About 8-10 inches of snow? I'll hold my breath.

Arctic Cod Liver Oil

Yesterday morning, we took a brief detour after picking up our lattes...and saw a huge flock of wild turkeys in a field. There must have been over 150! Alongside them in the field were some geese. Of course...as usual, I forgot to take along my camera. We were only going to get lattes and come RIGHT BACK HOME. However, Greg wanted to "just run over here for a minute".

In the late afternoon, when I peeked out our back window...it had been raining all day...I saw a gaggle of quail. They were waddling quite quickly past our back deck. I quickly called for Greg to come see them. He never has moved very fast, and finally he came to see what I was excited about. The quail had walked into the woods, and he did get to see a few. We walked outside and followed their reverse progress in the snow. Hundreds of little bird footprints were all over the yard and the driveway. Hilarious!

Today, after consultation with the physical therapist, my husband was advised to take arctic cod liver oil in order to try to regenerate the nerves that have atrophied. Friends of ours had suggested rapeseed oil, which is highly dangerous and of which the intake has to be closely monitored. The therapist suggested that the cod liver oil is a highly successful alternative which could show results in as little as 8 weeks.

1 teaspoon every day and hopefully this will help. My darling husband's 2nd appointment with the other (GOOD) neurosurgeon is on November 30. Hubby is still off work and in lots of pain. He is taking daily doses of Tramadol and I can only pray that he does not get addicted to it.

In other news, I shared my hottie husband on the DST thread, along with my daughter's hottie. There are quite a few good looking men that the girls there have posted. My darling hubby and I have been married for 25 years and he is still...SMOKIN' hot for me!

Tomorrow is a brief trip to my local post office so that 1 more box can be shipped to my baby since she seems to find these boxes so VERY attractive...

Our lovely Isabelle posed so very nicely for the scrapped pic! Theresa Hernandez at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking made the hat, glasses and beard after I begged her. The kit is called
Christmas Follies.

44 shopping days left until Santa shimmies his fat butt and black boots down the chimney! Are YOU ready?

One thing before I close today. I HATE Rachel Ray. I HATE her voice. I HATE her show. I HATE everything about her. Why do I hate her? Her voice just rubs me the wrong way. Like fingernails down a blackboard. WHY is she so popular? P-Yuck.

Nuttin' Honey

Picked up a computer to computer transfer cable at Radio Shack...dropped the desktop computer off at Ty's for it's 50,000 mile maintenance...Greg went to physical therapy at 11:00A...got strawberries at Safeway grocery...picked up auto parts at Schuck's...got the new truck hitch at Dodge...mailed 3 boxes to Kelsey & Matt...

It seems like we did a lot of nothing, but it took the better part of a day. So we did much of nuttin' honey.

Last night I feel asleep at 8:ooP and slept until 10:30. Missed HOUSE. Damn.

THIS ------------------------------>
is the reason that we ran to Michigan.
Had to go pick up our new Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Loaded. All Automatic. Dark grey interior. Yummy.

Not Good News :(

Greg had physical therapy at 9AM, then his EMG at 10:30AM until 12:00AM.
For once, I did not go into the room with him as the doctor conducted the test. However. I did hear him squealing like a little girl in pain as the needles were stuck into him.

Oh. The doctor that did Greg's EMG said that there is nerve damage in his left leg & foot which is what is causing the pain in his back?
However, he could not explain HOW he got the nerve damage or WHERE it came from or how to STOP it. The doctor definitely said that it was NOT from the car accident, or from getting crushed between a tree & truck~ ~

The Nerves in Greg's leg are atrophying. The nerves are Dying. According to the doctor, it is irreversible. Best he could recommend is more physical therapy?
Which is kinda weird. Sounds stupid to me.

The doctor will refer the results to the (stupid) neurosurgeon.
We are still waiting to go to the (good) neurosurgeon on November 30.

Then I had an appointment in Spokane at 1:00 to get my hair colored along with a consultation so I can get hair extensions! I want long hair for our Christmas party.
Had to do some CHRISTMAS shopping for You-Know-Who. (Kelsey & Matt)

W-Mart, Wendy's (for cheeseburgers) and Costco.

We finally got home at 6:00PM. Watched CSI Miami and fell into bed.

Wild Turkeys

Saturday November 4-Greg tinkered around in his shop while I scrapped 3 pages! Wowie Zowie. Did laundry, dishes, and vacuumed. Kelsey called and we talked for about 2 hours. My left hand was numb by the time we finally said good-bye.

It rained HEAVILY all night long. Isabelle was quite tired and came up from the shop about 3:30. She was having a bit of difficulty walking on her left leg. Time for an operation? I sincerely hope not.

I am making a Christmas surprise for some of the girls at NDISB. Hope they enjoy it. Only 50 shopping days until Christmas!

Sunday November 5-On the way to the park for our Sunday walk after getting lattes, we encountered a flock of wild turkeys. Of course...I had left my camera at home. I need to find a compact digital camera to stash in my purse. I scrapped for a while; Greg purused eBay for truck accessories...then at 2:30 we left the house to see a movie. The Prestige starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Especially exciting was watching Michael Caine. He is such a great actor and has only gotten better as he ages. Somewhat like Sean Connery. And I just love Michael Caine's accent. Yummy. In a small cameo role was David Bowie...and I would never have recognized him if I had not known he was in this movie. Scarlett Johansson also appeared in the movie as the mistress of both the magicians. I really don't understand why they call her VOLUPTUOUS; curvaceous, fleshy. She is NOT. Plus...if you hated somebody, would you really sleep with their girlfriend? I think not.

It continues to irritate me that in order to view the movie, you have to watch 15-20 minutes of commercials, 10-15 minutes of previews, and then another 5 minutes of warnings...turn off your cell phone, no smoking, be quiet.
From now on, I think that we will have to arrive late to the movie in order to not have to sit through this irritating information.

G&H's Big Adventure Part 2

After partying the night away in the Pub, we arise early the next morning. I fight off a hangover as Greg packs. We catch a cab with a gentleman that cannot speak English. How did he pass an American driving test? We arrive safely at the boarding area for the Lake Express Ferry. {Homeland Security} searches our baggage, we board. The High-Speed Ferry is NOT. It is a Slow-Speed Ferry. A ride that should have taken 45 minutes takes 2 1/2 hours. BORING. We watch the movie "The Lake House" starring Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reeves. An OK movie, but I would not have paid to see it. The ferry service showed it on overhead screens as we crossed; you could rent head-sets to listen. Kinda like a drive-in movie, but not.

We were picked up by Enterprise rent-a-car in a PT Cruiser. NOT the most comfortable of cars...Of course, when we got to the rent-a-car place, they pulled the old switcheroo on us. The vehicle we had reserved was not available; would we take this other instead? Then insurance, LUXURY tax, & other fees upped the price $100. Wow. When we load into the car, it has not been cleaned, and there are stains on the seats? Should I take the time to complain online? YES. Then we ask the directions to where we are to drop it off so we don't have to bring it all the way back ...the dumb girl turns around and asks the older guy on the phone EVERY Question...C'mon women. We are NOT dumb. We DON'T have to ask or beg guys to do our jobs. Unless we are blonde or Very, Very Lazy. Instead of handing us a print-out of a map to the office, the guy on the phone looks bored and tells us verbal directions.

What is the convenience of technology if not to use?????

Dumb-asses.

So we continue our drive, stop to pick up sunglasses for me at Target as mine had broken on the boat trip. (probably the sea water...) and arrive to pick up our truck 12:30. Chris is a nice young man. Their shop is awesome and we walk around observing. Paperwork finally in order even tho our bank messed up a lot of things, we leave about 1:30. Greg panics and takes the wrong exit in Chicago even though I told him to stay in the extreme right lane...it was a toll-road. So we have to drive into a ghetto part of Chicago to get back on the interstate, pay the toll AGAIN...then drive to Moline, Illinois for overnight at a wonderful hotel--Ameritel. (right across from the SMALLEST Wal-Mart I have ever seen) I was on the computer to Shawna for a brief time (Hello) and then went to take a shower. After the shower, I started shivering and went into shock. Dunno. Started my period, but I don't know why this happened. Greg took care of me, covered me up, gave me aspirin. I sorta passed out and don't remember anything else. We slept late the next morning and didn't get the continental breakfast. But the bed was the softest thing I have ever felt. Denver Mattress.

We drive through Des Moines, Iowa and stop at Hobby Lobby-an enormous craft store 5 times the size of Michaels. Pick up some neat gifts for Kelsey&Matt. Then find a Maid-Rite for burgers. Yummy. Back on the interstate and we go through to Sioux City when Greg decides he needs to have the oil changed. We locate a WalMart and it is now 8PM at night. By 9PM we are on the road again to drive with a beautiful full moon to Wall Drug, South Dakota. We are both falling asleep and decide to stop for the night. Again, we pass out like the dead in an uncomfortable bed. On the road by 8AM, we stop briefly for gasoline, observe the Cantaloupe along the road, Karma occurs as Greg passes an Idaho idiot in (from 8B county) in a SUV travelling in the left lane, who then decides he has to drive over 100 mph to catch up to us...he is still travelling in the left lane. A Montana cruiser comes like bat out of hell from nowhere...and has his lights on. Greg laughs as he pulls WAY over and the cop is on this SUV's ass for about 1 1/2 miles. The guy doesn't even look in his rear-view mirror...and he is STILL going 100+ mph! Finally pulls over as we pass on by.

We drive straight through to CDA and arrive about 8:30. Picking up Isabelle at our friends' home, we happily find SNOW at our house. YUCKY.

Thursday, November 2-We sleep until 10AM, then Greg goes to get lattes. Kurt (our latte connection) scolds us for being gone so long--he was getting concerned. Isn't it nice to be missed? Then today it snows about 2 more inches. Bad Winter, Bad Winter. I wash clothes, put everything away, and talk to Kelsey. Greg does a few little errands, comes home & collapses.

The adventure begins

Saturday, 1:00a - we depart home for the beginning of the trip. Sandpoint depot is a historical antique dump. Probably built around the turn of the century complete original depot wood seating, white tiling, pulley-assisted casement windows. Various refurbishings evidenced from the 1970s we extremely dark paneling, surface mounted electrical outlets, and old apple computers.

As our train was scheduled to arrive at 2:47 and tickets advise to be at the station well in advance, we wait for over 2 hours. We do get the chance to talk to two gregarious gentlemen, John and his brother Len who is travelling back to Minnesota. The train finally arrives, and we are met by a tactiurn conductor who points at the coach car for Len, and assists us to the sleeper compartment. We collapse into the minute sleeper-roomette for some much needed rest. Our beds have been turned down with cookies on the pillows. I was apprehensive about the rolling and rocking, so Greg sleeps with me and we cuddle VERY closely in the bottom bunk.

Saturday morning, I roll out of the room, knocking shins and my head on anything & everything in the comartment...to stagger down the corridor at 5AM for bladder relief. I am confronted by Gul (pronounced gu-hl) the most attentive room attendant we have ever encountered. Of Pakistani descent, he has the most soothing voice, the whitest teeth, and the most upbeat attitude of anyone I have ever met. Gul proceeds with tidying our room as we breakfast on very yummy pancakes & sausage for me; oatmeal, croissant & fruit for Greg; Jena is the dining car supervisor. She is sweet. We return to an immaculate room with two seats facing each other. Our table is set with roses & carnations in a vase. Fresh champage in plastic footed cups and our gift box contains handcream, tea bags, foot powder, Dove chocolate, and candy. (after we leave, we feel like we have NOT tipped this wonderful gentleman enough-I AM writing to Amtrak to let them know of his Great service!)

We proceed to a lunch of chicken breast sandwiches, then onto the observation lounge. Upon our return to our room, finding Martinellis sparkling cider with snack bags. We volunteer for the wine & cheese tasting for the afternoon. Michael, another conductor, entertains with trivia and we sit across from an interesting older couple, we had lots of fun & laughs.
Napping in our room after the wine tasting, dinner brings an acquaintance with a young man who is coming from California to celebrate his girlfriend's 22nd birthday. She lives in North Dakota. How romantic.

Yes. Yes. I know. I have blown the diet completely.

I foreswear to exercise double time when we return home.

Greg starts in the top bunk, then we trade 1/2 way through the night. The train encounters the worst tracks of the trip thus far. Tipping, rocking, and rolling extensively we rise at 2AM to take a shower. Wow. Hot water, huge shower stalls and lovely sweet smelling soap.

At breakfast we encounter Dawn who is mid 40s and Nic, a college student working full time at "W" in Chicago and aspiring actor. He is in the coach section and has to pay for his meal. We hesitate, and should have told him we would pay for his breakfast. He reminds me so much of Matt, our daugher's husband. We spend the rest of the trip attempting to find him to give him one of our Champagne bottles, and our email address, but are unable to locate him. This young man will be one to watch. Probably the next Brad Pitt!

A telephone call from our friends indicates that Isabelle has taken over their spare bedroom bed.

A young girl in the Observation Lounge is playing guitar. She is very talented as we sit listening to her for about 30 minutes, we watch the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River flow by outside. Complimenting the girl on her playing, we go thru to the diner car.

We encounter Dawn again at a very late lunch, and sit talking to her for over an hour.

People are interesting. One would never make this many contacts during a plane flight.

After taking a teary farewell to Gul, and departing the train, we experience motion sickness for hours. I still feel as if the train is rocking down the track.

Sunday 2:48p, we take a cab (driven by Houston H. Suggs, Jr...a very interesting gentleman. He has been sober for over 30 years. Friendly and knowledgeable about Milwaukee. Our 10 minute ride was a joy due to his conversation) to County Clare Inn, check in and wait for our room. We have a drink in the authetic Irish pub, wishing Matt & Kelsey could be there with us sharing a drink. We listen to the Ce (pronounced "k") Trio (minus 1 at home sick)...they play celtic flute & guitar. Beautiful music by two very young & talented men. We have appetizers called Dumpings...Irish brown bread which are filled with gorgonzola cheese. Yummy.

We enter our room at 5:00 and collapse upon the bed. I have DSL~yippee! Shower and HOUSE back to back episodes. Am in heaven. Download massive amounts of stuff, take a shower, and collapse into bed.

OMG. My feet are the size of baby elephants. Swollen up to massive size. Owie.

More later.

Boobs

Over at DigiShopTalk, Jen Caputo started a thread about the boob Layouts she had done. So I took up the challenge and had to scrap mine quickly before we left on our trip.

Isabelle is staying with friends of ours. Bruce & Joanie own 3 greyhounds and 1 cock-a-poo terrier mix. After a while playing with the dogs, sniffing each others' butts, and running; Izzy sat staring at the door to leave. She almost body blocked us to exit with us, but we managed to escape. It is devastating without her. And it has only be about 5 hours.

We board the train at 2:47am and hopefully we can settle into our Room-ette and sleep. Bunk beds!

Probably be back by Thursday, November 2. Anybody want us to bring them something back from the mid-west United States?

Poor sick pumpkin

Our pumpkin is kinda sick. He vomited on the step. Poor pumpkin.

Fuddy Duddies (We Are Not)

We are not stick in the muds. We are not fuddy-duddies. We ain't old. Yep. We actually are getting out and doing things.

In the AM before the appointment at the Chiropractor's, we stopped and got a dozen donuts at "The Donut House" (which EVERYBODY says has the greatest donuts). Karen & Kevin just loved them when we shared. Yesterday PM in our search for a burrito, we ended up at Taco del Mar. Now I know that this does not the best thing for my diet & exercise program; but I only ate one bite of donut and 1/2 of my burrito.

When I got my nails done, I had them painted dark grey to match our new truck. *more info at a later date about the new truck!

Beware of Christmas Gifts From Me

On A Clear Day, You Can See Forever

I think that was a very romantic movie. Starring Barbra Streisand.


Romantic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >


Shit hit the fan at DST & NDISB. We are all sworn to silence, but the impact is devastating. It is horrible to think that something like this could happen. But pathological liars will always be out there to prey upon those who have sympathy. The odd thing to think about is that these people who invent a fantasy world, actually believe it is real, and get very irritated, upset, & nasty when others doubt their word! The best offense is a good defense? Yeah. I hit that pin on the head with a baseball bat! It is VERY OFFENSIVE.

On the other hand, you have me. Whose life is an open book. Just look at my scrapping. You can trust that anything I say, will be the gosh honest truth. With a few embellishments thrown in to make it sound interesting and romantic. Otherwise, you would fall asleep at how BoRiNg my life actually is to live.

I still am using my elliptical. I might have dropped a pant size because my pants are much easier to zip. As I was squeezing myself into a size 5, I am more comfortable now. Have built up to 2 eight minute stretches at a power resistance of 5-6! So I am doing that twice a day!

Hubby is still off. Still in pain. Poor baby.

I ripped a toenail off while vacuuming yesterday, so I need to get my nails done. Am also thinking about having hair extensions put in for the Christmas party. I REALLY want to impress those pretentious bitches that I used to work with as they were being nasty behind my back when I was in pain at work. Yes, I am just as supercilious as they are... Silly, huh?

WHY do people always questions those with back pain? Don't they believe it is real? Just because blood is not spurting, or there are no existing bruises, or obvious malformation...I injured my ribs and tore the cartilage from my ribs about 3 years ago. Cartilage holds your ribs together. Just imagine not having that support. And that is the pain I endure daily! At this point in my life, I know it won't get better and I don't complain, but did they HAVE to be nasty about it?

Fraggle Rock

Remember the doozers?

I rolled out of bed this morning and IM'd my baby. We turned on the digi-cam then the kids got to talk to me in bed while I was still coughing. Greg had gone for lattes, and when he returned, the kids watched while Greg made Wiener Winks and I made his breakfast sandwich.

Our son was salivating while he watched Greg throw the dough in the air, roll it around the cheese and secure it around the wiener. K&M are going to Switzerland at Thanksgiving and we really will miss them through the holidays.

We are trying to plan to go continent hopping in the fall of 2007.

On Saturday, October 21, Greg worked down at the shop for a couple hours. I should say...he tried to work. But he didn't really do too much and came home after only a little while down there. I cleaned the house & vacuumed. (p-yuck). But the house looks nicer.

Today (Sunday), we picked up the stuff around the yard and secured the area for winter. Cold today...with frost on the deck and truck as Greg had forgotten to put his dually in the garage last night. Today was a balmy high of 60. I filled in the area with pea gravel where the guys had dug up our water-line; also tidied up my walkway.

I scrapped a bit. Greg forced himself onto the couch to relax.

Isabelle has a enormous beef bone that we got a while ago. Greg thawed it out and it is kept out on the deck. Izzy knows to whine, we let her out, then she comes right back in with the bone. After she is done chawing on it for a while, she goes to bed, and we return the bone outside. What a dog. She has also taken to sleeping with her bushings on her bed.

Doin A Cruise

My LO of my Blog banner. I was so happy with the way the design turned out, that I decided to immortalize it.

We picked up the Dually today after it had been detailed. Wow. I have never seen it so clean. We got pictures of it and will put it up on eBay to sell it.

Greg went to another chiropractor appointment today. Then did errands while I stayed at home and worked on LOs, washed my hair, did laundry and caught up on stuff.
Kelsey's "fuck-me boots" came in the mail today...well, we had to go to the post office to pick them up...but they did GET here. So I will send them to her on Monday. To quote my daughter from her last email...

You are the BEST mommy in the WORLD!

P.S. I am also the best MOMMY-In-Law in the whole world. I win, I win!

I also made a LO of a tongue-in-cheek acronymn that the hubby and I adopted about a certain outrageously ridiculous actor. After we had heard an on-air personality make a joke about him, we started talking about it...then came up with the list. We almost peed our pants it got so funny.

Will scrap more tomorrow, vacuum, and make bacon.

LYING

It is emotionally distressing when one finds that they have been lied to. Whether the liar be a spouse, significiant other, child, relative, friend, or acquaintance.

A certain trust is destroyed within and it takes a while for that emotion to grow.

When I picked up the phone late this afternoon, to my surprise I was talking to one of my Virtual friends. Theresa sounds totally different than I thought she would. But not in a bad way. She has a husky voice that reminds me of whisky and dark smoky bars. Her voice reminds me of a chanteuse singing atop a piano with a young piano player accompanying her.

Today we took the dually into have it detailed (massive accumulation of dog hair!). Then I chauffered Greg to his general medical doctor's appointment. It appears we have been referred to a neurosurgeon. Whether the outcome is injections, drainage, physical therapy or surgery it anybody's guess. Looks like we are in for the long haul.

It rained and *hailed* violently tonight. Quite chilly, but we still managed to do a walk with the dog around the property. Stars in the sky twinkled and the air was bracingly fresh.

Boo

60 shoppings days left to Christmas!

Are you ready?

On the 9th Greg went to visit his doctor at North Idaho Immediate Care.

The medico said he is off until further notice for his back injury.

A visit to the Chiropractor afterwards relieved a little of hubby's pain.

Monday, the hubby attempted to relax at home, but is "bored".

I told him be bored or be in a wheelchair for life. It his choice.

On Tuesday the 10th, after his Chiro appointment, we did some errands.

Got home late and both of us were exhausted.

I got Kelsey into digital scrapping and she is really GOING wild.

She is Awesome and has taken to it like a duck to water!

To keep my little baby warm over in that cold foreign land; i.e.-England...

I ordered the boots of her dreams. Cavalry by MIA.

Hopefully they get here before Winter!

Thursday the 12th, we ran into CDA and while I shopped at Lyle's, Greg stayed in the truck to call his dad.

We learned that Bert has a lump in her breast and will have a biopsy done to find out if it is cancerous.

We drove downtown to the Lake and picked up those WonderfuL hamburgers at Hudsons. Walked around the floating boardwalk, then ate our burgers at the picnic bench where we took Matt & Kelsey before they left for England.

On Friday the 13th, Joe made it out again with the backhoe (and Dave Graham) to backfill the hole by our home.

Discovered that the ACTUAL water leak was at the connection to the main. Traded the propane tanks from shop to the house and vice-versa.

This took most of the day as they were here when we returned from getting lattes and did not leave until 3:00.

I paper scrapped most of the day.

Saturday morning at 9:45 was Greg's MRI in Spokane.

We stopped afterwards for groceries then came directly home as Greg was in a lot of pain.

Matt had a birthday. He is now 22! Can You Believe It?

Udpate

Udpate=I am busy working on my recipes for Christmas gift giving.

Thursday the window washers came to clean. Our windows are fresh and bright again. It took them about 2 1/2 hours for the two guys to complete. Meanwhile, Izzy was growling and barking at the same time. I was amazed she was not hoarse (horse?) at the end of the day!

On Sunday the 8th, Leo's kids...Trace and Taylor came to pick up branches in our yard. It is an annual thing and they love to come over. Greg pays them, and I feed them. They had pastries in the morning, along with hot chocolate. Then I bagged up some trail mix for them to eat while they worked. For lunch, I made homemade chili with cheese & onions. Then their father came to pick them up at about 2:00. They will be back over next Sunday as there is still a bunch of stuff they need to clean up. This encounter gives Greg some 1/1 time with BOYS. Since we only had a girl, he interacts with others of his own kind!!!