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.