Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas!

Christmas has come and gone and all we're left with are the memories... well and these photos. ;)

Then something that I cannot explain happened. It must have been the Christmas spirit overtaking the house. I warn you, the images you are about to see are disturbing. Viewer caution is advised.

I'm sorry you all had to see that. My dad hopes and prays that no one reads this blog when he's a star on it. So if you see this and see him, tell him he looks awesome! We decided that sweater is 1- very slimming and 2- is clearly a one family fits all kind of sweater.

Merry Christmas

Although we didn't get a white Christmas like I'm sure many were hoping for, I'm pretty much ok with it. I hope everyone enjoys the Holiday with family and get's everything they wanted from Santa.

My annual tradition has officially begun. PJ's on, snuggled in a blanket, and chilling on the sofa reay for my 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story. I don't make it the whole 24 hours but I do my best usually falling asleep several times and sometimes waking up right where I left off.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Another Step

Another small step for twenty-twelve goals today. I'm officially signed up for the gyms biggest loser competition. Just another reason to help me keep with my 2012 goals! I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing, weigh-ins start January 2nd!

In some good news, I got out of the house this weekend. A lot out of the house actually. Friday was the Bass Pro/Festival of lights adventure. Saturday night I went out with my Germany trip friends to the Christmas at the Mansions! I really wished I lived in a mansion in the Victorian ages, it seems so glamorous and simple. They had all their Christmas trees up and greenery draped every, it was very very pretty!

And then... we headed out for some dinner and drinks to celebrate someone I know turning the big 3-0! Happy Birthday MB I hope you had a great one! :)
We had a great time!

I don't know if you guys noticed or not but Christmas is coming... like Sunday it's here. Holy Moly! Kind of just sneaks up on ya there don't it. Doesn't look like we'll be having a white Christmas this year, but I'm really kinda ok with it... ok a lot ok with it. I'm a procrastinator (shocking I know) and I still haven't got new tires put on Simon just yet. I'm still gearing up for a really good New Year's resolution list. I had optimistic hopes for 2011 and lots of great things happened this year, I feel a little different about 2012. I feel like I'm finally getting my self motivation back slowly but surely and I have a good feeling about twenty-twelve. I didn't hear the news I was terribly hoping for today that would have started my 2012 out with a big new change. But I'm happy none the less. Everything happens for a reason and I think I'm where I'm supposed to be at the moment.

My little artful creation that I painted at the pottery painting shop is finished and would like to say Merry Christmas, isn't he cute?! 

Official

Warrior Dash 2012 Official. Let the warrior training begin.

Helping me get my butt into shape, one of my 2012 goals!

and it's never too early to be thinking about Resolutions Page Turner!

Bass Pro & Lights

A fun joyous splendid... well a night with the family. We all shoved into A.Drama's Equinox and headed to the river. With only a few navigational errors and 3 wrong turns we found our happy selves at the Bass Pro Shop. A seemingly uneventful/uninteresting feat for you fancy city-fied folk, but for us simple small town peeps, we probably were a little too excited about it... ok well I was probably a little bit too excited about it. I can't help it, it's not everyday you get to go to a store the size of five counties complete with a boat showroom AND and underwater themed bowling alley AND every piece of camo clothing you could ever imagine. It did not disappoint. That place is HUGE! and literally everything imaginable for all your outdoor needs are available under one roof.

While the Bass Pro shop was not our ultimate trip destination but a happy detour, the main reason for our visit to the city by the river was to experience the Festival of Lights. While we didn't see the lights with the wide-eyed wonder of a child like we once did, we all Ooo'd and Ahhh'd. Here's a few of our favorite displays..

Twenty-Twelve is coming

and I am bound and determined to make it a great year. I mean come on it's an even number year AND a leap year, good things are bound to happen in a leap year right?! RIGHT?!?!

The last few months have been a little rough and I'm in need of a change of pace. I know it's cliche' and I've said it before, but something just feels different this time. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll know for sure if how 2012 is going to start but none the less I have big things in mind.

I already know several things on the list but I want to have a good number started before I begin to share. It's going to be a list updated frequently as the year progresses. I really hope it's a good year.

So be sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks as I put it all on the line and share my goals. Is anyone else getting a jump start on resolutions?



                                                                                  ... coming soon!

A Stream of Random Thoughts from Inside my Head

I don't have anything terribly exciting to share but I do have a few things running through my mind this evening.

* Pinterest. Yep still addicting
* Why did I not have an Elf on a Shelf making sure I was being nice and creating mischief wherever he went. This is too cute and I can't wait until I can do that
* The Kardashians are like a trainwreck I know I need to stop so their rein can end but if I flip past E! they are always on and I can't help myself.
* Winter TV doesn't hold my interest very well
* I was disappointed with the way SOA ended, I was expecting more.
* I'm already thinking about some New Year's resolutions- must be bored.
* As the days go by 9pm seems more and more acceptable as a bed time.
* Crazy marathon of OT begins this weekend.
* OL thinks I don't work enough OT, I think she just misses me when I'm not there
* I hope it doesn't snow like they say I have to get new tires
* Why haven't I got new tires?
* Oh yeah I'm a procrastinator
* Book Club book for November was Unbroken. I was on a blogcation and didn't write about it but today being Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day I thought I'd bring it up. I gave it a 5 it was good.
* Today I finally gave in and accepted my mother's friend request on Facebook. I hope I don't regret it. Merry Christmas Mom.
* I may have OCD or something wrong with me. I spent my entire lunch hour picking out a new 2012 daily planner. Seriously 45 minutes. What's with that?
* I saw a commercial for an animated Napoleon Dynamite really?
* Are you still reading this?
* I bought Luke Bryan's new CD. I like it. Wish it wasn't so mushy mushy lovey dovey. barf.
* There aren't enough single girl anthems/CDs to rock out to. I might have to break out some old Kelly Clarkson.
* While I enjoy Christmas and all it's cute decorations I don't really like this time of year at this juncture. December-February 14th is what I like to call couple season, not so joyous when you aren't in a couple.
* Is Pinterest > Facebook?
* I saw a commercial for Now that's what I call Music 40. Wow I remember when it was in the single digits.
* I am in desperate need of some kind of change.
* I wish family members could gift vacation time, my dad has a crazy amount and I could really use some.
* I went to Germany.  OL ;)
* OL gets annoyed when I mention Germany. I try to mention Germany every day.
* Germany is located in Europe. You need a passport to go there :D
* Still thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2012
* I saw the Page Turner at the bookstore today
* I bought a magzine while there- Real Simple the Holiday issue.
* I'm going to go look through that.
* Hope you enjoyed this episode of Thoughts Inside my Head :)

Month Long Blogcation

Well after about a month off from blogging and about a month of pinning on Pinterest and one batch of amazing cake batter pudding cookies, I'm back. It hasn't been a very blog worthy or exciting month. Haven't really done much other that work watch a lot of tv and rot my brain on the internet. But this weekend I was able to get out of the house a wee bit and get a few things done.

I was happy that December granted us a decently warm day with a high around 55 I was able to finally get the bike ready for the winter. I was looking for it to be a quick little production with a brief ride around town and a stop for gas and I'd be on my way home... if only things were that simple. When I shut it off while I got gas and went to start back up and click click, dead battery. Apparently it had been a bit longer since I had the bike out than originally thought. So my awesome brother and dad came and I had the first experience of push starting a bike.


After we got that all settled and done we headed off the air museum to hear a real Navy Topgun instructor talk about his time as an instructor and a few behind the scenes stories of the making of the movie Top Gun, Dave 'Bio' Baranek along with some of his fellow instructors did the flying scenes in the movie. He was also there promoting his book with stories from his Navy days. It was actually really cool to hear him talk about the movie and some of his stories and his F14 fly days even telling us about one time when he had to eject as his plane was going over the edge of the carrier. His book Topgun Days and his website www.topgunbio.com has great pictures and stories as well, worth taking a look if you're interested in any of that stuff.

I thought it might rain but luckily it held off all but a few sprinkles so we were able to watch the annual lighted Holiday parade in GC. I love this time of year because all the trees downtown have pretty white lights on them and it just helps you get in the Christmas mood.

The last couple of month's haven't been the easiest and I"m happy that this year is finally winding down. I'm ready for 2012 hopefully a leap year will bring me some luck.

I'll try not to stay away so long again. Hope you've waited it out and are excited to read some new bloggin! ;)

I Haven't Been Blogging

I have been pinning on Pinterest. I can't help it, it really is addicting. I even got OL hooked on it a bit. It's amazing that a few hours of Pinterest can make you feel so accomplished. I feel like I'm Martha Stewart. Have I made anything I've seen on Pinterest... well no. But I feel like it's making me an even more creative person. I may have a slight new obsession with Mason Jars, turns out the are so useful.

What did people do before the internet?

Happy Pinning! :)

Screaming Pumpkin 2011

It's that time of year again my 2nd (hopefully annual) Screaming Pumpkin Race. I'm not going to lie I wasn't as excited about it this year as I was last year. It had been kind of a crappy few weeks and I wasn't really feeling it, nor had I trained for it as I had wanted to. But never the less I hauled my happy arse out in the cold. My only goal was to do better than last year, and I'm happy to report that I improved my time by 9 whole minutes. Here's some pics of our costumes. I was a little sore the next day to say the least. Here's to an even better time next year!

If it Should Be

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

--- Anonymous ---

Today I had to make the very very very difficult decision to put my bff for the past 18 years to sleep. Domino had a great long life and I didn't want him to have to suffer down the road. We did everything we possibly could and gave him the best chance for recovery. We are all very sad that Domino is no longer with us but we are so grateful for the many years of memories we have. I know I was very lucky to be able to have him in my life for as many years as I did. Anyone who knew D-mo knew he was one cool cat. I'm going to miss you so much bub.

Everyone goes through a 'fat' stage

  

To Whoever gets the honor of taking care of Domino in heaven:

Domino is the greatest bestest cat ever. Please take care of him in heaven and let him know we love him very very much and are going to miss him like crazy. Tell granny not to get too upset with him if he leaves his wet balls in her bed.  He likes angel food cake and pumpkin filling. Let him have all the soft food his tummy can handle, he likes shrimp flavor.  He might lick your face while your trying to go to sleep but we let him even though it hurts your face sometimes. He likes to sleep under the covers when its cold and his favorite spot is to snuggle in and sleep in the crook of your arm. He likes to lay in a sunspot on the floor and doesn't like his back in front of his tail scratched. Please take good care of my bubby he meant a great deal to me and I'm going to miss my little friend a ton. Oh, and I almost forgot, he also likes to nudge the door open when you're going to the bathroom and sits on your feet... so be ready for that. He really just likes to sit on feet and if he scratches his paws (don't worry he's declawed) on your legs that means he wants you to pick him up and snuggle him.

Love,

Heather



Bumps in the Road

A Domino update.

Although he has been getting better we still have a bump in the road. Without going into details he hasn't had a BM since he's been sick. The vet is a little worried, she gave us some medicine to try and help things get moving. He still hasn't gone, we'll need to take him to the vet in the next few days to see if they can help. Kind of sounds like if that doesn't work, we're back to having to make a decision.

For now he's content to sit in a sunspot and be spoiled rotten by me and gma. If I lay down next to him he'll lick my face and when you start to pet him he'll purr really loud. I really hope my little guy gets better, he looks a lot better than he did the other day so that gives us hope. I really hope that it isn't false hope because that would make things a whole lot harder.

Getting Better

An update on Domino for anyone who might be wondering. He's getting better but still not great. He's eating and drinking with a little bit of help and is starting to scoot around a little bit. We've seen improvements everyday and hope he will get better soon. We go back to the vet next Friday for another steroid shot and hope he'll get better and better. I'm staying optimistic but know anything can happen, especially with an old kitty like Dom.

Dad and I also bit the bullet tonight and with a big ugh, we headed to the gym. They say the first step is always the hardest. Here's hoping it gets easier :)

Long

Long hours turn into long days.
Long days turn into long weeks.
Long weeks turn into long weekends.
Long weekends turn into long months.
Which brings us to October.

October has been a long month and it's only just started.

I've been working some OT at work but my ambition to even do that is quickly fading. I just feel a little blah. Work has been exhausting and emotionally draining. I never really understood how that happens but having to deal with the same things day in and day out really does make you exhausted, to the point where I would rather just sit at home and sleep most of the day. Or you sit and ponder all the other things you could be doing (knowing well that even if you were at home you wouldn't be doing them)

Add to that the fact that I am lazy. I don't remember being lazy, I played sports in high school so I wasn't a complete bum, and sitting in a chair all day for work doesn't help. I'm still working to find that inner motivation that I've lost and I really do want to be more active and walk or run but I am full of a million excuses and not a single one of them would hold up in court. My dad joined the gym again for the winter and I hope that making a deal with him to go will be enough to keep me honest.

Then on top of all of that. Friday night, my cat Domino who I've had since I was 7 had a stroke. Domino has been my buddy, my pal and bedtime snuggle bud for like the past like 18 years. Before I had him he was my granny's (great grandma) little buddy but once she started to get older she was afraid she'd trip over him so we took him in. She loved the little guy, and she'd always laugh and get annoyed at him when he'd leave his wet balls in her bed. He liked to leave his play toy balls in his water dish then jump up into bed with it and you'd roll over and have a wet surprise.

We took him to the vet and the news isn't good. He is unable to walk because he has no feeling in one of his front legs and has had a few seizures. He was given a steroid shot and sent home for us to wait it out. As of today he seems a little more alert but still unable to move. He will eat and drink when we feed him and we have him on a little puppy pad since he can't get up to go to the bathroom. I've read online that strokes in cats aren't like in humans and most cats can recover. How long do you hold out for better? We were told by the vet that if he isn't better by tomorrow he probably won't get better. He doesn't seem to be suffering which doesn't make my looming decision any better. I just really don't know what to do at all. It has been a very very long weekend and I haven't got a whole lot of sleep, a few naps here and there but I've been wanting to keep an eye on him. Gma has been nice enough to watch him downstairs for me so I could shower and get a nap. Everytime I'd leave the room when he was in my room he'd start to meow because I wasn't there. If you don't have pets or don't like pets you probably won't understand, but this is very difficult for me.

A very long weekend indeed. Keep Domino in your thoughts and me as well. It's going to be a tough few days in trying to decide what is right for him.

Finally Fall!

Fall has finally arrived! I love this tree, it's on my way home. It is always the first tree to show it's colors and let us know Fall is here. The air has turned crisp and I've been layering up the past few days. I can't wait to hear the leaves crunching under my feet. I was happy to see a line at the grain elevator the other day and to see farmers in the field, even more evidence that Fall is upon us!

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before but Fall is the best season of all, I dare you to find a better season! Fall inhabits all your senses..

Sight: Farmers in the fields, the colors of the leaves changing, little monsters and goblins running through the streets. The sunsets always seem a little prettier in fall too

Hearing: the rustling leaves across the ground, the sounds of football crowds cheering, the howling autumn wind blowing through the crisp night

Taste: hot chocolate, pumpkin spices, caramel apples, pumpkin pie! chili and soups

Smell: pumpkin pie baking in the oven, the smell of the wood burning on the fire and roasting marshmellows. I can't really explain the smell of fall but I think everyone knows what I'm talking about

Touch: the feel of fleece and flannel, warm blankets in the morning that make you not want to get out of bed

and if you are one of those special people you may even peak your sixth sense on all hallows eve this fall.

Fall is my favorite season and I'm so glad it's finally here. I hope it sticks around awhile before old man winter is knocking on our door. Happy belated first day of Fall <3

Pinterested?

So have you guys heard of Pinterest? I had heard of it but really had no clue what it is (kinda still don't) but a friend asked me the other day if I knew about and sent me an invite. (yeah it's elite, you have to be invited by someone) Like I really needed this, I now feel compelled to break out my inner Martha Stewart and put in some hardcore Internet surfing so I can look cool, chic, and organized.... and I'm still not 100% sure how I'm going to use this site.

But I signed up.

From my understating Pinterest is basically an inspiration board. I've seen a lot of people using it for wedding planning. You can browse websites and 'pin' pictures to different boards on your page. So for example you can have a board for wedding pictures you like, or a board for all the wedding dresses you like. I've also seen it used for different book genre's you might like (Page Turner?) or home decorations by room, quotes, recipes anything your little creative mind needs to organize.

The official 'about me' section of the website explains it like this...

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.

Here's a screenshot of someone else's boards who is clearly been at it a little longer than my bare boards.

Anyone already using Pinterest, how are you using it? Want an invite, let me know :)