New Things

Today was rather warm but not pleasant. This evening it is raining. So today was spent at the local mall. Some time ago, Husband had won a raffle that he played and won $1,000. Normally, I would cringe at this, but when he got the money, he had no idea what he wanted to do with it, so he put it in our joint account and it's been there ever since. Yesterday he decided what he wanted to use some of it for...he got a Bow-flex home gym what was greatly reduced at Sears. I was ecstatic! We'd had a Weidler years ago, but didn't want to put it in storage when we built, so we gave it to the son. I didn't realize at the time how much I would miss that home gym.

http://www.bowflexshop.com/bhg_microsite/products/xtremese/prdcdovr~100026/Bowflex+Xtreme+SE+Home+Gym.jsp

Today we went to pick it up and I got to test out the display one that they had set up. Oh, yeah. I think I'll use that machine as much as Husband will. I will still do my dance exercises as well and take the dog for a walk, especially since this Bow-flex doesn't have the stepper the Weidler did. The Weidler also used weights instead of tension but I think I'm going to like the tension. I also like my dance exercises and will like them more as I get to know the routines.

So today, I did my dance exercises, took Bratley for a power walk and did some playing around on the Bow-flex at Sears. I also played with the cat and made a flannel shirt for Husband. It's been a busy day.

I don't expect the Bow-flex to be set up for about a week. It will reside downstairs in the safe room where the temperatures are usually even at about 68 degrees, but that room doesn't have all the drywall and insulation up yet. The wall where the gym is going to go, needs done and next week Husband will be busy finishing that wall so he can set up the gym. I'm trying to talk Husband into inviting the son over to help with setup.

When we had the Weidler, we had that set up in the great room lower level and when we would have a party, it was also used as a seat. People would ask me if I used that machine and I would say "Every day" which I did. I had a routine that I used with that machine to stay toned. That's what we'll use this Bow-flex for.

While we were out we stopped for a lunch. Now, at dinner time, I'm not really hungry but most likely will be in about an hour. I'm strongly considering pancakes for dinner. Something easy to eat.

Let's Party!

Today I hosted the family Christmas party. After at least one other party this week; getting ready for this party;being on my feet from 4:00 am to 11:00pm each evening; baking 40 dozen cookies; a turkey; sweet potato casserole; cleaning the house; wrapping all the gifts; getting party favors ready; setting up for the party; baking biscuits, gravy, and a pumpkin pie; doing a load of laundry, I am beat.


But the party went off without a hitch. Well...maybe one. The great grandfather of my grandchildren is well into his 80's and rather set in his ways. I think he was expecting a traditional turkey spread and instead, we had a pot luck dinner. My Husband's ex and I both made turkeys (neither of us had one that was big enough for the entire group). She brought the cold turkey for cold turkey sandwiches. I had the hot turkey for the hot turkey on biscuits with gravy. She brought the stuffing and some gravy. I had some gravy too.


Each of the kids brought something as well. Jennifer brought a wonderful green bean casserole and Christina brought the most delicious baked corn I'd ever eaten. In the end it was a really nice dinner and after I explained to great grandfather that he could have his choice in hot food or cold, he ended up having a wonderful time too.

After dinner we spent 2½ hours opening gifts. Now, mind you, we, the adults had swapped names at Thanksgiving. The gifts at this party were for the grandbabies of which there are 4. Those kids made out like bandits!

Both the little ones, Laura, the blond and Sarah the brunette, are now pretty much walking. However, it is tiny Sarah that is motoring all around. Laura still wants to crawl around a good bit, but will stand and balance herself. She seems to be a more deliberate child, taking her time with the packages and ripping the paper carefully.


Sarah, on the other hand, is quite the character. She is already practicing to be quite the vixen, standing here peeking over the stool seat, her little butt swinging back and forth like in a provocative dance. Now, remember, she is only 1.

Both of my stepchildren make us proud, but of my stepchildren, Jennifer is the one to be most proud of right now. She has lost about 50 lbs. so far and is still loosing. She is finally starting to look really good and I know she says she feels much better too.

The party was fun as usual. I must admit, I do know how to throw a party. The hot turkey and biscuits with gravy went over very well too. Much of the food left after dinner with everyone, but I did keep some to make with other meals and the left over hot turkey will be remixed with the juices left when I roasted it and I will make turkey noodle soup, most likely Christmas day. Oh, I can hardly wait for that! I've been so hungry for noodle soup and now I have the stock to make it. None of that turkey went to waste. All that went into the trash were the bones.

Now it's time to go visit the neighbors for a cocktail party.

The Holidays

The presents are wrapped; the lost gift receipts are found; the cookies are baked; the office x-mas party is prepared for. I think I'm caught up for now. Saturday will start the cooking. A pumpkin pie; the turkey; the sweet potato casserole will all be prepared and some made. I'll be wiped out until the party gets here, but I will have a good time hosting it.

Sunday is my Christmas party. What happened to Christmas Day? Well, some of us are working so the day of will be a quiet one for me. I've gotten so used to even not having Christmas Day off that it's old hat to celebrate it any time during the week between and around the winter solstice. I was telling my boss about the winter solstice celebration today. He'd never heard of it before. But he did seem excited about the idea.

I'm tired. I've been getting up at 4am every morning this week and on my feet until about 10pm each day. Dinner tonight was soup and sandwich because I was to pooped to cook. I did take advantage of a beautiful day and walk around the yard after work. It was nice to walk around and look at all my sleeping plants - seeing all the stuff I didn't do this past fall. I'll get it there.

It appears that I will be so busy this winter that I won't have time until March to do much in the garden. I have things going on each month, and almost each week. My weekends in January are filling up quickly.

Bratley pulled his shoulder this morning. Right now I'm just watching him. So far, I've not seen a reason to take him to the vet, but if his shoulder doesn't clear up in a day or two, he'll be going. It was to sudden to be anything but a stepping injury. He went out the door just fine but came in limping.

I hope the holidays bring some meaning to everyone.