Where the Heck Have I Been???

Yeah, I haven't posted in quite a while.

First off, our computer went on the blizt and then was taken away to be fixed just days after Christmas.

During that time, I decided to get the flu, cuz, hey, why not, right?

But that wasn't enough for me, so I decided to also get strep.

But since that cleared up so nicely from the antibiotics, I thought it would be great to get thrush down my throat.

That didn't quite fill my quota, so I decided to rush the thrush up to my eyes.

So that took up 6-7 weeks of my time.

Since then I can't seem to stop sleeping all the time--which is better than insomnia. On the plus side, I lost more weight and quit smoking (with the help of e-cigs).

So not all was lost.

Just huge lapses in time, weight, a bad habit, and the desire to go back in time and blog about Christmas, New Year's, Dante's 2nd birthday, and Teagan's 4th birthday.

But I can't lose those memories!!! So darn it! I will stop watching re-runs of Castle (hooked during illnesses) and NCIS (been hooked forever) and will blog! As God is my witness!

The cats have enjoyed my illnesses: a friend who sleeps all day and night?!?!? Awesome!!!!!


Pssssssttttttttttttttt............
I did do one random blog post.
Right below this one.

Uncle Jody

Today we (Gramma, my sister, Tiff, Teagan, our friends Donna & Jody, and I)  went to Molbak's Nursery~a winter wonderland full of Christmas trees & decorations & a huge glorious selection of poinsetias....however, because Teagan chose me to be her walking partner (lucky me!!!) I never really did see any of the poinsettias, except one tree of them ("Hurwy up & take your pictures--my boots are falling off!!!)

As we drove home, Teagan was happily reading the "new" books that our friend Jody had purchased for her at a great local thrift store for a $1 each--they looked like new to me! One was like Where's Waldo only it was Where's Frosty (Teagan rocks books like these--can't believe how she can break the pages down into sections to hunt for what she's looking for more easily & she's only 3!!!). 

The other book was called "Find the Cake" so I'm presuming it was similar--all I know for sure is that there were no words in this book, just pictures. 

Later I got this text from my sister: Teag loves the cake book! She saw a little scratch on the cover and said "Oh look, there's a little scrape but that's ok, probably Uncle Jody bumped it or something. I'm still glad she got me this book. Uncle Jody really likes me!"

That she does, Teagan, even if you do call her Uncle! LOL

Jody really did capture Teagan's heart by fighting off the scary polar bear, quickly taking away the surprisingly scary bird decoration & by giving her books--but mostly for understanding the mind & heart of a child! What a great friend/auntie. (Or Uncle!)

(PS~While we really did have a great time, we missed Auntie Danielle, and Cousin Dante. Next time?)

A Village of Love

We had a fabulous, wonderful, fun Thanksgiving. My sister hosted & there were a ton of people: all the family...in-laws from everyside were there, plus family-friends...and of course kids...kids everywhere! 

I call it our village, as there are truly enough people to populate a small village! A dear friend of mine wrote this in an email to me the following day:

Thank you so much for including us in your Village Thanksgiving!  We both had a great time and felt most welcome.  I was thinking, on our way home, that the ease and grace with which the whole thing came off was quite a tribute to all who participated.  Tiff and Mike made it look easy.  Is it the village that stands with them?  I believe your family is super hyped with the Gracious Host Gene along with the Fabulous Cook Gene.  I can see why you and your mom were so into the winery where those gifts and talents could be shared with the larger world.  And...the children, surrounded by The Village of Love are blessed as all children deserve to be.  It was heart-warming to observe the loving interactions. Mmmm. 

I liked that idea: The Village of Love. Makes me feel all warm & cozy inside.  

So here is a glimpse into our Thanksgiving Village of Love....

All Soul's Night

Strange creatures come out to play on this night...

A little Barn Owl...

 A Tinkerbell:

 A Mighty Power Ranger:

 A Wild Cat:

A Gorilla was found hanging around...

And a Monkey was seen running about...

Except when it came time to capture them on film, first the Wild Cat & the Monkey, then the Monkey & the Owl just disappeared....

But the other Creatures lined up straight, ready to go out into the night in search of treats....

And fun was had by all....