Trying To Gear Up...

Only 46 days until Christmas 2010. Un-be-liev-a-ble. This year has to be a part of some kind of rift in the space-time continuum. Where did the year go? Where has my life gone?

Well, other than contemplating my mortality, I've been spending some time trying to gear myself up for the holiday season. For some reason, I just can't seem to get into the groove. Not sure if it's because I'm working again this year and keep reflecting back on how nice it was to be home last holiday season doing what I so love to do...decorating, baking, preparing. Or if it's because I'm not feeling the best physically and really can't wait until my insurance takes effect next month so I can get to a doctor. Or if I'm basically an honest-to-goodness Scrooge this year and wish I could just sleep through the entire thing. Who knows.

Either way, it's coming whether I like it or not. How do I act as if I'm the jolliest of jolly for my daughter's sake? How do I make it happy for her when I'm absolutely miserable?

I wish I could talk to Mom... :(

Five Fridays

Ah, Fall. It's heading to the mountains with a vengence. The air is cooler, the trees are starting to turn, and the air is so fresh and clean. My favorite time of year!

And this month is pretty awesome. There are 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays. Only happens once every 823 years! :)

Although the new job pays the bills (been there a month), I sure miss being able to stay home. Heading into the holidays I can't help but remember how nice it was to be home last year and do all the baking and decorating without having to work a full-time job. And stitch when I wanted to. But alas, bills have to be paid and I'm always the responsible one. It was nice while it lasted.

Computer Withdrawals & Cure

There's nothing like not having computer access for a few months to cure your addiction. It was hard at first. I was completely lost without it. But I soon realized I could actually do other things instead of sitting in front of my monitor. Yes, other things! Can you imagine? And now that I'm back online, it seems as if the computer is something I can do when I have time between my "other" things. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be anyway? LOL

Maddy is looking forward to school starting in less than a month, and I'm working a part-time job. I really wish I didn't have to go back to work, but I guess I figured I would have to eventually. Staying home was good while it lasted, but it didn't last nearly long enough.

Maddy and I are planning a get-healthy menu beginning next month, including more smoothies, healthier recipes, lots of veggies, and not buying the fattening snacks we've been keeping in the house. She's a skinny little thing, but she's very conscious about eating right which makes me happy. I'm looking forward to dropping some more weight over the Fall months. Hopefully by Christmas I'll be a lot closer to my goal, thanks to my personal trainer princess! :)

Carpet Vs. Hardwood

And the hardwood wins hands down! Landlady gave me permission to rip the carpet out of the living room, which is the only room that has it. A test strip shows very pretty hardwood underneath, so I'm excited! I'm just not a carpet person.

Another record-breaking warm day for us today. It's beautiful outside. We're expecting storms tomorrow which I'm definitely looking forward to. Nothing like a nice spring thunderstorm!

Have a great day, everyone!

Smart Marley

She knows what that fire is for!

Today is Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. 6 more weeks of Winter. 6 more weeks of scenes like this. And 6 more weeks of the chance of snow days, like today. Miss M is very happy!

The Tree

For the past couple of years we've had a real tree, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back to artificial, despite the convenience. There's just nothing like a real tree at Christmas. It was our intention since it was our first year "back home" to take Miss M into the woods and cut our own tree, but with Mother Nature bombarding us with 22" of snow, that was rather difficult. So, we compromised and headed out to buy one.

THIS was the one, and we think it turned out very pretty. :)

Another year and another Christmas in the books. Time to start planning for Christmas, 2010! :)

Silly Kitty

Thomas, you silly kitty...

I love my critters. LOL

Another rainy and chilly day here in the mountains. I'm enjoying the whole "hibernating" thing. Comfort food, some good TV, and lots of family time. Before we know it it'll be time for yard work and air conditioning.

I'm planning to start my workout schedule again on Monday. It's that time. Last year I lost 35 pounds from February thru June, and this year I'm expecting no less thanks to my coach, Richard Simmons. He's a true inspiration! So, I'll be tracking my progress here and by the Summer I'll be back in my shorts and feeling great. :) Ah, determination!

Back To Life

I've really enjoyed looking through my older posts and remembering. Blogging is so much like a diary and I'm glad to be back in the swing. :)

A lot has happened since my last entry. I moved from Richmond "back home" to Bluefield, Virginia. Not technically all the way home to McDowell County, but close enough. For now I'm a SAHM and enjoying every minute of it while it lasts.

On November 14th, my niece Megan gave birth to my sweet grand-niece Brandie. Isn't she a little angel?

Mom and baby are adjusting well, and it's so great having a little one to hold and play with again. Gosh knows when I'll have grandbabies, so I'll just have to spoil Miss Brandie! :)

It's nice to be back.

Peacocks at the Park

Miss M and I went to a local park on Sunday for a nice picnic and some fresh air. This park has a small animal farm with goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, etc., and we enjoyed visiting with all the critters. This fella really made an impression...

He was sure feeling his oats strutting around and calling, and when he saw Miss M with the camera, he couldn't help but show his stuff...

Isn't he handsome? His mate was roosting inside the building, so I'm thinking he was probably calling out to see where she was...

We had a really great afternoon. We're definitely looking forward to warmer weather and getting out more.

Have a great day, and thanks for visiting!

LOVE This Picture

Miss M having her hair done...


We had a great girl's day out together. She had the works, from the shampoo to the style. She sure is growing up, the little diva.

It's rather chilly here this weekend. I was hoping to get outside and get some yardwork done. Still have some leaves in the back yard to remove and there are several limbs and small branches on the ground from the snow we had earlier this month.

Hope you're having a great weekend so far!

This is Hendrix (the Husky) and Marley (the lab mix). I LOVE this picture.

Marley is such a little diva. We actually managed to get Hendrix to SIT DOWN for a picture and she just had to be involved, too!

We're expecting 77 degrees today! This compared to almost a foot of snow less than a week ago. Mother Nature sure is the fickle one! I'm just glad it's Saturday and I can be home to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Have a wonderful day!

P.S. Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour tonight!

SNOW! WE GOT SNOW!!!!!!!

Miss M and I were skeptical when we heard we were expecting some accumulation last night. After all, it hasn't snowed all winter! But we were in the thick of it driving home from the Quilt Show last night. We slid into the driveway and by the time we got unpacked from our weekend in Smithfield, she was able to do this!


We ended up with about 10 inches of the white stuff, so she and I both are enjoying our first (and probably last) snow day of the season today.

The Quilt Show was a LOT of fun. I really enjoyed looking at all the beautiful quilts. What some people can do with a needle is absolutely amazing! Miss Lola loaded up on pretty fabrics and thread, and Diana and I found some cross stitch floss as well. I also found a booth called "Precious Memories" and got these cool hooks for the kitchen for $1 each...

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your day!!!

Online Again!

My new computer has arrived! I'm officially back in blog land now, and I've really missed checking in with everyone and reading what you've been up to!

My BFF and I are heading to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA tomorrow. I'm very excited to see what I can find to hang this handsome fella that I just got for nibbins on sale...

I'll see you guys when I get back! Have a fabulous weekend!

My Rooster Towel

Just popping in to say I'm still alive and well. Hopefully within the next month or so I'll have my new computer and I'll be back to posting regularly again. In the meantime, DS uploaded a few pictures at a friend's house for me that I can share.

Got this from a dear friend for Christmas. Isn't he handsome? And SO me!


I hope everyone is having a fabulous January so far. I miss checking in to see what everyone is up to!

Stay Safe And Have Fun Tonight!

See you in 2009!

He's A Climber!

This is our tomcat "Thomas." He's adjusting pretty well to the new house, but there isn't a window ledge wide enough for him to sit on to watch the goings-on outside. Until I can manage a couple of kitty window seats, he's made do with my floss cabinet and photo album. He's rotten...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)

My Computer Died...*Sob*

Our computer took it's last gasping breath a few days ago. We came home to a loud buzzing airplane-ish like sound and now it won't even turn on. It did have a good run, though, and I'm so sorry to see it go. Hopefully I'll be getting a new one soon, but until then I have to check in on my lunch break at work.

Things are going well right now for Miss M and I. She had her 5th grade play last night and danced with a top hat and cane, and was very cute. She sure is growing up!

Here is the phone I bought for my country kitchen. It's it the coolest?

Have a great day, everyone!

What Would You Put...

In this basket? I need some ideas.

Fleeting Fall

I went on a roadtrip with a friend this past Saturday to Waynesboro and we stopped on Afton Mountain to get some pictures of the gorgeous Fall scenery. The leaves had already started to fall, but look how pretty the valley was...


Our Country surely is a beautiful place. :)

Introducing My New Little Nephew

Isn't he handsome?

This is my friend Lynne's new furbaby. He doesn't have a name yet, but I got to meet him on Saturday and just fell head over heels for him. He's such a sweetheart!

And just like all toddler boys, he thinks he can fly!!! LOL

Have a great day, everyone!