Thursday, December 28, 2006

Oh, how the years go by...

With every passing year they seem to go by more quickly than the last. This year was no exception. And as we recall the fleeting moments which comprise 2006 and greet those which will fill 2007, I can't help but wish they'd pass a bit slower. Seems just yesterday, Cameron was Brady's age. This April, he'll turn 20 and my baby will be nine. Jeff and I will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Time flies regardless of our bidding it to hasten. This past year I attended my 25th high school reunion and saw college friends I hadn't seen since graduating twenty years ago. Where does the time go? This year's time was marked with Cameron gaining independence-for good or bad and our first-ever family vacation and many other daily moments that we will recall in years to come. And tho they pass ever more quickly, I am thankful for our ability to remember and cherish our memories.


Jeff's grandma will turn 100 in 2007. As we visited with her yesterday, she recalled memories of growing up on her family's farm. Of horseback riding and what she was like as a young girl-long dark curls and all. How sweet she was as her memories seemed to comfort her as she recalled them. They keep her company these days she told us.

May you take pleasure in the memories of 2006 and remember to take time to enjoy all that the coming year has to hold. Happy New Year!

Friday, December 22, 2006

M is for Merry


Have yourself a merry little Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Christmas Lights and Charlie Brown

Just a quick post as I catch my breath this evening. What a whirlwind it's been this weekend. Shopping, wrapping and more shopping. Our church had it's children's Christmas program this evening. Our 2nd and 3rd graders did a great job with their little skit. All the kids were decked out in their Christmas finest and it's nice to be able to check that event off our list. Enjoying finally getting to know some of the kids and their families. After the cookie and punch fellowship we drove through Celebration of Lights. We're not real spur of the moment usually, but Jeff wheeled in on our way home. Fun to see the hundreds of lights in the park and to hear the sleigh bells on the carriages as they passed us. Now we're home to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas and Santa Claus 2. Thanks to TIVO we can watch as soon as Jeff finishes the Illini game he tivo'd. Gotta love that TIVO!

Suppose it will get even more crazy this week as we rush towards Christmas day. Hope you'll have many wonderful moments to cherish this holiday season. I was lucky enough to have quickly snapped this photo when we got home tonight. Brady has been enamored with snow globes this year and I have been searching for just the right one to give him. Found this today at my favorite store of all-Target. Santa with a lustre finish and snow rather than glitter. Kind of even looks like Tim Allen's character from the Santa Clause movies. This one is also a music box and plays a sweet tune. As you can see he was mesmerized. Yes-my hi-tech, video game addicted child staring in wonder at this simplest of pleasures. A moment to cherish-happy Christmas to all!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Making My List(s)

Christmas music playing, laundry going, Brady sleeping in. Thought it was a good time to go over my lists and create new ones. Trying to get a handle on what is left of my Christmas shopping. Still have snow and ice on the ground so it really makes me want to huddle inside and attend to homekeeping. Something that gets pushed aside most of the time. Those of you who visit often know this firsthand! So winter weather is good for something, right?

Poor Jeff bundled up and headed off to work for a full day of golf lessons in the cold. Can you imagine?!? Cold doesn't discourage alot of his students he says because most of them are only out in it for thirty minutes or so. He is, however, out in it all day. He's quickly learned to layer! Something so foreign to him when we met twelve years ago and he had moved from Florida and Texas. First winter together he wore a windbreaker-crazy!

So while he's bringing home the bacon today, I'm going to try to get some more of the never ending piles banished from our house. What a job! Where does all of this stuff come from? And why do we want to hold on to all of it?! Ugh! Later on, I'll dash out with all the other Santas and see if I can cross a few more items off my list and wrap up what I already have. My favorite part! Love making the gift even more special with the wrapping. Got to purchase new paper this year I'm so excited to use! Yes, I'm a wrapping weirdo. But I love to see the recipients faces when they see something really special handed to them.

That's my list today-homekeeping, shopping, wrapping. Oh, and homemade hot cocoa for my sweet husband when he gets home. Love him!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

be creative* be with friends* be inspired



Despite the freezing temps, sleet and snow and having to get up at 3:30 AM, we had a delightful day yesterday at The Scrapping Bee in Springfield, Illinois. Tammy, Cathy and I traveled there to attend classes with Ali Edwards. WOW! What a day! The drive across the northern plains of Illinois was beautiful as the sun shone on the grass and trees covered with ice and snow. We arrived in plenty of time to hit Starbucks and fuel up for our big day.

So impressed with the store the moment we stepped inside-bright, organized and the crop room was to die for. Comfortable chairs, sturdy, wide tables, vaulted ceiling, huge windows. Really liked the selection and the staff, too-just wished it was a bit closer to the Lou! Of course, the highlight of the day was meeting Ali and attending her classes. What a cool gal! So at ease and down to earth. Loved her before, but now such a big fan. The two projects we completed were really unique and simple with the focus on the pictures and the journaling-Perspectives and Discover Home. In fact, aside from the class she taught recently in Japan, we were the first stateside to create the Discover Home project.

Loved spending the day being creative and being inspired. But most of all spending the day with two great pals. Thanks girls for such a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to our next road trip to Springfield!