Relax

3:06 remaining in the first quarter and Notre Dame is up by 7. That makes me happy. So happy, I think I need to celebrate with a nice tall Bacardi and diet with lime. It's the last Notre Dame game till next year.

I'm typing this on my new laptop. It's a Lenovo netbook that I bought from my nephew. So far, so good. It runs Windows 7 and I am used to XP, so that is taking a little getting used to.

It has been a pretty busy break so far. Some things I hadn't anticipated and a few day trips and lunches I hadn't planned on. Tonight, I have chosen to relax and enjoy the last game before the craziness commences again tomorrow. I am looking forward to the last days of break next week when I don't think there is anything going on and I can get some things done.

Enough for now. I just wanted to do a quick post on here and see how the new laptop did. I'll post again with lots of pictures from the break so far. See you then.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours.

You Capture / Festive

Finding festive wasn't too hard. I love Christmas. Now that I am finally on Christmas break, I'm sure I'll be finding festive all over the place. Here's what I found so far.

Poppa got in on some baking with the grandkids.
This is our new tree. I'm still getting used to the white lights and not as many lights as the old tree, but I think it's growing on me.
This is probably the most special ornament on our tree. It is one that we made for my dad when we were kids and it is always the first to go on the tree. I really miss him.

Natalie and Lizzy finally sat on Santa's lap!

I couldn't resist this last shot. This is what festive looks like when it throws up! At least The Polar Express was on when I was trying to unearth it.

Time to head to Beth's for the festivities.

The Boy With A Heart of Gold

Look at that face. Look at those adorable blue eyes. Is this not one of the cutest kids you have ever seen? Come on. You know he is. I think that Santa would bring him just about anything he asked for. He is that cute. But...this little man doesn't want Santa to bring him any toys for the second year in a row.

This boy with the big heart is asking for donations from all of us to give to Charity Water. He wants to raise $10,000. to bring clean, safe water to 500 people. Can you help him? Will you help him? There is no amount that is too big or too small. This is the season of miracles. Please help him with his dream. His miracle! Would you please share his story on Twitter, Facebook or your blog? If we all help, we can give this little boy his Christmas wish, his Christmas present, his Christmas miracle.

Go read his mom's post and then head over to Charity Water and dig in your pocket for a donation. I did and my grand kids did. I promise it will make you feel good. It's the week before Christmas. Don't we all want to feel good? Thank you so much!!

This and That

I can't believe how long it has been since I last wrote on this blog. Life is getting so busy and I keep finding less and less time for the things I really love. Hopefully, things will calm down in a few weeks and I have two weeks off school. That has to help, doesn't it?

Last weekend was really busy. We went to the book fair at Barnes and Noble for the school that I work at. Natalie and Lizzy decided that they weren't afraid of Santa this year. I wasn't planning for them to sit with him and all I had was the point and shoot camera I keep in my purse. Oh well, it's better than no picture at all. It melted my heart to see them up there. It's been a long time since I saw little people excited to be with Santa.

Saturday morning found Dick and I out and about in the shopping craziness. Our goal was to find a Christmas tree. We finally found one. It is the first time in 38 years that we don't have colored lights on our tree. It is hard to get used to white lights, but I'm getting used to it. I think that after a week, I can say I actually like it. Abby and her best friend Renee helped me decorate on Saturday night. Katie had come over earlier in the week and surprised me by putting up some of our stuff while I was at work.

On Sunday, my sister Polly took my mom and I out for lunch and to a local theatre production for our birthdays. We ate at a new Italian restaurant in town called Villa Nova. I had a yummy meal of pasta, steak, mushrooms and a blue cheese cream sauce. It was to die for. After lunch, we went to the local production of Man of La Mancha at the 4th Street Theatre. I was blown away by the caliber of talent in that theatre. I will definitely be going back for another show there.

This weekend is already proving to be just as busy as last week. Tonight, Dick and I went out for dinner and I came home and decided I needed to post here. Tomorrow morning, Sarah and I are going to Hobby Lobby. I need to get some things for some homemade gifts I'm making. I need to get those done, get my cards addressed and get started on wrapping my gifts. Sunday is my 57th birthday. Sarah has invited everyone to her house for the festivities. Natalie has already offered to help me blow out my candles and open my gifts.

One exciting thing that happened this week was my interview post with Ali Vincent on the Shrinking Jeans site. Ali was the first female winner on the Biggest Loser in season 5. You can read the interview here if you want. I was really excited last night when she shared my post on her Facebook page. I guess she liked it.

So...that's what has been going on around here. Hope you are all well and things aren't getting too crazy for you. Have a great weekend!