Thoughts for the New Year ~

I started doing this in 2008 and now its my New Years Eve tradition, so here goes...

I'm feeling...happy to see 2016 come to a close!  Our family lost some wonderful souls this year and it has been very difficult for all of us.  I always look upon the new year with great excitement and enthusiasm for what it can bring, and this year is no exception.  I am a bit concerned with Trump becoming our new president though, but I am keeping a positive attitude and hope he will make good choices for our country in the next four years.  Choices that include all the people!  Above is a photo of me after dropping off my ballot...I was thrilled to be voting for Hillary Clinton, a person I thought strongly suited for the job, and also thrilled to be voting for a woman.  Alas, this time around it was not meant to be.

I'm seeing...our daughter grow up to be a beautiful young lady.  She is funny, smart, strong and kind.  I really enjoy conversations with her and the laughter we share together.  She has blossomed into a wonderful companion, and I enjoy our adventures together.  I love that she is comfortable in our relationship to ask me anything and always shares her thoughts and ideas with me.  I hope this strong communication between us lasts forever.  Why, just a few months ago, we had the birds and the bees talk...all initiated by her, and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I love you kiddo!

I'm thinking...of all the things I'd like to accomplish next year, and I hope to tenaciously achieve each one of them!

I'm appreciating...the simple things in life, and as always, I'm grateful for a roof over our head, a warm fire, food in the kitchen, and a happy healthy family.  Justin and I have been working hard this last year, and its my hope that we remember to stop and smell the roses once in a while.  In fact, we all got new passports this year, and also purchased an RV, so here's hoping we get to use one of them soon!

I'm cooking...nothing at the moment, and if I don't get off this computer soon we'll be dining on snacks!  :)   I have plans to make the famous Sattler cheese soup though, so maybe it will still happen.

I'm planning...some exciting things for 2017!  One of my goals is to persue a photography business.  Over the last two years, friends have hired me to take their family portraits and senior pictures, and though I dont advertise, I keep getting requests to do more.  This has inspired me to create a business, and I hope to get the ball rolling with advertising and a website next year!  This week I ordered a new mac computer to help kick things off with a fresh design platform.  I'm also considering seeking new employment with full time options and hopefully some retirement. I love working with the kids at school, but right now I'm only working 26 hours a week, and though the hours and jobs have been convenient for our situation up here, with Jordyn going into middle school next year, I'm looking to expand my options and I'm excited (albeit a bit nervous) at the prospect of it . Justin has been very encouraging and supportive though, so that helps!
Wish me luck!

I'm reading...Nothing at the moment!  I just finished Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children two days ago, and haven't started anything else yet, though I have several choices sitting on my nightstand and on my kindle.  I completed 14 books out of 30 in my Goodreads.com Challenge this year.  Not as many as I would have liked, but its all in good fun, so I don't mind.

I'm wearing...Sweats and wool socks for cozy comfort.  I am happy to report that Jordyn and I are staying home this new years eve, so we can hang out at the house in our pajamas!  Justin is playing up at the Pot Belly tonight, so he headed out of here about 2 hours ago!  Have fun Justin and stay safe!

I'm creating...but not as much as I would like to be!  :)   I sold some earrings this summer to Archers, and several pairs sold, so I would like to work on some more designs this winter.  I'm hoping to sell some to some of the stores in Red Feather too...and maybe even build up enough of an inventory for some craft shows soon.

I'm hearing...Jordyn tick away on her computer while singing her own random made up songs...she is cracking me up down here!  Meanwhile, Kato and Stitch are chasing each other around the house...I'm so glad Kato has a friend.  They seem to get along really well!

I'm enjoying...the growing relationship between my sisters and I over the last few years.  We've always gotten along and love each other, but with our own families, and living in separate states, we have not had a lot of time to spend together and get to know one another as adults.  These last few years though, we have stayed more connected, and after our New Orleans trip last year, we have decided to try to make that a recurring thing.  With the kids getting older, there is more time for us to enjoy with each other, and that has been a delight.

I'm sharing...some photos of our ice skating adventures this afternoon....The shot of Jordyn and I is hilarious, because I had to set the timer on the camera and then try not to bust my ass as i raced onto the pond to get in the shot!  Good times!

May 2017 be filled with joy and laughter, good health and prosperity to all!

Moms Night Out ~

 Our good friend, Robin, is moving to New York with her family, and we are all sad to see her go, so we decided to have a moms night out/going away party for her at the Basil in Red Feather.

 The turn out was amazing, and other than the two or three strangers at the bar, we took over the entire place!  Amber filled the jukebox with coins and let us all pick out a bunch of tunes...naturally it was an 80's heavy playlist!

 We started the party at Sharons house with cocktails and munchies (a sleepover was planned at her place for later), and then we all loaded into the car and headed to the bar.

 Its incredibly rare for all of us to leave the kids at home to get together, so we were all in rare form!

 There was a LOT of dancing, laughter and fun... 

 and of course....shots!

 The drive home was the best though...our designated driver, Eva, whos never driven an automatic, kept trying to put her foot on the clutch...hahahhhahah   Then of course, Tabby did the starfish at the gate when she got out of the car...Good Times!  Safe and exciting travels to you and the family Robin...we are really gonna miss all of you!  hugs!

Goodbye Princess Leia ~

Totally sad to find out about Carrie Fischer dying today.  She was a wonderful, funny person that I admired for years and I LOVED her in all the Star Wars movies.  I remember looking up to her as a kid...Princess Leia was a strong, intelligent character, and she played her well.  Thank you for giving me a strong role model Ms. Fischer...you will be greatly missed!  May the Force be with you!

Merry Christmas!

Hooray...I'ts finally here!!!  Merry Christmas!!!

Now that Jordyn is older she sleeps in on Christmas, so we didnt get started till late, but none of us seemed to mind sleeping in!  The first thing to kick off the morning...searching for the pickle ornament.  It's a tradition in our house that we do every Christmas.  The person that finds the pickle ornament gets the pickle gift.  This year it was Jordyn, and the gift was a game, Forbidden Island!  After finding the ornament, it was time to get down to business....presents!

 After opening a few presents it was clear that Kato and Stitch wanted in on the action, and they proceeded to attack each other among the gift wrap, chewing up all the paper.  It was almost more fun watching them, than it was to open presents.

 And speaking of presents, both cats loved their cat nip toys from Grandma Barbara....in fact, they went nuts over them!  Jordyn received all kinds of goodies...a few movies, new clothes, a couple of games and books, art pens, a spirograph set, bloxels (to create your own video game characters), pajamas, a cork board for her room and lots of other fun things.  Justin got the new Star Trek movie and some clothes, and I got a light reflectors set with a stand for my camera.

Then it was on to stockings...

the stockings are my favorite...there's always so much fun digging to see whats inside.

 Jordyn's was filled with chocolate, beef jerky, hot wheels, a charcoal pencil set, lego figures, gum, tic tacs, etc, and Justins was the same.  Mine had a rolled up $100.00 dollar bill :)  It was a great morning...and it even snowed for us so that we could have a white Christmas!

 We enjoyed bloody marys with a breakfast casserole and a visit with Damian and Jen before they headed home. The rest of the day was spent relaxing while Jordyn played with all her toys.  I even squeezed in a 2 hour nap!  hooray!

 That night we played a few rounds of Forbidden Island...a super fun game where you work together as a team to beat the island before it sinks.  We won both rounds and then watched X-men Apocalypse (one of Jordyns xmas presents) to finish the day.

It was a wonderful relaxing Christmas spent all day in our pajamas!
We hope your Christmas was filled with laughter and joy too!

Christmas Eve ~

 We went to Ken and Kristis for Christmas Eve and enjoyed some delicious cheese soup and tilapia.  Damian and Jen were there so it was great to hang out with them!  After dinner we went into the living room for present time!

 Jordyn opened the traditional puzzle, this year it was a snowman.  We always enjoy working on a puzzle when we are up there on Christmas Eve, so once the puzzle was opened we got started on it!

 We don't really exchange gifts, just consumables, like wine, chocolates, etc...so its always fun opening our "goody" bags from Ken and Kristi.  It was filled with all kinds of stuff...smoked salmon, cheese and crackers, chocolates, etc.  There were even a couple of gift cards.  Jordyn made Uncle Damian some art and a pair of earrings for Jen, but the big gift this year was for Jordyn...

 a zip line with a seat on it!!!  The kids are gonna love playing on that!  I can't wait to try it out :)

After presents they put on a movie, "Miss Peregrines House for Peculiar Children".  I am currently reading that book, so I left early so there were no spoilers.  Besides, I had a lot of wrapping to get finished up...in fact, I was still wrapping when they came back down to the house.  Jordyn read The Night Before Christmas, and then Santa's Twin, while Justin looked on.  We were all pretty exhausted after our full day, so we crashed out pretty early.  Besides, we didn't want to prevent Santa from dropping by!

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!