Steaming waters.....

 

I understand the folks up north received some snow, but down here in the land of tropics any hard freeze is UNBELEIVABLE.  Yesterday morning I snapped a coupled of pictures of the steam rising off the lake.  The morning temp was 31, down right cold.  Our farmers have taken a huge hit, so watch for the tomatoes and strawberries to rise in price.  Citrus should be ok, not in season currently.

 

the duck family had a hard time Monday during the storm.  The wind was whipping around, creating white caps on the water.  I felt so sorry for them, paddling around, and around.  It took them forever to get to the bank. 

 

Well, I'm enjoying time off with the "bois"...I'm on day 6 of a 8 day straight off.  I just needed this break something fierce.  I really could care less if I get paid in vacation, holiday, sick or nothing at all.  I WANTED this break.  I go back for 1 day on the 31st, then off another 3.  Hopefully, I will be rejuvenated.  I just want to show up for work, do what I have to do, then go home.  I'm not into all the drama, gossip or whatever goes on...Never really cared, for that stuff. 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas, the gang spoiled me with an Ipod touch.  I've had a blast messing around with it  .Hubby received  4 rounds of golf at 2 different courses.  He is VERY please.  Cboi is enjoying a DJ mixer I got him, praying it wont interfere too much with college studies....lol

Eldest, received a couple of movies, and new  clear Wii controllers, plus his art supplies.  We also spent the day at my sisters home.  Playing games, singing songs, and eating way too much. We had a spiral ham, egg casserole,  potato/spinach casserole and to drink strawberry punch!

 

We are waiting for family members to arrive, our nephew is getting married on the 2nd of January.  He & Cboi got their tuxes yesterday, I was boo hooing, taking pics...lol   Oi! these kids are growin' up too fast!

I better get out of here, back to cleaning before family arrives!!!

So very excited.....and a beach day too!

 

 

How can we capture the feeling of Christmas year around???

 

 

Today I'm blissfully busy. Tons of "stuff" to do, and no stress...Oh, how I need to apply this feeling into my daily routine.

The "kids", Sylvester, Bentley, and Mercedes decided they needed to cuddle with us last night.  My only conclusion, is they knew Christmas was around the corner, thus were working for Christmas presents, cuz they NEVER cuddle.....hum?...

I have the next several days off, very happy...a major project I want to tackle while I have the extra availability is to remove all my pics on this computer.  I think I have at least 3 yrs of pics....so I must get them cleaned up...I have some spending money from 2 stores to use after Christmas...I spent so much money I hit the 50 & 80 dollar coupon!!!  So, I want to purchase a couple of digital picture frames, unless I get them from Santa...then I can look for something shiny & has lots of sparkles!!!

 

Went to the beach on Tues with the boys.  The weather was fabulous.  Got a picture of this guy he was hanging out at the pier.  I've named him Nigel (from Finding Nemo)

 

 

 

the water in the Gulf that day was clear, and cool. Not many in the water, but plenty of people just hanging out. I had not been down at the beach, since C-boi getting baptized, about 4 months, so I was very much due.  We ate at a beach side restaurant.  Our entertainment provided by sea gulls swoopin down to get a bite of food too.  They have wire strung  on the trellis above to detour, but 1 or 2 have figured out how to maneuver around the wire, and hang out looking for scraps.

 

Well...I've got to get this posted, baking is awaiting...I will not post tomorrow, So I 'WISH' everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS, prayers for many blessings, totally happiness, and complete....  

Romans 1:

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

What's this???? Sunday Sayings........

 

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.  ~W.T. Ellis

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.  ~Author Unknown

 

They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne.  He took them and made them the very glory of his career.  ~W.E. Orchard

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. John 8:42

 

I have neglected this blog....and Sunday Sayings I believe has suffered the most!

I can honestly say I miss blogging Sunday Sayings....  I may get 3 or 4 followers whom comment, but that's alright, that's 3 or 4 people whom I maybe shared some insight.

 

The Christmas spirit has arrived at last.  I sure needed it to make it thru this past week at work.  I have never gone this late shopping, plus waiting for C-boi to arrive home...one more day!!!!

Today I must finish wrapping the few presents I have bought, go to the Grocery store,  Finish shopping...I just cant seem to know what  the men fold needs are this year...I think I'll throw practicality out the window , and purchase them this beautiful diamond necklace, bracelet & earring set I saw last week at the Jewelry store....lol

Give away....Nonna's news

Go check this out everyone....GOOD LUCK

http://nonnasnews.blogspot.com/

hurry, hurry, hurry.....

 

Gosh, I am always seem to be behind lately....Oi when do I get to rest????  Oh, that's right in about 4 more days....then I'll be on vacation!!!

 

A lot going on with the family.  A dear Uncle of ours passed away this weekend.  Complications from diabetes.  He was Gma's eldest child.  My heart just aches in sadness for her.  He was also my Mom's brother, so sadness for her as well.  My cousin has had to have the strength of David.  Long story short....My aunt, (her mother) has been in a nursing care for several years now...Alzheimer (enough said)...My Uncle (her father) whom just passed, had been living in another nursing care facilities dealing with his medical issues. Two brothers whom are of no help, she has carried most if not all the responsibility to their parents. I pray she is able to live a life without any stress.  Christmas is a season of JOY, we need to send some her way!

 

I'll catch up later...time to get ready for work...(again ugh)

 

oh..Our niece is writing her own blog....she's young, newly wed...with her eyes open to all life can bring...."Wishing" her the best!

  http://lifetimeofinsanity.blogspot.com/

Give away!

Give away at Peas corner...go sign up!

Shopping part duex......

Funny thing about shopping.....It never seems to get done.

Living in sunny SW Fl, we only have 1 indoor mall...in the 3 years living here, I have only gone once.  The other 2 are large outdoor facilities.  I frequent one over the other, it's closer to home.  We have 2 fantastic Outlets also, I rarely go ...not sure why they seem to have really good deals.  I'll wait for C-boi to come home, before I go shopping at the Outlets.

 

I only got a couple of items from my list yesterday...bah!  Tho I did get cute wrapping paper and bows!  (not on the list)

 

below are pics I took yesterday....the 1st one, Sylvester coming closer for a head rub....he loves the camera...

 

 

his favorite spot outside....

 

 

the ducks coming to visit and eat crackers....

 

The clouds looked like tornado's yesterday.  Awesome wind currents happening..... 

 

 

Today I've got my list ready (again)...hopefully I'll come home with more than bows!  

Shopping.......

 

Today is the day....today IS the day....today....I'm going shopping, Yes,...I can do this...working in retail, I have to motivate myself to actually SHOP....but today I feel is the day I CAN do this....maybe...NO, NO, NO...I Will shop today...really...now, I've made a list...checked it twice....oddly enough no one has been naughty..all have been nice (humm).....Yes, today is day...(maybe tomorrow too)

 

I get to wear blue jeans & sweater...cooler temps today...currently 62...brrrr...so exciting....might grab me a hot choc too....

 

Wish me luck....cuz TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!!!

Trees are up.....

 

Omgoodness...I have been busy (again) with work...crazy time of year!!!  tho I got the trees up, decorated...now to get the boxes put away...hopefully by the end of the week.  The above tree is located in the family room...our ceilings are 10', this tree is 9'...I have to find a new Angel or star for the top, but again I have time issues currently....lol 

I have a advent chain the boys made years ago, with construction paper and Elmers glue, it's hanging on by a thread... they put it together, and I always have to have it on the tree....I love homemade gifts, they're the best!

 

this picture is the "Angel" tree...remembering family members whom no longer are with us to celebrate...but are always on our minds.  I have this tree located in the living room.  It's a much smaller tree, measuring 7'.  Again with the 10' ceiling, this appears a lot smaller...sorry for the quality of the pics, I took them quickly with my phone.  Maybe later in the week I'll retake with the camera.

We were very busy on black Fri...our Manager sprung for lunch on Fri & Sat....We had fried chicken, green beans, mash tators, and gravy on Fri.  Sat's meal pizza! 

 

C-boi stayed up at college for Turkey day, he celebrated with his best bud, and later had another meal with his girlfriend & family....he certainly didnt seem too upset not being home for the mini holiday, but we sure missed him.  He'll be home in 3 weeks for the Xmas break...so happy...counting the days!  Our nephew will be getting married the day after New Years...so this holiday season will be busy for sure...

 

Time to get a load of laundry started....Hope everyone had a nice Turkey Day!

 

 

hum?

 

 

Do you ever save anything in "bookmarks", or "favorites"...on your computer?  I use Google Chrome and sometimes Internet Explorer as my access to the internet..  Anyway, I'm looking thru my favorites, wondering  why the heck I would " favorite" some of these sites.  I mean seriously do I really need to know how to fix a backhoes flat tire??  I guess so, cuz I "favorite" it.  The following are titles to some other "sites" I thought worthy...

Easy Ways to get Flax Into Your Diet - still haven't "introduced" myself to the benefits of Flaxseed.


CRANBERRY APPLE COBBLER - I remember I saved this recipe a few years back for Thanksgiving....Still haven't tried it....(maybe this Thur)(doubtful) by the way...tons of recipes I have yet to make....


131 uses for vinegar - I have a book somewhere, but that's why I made this a favorite, just in case I lose the book.  Still haven't looked at the site.


Homemade Deodorant - This is funny, guess I went thru my thrifty stage.  I can safely say, I'll probably never make my own deodorant.  Nothing against anyone who does. I just know I'll justify my labor to make it  Vs the cost to buy, and my labor would easily be higher, so it will still be purchased.


Homemade Candles - refer to the comment above.  (lol)


Homes for sale - several addresses from homes we looked at 2 yrs ago when we were in the market to purchase. (now deleted)


Typing test - seriously I must have been super bored to "favorite" this site. 


America's top Pop/rock single hits of the 70's - I can't even begin to explain this....moving on.


Hair coloring technics - I've been coloring my hair for 30+ years.  Same product, different colors.  Always the same technic. Open bottle, pour dye into bottle, Squirt on head...wait a few minutes, shampoo out.  I guess I thought there might be a way to prevent the gray from reoccurring. 


The list is endless, maybe you can share some of your "favorites".


Just in case you were wondering,  - a flat tire can shut backhoe work down and cost a lot of time and money to fix. Here are some steps to help you fix it yourself if you don't have time or the money to call in professional help.  oops...I deleted it.....lol

Hello...it's been a while....

 

 

 

I've been super busy with work, and no time for myself...argh!

I hate when that happens, I haven't been able to read my fellow bloggers either!  (double argh!) &  Geez-a-loo!

 

 

Ok, glad I got that out of my system.  Let me see if I can get caught up on the happenings....

 

Eldest - He is in the midst of FOOTBALL season...out of all the sports he loves...and believe me he loves them all...(yes folks even Bowling on the TV with the occasional Ping Pong match thrown in...) he loves football the most tho...College, Pro, flag, tag...you name it..

A typical football Saturday in our home, 2 TV's going, plus listening to his brothers college team via internet radio...I have no idea how it keeps track, but he does...I've learned not to interrupt..  On Sunday's he watches Direct TV NFL Sunday ticket..I refuse to pay for the college games on Saturday, our home would resemble a Hollywood production truck full of monitors watching every imaginable game in the USA...Oi!...anyway, I'm directed to have certain treats available for snacking...ie family room tail gate.  I've been neglecting my responsibility, Oh, I was reprimanded for it too....So today I must go peruse the grocery store....

 

 

Cboi - Can you believe he's in his Junior year of college!!!  Upon reflection, I remember my anxiety about him leaving the roost...Living 12 hours away.  It still stings a little, but not as much as the beginning.  I hated to prepare for certain "life" situations ie...If his car broke down, what would we do...(Well, we survived when his engine caught fire)....If he was sick, does he know what medicines to take, ....(never planned the separated shoulder emergency surgery) but we survived....  The endless list of items to pack for his dorm room....thankfully he didnt care about decor!

He has matured ( I hate that)...he needs us less...it's a good/bad thing...

He's smitten on a girl...We've chatted a couple of times with her on the phone, but have never been formerly introduced....She makes him happy, so we are very happy...that's all you can ask for really...

He'll be home for Christmas, not sure about next summer tho...he's hinting about staying up there...The girlfriend has A LOT to do with that decision...he's not fooling us, about work, internships....blah, blah blah...lol

As for hubby & me....WORK, WORK, WORK...

Hubby - is down 2 people, so it falls upon him to get the physical work done, along with his administrative responsibilities.  One of his full timers got into a car accident, about 3 weeks ago.  The guy is ok...thankfully, but is out of work for a while, saying he has a stiff neck....no comment!

So, hubby has had no days off for the pass 3 weeks ...HR says they are trying to get a temp worker..should be another 2 or 3 days..  He has learned to do most of his paperwork at home, lessening the load a bit...

 

Me, well all I want is this scene below....not sure when I'll get to visit.  I live 15 miles away, but some days it feels as tho I'm a million miles, and will never visit a beach again.....  Got to get it at the top of my bucket list again!

 

Sunday Sayings...(happy Halloween too)..

 

 

 

 

We are never prepared for what we expect. James A. Michener

 

I'm working a seven day straight stretch....just completed day 4....3 more to go....Most of the schedule was opening shifts.  Our "work"week begins each Saturday...that's how they get cha'...even tho I'm getting paid my usual 40hr/week....in these 7 days I will be racking up 63+ hours..ouch!!  I feel & look like a walking Zombie...guess "they" felt the need to choose my Halloween costume this year....lol

 

Happy Halloween.....

 

 

What's up Doc?.....

I celebrated my birthday this week....We went to a restaurant that gives you a "free" meal.  They put me in a silly hat, took a picture, and told me it was available to download from their website....OK, I thought sure, now I have looked at my picture....bad idea....the guy who took the pic, looked at it, gave a funny face, then said ok....Wait a sec, but he was gone before I could do anything....so I go to the website, search the pictures, and find myself, by the way have I mentioned that I loathe pictures of myself...I always have some stupid asre grin, blinking eyes, big bulging eyes, mouth contortion.....SOMETHING, never a glamour shot, those that know me, realize the camera and I do not get along.....but this picture takes the cake...What the heck am I doing with my mouth....seeking my inner Bugs Bunny????  grrr......

 

                  

Sunday Sayings.....

 

 

 

I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the years'.  ~Henry Moore

 

 

Our kitteh's (Sylvester, Mercedes, Bentley)  are enjoying the cool fall morning temperatures.  We are able to open up the windows, feel the crisp air, this makes them all crazy....running from room to room, smelling the different areas of the house...Oi' .   They are all indoor cats, tho Sylvester would love to live the life outside, (no claws) he wants his freedom desperately.  On occasion we let him out, yesterday was one of those days.  He is high-stepping cuz the grass feels weird to him, proceeding with caution, exploring 2 inches away from the door I might add, when a dragonfly zooms past his head....suddenly he must chase after said fly...low & behold he is 8 ft away from his home, stops suddenly in his tracks...turns, meows...Panic ...(why did you let me get this far from home)..our brave want to be wild creature, crying for help....he continues to look at us, now with a look of disdain ..(are you guys going to rescue me or not).  So hubby walks over picks him up, brings him back inside.  He now struts his stuff around the other two telling them, Yep, dat's right I waz outside..thinking he's all big & bad...Bentley (Mr scared of his shadow)  was in awe of the Big Bad Sylvester....Mercedes (the true hunter) reaction was a tad different.. her response...Please, I would have caught, eaten, and caught another dragonfly  dude, don't tell me any of your stories, I saw the whole thing, and swat him upside his head....pshh

 

 

 

 

Where the heck did the time go......

I have been chasing time for the past 3 months....Oi!  Just when I think I'm about to catch it....Zoom...There it goes again faster than ever...

Just thought I would share....

Sunday Sayings....

 

 

October's Party...

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper

 

The temp's have cooled a bit.  No longer are the days of 90 degrees, the humidity level is way down...It feels like a typical Indian summer...ahhh

 

On the work front, busy busy busy is the buzz word..It makes the shift go by very quickly...Miss Busybody has learnt her lesson, she is now respectful, kind, but most importantly minding her own business.  Allowing me to do my job.  We have a new manager in our department, and most everyone is telling her they are capable of completing a task, then they turn around asking me how to do this or that....yesterday, the Manager requested a Return procedure for 6 customers, stuff we do internally.  The girl she ask, said  Oh, yeah I'm very familiar....she then gives me a call,

Can you tell me how to do a Pin request for Amber...

A what?

You know, a PIN request...it's been about 3 months since I've done one, and Amber says we have 6 pending....

I have never heard of a PIN request, let me call Amber...

NO NO NO dont do that, I'll ask some one else...I thought you knew that's all....

ok....So I give Amber a call anyway.....Amber, what's a PIN request?

A what?

You know, a PIN request, you asked Amanda to do.

I ask for a MR, she told me she has done them plenty of times before, Why is everyone afraid to tell me the truth on their abilities?...

Good question, I would like to know, Why everyone calls me for the answers, then does the job, turns around I tries to "train" me when your around......

I've noticed that...

We both got a big chuckle out of that one...then she says,  Can you please see that the 6 remaining PIN's get done.......

 

 

 

 

 

Doral....ahhh

We went to Doral Fl...(Miami)...

 

hubby & bro in-law scheduled a rendezvous at the country club to play golf...I guess the "Blue"  Monster is what all golfers dream of playing one day...me...who cares, I was away from work for a day, playing at the pool with eldest..that is where the real action was....lol

 

 

here's a shot of eldest showing me the waterfall...we dipped our toes into the pool to find out...brrrr for us Floridians...I needed to warm up at the Ping pong table first before freezing me tuschy at da pool...

 

 

Eldest starting his trash talk....four games later he was pretty silent...I creamed him....lol  I also told him to no longer refer to me as Mom...just call me CHAMP!....

 

After our Ping pong match, we decided to get a few photos of the golf course, as we were looking around, guess who was right in front of us...Yep, that's hubby in the red getting ready to make a giant putt on the Blue Monster, the 18th hole at Doral...we were totally shocked to run into each other...

 

 

the above picture is the water surrounding the 18th hole...I just thought it was pretty, but hubby said it was a big deal pic...who knew....lol

 

 

hubby & bro at the beach...(south beach)...not very impressive to me...

 

it was a bad day to be at the beach...(blow out)..it was so windy, sand blasting at your body, I just needed to take a picture to show how wild the Atlantic was...I laugh at this picture, cuz of all the places I find a trash can to take the one picture...but like I said, even tho it isnt showing up on film, the sand was blasting our legs, feet, arms,...all I wanted to do was click and go....Oi!  the water was a pretty color tho!!!!

Sunday Sayings.....

 

You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.  ~Dan Birdwell

 

 

today I'm going to hang out at the pool for a bit, while hubby mows the lawn...a lil RR before Eldest starts with NFL Sunday ticket...I was thinking of shopping, but not in to that today...my favorite activity is a couch potato & watchin my boy's da STEELERS!...lol

I have no AIR!!!!!!

 

 

I awoke this a.m. mad as a hornet, our A/C was out....not working...kapoooT....not a good way to start the day in SWFL our morning lows START at 79 degrees, and progress quickly....so I make coffee, grab the yellow pages, remove the crud from my eyes, start to peruse the pages....after about 10 minutes, my eyes finally adjust allowing me to read....I then put down the yellow pages, grab a cup of Joe, sit, and pick up the yellow pages again....ok, now I have to wait for my operating system (aka my brain) to reboot, then I might be able to comprehend what I'm to do next.....

I dont know about you, but when I wake up in the morning, I'm not AWAKE until at least 1 hour into arising.....never mind the fact my RA prevents me from actually moving the 1st 30 minutes of each day...phew...lol

I dont want to bother hubby, he's at work...I want to do this on my own....WHY?????  I have no idea, calling hubby 1st would have been easier, but lets remember the Operating system is a tad slow....so I call an A/C place, I give all the necessary info, then have to wait for a tech to call me back....NOW, I can enjoy my coffee...about 20 minutes later...Operating System is, almost fully functional....A/C tech dude calls...I somewhat explain the Hot flashes occurring, but he's only interest is the A/C unit, we set a time for him to look at the unit....meanwhile, I call hubby he tells me about this sensor thingy on the unit, so I go the the garage move the sensor thingy....AHHHHHHH....(singing Angels)....AIR!!!!  I call tech dude back, cancel appt ....YIPPY, now I can move forward, and start my day of relaxation...and FOOOTBALL....

 

We will be listening to C-boi's team via Internet radio, HOLLA!!!  UC!... watching all others on the tube....Gooooo GATORS!...chomp chomp chomp.....

 

 

Work is work...same old thang....lots of fires to put out, sometimes 3 or 4 at the same time, but it passes the time, enjoyable to have the weekend off....We had our quarterly audit from our Corp ...(nice people)...all the various store managers we're a "twitter"...I just shrug it off, explaining the them, the Audit team will ALWAYS, find something for us to improve or "retrain" or SOMETHING, so just make the best of it, and enjoy the day.  ..it's not  that I have a tude'...I'm just not going to stress...coming over to the new store, I've elected to "change" many ways on how I approach my work day...one in which is removing unnecessary STRESS!     One manager was ruffling his feathers, because of the pricing...He told me I had better have it correct on the front or ELSE....  I told him that I had already chatted with the auditor told her I DONT believe the prices have been check in 6 months or if ever....OH, boy if you could have seen his face!!!!  I started to giggle, then he knew I was joking, but his face was priceless.....(get the pun)...anyhoo...I knew he could take it, he told me he would retaliate....I told him to BRING IT!