Little Bit of Everything

 

Christmas Eve was interesting.  Spent it at MIL’s house with Jr., his girlfriend and the kids.  Between the Jr. and Girlfriend there are four kids ranging in age from 16 to 8.  Made for a very enjoyable Christmas Eve celebration.  Only glitch in the festivities was SIL had to work and couldn’t join us.  Looks like this might have been the last year for the big celebration at MIL’s house.  She’s always insisted on having the party at her house and doing all the cooking.  Doesn’t want any help from any of us.  Over the past few years, we’ve all noticed that it’s harder and harder for her to do it all by herself and have offered to help.  She always says that she’s fine and doesn’t need any help.  This year she finally admitted that she’s going to let "you girls" (me, SIL and Girlfriend) do the cooking.  But the catch is this . . . even though we’re doing the cooking, the party is still going to be at her house.  So we’re either going to do the cooking in her kitchen (with her hovering over our shoulders) or we’re going to cook in our own kitchens and schlep the food over to her house.  Thankfully I have a whole year to figure out a diplomatic way to resolve this . . .

 

Christmas Day with my family was wonderful.  Imagine food and presents and 16 people in a little three bedroom ranch style house.  It’s chaos for sure, but fun chaos . . . and something I look forward to all year.  It’s all part of Christmas when you’re part of a big family.     

 

Hubby’s relationship with Princess is getting better.  They talk about once a week and she called him on Christmas morning.  Things between me and Princess aren’t anywhere near back to normal and I’m okay with that.  Right now, all I care about is that she has a good relationship with her dad.  They’ve always had a pretty rocky relationship (long story thats a whole blog entry of it’s own) and as long as there’s no drama then I’m a happy girl.  

 

I had to work Wednesday and Thursday of last week and now I’m off work until January 2.  Having 5 days off work sounds like heaven.  Except that I’ve caught a cold and I’m miserable.  If I could just get warm and stay warm (where’s those Hot Flashes when you need them?) and cut off my nose, I’d be fine.  So much for playing outside with the doggies and taking them for walks during the afternoon . . . 

 

So I’m hanging around the house.  Watching lots of football on TV.  Napping on the couch.  Working on my cross stitch.  Surfing the net.  Oh, yea, Hubby’s home too and he’s getting on my nerves.  

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

 

It’s been a wonderful day. 

 

We spent the day with my folks.

 

We spent yesterday with MIL and Jr.

 

Right now, I’m being a couch potato with Hubby and the puppies.

 

Besides the Baby Jesus Birthday Cake, this is my favorite part of the day. 

 

Kind of makes up for the fact that I have to work tomorrow. 

 

Weekend Update

 

It’s the first day of winter and the high temperature today was 58 degrees.  The weather geeks are calling for a cold front to come in overnight and we are under a high wind advisory tomorrow.  That’s just great.  I still have stuff to do and the weather isn’t cooperating. 

 

I still have presents to buy.  Thankfully it’s all stuff I can get at Wal-Mart . . . I just need to get there very early tomorrow morning so I can avoid the crowds. 

 

I have to stop at Krogers to get stuff for Christmas Eve dinner with MIL and Christmas Day dinner with Mom & Dad.  I’m planning on stopping there after my trip to Wal-Mart.  Depending on the crowds at those two places, I should be in a lovely mood after those two stops. 

 

I have to bake cookies.  With the exception of the Oatmeal cookies I’m making for Hubby . . . and my Magic Cookie Bars . . . everything is pre-mixed.  Thank heavens for Pillbury cookie dough. 

 

I have to wrap presents. I have a few of them done.  I have lots more to wrap.  And Luci wants to help.  Go ahead and laugh.  I am because it’s very funny to watch Luci try to figure out scotch tape. 

 

Luci is enjoying the warm weather and wants Mommy to come play outside with her.  We went for a walk tonight and she was really interested in the yard decorations.  Expecially the animated reindeer and the singing inflatable snow globe. 

 

I have laundry to do.  How can two people have so many dirty clothes?

 

I have housework to do.  The warm weather melted the snow and the yard is a muddy mess. 

 

I only have two days to get this all done. 

 

Yikes. 

What Was I Thinking?

 

For the last couple of days, the Weather Guys have been predicting a significant snow storm for this weekend.  Somewhere between 5 and 10 inches of snow mixed with rain, sleet, and ice. The amount of snow depends on the track the storm takes . . . blah, blah, blah.  All the usual stuff.  The predictions said it wouldn’t start until noon on Saturday.  So that meant I would be able to get up early and do some Christmas shopping before the snow started. 

 

That’s exactly what I planned to do.  Got up early.  Fed the doggies breakfast.  Took a shower and got ready to head out.  By the time I left the house at 9:30 this morning, there were light flakes.  Nothing serious.  By the time I got to the mall 20 minutes later, there were heavy flakes and the roads were becoming snow covered.  Seemed like the Weather Guys were a little off on their predictions.  Maybe this wasn’t a great idea after all.  But I was at the mall and so I might as well get a few things and then head back home. 

 

I was in the mall an hour and did manage to get a few things marked off my list.  Even though I kept checking the weather, I wasn’t too worried about the drive home.  Besides, I believe it’s more fun to Christmas Shop when it’s snowing.  Yea, I’m weird like that.  You wouldn’t believe the number of grumpy grouchy people who were complaining about being out in the bad weather. 

 

When I left the mall, the Dog Mobile was covered in snow and so was the parking lot.  And the roads.  And the intersections.  It took a lot longer to get home than it did to get to the mall.  But I was careful (thanks to Hubby’s Driving In Snow lectures) and I made it home in one piece.  Which is more than I could say for a few of the folks I passed on the road.  Mainly big ginormous pick up trucks and SUV’s that think they can plow through anything at top speed.  Yes, I laughed at them stuck in the ditch or smashed into each other as the little Dog Mobile puttered past them.  

 

When I finally got home, I told Hubby that I was in for the day.  Depending on the weather, I might not even make it out for Mass this afternoon.  The roads aren’t all that bad, it’s just the crazy, I have no brain people who are out driving in this.  

 

As soon as I got home, Blacky and Luci wanted to sniff all the packages – in case there was something for them – and wanted me to go outside to play.  Oh. My. Goodness.  What fun was that!  Romping and playing in the yard.  Playing fetch after digging the tennis balls out of the snow – Luci helped with that.  We were outside for a half hour before I decided we needed to go back inside because they were wet, I was cold and it was time for lunch.

 

After lunch . . . naptime for all of us.  Watched the snow falling and then the rain.  Went outside to shovel the walk with Hubby.  Wet heavy snow that is hard to move.  Yikes. 

 

All in all, not a bad day even if it started out a little rough.  Hopefully the snow will be done tomorrow so I can go finish the Christmas shopping.  If not, then I’ll be working on Christmas cards or cookies.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday. . . .   

 

 

Chasing My Tail

 

I’m here.  I’m fine.  I feel like I’m chasing my tail.  Getting ready for Christmas.  House is decorated, but I’ve just barely started buying gifts.  Trying to spend time with the doggies but it’s either raining or cold and the yard is either slick with ice or sloppy with mud. 

 

Work is busy.  I’m in charge of planning the holiday party.  Seemed like a simple task but then I discovered all the "parts" to the puzzle.  Oh.  My.  Gawrsh.  Party is Thursday night.  I think I’ve got everything covered.  Except the welcome speech that I have to make.  Did I ever mention my fear of public speaking?  Final attendance count and dinner choices are done.  PowerPoint presentation for CEO’s annual address to the employees.  Holiday gift for employees bought and ready for unveiling.  Table favors ready.  Checks to pay for food costs and entertainment costs have been prepared by the Accounting Dept.  Proper Holiday Attire for the Big Event has been chosen and changed at least a dozen times.  Yes, Hubby is going to be at the party.  If it weren’t for the long drive home from the event, I’d probably have a drink or two.  I have a horrible fear that I’m going to forget something. 

 

Then there’s all the stuff that has to be done by the end of the year.  Aaarrgghh.  I think I’ve got it all under control but you never know when someone is going to drop a new project in your lap.  I’ve got three vacation days coming up and three holiday days . . . 

 

Christmas is just two weeks away.  When did that happen??!!

We Got Snow

The first snow of the season happened yesterday.  Just in time for the morning commute to work.  It’s amazing how people who live in Ohio "forget" how to drive in the snow.  I puttered along at about 35 or 40 mph yesterday in the snow storm and people were zipping past me like it was a sunny June day.  And I laughed myself silly when I saw them in the ditch a little ways down the road.  Took me an hour and a half to make a trip that normally takes 35 minutes.  I understood it taking me an hour to navigate the highway but I didn’t understand why it took me 30 minutes to get from my exit ramp to the parking garage.  It’s normally a 10 minute trip.  I was one hot under the collar driver.  The lady in front of me took pity on all the people who got in the wrong lane and was letting ALL OF THEM cut in front of her.  I sat through three lights honking and swearing at her . . . she finally got the hint and moved along. 

 

The view from the 13th floor is beautiful.  This week has been pretty busy at work, but I did make sure I took some time to enjoy the view of the falling snow from the window in my little office.  I work in a fairly tall building downtown that overlooks the river.  The view fromsome of the offices is always spectacular.  The snow we had yesterday made it absolutely beautiful.  

 

The one thing I don’t understand is why the local TV stations are acting like the three inches of snow we got – and the two inches we’re expecting tonight - is a major storm that will paralyze the area.  There has been "team coverage of the storm" and constant updates on the readiness of the snow plow crews and if the local hardware stores will have enough salt and snow shovels to handle the demand.  From the looks of the grocery store shelves tonight, my fellow citizens here in My Little Town think we’re going to be snowbound for days.  There was hardly anything on the shelves.  Bread.  Bacon.  Milk.  Eggs.  Frozen dinners.  Yikes.  It’s December in Ohio.  If you’re freaking out over three inches of snow now, what are you doing to do when we get some real serious stuff later in the season. 

 

The doggies are truly enjoying the weather.  They’re out romping and playing in the snow now.  And they want me to play with them.  I don’t think they understand that Mommy doesn’t have fur to keep her warm like they do.  They get a little miffed at me when I have to come in to get warm. 

 

Maybe we should take a lesson from them . . . enjoy the snow for the beautiful adventure that it is.  Besides, it wouldn’t seem like Christmas if we didn’t have snow . . .

Happiness Is . . .

 

Some things that are making me smile today . . .

 

Virginia Tech beat Boston College for the ACC championship.  It was a "revenge" match since Boston College beat Virginia Tech during the regular season.

 

Ohio State might go to the BCS Championship game since West Virginia and Missouri lost last night. 

 

Navy beat Army for the sixth time in a row.  The first time that either team has one six games in a row. 

 

The horrible winter storm that hit the upper Midwest just missed us here in Southern Ohio.  We’ve got rain and 50 degree temps.

 

Handyman Hubby got the new toilet installed last night before the start of the Oklahoma game last night.  Unfortunately we were so tired that we only saw the first quarter of the game before we fell asleep on the couch.

 

Having a black lab puppy falling asleep on your foot.

 

I’m watching the BCS Bowl Selection Show now . . . If Ohio State makes it to the BCS Championship game you might just hear me hollering!!

 

Go Bucks!!

 

 

This Old House

 

Today is College Football Championship Saturday.  At least that’s what they are saying on ESPN today.  And I had a blog all ready to talk about The Big Games that I’ve been looking forward to all season.  Ohio State v. Michigan.  Virginia Tech v. Virginia.  Army v. Navy.  How I’m rooting for Oklahoma and Pittsburgh today because that will mean that The Buckeyes will be going to the BCS bowl.  But that will all have to wait.  For today I am helping Hubby with a home repair project. 

 

So there goes my plan to go shopping for a new Christmas tree.  And cleaning the house.  And doing laundry.  Instead of doing that, I’m spending the day being a "helper" to the amazing handyman Hubby.  I’m fetching blade screwdrivers.  Pliers.  Duct tape.  I’m cleaning up the construction mess.  And lots and lots of water.  Today’s project is replacing the toilet in the upstairs bathroom.  Rather, Hubby is replacing the toilet.  And some of the sub-floor in the bathroom and all of the bathroom tile.  Oh, yes, and he has to replace a section of ceiling in the kitchen.  Because we had a leak.  Not a big leak.  Just enough of a leak to get our attention and make for a very soggy morning for us.  The bathroom is upstairs.  Directly over the kitchen.  The toilet is directly over the kitchen table.  The main drain from the toilet had a very small hole in it.  About the size of a pencil eraser.  We discovered the problem when we noticed that water was dripping onto the kitchen table from the ceiling.  We don’t know how long the drain had this little hole, but we don’t think it was too long.  We are very fortunate that it affected a relatively small section of the kitchen ceiling.  We are also very fortunate that Hubby is such an amazing handyman and can do the repairs himself.  Because we all know what it’s like to find a plumber on a Saturday.  And what that would cost.  Which would but a very big damper on Christmas at the Big Dog Family House.  

 

The Big Dog Family House was built in 1928.  Hubby and I are the second owners of the house.  The first owners of the house lived here for over 45 years.  We’ve been here for 17.  Over the years we’ve done a bit of work to the house.  Repair leaks in the roof.  Pipes that need replacing.  Windows that need caulked and winterized.  Basic remodeling which is made all the more interesting because nothing seems to be plumb or level in this house.  Oh, and back in the 20′s, they didn’t have the same standard building sizes that we have today.  Makes it real interesting when you are replacing a front door or a storm window.  We call it the charm of living in an old house.  At least that’s what I call it.  I don’t think MSN would let me publish what Hubby calls it. 

 

The house is a total disaster.  There are tools and plumbing supplies all over the place.  Drywall and plywood in the living room.  The In case you’re wondering . . . yes, we’re spending the day without running water.  Thank Heavens for wonderful neighbors.  They let me load up on  water for the doggies and have offered to let us use their bathroom while ours is "in progress".  

 

Hubby and I are only getting to see snippets of the various games.  We will stop in front of the TV as we go through the living room on our travels from the basement to the bathroom and watch a play or two.  Then we’ll change the channel and watch a play or two on another game.  With a little luck, we will be done enough that we can sit down and watch the Oklahoma game tonight. . . after I give Hubby a big High Five for a job well done.