Winter Wonderland

 Mother nature has out done herself.
I just love how she turned our quiet neighborhood to a winter wonderland.
Sharen and I could not wait to get going on our walk. We did wait till the boys had blown the driveways clear.

Heading out

We didn't wait for the snow plows to come thru. Pretty sure they were all concentrating on the main roads. It brought so many memories of skating and sledding in Lords park when we were little and walking or skating down Forest Drive to get there. 

Shady Lane

It was cold but it wasn't a "not going to walk" cold. I just don't get how people can't see the wonder of the seasons. This doesn't last long so I say enjoy it.

 I want to put yoga pants under my jeans, 2 pair of socks on my feet,  2 pair of mittens on my hands, my warmest stocking hat, and layer up on t-shirts and sweatshirts and go sledding. 

The only thing I will admit to about this weather is I am enjoying it more now that I am retired and not having to drive in it. That's not fun!

I

We Walking?

That is a text I either send or get every morning. Usually it's not a question of if, but when?
Sharen and I try and walk every day. We both prefer to start our day with a walk around the neighborhood, but if something else comes up, think Dr. appts or grandkids, we walk in the afternoons.
Our neighbors are impressed with our dedication.

Rain or Shine - Snow or Sleet - Heat or Humidity. We both love the change in the weather. ALL of it.

This winter has been pretty easy with getting out - no snow or cold weather... Until this weekend.

We got hit with 5 or 6 inches of snow yesterday. We waited for the snow plows to come thru and then took our walk. By then the sun had come out and it was a beautiful day.

This morning the temp said 4. Our coldest day yet. In fact I think it's never been below 20. When the temp hit 10 Sharen texted me and said she would be down to my house at 10am to walk. So we walked - and I have to admit in spite of the cold or because of the cold I loved it. 

This cartoon in todays paper sums it all up!!!!!

Christmas 2018

The tree is down and replaced by the puzzle table with a fresh jigsaw puzzle. All the decorations are stored back into their boxes and put under the basement steps.
It's been a few days since we had everybody over for Christmas and the memories still put a smile on my face.
We started out with a visit to Jon and Erica's on Christmas Eve day to visit with The Duppler family.
It seems I get to see the kiddos at Sharen's house whenever she is babysitting (one of the perks of living so close), but I finally got to visit with the parents.


Our dinner table was extend to include 2 more people this year. Steve and Maryellen joined us.

I'm not sure what was different this year compared to other years. But I wasn't stressed about anything. I made dinner the day before. I was very confident in the gifts I bought - I didn't return anything before hand. First Time!!!!


We got all the grandkids to take a group picture without any trouble. Good Christmas.....

Christmas Day we were invited to Linda and Dee's house.
Now us sisters see each other, but not all in one group.


We had a great time. Sharen, Vicki and I all showed up in our slippers.
We got together for a picture and of course each husband had a phone so all the pictures we are all looking every which way.

 Until Jan stepped in one person - one picture - everyone looking at her.

We were missing one sister though and to let her know we all were missing her I suggested we all text her this picture at the same time. Not sure if it worked, but we all started laughing and did not stop.
Sharen was trying to tag me for something and Vicki kept telling her to tap my face.
"Just hit her in the face!"
You guessed it - she came and slapped me in the face. OK just tapped me.
More laughter.
I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It felt so good to spend time with my sisters with no drama, no snipping at each other, no trouble that other large families suffer from. Though I did snap at Vicki and felt horrible after. Linda had some of Mom's old pictures and we were trying to figure who everybody was. She mentioned that you could tell our twin Aunts apart because one was heavier that the other. It really hit a nerve with me and you can guess why. Yes, I'm the heavier one.
Something I have learned to live with MOST of the time.


Bryan came through for me and got me a Tens unit. I needed something for my chronic neck pain. With this thing I  am going to celebrate Christmas all year long.

Cookies

I have been making this cut out cookie recipe for 40 some years. I made these for all holidays and have a Large assortment of cookie cutters for all occasions. I have a heart shape cutter that was my Mothers that I use EVERY time I make these cookies. Each batch deserves a heart cookie so they know they were made with love. Roger loves this story.
This cookie is still the number 1 favorite for Mike.
That is - if it has frosting on top. Again I have been making this frosting for probably just as long as the cookies. Why not they go together.
The Florys were out to chop down their tree and stopped at our house to help me with the cookie decorating. Linda stopped by to say Hi and visit.

I tried to keep a eye on what went into the boys mouths  and who was licking spoons and reusing, but it turned out to be a losing battle. After washing Owens knife a few times I just watch and tried to keep the mess down to a minimum.
I put those few aside for Owen to take home. Mike said he didn't care he loved them all and would gladly enjoy eating them.

Funny thing is I don't eat these cookies. I really enjoy baking them, but I leave the eating to Mike. In exchange he doesn't eat my peanut butter balls.

Roger and I were finishing up the last of the decorating and he told me the angel we made was his favorite and he wanted to eat it with me. They had their quota of sugar, So we cut it down the center and he took his home and we will try and facetime so we can eat it together.

Now Mary is not a fan of favorites. She has instilled in the boys that everything they do is the best and not one is better than the other. Me - I always seem to have a favorite and point it out. I know - not cool Grandma, but the heart cookie was perfect. Just saying!
Roger decorated it - and he was very cool about not pointing out that I picked his. He told Luke that his will probably be my favorite next time. I then told Luke I loved his snowman so all was forgiven.

Santa Breakfast

Owen is now big man on campus.
With both Roger and Luke in regular school, Owen is the only Flory boy at Res. daycare/preschool.

It was a bad weather day, but that didn't stop us from joining everybody for breakfast with the man himself - Santa.

Not sure what he told him he wanted, but he got a Yes!

We had to get in and get out to make Rogers basketball game so we got first in line for the photos.

Mike and I enjoy going to this each year. The food is really good and all the teachers are there to greet you. 

After a quick game of basketball we stop over at their house. I had a project for the boys.

Last year Mike made me a tree out of some scrap wood. I'm looking at it and decided it needed some decorations.

I found some wooden ornaments over at Hobby Lobby and I asked the boys to color them for me.

Luke always seems to end up on top of the table

They we happy to add some color. Turns out coloring  takes to long for Owen. Scribble and go. He told me I could finish them for him.

Before:

After:

So much better. I did have a bow at the top, but Luke insisted it has to be a star so Mike cut me one and I painted that. 

It sits on my front porch saying welcome to my home.

I Made the List

I'm not talking about Santa's naughty or nice list. I'm not worried about that - I know you can find my name on the nice list.


No I'm talking about the Robo Calls list...
It started during the election. I could get 9 - 10 calls a day. They came from almost ever state and 3 foreign countries. It got to be a game with me. I would go back and block the phone number and get 5 more calls within 15 minutes. Then I started answering some of them. You know how you always have to say Hello twice. Well, I would just say it once and wait until they hung up on me.
The phone calls have slowed down.
Most of the time now I just let it ring.


The other list That got my name, or address in this case, is the catalog list.
In the last six weeks I have gotten over 100 catalogs in the mail. I kid you not.
Some from companies I haven't even heard of, but I'm enjoying them. I look through them all and get ideas for Christmas. Then I go online and usually get it cheaper someplace else.
Some are being repeated now and I still take the time to look thru them.


I got 9 today...
My poor post man!

Luke and Roger

Our new neighbor discovered that our att wire for our internet was 6 inches on to his property. He wanted it moved. So I called att - a guy came out and said yup it looks like it's on the wrong property. Genius!
We should probably move it to the new box in the other corner of the property. (this box has been here ever since we moved here 14 years ago - not new). They contract out burying the wire, so we waited. Neighbor wasn't happy.
Guy comes out before Julie and I won't let him dig. He wanted to take it directly over our septic field anyway and I told him he couldn't do that. We waited. They come out 2 more times and I sent them away. Julie finally shows up and marks our electric underground cable. Att guy was right behind him and buries the wire. Done!
Except that was on a Friday afternoon. You guessed it no internet.
How did we ever live without the internet?
long story - short...
I called they came out and now I can tell you what great fun we had last week.

Luke had his Thanksgiving sing! That's our little prilgrim sitting first in the front row.

They have 3 kindergaten classes. Luke has the same teacher that Roger had.

Then back into the city again to watch our Roger pay some basketball.
His uncle Pat is his coach and his cousin Jack plays on his team. Some family time!!!

They must have practiced bounce passes and defense last week, because they were very good at it.

It was funny how they searched for the x's on the floor to know where to stand for their positions with their arms up. It was nice to not see everyone huddled under the basket.

Teach them Young!!!

They don't keep score. They are there to learn the basics.  Roger's team was more interested in passing then shooting anyway. 

Not sure if he will become a star basketball player, but it was nice to see him having fun with his cousin.