2014 in Review

What exactly were you doing a minute before the ball dropped in 2013? Sleeping

What was your status on Valentines Day? Married

Were you in school anytime this year? No

Did you have to go to the hospital? Once for myself and several times with my husband

Did you have any encounters with the police? No

Where did you go on vacation? Texas

Did you know anybody who got married? Yes.

Did you know anybody who passed away? Yes, several family members and friends.

Did you move anywhere? No

What sporting events did you attend? None

What concerts/shows did you go to? None

Describe your birthday: Worked all day

What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2014? Became more confident in what I do at work.

What has been your favorite moments? Spending time with family even if it is through 

Any new additions to your family? Several great nieces.

What was your best month? September

Made new friends? Yes, a few.

How many people did you date? One...my husband.

Favorite Night out? The nights we went to the movies and dinner.

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Work

Have you lost any friends this year? Yes, a few.

Change your hairstyle? Not really

Have any car accidents? No

How old did you turn this year? 44

Do anything embarrassing? Fell down the stairs a few times.

Buy anything new from eBay? No

Get married or divorced? No

Get arrested? No

Been snowboarding? No

Did you get sick this year? Yes, I have had medical issues all year long...been in a lot of pain.

Are you happy to see 2014 go? In a way I am and I expect 2015 to be better in some ways. But I also hate seeing the years go by so quickly.  I don't like getting old.

Been naughty or nice? Nice


What are you looking forward to most in 2015? Meeting my new great-niece; seeing my children more often and maybe getting another dog so my boxer is not lonely.

Happy Bacon Day!

According to the web site "Days of the Year", today is Bacon Day!  

I think this is one of the best days of the year!

Happy Bacon Day!

"Lights of Lambeau" by Casey Zempel

Everyone loves the Packers!

(even people, like me, that are Cowboys fans)

Sunday Stealing: The New Year's Eve Meme

This week's Sunday Stealing comes from the archives!

In 2014, I gained a few new friends.

I lost several family members :(

I stopped drinking soda and diet soda.

I started drinking lots of water.

I was hugely satisfied by the work I do in my current job.

And frustrated by my weight

I am so embarrassed that I weight as much as I do.

Once again, I am feeling sorry for myself.

Once again, I did not get everything accomplished in 2014 that I wanted to get done.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is: I am fatter.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is: I am wiser.

I loved spending time: with family.

Why did I spend even two minutes: dealing with drama.

I should have spent more time: with my family.

I regret buying: too much damn food.

I will never regret buying a new tv, even though with that money I could have purchased new contact lenses.

I eat way too much.

I didn't see my family enough.

Drama and bullshit drove me crazy.

The most relaxing place I went was, Texas.

Why did I go to the store, when my leg was swollen.

The best thing I did for someone else was, actually donating money to animals in need.

The best thing I did for myself was to stop drinking soda.

The best thing someone did for me, was to talk to me when I was depressed (thank you Rose)!

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better: Nothing....I have no regrets.

Camera Critters: An Apple For Shelby

Shelby loves apples (without the peel).
Every time I have an apple, Shelby MUST have a bite.
This is the cute face she gives me.

So of course, I let her have a few bites.

Christmas for Shelby 2014

Santa Paws brought Shelby all kinds of different treats and toys this year.  

Shelby even has her own Christmas Stocking.

She also received gifts from Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mike,

Aunt Tami and the fur-cousins (Ruby and Lumpy)

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.
Be safe in your travels and know that no matter what, you are loved!

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

The Night Before Christmas at Rainbow Bridge

***In memory of my sweet Annabelle and all the fur babies
that have crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge!***

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

T'was the night before Christmas, at Rainbow Bridge too.

We Bridge kids were thinking as always of you.

We'd seen how the holidays weren't bright this year,

Heard you whisper so often, "I wish you were here!"

We know how you wish you could just stay in bed

And sleep through the holiday lying ahead,

When all celebrate with their loved ones so near...

Unless they have loved ones on this side this year.

But we're no less alive here, on the other side.

If you could just see us, you would've laughed and not cried.

The dogs all in harness, pulling the sleigh.

The cats all in Santa hats pointing the way.

The pet birds all flying back over the rainbow,

Bound homeward in spite of Earth's darkness and snow.

All the pets that you've lost, pets for whom you've cried,

Flying home on this Christmas to be by your side.

If you feel warm fur brush you when no pet's around,

Hear a soft bark or purr, just a ghost of a sound,

We're trying to tell you we're visiting this way,

And our visits, even rainbows, can be on any day.

But for Christmas we have something special to do,

A sleigh full of happy dream visits for you.

On doggy, on kitty, on winged friend and ferret!

The love that you lavished, we mean now to share it!

We're fetching that love home, the way we once played,

With the closeness we shared and the memories we made.

Our Earth lives with you were too short for us, too,

And on this Christmas Eve we have so much to do.

So all through this night as you sleep in your beds,

Sweet visions of fur babies dance in your heads.

This one special night we can bring you Home for a while,

Your true home in Heaven, where again you will smile.

Over the rainbow you'll fly, for a short while this night,

Hours that you'll be happy, hours that will feel right,

Hours to cuddle and hug us, to run and to play,

Before the return to Earth in our magic way.

And when you awaken and face Christmas Day,

We pray you'll remember your trip on our sleigh,

But in case you forget, just remember our love.

Remember us watching you, your angels above.

Sending love wrapped in rainbows, shining and bright,

Love that will guide you through the darkest night,

Love found in each memory unwrapped through the year,

Replacing dark sorrows with Christmas cheer.

Leave the toys to St. Nick, we Bridge kids bring dreams,

Sweet visits to remind you all is not as it seems

When you look all around you with tired Earthly eyes.

If you saw as we do, there'd be joy and surprise.

There are fur angels waiting by those Christmas trees,

Always there for you and hearing your pleas.

We're never more than a thought away from your home,

You're never forgotten, you're never alone.

Nor are we alone here, with our Rainbow Bridge friends.

We know only joy here, the celebrating never ends,

And after our reunions with you Christmas Eve,

We Bridge kids will party like you'd never believe.

But we'll slip away often to be by your side.

Sitting there watching you, eyes open wide,

Praying you'll be able to catch a glimpse of us, too.

But whether or not you see us - Merry Christmas to you!

Rotten eCard of the Week #67: Thank You Christmas Music

Thank you Christmas music. 

Without you, I wouldn't remember to buy anyone presents until it was too late.

"You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker

Rest in Peace Joe Cocker. You will be greatly missed.

You are so beautiful

To me

You are so beautiful

To me

Can't you see

You're everything I hope for

You're everything I need

You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful

To me

Can't you see

You're everything I hope for

You're every, everything I need

You are so beautiful to me

Sunday Stealing: The Christmas Meme

This week's Sunday Stealing comes from the Sunday Stealing archives!

1. Do you send Christmas cards? I send Christmas cards via snail mail and via the internet.

2. How soon do you start shopping? I usually shop the week of Christmas.

3. Who do you shop for? I shop for my dog and family.

4. Do you put up a Christmas tree? Some years I do.  I did not put one up this year though.  I am not really in the Christmas spirit.

5. If so, is it fake or real? Fake

6. Do you like tinsel? No.  Tinsel gets everywhere and I am afraid the dog will eat it.

7. Do you use homemade or store bought ornaments? Store bought.  All of my homemade ornaments have been lost or destroyed.

8. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?  Some years I do.  But not this year or the last few years.

9. Do you put lights on the tree? Yes

10. How about popcorn and cranberries? Yes.

11. Is there a wreath hanging on your door? Yes and here is a photo.

12. Do you hang up your stocking? No and I have not in many years.

13. Does your family read "Twas the night before Christmas?" We did when the kids were little but not any more.

14. Christmas Movie: A Christmas Story

15. Character from any Christmas Movie?  The Grinch

16. Christmas Song: The Little Drummer Boy

17. Christmas Memory: Going to Grandma and Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve so that "Santa" could visit our house while we were gone.

18. Give or Receive? Give

19. Ham or Turkey? Turkey

20. White Lights or Colored Lights? White lights....they are so peaceful.

21. Blinking Lights or Still Lights? Still lights.  Blinking lights give me e headache.

22. Were you Naughty or Nice this year? Nice of course.  I have no reason to be naughty.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?  Peace, quiet, happiness and good health for all.

24. When do you open your gifts? Christmas Day

25. What's the best gift you've ever gotten? Stuffed animals (as a kid and as an adult).  I loved stuffed animals, especially moose and teddy bears.

26. What's the worst gift you've ever gotten? A sweater that was way too small.

27. Who gives you the most gifts? My mother-in-law.

28. Have you ever had a secret Santa? Yes

29. Do you like wrapping gifts? No

30. Do you put change in those red buckets? Sometimes.

31. Do you burn a yule log? No

32. Can you name all the reindeer?  Yes.  Dasher, Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Prancer, Vixen and Rudolph.

33. Do you bake cookies? Sometimes.

34. Have you ever seen your mommy kissing Santa Clause? Yes

35. Have you ever gotten a kiss under the mistletoe? No

36. Do you drive around and look at the Christmas lights?  Yes

37. Have you ever left Santa cookies? Yes

38. Have you ever sat on Santa's lap? Yes

39. Who do you celebrate Christmas with? My family

40. Where do you celebrate Christmas? At my in-laws house.

41. Have you ever had a white Christmas?  Yes, many.

42. What part of Christmas do you look most forward to? I look forward to Christmas being over.  The hustle, bustle and crowds drive me nuts.  Christmas is very hard on me and always has been...negative memories far outweigh the positive.

43. Have you ever had your picture taken with Santa?  Yes

Camera Critters: Christmas - BarkBox Style

Shelby received her December BarkBox this week and it was filled with goodies.
She received two bags of treats, two toys and a Christmas bandanna.

Here is a photo of the goodies.

And the next two photos are of Shelby, showing off her bandanna.

Create A Personalized Snowflake

You can see my snowflake in motion by clicking HERE.

Create and share your own personalized snowflake at:

http://snowflake.thebookofeveryone.com/specials/make-your-snowflake/

Rotten eCard of the Week #66: Your Brain Is A Wonderful Organ

Your brain is a wonderful organ. 

It starts working the second you get out of bed 

and doesn't stop until you get to work.

Christmas Crack (Chocolate Saltine Toffee) Recipe

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
35 to 40 saltine crackers
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 cup light brown sugar
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 1/3 cups)

Directions: 
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Line 1 large or 2 small jelly-roll pans with aluminum foil, spray with nonstick spray and arrange the saltines salt-side down in a single layer. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together and boil until it turns a caramel color, a few minutes. Remove from the heat and pour over the crackers, covering them evenly.

Put the jelly-roll pan into the oven and bake for 3 to 5 minutes, or until just bubbly, watching carefully. Remove from the oven and pour the chocolate chips over the crackers. When the chips melt a bit, spread them over the crackers with a knife.

Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until completely cold. They will form one big sheet. Break up into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (c) Clarkson Potter 2010

Jigzone: Santa

Candy Cane Fudge

Ingredients
1 teaspoon plus 4 tablespoons butter, divided
39 miniature candy canes, crushed (about 1 cup)
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, divided
4 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

1. Line an 8-in. square pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter. Sprinkle with half of the crushed candy; set aside.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in 2/3 cup milk. Carefully pour over candy layer in prepared pan. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine white baking chocolate and remaining butter. Microwave on high for 40-50 seconds; stir until smooth. Stir in the cream of tartar, remaining milk and candy. Spread over chocolate layer.

4. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Using foil, remove fudge from pan. Invert onto a cutting board; remove foil. Cut into 1-in. squares. Yield: about 1-3/4 pounds.

Note: This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.


Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/candy-cane-fudge/

Snowman Poem Tag

The scrap kit for this tag came from www.kreative-expressionz.com.

And her scrap kits are found at www.kreative-expressionz.com/main/scrapkits.html

I love her work.

Sunday Stealing: Have You Ever?

This week's Sunday Stealing comes from My Random Randomness.

1) Have you ever gotten lost in a maze? Yes, and it was quite embarrassing.

2) Have you ever been attacked by a wild animal? I have been hissed at by a opossum before.  It had climbed into my trash can and was stuck. I tipped the can over and ran back in the house.  About an hour later, I went back out and it was gone.

3) Have you ever ridden a camel? No, and I think it would be very uncomfortable to do so.

4) Have you ever pet a rat? Yes, I have petted a rat before.  However, I have never had a pet rat.

5) Have you ever been a member of a gym? Yes, and never went.

6) Have you ever been in a helicopter? No, but I would like to.

7) Have you ever cheated at a test? In elementary school I cheated on a math test.  I didn't know the answer to 8 times 8.  After a paddling from the teacher I learned the answer was 64.

8) Have you ever ridden a tractor? I have ridden and driven a tractor.

9) Have you ever passed wind/gas in an embarrassing situation? Oh yes, many times.  As a matter of fact, it happened yesterday at Sam's Club while shopping with my husband.

10) Have you ever played the bongos? I have but not very well.

11) Have you ever handled a snake? Yes, and I was very nervous.

12) Have you ever assembled furniture by yourself? Many times and I followed the directions!

13) Have you ever been scuba diving? No, but it is on my bucket list to do before I die.

14) Have you ever had a disastrous interview? One or two.

15) Have you ever sold your services? No, I have none to offer.

16) Have you ever raised money for charity? Yes I have.  And I donate to several charities.

17) Have you ever won a giant sized cuddly toy from a fair? Not that I can remember.

18) Have you ever milked a cow? I have milked a cow.  I was born and raised in the country you know.

19) Have you ever used the phrase "back in my time" to someone younger than you? I do this often.  

20) Have you ever invented a fairly unique meal or drink? No and I doubt anyone would eat the meal or sip the drink if I did.

Camera Critters: Christmoose

Shelby hanging out with her Christmoose.

Office Christmas Decor

 

 

 

Whoville - Office Style

Two of my co-workers decorated our section of the office in a Whoville theme.

And I think it turned out great!  Thank you to to talented ladies!

Rotten eCard of the Week #65: I Never Grew Up

I never grew up. I just learned how to act in public.

Cute Christmas Sig Tags

I made the teddy bear tags from a scrap kit from Monti's Pixel Playground.

www.montispixelplayground.com

 And I made the following snowman tags from a scrap kit by Kreative Expressionz.

www.kreative-expressionz.com

"Firefly" By Breaking Benjamin

You my friend

You're a lot like them

But I cut your line

And you know I did

Now I'm lost in you

Like I always do

And I die to win

'Cause I'm born to lose

Firefly

Could you shine your light?

Now I know your ways

'Cause they're just like mine

Now I'm justified

As I fall in line

An' it's hard to try

When you're open wide

Take my hand

We'll be off and then

We'll come back again

To a different land

Now I like this way

You can go away

If you guess the name

You cannot replace

Firefly

Could you shine your light?

Now I know your ways

'Cause they're just like mine

Now I'm justified

As I fall in line

And it's hard to try

When you're open wide

Bring me your enemies

Lay them before me

And walk away

Walk away

Walk away

Firefly

Could you shine your light?

Now I know your ways

'Cause they're just like mine

Now I'm justified

As I fall in line

And it's hard to try

When you're open wide

Fuck you firefly

Have you lost your light?

Now I hate your ways

'Cause they're just like mine

So you've lost my friend

Such a sorry end

And now I don't know why?

So I choke and smile

Smile

Read more: Breaking Benjamin - Firefly Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Sunday Stealing: Are You?

This week's Sunday Stealing comes from My Random Randomness.

1) Are you psychic in any way? No

2) Are you a good dancer? No

3) Are you a good singer? No

4) Are you a good cook? No

5) Are you a good artist? No

6) Are you a good listener? Yes

7) Are you a good public speaker? No

8) Are you a good babysitter? No

9) Are you a good mechanic? No

10) Are you a good diplomat? Yes

11) Are you a good employee? Yes

12) Are you a good dresser? No

13) Are you a good swimmer? Yes

14) Are you a good skier? No

15) Are you a good gift giver? Yes

16) Are you a good musician? No

17) Are you a good comedian? No

18) Are you a good cleaner? No

19) Are you a good actor? No

20) Are you a good writer? No