Marley and Me

Last night was the last night that Marley and Me was showing here. So, I talked my friend, S, into going with me. I had been wanting to go see it so bad. I was not disappointed, it was an awesome movie...great story about how a family evolves and their love for each other and their dog. (And, of course, the dog's love for them.) I definitely will buy this when it comes out on DVD and sit and watch it many times, laughing and crying over and over again. I don't think my lil sis who recently lost her beloved dog should see it for a long, long time, but others of you who love a good tear jerker movie, go see it!

On a funny note, we have five theaters here...unbelievable for our little town (all of them in the same place)...but theater #5 is REALLY small. The movie that has been here the longest is shown there, and I am not sure how many seats are actually in there--next time I am in there, I must count! I know that Brooklyn once said "they don't have theaters like this in Denver"....ha! It is kinda like a movie screen in your house or something! Last night there were only four of us in there! At least it wasn't embarrassing for me and S when we sobbed.!!

Learning

How much information can a person put into their brain? I think mine is full, and I don't want to lose more of the stuff that's already in there~if you get my drift. You know what I mean, when I forget something within two minutes after? Like "why did I come into this room", "where is that item I had in my hand a second ago?" and so on....yikes! Anyway, this week has been full of trainings. I had a webinar session on Tuesday and Wednesday and we have "live people" training today...how do I get all this computer information into little compartments and not mix up what training goes with what? Anyway, that's my exciting news of the day/week.

On another note, I have been faithful with my exercise program. I am proud of myself for sticking to it. I hope it all pays off in the long run.

And, it is warming up...and supposed to be clear up to 50 degrees tomorrow, which makes it about 80 degrees higher than our low earlier this week.

So, this is a rather BORING post....

Sammy Sighs

Hi...it's me Sammy....see me here in the snow. I love it, except it was really cold out and that hurt my paws!


Sophie visited this weekend, and so we Yorkies outnumbered the humans! Above is Sophie "talking" to the neighbor dog, Sheba. Silly Sissy is already running back inside.

Heat Wave?

Just thought I'd quickly post that we are having a heat wave....up to ALMOST ZERO! Whew!

(We had a record low this morning of 29 below!)

Notes from the Weekend

Our youngest daughter, soon to be 20, became engaged recently. Her fiance will be leaving in a couple weeks for basic training in the Air Force. On Saturday, I cooked a celebration dinner for them, and his family. At Crystal's request, I made chicken enchiladas for the dinner, and a tossed veggie salad. She was happy! Everyone seemed to enjoy the dinner, so that was good.

I know they seem awfully young, but I wish them the best. I have worried about our youngest for years now, and raising her has been a struggle at times. We love her with all our hearts, and know that we have given her the best that we could and that she knows from our lives, some of what it takes to get through life. We hope that we have given her the base that she needs to make it. And, we married young, and we have made it for nearly 33 years! It CAN be done...with hard work, determination and lots of love and laughter (mostly learning to laugh at yourself, right?).

Anyway, for dessert, I made "red velvet cake" from scratch. I have never made it before, but thought I'd give it a try...let me tell you...YUMMY! So moist and good. Of course cream cheese icing is always so scrumptious, too! (And, just a hint for those of you wondering about The Biggest Loser contest...I used baking splenda for the sugar, reduced fat cream cheese, etc, so it reduced the calories by a lot! And, of course, limited my portion!) But, give it a try...it's so good!

Thumbs Up!

This movie was just awesome. We went to see it with friends this weekend, and it was great. I recommend it highly.

In finding the image to the left, I found this comment on the movie, and I couldn't word it any better:

I saw the film and it was unbelievable. Clint Eastwood will have you laughing so hard you almost pee yourself while at the same time breaking your heart and making you want to cry. The movie takes you on a roller-coaster ride and the entire theater stood up in applause afterward. I highly recommend this film and if Eastwood doesn't get nominated for an Oscar something is truly wrong!!! The screening I saw was held at the Writer's Guild, so the room was filled with SAG, WGA, DGA, and other industry related people who I would wage know their movies. At points the entire room was laughing so loud I couldn't hear, and then minutes later all you could hear were the sniffles from people crying. The film has drama, comedy, and action and Clint Eastwood really creates a character that you care about and cheer for...again!

Road Trip

Good Sunday morning!

My friend, S, and I attended a conference in Kearney on Friday. We left, as Sammy posted, on Thursday. The conference was awesome, and we had so much fun traveling together. It's nice to have a friend that works with you! We learned a lot at the conference, and talked a lot on the long drive! Of course, we got weather. Last time we traveled (to Grand Island), you may remember we also got bad weather! (You can read about it by clicking on the red text.). Anyway, we debated, stay or go, but we came on home, and the roads were not that bad. And, I didn't have so many issues at the gas station this time either! :-)

During the week, we had spring like temperatures, near and around 60 degrees. This was my view this morning:

(hubby clearing up the snow)

(back yard-view 1)


(back yard-view2)

Gosh darn, where are my grandkids? I want to go sledding!

Sammy Sighs

I can't believe it, but Mom left us yesterday (Thursday) and isn't coming back until tonight (Friday). Can you imagine? That's a lot of time of hiding in the closet for me. She said she had to go to a conference for work--something about computers and junk. I think they could allow Yorkies there, don't you? I like to sit on her lap while she works on the computer. Oh, well, I guess I need to be here and watch out for Silly Sissy and Dad.

Sad Sammy signing off....

More on Domesticated...

The weekend I thought I'd make noodles, I had spent a lot of time cleaning. Here is how I clean my houseplants (just give them a shower!)

Yep, guilty as charged of owning "fake" plants. You may remember the 25 biggest decorating mistakes I wrote about long ago....owning fake plants was mistake #1 in the list, and if you read that post, you'll find that I was guilty of many of the 25 mistakes! Oh, well. I am who I am.

Children Deserve to Be Loved

Gosh darn, have any of you been following the Adam Herrman case? This little guy from Kansas disappeared over 10 years ago, when he was 11 years old..and no one even seemed to miss him? Why do people exist that give birth to or take in children only to abuse them and mistreat them? My husband and I have been foster parents for a number of years. We have not taken in any children lately, but would still do respite care or emergency care. We no longer feel that we could do long term fostering. It is heartbreaking to be sure, but we have loved the children that we fostered, and we have loved our children's friends, we have loved our friends' children, and we have loved many other children. This poor little guy needed some love. No matter what, the outcome now will not be good. You can read several articles by clicking here: The Adam Herrman Case. My prayers go to him and all children, especially those in need of loving care.

Domesticated??

Not this past weekend, but the weekend before, I felt very "Martha Stewart" like for the day for some reason. I attempted, for the first time making homemade noodles. I made some yummy beef tips to go with the noodles. And, we had green beans and salad. I had a small serving.





Both of my grandmothers made homemade noodles. They were so good. One grandma made them fat and big, the other small and very thin. Mine turned out too fat, but I'll give it another try sometime...

That same day, I made hubby a cherry-apple pie. (Off-limits for me, darn!)


This most recent weekend, I wasn't so domesticated!

Expectations

I think one big mistake I make often is setting my expectations of others to where I think they should be. I guess I feel that no matter what, I should try to make people feel better, to smile, to feel ok about things going on in their lives. I hope I live in such a way that I give of myself to others. I sometimes expect people to react to something or respond in a certain way and then I feel disappointed. I need to learn to not "expect".

It Won't be the Same

I am a CSI fan. Last night was William Peterson's last appearance (or so we are told) as Gil Grissom. I don't think it'll be the same without him! I do like the cast, though, and the story lines, so I'll continue to tune in. Anyone else a fan?

Last night's episode, I thought, was especially good.

Pretty Snow

We got some pretty snow yesterday and over night, and still a bit this morning. It is not very much as it just lightly fell, so relaxing and beautiful! It is more of a powder, so not much needed moisture in it, but it sure is pretty!

I think everyone was tired of the dry, cold wind (or at least I was!), so it was extra nice to see the falling glimmering snow.

Biggest Loser

I am participating in a Biggest Loser contest here at work. It is district wide, and there are 108 contestants (54 teams). My partner (and good friend, S) and I are off to a good start, which is encouraging, but of course, the first few pounds usually are the easiest. There is a cash prize on May 12 for the top three teams, so cheer me on! If I would place, I could use the money for new clothes, which I would then need, right? :-) And, remember there are 54 greedy teams vying for those prizes!

This has caused me to get back into my routine of early morning rising to go to the Y to work out three days a week. I haven't had any trouble getting up, so far. The days I don't get up early are alternated with after work exercise. I am joining a group for two nights a week, and then have
my walking to keep going with as well. So, I should get in enough to get into shape, right? Monday was to be my first night of this group exercise, but the leader canceled. So, I dusted off (whoops) my Nordic Track...any of you have any of those? It is a good work out, especially if it's been a long while since you got on it! I remember when I first got it, being the klutz that I am, I had a hard time getting the hang of it. My boss would ask me every day if I got "bucked off" that day...ha. I can stay on now, and I worked up quite a sweat and my heart was beating at a good pace.... I need to keep it in my routine as well, I think. I'll figure it all out. In the past, I kinda got addicted to the early morning routine, so I hope I'll get that feeling again, and I can always add to that, but I want to shoot for 3 days per week. That way, if I do more fine, but I don't set my expectations too high and fail.

It's that time of year when many of us get the bug to get back into shape and also lose pounds. This contest is extra incentive and the buddy system is great. Nearly everyone in my building is participating, so that helps too.

Stay tuned for updates, now that I've put myself out there....for you all to know about (yikes) ... and, wish me luck!

Out of Whack?

I think I'm a bit out of whack today.

Things feel "not right. "

Maybe it's the wind (which is ridiculously blowing) or maybe it's the fact we were without electricity for several hours, or maybe it's just because?

Sweet Girl

This has been a sad day. My lil' sis had to say goodbye to her friend, her family, her pet...her Teka...Teka has been a good dog, loving and caring for my sis for a long time (and vice versa). I loved Teka too, and I feel so sad. I will miss Teka. Lots of us will. I mostly feel sad because I know my lil' sis feels very sad and alone...my heart hurts for her.

Lonesome

It gets very lonesome after the holidays, or after any time you get to spend with loved ones. January is kinda a downer, I think.

Two (of the many) people I miss:

No More Christmas Food....

Have you tried this? It is a pretty good one. I had gotten tired of eating Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines, but they have some new kinds out...well, at least since I last tried them...

It is called tortilla crusted fish. I think what makes it good is that it is a bit crunchy. Most of the meals I used to eat didn't have any crunch. Do you eat these? Do you have a favorite?

It Was Over So Soon....

Sammy Sighs

Hey, it's me, Sammy. The other day the humans were playing another game, so I decided I should just join in. Don't I look like I know what I'm doing?


And, here is Brooklyn playing with me and Mom and Dad.


Oh, and here is Silly Sissy. All she did was watch. She is not as smart as I am.

I'm pretty good at this Yahtzee game...

Best Buds

Brooklyn got together with his best bud from the summer, Bailey, on New Years Day. The two of them just really get along great, and had a lot of fun playing war games, Nintendo DS, and all other things boys like to do. They enjoyed a sleepover here and hot cinnamon rolls for breakfast. They are already making plans for Brooklyn's next visit.


I hope their friendship will span many, many years!

New Years' Eve at Our House

New Years Eve is usually not a celebration for us. We keep things pretty low key. On New Years Eve this year, we had dinner out at a favorite Mexican restaurant here in town with Tina and Adam, and then later, my husband drug out his guns and cleaned them down in the basement, so he could go pheasant hunting on New Years Day with Tina's boyfriend. He hadn't been hunting in several years, and I think he really enjoyed it. More than that, Brooklyn is getting to the point where he is just dying to go, so someday soon....but, he enjoyed just the "cleaning the guns" too...(those of you totally against guns, don't worry, we are very safe, and he would only learn the correct things)...



Then, later, Brooklyn and I toasted in the New Year...he had a half cup of egg nog and me a 1/2 glass of wine. He wanted to really see what the "ball dropping" was all about, etc, so we tuned in together. I can tell you, sharing the beginning of the New Year with him was pretty special! He woke up Grandpa to tell him Happy New Year and then we all went to bed!

New Years' Day

It was so nice out on New Years Day that I was able to walk the dogs. We had taken Chloe to meet her Dad on Wednesday, and Brooklyn had a buddy over to play. So Grandpa stayed home with the boys, and Grammy went on a walk. Sissy and Sammy were so excited! Sammy didn't even hide from me!

The past couple years, my friends and I have met up for coffee in the morning on New Years Eve to share thoughts as we lost a dear friend to suicide over New Years a couple years ago. I think this is the third New Year now without her----sometimes it seems like yesterday, sometimes it seems like forever ago.

At any rate, I felt so sad and missing her on New Years Day as I walked. I walked by her home, which is along my usual walking route, and remembered doing that exact same thing the year she left us, not knowing she was inside. I remember on that day wanting to stop and visit, but didn't see her vehicle on the street, so I assumed she was not home. Had I crossed the street I probably could have been the one to see the note on her front door. I am glad I wasn't the one to find the note. I think that would only make the sadness and emptiness worse. So, while walking, I called my friend, M, and talked to her a while. She is such a dear precious friend....and it was a calm peaceful feeling that came over me as we chatted, while I walked. I don't deny a few tears, but it sure did help. She is just so special.

Sorry to write about such sad things, but writing is a release, a way to get out those feelings. I haven't written much about my friend who committed suicide. I briefly wrote about it when a student committed suicide in October, 2007, but nothing much else.

It makes you feel so helpless and sad. It makes you angry and sad. It makes you lonesome and sad. But, you do start remembering why you loved your friend, and I truly, truly did. She and I had a lot of talks, laughs and shared tears. She just seemed to "know" me and me her. I could trust her with anything. I could listen to her, and she would listen to me, no matter what. She was just one person I could really, really relate to, love, talk with, laugh with, and cry with. I miss her all the time, but I know she is in a better place for her.

I talked to my very good friend, S, both New Years Eve and today, and she said she missed meeting for coffee too, so we made plans to do that soon! What would life be without friends?

Happy New Year!