Resolutions

I usually do not make resolutions because I haven't been able to keep them in the past. However, I have a different outlook this year. This has been the year I finished chemo, had my second (and hopefully last) surgery, and my hair grew back. I am looking forward now. I have just a few resolutions for 2009: (not in any particular order)

1. Lose the chemo weight. I started chemo 18 months ago at 116 pounds and gained up to 150 during the process. My downfall is sweets. I have not had any since Christmas day and have lost 2 pounds!
2. Exercise at Curves faithfully 3 times a week
3. Make a more regimented Bible time daily
4. Refuse to let work interfere in my life
5. Put more money to debt relief

I'm Hooked

A few months back when I began reading my friend Monica's blog, I became intrigued by a book series she recommended, The Mitford Series by Jan Karon. I am HOOKED! I read the first book last week and am off to the bookstore today for the next. I grew up in the '70s loving the reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show" and watching "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie." This book was exactly what I needed to feed my nostalgia.

What I've Been Doing

A colleague at work was going home to New Jersey for Christmas. Last year I went across town to take care of her cats for the week and bring in her mail. I volunteered again this year. So....meet Kitty (that's Mister Kitty) and Cocoa. Cocoa is very sweet and wants to be loved whenever I go in. Kitty, being a boy, is more reserved. I LOVE his kingly food dish~~very much suits him. I guess this is my biggest encouraging act of the month because Susan knows she can be away with her family and her "babies" will be taken care of.

Jesus Cake

My friend Monica http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/ had this recipe for a Jesus cake. I had wanted to do something like this in the past but never did. This makes more sense than an ordinary cake.

Take a white cake mix and mix according to directions. Divide the batter into three bowls. Then add brown or black food coloring to one; red to another; and green to the last. Bake according to directions. The colors represent:

Brown: our sin

Red: Jesus' blood

Green: our rebirth in Him

White frosting for purity

*I am not a cake decorator.

Christmas Lights

We recently went out at night to look at the Christmas lights. Here were some of the prettiest.

My Birthday Cake

When I told my mother last week I wanted a birthday cake, this is what she bought me: German chocolate. I don't care as long as it's chocolate. She had cooked a roast with the trimmings. It was a very nice birthday lunch. I am just so thankful to still have my parents in good health.

More Homemade Ornaments

Well, Miles is not a Christmas ornament, but it's a cute picture, and I accidentally clicked him, so he can stay. These ornaments are sooooo old, but what memories!

It's My Birthday

Today is my birthday~~the 46th to be exact. Last week my mother asked if I wanted a birthday cake; I said, "of course!" We will be driving over to see my parents about an hour away. I will also have my first haircut in about 18 months~~since before I knew I had cancer. I lost a lot of it during chemo. Although chemo ended last January 23 (Yes, I will never forget that day), my hair didn't start growing back in earnest until this past October. I have never changed stylists even though I moved. I used to get it cut, highlighted, and styled with a blow-dry for $60. I'm told that is unheard of around here. The most important thing of the day, though, is sharing the plan of salvation with my parents. It has burdened my mind for so long because I feel so inadequate. My father will be easier than my mother, I think. He has been a part of a bible study for many years. My mother is very proud and thinks she is so "good". Those of you who are believers, please pray for us this day.

CVS FREEBIES

Ok~~~This was an excellent day at CVS. I guess you would say I'm a serious CVSer when I'm there before the doors open. I needed to roll over all the ECBs I earned at Thanksgiving. Here is what I got for about $2. I earned a little over $40 in ECBs.

Buddy's Early Christmas

I have never been especially good at waiting to give a present. Since Buddy was getting two gigantic bones for Christmas, we decided to give him one Saturday. Here are the pictures that chronicle him enjoying it for about an hour.

Buddy's Early Christmas, Part II

I could not upload all the pictures of Buddy and his present at one time, so here is him begging to bury it, looking for just the right spot, and finally finding it.

Christmas for Pets

I have't posted many pictures of Miles, our Garfield-wannabe cat. In the top picture you can see what we bought "the dog" for Christmas. He is only spoiled with gigantic bones at Christmas. They have been under the tree like this, unwrapped, but he hasn't detected them. I thought the picture of Miles checking out "the dog's" presents was cute. The rest are of him reclining in his recliner.

Homemade ornaments

Here are some homemade ornaments I made way back in my teens. Several years ago I gave away all of my cross stitch and crochet materials---thread, hooks, needles, everything. I regret that now.

Toy Soldiers

I love the colors on this candle holder.

Manger Scene

This is one of my favorite manger scenes. It is actually a tealight house that illuminates the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. An angel on the right and a shepherd on the left are votive candle holders. It's very pretty at night when lit.

Christmas Stockings

Here are two Christmas stockings I made years ago. It is sad that my job has interrupted my life for 20 years. Since I started teaching I have not had the desire or energy or TIME to do things I enjoy. Does that say something? Anyhow, the top is a stocking I started to cross stitch for Matthew when he was a baby. I got as far as his name and the manger scene. On the bottom is a stocking I crocheted for myself about the time he was born, maybe earlier. I never used a pattern when I crocheted. Maybe I'll post pictures of the bedspread and flag afghan I crocheted later.

Childhood Christmas Book

When does an antique become an antique? I posted pictures earlier of Christmas cookie cutters from my childhood that are at the very least 40 years old. I will see my mother later today and try to find out if she remembers when she bought them. Here is a Christmas book that was published in 1953. My oldest brother was a year old then, and it has his name written in it in his child-like scrawl. It got passed on to me.

Christmas Collectible

This is atop my mantle with my Christmas village.

Antique Christmas Cookie Cutters

Today was the first day I had to make Christmas cookies. It never seems like the holidays have arrived until I make these. I pulled out my large assortment of Christmas cookie cutters, but these are my favorite. I can't tell you how old they are. I'll be 46 on the 22nd, and they are probably at least as old as me, if not my brothers. Like the elves on my tree, they take me back to Christmases of long ago. Do any of you have a special Christmas memory?

WAGS

Then I went to WAGS and got all this for $13.59, $8.59 if you want to deduct the $5 RR I earned. I had 2 $1.00 internet coupons to use on the detergents, and a $2.00 coupon to use on the shampoo and conditioner.

FREE AT JCPENNEY and Good Deal at WAGS

Who doesn't love FREE?? I had a $10 off coupon with $10 purchase at JC Penney. I went there with the intention of not spending much more than that. I found these tights at buy one get one for $1.00. They were $10.00 each, so I should have gotten both for $1.00 plus tax. They rang up $10.00 each. The manager, who was manning the register, asked me if there was a sale sign. He went to investigate, then came back and told me I'd get them for FREE. Sounds good to me!

Christmas Collectible

This is another view of my tealight gingerbread house. It is really pretty in person. I have never tried to make a gingerbread house. I think next Saturday would be a good time for my son and I to try our hand at one. Do any of you make gingerbread houses? If so, what is the "glue" that holds it together?

Christmas Elf From Years Past

Here is the red companion elf to the green one I showed a glimpse of earlier. I remember a picture of me with them when we were stationed in Amarillo, Texas. That would have been about 42-43 years ago. They have graced every tree since I got them, and I love them.

December 11: Collectible 1

This gingerbread house is actually a tealight candleholder and one of my collectibles.

December 10