Just checking in before midnight. I was able to give Austere a personal Happy New Year this evening. Yeah!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope this year is happy, healthy, and generous to all of my family and friends. You deserve it!

My dearest Asia Moore, I love you girl!

I'm Almost Done!

The pumpkin bread is done. The zucchini bread and banana bread are in the oven. They can bake at the same time. I used my new mixer tonight. Not quite sure if I like it just yet. I am so used to doing everything with a hand mixer or mixing it by hand. It seemed like it took more work to use the Kitchen Aid mixer. I will keep using it though. I probably just need to break it in. I only have to make the lime chiffon dessert and brownies which I will do in the morning.

Tomorrow, pre-dinner will include shrimp and cocktail sauce, chips and salsa, and little BBQ smokies. Josh's sisters are bringing a vegetable and relish tray.

For dinner we are having the prime rib roast. It is a Sterling Silver, which is the best you can buy here. I am also preparing two turkey breasts for the non-beef eaters (if there is such a thing in his family). We are also having my famous garlic mashed potatoes. I am also making roasted fingerling potatoes with parsley and Parmesan Reggiano cheese. More sides include a yellow squash, onion, and zucchini saute, steamed broccoli spears, cream cheese corn, green bean casserole (Josh's sister is bringing this), stuffing (Josh's mom is bringing this), deviled eggs (another sister), and rolls. The only thing not homemade are the rolls. I just couldn't do it. No time - can you believe that?

For dessert we will have the breads I am currently baking, triple fudge brownies (made with three kinds of chocolate), lime chiffon dessert, and I have one of my pastry chefs at one of my stores making a cheesecake topped with chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate fans. Yumm-O!

Well, I think I am done with the cooking tonight. I just have to season the turkey breasts. I just finished cubing 10 pounds of Russet potatoes for tomorrow's meal. Josh forgot to wear latex gloves and now his hands are brown from peeling all of them. Ooops...lol.

I will finish the night by wiping everything down, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor. That way no one steps on it until morning. I know, I'm weird.

I wish you all could come over. Something tells me the company might be better. Hopefully there won't be any probing questions. I do wish you all could be here.

I probably won't post until tomorrow evening. Wish me luck and have a wonderful Sunday!

Boy, we are just moving right along. The bathroom is completely done. The computer room is complete. The kitchen will be a "clean as I go". Josh's honey-do list is done (shovel snow, clean front porch, trash, etc.). The kid just finished dusting the whole house and is now drying the dishes. He also cleaned his whole entire room, including sweeping his floor and under the beds. I have done three loads of laundry already. We also went and did some major grocery shopping.

Josh just finished seasoning the 15 pound Sterling Silver Prime Rib Roast. It's sitting in the bottom of the fridge, waiting to go into the roaster tomorrow. He is now wrapping up the remaining gifts for his nieces and nephews.

I just have to finish up the laundry, vacuum my bedroom, and start labeling what goes in which dish. Yes, I am compulsive when it comes to cooking for a large group - there are 17 people coming over! I lay out all of the dishes and crocks the day before and label what is going where. I also get the serving spoon ready for each dish. I also need to get the kids' place mats ready.

Tonight I plan on doing a lot of baking. I am making pumpkin bread, banana nut bread, zucchini bread, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and a lime chiffon dessert. I am also going to have Josh peel potatoes and season the turkey breasts. Hehehehe... and he's trying to enjoy his two days off.

I can't believe how much we have already accomplished and how much I have left. The easy stuff is tonight. It's so much fun working together to get it all done.

Catch you later...

Just checking in again while I have a free minute. I just washed the shower curtains and vacuumed the bathroom rug. I have scrubbed the toilet and the bath tub. All sparkly! I am waiting for the fumes to die down before I go back in to clean the mirror and the cabinets. Last, I will get the floor. Is it detail cleaning? Probably to some, maybe not enough to others.

Well, I better get back to it. I have the computer room to do next.

Well, I am just spending a short time on the computer this morning. I've got lots to do today. I will check in and out periodically. Have a great day!

Had a lot to do today. I was feeling a little under the weather. I have a big weekend ahead of me. We are having Christmas here at my house on Sunday. I have much to do in preparation. If my posts are a little far and few, apologies now. Have a great weekend!

It is a sad day. My dear blogging friend, Dave, has lost his father. If you get a chance to go over and give a few words of inspiration, I would appreciate it. I couldn't imagine losing either of my parents and I absolutely dread the day it happens. It's all a part of life.

Wheel...

Seven Things About Me

Okay, so here goes. I was tagged by Jenni at Prairie Air. Before I get too far into this meme, do go and check out her blog. She is a local girl who kicks ass at photography. Here is one of her photos.

Okay, so I am familiar with this meme. It's called Seven Things About Me. Let's see... I need to post the rules.

The "rules" for this meme are:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Share 7 facts about yourself.
4) Tag 7 random people and include links to their blogs.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.



Seven Things About Me

1. I love eating chocolate chip ice cream in a glass with fruit juice in it. I play around with it until all of the chocolate chips fall to the bottom of the glass and eat the chocolate chips last. Total sugar rush.

2. If you haven't guessed it already, I am a total John Mayer and ABBA fan. I have seen John Mayer in concert once in Kansas City. I have never seen ABBA in concert, but I do follow Mamma Mia whenever and wherever I can. I have seen Mamma Mia seven times: twice in Vegas, twice in Omaha, twice in Wichita, and once in NYC. I would have to say the North American Tour is the best production.

3. I just started another blog today, but will not be sharing it with anyone. It is set for private.

4. I snore. (thanks Josh)

5. I secretly wish I could live behind Palma restaurant on Cornelia St. in Greenwich Village, NYC. It is my favorite restaurant in the whole world.

6. I went skinny dipping in a sand pit when I was 19 with my boyfriend.

7. I love doing memes.

Okay, so these are kind of random. I was eating ice cream as I was thinking about what to say. Yes, it was chocolate chip ice cream with white grape juice, and I just ate all of the chocolate just now. Yumm-O!

I am tagging the following people. Feel free to do this meme if you choose. No worries if you can't.

Bonnie
Crusty
Ja
Kyrie
Annabel
M
Stacy

Say

This is a new song by John Mayer. I am totally in love with it. It is featured on the new movie called Bucket List. I really want to see this movie. Here are the lyrics...

Take all of your wasted honor.
Every little past frustration.
Take all of your so called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations.

Say what you need to say (x8)

Walkin' like a one man army,
Fightin' with the shadows in your head.
Livin' up the same old moment
Knowin' you'd be better off instead

If you could only...Say what you need to say (x8)

Have no fear for givin' in.
Have no fear for giving over.
You better know that in the end
It's better to say too much, than never to say what you need to say again.

Even if your hands are shaking,
And your faith is broken.
Even as the eyes are closin',
Do it with a heart wide open.

(Wide Heart)

Say what you need to say (x7)

Say what you need to, Say what you need to...

Say what you need to say.

As I look out of my window, the snow is coming down ever so gently. You know how you see it in the movies, the perfect kind of snow? That's how it looks today. Small flakes, innocently falling toward the earth. Very pretty.

Had a great time with my side of the family. It didn't last long enough. We are having Christmas with Josh's family on Sunday here. I can't wait. I love this time of year.

Happy Christmas

Good afternoon. I wrote this post last night and decided to post it before I left. I am leaving for my parents' house this afternoon, so I wanted to just say a couple of things to you - my friends.

If I have left anyone out, I do apologize, as these are the people I stop by the most. There may be some who have no idea I even stop by, so enjoy.

To my blogging friends - I wish all of you a Happy Christmas. May you be blessed with good health and happiness. I cherish all of you.

Andrew - my longest and most cherished blogging friend. I wish you the best life has to offer.

Leann - a wonderful woman who has so much to offer the world.

Phelan - girl! You are one of a kind and someone I am so glad to have personally met.

Andfre - I love where you live and what beautiful pictures you take. I come to you when I need to "get away".

M - cool music, cool blog, cool style. That's you - cool.

Austere - always has a way with words. It's like reading a song.

Bonnie - talented beyond belief. You are so very pretty and I love your zest for life.

Rich - total father of the year. You Rock!

Corky - new daddy! We share a love for the Shat. We will always have a bond in life because of it.

Crusty - what a wonderful woman, wife, mother, and friend.

Jamie - I look up to you. You are such a strong and beautiful person.

Stacy - you are not far from home and I am so glad I found you. Hope we can meet one day.

Portia - love the pictures, the stories, and your way of looking at things different than others.

Professor - Dear furry face. How the time goes by. You have been a joy to get to know.

Hyde - my NYC girl! Stay strong. You are an amazing girl!

Emily - Oh, how I just love you and Trent. Kiss your mom for me.

Dave - you are not only a teacher, but a wonderful father.

Ja - I love your blog. You have quickly become one of my new favorites.

Karin - funny. You definitely know how to make me laugh.

Cheryl - Another long time blogging friend. Seems almost like yesterday I started visiting your blog. I know I have told you before, but you are a very special person.

Loving Trevor - I wish I could get a hold of you to see how you are. I miss the updates on your little girl.

Eone - my friend across the world. You speak through wonderful pictures and words. True friend.

MaryKay - great mom. I am so happy to have found you also.

Sue - Ty and Tamaya's mommy! The kids are wonderful and you are such a great mom!

Meloncutter - we share so much. I am glad you are one of the good guys. Thank You!

Sally - hometown girl! Even though we live in the same hometown, we haven't met yet. I am sure one day that will change.

Kyrie - this girl is so intelligent. Reading your blog makes me want to go back to college again. You are so smart and I know you will go places.

Vital - haven't been able to get a hold of you either, but I check in every day.

NYC Watchdog - it's been a very tough year. You've been through more than any one should have to. Thank you for making my Wednesdays a brighter one.

Parlancheq - Funny, funny, funny. You can always see the lighter side of things.

Jenni - you don't know it, but I stop by and read all of the time. I have yet to post a comment. I will one day.

Jade - haven't left a comment on your blog either. In fact, we lost contact after awhile. Hope you post something soon. I'm still here.

Annabel - I am so glad we were able to meet. You have a wonderful personality, so easy to talk to. You are such an incredible woman and mom, and so devoted. You have become a good blogging friend, and one outside of the blogging world as well.

Chad - new dad! You are going to be a great father.

David Kim - my Korean friend from Cali. I plan to visit Cali next year, hopefully with my mom. I hope to meet you then. You live life to the fullest... and I love the spoilers.

The Diva - YOU GO GIRL!

Proxima - I find you fascinating. We have so many interesting things that have happened to us in our lives that most would find odd. I'm glad to know there is some one else out there like that.

Terri - great mom, active in your children's lives. Your family is so lucky to have you.

Becky - she has found love in her life. I knew you would. A person like you doesn't stay single for long. You are truly amazing.

Well, that's all. You are all my blogging family. I am sure I have left out a few, and if I did, I am so sorry. It was not intentional.

So with that...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Talk to you all when I return!

Wheel - By John Mayer and Me

This is the song my blog is named after. I love this song. I like it a lot better on his album. The lyrics are below. You will need to stop the music on the side bar before you start.

"Wheel"

People have the right to fly
And will when it gets compromised
Their hearts say "Move along"
Their minds say "Gotcha heart"
Let's move it along
Let's move it along

And airports
See it all the time
Where someone's last goodbye
Blends in with someone's sigh
Cause someone's coming home
In hand a single rose

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And I won't be the last
No I won't be the last,
To love her

And you can't build a house of leaves
And live like it's an evergreen
It's just a season thing
It's just this thing that seasons do

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now
And you won't be the first
No you won't be the first
To love me

You can find me, if you ever want again
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around the bend
I'll be around,
I'll be around
And if you never stop when you wave goodbye
You just might find if you give it time
You will wave hello again
You just might wave hello again

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now
That's the way this wheel keeps working now

You can't love too much, one part of it (repeat then fade)

I believe that my life's gonna see
The love I give
Return to me
I believe that my life's gonna see
The love I give
Return to me
I believe that my life's gonna see
The love I give
Return to me [repeat 1x]

Baking, Wrapping, and Packing

Work was treacherous. But it's not as bad as it's going to be tomorrow. Ugh. Thank goodness I am only working until noon.

The praline pound cake I made will be ready to wrap in another hour. The double fudge chocolate brownies just came out of the oven. I am now waiting on the chocolate chip cookies to bake. I have about six dozen to do.

The gifts are all in the rec room waiting to be wrapped. Thank goodness I only have to wrap half of them. The other half are for Josh's family, who will be coming over the Saturday after Christmas. Those can wait a couple more days.

I still need to make two shrimp trays, get all of the food together for the Christmas dinner at my parents' house, load the car with gifts, roaster, and overnight bags. I am leaving a lot out. I won't bore you to death, plus I have to keep an eye on those chocolaty morsels in the oven. I'll catch you all tomorrow before I leave. Night.

Good Morning!

Good morning. I am only posting very quickly to let you know I was able to get some photos up. They aren't very good, but I am taking my camera today, so hopefully I can get some more pictures.

The roads are starting to slowly clear. The trucks took their sweet time getting out this morning. Parts of 54 are still snow packed. Josh said he could only go about 35 in a 60 this morning.

I can't begin to imagine how busy the stores are going to be. Holy cow. I might have to take pictures of that just to show you.

Hope you all have a great day!

Pictures

Josh's neighborhood around 4:00 p.m. yesterday. Look at the drifts.


















Again, the drifts were terrible.

His front porch. These pictures are all over the place. Couldn't get them to fit. Blogger is down again, so I was lucky to get them in.

Enough Snow For You And Me

We received 6.6 inches of snow. The drifts were up to 3 and 4 feet deep. This is the most snow we have had for quite some time. There were major accidents all along the Great Plains, including an 80 car pile up in Amarillo, TX. I thought of Annabel right away, as she does not live far from there.

I took three photos outside of Josh's house, but Blogger is not allowing me to post them right now. I will try again later. I will be sure to take my camera with me tomorrow, since I forgot it today. The visibility on the road was zero at times. My usual drive home from the west side takes me 15 minutes on a regular day. Today it took me over an hour. I actually got stuck in front of the driveway. The best place to get stuck in a snowstorm is your own driveway. As I was walking up to the porch, snow was up to my knees. Oh, fun.

The sun is suppose to shine tomorrow and with some luck the trucks will be out and about tonight, scraping the streets for the heavy traffic of the procrastinating shoppers tomorrow. I can only imagine how the stores will be. Horrific is the only word I can describe. Working retail helps remind myself each year to get it all done a little bit earlier than the year before. I have been done with all of my shopping since Thursday. Thank goodness.

Well, hope you are all tucked in safe in your warm, cozy houses. Catch you all tomorrow.

Snow Shopping

More snow headed our way today. We are suppose to get 2-5 inches. Could be more or less in areas because of all the wind. Hope Phelan is going to be okay.

I worked a long day yesterday. I only made it to two stores. I like to plant myself at a store and just work, especially during the holidays. The departments are very appreciative and love it when you are there to help. I thought of my friend, Meloncutter, yesterday as I was working. I know he is busy preparing for the masses in his own produce department down South.

Today promises to be another long day. If you are one that is shopping at the last minute, you are going to find some big deals if you shop the major department stores. I know Penny's is having a big sale today and so are some others.

If you are brave enough to go out and about today, have a great one. Christmas is only three days away!

Christmas cards went in the mail today. Hope they reach there destination by Christmas! If yours is late, my deepest apologies. I actually completely forgot about them yesterday.

Well, it's off to work I go! Going to be a busy day!

Bored, bored, bored, bored. I am waiting for the kid to get out of school. I am waiting for laundry to dry. I am so bored that I have started going through paperwork from work! Agh!

Okay, maybe some of you have posted something. Later...

Well, I am done with gift shopping! I will be done with grocery shopping today after the kid gets out of school. Then, I will be able to relax! WooHoo!

I am going to be surfing the blogs now. Later...

Grow Up

Well, I worked the 1/2 day plus some. I picked up the kid from school. Dishes and laundry are done. Dinner is in the works as I type. I didn't get the shopping done, but I will tomorrow.

Today was a crappy day. I don't want to complain, but some people really irk me. I mean, I know I may do the same to others, that's why I don't like to complain. I just have to come to the realization I am an ever changing person. Some people are not. They stay the same no matter what. They can't go with the flow of things and small things make them mad, causing them to throw mini tantrums. Sometimes I want to shout, "Grow up people!" You only get one life!

Okay, enough with the ranting. I am off to finish dinner. We are having smoked kielbasa sausage and wild rice. Easy and simple. Catch you later.

Check Check

Today's Checklist

- Work 1/2 day
- Pick the kid up from school
- Get gift cards for nephews
- Get shirt and tie for friend
- Get scotch tape to wrap gifts
- Cook dinner
- Dishes
- 2 loads of laundry
- Catch up on all shows missed the last two days

These are in no particular order, except I have to work 1/2 day this morning. I am off tomorrow, so if I don't get it all done today, that's okay. What's on your check list today?

Last Call For Christmas Cards

Good morning. I am getting ready for work. I'm not posting much this morning.

If you are wanting a Christmas card, there is still time to leave me your address. I want to get the cards sent out by tomorrow morning, so if you would like one, please just email your address. I have received about five already.

Have an awesome day and I will talk at all of you when I get home tonight.

Dinner went okay. We followed it with several games of Bingo and cards. I am getting ready for bed now. Big day tomorrow at work. Good night.

Love For The Food Network

Well, two more hours before I head over to our friends' house for dinner. The kid flunked a social studies test. Not cool, especially because he came home all last week "not having any homework". He is grounded from the computer and all cartoons for at least a week, longer if I don't see improvements on an effort to study. Gosh, I'm mean. lol...


So, I decided to bring a chocolate pecan crostata. Giada has an awesome recipe for one on the Food Network if you ever want to make one. I really love their website. As soon as I see something on the Food Network Channel I want to try, I go directly to the website and download the recipe. That is where the onion and mushroom gravy came from last night. I could make something different every night if I had the time.

Today, I was at the Asian food store and I bought a plantain. I have never actually eaten one of these before, but once again, I saw it made on the food channel, so I have to see if I can make something good out of it. I am going to experiment with it tomorrow. If you have any loved recipes for the plantain, do share.

Well, I am going to try and fit in a load of laundry before we leave this evening. I might try and update on how the dinner went this evening, but if not, I will catch you all tomorrow. Have a great night!

I can't believe Todd won Survivor! I was pulling for Courtney. Oh well.

I am off to take the kid to school, then off to work. Have a great one today!

Pictures

Because I never show any pictures of what I cook, here you go. I made smothered chicken breasts in a homemade onion mushroom gravy, roasted fingerling potatoes with dill, parsley, and Parmesan Reggiano cheese, and a saute of onions and zucchini. This is kind of a small plate. Look at how big the fork is. Okay, so that is what we had for dinner. Now, no more posts tonight. Good night.

Let's Get Cooking

It was a long and tiring day. Frustrating also. But, I am home now and I can get to cooking. Tonight's meal will consist of oven fried chicken breasts, coated with bread crumbs and seasonings, roasted fingerling potatoes with flat leaf parsley and dill, and a saute of onions and zucchini. Yumm-O!

Then it's time in front of the tele. So with that, have a good night and an even better night's sleep.

What's For Dessert?

We ended up only getting about 2-3 inches. My friends in Hutchinson got about 8-9 inches and my parents got about a foot of snow. It was nice to finally get some of it.

Gotta head out to work soon. I am not working all day, so I will be home early. I am cooking dinner this evening, but haven't decided what.


We also got invited over to Josh's friends house for dinner Monday evening. I am bringing the dessert. Not sure what I am going to make yet. I am thinking about brownies. What do you think? They are making Mexican food. I would love to hear any suggestions you may have.


Talk at you all later.

Missing NYC

We are suppose to have more light flurries today with the expectation of 1-3" in Wichita. The rest of the state can expect 4-10" of total accumulation. Don't know how my friends in Hutchinson are doing. As of 8:00 pm last night, they already had 3".

I don't have much to say this morning as I sip on my hazelnut coffee in my I love NY coffee mug. I actually miss NYC. It was so much fun. I did say I wouldn't want to go back anytime soon, but perhaps every three years would be fine. I might just have to do that. If I still have all of you as blogging friends, we may have to meet up. I know of someone who met up with ten of her blogging friends in NYC this past summer. They all had a ball. It would be so much fun! Here is one of the pictures I took while we were there. You can click on it to get a better view.

Well, my blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese bagel is waiting for me to devour it now. I am off to read blogs and then heading off to work. Have a great snowy day!

Long day at work. I am going to the hockey game tonight. Major snow is headed our way! You should see the storm!

My parents live in Great Bend. Some of my friends live in Hutchinson and Manhattan. Here we go snow!

I Definitely Worry Too Much

Obviously I worry too much about others as well. It gets me into trouble sometimes. Oh well, at least no one can accuse of not caring.

How was your day! Mine was super long! I had to be at a store at 6:00 am. I didn't get to bed until after 1 am. I was up late worrying about a friend. I realize now I made a mistake. Oops!

Anyway, I am having issues with my little sister. My brother and I decided to get our mom and dad some good gifts this year. My sister is having issues paying her share of the money. She's mad because her and her boyfriend didn't pay that much for his parents' gift. Sorry, not my fault you didn't want to spend that much on his parents. I told her if she couldn't pay, I would pick up the rest of it. Of course, that sent her into a tailspin. She can totally afford it. After about fifty emails back and forth, she has finally decided to go in with us for the full amount. Good decision little sis.

Well, my baked salmon and rice is beckoning me from the kitchen. Later gators!

I Worry

I did get some more Christmas shopping done. I got Josh two gifts, which I won't reveal in case he reads this. I also got the kid some gifts. I got him two books from Borders and a Simpsons calendar. He won't be thrilled about the books, but I am hoping it's something we can enjoy together. I love reading with him, taking our turn back and forth. I usually end up reading to him, which I don't mind.

I've been thinking a lot about my kid today. I worry just like any mom. I worry about his health. I worry about his spirit. I worry about his grades. I worry about what might happen if something were to happen to me. I worry a lot when it comes to the kid. He is everything to me. He is my whole entire complete world. I love him more than anything.

I know I speak for many moms out there. It's tougher when your a single parent, especially if you are the primary caregiver. But I love every moment, even the hard ones.

So, dinner turned out pretty darn good. I made smothered beef burritos with homemade guacamole. I don't think I have ever made these for Josh, but he liked them. He has been taking all of the leftovers to work. It makes me feel good when he does that.

I'm really tired, so I am just going to check in with a few of my favorites before I turn in. Talk at you all tomorrow.

Melting Away

Our small part of the world is starting to melt. Many will be without power up to Saturday. My boss is without power and has been since Monday evening. My city is fine. Go half an hour west and you are in another world. It is starting to melt. I feel bad for those who are living in the cold.

My conference call for work is over. I am going to get my list together and head out to do some shopping. For dinner, I think I am going to make smothered beef burritos with sour cream and homemade guacamole. Yumm-O!

I'll catch up with all of you on a later post. Have a great day!

Weather Unforgiving

Hey there. No school today because of weather. However, there will be school tomorrow. I am scheduled off tomorrow, but I have a conference call in the morning. After that, I am just going to get a list for holiday baking and meals together. If the weather permits, I am going to do some Christmas shopping for the kid.

The weather has been unforgiving here. Check out some of these local pictures.

No School Today

No school today. Taking the kid to work with me today. I'll be back later.

It's Raining, So Stop By This Journey

Freezing rain, freezing rain! I am not staying on the computer long for this post. However, I will leave you with a link to this blog.

Check out Becky and her wonderful life at This Journey. This girl is one of my favorites to visit. She loves life, food - eating and cooking, great conversation, has great opinions on the issues that really matter, and kicks ass on the accordion. Love that girl! Stop by and tell her I sent you!

Six Down, Ten To Go

Well, I didn't get all of my Christmas shopping done. I did get two families completely bought for. My nephew (sister's baby) is done. We bought him three wooden puzzles and enough clothes to last until next Christmas. He is wearing 2T now.

My kid's cousins from St. Louis are bought for. The oldest will be receiving a football. The second child will get a soccer ball. The third is getting a Barbie with accessories. The fourth child will be receiving about 10 Hot Wheels cars. And the baby of the group will be receiving a toy car that makes noise and two sippy cups. I figured $15-$20 for each child is my budget. Now we only have Josh's family and some of our friends. Anyway, looks like we have six boys and four girls left to buy for. I can't wait for it to be over!

Okay, so two posts in one day. You're lucky. I will be pretty busy for the rest of this week, so I may only be able to put up a quick post. I also need to send Christmas cards to those of you who were so kind to leave your address. Yeah! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Back - Barely

We managed to make it to Manhattan and back. It was slow going. The roads were icy most of the way there. We did see an SUV that flipped over the median. Scary. There was a fatality near Salina as well. It took us almost three hours to get there and it usually only takes me two. We got to my brother's girlfriend's house (nmn). NMN's graduation started at noon. She received a bachelor's degree in business, same as my brother. She has received a job in Kansas City, but may be accepting a job in Denver. I hope they choose the best place for them.

We headed back around three. The roads were a little better since the trucks were out. I didn't have much trouble on the way home. I looked out the window this morning and discovered the ground and sidewalks are white. Not really snow, but more like those snow pellets. So looks like more ice today for sure.

I was going to go Christmas shopping today. I may still go, depending on what the weather will do. I am sure today would be a great day to go because there won't be anyone out in this crappy weather. I'll make a decision by noon. Until then, I plan to blog to my heart's content. I'm off to read about your day. Be back later!

Manhattan Here We Come

The kid and I are getting ready this morning for our journey to Manhattan. I can't wait to see my brother, mom, and dad. My sister is staying behind. She never usually goes to these sorts of things. I will post upon our return. Have a great weekend!

Leave Your Address Please

Morning. Another boring day at work. Today I have to visit two stores. They are on the south side of town. Not much going on today. My loads and loads of mail from work needs to be unstacked and organized. Perhaps I will do that later today.

My brother's fiance graduates from K-State this weekend. I am going to Manhattan on Saturday to celebrate. I will be home on Sunday and the kid and I plan on Christmas shopping all day. I don't plan on stopping until I am all done. Brave, aren't I?

There are several of you I would love to send Christmas cards to, but I would hate to ask for your address. If you don't mind leaving your address, shoot me an email. I would love to send you a card. A real Christmas card. Not one from the computer, but one with actual handwriting on it. I see so many people sending cards through the Internet, and while that's not bad or anything, I still love the thrill of opening mail that has been handwritten by someone. Don't you?

Sleet

It's sleeting here. I woke up this morning to hear those tiny little frozen pellets hitting the window. My car will need to thaw. No garage for me.

I think it's going to be a short day at work. I will post later this afternoon. Have a great day!

Not Much To Say

I went to the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner last night where Tony Snow was the speaker. Enough said. I know better than to talk about politics on my blog. It gets people all upset.

Can't decide if I want to go to a hockey game this evening. It's mid-week and I have so much to do. Maybe we will go and eat at the Cracker Barrel on our way out to the game. That sounds good.

I just don't have much to say today. Unusual for me, but oh well. Let's try a question.

If you could get one non-material gift for a complete stranger on Christmas, what would it be and why?

My answer would be a holiday hug and an ear to listen. Many times people around the holidays are lonely and need someone to just talk to.

Christmas Shopping

Good morning. Just wondering - how are all of you doing on your Christmas shopping? I have so much more to do. I am taking this weekend off to go to a graduation on Saturday and then do some major shopping on Sunday. I have to buy the majority for the kid. However, I also have to buy for five nieces and ten nephews. Whew! I am thinking one gift for each one, except for my sister's baby. He is a true nephew. The others are from either Josh's family or they are the kid's cousins.

It's hard to buy for kids you don't really know. I know the oldest niece loves Bobby Jack stuff, so I am probably going to get her a bag. The boys will all get some form of car, truck, or vehicle. I think I am also going to get them all a big candy bar for a stocking stuffer. Most of the kids are between four and eleven. If you have any ideas, let me know.

Well, it's off to another fun-filled day at work. woo.hoo.

Hope you all have a good one today.

Go Bucks!

Ohio State is going to the BCS championship game! WooHoo! Go Bucks!

Okay, I'll stop shouting now. I am so happy they are going to the championship game. This is a chance for them to redeem themselves.

Posting earlier today because I have a lot to do at work. The kid also has a project due tomorrow in which he needs some help with the final touches.

I'll check back in this evening. Have a great day!

Vacation's All I Ever Wanted

Well, it was good while it lasted. I have to head back to work today. I only have to work until about 3 pm. Had a wonderful week of relaxation from work and I got a lot done at home. I still have some things to work on, but not as bad as before.

We went to the hockey game last night and we won. It was a good game. My parents are doing great and my little nephew is getting so big!

Gotta head out and catch up on the 200 emails from work. Have a great day!