Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Holiday Season is About to Begin!


Tomorrow we trek out to late hubby's (late brother's) farm for Thanksgiving. Does that make sense? There is nothing like Thanksgiving on the farm...I swear I feel like I've stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting when I walk through the door. A big old fashioned cooking stove sits proudly in the kitchen (there was a time that hot cider would be warming over the coals but now it just serves as a shelf for our beverages.) The dining room boasts a big old cello in the corner and an upright piano along the west wall. Being a musical family, both get played spontaneously and folks will gather round whoever happens to be making the music and then the singing starts.


Even though this isn't the family I grew up with (I get to have Thanksgiving with them next year) and even though hubby is no longer with us - I still feel at home there. It's warm and cozy and full of love. Family from several states gather to share a meal on this special day and I am thankful to be a part of this family. The neat part is - even present hubby likes it there! Our very first Thanksgiving as husband and wife - was spent at the farm! Not with his family..not with mine....but at the farm!


In the meantime we are cranking down hard trying to get the house finished! I've resigned myself tot he fact it won't be perfect. There's a section we will close off because it will still be "under construction" and full of junk! But as long as I have a working kitchen, a carpet in the living room and my family with me - it will be home! Christmas shopping is almost done. At least 3/4 done anyway. And it's all wrapped! That last week before Christmas will be spent moving furniture, stocking cupboards and decorating. No time to be running to the mall.


I'm also going to attempt my first "black friday" expedition. Middle daughter raved last year about all the deals. I'm not camping out a 5 am....there's nothing in particular I'm after. Just want to see what the deals are and maybe finish up the last of the shopping.


I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you eat too much - just hop back on the wagon Friday!


Cheers!




Sunday, November 22, 2009

Is it November Already?



November here has been pleasant as far as the weather goes. No snow. Mild temps (sparing a few frosty mornings that required the obligatory scraping of my windshield...) I still have to trek down to the lake to empty out the last few things in the fridge, purge the waterlines and sweep up any remaining crumbs that might invite vermin to move in and set up housekeeping while we're away for the season. Then I can settle into winter.


The new house is in the final stages. We need a crew from HGTV to come in do their magic so we can be in by Christmas. You know those episodes where they revamp a house in the span of a half hour show? Seriously - we have SO much to do in the next 30 some odd days! Thankfully I've put a major bite in my Christmas shopping. Middle Daughter and her hubby are going to come over and help set up furniture and decorate for the holiday. Unfortunately that won't be until the final hour (maybe even December 23rd....) but I'm confident they can successfully transform the place into one of those warm fuzzy hallmark settings. Of course the cabinets aren't installed yet, we still need a hot water heater, the flooring isn't in, the trim work and doors aren't installed.... YIKES!!!
Remember last year how I obsessed about the new carpet in the living room of the old house in time for the holidays? Things always work out. As long as my family is all together - that's what matters.

Weight-wise I was doing quite well. But then I kind of got in an over confident phase and a few pounds have crept back on. In the nick of time my niece decided to hold a family weight loss challenge so I'm back on track. Oldest daughter is getting married next September so we have a goal once again. The biggest thing this time though is the health issues. My blood pressure and cholesterol are not good. It's no longer a matter of vanity. I want to be here for my future grandkids. And there's that pressure knowing that if something should happen to me...the girls would be parent-less. Sure they have a wonderful step-dad that loves them. But it's not the same. Their real dad has been gone for 7 years now. They aren't ready to see both of our names on that gravestone just yet. One has been hard enough...
I know I haven't posted much. Or visited your blogs much either. Every free minute has been subbing at school or working on the house. Oh for the day it's done and we can relax! But the proverbial train really never does arrive at the station until the end does it? I need to enjoy the ride. Take in the scenery. Savor the journey - bumps and all.
Happy Thanksgiving!
ps...The pic above is from our girl's trip last month to Florida. It was awesome!