Bits of randomness

I'm not sure why standing on the toilet is an important part of brushing one's teeth, but it gets the job done.  Not featured in this vignette is the best part of oral care...the A #1 Christmas present when she launches into the list...the "as seen on TV" Touch N Brush.  She watches too much TV.  And, yes, that is Christmas garland and decorations that are still up.  Don't judge me!  This weekend! I'll get it down!  Sheesh. 

Great happiness this morning.  An automated telephone call informing us that school  was delayed two hours.  Huzzah!  Back to sleep.  But it WAS f-r-e-e-e-e-zing today.  I wore black pants and sweater so as to feature my lovely UT Longhorns necklace.  And my burnt orange shawl my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas.  I was a picture of team support loveliness.  When last I checked the score, the 'horns were trailing the Crimson Tide.  It could be dark days around here.  I may only dress in black for a while...like Johnny Cash.  In support of the down-trodden.

As I blog away here, I'm sipping tasty white tea with pomegranate and blueberry.  Made with our new water supply.

I think the bananas make it functional with a tropical flair.  I have long fought the importation of water from trucked in outside sources.  Expense, plastics, etc.  But we have "boil water" notices way too frequently in our subdivision, so I'll drink the kool-aid water.  Score one for Loverboy.  And look at the lovely display he's arranged for our new water appliance...

It's like Christmas never ends...

...when you have this kid's grandmother.  Of course, the fact that we have not put one ornament,  nativity, or sprig of holly away, it does perpetuate the festive effect.  This weekend, seriously!  I do think I enjoy my decorations more AFTER the holiday stress rush is over.  The outside decorations are down...except the wreath.  Easy fix, I'll grab it off the door tomorrow.  I think it was a real injustice that we had two icy days when school was out.  There is slight chance of wintery wet tonight---oh, please, oh, please, oh, please!  Though, if at home, I would feel guilted into un-decorating.  I don't know why I let it bother me.  It's only Epiphany tonight.  And the above mentioned grandmother will be decorated at least until St. Patrick's Day.  Perspective...I've got to keep things in perspective.

Life is good

I said "see ya" to work at noon today.  So nice.  Got some mysteries at the library, along with a diabetes cookbook and a "how-to" applique book.  Sewing--hand and, my nemesis, machine, are on my 2010 to do list.  I left early for a diabetes numbers check up with the doc--better news than I expected.  And I had left over energy to cook not one, but two dinners!  Spaghetti and meatballs for tonight and chicken/shrimp ettouffe for what's shaping up to be a crazy cold tomorrow.

One tired magician

Says it all, yes?

Edward slamming Wii air hockey (game and second controller stolen borrowed from my out of town mother)

Missed my sweeties

This creamy goodness was most certainly not for mama.  Back to Weight Watchers I went today.  I wasn't driven to do flips over Flip Flippen today, I must say.  Basically, we have to be nice to the children. Ooookay. 

The end of another big holiday season.  Back to "normal" tomorrow.  Flip Flippen will be reminding me how to "Capture Kids Hearts."  I need ya, Flip.  "Normal" will include the full holiday regalia up for at least another week.  I'll try to tackle it in phases. And maybe toss a little organization to my packing.  Ahem.  It's been a good couple of weeks.  My grandmother passed away and was buried Christmas Eve (!), mom and I were stuck on the highway for hours in an ice storm on the way home from that, I was diagnosed with c-r-a-z-y diabetes and get to give myself a shot daily.  BUT...I got to spend lots of relaxed time with little family and some with my big family.  I got the presents I intended to make made.  I got to see the amazement of Christmas on some adorable faces, including one new one.  I spent quiet tree gazing couch time with my sugar-man.  I went to a work Christmas party where the host's home was almost set ablaze during the gift exchange game.  Two snows.  Some Wii time.  Time with my friends, including dinner with my two longest-running friends.  It's been good.  Four weeks until the Barbie birthday party.  The Super Bowl. Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, conveniently on the same day.  A few days later is Mardi Gras.  So, lots of decorating, cooking, partying in the days to come.  But I'm gonna miss my sweeties tomorrow.  It's a long haul until Spring Break.

Notice the absence of the new baby doll.  My dog lover.

Finally did it

The "motel" block of rooms was torn down sometime in the last few years, along with a nice (really) trailer park (well cared for, lots of trees, gardens).  Progress in the form of upscale retirement apartments fetching top dollar since it's right on the lake.  I've got to say, the loss of the motel is no great shakes.  I can't imagine anyone willingly staying there unless sleeping it off (I should ask my brother if he stayed there in high school) or a seriously low rent tryst. But I miss the creepiness a little.  I don't imagine even this will be here much longer.  More oldsters will be clamoring for Active Living Villa Phase 2 sooner or later.  To make a long story even longer, I've wanted to take this picture for sometime, and today was that time.  Had my camera, plenty of time, an amenable child in her booster with her Leapster 2 and a belly full of McD's.  Stars were aligned.  Got my photo.  I wish I had more pictures of what this place looked like, and how it's changed, over the last...25!!!...years.  I was here before SuperWalmart, back when we just had plain ol' Walmart.  Progress.

Black-eyed peas and cabbage

I'm anticipating luck and health...or is it wealth.  Black-eyed peas for wealth and cabbage for health, that's it!  With a pork chop thrown in for good measure.  Another resolution down, as well.  We officially instituted weekly "Family Game Night."  Bingo.  The for real kind--with the wire cage.  That was a hit.  Made all the difference.   If you're gonna do it, do it right.  My motto for the year, perhaps?