A day of adventure...
The kids had a vacation day on Friday because it was report card day. I am not sure why the teachers needed a day at school without the kids to mail out their report cards, but maybe they weren't finished with them?!? It is indeed one of life's puzzles which I alone cannot answer. Anyway back to my story...
We decided to take a road trip to Ikea and the mall. We slept in a little, ran to get some gas and cappuccinos for me, Mike and Randy and root beer for the girls. Deanna had a friend over so we invited her to come with us. We talked most of the 1-1/2 hour drive there and had a chance to get caught up on what has been happening with all of us. Even though we live together we don't always take the time to chat about what's going on. It was nice to spend that quality time together. We stopped at a motorcycle shop and looked at the four-wheelers and new motorcycles. I told Randy that I knew just the one for me (four-wheeler). It was a little bright red one that was automatic. I was only kidding, but its fun to dream once in awhile. Deanna picked out a scooter and Mike liked all the dirt-bikes and sporty motorcycles.
At ikea I found some much-needed kitchen supplies, (spatulas, bowls, cookie sheets, glasses, and a strainer). We also found a lamp, some storage boxes, quilt cover and pillowcase for Deanna. Mike didn't want to get anything there because he said it was all too girly for him.
We went to the mall and looked around at all the different shops there. The kids each got a new book to read. I found a few books on the bargain table for $2. I bought a childrens book about Prilla, one of the fairies in Neverland. It is so cute. I'll write the name of the author in my next post if anyone is interested in reading it. I felt a little guilty buying a childrens book for myself. Like maybe I should give it away to a child, but there is nothing wrong with never growing up, right? Both of the kids want to read it too. I bought myself a really cute tinker bell sweatshirt from the disney store on sale for $5. I was so excited! I had to buy Deanna a pair of pants and a few shirts to get through the rest of the schoolyear because she has grown about 2 inches this year and her pants look like high-waters. She was so excited about finally fitting into a size 12 slim pants. I think it makes her feel more like a pre-teen instead of a little girl. We got some pretty good deals and didn't have to spend a fortune, so it was a success.
The weather has been cold here and we are expecting a snowstorm today. After the snow it is supposed to drizzle and turn into freezing rain. I hope we don't get the freezing rain but, time will tell... Take care and God Bless!

Randy's kitty turned 17 last fall-I love this picture of his white fluffy belly. 

Had to post this for those who haven't seen it-me and the family at my graduation from nursing school. 

picture of the house in summer of 2005 

Food for thought...
Received this in an email from a friend of mine and found it interesting and wanted to share it with everyone:

The Denver Post

THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT. Denver Post:This text is from a county emergency manager out in the central part of Colorado after todays snowstorm.
WEATHER BULLETIN-Up here, in the Northern Plains, we just recovered from a Historic event--- may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to 10's of thousands. FYI:George Bush did not come.FEMA did nothing.No one howled for the government.No one blamed the government.No one even uttered an expletive on TV Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit. Our Mayor did not blame Bush or anyone else. Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else, either. CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5 snowstorm. Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards. No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.No one looted.
Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something.Nobody expected the government to do anything, either.No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No Geraldo Rivera. No Shaun Penn, No Bar bara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found.Nope, we just melted the snow for water.Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars. The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a penny. Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments delivered it to the snowbound families. Families took in the stranded people - total strangers. We fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman lanterns. We put on extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die".We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes for 'sittin at home' checks. Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early, we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves. "In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about 48 degrees North Latitude, 90% of the world's social problems evaporate." It does seem that way, at least to me. I hope this gets passed on.Maybe SOME people will get the message. The world does Not owe you a living!
AMEN! I agree wholeheartedly. We all need to help eachother in times of crisis, but we should also be able to help ourselves.

Great movies to see!
Eragon:The first chapter in the inheritance trilogy
Here is a movie trailer to give you an idea what its about:
"Before your grandfathers' fathers were born, and even before their fathers, the Dragon Riders were formed. To protect and guard was their mission, and for thousands of years they succeeded. Their prowess in battle was unmatched, for each had the strength of ten men. They were immortal unless blade or poison took them. For good only were their powers used, and under their tutelage tall cities and towers were built out of the living stone. Wealth flowed into the cities of Algaesia, and men prospered."
Call me a kid at heart, but this was an excellent film. I love anything about dragons or fantasy. There are some great battle scenes and awesome special effects as Eragon rides his dragon Sethura over the mountains. The scenery is gorgeous, the ride scenes are thrilling and give you the feeling of wanting to go find a dragon for your very own to ride. If you like fantasy and adventure, this is the film for you.
Night at the Museum
Movie trailer:
"Comedy takes on a life of its own with “Night at the Museum”. This live-action comedy adventure is packed with humor and breathtaking visuals
Comedy genius Ben Stiller stars as Larry Daley, who, despite being down on his luck, believes he’s destined for something big. He accepts a menial job as the nigh-shift watchman at a museum of natural history. During his watch, the museum’s exhibits come to life and our hero gets up close and personal with some of history’s greatest civilizations and most iconic figures, including Roman gladiators, Attila the Hun, Teddy Roosevelt and a T-Rex who insists on playing fetch with one of his own bones. "
This movie was really cute. One you can take the whole family to and all will enjoy. I love Robin Williams who plays Teddy Roosevelt and always makes me laugh. Ben Stiller was Hilarious and they couldn't have picked a better person to play Larry Daley. I really am a kid at heart and prefer to watch feel-good movies that make me happy. I hope you all have an opportunity to see these films this year. They are definitely worth it!

LET YOUR LOVE SHINE IN 2007!
How do you plan to greet the new year, with resolutions to exercise more, lose weight, spend less, save more....?
This past year has had its joys, there has also been much sorrow and concern about our world, our government, wars, intolerance, and random, bizarre acts of violence among this great nation's people. There are still many young men and women in Iraq fighting for our freedom and that of the Iraqi people.I am grateful for them and hope we can bring them home soon. The missing words in 2006 seem to be kindness, understanding, forgiveness and love. The horrific attack on 10 Amish girls in the one-room schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, PA took America by surprise and has been a wake-up call to the world. The amish are a peaceful society who would never think of going into a school and shooting children much less murder anyone. The Amish community has demonstrated its willingness to forgive this man and even reach out to his wife and children. They have showed the world that "an eye for an eye" is not the way, healing forgiveness and love are the better alternative. The amish have set an example for us all to reach out with love and understanding even when their peaceful tranquility was ripped away from them.
So many of us focus on the material things we have, the house, furniture, cars, and money. We need to take the time to breathe deep, pause and look out from our individual mountaintops,then with an "AH," bring that vision and all that gratitude into our hearts to find a home,let it burst forth in deep appreciation for our many blessings, allowing us to share everyday joys. Pay more attention to our families, teach our children more about love, kindness and understanding, and tell them "I Love you" more often. Turn our hearts into golden vessels of understanding and forgiveness!

"Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution"-Kahlil Gibran

"And as we face the future,
With its slowly opening door,
May we bring to it more brotherhood
Than we ever did before.

May the spark of love ignite it,
May caring light the way,
May we face a new tomorrow,
Beginning now,today!"
-Dorothy Serulnic

Is this someone's idea of a joke?!? I do not belong in a stocking! hee-hee 

My beautiful girl singing her heart out at the Christmas concert. 

Sunset at our house