holiday wishes

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

I’ll probably not be posting much, if any, between now and the new year.  I’m taking a break to spend time with family and to bake cookies, watch movies and play board games with my children.
I hope your days are filled with joy and that [...]

Fun times at Sugarmont High

A better title for this post might be No Sleep (so no nightmares)  on Elm Street or Lifestyles of the High and Sugary.
If I lived in a different place, I could make the title similar to a movie about someone who doesn’t sleep well in the northwestern part of America.  The title could be Drowsy [...]

Second diabetes anniversary

Two years ago, J. was diagnosed with type I diabetes at age ten.  She had been feeling icky for a couple of days before that Monday.  I thought she had a stomach virus.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing her gasping for air, fighting to live as her body tried to rid itself of the [...]

50 things

I saw this over at Annie’s blog, so I’m playing along.
Learn 50 things about your friends and let them learn 50 things about you!
1.Do you like cheese? Most kinds, yes.
2. Have you ever smoked? Look!  There’s something shiny!

3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Yes, but I [...]

transmission repair

Turns out, it wasn’t that little plastic piece that needed to be replaced to make my washing machine spin.  The motor transmission needs to be rebuilt.  And possibly new brake shoes are needed as well.
Who knew that washers had parts that sound like car parts?
Probably a lot of you knew, but I did not.  Until [...]

this and that

I found the perfect gift on Etsy just now. It will be shipped on Monday.
Tonight, Mom and I are volunteering at The Nutcracker. I haven’t seen it in several years and am looking forward to it. Also, I’m not-so-secretly hoping that I don’t get assigned to the balcony again [...]

Band Concert

This is my oldest daughter (in blue) at her band concert. It’s hard to believe that she’ll be 16 this summer and ready to start driving on her own.

Poinsettas were lining the front edge of the stage. I took this photo from about 12 rows back when I was waiting for the concert [...]

birthday wishes

to you,

to you.

dear Julie!

I love you, sis!
I hope your day is wonderful and that this is your best year yet.

Do I spy Mrs. Lovett?

Aah, no.  It’s not Mrs. Lovett… it’s just me.  Natalie.  I’ve been cutting up venison with Dad.  Then slicing my thumb.
Fun times.

decorations have been hung on the railing with care

We hung garland on the front porch railing and our wreath on the front door last night. This afternoon, the kids and I decorated the house, inside and out. Mainly outside. We’ve gotten our tree put up and some of the decorations inside. We’ll finish them either tonight or tomorrow afternoon. [...]

Santa

I have a lot of Santas after many years of collecting them.  I find them all year round, sometimes in unexpected places like garage sales or dusty, forgotten corners of thrift shops.
One of my favorites is this hand-painted Santa pin that Mom brought home from Saint Petersburg, Russia a couple of summers ago.  Each morning [...]

Sometimes technology stinks

or maybe the true culprits are my computer and my lack of patience.
A few minutes ago, I had this whole post filled with photos, a slideshow and great descriptions.  Now it’s gone.  Poof!
Now I’m settling and posting a condensed version.  Hey!  Maybe I have a career ahead of me with Reader’s Digest!  Look how condensed [...]

my camera

My new camera, the Nikon COOLPIX P80) is great! My kids are starting to ignore me when they see me messing with it. I was hoping they’d get used to me having it and quit reacting so I can get candid shots. I like those so much better than posed photos most [...]