An update....

I'm going to try my best to give a good update. I have tried to sit down and blog so many times lately. I have so much to say, but I draw a complete blank if I try to get it all out on here.

Lets start with my health. Its a sensitive subject for me right now. I recently saw a great doctor that specializes in female issues, like hormones. I thought that there was something wrong with me, and I got a reality check when I found out that all of my problems are stress related. I need to change the way I am living my life, in many ways. I need to take vitamins, stop eating sugars and starches, and find a way to relieve some stress. So, I have had a couple of weeks to process all this and do some research, and get a game plan together. I will keep you updated.

Christmas was good. I only got 1 day off, so it was a little rushed, but it was good. We all got spoiled. Dennis got me a star necklace, and a BOSE docking station for my iPod. We also got Guitar Hero World Tour as a family. All 4 of us can play at the same time. We have all tried all of the instruments, and Dennis assigned us each a position in the band. I'm the singer!!! Can you believe that? I am so totally awful. LOL! We all have fun playing in our family band though.

I am watching The City right now. How cute is it that Whitney and Olivia have the same hair style? I havent decided how I feel about the show yet, it seems a little forced, but I think it will get better.

I am having a family dinner here on Thursday. I tossed around some ideas of what to make and finally settled on just a traditional turkey dinner. Tomorrow night I am going to make the pies (pumpkin and chocolate cream). We arent doing anything crazy for New Years Eve, just having a few friends over to play some games and stuff. I will be really suprised if I make it to midnight.

So get this. I believe that Hermiston has the worst Starbucks in the nation. For real! Everytime I go there it takes 15-20 minutes to get through the drive thru. They are so slow, my coffee is never hot enough. I dont think I have ever had two of the same drinks actually taste the same. Half the time they don't even get it right, I ask for a peppermint white mocha, and either they leave out the peppermint, or give me a regular mocha and not a white one. grrrr! I do have to say that I am excited for the new line of mugs that should be rolling out anyday. Valentines Day mugs!!! I got one last year and its still my very favorite mug. Infact, I am drinking tea from it as I type this.

Ok, well that is about all I have for now. I know there is more. I know it, I just cant remember it right now. See, that is how life has been for me lately. I gotta add that I have been working A LOT of extra hours. One of the people in my branch is having some "life problems" and hasn't shown up to work for almost 2 weeks now. On one hand its been really nice and quiet, and on the other, its annoying to have to be to work at 6:30am every morning, and work until closing at 5pm. When I get home at the end of the day, I am exhausted.

So.... toootles!!!

Happy and Sad

I am so happy at all of the joys in my life lately. I have had an exciting weekend full of Christmas baking and fun. But sad because I have no pictures to share.

Yesterday morning I woke up at 6:30am because I was so excited for the day ahead. My plan was to bake 5 different kinds of cookies and enjoy some hot cider. The early morning started out with the Pampered Chef consultant dropping off my goodies. Then I went to the store and got the rest of the baking supplies. I had the cider going, and the recipes all organized, and I grabbed my camera. No memory card, and the battery was dead. I couldnt find the card, or the charger, anywhere. I still cant.
:-(

I baked all day. My special friend came over and hung out with me. I made chocolate chip first. Then I made no-bake cookies. Then I made thumbprint cookies. I got the recipe for the thumbprint cookies from a blog, and I thought they looked fun to make. I made half of them with raspberry jam, and the other half with lemon curd. They didnt quite turn out like the picture. But the taste is good!!! After my friend left, I made another batch of no-bakes. Then I made the dough for the sugar cookies, and the chocolate crinkles. Both of those doughs had to refrigerate. I did manage to get the sugar cookies done last night, but was exhausted in bed and asleep at 10:00. This morning I finished the crinkles and assembled the plates.

Dennis, Harley, and I set out in the snow to deliver the goodies. Everyone was so excited. Cindy messaged me shortly after dropping hers off and said that her favorite was the thumbprints.

Today it snowed more, a lot!! We watched Home Alone this afternoon, then we went to Dennis's dad's house, then to Safeway to get some dinner stuff for the week. I didnt get to clip any coupons today because there were no Oregonians!! They havent made it over this way yet because of the weather.

I just got done making home made biscuits and gravy for dinner. I even made the biscuits from scratch!!! It was yummy and now we are all enjoying cookies and milk. Dennis is watching football, and I am going to try and get him to change the channel soon!!!

Peace.

Holiday Spirit

I love this time of year. I love having a tree in my living room, and stokings hung. I love shopping for gifts. I love the smell of Christmas. I love the baking.

Its been snowing, and normally I would be "ugh" about it. But right now, I am loving it! Its so crisp and quiet outside. Its so cold that the snow literally sparkles, like glitter!!!! My poor little pooch, she can barely stand going out to potty. We put on her little sweater when she goes out, but I am sure her tiny feet are just freezing.

I have been enjoying a cup of tea every evening. I looooove tea. I got some new starbucks mugs recently and love using them to have a cup of tea. Its so relaxing. I've been drinking Honey Vanilla Chamomile, but tonight I picked up a box of Honeybush Orange, and its pretty decent. I first tried Honeybush a few weekends ago at TeaZone in downtown Portland, yummmm.

I had a great day with the 3 BFF's on Saturday. We enjoyed shopping and lunch at Nothing But Noodles. We also enxhanged cute little gifts. I received some very awesome and thoughtful gifts. It was a great way to celebrate the season.

I am thankful that all of my shopping is done, with the exception of a few things that I have to pick up here locally. I can't wait for Christmas. It's always such a fun day for our family to hang out, and I am really looking forward to it, and the day off of work. =D