Odd happenings

This first photo is from Friday.  That group of turkeys came up closer to house.  I rarely get to see turkeys that close.  It was pretty cool.
On Saturday the weather got really warm.  When it wasn't raining and thundering it was foggy.
Most of the snow on the ground melted and many rivers are flooding.  The entire field behind us has standing water on it.  Today it got very windy and cold again.  

So, things have been a little odd around here.  Today was my last day of vacation and I am quite sad.  At least I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new year.  

It' a Wonderful Life

Before.....

and after...
Sassy loves to lay on the floor like this all the time.  The first photo was on Christmas Eve and the second is after all the gift opening at our place.  She loved having my family over because of all the extra attention she gets from them.  I loved having them over as well.  Thankfully the roads were OK for them.  It warmed up to above freezing and things were a little sloppy outside -- but they were safe.  We met for an early dinner along with Charlie's folks and an Aunt and Uncle.  After dinner we toured the beautiful lights in Frankenmuth and at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.  Gorgeous!  We got them checked into the hotel and then came back to my place for coffee/tea.  Grandma opened a Birthday gift -- I would be bummed if my Birthday landed around Christmas time.  I suppose she is used to it.  She is 88 years old now.  Happy Birthday Grandma!

I got up early on Christmas and starting making breakfast.  I made a pretty big breakfast and most of it turned out well.  After breakfast we opened gifts.  This is my husband, Charlie.  He is happy because he got his Celtic Women CD (we gave him a little crap for liking them, but then we listened to them all afternoon -- they do have nice voices).  
This is my Dad -- wearing one of my tie-dye creations that he got last Christmas.  He is a walking advertisement for my tie-dyes if I ever manage to start a business.  He loves them and he pulls off the look pretty well.  Perhaps it is the pony tail or a slight resemblance to Jerry Garcia (I have other photos that show that resemblance better).  Who knows.  

This is my big brother taking a nap after the gift giving.  I think the Celtic Women put him to sleep.  He is using a blanket that he got from Mom and Dad.  

I didn't get any really good photos of Mom.  I'm bummed too because I meant to take some photos of the brooches and ear rings I made her to go with the wrap/scarf I had gotten for her.  I am having her send me some photos though so I can share with you what I made.  I'm actually quite proud of them.  

My family stayed until mid afternoon.  Charlie and I then went to his parents house.  As soon as we got there the Christmas gift unwrapping ensued.  They do it completely different that my family does.  We open one gift at a time and wait to see what each person got before the next person gets one.  The in-laws rip into them with gusto.  5 kids and 8 adults were done in less than 5 minutes!  It is chaotic and crazy.  The kids were happy though.  Here is Melissa with a new doll...

Brianna got a book -- and some bunny-ears from her Dad (Charlie's brother).

Lesleigh was enthralled with her new "laptop".  

We had a nice dinner.  Most folks were already stuffed from all the snacking throughout the day.

I just feel so blessed this year.  We have so much compared to everyone else on the planet.  We can freely celebrate the birth of Christ with our families -- we have no lack of food or clean water.  We live in peace (at least within our borders) and safety.  We can afford to give gifts to the ones we love.  There are always going to be things I want to change in the world or in my own life, but for now I am content.  I hope that you are as blessed as we are and wish you peace and prosperity for the new year!

Merry Christmas!

This will probably be my last blog before Christmas so I wanted to wish everyone who reads my blog a "Merry Christmas!!!".

I also wanted to add one photo for the day (because a blog posting just doesn't feel complete without a photo).  I was looking out our side window to check on the conditions of the driveway and I noticed a large flock of turkeys (Is a group of turkeys considered a flock?  A herd?  A school?  Does anybody know?).  I have been seeing this group of turkeys way back at the edge of the field but couldn't see how many there were.  I count almost two dozen in the photo!  "Back in the day" one would have made a nice Christmas dinner... Luckily for them, we are having quiche instead (my family likes to do a big Christmas brunch and then just nibble on cheese and crackers and sweets for the rest of the day).

Speaking of my family... I have to give them a call when I am done blogging.  We are trying to figure out if the roads are going to be OK for them to travel out here.  This is my first year hosting our Christmas gathering and I will be sad if it gets cancelled.  Charlie has already assured me that if they don't come this way that we will drive to them (he's a professional you know -- still scared me half to death last night driving to the grocery store ).  In either case, we are praying for safe travels.  

I would love to hear from any of my readers -- are you traveling this Christmas?  Are you going to see all your loved ones?  Oh, and what's for Christmas dinner?  

: )

Winter Wonderland

Here are a couple more photos -- finally got them to upload.  
Driving down our road.  It looks clear -- but it is pretty icy.
This is the front yard at night.  If you saw the snowmen on a previous post you'd know there are three of them.  The tiniest one is buried in snow.  : )

Let it Snow...

Just thought I would show off some of the snow that we got the other day.  I went out yesterday and took a few photos then finished off my Christmas shopping.  I am trying to upload some more photos but my internet connection isn't cooperating... so this is it for now.  

I think I did a pretty good job this year with the Christmas shopping.  I usually get carried away.  I really tried to cut back this year.  Next year I'd like to do even more in the line of homemade items.  

Charlie is having to drive through the nasty weather today.  We got another couple inches of snow and now it is blowing around and drifting.  He is South of here driving through an icy mess right now.  I spoke with my Mom earlier and she said that Grand Rapids got another 10 inches already today to go on top of their 10 inches from Friday.  It has definitely been a snowy end to Autumn.  By the way -- happy Winter Solstice!  

Today I have the Christmas radio station playing.  I alternate between cleaning and wrapping gifts.  Sassy is sleeping on the bed snuggled into the extra blankets I pulled out of storage.  I have no desire to go out at all -- I can pretend I am a stay-at-home wife and spend the day doing stay-at-home chores and make sure a hot supper is ready when Charlie makes it home.  It's a good day.

Eyes all a-glow.....

Sassy was trying to blend in under the Christmas tree I guess.  Her eyes are as bright as any Christmas lights when I use flash to take a photo of her.  I just had to share this photo -- I think she is too cute.  She has been hanging out under the tree since we put it up.  She really likes the tree skirt too -- she pretends there is some little critter under it and she attacks and pounces on it.  So naughty!

It snowed and snowed and snowed today.  It took me an hour to get to work.  We ended up with over a foot of snow.  It snowed 'til 4:30 or so and the roads were better on my way home.  

I am on vacation now until December 29th.  I am thrilled!  I will be posting more blogs this next week because I'll have more time -- and more interesting stuff to write about.  Stay tuned.

Christmas spirit

I'm starting to feel the Christmas spirit finally.  I am usually done making/buying gifts by now.  I've fallen behind this year.  I have been sick for the last 3 weeks, so that hasn't helped the situation.  Charlie and I did manage to find a tree (fake, and fairly cheap -- but it does the job) and got that up and decorated.

It has been snowing here in Michigan -- and holy wah, it has been cold!!!  It sure looks pretty though.  

Our landlords have put up some decorations outdoors.  I thought these guys were cute and festive.

So, I have some Christmas shopping to do this next week.  I've got tons of cleaning to do to get ready for my family coming out for Christmas Eve -- not to mention figuring out Christmas baking and planning some meals.  I really like this time of year though -- so it will be fun.

I didn't get that job that I really wanted.  I didn't even get an interview.  I am trying not to let it bother me too much.  I am the type of person that believes things happen for a reason.  If this job wasn't meant to be then who am I to disagree?  There must be something better in store for me.