A Mountain of Cabinets...

YEY! Our cabinets arrived today about 1:00. I'm so happy. It looks like a mountain range with all of them stacked up together. Until we get the kitchen ready for cabinets they will be moved into the spare bedroom.

We lost power AGAIN today, but only for a few hours. I called to report it and they said it was probably because they only did a temporary fix the other night just to get things back online. So, today they came back and fixed it completely. If you didn't know by now, we lose power alot out here. It's not like we're in the boonies either. Oh well...it's job security for John so I don't care. We're supposed to get a few inches tonight with more windy conditions. Boy, has it been windy. It was gusting last night in the 40 mph range. Nothing compares to Sunday night though.

Today is the day...

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new cabinets. They said they would deliver between the hours of 12-6p.m. I hope it's sooner rather than later. John got home this morning about 8 o'clock after working a double shift. He was amazed at my accomplishments in the spare bedroom. He is sleeping right now. I hope the cabinet people deliver before he has to go to work at 2:30. I don't want to have to deal with the cabinets all by myself.

Rizzo kept John's side of the bed warm last night. He was all snuggled up in a little ball when I fell asleep last night. He is sitting next to me right now. He doesn't know who to be with. I can just imagine what he's thinking, "Hmm, should I go sleep with dad or be with mom?" Looks like he's sharing his time with both of us. He is calm right now, but when the big truck full of cabinets pulls in the driveway, he will turn into a raging maniac. Like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.

I had a nice night talking with "Cobalt Princess" a.k.a. "CP" from the CMG page. She PM'd me last night and we talked for over an hour. It was such a nice chat. She has been busy working and hasn't had much time to talk with us " The Wednesday Night Hump Club" LOL

Peanuts, Peanuts, and More Peanuts...

No, Folks...not the ones you eat! I'm talking about those styrofoam packing peanuts. I've been cleaning out the spare bedroom tonight. Boy, did I find alot of things I haven't seen in a while.

This is what I've found:

1. A garbage bag full of packing peanuts

2. My old diary..EEK!!!!!

3. Old pictures of John and I. I can't believe we've been together for 10 yrs. We've only been married for 3 1/2 yrs though.

4. Old high school sports trophies. I was in Volleyball(my favorite sport), Track, Cross-Country, Softball. Bet you didn't know that, did you?

5. More peanuts to fill another garbage bag.

6. Lots of dust bunnies

7. Pictures of Rizzo when he was a little baby.

8. Odds and ends that need to go to the junque shop. I will load these up tonight so John doesn't see what I getting rid of. I'm so sneaky, aren't I?

9. Craft Supplies

10. Some old rolls of wrapping paper that I forgot about and bought more this season because I thought I didn't have any. LOL

Well, I guess I better get back to work again. It's gonna be a LONG night. Till next time...

The cabinets are coming...

The new kitchen cabinets will be delivered tomorrow. I just have one thing to worry about...we have nowhere to put them for the time being and the kitchen isn't even painted yet. UGH!!

John has been working a lot of overtime so I'm left doing the majority of it by myself(except for the installation part). This recent wind storm has put a hold on the kitchen. He worked 12 hrs yesterday and he's working 16 hrs today. Not sure about tomorrow yet. It's a day by day thing.

I'm trying to tidy up the spare bedroom so we can store some cabinets in there. This is the hard part. It is a Fiesta/bedroom/storage room. We don't have a basement to store our stuff, so we have to make due with the room that we have. I have a feeling I'm going to be throwing a lot out....Fiesta NOT included :)

I stripped some more wallpaper last night during the power outage. I couldn't do anything else, so it was okay. I only have some border to do on the soffit and I'll be done. This has been posing a problem for me. It's up high, I'm down low. My ankle isn't cooperating 100% so it's difficult to maneuver on the ladder. John said he would do the high stuff, but he's procrastinating. I think he's waiting for me to do it. FIGURES! It also seems like the border is coming off harder than the wallpaper. I will never put wallpaper on anything again. It's a pain the butt.

John just left work, he won't be home until tomorrow morning sometime. Rizzo is making his bed on the floor and is very sleepy today. I told John he should take Rizzo to work with him. He could run around the warehouse with his ball.

Oh, I have other news. My sister in law just bought Fiesta for her dishes. She said she needs Chartreuse, so I guess that will be my task. She said it was either Fiesta or Bauer. I'm glad she picked Fiesta though. Not only is it cheaper, but it's more available. Although, she does live in California where Bauer is made.

I guess we'll see how far I get today.

Power is a good thing...

Well, just like clock-work....the winds started howling about 5 o'clock this morning or so. Boy, were they bad. We lost power about 8:30 a.m and was without it for about 13 hrs. Not a good thing when the temps are only in the low 30's(I guess it could've been alot worse though). Luckily, we have a generator. We were able to keep the furnace and a few lights working until the power was turned back on.

John got called into work today. He will be on "storm duty" for the next few days. I don't like it when he has to work the weekends... Especially Sunday's. But oh well, it will help pay for our kitchen project. I won't complain too much. As long as it doesn't cut into New Years Eve. I will be disappointed if that happens.
There was about 230,000 people that lost power.

Rizzo and I had a good day anyway. I took him with me when I went to my parents house for coffee. He was a good boy, but doesn't like riding in the car. Very nervous! He is resting peacefully now. I think it's time to hit the sack, too. John won't be home till around 4 a.m. or so. I will be counting Fiesta Marmalades under the electric blanket by then.

December Thaw?!? Huh???

Should that read, "January Thaw". That's when we usually get a thaw, but not in this case.

I woke up this morning (early by our standards: 8:00a.m.) to find fog, VERY warm (48°) and wet conditions outside. I felt like I should go out and sunbathe or something, it was so warm....but, that wasn't gonna happen!!!


Rizzo took off and was not seen for a few minutes, but I knew he wasn't too far. I think he felt the need to get out and pee on EVERY tree in the neighborhood while he had the chance. The only problem with warm weather in the winter(especially with lots of snow like we have) is fog, lots of mud, and flooding. We could get 1-2" of rain today. The snow pack will be completely gone in a few hours, I'm sure.

The melted snow will have nowhere to go because the ground is frozen. We are under a Flood Watch. It's raining and thundering. We just lost power for a minute. You would think since I have a husband that works for the power company that we would have power 24-7. YEAH RIGHT!!!! I don't think so. We are always losing power. That's another story, though. It's not his fault, he's only a mechanic, not the guy that actually keeps the power on!!!

Going shopping today. We have to get supplies for the kitchen project. Cabinets will here on Dec. 30th. Yikes..I guess we better get busy!

Merry Christmas...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day. We didn't do a whole lot. Just spent a few hours with John's parents, then took a nap. We're going over to my parents soon for a simple dinner of homemade Chili and to open presents.

Christmas Meme...

Ms. Val over at http://thefluffypinkblog.blogspot.com/ posted this first. Here is mine:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Around December 10th.

4. When do you take the tree down? Last week in December or New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog? Sometimes: Depends on my mood! No Booze, though!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Pink Barbie Limo w/hot tub in the back. My friend, Sarah got the Corvette the same year. We had so much fun that day. Boy, we must have been really good girls that year.

7 . Hardest person to buy for? John's father

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mother or father

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail: There's nothing better than getting a REAL Christmas card in the mail from someone.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A sweatshirt from my Grandma. She had cross-stitched a mouse eating a watermelon on it. I was so embarrassed, I never wore it to school. Looking back, it was very cute. Sorry Grandma :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story: "You'll shoot your eye out kid!"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around the first week of December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, within reason!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas ? Sweets

16. Lights on the tree? Not this year. I have a small tree, but usually I would if I had a big tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Sleigh Ride by The Carpenters

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Of Course: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Slow people and long lines at checkout!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Fiesta ornaments, peppermints, or Hallmark.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Usually Ham with the traditional sides.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? My car to be fixed so I can drive somewhere! I'd settle for that Lilac Pyramid Candle holder that's on Ebay, though! :)

Falling Snowflakes...

I'm so excited! Craig over at http://rainbowdishes.blogspot.com/ showed me how to do "Shovel Free" snow for my page. What a guy! Thanks Craig.

Hope you "Dig" it!! Ha! Ha! Get it???

See you in a few hours for an update.

SNOW....

IT'S A BLIZZARD OUT!.......

Oddly enough...the birds have been feeding ALL day. Between them and the wind, the bird seed is gone. I felt bad for them so I ventured out to fill the feeders! OMG, I could not believe how bad it was outside.

Rizzo went out with me. There is a snow drift by the door limiting it's ability to open all the way. Rizzo could sqeeze by, but it was harder for me. He was such a chicken when he went out. He squinted his eyes and ran out, but came right back by the door and took a whiz. Oh well! What was I supposed to do?

Things I know for sure...

These are in no particular order.

1. I love my family.

2. I'm a night owl.

3. I've found out that I like Folgers better than Maxwell House.

4. Snow is a necessary evil.(We got 10.5" yesterday).

5. I love Fiesta!

6. I'm pretty sure I just saw the county road commission snowplow guy take a whiz from his truck this morning. Don't worry, I didn't see anything. It was too dark :)

7. Rizzo loves snow, except when HE has to whiz.

8. Christmas is only 5 days away.

9. Rizzo loves the electric blanket. Can you say, "BED HOG"!!!

10. It will be a great day.

The lists of Tasks...

Yeah, it didn't happen. LOL I thought I would at least get a few things done on the list(discussed earlier in the day), but my plans changed. I'm kinda glad it did, though. About 5 o'clock my dad called and said they were going to get a new refrigerator. This is SO NOT like them to go out on a Thursday night after the dinner hour. Anyway, I invited myself along because I wanted to help them pick one out. I am quite the connoisseur of refrigerators lately. We purchased one earlier this year and did a lot of research trying to pick a good one.

So...off we went. First we went to Sears. They found one they liked, but I suggested going to another appliance place just in case we found something else. So... off we went to store #2. Didn't see anything they really liked and the salesman was pushy and kinda weird, so we split. We then went to Lowes. I like going in there so it wasn't a problem for me. Nothing there!

So...off we went. We eventually made it back to Sears where they purchased one. I wanted to look at their DVD players, but didn't find what I wanted. John's been wanting a new one lately. I was trying to put it off till after Christmas, but I thought it might make a good Christmas present after all.I didn't find a thing... ZIP, ZILCH, NADA!

So...off we went to Best Buy. That's another store I love. I get a total electronics buzz when walking inside that store. I love all the gadgets. I walked out with a new DVD player for John/us. I think he will be excited.

After blowing all my money, I was hungry. Mom suggested we get something to eat. I was game for that. All in all, we made it back at 10 o'clock p.m. and had a good time. I have to admit...this is the first time I have spent OUT and ABOUT with my parents in a LONG time. It was nice!

Tasks to accomplish...

Before I list the tasks I need to do today, I will tell you about my morning. It was pretty uneventful, so I'm warning you.

We got up earlier than usual because John had to get his haircut. If he doesn't get to "Dick the Barber" before noon, then he's screwed because that's when Dick goes to lunch. We pulled in and found there were 3 other men there. I dropped him off and I went on my own to get new night lights for the house(I knew he would be a while). After that, we went to Dairy Queen for lunch.

Okay, so now for the tasks of the day:

1. Do Laundry
2. Unload Dishwasher
3. Dust
4. Unpack my new HLCCA pitchers
5. Strip more wallpaper(UGH!!)
6. Wrap more presents
7. Do Laundry: yes, I have a lot and I'm behind :)
8. Get ready to go to my brothers house on Saturday.

These are in NO particular order. That being said, #4 will probably be the first thing I do when I get done here! :) I will let you know later tonight which ones I accomplished.

John is gone and Rizzo is resting now....

More Snow...and a Bird story.

I woke up this morning to more snow. It was a beautiful morning. It was the light, fluffy kind. It was easy to shovel. I think we got about 2-3 inches. When I opened the shade there was a flock of birds at the bird feeders. I had to get a few pictures of the birds and snow.

I did, however, have a traumatic experience with a bird late this morning(This one is not as funny as the parakeet story..Craig. LOL). I heard something hit the window and I automatically knew a bird hit the picture window. I went to see if it was still lying there or if it flew away. At first glance, I just saw bird tracks in the snow below the window. "Oh good...the bird flew away."

If you don't like traumatic stories...don't read anymore...

Then I saw it....the poor goldfinch was lying in the snow with a small sparrow hawk clinching his neck..."OMG", I yelled. I could not believe my eyes. Before I knew it, the little hawk picked up the finch and flew off with it in it's beak. The finch was dead, so it didn't suffer. Still, I have never seen such a site before. (except for the traumatic parakeet episode in my kitchen when I was younger). That's another story. I know all animals have to eat! It's just nature. I just couldn't believe I was witnessing something like that. Don't worry though...we have lots of finchies and sparrows still.

On to a happier note... Rizzo was having fun in the snow this morning. He likes to chase the birds first thing in the morning, but has never managed to catch one. He likes snow, but gets cold tootsies if he's out for too long. I can't shovel with him around either. He attacks the snow shovel...literally.

John has left for work and Rizzo is now resting! Sometimes he is so predictable. Time to wrap a few presents.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

Did you get the hint??? It's snowing out right now. Coming down pretty good, too. I peeked out the window shade and noticed there was something in the road. Lord, I hope it's not an animal. It seems like anything that crosses this road gets squashed. It is hard to see what it is. It could just be some road debris or something.

My mom called tonight. She said all of her handmade Christmas cards were sold. She was all excited. Many of you don't know...my mom makes handmade greeting cards and sells them at the pharmacy, where she works. I told her to get more gutsy and try other venues around town. It's hard for her to concentrate on just her cards because she has a regular 9-5 job to pay the bills. This is more of a supplement/hobby she likes to do. I must say...she is very good at it! If anyone is interested in any cards. I.E. Holiday, Birthday, Specific subjects. Let me know. Sometime soon, I will post some pics of her work. She even has a name: Josies Designs.

Some sad new to tell you about: my hair is turning gray. Yes...that's right. I'm only 27 yrs. old. The past few years, I had to highlight my hair to cover up my "new" gray locks. I'm not too pleased, but it seems gray hair runs in the family. I should be happy...my hair could be falling out. LOL

Luckily, I have a great hairdresser, Veronica. She has been doing my hair for the past 15 years or so. I had another wonderful cut yesterday. She did blonde and carmel highlights, too. I wanted my hair a bit shorter this time. Last month I had my hair cut two days after my ankle surgery. I was not in the mood to get it cut, but knew it had to be done. She did a quick trim because she knew I was in some pain. I did get her some Fiesta Canisters for Christmas. She loved them. Scarlet, Sunflower, and Shamrock was the combo.

Am I rambling on too much??? Oh well..get use to it. LOL I guess I have been holding alot in all these years.

Busy Morning...

It was a busy Tuesday morning. I ran out of packaging tape for my Secret Santa gift so I hurried across the road to my inlaws to get some(they always have tape). Rizzo was busy running around the yard while John was busy doing the same...LOL. Actually, he was busy working on some his outdoor projects before the snow hits tonight. (I will write more on that tonight, I hope)

By this time, it was 11:30 a.m. and I raced up town to mail my package. I knew I still had to make lunch so I didn't waste too much time. I got home around 12:30 or so and started on lunch. John works afternoons so our "dinner" is actually are "lunch". Did you get all that?

I try to make a nice lunch everyday, although sometimes it doesn't always work that way. Today was an exception. We had chicken alfredo, a nice romaine salad w/ tomatoes, french bread, and cottage cheese. It was wonderful. I cooked the chicken up last night so I didn't have to do it today. It worked out great since I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time today. John was quite pleased with the meal. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it. John starting eating before I could grab the camera. Oh well!

The dog is resting now. He is tired from running around the yard. I shall rest, too.

Just Starting out...

Well, tonight is my first time blogging. I've seen a few of my CMG(Collectible Medium Green) buddies that have blogs and thought it might be fun to try it out. I guess we'll see how well I do. I'm not promising anything. To be real honest, I'm not very good at keeping up with stuff like this. This is certainly going to be interesting.