Spinning up some New Year Resolutions

This week we bid adieu to 2009.  Which mean this week's Spin Cycle is the final one.  Of the year, that is.  I've had the pleasure of participating in the Spin Cycle weekly for the last few months or so - not sure why I didn't jump on board sooner, but hey, at least I get to finish out the year with a bang!   Well, OK, maybe not that dramatic.

This week's Spin is of course all about New Year Resolutions.  What's a New Year without Resolutions?  A year of non-failures, that's what it is!  I kid, I kid.

I decided to dig back into my archives and see what I wrote last year about resolutions.  Let's see how well I did (notations added in blue italics):

Originally posted on January 1, 2009 (edited to eliminate excess): 

It's a New Year...Happy New Year! Most people have been plotting revenge figuring out what their Resolutions List should contain. I've never really been one to compile a Resolutions List, you know, conform to the masses that create a list that sets one up to fail...miserably. 

Sure, you know there's the usual 'Get more organized', 'Lose weight or Get in shape', etc., etc., yada yada yada. I thought about doing some sort of 'Non-Resolution List', of things I'm not going to be doing in the year 2009, but I thought that would be too negative, and I'm all about the positives. But I better keep the list short, so I know I can attain them. I give you my 2009 Resolutions:

1. Enjoy what 2009 has in store.

What?! You mean I can't just decide to post one item as the Resolution for 2009? Oh, fine. How about these:

1. Eat healthier and get in better shape. (yes, the same thing everyone else plans to do!) (This resolution started off fine, but then.... didn't.  So I guess I better restart again for 2010).
   
   
2. Make New Friends. (you can never have too many friends!)  (I've made some wonderful bloggy friends over the last year - you all ROCK!  So this one was a success...and I'll continue the trend in 2010!)
   
   
3. Send family member's and friends Birthday gifts out in a timely manner. (instead of days weeks months late.) (Um, yeah... didn't happen.  Try again in 2010).
   
   
4. Figure out how to manipulate change the templates in Blogger so I can have a 3-column blog setup.  (I did manage this resolution - only now I'm figuring out Wordpress and getting ready to move over there instead.  Stay tuned for that).
   
   
5. Read a book a month. Wait, let's make that one book per quarter - that should be more attainable!  (I had to laugh when I read this.  This one didn't happen either.  Have to try again!)
   
   
6. Open an Etsy Shop. (all the 'cool kids' are doing it!) (Also didn't happen - can't sell alcohol on Etsy, so it's a no-go.  But I did change my website to Princess Nagger Wine & Gifts which just 'premiered' this week.  Good times.)
   
   
7. And finally, most importantly, enjoy what 2009 has in store, no matter what that may be.  (This was definitely a successful resolution.  Although I have to say that the year sped by way too fast for me.  Maybe 2010 will slow down just a bit.  Maybe.)
   

So let's review - out of 7 Resolutions, I completed 3-1/2 of them.  Half.  Which isn't all that bad if you think about it - it's 3-1/2 more than I might have done in 2008.  So what about 2010?  The New Decade...there should be some exciting resolutions, right?  Maybe not so much exciting as necessary.  Truly.

1. Finish pulling the tacky wallpaper off the upstairs hallway and paint it - I really shouldn't have left the wallpaper remnants hanging as long as I have, but when you have 12-foot ceilings it's a little intimidating.
   
   
2. Organize and paint Princess Nagger's Room - really need to update it from the baby motif I put in there when she was born.
   
   
3. Repaint the downstairs powder room.  Seriously, that lilac color has got to go!
   
   
4. Extend the top shelves in my bottom cupboards - really, what brilliant mind thought that half a shelf was sufficient?!
   
   
5. Purge unnecessary 'stuff' and regain the use of the finished attic - it would be really nice to clear out the boxes and be able to enjoy the ginormous claw-foot tub in the bathroom up there!

I think that's about enough of the resolutions - lots of work, but necessary.  Now to figure out where to pick up some motivation to go along with the resolutions.  Any suggestions or paint volunteers?

I wish everyone a Happy New Year - may you have Health and Prosperity during 2010!  See you next year!

Don't forget to stop by and see Jen over at Sprite's Keeper - she's been on family vacay this week with some excellent guest posters.  But she'll be back on Friday just in time for the Spin Cycle Finale.  Check out the other Spinners - there are some excellent resolutions being bandied about!  

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Spike the Ultra Dinosaur Part Deux

Remember how I mentioned last week about the trouble I went through to secure Spike the Ultra Dinosaur for Princess Nagger for Christmas?

Yeah, about that.

She decided last Monday night as she was getting ready to fall asleep that she'd really really like the red one.

A bit confused I asked her: "Wait, a red one?  What, did you see a commercial for it or something?"  (I was racking my brain trying to remember if maybe she had seen me working on the Spike post earlier that day, but I had made sure to switch to another tab if she entered the room, so that couldn't be it.) 

She sleepily replied: "No, I just want a red one.  We saw a red one when I was at the store with you, but I can't remember what store.  I just really hope I get a red one for Christmas.  I really really want a red one."

I vaguely remembered seeing a red one when she and I were out shopping the day before Thanksgiving since she was home from school that day.  We were at Target.  Which makes sense that they would have a red one.

Then I saw it again when I was looking for pictures for last week's post - and I read the reviews about both of them.  The red one got higher reviews than the green one did, apparently people have had issues with the green one...the mouth or the sound stops working after a short amount of time.  But no one's had that issue with the red one.  Weird, huh?

Then the conundrum - while the red one at Target's regular price is $10 less than Toys R Us's green one, Toys R Us had the $50 off sale...which makes the Target one $40 more.  But I wanted to make sure Princess Nagger was 100% happy - after all, who wants to crush a child's dreams at Christmastime?

So I braved the craziness of the gaggle of last-minute shoppers just 2 days before Christmas and ended up taking the green Spike back to Toys R Us.  Then took back another dinosaur to Wal*Mart she said she wanted, but said she didn't have to get that one from Santa as long as he could bring the red Spike instead.  And finally headed over and secured a red Spike at Target.

She didn't get to play with red Spike much because she got sick.  But yesterday she was feeling much better (thanks to the pink bubblegum medicine) and she had a great time playing with him.

And exclaiming over and over again she's so happy he's red.

When she's happy, I'm happy.

For Wordless Wednesday, be sure to visit Wordless Wednesday, 5 minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go, JollyMom and Momspective for more great Wordless Wednesday Posts.

Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie at 7 Clown Circus - head on over there to check out all the fun wordy posts!

Random Tuesday Thoughts - The New Year Trivial Trivia Edition

It's hard to believe that 2009 is quickly coming to a close.  This is the final Tuesday of the year, and the final Random Tuesday Thoughts of 2009.  That sounds so final, doesn't it?  Since I'm dealing with the fall-out of the flooded basement and sick and clingy Princess Nagger, I've found some interesting New Year Trivia to keep you entertained for today:

The New Year in Scotland is called Hogmanay. The people in Scotland follow a ritual that appears crazy, but actually has a great significance. One can find barrels of tar set afire and gradually rolled down the streets in the villages of Scotland. This ritual symbolizes that the old year is burned up and New Year is going to begin.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was started around 600 B.C by the ancient Greeks, who at the start of a year would carry a baby around in a basket. The purpose of it was to honor Dionysus, the God of Fertility and symbolize his annual rebirth.

In Columbia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, families stuff a life-size male doll with things, then they dress it up in old clothes from each family member. At the stroke of midnight, this 'Mr. Old Year' is set on fire. This is done with the simple belief that a doll thus stuffed has bad memories or sadness associated with them, and that the burning will help one do away with all past griefs and usher in happiness in life with the coming new year.

In Spain people eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight (one each time the clock chimes) on New Year's Eve. This peculiar ritual originated in the twentieth century when freak weather conditions resulted in an unseasonable bumper harvest of grapes. Not able to decide what to do about so many grapes at Christmas time, the King of Spain and the grape growers came up with the idea of the New Year ritual.  (We could modify this tradition with wine...after all, it's made from grapes!)

Late on the evening of December 31, people of Japan would eat a bowl of buckwheat noodles called "toshikoshisoba" ("year-crossing noodles") and listen for the sound of the Buddhist temple bells, which were rung 108 times at midnight. The sound of these bells is said to purify the listeners of the 108 sins or evil passions that plague every human being.  (I wonder what happens when someone has 109 sins?)

In Greece children leave their shoes by the fireside on New Year's Day (also the Festival of Saint Basil in Greece) with the hope that Saint Basil, who was famous for his kindness, will come and fill their shoes with gifts.

In Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico, those with hopes of traveling in the New Year carry a suitcase around the house at midnight. Some even carry it around the block to ensure traveling at greater distances.  (Alrighty then - guess I better get my suitcase ready and head around the block!)

The people in China believe that there are evil spirits that roam the earth. So on New Year they burn crackers to scare the evil spirits. The doors and windows of every home in china can be seen sealed with paper. This is to keep the evil demons out.

The first Ball Lowering celebration atop One Times Square was held on December 31, 1907 and is now a worldwide symbol of the turn of the New Year, seen via satellite by more than one billion people each year. The original New Year's Eve Ball weighed 700 pounds and was 5 feet in diameter. It was made of iron and wood and was decorated with one-hundred 25-watt light bulbs.

It was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. It is still held in some regions that special New Year foods are the harbingers of luck. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. The hog, and its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. The ancient Persians gave New Year's gifts of eggs, which symbolized productiveness.

Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures.  (Ham I can get on board with - but hog jowls?  I think I'll pass, thankyouverymuch!)

In China, many people wear in the new year a new pair of slippers that are purchased before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.  (I'm off to buy new slippers before Thursday!)

"Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

For those of you (like me) who never know what the lyrics are, here you go:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

For auld Lang syne, my dear, for auld Lang syne,

We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld Lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld Lang syne?

And here's a hand, my trusty friend and gie's a hand o' thine

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld Lang syne.

Happy New Year!  Go forth and be Random!

When it Rains, it Pours - Sick Princess Nagger and A Conspiracy between Murphy and his Law and Mother Nature

I had planned to post about Christmas and how Princess Nagger said it was the "Best Christmas EVER!" along with a "part two" on Spike the Ultra Dinosaur and the wrench PN put into the hard work that went into securing one, and the switch that had to be made mere days before Christmas.

But Mother Nature must have conspired with Murphy and his Law by the series of events over the weekend, so that post will just have to wait for another day.

What series of events, you ask?  I'm so glad you did!  Let's start with a little reminder of the 2-feet of snow we got last weekend.  Remember that?  Here, maybe this will jog your memory:

It stayed right around or below freezing all week so the snow stuck around and we were able to have a 'technical' White Christmas.

Enter in the conspiracy of Mother Nature.

She decided it would be a great idea to send us several inches of rain starting on Christmas Day and lasting through the day after.  Normally that would be no big deal, but with all that snow on the ground, of course that means now there's going to be a lot of excess water as the rain dissolved it into mini rivers and lakes in the back yard.

I didn't go out and take pictures of the rivers and lakes because it was too slushy and muddy, but here's a picture I took of the Back 40 in November 2006 after a particularly heavy rain:

This doesn't have the effect of the piles'o'snow that helped make it extra soggy, but you get the idea.

On top of that, Murphy and his Law thought it was the perfect time for the sump pump in our basement to stop working.

Oh yeah, it was deader than a doornail.

Which means the basement started to take on water.

At a very rapid pace.

Hubby was able to get to Tractor Supply before they closed on Saturday to acquire a new sump pump, then had to jury rig it in the depths of the basement with a hose running out the outside basement doors to start eliminating the water.  Which had already reached a depth of 2-feet.  And was still climbing.

Meanwhile, Princess Nagger started to complain of an earache.  Her exact words were:

"My ear really hurts.  I think I need the pink bubble gum medicine.  I'm not going to get any sleep tonight at this rate!"

I called the Pediatrics's office, knowing full well they had closed just mere hours earlier, and was dreading the possibility of taking her to the ER on a holiday weekend.  Her Sponge Bob thermometer claimed her temperature was 99.2, which is still considered within the 'normal' range, but she sure felt much hotter to the touch to me.  She had been fighting a cold for a couple of weeks, but Saturday morning was the first time her snot was the brilliant green that indicates an antibiotic is necessary.

While I waited for a return call back from the nurse, hubby ran to RiteAid and brought home some homeopathic ear drops (since those were the only kind they had), which did absolutely nothing to alleviate the pain in poor Princess Nagger's ear.  A nurse finally called and said to give PN some ibuprofen for the pain, but if it didn't work in a couple of hours, call back and we'd probably have to make a trip to the ER.  Luckily I had some children's ibuprofen on hand, and gave PN a dose as she protested because of the taste.

The ibuprofen did the trick - PN was hilarious a half hour later as she consumed two hot dogs, some leftover Christmas ham, some Christmas chocolate and was happily watching her new Dinosaur movie she got for Christmas, humming and marveling at the idea there are over 700 dinosaur species.  Since the ibuprofen helped, I decided I'd wait until Sunday morning to see how PN was feeling and call the Pediatric office and see about getting her in to see the doctor first thing Monday morning.

Sunday morning dawned to more chaos.

Princess Nagger now had a temperature of 102.4.

The new sump pump wasn't running.

And there was more water in the basement from more melting snow drainage overnight.

In addition to that, the temperature in the house was a chilly 52 degrees.

The furnace wasn't working.

Apparently Murphy and his Law decided they wanted to stop by for Sunday breakfast.  Uninvited.

The hose of the new sump pump had apparently acquired a kink which made the sump pump switch itself off in 'safety' mode sometime during the night.  Just about the time hubby got the new sump pump working again, the Pediatrician's nurse called to let us know that PN's doctor could see her in his office in half an hour.  It takes half an hour to get there, so a flurry of activity ensued as I got PN out of bed, clothed, and teeth brushed in record time and we headed out to the doctor's office.  We were only 15 minutes late.

There was another sick kid being seen when we got there, so being late wasn't an issue.  The crying kid in the other room also had an earache.  Princess Nagger didn't cry during the whole exam, but she sure looked miserable.  She looked petrified and almost cried when the doctor said her eardrum had burst, poor thing!

We were out of the doctor's office in record time, pink bubblegum medicine prescription in hand.  PN fell asleep in the back seat on the drive home, and ended up crashing out on the couch for quite a while yesterday afternoon.  Poor thing was miserable and feverish all day.

When we got back from the doctor's office, the sump pump was still working its magic getting the water out of the basement, and hubby was able to finally get a look at the furnace to see why it wasn't coming on.  Apparently when the sump pump kicked itself off due to the kinked hose during the night, it tripped the breaker.  Which in turn tripped the breaker that the furnace was on.

I have my work cut out for me to see what is salvageable and what might need to be tossed that I had stored in the basement.

I'm ready for Murphy and his Law to ignore me for awhile.

Quotable Sunday - New Year

Can you believe that 2009 is already coming to a close?  I don't know about you, but it seems that it sped right on by at a precariously high rate of speed.  Here's hoping 2010 will slow down just a smidge.  I thought it would be fun to find some New Year quotes for this week's Quotable Sunday...enjoy! 

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
Bill Vaughn

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.”
T.S. Eliot

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul”
G. K. Chesterton

“A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”
Unknown

“Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“New Year's Day - Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”
Mark Twain

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.”
Brooks Atkinson

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

William Arthur Ward

Quotable Sunday is brought to you by Toni, from A Daily Dose of Toni - why don't you join us?

Wishing You and Yours a Very Merry Christmas!

Enjoy the day with your family!  Here's a Yule Log video (with music) to help set the mood:




Here's a fun poem I found for you to enjoy:


The Last Christmas Tree
(Author Unknown)

I saw a truck of Christmas trees
And each one had a tale,
The driver stood them in a row
And put them up for sale.

He strung some twinkly lights
And hung a sign up with a nail;
"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES"
It said in red
"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE."

He poured himself hot cocoa
In a steaming thermos cup,
And snowflakes started falling
As a family car pulled up.

A mom, a dad, and one small boy
Who looked no more than three
Jumped out and started searching
For the perfect Christmas tree.

The boy marched up and down the rows,
His nose high in the air;
It smells like Christmas, mom!
It smells like Christmas everywhere!

Let's get the biggest tree we can!
A tree that's ten miles high!
A tree to go right through our roof!
A tree to touch the sky!

A tree SO big
That Santa Claus
Will stop and stare and say,
"'Now, THAT'S the finest Christmas tree
I've seen this Christmas Day!'"

It seemed they looked at every tree
At least three million times;
Dad shook them, pinched them, turned them 'round
To find the perfect pine.

I've found it, mom!
The Christmas tree I like the best of all!
It's got a little bare spot,
But we'll turn that to the wall!

We'll put great-grandma's angel
On top the highest bough!
Oh, can we buy it?
Please, mom, PLEASE?!
Oh, can we buy it NOW?

"How 'bout some nice hot cocoa?"
Asked the man who owned the lot.
He twisted off the thermos top,
"Now, THIS will hit the spot!"

He poured the steaming chocolate
In three tiny paper cups.
They toasted,
"Here's to Christmas!"
And they drank the cocoa up.

"Is this your choice?"
The tree man asked,
"This pine's the best one here!"
The boy seemed sad---
My daddy says
The price is just too dear.

"Then, Merry Christmas!"
Said the man, who wrapped the tree in twine,
"It's yours for just one promise
You must keep at Christmas time!"

On Christmas Eve at bedtime
As you fold your hands to pray,
Promise in your heart
To keep the joy of Christmas Day!

"Now hurry home!
This freezy wind
Is turning your cheeks pink!
And ask your dad
To trim that trunk and give that tree a drink!"

And so it went on
All that blustery eve
As the tree man gave
Tree upon tree upon tree

To every last person
Who came to the lot---
Who toasted with cocoa
In small paper cups,

Who promised the promise
Of joy in their hearts---
And singing out carols,
Drove off in the dark.

And when it was over
One tree stood alone;
But no one was left there
To give it a home.

The tree man put on his
Red parka and hood
And dragged the last Christmas tree
Out to the woods.

He left the pine right by a stream
In the cold,
So the wood's homeless creatures
Could make it their home.

He smiled as he brushed off
Some snow from his beard,
When out of the thicket
A reindeer appeared.

He scratched that huge reindeer
On top his huge head---
"It looks like we've
Started up Christmas again!"

"There are miles more to travel,
And much more to do!
Let's go home, my friend,
And get started anew!"

He looked to the sky
And heard jingle bells sound---
And then,
In a twinkling,
That tree man was gone!

Merry Christmas!

Spinning up a Secret Santa Tribute

This week's Spin Cycle is extra special - just like the founder and uber cool Spin Master herself, Jen of Sprite's Keeper.  I shyly participated in some earlier spins, but only recently decided to throw caution to the wind and participate on a regular basis.  I'm so glad I did, I've 'met' some wonderful bloggers through Jen.

This Special Spin Cycle Jen asked us to send her a list of 5 blogs that we enjoy stalking reading.  She would then have John blindfold her and spin her around three times and whichever named blog she dizzily pointed at would be our 'assigned' blog for us to write a spin about.  Or something like that.

She then emailed us our 'assignment' of which of the 5 blogs we would be writing a Secret Santa Tribute about.  I was excited when she emailed me my assignment for this Spin.  I get to write nonsense about someone very cool.

I'm honored that I get to pay a special Christmas Tribute to a fellow blogger who started blogging around the same time I did, only she seemed much more 'put together' than I was, and for a long time I would simply read - and giggle - at her posts but never comment.  I finally decided to leave a comment on her blog, and she hunted me down.  And hasn't stopped harassing me since.

Grand Pooba is loved by many - even though she is (another) crazy blonde chick.  When you read the post introducing herself, (All About Pooba), you can't help but think she's insane cool.  Right up my ally!  Especially since she pretty much describes me when she describes herself:

"Who am I? I am a very sarcastic, laid back blonde who loves to eat cereal and take naps. I get excited over the little things and think worrying is a waste of time. I hate shopping, I’d rather gouge my eyes out then step foot in a mall. I may be a little too trusting in people; I'm a sucker."

Delving back into her archives, you get to meet the cool and cute family she married into (her mother in-law is a wonderful person) - like when they took a trip in '08 on Lake Powell where they were 'Roughing It'.  They were 'roughing it', all right - on a houseboat:

I could sure get on board with 'roughing it' like that.  Absolutely.

The bond and camaraderie she shares with her family (and extended family) remind me of my own family, only I'm 3000 miles away from mine, so I've been able to live vicariously through her and her funny stories about her family.  She even offered to sneak me into her family, since I'd probably fit in because I'm just as crazy as she is a blonde.

Besides, I really love her Grandma Geane, who sent her (and other family members) this note:

When they forgot about her birthday.  Isn't that hilarious?  Now I know where Pooba gets some of her fun personality from.  As the newest member of her family, I would totally remember Grandma Geane's birthday... probably.

One of the first posts I remember reading - and actually commenting on - was back in May 2009 where her long title made it impossible not to stop and read the post:

"One of those days. You know, the kind where crap keeps happening and just when you think it's not going to get better more crap happens?"  It's the one about her going to a friend's kids birthday party but on the way she runs out of gas.  So she scaled a chain-link fence and trekked to a gas station... in heels.  All that trouble just to get to a Chuck E. Cheese!  At that moment, she totally became my hero.

Her aspirations to become the next Bree Van de Kamp are hilarious - and mimic my (secret) aspirations, too.

Her GQ Model nephew, Logan, is one of her favorite subjects to write about.

Since she's been so successful teaching him how to pole dance, I wouldn't want anyone else teaching Princess Nagger to do that except her.

Because she's got style.

Her love of wine makes me giddy - especially when she went all out trying to win my Blogoversary Anniversary Giveaway with a hilarious post about it (Don't Miss Out (Or Do)).  Then when she actually won, followed that up with another post that made me blush (Will Put Out For Wine).

Her love for her husband, Albert, knows no bounds - as his does for her.  She has some fun relationship advice, as evidenced in this post:  "We Are The Epitome Of Perfection When It Comes To Communication In A Relationship. Get Out A Pen, You Need To Take Notes."

She has plenty of Bragging Rights moments - when I grow up, I wanna be just like her!

Her writing style is always entertaining, and the pictures she posts of her friends and family make me want to move to Utah pronto so I can join in all the fun.  She is fiercely loyal to her friends and family, and someone you would always want to have in your corner.  I have enjoyed getting to know her through her blog and our banter via email - both always bring a huge smile to my face and more often than not, a fit of giggles and laughter.

Thanks, Pooba, for your posts, comments and email - I look forward to enjoying even more hilarity in 2010.  I'll raise a toast or three to you and your family on Christmas, and any other time I find a glass of wine in my hand!  Merry Christmas!

Don't forget to stop by and see Jen over at Sprite's Keeper - not only is she the fearless leader of the Spin Cycle, but she was on my list, too.  Check out all the other uber cool Spinners and their Secret Santa Tributes to their favorite bloggers - you might find some new awesomeness to read.  I know I have.  

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Winter Arrived a Few Days Early

This was Saturday - our first official snow storm of the 2009-2010 winter - those that are they are predicting we will have a repeat of the winter of 2002-2003 where we broke all previous records of measurable snow.  This storm sure started off that prediction with a bang:

That was about a quarter of the way in the snow storm.  See that little divet in the snow past the apple tree?  That was not too long after I had shoveled a clear path while it was snowing - since we were expecting 10-16 inches, I figured it would be easier to shovel several times during the snow storm instead of all at once at the end.  We ended up getting 24 inches.  And then some.

I had forgotten to fill the bird feeders the day before - you know, when it was nice and sunny and not snow covered.  The picture above was taken after I filled them up during the snow - sure didn't take long for the snow to cover the top of the barn one, that's for sure.  I had knocked all the snow off to make it easier to fill.  I also noticed that I neglected to cut back my three rose bushes...oops!

My mom-van is getting buried.  Hubby parked his little car at the front of the driveway so in case of an emergency, it would be easily dug out and a quick getaway to the road out front.  Usually he parks his car out in the area where my van is.

It snowed from just before noon until about midnight.  At times it was snowing at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour.  Both Rolex and Travis had a ton of fun running around in it, though - Travis barked at the falling snow at first, then he was on board with playing with Rolex and Princess Nagger.

The next day it was bright and sunny, though still very, very cold.  The real work began as we had to clear the sidewalk that runs around the side of the house, but the major work was shoveling out the driveway.  It was a major pain for sure.  Since we have a gravel driveway, we can't go the easy route and use a snow blower, we had to shovel the entire thing by hand.

Here I'm standing not quite at the back of the driveway, near where my mom-van is parked looking towards the front:

Here, maybe this will help:

That cleared spot is where hubby's car was parked.   He dug his car out and started working back towards me.  When I was taking these pictures, he was making a run to Lowe's to see about getting a second snow shovel, since I was using our only one, and the metal shovel he'd been using broke.  He had no luck and ended up working on clearing with a rake.

I cleared the flagstone walkway from the Summer House to the parking area of our driveway.  But rather than clear out that whole big section, I simply dug a path to my van, then cleared the area around and in front of it, then started working my way towards the front of the driveway, one shovelful at a time.

Notice there's a problem with the line of evergreens along the one side - one fell over completely, another was leaning drastically.

Travis and Rolex had lots of fun running around in the snow - as evidenced by the multitudes of little footprints in the snow.  It's been only a few degrees above freezing during the day, which is making the snow stick around all week - possibly until Christmas Day giving us a technical 'White Christmas'.

Mother Nature has some not-so-fun stuff planned at this point for Christmas Day, though - a chance of rain or freezing rain on Christmas Day.  Which will then make things extra soggy and not so wondrous as snow.  It could change, though, each day the prediction comes down a couple of degrees - if it keeps up that trend, maybe we'll end up with snow for Christmas Day instead of a slushy mess.  I'll keep you posted.

I apologize that I haven't been getting around much this week - I probably should have taken a bloggy break since it's been so crazy busy, but thanks for understanding and continuing to read and comment here!  I promise I'll make it up to you when the craziness dies down a bit!

For Wordless Wednesday, be sure to visit Wordless Wednesday, 5 minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go, JollyMom and Momspective for more great Wordless Wednesday Posts.

Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie at 7 Clown Circus - head on over there to check out all the fun wordy posts!