Our Annual Christmas Letter

Greetings to one and all,

We thought about sending out Christmas cards this year, but changed our minds. Then we thought about sending out a “newsletter” such as the ones we get from friends. You know the kind, they tell all about their year, the accomplishments of their kids, and the exciting things that happened to them throughout the year. We decided against that; all the kids are grown and on their own, we don’t go anywhere, and we don’t do much, so our letter would be so boring.

Ok, so maybe there are a few little tidbits to share.

Our main source of entertainment is our cat, Missy Dawg, or as she is affectionately known by some as “Fat Cat”. She is our alarm clock, our bed time nagger, and our watch cat. She lets us know when it is time to go to bed, such as when it is 9:00, regardless of the day of the week, by head butting our arm or whining in our face wherever we are. In the morning, she lets us know it is 5 am by being a plain pest and hitting one of us on the head with her paw until we get up. Then she goes to the alarm clock and hits it the way she sees us hit it to turn the snooze on. Only she manages to turn the sleep timer on and blare the radio. So we HAVE to react! Then she takes her place in the kitchen waiting for her treats and making sure her bowls are filled for the day. She greets us in the evening by waiting by the front door and making sure we follow her to the kitchen to give her the evening treats. And we never have to worry about squirrels or rabbits getting in; she makes sure we know they are out there. What would we do without her?

Tina and Rich are doing well in Alaska, getting settled in their new home. The twins, Kelby and Colby, were a year old in October and are growing faster than weeds. The Internet and Facebook have allowed us to see them grow from day one, their mom is very good about posting pictures. This past summer they went camping and just loved the experience!

Russ and Dee and the kids are now in a bigger place so the kids can have separate rooms and more play area outside. Sounds like a nice place and the best thing about it is they didn’t have to change schools. Jennifer is a sophomore in high school and already planning her college education. Cheyenne is in 8^th grade, doing very well and anticipating high school with her older sister. Lisa is in 2^nd grade and is smart as a whip; and Russell is in Kindergarten, and is a typical little boy. You have to remember he is up against three older sisters! All the kids do very well in school, all A’s and B’s.

Brian started working with a new company this year. He travels to several states in the country, some of which are Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, to name a few. His company has accounts nationwide and he covers the Midwest, but seems like he goes more than just the Midwest states, but he enjoys it.

He just moved into his own place, a condo in Yorkville. He is still furnishing it but with as much time as he is away from home, he really doesn’t need much! We gave him one of the extra Christmas trees we had, and his box of ornaments that his grandmothers have been buying for him since he was a baby, along with other ornaments and lights so he can decorate his new place. He still comes by to visit, eat, and play World of Warcraft with us. We still don’t see wedding bells in his future but that’s ok. He is enjoying his life as it is.

We both play World of Warcraft and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s cheap entertainment and at least keeps our minds active! In the summer we go camping, and just won a year’s membership to the campground we go to, along with a lot. So we don’t have to worry about where we will pitch our tent, we will have our own “place”. The campground had a few members that just abandoned their lots and trailers, and the campground took possession and will be selling them in March. We were told there are a few travel trailers that would be just perfect for the two of us that are very affordable. So we are hoping to find one and have a permanent setup as opposed to pitching a tent every time we go there. So if you are trying to find us when the weather gets warm, that’s where we will be. We can always be reached on our cell phones, if we have them “on” us. ;)

So here’s to you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay warm and safe, and for goodness’ sake, leave Santa some cookies and eggnog!

Love,

Russ & Karen

And Fat Cat.

Turkey Recipe

TURKEY RECIPE

I thought this sounded good! Here is a turkey recipe that also includes the use of popcorn as a stuffing ingredient -- imagine that. When I found this recipe, I thought it was perfect for people like me, who just are not sure how to tell when turkey is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out. *

*Give this a try.

1 - 15 lb. turkey
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is Good)
1 cup un-popped popcorn (ORVILLE REDENBACHER'S LOW FAT IS BEST)
Salt/pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush turkey well with melted butter,
salt and pepper.
Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in baking pan making sure
the neck end is toward the front of the oven, not the back.
After about 4 hours listen for the popping sounds.
When the turkey's ass blows the oven door open and the bird flies across the room,.... it's done.

And, you thought I didn't cook...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Fun While It Lasted

I have come to the decision that I no longer possess the dexterity in my hands to create the jewelry I started to make almost 2 years ago. I picked up my pliers one day about a month ago and proceeded to try to fix a clasp on a necklace that I have had for years. I was able to get the jump ring open, but when I tried to hold the jump-ring with one pliers and close it with another, my hands just didn't want to cooperate. My fingers tightened up and my grip failed me. It was at this point I decided that it was time to destash my collection of jewelry making supplies.

I took out a few of the little containers that I keep everything sorted and labeled in. The beads were so pretty, sparkly, and cool to the touch. But when I thought about trying to string and twist and crimp, my hands started telling me to change my thoughts.

Over the next few weeks I hope to get all my supplies listed and photographed to sell. Not sure which avenue I will take. I may list some select items on Etsy, but most of the bulk supplies will probably go on Ebay as a lot. But I have so much, it is going to be hard to decide which to put where. I do have a lot of Swarovski crystals, Crystazzi crystals and pearls, and other very nice charms and other beads. Some of what I have were purchased with the intent of making gifts for friends and family, but I just never got to it.

I also have a lot of findings, key chain and phone fob elements, head pins and eye pins, spacers, ear wire, bracelet clasps, eyeglass lanyards, and everything in between.

Most (and this is a big portion) of my supplies were purchased from FireMountain Gems, and a good portion is from Michael's (Crystazzi specifically), and another online jewelry supply site that I can't recall the name for. Everything is excellent quality and in excellent condition.

So keep your eyes peeled, I may have something you need to finish a project or get one started. I will, of course, create a blog to show what is listed and where.

This isn't something I wanted to do but I know I can't create the same quality if I don't have the strength in my hands to ensure a solid piece that won't come apart. I just wish I would have put down on paper all the ideas I had when I bought everything!

Chilling Realities

not meant to offend anyone, but the truth has a way of being brutal

This is chilling ...

In

1952

President Truman

established one day a year as a
"National Day of Prayer."

In

1988
President Reagan

designated the
First Thursday in May of each year as

the National Day of Prayer.

In June

2007
(then)

Presidential
Candidate Barack Obama

declared that the USA Was no longer a
Christian nation.

This year
President Obama,

canceled the
21st annual National Day

of Prayer ceremony

at the White
House under the rouse
Of "not wanting to offend anyone"

On September 25, 2009

from 4 am until 7 pm,

a National Day of Prayer

for the Muslim religion was Held on Capitol Hill,
Beside the White House.

There were over 50,000 Muslims that
Day in DC.

I guess it Doesn't matter

if "Christians"
Are offended by this event -
We obviously
Don't count as

"anyone" Anymore.

The direction
This country is headed
Should strike fear in the heart of every Christian.
Especially knowing that the
Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be
Converted they should be Annihilated

This is not a Rumor –

Go to the website
To confirm this info:
( http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ )



Pay particular attention to the very bottom of the page:
"OUR TIME HAS COME"
I hope that this Information will stir your spirit.

The words of 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, Who are called by my Name,
Will humble themselves And pray,
And seek my face, and Turn from their Wicked ways,
Then will I hear from Heaven
And will forgive their Sin and will heal Their land."

We must pray for Our nation, our communities,
Our families, and especially our children.
They are the ones that are going to suffer the most

If we don't PRAY!
May God have Mercy...

IN GOD WE TRUST.




Please pass this on,
Maybe someone, somehow can figure out a way to put America

back on the map as it was when we were growing up,

a safe place to live and by
The Ten Commandments and Pledge of Allegiance.

Today Is My Friday

Today is Wednesday, March 3, 2010, but in my world this is my Friday. I am taking a couple vacation days tomorrow and Friday. Four days off. Sleep in. Maybe run away from home, with the Mr. of course ;)
Hoping for nice weather, maybe take a ride to a nature area or the river and get some pictures of nature as it unfolds for the new Spring. Spring is just around the corner, right? But which corner?
Maybe I can get a picture of it and give everyone hope that warmer weather is on the way!
Stay tuned!

Spring....SPRING FORTH!!

I am so tired of winter, and cold, and snow.
I want warm weather.
I want to hear the rain on the roof.
I want to hear the distant rumble of thunder from an approaching thunderstorm.
I want to smell the freshly cut grass.
I want to plant flowers.
I want to wear high heels.
I want to go out for lunch.
oops

that is all, carry on

Did My Dog Come Back As A Cat?

OK, say I'm nuts, but I really believe the cat that wandered onto our patio over 2 years ago is the reincarnated Chihuahua that we had that passed away earlier that year. This cat begs at the table or anywhere there is food, just like Skeeter did. She is very vocal and complains about everything, just like Skeeter did. And this morning she did something that made my hair stand up on the back of my neck. I was making the coffee and she followed me into the kitchen, just like Skeeter used to do. Next thing I know, she is meowing at me and staring at me, and when I looked over at her, she started licking her empty (well almost) dish, JUST LIKE SKEETER USED TO DO! OMG this was so spooky. Skeeter would do this to make you feel sorry for her because she didn't have enough food in her dish. She was a little piggy just like the cat is.
I need a vacation.