Here is the reason for the BIG thank you note:

Today I made Tessa go and check if the mail finally got through, she came back saying all I got was a bill and junk mail (so of course I didn't bother to look at it right away) and she threw it on the corner of the desk...A little while later knocked over my coffee, all over the pile of mail..As I was cleaning up the mess I see an express post envelope....I open it and find:

TWO RICK SPRINGFIELD CONCERT TICKETS!!!!!
The seats are REALLY good too!
Fifth row right center in an area called the "Golden Circle" (Don't ask that's what the tickets say.)

OMG!!!!!!!
And we are allowed to have alcohol, my sister and I are going to have a BLAST!!!!!

This is for one person and you know who you are:

 

Well, the New Year is almost here...
I'm not going out, I haven't gone out for NYE in years, but I might be having a little dinner party, if April feels up to it that is.
I'm going to make a yummy roast chicken, and oatmeal cookies for desert...You know? For someone who DOES NOT bake, I've been doing a lot of it lately.
My sister hasn't been able to bring out my dryer yet so I'm still using my old one....It takes FOR. EVER. To dry a load....Can't wait for my new (to me) one to get here.
The snow is going away....Not fast enough!
We are only getting "light rain" showers, when what we really need is a good old fashioned torrential down pour. I'm praying for one.

An old friend found me the other day....And not through Facebook believe it or not!...LOL!
He was going through a box of old things and found an old address book and suck in the back of it was a scrap of paper with my number on it.
Not knowing if the number was any good any more he tried it, (I didn't mention to him that I am in the regular phonebook.)
We talked for a couple of hours, long distance....It was really good to hear from him....I met him when I was just 18....Oh my! was I innocent and naive back then!

This dear friend of mine is one of the people I know without question or doubt loves me unconditionally....And believe when I say I really need that right now...
There are only a precious few that own a piece of my soul and he is one of them

I wouldn't mind being stuck in if I had a wood stove like we did when I was little...(And we lived in the middle of no where.)
I remember losing power for days on end but we never really noticed it because we still had heat, water and hot food....Some of the best bread and cookies came out of the stove as well as stews and roasts....Sure it was quiet without radio and t.v. but that didn't matter we had books, toys and art supplies...And no one thought twice about curling up in a warm spot with the cat or dog and taking a nap. Then there was always bundling up and playing outside for hours and when we came inside there was always hot chocolate, cookies and soup with homemade bread to warm us up.
That was the Winter, sometimes in the Summer the only way us kid knew the power was out, was if we woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and the night light was out.
Sometimes I really miss those days....
But here I sit BORED out of my mind!
I have power, heat, t.v. and other things to entertain me and all I want is to be in a hundred yr old drafty farmhouse with a wood stove, fire place and a couple of good books.

Well.

The snow is melting slooowly, bringing a whole new set of problems...slush and muck, the flooding in some areas is going to be INSANE...Just in my complex alone the snow piles are 5-6 feet high.

Rick and I were talking and he hopes we get another cold snap...For skiing and such, I told him he was mean.
We haven't had mail service since the first big snow fall... because the people in this Co-Op are very lazy and we didn't get a plow in here until the 23rd, but by that time it was almost too late...I hope the mail comes through this week, there are a couple of things I'm expecting and really could use at the moment....I really hope this stuff melts fast.

Well we did end up going to my sister's for the day yesterday....
WAY too much food, which I think we barely made a dent in and some of which my sister is bringing here when she brings my Mother home....Tessa and I didn't have to stay the night....YAY! OMG! is my sister's place tiny! There where 12 people, one dog and two cats there and the house was FULL, you could barely move around.
Every square inch was decorated, (sorry I didn't get pictures.) but there wasn't a shelf, table top, counter, window ledge, cabinet or wall space that didn't have some thing Christmas on it. Except the bathroom but that was Christmas-fied after she opened my gift to her.
Her house is SO cute though! If I win the lottery I will tell her she has to move and move in myself! Seriously, not even joking. Hardwood floors, multi-paned windows AND a claw-footed bathtub...So cute!
Tessa and I did very well gift wise...We always do, no matter what I say to my sister she always goes over board...One of the funniest moments was when I found out what I had gotten, I got mad at my sister and Tessa says, "Yeah she's not offended that she DIDN'T get anything, she's offended that she DID!"
Really, after the trip last year I didn't want or expect anything And told them that REPEATEDLY....But get this...My family got me:

A housecoat
A set of silverware
mixing bowls
A one cup coffee maker
Candle and scented oil set
Slippers
A big ass bottle of Bailey's
A blender
And...As if that wasn't enough.

A new clothes dryer!

Oh! And one that I won't get until June of 2010...
A trip to Vegas.....Yup it's embarrassing!

The trip isn't really a holiday...The whole family is going because my brother's younger stepson proposed to his girlfriend yesterday morning (at 6 am) and she said yes...He planned the trip and everything before hand, and apparently the way he asked her was very imaginative and sweet. I don't have all the details but when I do I will let you know.

Tessa got:
(from Santa and the family)

Art spplies
movies
A movie poster
Bath stuff
Slippers
Cash
A new hoodie
A bedroom set. including:
A bed.
lamps, bedding and other decorations.
And my brother is coming to take her shopping today for the Boxing Day sales.

See what I mean? WAY over board.
We took Ami with us and my sister even had gifts for her...rawhide candy canes, and a Santa jacket...LOL! It looked very cute! Again I wasn't able to get pics. Sorry.
My oldest newphew's fell in love with the dog. They took her for runs and played with her in the snow, (that was well over her head) and just had a blast with her. So with all that playing and turkey my sister's hubby (accidently on purpose) dropped while carving, plus two hour long car rides I had one pooped pup when we got home.

The highway was closed for a few hours last night, whiteout conditions. So we didn't go to my sister's.
We ate eggnog cake and tea for dinner,I didn't buy any Christmas Eve/Christmas dinner stuff because up until 4pm yesterday I still thought we were going , Ken and April came for a visit...We went for a short drive....I can't believe the amount of snow out there! The drifts and piles are taller then Tessa...OY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It snowed again

 

 

                                                       

There is a car under there.

 

 

 

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve...
The craziness is almost over. It looks like my sister is coming out to get us and we will be staying there for a couple of days...I really don't know how long because I'm at the mercy of who ever is driving.
So tonight and part of tomorrow will be about, packing, cleaning (don't want to come home to a mess.) and more baking.
I won't be online so I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas! And Thank you for being good friends.
(((Hugs)))

 

Predawn Ami and trees you can see them a bit better if you go Here

It's not really the snow I hate....It's the fact I can't walk in the stupid stuff!
It's that I can't get out and do things for myself that really gets to me I hate having to ask for help for something as simple as going to the store...Like right now I really need more egg nog to make more cakes but I can't go get it and Tessa isn't here....Even if she was I doubt she'd want to walk out in theis either....
Here is what my front and back yards look like.

 

Front

 

Back

 

April and her hubby stopped by and we exchanged gifts, which we usually do Chrismas Eve but since I was supposed to go to my sister's this year we did it today. But with the weather and all it looks like I will be staying home....

I had send to the boys to a friends while April was here because the youger one is coughing his brains out and April can not be around that, we do not want her to get another cold.
April and her hubby where the first ones to try my first ever attempt at Christmas baking, I made an eggnog cake...It was a hit and I will make it again.

I really wasn't going to post, and it has taken me a few hours to decide if I was going to post this or not...But I found writing it out helped...So for better or worse here it is.....





I am stranded in my house because of snow...I HATE IT.


But then again VEGAS got 3 inches of the EVIL STUFF...mind you it probably won't last as long as it will here.


Anyway, I have come very close to taking down my tree and just ignoring the holiday altogether, and still have to fight the urge at least once a day....But I can't this Christmas is had enough on Tessa with out me doing that and adding to it, so it still stands...It is pretty much the only decoration I have. My Mother came and took me out to get supplies and finish my Christmas shopping, returned one gift I received that turns out wasn't a gift after all...That took a small piece of my soul.

Then I got home to find out that, because I cut a couple of hours here and there and missed one whole day while April was in the hospital, one of the Mothers I work for felt that she should only pay HALF of my payment, I understand taking SOME off but half? I let her know I thought that was unfair, but I really couldn't fight it because I can't afford to lose the job.



Some people suck hairy, moldy monkey sack!


Yesterday I saw on the RS web site he will be doing a show here April 10/09...The first thing I did was pick up the phone to call April....I sat there with the dial tone ringing in my ear for 10 minutes....I couldn't tell her, because no matter how much we want to believe she will still be with us.....Barring a miracle.....



See why I wasn't going to post...It's so sad sack I want to smack myself. But like I said writing it out helped to take the edge off.

To get out of this funk.....
I can't, there is just too much....Badness going on.
So until I can get a handle on things I won't be posting.
I will still come and visit, because you guys make smile.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and I hope the New Year brings everyone Happiness, love, and joy....Lots of joy.

Love you all!

I got this from Jaysey's Space:

 

*i want. Peace
*i have. To believe things will get better
*i fear. They won't
*i hear. The dishwasher
*i search for. Meaning
*i wonder. About a lot of things
*i regret. Oppurtunities not taken
*i love. My Daughter
*i always eat. Breakfast
*i try not. To worry (but I do)
*i seem. Stronger then I am
*i know. Who I am
*i feel. Sad and stressed
*i dance. Badly, and don't care
*i dream of. Seeing a Rick Springfield concert one more time with April, I know it won't happen. But it's a nice thought
*i sing. in the shower
*i laugh because. If I didn't I would cry
*i can't. Sleep
*i write. When I can't sleep
*i cry. A Lot lately
*i sleep. Very lttle
*i am. Tired
*i see. Only today
*i need. A new job
*i should. Be happy I have one
You can play if you want to...

I'm done double posting...If you are still intrested in what I have to say go Here

Very early this morning, I woke up at 3 am...I tried to go back to sleep but at 4 am got up, got coffee going and puttered around a bit...Then I went to the grocery store. The one by my place is open 24 hours for the holidays it was nice to take my time at the store and not have to watch out for peoples uncontrolled children, or that many other people for that matter...The staff was friendly and everyone said "Good Morning."
Now I'm just waiting for the older boy to come get the middle boy and take him to school, then other than picking up one boy this afternoon, and checking if he has all his homework, I have the rest of the night off as well as tomorrow.
There are a couple of things planned for tonight.
Going to see "The Day the Earth stood Still" (if April is up to it.)
And going Midnight Christmas Shopping with my Mother (If I'm up to it.)

I am so tired....
It has taken me over an hour to empty the dish washer...I have no energy.
Last night I set the boys up with chips and some T.V. time while I watched the News in my room, Tessa was playing a video game so I took the opportunity to watch the News in peace..
I fell asleep sitting up....I didn't even hear when the boys got picked up...I woke up and they were gone....It's all good Tessa was here. Then I played on the computer for a bit and went back to my room, thinking I would read until I fell asleep again...Again, not even two pages in, I fell asleep sitting up!
This morning I got up got the kids to school, did the computer thing and...You guessed it!
Fell asleep. Not at the computer...But still!
I could honestly say I could go to sleep right now!
I maybe falling asleep but the longest I have slept at one time is 2 hours, I try and nap, the phone rings, I try to go to bed early, Tessa turns the T.V. up (by accident.) or the phone rings...
No I can't turn the ringer off. And the T.V. thing? I think that's Tessa's way of telling me she misses time with me.
There is some hopeful news about April....But I'm too tired to relate it properly right now.

April is much happier at home with all her dogs...Although she did find out something very sad...
The cat I had given her and Ken 14 years ago....Curled up in his bed the night she went into the hospital a passed away in his sleep....Ken came home that night after settling April in and found Patch (the cat) He was heart broken....He (Ken) loved that cat from the moment I put him in his arms all those years ago...

The whole time April was in the hospital Ken lied to her and told her Patch was fine...April knew something was up but didn't think to hard on it...

Then when April got home she asked where Patch was, all Ken said was, "He's with Tazz." Tazz was their other cat that passed a few months ago....

April and I were talking today, and she was upset because she wants to cry but can't, she has to choose between crying and breathing, she can't do both...she chooses breathing.

On Friday we are going to find a shelter that has an orange (ginger) kitten and she is going to take it home. She said she wants a kitten because she wants to watch it grow...

Ken is going to KILL me but, that's what she wants, that's what she gets.

At 5:30 in the morning....