What Did You Do Today?

[judy]

Last night was our New Year's Eve party. It was a wonderful night, being with friends. We had lobster!!! YUMMMM!

Today, I am doing nothing! Mabe I will read or watch a movie.

[DianaB]

SHADA.......It's so good to see you back on here!! You've been missed!!!

Actually, I haven't been on much either. Sorry!!

We had a good Christmas. Glen and I decided not to buy gifts for each other because there just wasn't anything that we needed so we're considering the cruise our Christmas present to each other. The kids gave us a few presents and that was enough. We gave each of our family money this year. It seemed really odd not to shop for them. It did help relieve the stress that I get plus I didn't have to wrap the gifts either. The only gifts I bought was for Mom and Art and they were just little gifts. It was a good day with the family and they all got to stay ALL day. Their in-laws all had their Christmas's early or were doing them the next day.

We've had a couple of parties at Glen's brother's house.....a Christmas get-together and New Year's. Glen's sister, Brenda, is here and we always get together more when she's here.

We've had so many get-togethers from church and family that we're ready to stay home. I'm tired of making "finger foods" as well!!! LOL

This morning Glen and Logan left to go to Beaver Lake for their annual scuba dive on New Year's day!! I have a feeling that this will become a tradition. Any way I have the house to myself, which is nice!! We have a little snow on the ground.....not enough for me......but still it's nice!!

Reuger got a hair cut yesterday and Jazzi's going to get trimmed up soon. It will be nice having them look nice again. I'm afraid that I let them get too scruffy looking before I get them groomed.

[gja1000]

Diana, when is your cruise? You are cruising to the Caribbean, right?

I know what you mean about too many get-togethers. I have had those sort of Holiday seasons and by the end, I just wanted to stay home and never eat anywhere but home again. Of course, that usually only lasts a week or so.

I took down my Christmas things which didn't take too long. I love my little decorations, they made me feel better, so it was kinda sad to take them down. But I'm glad to have everything put away so I don't have to think about doing it! LOL! My outdoor decorations are little lighted snowmen. There are 8 of them and they stand up on stakes in the ground. We had a little rain yesterday and today so when I pulled the stakes up they were a bit muddy. So, I just left them laying on the ground and will put them away tomorrow after the mud dries and I can wipe it off. Actually I took a paper towel and wiped off most of the mud so that all that is left should dry quickly and easily brush off. The little snowmen come off the stakes and I have boxes for them. I'll put the away tomorrow and then get them up in the attic.

I organized the tax stuff for mom and me. I didn't get anything ready for the accountant, just got everything organized into folders so that when the time comes, I can find everything. I also made folders for 2013 to keep things organized for next year. Everything is so much simpler without mountains of medical papers for Gary. I just put all that into a big bag and will put it in the attic. You never know when I might get a bill for Gary a year later. I just got a bill last month for a procedure he had in August of 2011. I have no clue why it took so long for me to get the bill. I haven't received a bill for anything at all related to his last hospitalization, and it has been 7 months since he passed away. You'd think everything would be settled by now, but who knows.

I'm going to work for a little while tomorrow. I need to do a little work on a project. I don't plan to strain myself though a couple of hours should be about right! School doesn't actually start till the 15th, but we have meetings and the like next week. So I thought I should get a few things done this week before the craziness arrives.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Did you eat your black-eyed peas? I fixed some but I don't really like them, no matter what I do to disguise the taste. But I ate some, goodness knows I need some good luck in 2013!

[gja1000]

WHEW! good to see 4WT open instead of Maltese.com!

OK girls, I've been complaining about it being HOT for the past few months, and it HAS BEEN. But now it's too cold (for Austin). Really I don't mind the cold but I don't have warm enough clothes! I had to dig into my deer hunting clothes to find some WOOL SOCKS -MY FEET ARE FREEZING! I know, I know, I'm a wimpy southern girl. And I know it will warm up in a day or so but dang! I went to Ross (a discount clothing store) and found a pair of corduroy pants. They sure do feel good!

I went to work today for a few hours. It was good to be back, but now I'm tired! I'm gonna have to get my stamina back, I've been a sloth for too long.

I worked out with the personal trainer this morning. We are just working on stretching and flexibility, so nothing too tough. I need to increase my cardio workout, and I will, but I have to take it easy or I just ache all over. We focused on my hamstrings today because they give me fits! They hurt so bad, even when I just go for a walk. They feel good today so I am making progress.

I brought all my work home and I think I'll work from home tomorrow and maybe Friday too. The students don't come back till the 15th, so there isn't any reason I can't work from home. My only problem is staying focused and getting some work done. Oh well, I don't have any deadlines looming, so if I goof off some, it won't matter. But I'll regret it later when those deadlines ARE looming!

[Janet]

I'm glad too Gayle. Looks like they have everything switched, so I hope there are no problems.

We've been going through a cold spell here and it's been in the single digits. That's way too cold for me. By the time you go somewhere, do whatever, the car is cold again..lol. I don't like shivering and driving...I know...I'm nuts.

I'm ready to get back to driving the bus, I'm bored staying home. I did get my bedroom all cleaned very thoroughly, but have run out of steam for cleaning right now. I have sent out more resumes and received a few replies that they received them, so I hope they will call for an interview. The are both for office work in a hospital in Lafayette. I'm keeping my fingers crossed although it is very scary to think about changing jobs in this economy. I'm just trying to start taking bigger steps toward what is best for me.

I would love to have a personal trainer...how fortunate you are! I was thinking of joining the "Y" or a 24/7 exercise place in Rossville (real close to me), but I'm trying to save money. I have been exercising and dancing here at home and started watching my diet again. Hoping I can stick with it.

Looking forward to a bit warmer temps within the next week...weatherman is saying near 50 again...yay!!! So wanting to be warm again and to be able to see green grass instead of this white stuff that's on the ground.

We go back to school on Tuesday so it won't be much longer. I think it's been too long of a break, would rather have a longer spring break instead of being stuck inside so much.

Well, I've been busy all day getting tax info gathered so that is all done, now just have to wait for all the information they send through the mail.

I have a roast and potatoes and carrots in the new crockpot Ricky got me for Christmas and I've just heard my dryer buzzer. Time to fold some clothes and hop in the bath before the guys get home.

[judy]

We are having a cold spell too, Janet. I heard it was -6 in a nearby town this morning! It is sunny though, so I am happy. Doesn't your car heater warm you up? Mine keeps me toasty. I also have seat warmers. They are really good to warm you up, but after a while, you feel like you have a cooked tush! Maybe you can put a heavy lap blanket on while you are driving, or even a thick towel.



Keep warm everyone! I put up my thermal curtains yesterday, and will do the kitchen later. The towels are by the patio door to keep the drafts out, and it helps. My heating bill is so high though!

[DianaB]

We're cold here too. We got a little bit of snow the beginning of the week and a lot of it's still here. It's just been too cold for it to melf off and I think that what has disappeared is just freeze dried away. Of course I'm not out in the cold much.

I have a lunch date today with a friend, Rita. We both have family problems so every once in a while we get together and have lunch. I have a lot to tell her this time!! She knows that things are bad and that Damon is in jail but she doesn't know much more.

I heard yesterday that my DIL, Tammy, has been talking to people about what's going on with Dae Lynn. That means that rumors will be going around town that's not correct. Tammy has a way of twisting the truth when it comes to things like this so I'm already upset with her without even hearing what she's said. Unfortunately this is a common problem with her.......and then she wonders why we don't always believe what she says. Oh well...........

Dean is his ornery little self!! But oh so cute!!! I can't believe that he's about to be three in March!!

I have both of the dogs groomed so my next project is to take down my Christmas tree. It's such a big tree and there are so many ornaments on it that it takes awhle to get down. Thank goodness I didn't get many other things out so once the tree is down I'm pretty much done.

[gja1000]

My kids called yesterday about 3:00 and said, "We're coming to Austin!". They arrived about 8:00 and it has been non-stop chaos ever since. I'm so glad they are here though. It has been a few days since I'd done anything fun. the weather is really yukky though, cold and rainy, but that's OK!

I finally dug out some wool socks, my warm Ugg
boots and a couple of sweat shirts. I'm feeling a little warmer now. Janet, I was going to mention the driving things that Judy mentioned, putting a blanket over your lap when you get into the car. I find that really helps. I have heated seats in my new Prius. Best. Invention. Ever. for cold weather. Mine get so toasty though, I have to turn them off after a while. Since I can now keep my car in the garage, which i have NEVER been able to do, I find that it's not so bad getting into it when it's cold, or hot for that matter. When I had my car outside I would go out and start it first to get it warm, but with the price of gas these days, that's not very cost effective.

Well the kids are starting to rustle around. We'll be going out to their favorite Mexican restaurant for breakfast soon. Better get myself ready.

[DianaB]

Gayle, enjoy your family!!! What a fun time!!

Our heater in our Tahoe has problems with staying warm. It's warm sometimes but not always.......same with the airconditioner......it's not always cold but sometimes runs as hot as the heater in the summer. It's been a huge fustration to us. We've had it in the shop and have it scheduled to go in again for that and some other problems. Personally I think that it's time to trade it in. I'm tired of dealing with it. However......I will say that my seat warmers do work!!! Thank goodness!!

[judy]

How wonderful that the kids are here, Gayle!!! Enjoy every second!

Diana, I remember that Tammy does gossip. I guess you cannot change her, but maybe you could talk to her? This involves the children, and gossip follows people. Actually, she needs to be slapped! I'm sorry! Of course you would never do that, but shame on her! The girl needs a good whipping!

I have been finding deer foot prints in the morning around my house. There has been fresh snow every morning, and this has been going on for about 3 days. Somebody told me to put out apples. I cut one up, and the deer prints are right up to a half eaten apple on my steps!

If only I could take a picture! I was driving yesterday and saw 2 deer on my hill, and then about 9 or 10 deer, all together, crossing the road down on the highway. It was beautiful. I have never seen that many together - usually there are 3 together. These are the deer who survived hunting season, and I was so happy for them.

I probably should not feed this deer, but I am going to!! It will eat my trees come Spring. So worth it! (I might be complaining in the warm weather though!)

[gja1000]

I love watching deer, Judy. Even though Gary liked to hunt them, he also loved to watch them. I'd love to live where they regularly came up into my yard.

[Janet]

I get to see deer just about every morning that I'm driving the bus, they are all over the place and I love to see them. The kids know if I slam on the brakes, it's because a deer ran across the road in front of me. They love seeing them too. I can also see them in the field across the road.

I do have a story though of when Ricky was little, about 3 or 4 I think. We were in the kitchen and I looked out and there was a deer out by his swingset. It was so fun to have it right in our yard. Well...the next morning he woke up and knew that his daddy was out hunting. Ricky walked to the kitchen window and climbed up in the chair and then started crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was wanting to watch daddy hunt....lol. So darn cute!!!! Of course his daddy was out in the woods.

I just went out to get the mail and on my way back in I saw some footprints by the front window in the snow. Not sure what they are, but I think they are squirrel. I've seen one out by our evergreen trees. Here in a bit I will google and see if that's what they are. If so...I need to get some corn set out for it.

[judy]

Here is a picture of deer tracks Janet. Now I know that I do not have a deer, I have rabbits! I found a picture of rabbit tracks.....who knew their feet were so huge? They live under my walk, but I haven't seen them lately. In summer, my hill always has a rabbit or two running around.

I'll take a picture of the tracks tomorrow to show you.

Gayle, I never faulted anybody for hunting deer. Gary, or any hunter, isn't being cruel. It is important to weed out the herd. Ir's survival of the fittest. If there are too many deer. there is not enough food. It is kinder to kill them with one shot than to let them starve to death. Also, a lot of people up here eat the venison.

I think a lot of the people who are against any guns at all live in cities. Hunting is very important in rural areas.

Just saying.....

[Janet]

I'm not sur ill have to go back out and check again, but those look like what I have. I may have rabbit tracks instead of squirrel.

[gja1000]

We had a fun time today. We went to the University women's basketball game and had a fun time. Then we went to Gattiland to eat - that's a pizza, pasta, salad buffet place with kids games. We sat in the media room so we could watch the Texan/Cincinatti football game. The kids had a ball. Then Emma (6 year old) and I went to see my mom while my daughter Brooke and Abi and her boyfriend went shopping. So a fun time was had by all. They are still shopping and Emma and I are watching cartoons on one TV and basketball on another. Again, a fun time by all!