Plane, Car and Truck Adventures - Year End 2011

After traveling to Florida and back, here we are in Minnesota again.  The last week has been filled with plane, truck and car adventures.  See for yourself.

I flew to Florida on Friday, Dec 23 with no mishaps.  The planes (with transfer) were on time and my daughter, Becca picked me up at the airport in Tampa.

After packing up her apartment, loading the U-Haul and attaching her car, we were on the road to Little Rock.  Road adventures included fog and rain and damage to the bumper on the U-haul car trolley.

 Becca's friends load the U-haul in Florida on Christmas Eve day.

Minor damage to the trolley on Christmas day.

The warrior drivers - Jan and Becca

We arrived in Little Rock without further mishaps and spent the afternoon and evening with Will, Liz, Megan and Lucy.  The car and trolley were detached.  The U-haul reorganized and the next day we were on the road again to Minnesota.

By the end of the week, we were able to unload the U-haul to a storage unit near home.

All done unloading on Friday evening.

Wait, there is just one more car adventure.... Sarah's Jetta was towed for repairs this morning.

How was your holiday time?

At the Gym Again

Time to get in shape.  Saturday morning I was at the gym again training.  It going to take some time but I'm taking it one step at a time.  How about you?

Christmas Preparations

All I want for Christmas is MORE TIME.
With only two more weeks til Christmas, the holidays are once again coming whether I'm ready or not!
Could you all just wait for me to catch up and get ready too?? Just this once.  I promise it will never happen again.  I'll be prepared.
So who am I kidding?  It happens every year.  So why should this year be an different?
I enjoy reading family and friend's blogs. I get all inspired to 'deck the hall', shop and mail our Christmas cards.  Next I realize that it's the middle of December and I'm still designing the card to make to send this year.  Yes, I am a little behind.
I did get out the beautiful Noel blocks that Elizabeth made for us last year.  They are decorating the mantel but still need a little more cheer.

At least it's a start!

I made some cute Christmas tags at a friend's workshop on Sunday.

Now all I need are presents, our tree up and decorated and many other projects finished.  

But then again, I have two more weeks! Right?

Saturday Snow in Savage

It snowed late Saturday afternoon and into the night.  We got 4 " here in Savage.  The roads were very slippery on Saturday and Sunday.  The snow however was heavy and beautiful. See for yourself.

Room Ready

I spent part of the weekend cleaning out the second bedroom (and cleaning the rest of the house too).
We are anticipating Sarah's return on Monday evening.  She'll be staying with us as she starts a new job here in Minnesota.

Becca will be here at the end of December for a week before she boards a plane to Paris in early January.

Where in the World is Don?

Happy Birthday to Don.  He invited many of his special friends for a great time at his house.
Here are a few of the participants posing with him:

See anyone you know?

Thanksgiving at Our House

We had a quiet dinner at home on Thursday.  I fixed a 12 pound turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes and broccoli.  Bill even baked a pumpkin pie for dessert.  The turkey was awesome.

It was a beautiful day here in Minnesota with temperatures in the upper 50 degrees.  It was much nicer than our snowy day a week ago.
Capone and I enjoyed the sunshine out on the patio.

And We Have Snow!

Snow arrived as expected today.  We got 2 ".  Not a lot but enough to make the roads slippery and dangerous.  Bill and I stayed home.  But once again we have a snow covered ground.  Capone and I checked out the neighborhood from the patio.  Enjoy!

Is that snow?????

You bet!

Bare Tree Inspiration

I haven't been inspired to blog lately.  I took a walk outside at lunch on Friday and captured some of the trees before they are once again covered with snow.

Trees are bare and it's time for snow.  We haven't had any snow this season yet but it is expected later today.  It's almost like a black and white photo outside.  It's cloudy and you can just see those clouds filled with snow ready to open up.  A little snow will really cheer up the neighborhood.

November Starts - Pot Luck Eating, On Retreat and Some New Cards

This year is quickly slipping through the hour glass.
It seems like it was June just a few days ago.  How did it get to be November so soon?

November events so far:
We had a pot luck at work earlier this week.  There was plenty of food for everyone.
Some of the food --

Some of the happy, hungry participants (It's finally time to eat after smelling the food all morning) --

The fall leaves are still beautiful in the neighborhood.

I spent the weekend at Tara's cabin for a Stamping Up retreat with friends. The view was beautiful and the weather delightful.
No big surprises this weekend, except for a scary tap on the window in the dark of night.  Lucikly it was only Woody, a friendly neighbor.  Boy, did we jump!

We had a great time making cards, designing some new ones, eating, relaxing and having a great time.

Cards for kids, new babies and Christmas - see any you like?

Happy Birthday to My Daughters

24 years ago today, our family was blessed with two beautiful daughters.
It is a delight to be a part of their lives.
Join me in wishing them a happy birthday and many more!

Happy Birthday, Sarah and Becca.

Sights of Halloween

Halloween is in the air.  It's getting colder and days are shorter.
Halloween decorations are popping up all around the neighborhood.

 The witches are celebrating on a friend's table.

 Making cards with friends - this is one of Mary Kay's.

Our neighbor's pumpkins are all carved.
My Halloween cards went in the mail today.
Are you ready for Halloween?  What will you be doing?

Family Visit

My son, Will and his family were here for a visit this last weekend.  It was great having them here.  Quality time with my granddaughters is just the best.  They left early Tuesday morning.  I miss them terribly already.

 Some crafty fun with Grandma Jan's supplies.

Como Zoo

Comparing M's hand size to the polar bear's paw.  

M: 'Can we just keep going?  No more photos.

The polar bear was bored and took a nap.

Here are some pretty poses just for Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bill.