Baby, it's cold outside! :-)

No, we don't have ice here, as pictured above, or snow, but it is bone-chilling cold! Brrrrr!!! I am so thankful that we have a wood-burner! It keeps it so toasty in here! *contented sigh* :-)
Oh, and the picture above was taken by my brother-in-law at Conkle's Hollow Rim Trail, a nearby state park here in the Hocking Hills.


AND, while I'm mentioning the beautiful Hocking Hills, where we are blessed to live, let me invite you to come and spend a weekend here, visiting the seven beautiful state parks that are nestled in these beautiful hills.



Interestingly enough, I just read in a newspaper article that the Hocking Hills State Parks had just under 3 million visitors last year (2009), whereas Yellowstone National Park had 3 million visitors! Whadaya think of THAT?!? I think it is awesome! AND there is no entrance fee for our parks, while you do have to pay to enter Yellowstone! I'm very thankful that they have been able to keep our parks free of charge for all of the years. I'm hoping that it remains that way. *fingers crossed*

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As I type this, our black lab Rocky is outside howling his head off. All of the dogs in the vicinity are chiming in! It reminds me of the scene from 101 Dalmatians where all of the dogs start barking in their effort to pass a message on about the puppies being stolen. I often wonder what these dogs are saying to eachother? :-) Oh, and their howling also reminded me of a post over at Joyce's blog. :-)

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Wednesday's Random Dozen

It is Wednesday and that means it's time for another Random Dozen questions which is hosted by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee! Just click on her blog title right back there and join us for some random fun!!!

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?
Fairly good. On a scale of 1-10, I would give myself a 6-7. As I've gotten older, I've learned more and more to apply Philippians 4:11...."for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?
A nicely cooked steak or Pizza Crossing Pizza! Oh my!

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?
I would have to say 6-7.
Only now that I've said THAT, I'll probably be faced with crazy stuff today that will make me lose it! I suffered with a very painful disability for 4-5 years, was on a walker and eventually was unable to go out very much. I learned that alot of things that I thought were sooo important, weren't. And that so many things that I thought HAD to be done, didn't. I learned that everything didn't have to be done my way and that maybe there was actually a better way than MY way. There was. A few times. :-) Life went on and the earth kept turning. Now that I'm much better, I'm endeavoring to hold to and practice those valuable lessons that I learned.

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?
Hmmmm......would you believe that this most often applies to eating out for me? :-)


5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?
Oh yes! I especially learned to do this when I was disabled physically!



6. Which line is hardest to wait in?
The DMV, because the place is so bland and boring, though I usually find someone to talk to and the line at our church carry-in dinners or similar gathering where there is food, especially if I am really hungry! So, I most often get something to drink, sit down and visit with someone until the line is gone. :-)



7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?
No, because that was 23 years ago and that was not available to us. I did his room in yellow and green! :-)



8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?
I believe I am just as patient with one as I am with the other actually.



9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?
Oh, yes.....when I was just a little girl, my sister Debbie and I shared a double bed. My twin brother Johnny came into our room and woke me and Debbie and I up in the middle of the night. We tiptoed up the stairs and peeked up over the railing and there, in the big room that was the upstairs of our house, were toys!!! I remember specifically seeing a white wooden table and chairs! Oh, but we were so excited!!! We tiptoed back down the stairs and crawled into bed but I don't think we slept another wink!



10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?
Possibly, to get married to a wonderful, christian man. It was 11 years after giving my heart to the Lord, at age 23, that I met Ed and he was definitely worth the wait!!! :-)



11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?
I asked my DH this question and he agrees with me.....it is a toss-up, because we are patient with different things and situations. That's our answer and we're sticking to it! :-)



12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)
A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

Oh, definitely C! I love that song!!

What else? The grandbaby! :-)

Here is just the most adorable picture of our beautiful daughter-in-law, Erin, and little Jaylon all dressed up for church! As his MawMaw Pat said, "He looks like a little man but smells like a baby!" :-)
ANDDDDD.....he started walking yesterday!!! I was in the kitchen fixing coffee and Jaylon was standing at his little activity table playing when all of a sudden he let go of it and came toddling into the kitchen, his little arms stretched out and a big smile on his face, as he headed for his grandma....me!! My heart just about burst with love and excitement!! *tears* He is just about the most precious thing in the world!!!
He finally reached me, buried his little face in my skirt and giggled and bounced up and down. I scooped him up and gave him kisses and hugs. It was a precious, awesome moment!

I finally made it up to my brother and sister-in-law's to borrow the high chair that Daniel had used when he was a baby. I wanted to use it because the newer ones are so big and gangly and take up so much room. Their son, Jason, who is now close to 35, was the first to use it; then Daniel; and now Jaylon! AND it is still in very good condition. I love keeping and using things like this high chair through the generations. They have so much sentimental value.
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I've been cooking some new dishes this week, as I'm in the house alot and it has been so yucky outside.

I made Teriyaki Chicken on Monday. It was delicious!!! Here's the recipe:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
Directions:
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
(I baked the chicken on a foil-lined jelly roll pan to save on clean up and it worked fine. AND I just had to toss the aluminum foil when the chicken was done. No scrubbing or soaking a baking dish!)
Bake for 15-20 minutes then turn over, pour or brush the chicken with more sauce and bake for 15-20 more minutes.
I doubled the recipe for the sauce and it was just enough!
I served the chicken over stir fry vegetables mixed with fettucine. It was delicious!

On Wednesday, I fixed Spam (Treet) Casserole which I got from Barbara at Stray Thoughts.
I also nicknamed it "Heart Attack In A Skillet" LOL
I tweaked the recipe a little and came up with this:
1 can of Spam or Treet cut into small chunks and browned in a little margarine or butter
1 small onion chopped
Sautee the onion with the meat.
Add one can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup
Add one can of cheese soup or one half jar of cheese whiz
Add water until you get the consistency you like.
Add 1 package of cooked noodles.
I also added 8 ounces of frozen peas for some added color and taste.

This was absolutely delicious! BUT it's not something I am going to make very often for obvious reasons! :-0 Oh, but it is comfort food deluxe! AND you have to have bread and butter with it!!! :-)
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And one a final note:
What other country in the world comes to the aid of other countries in time of need and devastation, like the United States? And I'm not talking about just the government.
No, it's the people of this great country that I'm really speaking of.
Americans are the most compassionate and generous people in the world and I'm so proud to be an American. Other countries and their people can say what they want about us but we know who we are and that's what matters. And when tragedy and disaster strikes, we know in our hearts where the world turns.
Though our government may be much less than perfect (that's an understatement!), this country and it's citizens are second to none.
Yes, I'm proud to be an American. Especially in times like these.

Random Dozen Time!!

Linda, at 2nd Cup of Coffee, hosts Random Dozen every Wednesday, so go to her blog if you would like to join in the fun, meet some new people and share some things about yourself!

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?
Hmmmm........you know, I think I'll just stay the age I am. I'm too tired to go back and I've worked to hard to get here. :-/ That's just how I'm feeling today. :-)
BUT, I have said.....on good days.....that I actually feel 35 on the inside. That is, until I get out of bed! LOL

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)
Creole Vegetables and Smoked Sausage which can be found here!

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?
Get out of the house, go some where, take a walk, visit a friend and go out to eat.
That isn't actually just ONE thing, but they are all kind of similar.

4. When was the last time you danced in public?
At my nephew Jason's wedding which was about three years ago, I believe.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?
A dreamer, though I do stay in touch with reality! :-)

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?
I helped to lead my son to the Lord and then to know the Lord and His
Word in a deeper way and more personal way.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." ~Deut. 6:6-9


7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?
Barney! He just makes the show!!! :-)

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
4

9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from in side you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve?
Clutter and disarray.


10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?
Blue. I've just been a little melancholy this week for some reason. I think it is the lack of sunshine and blue skies and warm weather and green grass. *sigh*


11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?
Welllll.....I just read this question to my DH and I can't type what HE said, sooooo I'll stick to MY answer, which I can't think of right off the top of my head. :-)
Okayyy....I've REALLY given this some thought and I'd have to say a Labrador dog because he is so faithful and loyal and loving.
I also thought he's alot like an ant because he is such a hard worker. He is! I have such admiration for him, in this respect.
Sooo, that's my answer and I'm sticking to it!! :-)


12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
Picking up and straightening up; picking up and straightening up; picking up and straightening up.....you get the idea. :-)

Now I remember!

......a couple of the other things that I wanted to post about!
I took my sister Debbie to a doctor's appointment last Thursday. I also had Jaylon that day, so he went with us. Like he had a choice! :-) He is such a good little guy to take anywhere! He's just all smiles and so good-natured.
While Debbie was in with the doctor, Jaylon smiled and wooed those who were in the waiting room. :-) He was especially intrigued with one lady's wheelchair. He had been playing with the wheels on his stroller but was amazed at how big her wheels were. She told him that this was the natural life progression for some people......from the stroller to the wheelchair. It was touching to see Jaylon standing there holding onto her wheelchair, so precious.
When Debbie came out and we were preparing to leave, this sweet woman told us that it had made her day to have Jaylon come over and smile at her and spend some time with her and her wheelchair because she had been having some difficult days. Oh, and her husband had a long, untrimmed beard that Jaylon found intriguing, too, though he didn't go near it! :-)
When I have Jaylon out and about with me, I am still amazed at how a small child can brighten the day for so many people. It takes so little to brighten someone's day. I so want to make sure that I do just that, whether I have little Jaylon with me or not.
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Speaking of Jaylon.......I haven't seen the little guy since last Thursday! And I am missing him ALOT!! Erin is off work today, so I am hoping to get my hands on him at some point in the day!! :-)
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On our way home last Thursday, I drove through the CVS drive-through to pickup medicine for Debbie and when the window opened I was visually bombarded with more cleavage than a person should have to look at through a drive-through window! Oh my!!!
The young lady was sweet as could be, but did she have to display her gifts for everyone to see? AND she was bent over in order to talk to us sufficiently which didn't help to obstruct the view any. :-0 I've wondered if I should call and mention it to the manager but then I thought not because I seldom go to this particular store and so on.
I just don't understand the need to show cleavage. AND why mothers OR fathers would allow their daughters to leave the house dressed in such a manner. Which brings back the memory of me when I was a teenager and upon arriving at school, I would hurriedly go to the restroom and roll the waistband of my skirt up a couple of times to make it a little shorter, so I am well aware of the fact that parents do not always know EVERYTHING about their child's appearance when they are away from home! :-0
I guess I am just from the old school of thinking that if you are working with the public, while dressing fashionably, you should still dress modestly.
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One day last week, Jaylon was playing in the cupboard where I keep my tupperware bowls and such. He pulled out a cottage cheese container that I had washed and kept. He drug it into the living room and commenced to playing with it by putting the lid on and taking the lid off, putting the lid on and taking the lid off, putting the lid on and.....well, you get the idea. I was sitting on the sofa and he was at my feet and as enthralled and intent as he was in playing with this simple object, I was just as enthralled that he could sit there for close to thirty minutes and do this simple task over and over again and find it sooooooo interesting. Occasionally, he would pick up a block, put it in the container and shake it noisily, only to go back to "lid on, lid off, lid on, lid off". Amazing. And I love it that little ones still find the simplest of things so much fun!

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Some other tidbit that I had wanted to blog about faintly scurried through my thoughts awhile ago but, alas and alak!.....it has disappeared into the abyss! :-/ It may be retrieved at some point during the remainder of my afternoon and if so, I will make a NOTE of it!

Rainy Days and Mondays......

Okay, so it isn't Monday just yet, but it surely is a rainy day! AND a cold day! AND a dreary day! Well, you get the point.
This is the part of winter that I have a difficult time with. *sigh* BUT spring is only two months away, I keep telling myself!
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The outside Christmas decorations are almost all down and put away for another year. Finally.
There are still two wreaths hanging in the kitchen window and the bathroom window because I couldn't reach them and today it is raining too hard for us to get the ladder out and retrieve them. We still have the spiral trees to take down and the icicles lights around the carport.
In days gone by, this would have driven me crazy......having two wreaths up and the rest down, the spiral trees still up, etc.
Oh, but I've learned that life goes on and it doesn't really matter to anyone but me, AND they are outside where I don't have to look at them, so that is a plus! LOL We'll get them down in the next couple of days because Ed is off Monday and Tuesday.
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I've had to find a new brand of hosiery to wear. The brand I did buy started making the style that I like with a control top. I do not like control top pantyhose. Hello.
It has taken me quite a bit of looking and searching to find a new brand and style of hose that I like but I think I finally have. AND they have a control top. I cannot find a brand/style that I prefer that does not have a control top! Grrrrrrrrrr!
This is almost as traumatic as the time that Rave changed the formula for their hairspray a few years ago!!! I didn't think I would EVER find another brand of hairspray that I liked!!! I even wrote to Rave a few times to complain about the "new and improved" product they thought they had! AND the new fragance smelled like fish!!!!
Now I use Tresemme' 2 Gold and I love it but the price just keeps going up BUT rather than try to find a cheaper brand, I'll use the Tresemme' a bit more sparingly.
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I know that I had several small things that I wanted to post about but for the life of me, I can't remember what they were! I know, I know......I need to write them down! *sigh* That is the story of my life!
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One thing I've remembered that I do need to do is go take my Sunday afternoon nap before I run out of time!!! :-)
The End.

Random Dozen!

It Wednesday! That means it's time for Wednesday's Random Dozen Meme hosted by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee! You can join the fun by clicking HERE!!

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave?

Would you believe yesterday? AND it was a Big Mac! Yes, a Big Mac! I cannot tell you the last time that I had one AND there is just NOTHING like a Big Mac. Sooooo, after Jaylon went home yesterday evening, I drove into town, purchased a value meal, came home and savored each and every bite! :-) It was delicious!

2. M & M's or Skittles?

Definitely M&M's and I prefer peanut, please! :-)

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?

Yes, I did last year -2009-for the first time!

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?
Just a very few minutes actually. I am one of those morning people! You know.....who sings and talks and all of that upon waking, though not in an annoyingly noisy way. I'm kind of quiet about it all, out of consideration for those around me. :-)


5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?
No, I've never been but I think I would like to go on one.

6. Who is your favorite actress?
Hmmmm......I don't know that I have one favorite actress and if I start naming who I do like then I'll probably end up not naming some that I REALLY like! BUT, to name a few, Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, Judy Dench, Susan Sarandon, ......that's really all I can think of at the moment.

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.
How anyone can/could abuse a baby or a child or kill their child/children. Never. Ever.

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?
Oh, I'm not much of one at all. I have my desktop here and a very basic cellphone. That's it for me!

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?
When I shop for cards to send to people, I do enjoy reading the cards to the point that I have to be careful that I don't take too much time browsing! :-) (I'm that person you see standing there laughing while looking at cards!)

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?
Oh my......it has been awhile since I've done either. My hair hasn't been cut for many, many years and while I haven't completely changed my hairstyle, I do alter it a bit now and again.

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?
Nothing. I do not like to shop. At all. Although, online shopping has made it a bit more bearable.....IF I have to.

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house?
Is everything turned off? Do I have my car keys? Lord, please go with me/us and grant us a safe trip.

It's Monday

It's all a blur......

You know, with the Christmas and New Year holiday weekends and now this crazy past week of school delays, early dismissals and cancellations, I don't know which end is up! OR what day it is!! Or on which day I did what!
Is anyone ELSE as confused as I am?!?!?! LOL
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I'm thinking that it was on Friday (don't quote me on this!) that my friend Pam and I went to LJ's Coffee Shop for a late breakfast, as she didn't have school that day. I wasn't really hungry but thought I'd go have coffee with her at least, where we could catch up after not seeing much of eachother during the holidays. Well, upon looking at menu, I saw that they had mush. I loooove mush but haven' t had it for years, so I ordered some.
The waitress brought me this platter with three huge pieces of mush on it, butter and warm syrup.
The only problem was that it didn't look like any mush I had ever had.
BUT I thought I'd give it a try. It was hard or should I say "crusty" on the outside and mushy on the inside. Now I like my mush just a tad crusty on the outside but this stuff was HARD.
I tried everything to make it good. Slathered it with butter. Drenched it with syrup. Why, I even sprinkled some salt on it. Then a little sugar. Nothing. Not the slightest smidgen of improvement.
Soooooo, after I had hacked my way through eaten most of the first piece, I just pushed aside the rest of it and enjoyed my coffee, which was stronger than I like BUT, in spite of all of THAT, I was in good company and Pam and I had a great time of catching up! :-) So, all was not lost.
(Oh, the ice water was really refreshing. I'm just sayin'....)
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Yesterday, Erin called and wanted to know if I wanted to go thrift-shopping at Volunteers of America with her and I said sure! Ed said he would watch Jaylon while we went!
Would you believe that I found an Izod flannel shirt and a Ralph Lauren flannel shirt for Ed? They were like new and I got them both for under $5!!!
We then swung by and picked up my sister Debbie who was suffering from cabin fever (okay, it was actually really-small-apartment-on-the-fifth-floor-of-a-highrise-fever) and headed for The Old Dutch restaurant for lunch. It was Erin's pick. They have a buffet that she really likes.
BUT, I'm sorry to say that the noodles and salad were the only things worth sinking your teeth into.
Now this is supposed to be one of THE best restaurants in the area, folks! And I know that it is January and business is slow but that is no excuse for the quality of the food that we had yesterday! BUT we took it in stride. (Oh, but I've taken alot of bad food in stride the past few days!)
The broasted chicken was dry and tasted like it had been cooked in old oil. The green beans and other vegetables were just bland.
Oh, but the real killer was the cake that came with the buffet?!
They brought it out to you when they saw that you were finished with the main part of your meal. If it had been any smaller, we would have needed a magnifying glass just to see it AND it was terrible! White, crumbly cake with a thin layer of the yuckiest tasting chocolate icing I've ever had!
BUT...would you believe that we were able to laugh about all of it??
It started with me saying something about being able to bake a better cake than that with one hand tied behind my back, with both eyes closed and it digressed from there. Somebody said something about standing on one leg.......:-)
Somehow....only the Lord knows......we had the best time and about laughed ourselves silly over it all! Soooo...in spite of the bad food, we left feeling better and having had a wonderful laugh!
And, yes, we left a generous tip, in spite of all the badness!
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Last night, Ed and I just spent a cozy evening here at home watching episodes of Law and Order that I had DVR'd.
We had never watched Law and Order until New Year's weekend when USA had a L&A marathon. So, I thought I'd just record a few and see what they were like.
OKAYYYYY!!! We've found our new favorite show! :-)
But a couple of things I've noticed! There isn't much humor in these shows. No inter-personal relationships going on in the workplace. And these people do not eat or drink on the job! They are all business!!! We prefer the ones with Vincent D'Onofrio in them but they are all good. We just like his character. He's quirky.
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This morning, I've accomplished some things that I've been meaning to do for a long time but have just put off for whatever reason: mending a shirt for Ed, sewing a pair of slacks for Daniel, de-pilling two throw pillows that I have on the sofa, chopping and freezing three bags of cooking onions that were given to me (I shed a tear or two over those!), de-hairing a comforter that I had let Ellie use for a bed during last summer and washing it and putting it away.
I also fixed breakfast and lunch for me and Ed and did my friend Pat's hair before coming here to the computer.
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Now, I am going to go in and finish tidying up the kitchen, whereafter I am hoping to dust and reorganize the bookcase that sits here beside of my computer desk. Oh, but I have put THIS job off for months! Here's hoping I can get this done today! *fingers crossed*
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And I close this post with, yes, you guessed it....a picture of the boy! :-) Okay, make that TWO pictures of the boy! :-) (You know how we grandmas can be!!! We can't just take ONE picture!)

Yummy Chicken Bites!!

My nephew and his sweet wife brought THE most scrumptious chicken/bacon wraps to our Christmas family get-together! They were gone in 60 seconds! (where have I heard THAT before?)
So, I asked for the recipe and fixed them a few nights later. I had just finished them when Daniel and Erin arrived to get little Jaylon. Let me tell ya.....they went fast!!! *whoosh*
They are soooo delicious! They are our new favorite food! :-) That is, until the next one comes along!
ANDDDD, noooooo....I didn't take a picture of them! THAT is one of my new year's resolutions: To take pictures of the food that I fix!
Here is the recipe:

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chili powder

6-8 boneless chicken breasts

1 pound of bacon, slices cut in half
Combine the sugar and chili powder thoroughly.

Cut the chicken into nice chunks that can be wrapped in a half slice of bacon. After you've wrapped each chunk of chicken with bacon, roll it in the brownsugar/chili powder blend, secure the bacon with a toothpick and place on a broiler pan or baking sheet.

You will have alot of these so you will need at least two baking sheets or you can bake them in batches.

My nephew said that they baked theirs on a broiler pan so the fat would drain off as they cooked.

I did not have a broiler pan, so I baked mine on a foil lined baking sheet, then placed them on paper towels in a 9X13 dish to drain.

I baked them for 15-20 minutes.

I had some chicken chunks left after I had used all of the bacon, so I just rolled them in the seasoning mixture and baked them. They were scrumptious even without the bacon!! Just ask Erin, as she does not care for bacon.

When I made these I only had 4 chicken breasts on hand. I had alot of the seasoning left over, so I kind of figured that you would need 6-8 breasts, at least, to use all of the seasoning given in this recipe. You could cut down on the measurements for the seasoning if you didn't want to make so many.

They are worth the effort, let me tell ya!! :-)

Let me know if you fix them and what you think of them!!!

Bon Apetit'!

We have a problem....

....okay, I apparently have the problem....with the comments on my blog. Barbara was kind enough to email and let me know that she has not been able to comment on my blog. I wondered why I hadn't been getting any comments!! Especially on my Ohio State Football Buckeyes post!! :-) I mean, I know two ALL of you care about their Rose Bowl victory, don't you?!?!?! :-)

Sooo, if you been by to visit, read and comment, please....come back!! Leave a comment!! ( i am so pathetic...)
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It has been snowing here most of the afternoon and it is beautiful! Our county is on a level 2 snow emergency and school has been canceled for tomorrow.



Oh, and speaking of school being canceled: Ed is a private transporter for our school district, so is school is canceled or delayed, we get an early morning call letting him know what it is going on.
Sooooo, this morning the phone rings shortly before five, with a message telling him that school will be dismissed one hour early today.
We thought that was a bit unusual because early dismissal has always been two hours.

At about ten minutes past six, I turned on the local news and weather only to see in the announcements running across the bottom of the screen that our district is on a two early dismissal schedule. What????

Sooooooo, I call the school transportation dept. number only to get a recording that says, "All Logan-Hocking Schools are on a regular schedule today."

Helllloooooo!!!!! Does ANYONE know what is going on in this district??

I pressed "0" and spoke with the transportation secretary who said that the phone announcements were incorrect and that we were on schedule for a two hour early dismissal.

Finally, someone had the correct information! I just couldn't believe that so much misinformation had been put out there when thousands of parents and students were needing to know what was going on. Thankfully, it all got straightened out eventually.
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Jaylon has had a bit of a cold this week with a stuffy nose and all. Thankfully, he hasn't had a fever. He is such a good little guy even when he doesn't feel the greatest.

He watches his daddy play drums at church and it is looking like Jaylon just may be following in his daddy's footsteps. :-)
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Well, I am going to take myself off to bed on this snowy winter's night. Goodnight to all!

Rose Bowl Victors!!!

I can't believe that I forgot to mention that the Ohio State Buckeye football team WON the Rose Bowl!!! How awesome is THAT???? Oh, but did we ever shut the naysayers UP!!! BOOYAHHHH!!! .....okay, I'm done. :-)

Random Dozen Time!! :-)

Linda, at 2nd Cup of Coffee, hosts a Random Dozen each Wednesday and here it is Wednesday already! AND the first Wednesday and Random Dozen of 2010! We'd love to have you join in the fun. Just click on Linda's blog link up above!!
Here's my offering for the week!!

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a cranky-baby-hissy-fitter, how much of a complainer are you?
Welllll.....if you ask me....and you have :-)........I would say 2. Honestly, I just don't complain very much. BUT if you asked my husband.....and you haven't and he doesn't blog.....he would say....hey, wait just a minute! I'll ask him!
Yayyyyyy.....he said a "3"!!!!! See? I told you I wasn't much of a complainer! What a guy! :-)

2. When someone else is talking, do you listen, or are you thinking about what you're going to say in response?
I used to be a distracted listener but I've really worked to discipline myself to LISTEN! It hasn't been easy, especially because I can be a talker! I just told myself to stop and consider how I would feel if I wasn't being listened to. This doesn't mean that every one that I talk to now is REALLY listening to me but I do think people are more apt to engage in conversation with you AND to listen to you IF they see that you are REALLY listening to them. It does work. "Do unto others....."


3. I just deleted 1062 messages from my email account. Do you have any plans for a clean sweep this month--of anything?
Perhaps not a "clean" sweep but we are definitely "redding" out here and there! Where does all of this stuff come from anyway!?

And now, here are some brilliant questions from a gal named Angie at Angie's Ad Lib who graciously offered to let me borrow her brain. Please go over and see Angie because it was so nice of her to help me out. Thank you so much, Angie!

4. Tell us about your perfume. Was it a gift? What does it remind you of? Do you have a signature scent?
I don't have a perfume, per se, but I do wear White Gardenia lotion from Bath and Body Works. I like the softer scent of the lotion.
YEARS ago, I wore Jungle Gardenia by Tuvache'. Oh, but I loved it! A lady that I worked with wore it one day and I was mesmerized by it. I just had to have it! I received so many compliments when wearing Jungle Gardenia. After wearing it for a few years, they discontinued it! I was devastated!! I mean, it was MY scent!
For a few years I just wore this and that, unable to find anything that really did it for me, sometimes not wearing anything, until I found the B&B Works lotion.
AND THEN they quit making the White Gardenia. Can you believe it?!?! BUT I happened to find some little dollar bottles of it during one of there semi-annual sales and I bought ten of them!!! Here's hoping I can continue to find it here and there! :-)

5. What is your best organizing tip for the new year?
If you haven't used it or worn it in the past six months, get rid of it! The chances of you using it or wearing it are practically nil! I read or heard this somewhere and it is true!!!


6. What is your favorite comic strip?
I don't read any comics.

7. Do you sleep with a fluffy or flat pillow?
In between. Seriously. I love my pillow.

8. What color is your kitchen? Why did you choose that color?
Green with touches of purple because I find it to be soothing.

9. What’s the most interesting bumper sticker you’ve seen?
"Honk if.....you see parts falling off." :-)

10. Do you prefer an expensive writing tool or whatever is lying around? (Are you a Montblanc or a Papermate?)
I am definitely a Papermate! :-)

11. What chore doesn’t feel like a chore – you just enjoy it (at least most of the time)?
Making my bed. We hardly bother the covers when we sleep and most mornings when I am making my bed, I am talking to it in my mind, saying, "Oh, but I can't wait until we meet again in about 14 hours. *sigh* ", as I smooth the comforter and fluff the pillows. *sigh*

12. If your parents often repeated themselves, what is something one of them said more than once?
"Jewel, you'd better get up. You're going to be late." *groan*

Artery-clogging, sin-in-a-pan cake!! :-)

Okay....it's really called Gooey Butter Cake, which doesn't sound a whole lot better, but is it EVER delicious!! Oh my!!!
My girlfriend Pam brought it to our ladies' Christmas Party at church last month and it was to die for! And it is so simple to make!
Here is the recipe which I actually found on the back of a package of cream cheese:
Gooey Butter Cake
1 box of yellow cake mix without pudding
1 stick of butter melted
1 egg
1 8oz. package of cream cheese softened
2 eggs
1 16oz. box of powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix together cake mix, butter and 1 egg until thick and smooth. Press into a 9X13 baking dish or pan. Mix together softened cream cheese, 2 eggs and powdered sugar until thoroughly mixed and pour onto cake mixture. Bake at 350degrees for 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and enjoy!!!
A calorie or fat gram count per serving was not given. (Is it any wonder? :-0)
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Okayyyy, I've decided the outside decorations can stay up till Easter if necessary because I'm not taking them down in this weather and these temps! Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! It is COLD!!! I know it's winter but these temps are below normal. Windchills below zero and all. The one enjoyable thing is the resulting snow. I just love a covering of snow on the ground in the winter. It makes the bare trees and lack of green so much more bearable.
AND remember how I said that we leave our outside Christmas lights on all day on New Year's Day? Well, ours developed a short of some kind on New Year's Eve so it was ixnay on the ightslay on New Year's Day and life went on. :-)
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My siblings and our spouses gathered together for our annual New Year's Eve day lunch date Thursday afternoon at 2pm at Millstone BBQ. We had the best time ever, just talking, eating and enjoying eachother's company. We started this tradition after our mother passed away in 1999 and have met each year since. I always look forward to our gathering together after the busyness of Christmas, just to relax, enjoy a good meal together, converse and share the blessings of the Lord in our lives.
AND you have to know my family and that we always share our food. Meaning, we always get appetizers and pass them around and if someone has something that we've not had before, we always share a bite or six. We do enjoy eating! :-)
AND, even though we were together on New Year's Eve Day, we still called eachother the next day to wish eachother a happy and blessed New Year!
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Ed and I were asleep as the entering in of the new year came and went! :-) Snug in our bed as the temperature plummeted and snow fell outside! :-)
Upon rising the next morning, I liberally seasoned some plump country ribs and put them in the oven to bake. When they were done, I put them in a dutch oven and added some pungent sauerkraut to them and let them simmer while I peeled potatoes for rich, buttery mashed potatoes! I also baked light/yeast rolls. We had a delicious New Year's Day dinner!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We've slept in for the past three mornings until 7:30-8ish, which is REALLY late for us as we are usually up at 5:30 because Jaylon arrives at 6:30 each morning. It has been nice to just lay in bed, for a change.
But I do miss the little guy and can't wait to see him, hopefully, tomorrow! Erin said that he's taken a shaky step or three in the past couple of days! :-)
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ANDDDD.....may we have a drumroll please?.......I read my Bible through this past year!!! Yayyyyy for me!! It is the first and, more than likely, the last time that I will do this! I mean, I read and study my Bible and I did want to be able to tell the Lord one day when I see Him that I had read EVERY word that He provided for me, BUT the likelihood of me doing so again? Welllllll......I can't say that it's gonna happen,k?
I much prefer studying passages and particular books, topics, and such. I glean much more from it.
BUT, I am so glad that I've read it through at least one time!
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That is all for tonight!
Hope you are enjoying the first days of the new year!!