White Christmas' are overrated

Ok, it was fun, but now I am ready for the white stuff to go away. The only one who really loves it is the dog..........and he just by far has the best attitude in this family anyway.

Fashionistas

This is what happens when you play with girls..............too much........
Jake loves playing with Viva and Luna..........our neighbors who are full of action and fun.....he may regret the picture above some day....

Merry Christmas Eve

It is Christmas Eve and I am wide awake at 4:30 am. I hate it when I do that. I am really done with everything, but that doesn't stop me from over thinking the whole thing..........and obsessing about little things. Tonight we go to a friends for a Christmas Eve get together down the street. We have done this for years..........when the kids were little, we would go look at lights and eat pancakes, that was so nice. Tomorrow will just be the 5 of us. We are expecting rain and sleet on top of the 2 feet of snow we already have. I just don't want to lose electricity........nothing fancy or exciting planned...........hopefully everybody will be "kind and happy" with no fussing.....:) fat chance with 2 teenagers and an almost 10 year old who LOVES to goad the bigger kids....he still doesn't get it that they can pound him!! I hope everybody stays warm and has a great day tomorrow.........

Bates Schoolhouse

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70 of my extended family met here yesterday for a Christmas potluck..............I am going to try and make it next year....

Snow Day Sewing

I have become a Goodwill freak...............or as my California friend says, a thrift store or vintage store shopper. I have found the BEST things and have really gotten in to the "hunt". Emily has been dying for a Patagonia........I don't want to spend 200 dollars..........we found the exact one she wants at the Waynesboro Goodwill for 3.50......all the wool above is the best kind from recycled sweaters..............except the green which is a soft J. Crew sweater that made the prettiest little purse...............I wish the roads weren't bad.........I want to go find some more sweaters today and I need to stop by Pier One......and the fabric store for ric rac.........I think I have the bug.

2 Feet of Snow

We had to dig a trench to the front door............see how high the snow is?

My SUV is covered..........day 3 of being housebound for most of us. I have really loved it though....I have cleaned things I never clean, watched movies, cooked, read, sewed...........it's nice when life forces you to slow down....

Old

I wish I could show you the passport photo I just got back from the state department. I actually am glad I can't. I remember my grandmother telling me that if you get up everyday and fix your hair and put on your makeup..........you are ready for whatever happens that day or whoever comes to visit you. Yes, that would be my Grandma Sanders.............who I NEVER have seen in sweat pants, no makeup and unfixed hair. I find "fixing" myself to be tiresome...........I would rather clean my house than fix my hair and put my makeup on. When I get home from work, I have to wash my face, take off any jewelry and slip into the most comfortable clothes I own............which are usually the baggiest and ugliest. Comfort is supreme for me...............and my passport photo....shows a very tired middle aged woman who needs a face lift just in her jowl area and second chin area.............I actually was tired that day and frustrated with the post office............getting a passport is no easy deal..........and I am not smiling...........I look irritated and very much like my father...........who has a head and neck like Fred Flintstone. I see my future and I see it clearly. My nose has started to grow too............My husbands nose and ears have grown considerably since we married over 20 years ago.............I thought that was a man thing......but obviously I am partaking of that ugly truth too. In the passport picture I have no makeup on and my hair is in a headband...............maybe I should hang this picture on my bathroom mirror every morning to inspire me to do a little better........put in a bit more effort. I think I have done the effort before and it really doesn't pay off........the chin is still there and the hair just falls flat anyway. I have stared at this picture and wondered what has happened to me. I got a Christmas card from a friend my age who never married and never had any children. She looks GREAT!!! Young and fresh............and rested and doing what she wants to do. Why am I getting this passport? Am I going somewhere exciting?
NO!!!! I told Chris years ago there were 2 things I would not want to do..........go to Disney World and go on a Cruise. I have been to Disney World 3 times with this man..............and now in March I have to go on a Cruise with his work.........all I can say is GROSS!! It's like Luby's cafeteria and bingo on a boat...........and karaoke...........and miniature golf.................anyway. My friend Mary Susan is going to live in France next year...........and I am going BY MY SELF to see her.....so I am glad I have my passport...........double chin and all.....