FIX IT UP HELP

As I mentioned before, we are getting ready to put our house on the market and move to a smaller home. Today we were so blessed to have Amy and Danny (and girls) come to help with some fix-it-up projects. Danny's a great DIY-er as well as my hubby. We are so tired tonight, but with a good feeling of work accomplished.
I thought you'd enjoy looking at our newest grand-dog, Lucy. This sweetie is 8 wks old. She's half toy poodle and half chihuahua. This puppy does not look real. It's like a stuffed toy come to life. You can see everyone loves her. Here's Kitty giving her a hug:
My mother is totally in love with this dog. She carries her around and is very protective of her around the kids and other animals. It's so funny to watch her with Lucy.

We finally had some snow here-in fact, it's been flurry-ing for two days. For us it's great even tho' most folks around here aren't used to driving on it. The temps have been so cold; high today was in the 20's. Most of the nation has been cold, so I can only say, "stay warm, friends". Nerm

WINTRY KNITTING

Sure do hope you all are keeping warm. Boy, is it cold. Highs have been in the 20's. Here in Tennessee that's plenty cold. Now we are under a Winter Storm Warning for Thursday and Friday and expecting...dum de dum dum...SNOW!!! As many of you know, I crave a good snowy day which we haven't had in a long, long time. They are forecasting 1.5--3" of the white stuff for Weds. nite and Thursday. I won't hold my breath, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. (Now that's a mental picture!)

Meanwhile, I am busy knitting away on a sweater for myself. I do a lot of charity knitting and I knit for family members , but I've really been in the mood to do something for myself. This particular sweater is a cardigan and made of a beautiful tweed yarn. Thank goodness, my hands are cooperating with me recently. My arthritis is haunting my knee at the moment, so I'll settle for that.
Here's a close-up (slightly out of focus) of the tweed-y aspect of the yarn.

I will let you know how much progress I make on the sweater and if the snow materializes.

Meanwhile, join me in a cup of hot tea. Nerm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Can you believe it's 2010? Doesn't that sound futuristic? Was it so long ago that everyone was talking about Y2K and the imminent computer collapse? I have read lots of commentaries on the past decade and what awful things (and good ones, too) have happened to us during that time. I am so thankful for my family and don't know what I'd do without them.

This past year had its ups and downs for our family, that's for sure. Hubby's business is home building so you know how that's going. He's made some creative changes with his business shifting it to more of a remodeling emphasis. The Lord has provided for us, even though we have learned to scale back our living somewhat. We're probably like alot of others in that it feels kind of good to learn to live with less. It's not as complicated and time consuming.

Actually hopefully in a month or so, we hope to put our home on the market and downsize somewhat. This house is over 3,000 sq ft and is just too much for us. We will have to have a fair size home to accomodate my mother who, as you know, lives with us, but I think we can accomplish both goals. I'll certainly keep you posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy a long weekend and take it easy on those resolutions! Nerm

WINTER LACE

Christmas is a memory and the decorations are drooping a little. We usually wait until Jan. 1 to take our tree down, but this year I'm ready to do it early. We did have a great celebration with our family on Christmas Day. A few folks were missing--mainly my brother-in-law and nephew, both of whom are serving in Iraq now. My sister is without her husband and one of her sons. Although I'll say this about her, she handles it very well and keeps a good attitude. She did get to talk to them on Christmas Day tho' with the miracle of long distance electronics.
I received money and gift cards and they're really burning a hole in my purse. LOL Gotta get out there and get it spent.

I realize that a large section of the country is covered in snow and is expecting more. Here in middle Tennessee, we do have cold weather and even a wintry mix in the forecast, but these pictures show pretty much what winter looks like here. I always have thought the dark, bare limbs of trees look like lace against the winter sky. Hubby and I are shopping for a new camera with some of our Christmas money and then I'll have more dramatic pictures to show you all.

This is a maple tree and a Bradford pear tree next to it. Look at that beautiful blue clear sky. Makes for cold nights though.

Hope everybody is settling down for their long, winter's nap-stay warm!! Nerm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm completely recovered now from my unfortunate bout with food poisoning. Alas, I am hopelessly behind now, so I have scaled down my plans and expectations. Actually, I'll admit that the older I get, the more relaxed I am about holidays and entertaining in general.
Today was Morgan's 4th birthday. She's such a cutie. Can't believe it's been four years. I remember being in the birthing room with Wendy right after I had foot surgery. I had my cast propped up on a chair and was cheering from the sidelines! We'll celebrate the weekend after Christmas at Chuckie Cheese. Oh, boy!
Welcome to our home. Glad you stopped by. I copied this wreath from one at Horchow's for $96.00. I even bought some of the flowers at Dollar Tree. It's very rewarding to replicate something expensive with cheap-o things.

I've been wanting to share this St Nicholas/Father Christmas with you for a while. My mother made him for me several years ago. The face is soft sculpture with a wool robe and fur trim. She collected little odds and ends for a while including the lantern.

I especially love the toy sack filled with all kinds of little goodies. My mom has always been very creative and passed some of those genes on to me. It's sad now to see her diminished capabilities. I try to remember the way she was while I was growing up. I am glad she is living here with us and I can spend time with her and make sure she is taken care of.

Here's another Santa. Gail, my sister, found this on sale at Home Depot (of all places) and bought him for me. I have a large Santa collection which I haven't put out this year, but this guy will be a great addition. Maybe next year, I'll be more organized and I'll show you all my santas. I have several that are antiques and many that are more modern. I'm always on the look-out for ones which are unusual and different.

I think this will be my last post before Christmas. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday. Hope all your prayers and dreams come true. I'll be back on the 26th. Lots of love, Nerm

AAURRRGH!

It all started, as many things do, while we were going about our business and doing our Christmas duty. Hubby and I had been out Christmas shopping and enjoyed a nice Mexican dinner out. I had the crab enchiladas. Are the bells and alarms going off yet? Within five (5) --count 'em) hours, your truly was in the bathroom. I will spare you the gory details, but just let me say, this is the worst food poisoning I have ever had. Violent, I say! So now I am a limp noodle moaning and groaning on the couch and being waited on. (hee, hee)

Anyway, please give me a day or two to get my strength back and I'll be talking to you again.
Merry Christmas, ho, ho, ho! Nerm

CHRISTMAS BABY!

Hi everyone-how are your Christmas preparations going? Mine are slow as usual..must be a character flaw. Every year it's the same ole story for me, so I might as well relax and enjoy it! It always comes together in the end, so what's the problem, right? hee hee

Hubby has been sick for the last couple of days with a stomach flu. Now let me say this is MUCH worse than a 'man-cold'. This requires lots of moaning and complaining and pitiful looks. I know he has felt bad, so I am trying hard to be the patient, loving wife. But, gee whiz, doesn't he realize this is the Christmas season? I hope you all know I'm kidding-he's a great husband and I'll take care of him no matter what. When I had my foot surgery a couple of years ago, he waited on me hand and foot (no pun intended), so how could I not be sweet to him.

Now here's the good news. My new little great-nephew Slade. Weighing in at 8'3", he's a healthy big boy. Look at those beautiful eyes. Can't wait to get my hands on him. After hours of unproductive labor, his mom had a caesarean. Everyone is find now, especially my sister-in-law who is in hog's heaven.
Aren't babies wonderful, esp. at Christmastime? We'll talk again soon. Nerm