TJ's Birthday

Hey Hey Happy Birthday to TJ!!!  I like this kid.  He has weaseled his way into my heart and I think he's a keeper.  I really like the way he takes care of Trichelle, Ivy and Zaden.  His kindness to them is incredible and very unselfish.  He's a great guy and it's fun having him in the family and watching him play with our family. TJ is a tease and fits right in with us Ropelato's.  TJ is a hard worker and rewards himself by playing golf.  He loves golfing.  He has bought Trichelle and her kids their own clubs so they can all go together.  I like that about him ....he loves spending time as a family.  TJ is just a good guy and I love him!

Books & Slippers.........

Shanna gave us all cute slipper for Christmas and so I thought it would be fun if we all wore them to Book Club this month....cuz you know.....slippers can be so fun. hahaha

It was fun seeing them all and watching them become friends. (I know I'm stale and should stop) At least our feet were warm and cozy and looked cute.

Everyone liked the lunch I prepared. Oh...because we have lunch at our book clubs.  I served Chicken Noodle Soup and Caesar Salad with a roll and Strawberry Cream Pie for dessert. (that I bought)  It was good and I believe I am done for the year with hosting. (yahoo!)

We discussed our books and made a few exchanges.  I didn't borrow any books this time though because I have bought a few that I want to read.  The two books I read this month were both really good.  "The Boy in Striped Pajama's" was a true story and really good and also sad.  It was about a little boy who's dad was a big guy for Hitler.  The dad moved the family right by a camp for the Jews. It was a lonely and terrible place for children and nothing for them to do. The little boy walks down the fence line because he see's something down there.  The dot he was watching gets bigger and actually finds a little boy about his age sitting on the other side of the fence in striped pajama's.  They become great friends and one day the little boy gets brave and goes on the other side of the fence with his friend.  I will leave it at that ...... I think by exploring on the other side of fence it woke his dad up.  I liked that book.

The other book I read was "Banana Split".  This book is in a series and I enjoyed this book better than some of the other ones.  It's about a lady just a bit older than me that always seems to find herself in the middle of a murder.  She likes to play detective and seems to pick up a few things the police miss.  It's adventurous and was staged in Kauai which might be why I liked it so much.  It was a light read and I enjoyed it.  I also started a book Shanna suggested I read.  It is called "The Harbinger" and I strongly suggest it.

I also started a book Shanna suggested I read.  It is called "The Harbinger" and I strongly suggest it.  I am half way through but this book makes you think.  It's fiction but I think it is based around true facts.  It parallels  the time of Isaiah to our time now. (starting with 9-11)  It's scary how we are repeating History again....Pushing away God.  Even the words being said are the same.....good book.

I like my book club...they're fun and smart and talented and wonderful.  We missed Suzie and Shanna today.

Multi Tasking like a scatter brained maniac

I had three hours before Book Club.....Plenty of time until I started getting ready.  First I thought I'd hurry and clean the bathrooms.  I always like to clean the bathrooms a little better when people are coming over.  That was going good until I went out of the bathroom to get the mop and I passed the laundry room.  Better put a load of laundry in and fold the load that is dry.  I fold laundry on my bed and thought today is a good day to change the sheets.  So I change the sheet so I can fold the clothes on my bed.  I am right by the bathroom and decided to hurry and shower so at least I am ready. Before blowing my hair I remember I was getting the mop but think it would be good to start the chicken since I am making Chicken Noodle Soup for lunch.  I start the chicken and put some veggies on to cook too. Then I go back to blowing my hair and notice the laundry that needs folding...oh ya and I forgot to grab the mop.  I fold the laundry go back to the kitchen for the mop and decide to hurry and sweep the kitchen floor.  Before getting the mop I go back to the bathroom and dry my hair and get out the straightener and plug it in so it can heat up.  I change the laundry again but leave the big basket of dry clothes on my bed.  The vacuum was in the laundry room and I remember I didn't vacuum the family room so I pull it out and start vacuuming down the hall and into the family room.  I check the chicken and the veggies and notice the sink has dishes in it so I clear the dish washer so I can load it with the dirty dishes.  I go back to vacuuming and remember I still haven't mopped the bathroom.  I think I finally got the mop and pushed it across a few of the floors.  The chicken is done so I pull it out and start the noodles.  I wipe a few counters and look for a table cloth before I cut the chicken.  I am unable to find a table cloth that is clean or long enough so I bag that idea.  I go back and cut the chicken, check the noodles, get the dishes out, make a mental note about the other things I need to do to complete the meal.  I get the butter for the rolls and move the rolls over so I won't forget.  I pull the pie out of the fridge so it will be thawed. (yep...I bought it)  I remember I haven't done my hair but hurry and finish the soup and have it on simmer and clean up the rest of the dishes that I have used.  I go in and do my hair and think wonderful I have just enough time to make the salad.  I start making the salad and just about have it ready when I hear a knock at my door.  It's time for Book Club!  I closed my bedroom door with the load of laundry sitting on my bed and grabbed my slippers....I was ready!

Date with Ivy

I don't get to see Ivy much since she started going to school in Layton and we miss each other.  I told Ivy we would do something during Christmas Break. Thank goodness Ivy called me because I had forgot.  We were able to go to lunch and to the store and spend a few hours together before her dad picked her up.  We went to Costa Vida since I had a gift certificate which I found out wasn't good anymore.  There wasn't an expiration date but the certificate itself was expired. Oh well....we enjoyed our lunch anyway.  

I can't believe how grown up Ivy is.  It was so fun chatting with her and spending one on one time with her.  She is such a sweetie.....as are all my grands.  I love being their gramma and having them in my life. They truly make it brighter for sure!  Being a Gramma is a wonderful title that I absolutely love!

I might talk too much

One of my favorite things is having a pedicure.  I love pedicures.  I love the message chairs while getting a pedicure. I love relaxing and pampering myself every now & then.....Today I did it!

Then tonight I went with some of the neighbors to dinner.  Oh my heck I am pretty sure I talk too much.  I don't think some of these young ladies probably appreciated all my talk....oh well I said what I did and at least I feel better.  I hope I didn't shock them too much with what spilled out of my mouth.

We met this evening because Emily is moving further away.  She already moved to another city close by and we miss her...but we will really miss her when she is gone to Virginia.  I will miss her smile...I hope she posts pictures still after she moves so I can see her smile.  I love these ladies even though I am so much older than them.  Geeze .... not even one of them has even reached 40 yet.  It just made me realize I no longer care about age.  I love everyone no matter their age.  I am glad to be included.

The time went by so fast as we chatted and laughed.  I had such a great time.  I usually have a great time when I am out and about and surrounded by friends.  I made everyone swear that what was said there could not be shared....not even with their hubbies.  I had a lot of built up emotions and opinions and they were released. YIKES!  Hope I didn't damage anyone!

Nights like tonight~when I can talk too much~help me survive....I am thankful for good friends and survival!

Ice Skating

It's funny that we don't visit the Winters unless we go on vacation with them.  I decided to see what they were doing today to see if they were available to just visit.  It took awhile and Sue called me and invited us over to Ice Skate with them.  They had also invited the Brinkerhoff family.

It was fun but I was very hesitant since I just learned one of my friends broke her tailbone from ice skating. (she was doing a "tricky trick" which I have learned at this age shouldn't be done....no tricky tricks)  Kimi and Jared had a good time.  Kimi did really well and I will just say that Jared was good at falling right but might have a few bruises.

I cheated and skated with a chair....it's kind of like having a walker when you are old.  I won't lie though...I even managed to fall with a chair and do have bruise on my knee.  It was so much fun.  I'd like to go again and if we do I think I will use their skates.  I used Justin's old Hockey skates and they hurt the back of my legs. The skates sloped forward and I wanted to stand up straight....the skates won and I kept my legs bent.

We warmed up inside with some hot chocolate.  We visited for a little bit and then came home happy with our first day of this New Year!

Oh....and today I put away all the Christmas.  A guy came to our door and even made fun of me for not having it down earlier...I really don't like people sticking their nose in my business....I was enjoying the Holidays and didn't feel like doing it any earlier.  The only reason I did it today was so the family could help me carry boxes in and out...which is a huge help!

New Year.....2013

I am looking forward to this year.  It's always exciting to see what new is headed our way.  I hope a few new grands are headed our way. I am choosing to keep on doing what I have been doing.  I am going to continue to make fun happen.  I am going to smile like this picture says and make the best of what is thrown my way. (I changed the words on the picture to fit me)  I am going to enjoy this year!