A nice, easy day

I went for a walk this morning with the folks on my team for Portland to Coast (we have one guy on the team, so I can't say gals). When I got home there was Mark reading a book I bought him for Christmas, and Deacon just hanging out with his favorite person in the world. Too cute!

When I gave Mark the book at Christmas I could tell he was like, "Oh, thanks. It's 'nice'. I'm sure I'll enjoy it...." But I knew he would like it, and sure enough. He's still over there reading away, sharing some of the stories in the book with Steven from time to time.

Deacon is just hanging out. He's very contented at this moment in time.

I had left this cup in the car, so I brought it in when I got home. I went to a party at my friend's house the other night, and the gal putting on the party had us try the rub ons, and we got to keep the cup. That was so nice! Everyone got a different saying. Is mine not PERFECT??? I have HOPE that we'll kick Cancer's FRIGGING GUTS!

Okay, so that last line took some of the special, good feelings, out of the moment. But it a true statement, and I stand by it.

OUCH!

Hmmm...what is this???

My poor mother-in-law broke her arm, and I just found out she's having surgery today on it.

She is the nicest, sweetest, kindest person I know. You may think you have the world's best mother-in-law, but I can tell you it aint' true.

So I'm sending some good thoughts out to her, and wishing her a speedy recovery!

Cari knows how she feels: Cari had basically the same surgery herself. Hey, might have to get mom a 'my little pony' pin for her arm sling. Cari was rather proud of hers.

And that x-ray, and this x-ray, are x-rays of Doug's hand when he broke one of his fingers. Man, our family has all the luck!

We love you mom!!!

Quilts!

There is a quilt show going on as I type at the Metzger Methodist Church next door. They have the quilts draped over the pews, and there are several beautiful quilts. The yellow quilt with the flowers is my favorite.

I loved the design and colors in this quilt.

Again, I love the colors here, and I have to admit that I have always wanted a quilt like this, with the little girls wearing bonnets. When I was little a friend had one and I always admired it.

This was a wonderful family quilt.

Here is a bit of history about it. I love when you get to see a bit of someone's family history.

The new year begins.

I went to Barnes and Noble looking for a certain book, ran across this book, and that's all she wrote. I loved it! So now I've given myself a challenge: for the next 3 days this is the only recipe book I can use. And nothing from online. I made my shopping list, and did my shopping, so this next week we'll be having Lemon Thyme Chicken, Peppered Chicken Breasts, Mushroom Pepper Steak, among other wonderful sounding meals. And there are so many more I want to try! I'm so excited.

I found a webpage that talks about making everyday functions more fun to get folks to do them. Examples? Making folks want to take the stairs, or recycle. So I thought about it, and since I don't like to cook (unlike LOVING to bake) I needed to make it more fun and easy. And this book fills the bill. So wish me luck!

And Beaverton Relay looks like it's going to rock!

I adore all the folks there, and you have to know Kathy is one of my favorite folks around. Looking forward to getting to know everyone better, and working towards ending cancer, cause you all know I HATE CANCER'S FRIGGIN GUTS.

Go Richard go!

Bridal dresses and Ducks

Okay, okay: I ditched the Rose Bowl. There, I said it.
We went to our friend's Bonnie and Kurt to watch the game, and Bonnie was about to take off to go with their daughter Sarah and look at wedding gowns. Now folks, I can go to a football game anytime, but how often do you get to go with a bride to be and look at lovely gowns? Sorry, I couldn't pass that up. And I had my camera on me, so I figured I could take pictures for them. I did, and almost all of them came out, only one blurry picture! I was so proud.

And the gals at the shop were watching the game, and invited me to come up and watch with them at any time, so I actually enjoyed that. How cool is that?

I found that part of the process is looking at a lot of the back of wedding gowns.

Beautiful wedding gown backs.

The lace on this gown is amazing, and this was my favorite dress until she tried on THE ONE. I knew it right away, but she had to try on more, and then retry it on, to be sure. She looks radiant in her dress, and I can't wait to see her come down the aisle on her wedding day. And I have posted NO pictures of THE ONE here. Not until after the wedding. No way. No how.

See what I mean? Lots and lots of the back of dresses. Lots.

Here I am, in my Duck gear, with my pink camera that I am finally getting the hang of.

And we saw some of the front of the dresses. So many dresses to choose from!

Lots of veils to choose from.

After looking at wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses (choosing the colors for those was an event in itself, but once a decision was made it all came together just right and everyone was happy!), we all decided to go out for dinner. Bennihanas (I can't spell worth beans) was the choice since it was right across the way.

Our cook was funny and talented, and to celebrate Sarah's engagement he created a heart of rice. Now I have to admit, that was a first for me, and a perfect way to end an evening.

And hang in there Ducks: we'll get em next year! I STILL smell roses!!!!

A new tree for me???

Christmas Eve we went out for dinner at Jennifer's Uncle's place. WONDERFUL!! The food was amazing, and the folks there were more than nice. We all had a great meal and a great time.

After we got home Cari and Richard went to Freddies. Earlier they had noticed our little tree was a 'bit' dry, so when they found they could get a free tree they did so. And so all the kids got together and took down the old tree and put up a new one.

Oh, except Crystal and Doug who took a nap. They'd worked early, so couldn't blame them.

Jennifer, Cari, and Richard went to work. Who knows what Steven was doing???

Notice the workers. Notice the nappers.

I was busy baking a pumpkin cream cheese coffee cake and an Almond Roca cake. I love to bake, so I was happy as a clam.

Mark got the honor of putting our Santa topper on the tree. His mom and dad sent him a 'care package' the year he moved to Yuba City and the Santa topper came with the gift. We love it.

Up, up, up goes the Santa topper.

To his place of honor!

The tree looks great!

The next morning we opened gifts. I bought Richard some juggling balls. He's really good at it!

Crystal did great and bought Doug something he really loved.

Wonder what Steven and I are laughing at???

Cari made Mark a gift tag for his gift, with a picture from her 'Ugly Face Wednesday' site (or from a contest they had at work: I don't remember). SO VERY FUNNY!!!

States that she gets her 'good looks' from her dad....

Well, at our house we know it's time for Christmas to be over when the dog dons the raindeer gear and goes around kissing all the women.........