Somethings do take a year to accomplish

So a year ago I began putting up pictures around my house to attempt to decorate.  I don't always succeed in decorating attempts, but I try.  One of my projects was to put some wonderful storm pictures up over my stairs.  My brother got me these pictures for Christmas one year, and I added to it a couple years ago. 

Putting up pictures over the stairs was no easy project.  I got one up, and decided that since I was balancing on a board, about 4 feet in the air with one had, I should give up on this project.  I didn't know how I was going to get a ladder on my steps to fulfill this project and I didn't want to die trying. 

Well I've been eyeing a multi-position ladder for quite some time now, and it was on sale a few weeks ago.  I snatched it up! 

  With the help of a friend, and my new AWEsome ladder, I would attempt this project again.  I pulled out the ladder and figured out how I wanted the pictures on the wall and climbed on up.  Thankful for the ladder and scared to death I was gonna fall down.  However, the ladder was very stable and I had a safety mechanism in place, my friend. 

  About 20 minutes later, we had accomplished this year long project.  I'm glad to have it completed as I think it adds to the room.  I decided that as long as the project is completed, it doesn't matter how long it took.  Check it out.



Love

When in doubt, it's ok to relax...

The fall was insanely busy for me, with my work schedule and everything else I was involved in.  Then came the holiday's and those always add more to the busy pile.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy everything, but sometimes I just need time to relax and do absolutely nothing. 

Over the past 2 weeks, life has been slow enough that I've been able to enjoy myself at home, and just catch up on some tv...including the entire first half of the season of both Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice! Which is exciting if you are a crazy TV person like myself. 

I learned as an RA in college, during a weekly meeting that I was an introvert...and what that really meant.  I truly re-energize by spending time alone.  I enjoy being with people an groups and need that in my life too, but when I'm crazy insanely busy...I need that time to myself to regroup and keep going. 

The guilty part of my brain has to keep telling me that it IS ok to relax and accomplish nothing for a few hours.  I try to remember that sometimes, and know that life's busy factor will be increasing in the next few weeks, so I best enjoy this for now. 

A New Year a new Vision

I trust you all had a glorious Christmas and New Years.  I worked over Christmas, so my parents came down and celebrated with me.  We had a good time.  I always wish it was longer, but then it's always nice to get back to "your" routine.  After my stretch of midnight shifts I headed home to Kearney.  I had a good New Years in Kearney and got to see my family.  I also got to witness the first snow of the season, not necessarily my favorite thing, but oh well. 

  While my parents were in town, I had my mom go and help me pick out some new glasses.  I hadn't gotten new glasses since high school, and I know they are just a bit dated.  I don't wear them very much as I am a contact person.  But maybe if I like them I'll wear them more, or at the least won't dislike wearing them so much.  I was able to get my new glasses yesterday and I've worn them at night the last two nights.  They are kinda fun, so different than what I'm use to, but I like it.  So with the new year came a new vision for me. 



New Glasses

 Love!

The need is great

This past Wednesday I did something I've never done before, and that is volunteer for the salvation army.

When I was younger, my mother and I would get an Angel off of the Angel Tree and pick out some gifts give them to these angels.  I've known about the program for a few years, but didn't realize exactly how big it was until recently or that it was headed by the salvation army.  Last year, a co-worker and I were chatting and thought it would be a good idea to have a Christmas "giving back" drive that the office took part in.  We discussed toys-for-tots, and angel tree.  I personally like angel tree better because you are actually buying gifts for one person.  Well it was actually Christmas time last year when we thought about this, and it was to late.  So the plan had been in place to act this holiday season. 

  We collected donations from the office and went out on a great hunting mission for toys for our two angels.  It was quite the experience navigating through the toy aisles, when you haven't looked through them in years and all of these toys are foreign.  We ended up finding a bunch of toys and hope that the two angels we chose have a wonderful Christmas. 

A higher power:

While getting ready for work last Sunday I was listening to the radio, I heard the salvation army talking about the angel tree program and the volunteers that they needed.  Now this was interesting, because 1. I don't usually even like the news radio shows on Sunday morning's, so usually don't listen to the radio. and 2. I'm only up and listening to the radio between 7 and 8 AM when I'm on a short term forecast shift.  While listening, I learned a little more about the program and what was needed.  With me going into evenings, I decided I could and wanted to help volunteer.  I did just that.

The never ending rows:

  I didn't have any idea what I was getting myself into, and that usually brings about a certain amount of fear/uncertainty/uncomfortableness.  I knew that if I just did it I would enjoy it, so I pushed through.  I arrived and had no idea which door to go in, let alone what I would find inside.  I found this HUGE warehouse filled with rows and rows of trash bags, numbered and filled with toys for families.  There were over 4000 families.  The need was great! I couldn't even see the end, because it went into another room.  I was paired up with another gentleman that arrived when I did.  Our job was to make sure everyone 14 and under had gifts in the family.  So we got numbers and started walking around to those families number and checking.  If a child had not been fulfilled, we would go "shopping" in the donated toy area for a few toys to give to them.  Then we would mark them as complete and move on to the next. 

  4000 families...wow.  I am glad that I was able to help out for the little bit of time I did.  I enjoyed fulfilling the gift of Christmas for these families.  I can only hope that it brings a smile to these kid's faces. 

  I cannot wait to take part again next year, except this time I'll know exactly what I'm getting myself into, and be ready and maybe able to volunteer more. 

If you have the opportunity to take an Angel off of an Angel Tree, please consider it.  It is a wonderful way to give back to those in the community. 

Love

Giving Thanks

This post is a little bit overdue, as I really hoped/meant to post it back a week and a half ago.  Alas, I was a little busy and did not get to blogging.  This does tie into my last post though.  An old high school friend is deployed with the Navy, and this deployment lasts through the holiday season.  I cannot even imagine what it is like to be away from a loved one in this manner, especially during the holiday's, but I can say I understand it would be difficult.  Last year I had another friend deployed over the holiday's, and I sent him a goodie box for Christmas.  This year, I decided it was a nice tradition to start, so after consulting with my friends wife, I baked my little heart out and baked about 10 dozen cookies to send to him. 

  I've never in my life sent food via mail, so this was a new experience.  I found some helpful tips online and in my cookbook.  I packaged them two by two...and then again in Ziploc bags.  I can only hope this keeps them fresh enough to enjoy when they do, in fact, reach their destination.  (See cookies a few posts below).

  I just wanted to bring a smile to someones face, and hope that I have been able to do this for my friend.  I want to say Thank you to all of those serving our wonderful country.  Your sacrifices are great, and are appreciated. 

Love

All in a day's work...or two

Well yesterday I spent the day working 9-5, then headed off to bells.  That lasted 5:30-7:30. I then headed to Walmart and to grab some din din...that took me to 8:30.  Get home, eat said din din.  Bake 10 dozen cookies between 9:30 and midnight-thirty.  A busy day. 

Today I spent the day workin 9-5, then got to come home for an hour.  Cooked some din din, ate and headed off to my band concert while stopping at the bowling alley to pay for this week's bowling on the way to said concert. Fun.  Played and socialized after concert 6:45-10pm.  Stop by post office 10-10:15pm.  Start packing package 10:30-midnight.  Do some research online midnight to present.  Write some blabbering blog post...now.

These are the last two of my days, I miss being at home, and I have plenty to do, but I also enjoy the activities I'm in.  I often wonder what it would be like to have another person's activities to deal with as well...I can barely see my cats some days.  Oh well.  Life really is grand.  It is after all, the holiday season.

Love.

Sit down folks!!!!

Today I did something I don't know that I've ever done before in my life...bought Peanut Butter! I severely dislike peanut butter. Everything about it...it's smell, consistency, taste.  The worst is the smell though, it just lingers there even when the actual substance is gone.  Yucky. 

Now you might be asking me why did you buy this if you dislike it so... well I decided to make some cookies that were peanut butter-chocolate cookies.  They smell awful, but do look pretty.  And they aren't for me, so that's why.  I'm excited to have made them, and I now have a jar of peanut butter in my kitchen, that who knows when it will be eaten. 



Peanut Butter-Chocolate Cookies

You can all rest assured that I will not touch those cookies.  Now the Snickerdoodles...they were yummy...I might keep a few of those. 



Chocolate Crinkles and Snickerdoodles



I probably made 10 dozen cookies between 9:30pm and 12:30am...I'd call that a good night's work. 



I sleepy...night.

Love.