Merry Christmas

 I am going to enjoy the day!

Christmas Eve Pizza

Tonight for our family the tradition is to eat Pizza. My children, although grown will usually carry on this tradition no matter where they are or who they are with. We started having Pizza for our meal on Christmas eve when our children were young and it has carried over all these years. Sometimes we have homemade pizza and sometimes we go out to eat pizza somewhere. It doesn't matter where we have pizza, it is a  tradition for us to eat pizza on Christmas eve. It has made our lives less stressful than having a big dinner on this night.

I want to be able to relax and enjoy the memories made on this night with those that are able to come over for our traditional pizza dinner. 

Cat Helpers????

Our cats think they own everything around our house. They also love to help us out when we are decorating. Well I really think they just like exploring the upper shelf in the living room.

 First Gracie

Now Olivia

Look at the lights!!!!!!

My husband loves putting lights out at this time of year. He put over a thousand lights on this tree and it is not even our tree. It sits between us and our neighbor, but is on their property. I love that my husband still has a little bit of child in him at Christmas and thrills at the lights on peoples houses and trees.

Hockey Anyone...

Tri-City Americans hockey game

My husband, Alan, is a huge and loyal fan of the local hockey team.

If you have a chance to experience a hockey game do so. It is a game that I easily understand and enjoy. I am glad my husband is not into football and basketball. This sport is very fast pace and you never know what exciting thing will happen next. If you live in or near Tri-Cities, Washington come to a game and you will find my husband in Section Q watching the game and willing to talk about how it is played with about anyone that will listen. He can tell you little facts and stats about the team as well.

Royal Pose

I was finally able to get my kitten who is just about 9 months old to pose for a couple of pictures and this one stole my heart. There are times she drives me up a wall and then she poses like royalty and melts my heart. 

What happened at the dentist

The other day my daughter called and told me she was having some problems with her teeth in which she had dental work a few weeks ago. I asked her a few questions and determined I knew the answer. I said, "your bite is off." I explained sometimes when you go to the dentist to get work done and then you are numb from the shots and they do their best to smooth down the fillings. What happens is one spot might be missed and your bite gets off and it puts pressure on your gums causing bruising of the gums and nerve pain. It can feel like you need a root canal as your teeth get very sensitive. How can I know all this? I have been to the dentist often over the last few year and this has happened more than once to me.

My daughter called the dental office and was able to get in fairly quick. Sure enough they smoothed down her tooth and she can tell already it is making a difference. She still has soreness, but that is normal since it would have caused inflammation and bruising of the gums. My daughter thanked me for telling her it could be something so simple. I may be getting older, but I am also a bit wiser, in some areas.

Love and Happiness

My husband and I have been married 32 years and this sentiment really does say it all. My husband is my best friend who I can tell anything to and he doesn't judge me. My husband makes me happy as he always lets me know he loves me even when I make mistakes. It has been a great marriage and if I had to pick again I would still pick him.

Toning Down Christmas

I turn on the television to watch the news and they are talking about how Malls and major retailers are trying to get everyone offline and back into their stores by offering bigger discounts.  They are luring the consumer in with freebies, games for the children, doing whatever it takes to get the American people to come back and shop in their store. Then the news goes to a commercial and it is for one of those stores telling you how they have a new sale that is bigger or better than Black Friday, or Black Friday has been extended.

What is happening is online vs. the retail stores. They are all selling the same stuff and much at the same discounted price; it just depends on your preference of shopping. There is more at stake than where I shop. I don't have the money to shop everywhere and I am tired of going into debt as I fall prey to all these sales gimmicks.

I for one am toning down Christmas this year. I am scaling back who I buy presents for as I don't think everyone needs a present to know I care about them. 

Kitten or 2 year old child

I have a kitten that is 8 months old. She thinks she needs to be where I am all the time. She has been rambunctious today. I shut the door when I went to the bathroom and she sat outside whining. I felt like I had a 2 year old saying, "Mommy come out." Sometimes I don't know if I have a kitten or a 2 year old child in the house with me. I love Abby and probably spoil her way too much. 

Anyway, once I opened the door she came in and sat on the bathroom rug. It was like she owned the bathroom. Then she was on the bathtub ledge and in between the shower curtain and liner. I took a couple of pictures and when I went back to look at this one picture I think she stuck her tongue out at me. She is so like a 2 year old child.

Blinds

We needed new blinds for our house. We have decided to go all vertical. The cats have ruined our other ones and we had one room where we decided to forgo the curtains and get blinds. We had to remove the old blinds and curtains the night before the installer came.



 So our windows looked like we had just moved in.
 We used a couple of small flannel blankets to cover the windows for the night.


Now our house looks great with all the new blinds. It is nice to update simple things like your window coverings. It makes the house look new again until the next change.

Mammogram

Went in for my annual mammogram this week. I went because my mom at 70 was diagnosed with breast cancer. My mom's sister a few years prior to that had breast cancer also. I have heard differing views as to why or why not have the mammogram. I went because my doctor thinks I should be screened. I have heard from others these x-rays can be the cause of the cancer. I was told with the newer technology there is very minimal exposure.

I am thinking if all is well this year I may skip next year. I have been doing more naturally as far as my health and not sure I want to expose myself to the possibility of getting breast cancer from the x-ray itself.

O Christmas Tree

Now that I have all my ornaments made I am using them for one of my Christmas trees. I had a lot of fun decorating this tree.
I am not usually a very creative person by nature but I  decorated this tree using my new ornaments made with empty essential oil bottles and a few other decorations.

Oil bottle Christmas Tree

Christmas Ornaments

I have many empty essential oil bottles and I hate throwing them away. I have found a way to make them into ornaments for one of my Christmas trees. Here is the video of how to make ornaments with the empty oil bottle:

Christmas Season

I love this time of year and the joy it brings to me and my family. It seems we laugh and play more the closer we get to Christmas. I find I love all the laughter of children and the hope I see in their eyes when they sit on Santa’s lap. I love the Hallmark movies that bring joy, happiness, laughter and hope into my home for the Christmas season. The feelings of Christmas are all around and I glory in that feeling. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate this month and always in our home.

Needs more important than Wants

"At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. ... We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."
-- Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

At this time of year I like to reflect on others needs more then my own. I often give throughout the year to help with food shelters and our local Union Gospel mission for the homeless, but I need to keep these individuals in mind when out shopping for wants as there are many with needs far more important than my wants.

Dinner and information

On Monday evening my husband and I were invited to a catered dinner with our financial adviser and a few others. We really didn't know what to expect. My husband and I both had a frustrating day and it was hard to get motivated to go. I told my husband I hadn't planned dinner so we might as well go and eat.

We are so happy we went. It was informal and the food was great. There were 14 of us, which included our financial adviser and her spouse. Also, our financial adviser  had her boss there to help answer any financial questions or concerns we may have. We talked during dinner and found the information to be helpful in planning ahead for future retirement. At the end of dinner we were asked if this was a helpful format or if we would prefer a more formal meeting with power point. We all agreed this was a nice format and less intimidating. The food was great not only in taste, but presentation.

Then came the reason she had us all there for this dinner.  I was pleasantly surprise when all she said was she wanted to have an informal way to get some of her clients together and share a few thoughts and answer questions. She asked us to help her by referring our friends her way. She did let us know she would follow up soon with each of us. She wanted to give us time to think of questions we may have that we didn't ask.

I wish I had taken a picture of the food as it was beautiful. Also, the water was great, it had a plant in it that I could not seem to figure out. I knew it was something I had smelled and tasted before. I finally asked and found out it was Rosemary in the water. I should have known as that is one of the essential oils I have.

A great evening of a nice dinner and information 

Wonderful life

I have been thinking quite a bit about the movie It’s a Wonderful Life.  I was wondering if I was not here how things would have been different for the people in my life.  Would their life be better, worse or have remained the same? I know in the movie he has an angel come to his aid and I don’t have that. Also, I can’t really go back in time and so there is no way to really determine what life would have been like. It would have been different as it could have been no other way. Weather it would be better or worse I would have no idea.

I did ask my husband, Alan, if he had ever had thought about the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life and how his life could have been different if he made other choices. He told me he had not thought of it in regards to the movie. He thought more "what if" he had made some choices different earlier in life. He enjoys hockey, most out of all sports, and he said he sometimes thinks about “what if” he had learned to ice skate and play hockey. He said he has thought it would have been nice to come up the ranks and eventually play for the Los Angeles Kings, his favorite team. He told me he also imagines he would still have met me, but through going to single adult activities at church in California. He would have kept it private that he was a hockey player and surprised me by getting me a seat at the LA Kings game sitting right behind the goal net.

 I asked, “Why there?”
He replied, "I would have been the goal tender.” 

What I learned through asking my husband about the “what if” things were different is that he would have enjoyed a different life, but he would want to enjoy it with me. I am happy for my choice in an eternal marriage companion. He has been my best friend for over 30 years and I often forget how much he loves me. It melts my heart just to know he would not have changed a thing if it meant not meeting me. He has dreams and “what if” moments too and I often think men don’t and I find they do.

I have decided I don’t need “what if” moments as I have made a great choice in a husband and provider. My life is just as it should be and it is My Wonderful Life.

Intestinal ache

Friday I had a bad intestinal ache. I think I overdid it on Thanksgiving. I went out to do a bit of shopping only to rush home with such pain I thought I would pass out. I thought I may have to go to the doctor, but I always reserve that choice for after I do all I can to help myself.

After I arrived home, I thought what can I do to alleviate this pain naturally? I prefer to try natural remedies before pharmaceuticals or going to the doctor. I have at my disposal an arsenal of essential oils and I like to look to them for my first defense against ailments.

I pulled out digestzen which is a blend of oils to help with digestive problems and I can either rub it on affected area or drink a drop or two. I chose to rub 2 drops on my abdominal area.  While it was starting to get into my system I also pulled out my peppermint oil. I took an 8oz glass of water and added 1 drop of peppermint oil and slowly drank it. I had family waiting to see if I was going to be able to go out again. It was approximately 30 minutes later and the symptoms subsided and I was able to go out and enjoy more time with my family.

I am happy I didn’t have to go to a doctor and waste my time. Also, thrilled I had something so natural and simple to help me get on with my day.

Smarter then me....

Earlier this year I was convinced to purchase a smart phone. I am still learning how to use many features and find it has been nice to have a smart phone. I traveled to Seattle earlier this week and spent the night in a hotel and needed to use the alarm to be sure we were up on time. I figured out how to set the alarm with the help of my husband and thought this is great. Well I usually get notified when I get email or text messages with a ring I had set. I didn't know how to turn off the notification without turning off or silencing the phone. I couldn't do either as I needed my alarm. My husband was asleep and I thought well it will be fine in about an hour no one will text or email me.

Finally, the phone was quiet and I fell asleep. About 3 hours later I started to hear this music. I had set up a Christmas tone just this week for notifications. So about every 30 minutes I would hear this song. About 3am my husband and I were both awake and tired of the tone and I told him I am not sure if I turn down the phone we will hear the alarm. He asked why my phone had been so active.  I said it is all the pre-Black Friday specials being emailed to me. So every time the phone jingled we would chuckle and go back to sleep until the next time.

By 5:30am we had enough and just got up. I didn't even need the alarm after all. My husband told me I needed to turn off the notifications tone. I said I don't think I can or my text messages won't ring either. After the tone a couple more times and my husband laughing at me and my smart phone I decided I had to do something. Finally, I figured out how to turn off the notification and we had a peaceful morning getting ready for the day. But, my husband let me know he would not let me forget how my Christmas jingle kept him up half the night alerting us to pre-Black Friday sales.

It's Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving!

 I am excited as a young child. I love holidays. I feel such joy and gladness inside of me. I know part of that is because I have faith in God and know he knows who I am. I have been brought up in a Christian home and I have continued that tradition in my own home with my family. Today I give my thanks to God for all I have been given and for the challenges along the way that have helped shape my identity. I am full of gratitude that I can be alive another day to share with family this day of thanks.

Over the past few years I have been researching family history with ancestry.com and familysearch.org and I have learned about real people and their lives.  Also, how what they did helped me to shape a life of who I am. My ancestors came over by ship through harsh conditions to give me a life in this great country. They were pioneers who came west even though they faced harsh elements. So today I am grateful for God and all my family now and in the past and everyone that comes into my life to help shape who I am today.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ready for Thanksgiving

I will be hosting Thanksgiving in my home and it takes effort to be ready for company and a big meal. I know everyone will come with the idea of partaking in good food and some quality family time. I feel the weight of this responsibility on my shoulders. I feel it is an obligation as the mother of the family to be a place my children can come home and share the holiday. There are times I want to just say, “To heck with the holiday, everyone feed yourself.” That moment passes and I get excited to have family home again. I plan to be ready as I know my family looks to me to plan a great meal and I don’t want to disappoint anyone.

I have a neck warmer I am going to use right after dinner tonight. I will put it in the microwave and heat for a minute and add a couple of drops of some stress relieving essential oil. Then I will sit down with it relaxing my neck and shoulder muscles. This way I will be ready with a smile on my face and Thankful for this family event. 

Who am I?

“We know what we are, but not what we may be.” 
― William Shakespeare

Lately, I have been thinking quite a bit about my identity. I think how everyone grows up in a family and we know our role as a brother, sister, child, etc. then we are finally old enough to be on our own. It can be hard finding our individual identity. Do we go to college or just get a job? Where should we live? At home with family or on our own?  Sometime these are difficult decisions to make. You know if you go one way your life could be much different than if you chose the other road. So, each person must decide which road they choose.

I have already chosen a path and lived it for many years. Now I often think was this the path I planned and I tell myself, NO.

 Life cannot be fully planned.

 All we can do is enjoy our journey and make decisions about the direction and see where we end up. I am in a comfortable place in life and I am still enjoying the journey. I have had good times and bad, happy and sad, but I am going to enjoy my ride no matter what life brings along the way.

A Party of Sorts

On Saturday I went to a Tupperware party of a lady I know from church.  She asked for support as she was starting her Tupperware business and this was her introductory party.  I had at one time been a manager with Tupperware and felt it important to help her out by attending.  I also found out she had quit her part time job so she can devote time to working her Tupperware business.

I only mention this as I have found many people do not seem to support their friends and family in such businesses. Many will hear words like I am working out of my home, or network marketing, or be asked to come see a new product and will suddenly be busy whenever this person calls.

I want to help the mom and pop businesses in my community survive and I try to shop with smaller businesses when I can. I have a local man come take care of spraying for spiders and bugs each year and he is great. He guarantees his work and does a quality job. He is also very personable and fun to talk to when he comes for his annual visit. It is getting so hard to find the smaller businessman as the big box stores are taking over. I don’t want to go with the flow I want to try and disrupt the flow just a little. I know I am only one person, but it must start somewhere.

I am choosing to support family, friends and small businesses whenever I can. I had a fun time at the Tupperware party and I did purchase a few items.  I felt happy to get something I could use and help a friend start her business.  Now I know if I need any more products of this kind where to get them.  

Beginning my blog

I decided to blog about everyday living and I want to include hopes and dreams. I think we all should have them. If not, then this blog will hopefully help you have hopes and dreams again.

As I sat down to write my 8 month old kitten, Abby, decided it was play time with mom.   She sat on the keyboard and messed up what I was typing then climbed all over me.     Now she is standing in front of the screen. This is a challenge to start a blog with Abby helping. I love this 8 month old kitten but she is so spoiled yet, I am not sure how that all happened. Well yes I do. I don’t seem to be able to say no to her when she is purring and cuddling. This is part of my everyday life a kitten and two cats, Olivia and Gracie. Olivia and Gracie are sisters by birth and they are a joy. Abby gets rather spoiled as Olivia and Gracie don’t always like this cuddly stuff.

Abby

Olivia

Gracie

One of my hopes is to one day get out of debt and I am working on that avenue, slowly but surely.  This will lead to my dream of getting a new car, going on longer vacations and maybe even moving into a new home. I want to make memories and have a lot of laughs along the way.

Also, as I journey through life I want to make new friends and hopefully this blog will help me. I would love to hear the hopes and dreams of anyone who wants to share. Please share your successes and hardships and we will learn from each other.  I may share a few recipes along the way but I don’t intend to tell you everything I eat and hope that is not what we talk about either. I want to hear the stories of your day and I will share my stories as well.

Take today for instance, my car is in the shop as the brake light on the dashboard kept coming on. After 3 weeks or so I decided I better have it looked at since it could really be a brake problem. I know why they call the dashboard lights dummy lights. It is dummies like me that wait 3 weeks to see if the light will go away before I take it in. Good thing it kept coming on and dinging at me each time I went from stop to accelerate. I might have forgotten about the problem. Well I found out my brake pads are worn and the brake fluid is low. Who knows what would have happened had I remained a dummy. Also, remember my hope of being debt-free, well this will push that hope further out for me. I guess I could look at it another way; if I don’t get the work done it may not matter if I get out of debt, as I may not be able to brake at a stop light and could be hurt or worse not be here to tell about it. So I am going into more debt again to get my brakes fixed. Oh yeah and while they were looking at those they found another problem with my oil pressure and losing oil so that has to also be fixed. I sure hope they don’t find anything else. I have had the car 10 years now and it is starting to get more costly. I just can’t afford a new car payment as that would really put me behind in my plans.

I want to leave you with a thought for the day: