Wednesday, New Year's Eve day

[FelineFriend]

That poem's so sweet, Harriet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

I heard 1 news host's New Year's Resolution and was so "impressed"! She has made the goal to work on her internal dialogue this in 2015! It's something I have a terrible problem with = self-talk! Honestly, I talk terribly to myself! I need to change that, have worked on it in the past, but now, with this woman's "internal dialogue" words, it sounds like a wonderful goal.

I've been awake since 6:15 a.m., the temperature went from 30* down to 28.5*. The cloud cover went away, then cold was colder, and in Seattle, they'd dropped 6* within 1 HOUR! It's so pretty to see the frost blanketing everything though.

Haven't felt good this a.m. I slept with a Fisherman's Friend cough drop in my mouth, at one point, which sure helps. I'm having G. I. "issues" this a. m., too. Took medication for it, so it'll get better soon. My throat's still sore, but I have a few days to rest. I won't be submitting any April stories, by their Jan. deadline, b/c of my colonoscopy and crocheting for the grandchildren. It's just not in the "stars" for me, this month, they have oodles of stories on hand anyway. I'm taking 1 month off. I receive S. S. now, too, so I need not write several stories a month. I can relax and let up a little. Also, this gives other people a good chance of getting into the issues. This is a good thing. I still feel badly how 1 of our co-writers passed away. It's sad.

I hope everybody has a Very Happy New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, too. Have a GR8 day!

[Emptynester]

Happy New Year everyone!!! Guess what??? We have over an inch of snow on the ground

So we are sitting in front of our (electric) fireplace listening to music and finishing up annual reports and setting up spreadsheets for 2015.

I more than survived all the company and celebration of our anniversary - in fact my sister is still here- we take her to the plane tomorrow.

You know how when you plan something important - it never lives up to your concept of it. Something bad happens, or you get so stressed out you don't enjoy it. WELL... NONE OF THAT HAPPENED!!!! Everything went just as I had dreamed it. No sibling fights, no stress, enjoyed every minute. (oh - I had a moment in the bathroom but it didn't last) Our son and family came a day early and one daughter stayed a day after so I had some one on one time with them. My sister has stayed 3 days so we have had quiet time and great sightseeing time.

The only moment I had was when NSD Sis in law brought 3 lbs of chocolate to a house where there were 4 diabetics. Lady hasn't got a clue.

After the kids email me some of the pics, I'll post them in MO. I didn't even bother to get out my camera.

I haven't had a nap since last Friday so I think I'll contemplate the inside of my eyeballs for awhile. TTFN

[Dove]

HAPPY (belated) ANNIVERSARY wishes to Mr & Mrs MT! Congratulations on your 50 year milestone.

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY to Ken & Mr Twins!

(((Hugs))) & feel better wishes to several sick SHEs & their families: Lilac & her dh, Lucylee & her dh, Harriet's dgson, Feline Friend, Mr Harmony for his toothache, & anyone else who I may have missed who doesn't feel well.

Lynlee, it was nice to read your mention of the hot weather in your area as I sit here warming myself with a cup of hot cocoa. Handing you a tall, cool cyberglass of iced tea with extra ice

We had such a nice time with friends over dinner the other day. House is still spiffy in preparation for their visit, & I'm determined to keep it that way as more friends are coming for dinner on Friday. Made a quick grocery store run for a handful of items for that & got started on clothes laundry when I got home. The rest of the day will include some planning for the new year, some reading, dealing with emails (how did I get up over 300 again?), & getting all the laundry done & put away.

For dinner tonight, we are having our traditional appetizers instead of a regular meal: shrimp cocktail, crab dip & crackers, & this year, buffalo wings instead of bacon wrapped scallops. Already made a note in my Holiday Notebook to buy a small wheel of Brie cheese & find a good recipe for that wrapped in puff pastry for 2015. Meant to make that this year but completely forgot.

Time to switch the laundry, make a salad for lunch, & dip into the crab dip, too. Waving ~~~~~ to everyone! I hope you are all enjoying this last day of 2014.

[Twins' Mom]

Ahhhhh! Nap sounds perfect MT! Happy anniversary to you and Mr MT!

Did my rounds - grocery, temple, JCC and other synagogue. Will head out in 30 min or so with dkids for dr appt. Might try for a nap later also, and the poor dogs haven't been walked yet either.

-empty dishwasher
-make the bed
-reboot laundry
-finish clearing DR table

Very cute poem and idea, Harriet.

[Lilac]

MT, it sounds like you had a special celebration with your loved ones. I am so happy that everything went so smoothly. You had made so many advance preparations, that paid off. Thank you for checking in with us.

Talked to dd1 earlier. She had taken dd2 a cappuccino and dd2 hadn't went to the walk-in clinic afterall. I haven't bothered to call her. She said last night that she is taking the kids to a movie today. They are all going stir crazy and have had too much together time.

I have been taking it easy today. I do not want a relapse. I had wanted my tree down and house cleaned by Friday so that when dh comes home, a retired man, we would have a fresh start. Now I just want us to feel well.

[lucylee]

IKWYM, Lilac! It is 2:00 pm EST and we are still in bed. Dh is asleep, but I'm having some trouble sleeping-- although I don't have the energy to get up. Dh woke up and turned one ball game, and he said he felt better. I'm still about the same.

Happy New Years Eve to all!

[lucylee]

Well, dh is in the shower. He says we need to get out and find a newspaper and get some meds and something to eat. I guess he's right... So I've eaten a banana and some pb crackers so I can take my " morning" meds. Now to get dressed. I showered last night. Cloudy here. I hope we don't have rain at the game.

[helia]

Popping in quickly. . .

Leisurely day today. I did chat with dfriends a lot this morning and reclaimed the kitchen. Checked on reservation system for a nice MI park for our small group camping trip.

It looks like a lot of good eating is in my future. We just got back from lunch out at a favorite middle eastern restaurant w/ the family and dfriends. Now, I'm going to run a couple errands: check for oboe reeds in nearby mailbox (I missed the mail today), gas the van, groc. store for odds and ends -- although, I could last until tomorrow, so maybe I'll forgo the crowds and wait. --Just checked. We need garlic to rub on the fondue pot for tonight. . . I'll probably just walk to WF and avoid the parking issue going on there now.

Tonight, we're eating cheese fondue (made from scratch) w/ baguettes (dh has already been to WF today), cauliflower, and broccoli. S and R are bring 7 layer dip with chips and a shrimp appetizer. Dd16 and I will make apple crisp and perhaps some brownies too.

[blessedw2]

do feel better very soon d lucy!!! May 2015 find you feeling better
d friend I am sorry at the loss of a friend/co-writer - please feel better too.
d lilac - i had to smile when you said your dd's family are jumping off the wall with too much time together... My d kids would take 2 weeks to get used to the rhythm of home and then they would be gone to school again. Bless all teachers! So happy for your dh this Friday
d twins Happy new years too!
hi d Dove so nice to see you your house looks nice
Hi d Mt. Happy New Year... I want snow so so bad.. send it here.. deliver it to Chicago, Il any time. so happy you didn't have a stress holiday! Nap sounds lovely
hi d friend Happy New Years
hi d harriet... your story about the shrimp made me laugh because I can see it happening.. Happy new Year dear Lady!
hi d Elizabeth. so happy you got the cleaning done!
Hi d helia . I love cheese found. sounds delicious ... happy New Year
Hi d Book and Harmony and lynn and all I missed... Happy New Year.

grocery shopping done.
now for assemblence of tomorrows dinner and dessert

[Sunny]

Hello Everyone! I'm having a slow day myself. I woke up early this morning, and after breakfast took a short nap. Today has been taking care of odds 'n ends at my desk; cleaned out emails, fixed new calendar pages in desk planner, filed some papers - etc.

Want to wish Happy Birthday to Twins' Dad and Ken in Canada! Also Happy Anniversary to Norma & Dh and Mr. and Mrs. Emptynester. Congratulations to all! MT, so nice that you had a pleasant anniversary celebration with your dfamily! Also wish Harmony's dgson10 Happy Birthday!

I was sorry to read while cuop the last few days that Lucy & dh, Lilac & dh, Dee, Kathryn's dh and, I'm sure, some others have been sick. I hope everyone will be feeling better quickly. Lucy, I hope you will be feeling well enough to enjoy your game day!

Dfam#1 came for the afternoon and dinner on Sunday. It was a nice visit; they haven't been to our house in over a month, I think. The last couple of visits with them was at their house.

Yesterday we had our Christmas celebration with dfam#2. They came for lunch, but didn't actually get here until after 2pm. We ate about 3 pm. Nothing fancy...we had baked a ham, had baked beans, lettuce & tomato, swiss & cheddar cheeses, white and rye bread and potato salad. Dh made a pumpkin pie and a lemon chiffon pie for dessert. Dgds19 and 12 both liked their gifts. And we gave ds & ddil a gift card for Cracker Barrel, which they liked.

It rained/ drizzled off and on all day yesterday and it is very overcast today. Temp. has been in the mid 60s all day; dreary winter day here.

Everyone have a good New Year's Eve! Dh and I don't go out this evening or tomorrow. We might make some popcorn and play a game of cards while waiting for Midnight! We always hear lots of fireworks around the neighborhood, but fortunately neither of our dogs get very nervous.