104.9 the River is a radio station in Ohio. My sister shared this post and I thought: What a Cool idea! I have added three "notes" to my jar already. Think positive!!!! Yeah!!!!
Monday, January 1, 2018
Sunday, December 31, 2017
No! Not the Tree!
I'm really not much of a
decorator. I do put more thought into
decorating for Christmas. It is always
so hard for me to take down the decorations - especially the tree. Jenna must take after me as she is also
having a hard time with it.
This year I have decided to make it
just a bit easier on myself by taking down something just a bit at a time. On Tuesday I packed up the books that I had
only attempted to look at. I don't think
anyone else did. On Wednesday I removed
the cards from the door. On Thursday I
took down the plush toys that hung around the frame of the mirror. And each day I would also remove ornaments
from the tree.
Last night Jenna went to Roseburg with Roland
and I decided to remove the remaining ornaments while they were gone. I should have waited until daylight. What was I thinking? And why has every house I've lived in had
such poor lighting in the front room?
The decorations from the outside trees
were removed on Friday. the lights no
longer adorned our house. The inside
tree still stands with its light which we will remove tomorrow. It makes the end of Christmas so final. And Tuesday is back to school.
Crazy Dreams
I haven't been sleeping well and I
somehow seem to remember more detail about my dreams - though I don't fully
understand why I would dream them.
The house across the street really is for
sale. Earlier this month I had a dream
that my sister-in-law's sister moved in with her daughter and that Jenna and
Alex became really good friends. I knew
that Deb would need a job and remembered that they are always looking for
teachers but then remember Deb had not gone into teaching but had gone to
beauty school and helped her to get a job at a local salon. I have no idea why I dreamed it.
The dream I had this morning made more
sense - except for one part. But I could understand why I had dreamed it as
Biff and his living situation has been on my mind and I had just recently looked at photos that his girlfriend had
posted.
I was having lunch with his girlfriend
Clarissa and a friend from her photos - I'm guessing her sister. I asked Clarissa
to tell me more about how she and Biff had gotten together, and she proceeded
to rip some pages out of a booklet or magazine that apparently went into more
detail about their relationship, and
then I told her about how Biff and Jeanie had gotten together. It felt strange
to have dreamed both.
Friday, December 29, 2017
White Chocolate is an Oxymoron
top is white chocolate, bottom is actual chocolate
even before taste, sight can figure out the difference.
|
Those who enjoy a great martini or daiquiri may think
that taking the alcohol out and calling it "Virgin" does not make it
worthy of calling the drink by its alcoholic name. I don't know as I have never had an alcoholic
beverage on purpose. I had been invited
to a cocktail gala once. I had ordered a
mocktail pina colada I believe. When my glass looked empty, a waitress had
asked if I would like a refill. She
hadn't realized my drink was alcoholic free nor did I figure out right away
that my second drink had rum. I didn't
like it nor did I finish it. The first had tasted so much
better. That was my opinion anyway.
I cannot tell a mocktail from a cocktail by sight |
The word "white" in "white chocolate"
must mean the same as mock or virgin - for those who can't or choose not to
have real chocolate, "white" is their alternative just as
"virgin" is my alternative when I choose not to drink. I still think
it's wrong to use the name "chocolate" when leaving out the main
ingredient that would make it chocolate.
But I think I may have a better understanding.
This is a cocoa plant |
This is a chocolate mocktail |
White chocolate does taste better than carob. At least carob never deceitfully tried to pass itself off as chocolate by its name. Why somebody had tried to pass that off as a chocolate substitute is beyond me. That would be like not only taking the rum out of the pina colada, but using mud instead.
this is a carob plant; it seriously tastes worse than it looks |
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Another Package
When
I first joined my family I believed Tony was pretty much a holiday
Scrooge. He said his favorite holiday
was Thanksgiving, but he seemed to hate Christmas. He made no effort to hide his negative
emotions. Fortunately that changed
sometime after Jenna was born. His
feelings toward Christmas seem to become more positive with each passing year -
or at least that is what I hear in his voice.
It is so awesome to have him enjoying that again.
Her gift may have been the first that was placed in the box as it was not on top, rather my favorite part of the package. The thoughtful gift of hand-made ornaments and pictures sent with crafted foam and on a house shaped plaque designed for "family".
We
never did get a picture of all of us together after our last three
grandchildren were born and now Jeanie is gone and will no longer be a part of
any recent photos. How thoughtful to
include each of us with the pictures they sent.
Rochelle
and Tony's original plans this year were to send their gifts with their
brothers who had planned to visit us during the holidays. Only "when" turned into "if'
and then "not this year". Tony
called the day the package was mailed and said that it would be late. I am glad it didn't come before Christmas as
I knew their gift to Jenna would put all of ours to shame - even Snoopy. Oh, Jenna still loves Snoopy but is more
excited by the gift from their family.
Her gift may have been the first that was placed in the box as it was not on top, rather my favorite part of the package. The thoughtful gift of hand-made ornaments and pictures sent with crafted foam and on a house shaped plaque designed for "family".
Since
the first time Jenna had watched her first episode of "Psych" she became
an instant fan. She loves Shawn Spencer
and now the pineapple. Her goal right
now is to rewatch the series to find the pineapple that supposedly exists in
each episode. Tony's family had sent the
first six seasons of Psych and Jenna is thrilled. If it had been her only gift Jenna would have
been fine with it.
I
love listening to her laughter. It
reminds me of watching movies and sitcoms with Tony. He is actually my favorite person to watch
sitcoms with. He has such a cute laugh
and is easily amused. I do miss his laugh and his enthusiasm.
Some
of their gifts and thoughtfulness this year was really clever. I started reading the book they sent me
though I have not gotten too far into it.
I was trying to read as much as I can before school starts back up
again. Just one more week left of
programming and emotional psychology. I
don't know what I will have after that.
2017
has flown by so quickly! It's hard to
believe it's almost over. I wonder if
2018 will fly just as quickly.
Christmas dinner
I don't
remember having met Shelly's mother before, but
she seemed to recognize me. Many
of our town's citizens had gathered downtown for the lighting of the tree on
December 2nd. I was making my up 2nd
Ave. to the library annex when she spotted me and waved as though we had
been buddies for quite some time but seemed to have lost touch. She asked about Jenna and mentioned the
desire for getting Shelly and Jenna together.
Shelly and her mom had moved to Myrtle
Creek last year. I don't know what time
of the year Jenna had been invited to her birthday party, but I know we were
already living in Tri City at the time.
It was the first time I had dropped Jenna off at a friend's house
without meeting a parent first. Shelly
was attending the same middle school as Jenna but did not return. She has decided to do her schooling online instead.
I believe that
Jenna and Shelly have hung out together four times since December 2nd. We even did a sleep over at our house. Shelly and her mom had gone to an afternoon tea party at the grange
where the ward had our Christmas party that same evening. As Shelly was already there, I had invited
her to attend the ward Christmas party and hang out with Jenna. Roland had volunteered to pick up some
neighbors and drive them home and the amount of passengers became more than our
car could hold - thus we made two trips and allowed Jenna and Shelly to play
together.
I have tried
to remain faithful to the positive challenge and had read each day prior but
had forgotten the challenge for day 11. It was before I had taken the girls
caroling that I had texted Shelly's mother to ask if they would like to come for
Christmas dinner. I hadn't realized that
was the challenge - to do something unexpectedly.
After I brought the girls back to our
house, we received the following message from a ward member:
Shelly and her mom did come to have
dinner with us on Christmas day. I had
on my tacky cat sweater and was just about to pull it off when they showed
up. Shelly's mom seemed to like it but I
was hot and don't do well with long sleeves and food. Shelly and her mom are always cold. Before we ate, the girls exchanged gifts. After dinner Shelly and her mom play games with
us. Shelly's mother really did enjoy
herself.
I ended up giving my Christmas sweater
to them. Perhaps I should have asked Jenna first as she said that she liked it. But I think it will get more use being at Shelly's house. Roland was okay with it as he hadn't particularly liked the sweater
either but had purchased it believing that I really did like it. I wish I had
shown the same gratitude that they had.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
The Spirit of Christmas - Me
I saw this sweater in
Wal-Mart. I made a comment that I
thought it was cute. It made me think of
my brother, Corey.
If I put it away for next year, would I actually be able to find it? Fortunately the Spirit for me lives in giving and not receiving - though
I was surprised with one of Jenna's gifts.
I don't think Roland often listens to
my desires or my non-desires rather. For
example, there was one year I told him that I did not want a quad (four books
of scripture in one book) but that I preferred having the Bible separate to
compare two scriptures side by side.
He brought me a quad that year.
He also purchased the DVD of "Mama Mia" the year it was released.
I told him I was happy with the soundtrack and really didn't want the DVD as I didn't believe I'd watch it enough that it would be worth having in my collection. It stayed in Utah the year we moved to Oregon. This year it was a hair dryer that I had already mentioned I hadn't wanted.
He brought me a quad that year.
He also purchased the DVD of "Mama Mia" the year it was released.
I told him I was happy with the soundtrack and really didn't want the DVD as I didn't believe I'd watch it enough that it would be worth having in my collection. It stayed in Utah the year we moved to Oregon. This year it was a hair dryer that I had already mentioned I hadn't wanted.
In addition to my hair dryer and
holiday sweater, there was an unexpected gift of macadamia clusters from
Jenna. That is the gift that surprised
me the most. The most practical gift I
received (also from Jenna) is probably the one I was most genuinely excited
about.
only thing I had asked for really |
Jenna (or Santa's) surprise scrapbook paper |
surprise! |
I like it thus far |
The Spirit of Christmas - Jenna
Initially
Roland and I had agreed on purchasing only 3 gifts for Jenna to open. I had forgotten about the 5 books we had
purchased in September. Roland also went
haywire one day when he wanted to go to Roseburg and neither Jenna nor I wished
to go with him. He returned with some
Pokémon cards and some other things. We
had also given a stuffed toy of Snoopy that shakes his head to the “Lucy and
Linus theme” I think there were at least twelve gifts for Jenna.
She said her favorite gift was the snoopy
The Spirit of Christmas - Roland
Roland's first gift came in the mail. It was from his boss. She sent him a melted snowman kit. Jenna has been playing with it ever since, and enjoying it immensely.
I didn't realize how many ties Roland has or may have not purchased any - though it came at his request. He did ask for a more subtle or blended design than what we had purchased, but I think he was pleased just the same.
I didn't realize how many ties Roland has or may have not purchased any - though it came at his request. He did ask for a more subtle or blended design than what we had purchased, but I think he was pleased just the same.
He was hoping the design would be subtle as these |
In addition to the ties, we had given
him fruitcake and snowballs. Roland
often gravitates toward both.
I probably should have just gone with
my initial plan of getting him a DNA kit. It would have been the only gift under the
tree for Roland. I just think the price
will go down again.
Of all the gifts received on Christmas morning, Roland says his favorite was the cowboy tie that Jenna had picked out for him.
Of all the gifts received on Christmas morning, Roland says his favorite was the cowboy tie that Jenna had picked out for him.
The Spirit of Christmas - Gifts
We sent hats to all of our kids for Christmas
this year. They are Oregon Duck
hats. Many people here are avid Duck
fans. I have no preference, though I do
like the "Duck" colors better than the "Beaver"
colors. I thought Biff might like the
orange, but we didn't see any Beaver sock hats.
We've made and received many sweets
this year. Roland had wanted to make gingerbread men but we ran out of time before we could purchase all ingredients, so he purchased a tin of butter pecan meltaways instead. I will always think of them as "Mexican Wedding Cookies" as I had learned that is what they were called - but the name probably is not a best seller at Christmas time - possibly?
Next
year I am giving out Queso and chips as I felt burnt out on sweets this year
(as I'm certain many others did).
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Spirit of Christmas - Decorations
I
believe we decorated the trees outside before we brought our Christmas tree
into the house. Roland had started out
with the lights and gradually we added large ornaments and bows.
We
also purchased a starlight system to save ourselves from having to hang lights
Jenna
framed our mirror with the sock toys that Corey had given us years before
Aunt Julie sent us this when we first moved to West Valley |
middle tree pop up from a card from Ooki (son) and
back tree gift from Salad Master, Nativity to my mom
her last Christmas
|
also from Aunt Julie. It was designed as
a door hanged. But we have moved it to
chain on screen door
|
and
added a few new ones as well
Santa is really a tree topper and a stocking Jenna colored |
not a great picture. Jenna received this fragile piece |
I
displayed our books on the end table this year as Jenna and I had decided to do
away with the coffee table
2017 |
and
I took these pictures as Jenna and I traveled about
at Lowes, I believe |
I thought this was really cute, but
possibly too big for the tree as compared
with the other ornaments we have
|
4 nutcrackers purchased for 2018 ornament |
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