Sunday, December 30, 2007
My Second Birthday
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The War Is On!
We had a heck of a time getting Christmas lights on the house this year (I won't go into that now) but we finally had them up and running "someone" chewed thru them leaving exposed electrical wires! Jerry has done some splicing with electrical tape but I am still suspect. I've always been tolerant of the oppossums, squirrels, and fruit rats that try to cohabitate with us but when it comes to chewing anything electrical, the war is on - we'll soon be figuring out how to animal proof our house. Humm....I bet there is some family receipe for squirrel meat kicking around. LOL
Friday, December 28, 2007
Eek!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Meerkat Manor
Sunday, December 23, 2007
It's December 23rd already!
Friday was shopping due to 11th hour notice from Ratbone Rescues that they needed a secret Santa to a little female that just came into rescue. Eventually I got the word Aunt Hellen's husband Les has landed (flew in fro Seattle) and Friday night dinner was on. Of course that meant a late night of packag wrapping. I mailed my packages yesterday (Saturday) - I don't recommend that. Last night we all (me, hubby, MIL) went to mom's for her birthday dinner. She chose to order in pizza instead of going out.
Mom, Hellen, Les, and my friend Christina are coming over this evening and we are going to cruise the streets looking at Christmas lights. People go all out here and I haven't been in a couple years. I guess it is popular because the weather is good for putting them and taking them down. We just do the traditional icicle lights off the eaves, wreaths on the doors, and a small display at outside entry to a snowman, alpine christmas tree, and poinsettia - all in the deep burgundy and hunter green colors.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas Past
We started the day with a quiche cooking in the oven while we opened presents. We made long-distance calls to wish our friends and family a Merry Christmas. Then we snuggled on the sofa and watched movies, snacked, and enjoyed the lights on the tree and the snowfall outside. That day was the most peaceful and intimate Christmas I've ever experienced. Later, we ended the day by cooking a seafood extravagnza of king crab, lobster tails, scallops, and shrimp.
This photo of me was taken on that very special Christmas day. And while I would prefer to spend Christmas with family and friends, I would not trade that day back in 1989 for ten "big" Christmases. I would like to include a photo of Jerry back then but, as the world's worst photographer, the photos I took of him weren't so hot :(
Vickie
Monday, December 17, 2007
Frogs-0, Lizards-0, Rat Terriers-3
Spoke to Dad last night. He finally made it home on a different flight from Dallas to Little Rock after he missed his connection due to delays leaving Tampa. I finished up Christmas things like the tree decorating and wrapping gifts. Took Marge shopping today and we had lunch at a German Deli. I scheduled the day off knowing that I would be to the wire on my final paper ;)
The big news around here is the weather. It got into the 40's last night. Jerry helped me bring over 70 orchids into the kitchen for protection. They probably didn't all need to come in but when you have 70 or so, it's hard to remember which ones perish at which temperature. Numerous frogs and lizards rode in with the orchids so the Rat Terriers were busy chasing harmless creatures around the house last night. Looks like the plants will have to stay in the house for a couple more days so it's not looking to good for the lizards and frogs. (Photo shows Eddie Ratbones the rat terrier who is willing to destroy orchids for a good lizard chase, and Chloe the diaper-wearing, evil chihuahua)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Leavin On A Jet Plane
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Opening Day
My Dad's visit is drawing to a close. He leaves tomorrow at noon. While we dread his departure, I undertand that he is anxious to return to his home in Dumas, Arkansas. We enjoyed the last month with him and especially appreciated spending Thanksgiving together. So many holidays in Alaska were spent away from family that every occassion spent with family is special. Eddie is going to miss his Papaw's continuous belly rubs.
Dad was able to spend a week down in Arcadia, FL visiting his only remaining sibling - Aunt Flossie. Dad made a quick trip last April to help Aunt Flossie celebrate her 90th birthday. We hoped to take her out for a birthday dinner but when we arrived (it's about two hours from our house in Clearwater to her house in Arcadia) she had not only made her own birthday cake but was preparing a dinner for 15 people!
Jerry is busy attaching icicle lights to our eaves and I am in the process of decorating the Christmas tree. We are picking up Jerry's mom in a couple hours and meeting my Mom and Aunt Hellen (yes, that is how it is spelled) at a Polish restaurant. None of us have ever been to a Polish restaurant so it took some talking to get everyone to agree but I've heard that Polish food is a well-kept secret. I'll let you know ;) I am looking forward to seeing my Aunt Hellen. She arrived at my mom's yesterday.
I talked my Dad into a surprize outing last night only telling him that we would be outside and would get a little exercise while having a good time. I took him to the St. Petersburg Shufflboard Club. They have a special hours of 7 - 11pm on Friday nights and since the temperature was perfect, I thought it would be a fun father-daughter activity. For the first time in 5 months, they were rained out! Too bad because a photographer/reporter from Southern Living magazine was there to take photos of the courts and people, all illuminated by the white Christmas lights.