Vacation Days 6 & 7 - New Jersey & Rehearsal Dinner

We didn't have firmed up plans for Thursday. We thought of Atlantic City but there was a big boardwalk fire and we weren't sure where it was. Plus driving in NJ was a little intimidating at first because in the area we were in you cannot do left turns! Cousin Maureen suggested the little town of Mount Holly with quaint little shops and restaurants.

We had lunch at the Robin's nest and did some shopping at a boutique, Christmas store, QUILT STORE, and a couple others. On Friday we ventured a little farther and tried to find a mall using my phone - obviously a misunderstanding of the address because it dumped us in the ghetto of Trenton. Eventually we were back on the road and found the mall where I saw this (below) peanut butter store. You can have any kind of peanut butter sandwich, smoothie, etc.

Friday night was the rehearsal. Let to right, Rory (brother of groom and the best man), Kevin (the groom), Caitlyn (the beautiful bride), and Elizabeth (bride's sister and maid-of-honor). In this photo the priest is signing the license and making sure everything is correct.

The rehearsal night dinner was hosted by the groom's mother (Cousin Maureen) and her Hank. Here's a bride's maid, the bride, and Hank.

Maureen with Hank's parent's Carl and Peg.

Hank with the groom Kevin.

Best man & brother Rory with his girlfriend Jackie.

Couple views of the venue. It's not a restaurant but a venue for catered events. The food was really good.

Tomorrow, the wedding!



Stacey and Clinton, AGAIN!

Remember yesterday how I said I was shopping hard and smart and it felt like Stacy & Clinton from "What Not To Wear" were watching me? Well, tonight I went shopping again (Macy's & Dillard's) and I was feeling the same way as I passed on things that I knew weren't the best choice for me even though I liked the item or color. When I went in the dressing room there was Clinton! On the mirror! No kidding. There he was stuck to the mirror with some verbage about how to fix that crotch bunch you get with some pants (ok, crotch bunch is my term not Clinton's). That's so funny after taking about him to find his image and a quote in my dressing room.!

I tried on so many clothes but only ended up buying two tops and another jacket. I still have Money & gift cards left so there will be more shopping..........my feet hurt and I am getting tired.

Taking Chloe to my regular vet tomorrow. She seems to be going backward, not forward, to me.

Shopping, Wrapping, & Cruising Lights

Today was a full day. Dad & I shopped most of the day at several shopping centers and a mall. It was busy but not crazy. I didn't finish so I will do it again tomorrow. I need to buy perishables for Christmas dinner and trays for Jerry's work.


I wrapped everything tonight. And now our tree loooks like this. Finally have packages under the tree. If you sent a gift and you do not see it, it is because I put the packages to the front that coordinate with the tree (this year color theme is blue). I know, I'm wierd. Jerr once said he thought that might be a little rude but it's not like I hide unmatching gifts under the bed, I just move the matching ones to the front. Past years have included turquoise & silver, robin's egg blue & red, and gold & green.


Last night I cooked chicken parmesan & a big pot of chili. Actually I had to bake the chicken parm at MIL's house because my oven isn't working. Did I ever mention I hated my stove? Even when it was working? Anyway, we had the chili tonight and my mom brought over cornbread (which has to be baked in an oven) for dinner before we met up with cousin Lee, Erica, & Sarah to look at Christmas lights.


Amaizing how many people it takes to strap & unstrap a 3 year old in a car, LOL. Sarah watched a Baby Einstein video in the car. The neighborhood we went to does a huge display with many, many houses. It's actually overwhelming. Sarah wanted to walk but it was cold & windy and the neighborhood is large so we went to a smaller neighbor equally decorated where she could walk. The small neighborhood has lighted arbors over the sidewalks as well. Sarah didn't last long out there - not sure it was because of the cold & wind or the guy dressed up as a wizard in a lighted up cotume. Either one would have sent me back to the warmth of the van!

This is my neighbor's house. Now imagine a neighborhood with a couple hundred houses as decked out as this one and you have an idea of what we saw tonight.

Poor Eddie - exaughsted from all that cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, and visiting.

Frogs-0, Lizards-0, Rat Terriers-3

My plan to get my final paper written yesterday was a bust - I found more interesting things to do. That means that tonight I will be up late writing. Don't know why I do this to myself. I believe that I have had so many classes in a row without a break that I am just burned out on school. Each year as the holidays come I get very distracted from school. Luckily, graduation is in May.

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)