Well, we are back and I have to say it’s a little colder here in California than it is in Mexico.  I woke up to snow on the ground this morning.  Coming from 80 degrees to 45 degrees is a little bit of a shocker.

Our trip was nice.  We arrived in L.A. on Saturday and got a room where we could park our truck for the week.  We woke up the next morning to find that someone had started their partying early and threw up all over the side of our truck.  It was disgusting and not exactly the way we wanted to start our vacation. 

We decided to take a drive before we had to board so we went up to the Friendship Bell and the adjoining park for a little walk.  I shouldn't have worn flip-flops.  My feet were killing me.  We headed back about noon and hopped the shuttle to the pier and check in was really smooth, and quick.  We went straight up to our room to check on things and get our itinerary for the day.  The weather in L.A. was really nice but as soon as the sun went down it got very chilly.  Crazy me…I didn’t pack a jacket.  I was hoping that the weather would warm up the farther south we got.  I wasn’t thinking that at 21 knots it would be a little breezy.  I visited the shops on the ship and found a fairly cheap sweatshirt...for $75.  No way...I'll freeze.

Our room was very nice and the balcony was large.  Our neighbors were older and very quiet.  We did have a smoker down a floor and her smoke wafted up to our room from the balcony.  We soon learned she was a chain smoker and we hoped she would be spending her time in the bar so we could enjoy the balcony.  We only saw her two other times the entire trip which was nice.  We were on the 8th deck which is one below the pool.  I wish I would have booked the 7th deck.  all day and night we could hear the kids running around and the crew moving things.  It was like living on the bottom floor of an apartment (been there) and having horribly inconsiderate upstair neighbors (done that.)

Monday, our first day at sea, was a time for getting to know the ship and find out where everything was.  Both my brother and I had taken a non-drowsy Bonine tablet and couldn’t stay awake.  I ended up taking a 5 hour nap and woke up just in time for dinner.  I decided I wasn’t going to take another pill unless I threw up first.  Good thing I never had any motion sickness or I would have slept the entire trip.  Brian started not feeling good.  He said his lungs were burning and he could hardly breathe.  He started coughing and had to buy cough syrup in the ships store.

Tuesday we had our first excursion.  We took a four hour Cabo jeep tour that took us into the mountains.  It’s definitely desert, dry, dusty, and dead.  The road was dirt and we were filthy by the end of the day.  We saw 400 year old cactus, visited a tiny (85 residents) village and had a snack at a local boarding school.  The country pays for the boarding school because the children are all from farming families and they can’t drive their kids to school every day.  The kids go home on weekends only.  The kids were clean, pleasant, and well behaved.  The village was what you would expect from a small Mexican town.  All structures were thrown together with whatever they could find. 

We toured the ranch of a local artist who moved there 18 years ago from America.  She was a white woman and she lived just like the rest of the village except she had a fantastic garden and outdoor kitchen.  We left there and headed down to the river wash that lead out to the beach. 

We spent a few minutes on the beach before we had to head back to the boat.  It took me 30 minutes to clean my camera and lenses.  We all remarked at how no one hounded us the entire trip.  No one asked if we wanted to buy anything.  There were no little chicklet children anywhere.  Brian still wasn’t feeling well and all the dirt from the jeep ride irritated his lungs even more.  We went to bed early.

Wednesday we arrived in Mazatlan.  We took the city tour because we wanted to experience the culture of the city.  We could have just stayed in Stockton.  It was congested and filthy.  When we arrived in port the first thing we noticed was the smog and factories.  We were on a bus trying to fit down tiny little streets.  We actually ran people off the road.  The one thing they tell you is to be careful where you walk.  In Mexico the pedestrian DOES NOT have the right of way.  You will get ran over.  They don’t even slow down.  My brothers bus seat mate was a 70 year old woman who was funny as can be.  She attached herself to my brother and kept calling him her man.  She had left her husband on the ship and took the tour with her daughter.  She was so full of life and energy.  She was just adorable.  I only wish I could have thought about getting a picture of her with Richard.  After a 30 minute bus tour we stopped at a cathedral.  It was beautiful.  We were given 20 minutes to explore.  I felt so sorry for the people that were there to pray.  Everyone was taking pictures and muddling around. 

We got back on the bus and went to see the famous cliff divers.  Now, I’ve seen old movies that featured the cliff divers and it is nothing like it used to be.  The cliffs have been removed to make room for the road and construction.  It has been reduced to a 40 foot bump with a platform on top.  The divers are amazing and I would most surely hit the rocks if I even attempted it once.  The peddlers were very aggressive.  The same ones would keep coming back to ask you to buy something.  One tourist had a t-shirt on that said “no gracias” which means no thank you.  After the cliff divers we headed to the golden zone shopping area.  We were given 20 minutes to shop and then required to meet back at the bus for a quick walk to the folkloric show.  20 minutes isn’t enough time to do anything if you are hounded every 5 feet.  Every shop offered free beer or tequila and many were taking advantage of it.

The folkloric show was interesting.  We watched local dancers and acrobats for 30 minutes and then headed back to the bus.  We decided to abandon the bus and take a taxi back.  We walked up and down the shops and the one thing we noticed was that every single shop had exactly the same stuff.  There was nothing out of the ordinary or artistic that I would buy.  Brian did find a hand blown olive oil jar that is actually quite pretty.  We hopped a taxi (if you could call it that) back to the ship.  The taxi is a very small go cart that can go 70 mph and they do.  We got back to the ship and Brian headed to the ships store to buy cold medicine.  He was feeling worse today.  We had to set the clocks ahead.

Thursday we arrived in Puerto Vallarta.  What a clean city.  I really like this town of almost 400,000 people.  We decided to head to the waterfront before our whale watching excursion.  The waterfront was very nice, clean, and pleasant with lots of art and sculptures.  There wasn’t any garbage and no one hounded us to buy anything.  Puerto Vallarta is by far the more tropical area with gorgeous jungles, plant life, and wild life.  I could definitely own a vacation home here.  It is a very Americanized city.  We passed Wal-Mart, Costco, and Outback Steak House.  Pretty much every franchise restaurant is in PV.  I found a fantastic Wool poncho.  I had priced one at an upscale shop in Jackson and they wanted $399 for it.  I was tickled to death to get it for $35.  We did a lot of walking in PV before grabbing a very scary taxi ride back. 

We got back to the pier and Brian was stopped and detained at security because he was carrying a pocket knife.  They took it away from him, let him go, and we found our whale watching group.  He wasn’t feeling well and was trying to decide whether to go with us or just go back to the room.  He finally decided to go because he really wouldn’t be exerting himself just sitting on the boat. 

Our boat was a very nice sailboat that seated 25 people.  We went out about 5 miles and saw several groups of whales.  They were everywhere.  We even watched two males fight over a female.  The tour was 4 hours and we headed back to the boat about sun down.  Brian said he would have kicked himself if he had missed it (although he was up to about $40 in medicine from the ship's store.)  We went to bed fairly early tonight.  We had to set the clocks ahead again.

Friday was an at sea day.  We slept in and just relaxed most of the day.  I fell asleep on the balcony with the sun on my face.  It was so peaceful.  Since Brian wasn’t feeling good and couldn’t stop coughing we decided to forego the formal dinner.  We hadn’t eaten dinner in the dining room even once the entire trip.  I compromised with him.  We wouldn’t eat in the dining room BUT he was going to dress up and we were going to have formal portraits done.  We got dressed up, paraded around like a show poodle, took 6 sets of formal pictures then went back to the room to change into something comfy and warm.  We went down to the pizza bar and decided that since we were up we would sit and listen to the big band and then catch the late adult comedy show at 11:45.  The comedian was really funny.  We had to set the clocks back tonight.

Saturday we slept in and just putzed around.  We packed, cleaned up, and watched some movies.  It was really cold on deck but we decided to go up and sit in the sun.  That only lasted about 15 minutes before I couldn’t feel my fingers.  Not even my “spirited” coffee was keeping me warm…and it was half alcohol.  We went to bed early because we had a 5:30 wake up call.  We had to be out of our room by 8:00 am and off the ship by 9:00 am.  We had to set the clocks back an hour but the two clocks on TV were different and we didn’t actually know what time it was.  So, at 5:00 am Brian wakes me up to tell me that he has no idea why we didn’t get a wake up call and that it was 6 am according to the ship TV channel.  I get up and get ready and flick to CNN.  It says 8:00 EST.  Brian didn’t set his clock back and the Bridge didn’t change their time either.  Pretty much most of the ship was confused on Sunday morning.  Saturday night I realized that I hadn’t seen my wool poncho and asked Brian where it was.  He couldn’t find it.  We finally realized that he had left it in the taxi in PV.  He felt so bad.

So, all-in-all the cruise was relaxing and nice…but expensive because we got a suite this time.  The buffet food was okay but nothing spectacular.  Some of the fish dishes were actually fantastic.  The in-door adult pool staff let children in because it was cold outside. Staff was very warm and friendly but a lot of the passengers were rude and obnoxious.  The rudest bunch was the 60-70 year olds.  They were pushy, arrogant, and nasty.  They expected everything now, and they treated staff and other passengers like dirt.  Our Seapass bill was about $400 more than I expected but realized that we had perfume, pictures, medicine, gratuities, and drinks on it.  We debarked and were back at our truck by 9:30 am and home by 6 PM after stopping for a couple bottles of wine and brownies.

Our verdict is that Royal Caribbean is a far better cruise line than Carnival.  The ship was beautifully decorated with very tasteful art, sculptures, and glass.  The class of people was different but I wouldn’t say better.  This class of people has money and they are rude.  Carnival’s class of people like to party so they are just noisy and drunk.  This cruise has solidified the fact that we are not cruise people and will not take another one ever.  I could have spent the same amount of money on a two week tour of Europe. 

I had better get going. It’s snowing right now…has been off and on all day.  I feel like I’m catching whatever it is that Brian had and I need to take some Theraflu and head to bed.  I have a long day tomorrow.

Take care.

Happy holidays to our friends and family!

This year is one of those years where I tossed around the idea of not sending out a Christmas newsletter.

Years ago I promised myself that no matter how boring our life seemed I would not give up on the newsletter.  Surely I could find one or two interesting things to write about.  We couldn’t possibly have been reduced to the ranks of boring married people who work too much and can’t find time to enjoy life.  Well, unfortunately, that’s exactly what has happened and it’s quite the eye opener.  

We had this realization a few months ago when our friends were going on exotic vacations, graduating from college with their Master’s and expanding their businesses.  We have been so wrapped up in the needs of everyday life; working, grocery shopping and housework that we forgot to have fun!

So…. We have dubbed 2008 the MORE year.  More FUN in life, more traveling, and more trying new things. 

In preparation for the MORE year we have bought a brand new 29 ft. travel trailer with two pop outs and a full sized bedroom complete with king size bed and full size closet.  It will come in handy for all the places we want to visit this year. 

We have started a list of locations to visit and we’re putting together our calendar for next year.  Our first trip is planned for New Years weekend.  It will be a short local trip out to Duck Island in the delta with Dale, Diane and a gang of ex co-workers we haven’t seen in a while.  It will be nice to spend time with them and also it will give us a little time to familiarize ourselves with the trailer. 

Our second trip is planned (without the trailer) for the second week of January.  We are hopping a Royal Caribbean cruise ship to Mexico for 7 days.  I booked it a few weeks ago and because I know there is absolutely no way to diet and loose 30 lbs. by January 13^th this is the most relaxed I’ve been about a vacation.  We are looking forward to relaxing in the warm Baja climate and having a good time. 

We’re not sure what February or the coming months will hold but we guarantee next years newsletter will be more exiting.

As the months of 2008 progress I will be updating my websites with photos from the trips, holidays, and family functions for everyone to enjoy.

My spoiled chickens and their magnificent condo

As fate would have it I had a co-worker give me 1 day old baby hen chicks for a birthday present in May.  I came to work and heard peeping.  I wondered who gave me an annoying peeping stuffed animal for my birthday.  I opened the gift bag and there were three tiny chicks.  I couldn’t believe my eyes (or ears.)  I had no idea how to tell Brian or even what he would say.  And I had no idea what they needed for their first day home.

Brian was less than pleased but knew what he must do…..build a chicken coop and run before they got too big for their brooder and began running amuck in the house.  He drew out the plans and began building.  It got bigger and more elaborate (and expensive) as the days went by.  I figured since the three had all this space I might as well get a couple more.  I came home with an Americana (blue eggs) and a Rhode Island Red. 

One of my little hens who I named Maxine after my grandma actually turned out to be Max!  So, Atilla the hen, Millie (named after my other grandmother), Pollyanna, and Rosie are now well guarded by Max.

They all live comfortably in their $700 double walled, insulated coop complete with scroll work, heater, fan, double paned window, 8x10 run, and 3x8 sun room.  They supply us with off-white, brown, and blue eggs that are delicious.

Waiting to be hand fed corn.

2007 Holiday Newsletter

I found part of my New Years diary from 2002.  It struck me as odd that I would find this just as I was contemplating joining Curves in San Andreas as part of my resolution for 2007.  I have rethought this part of my resolution because of these journal entries.  I thought I’d share it with you.  (Keep in mind I was 25 lbs lighter when this was written.)

New Years Resolution 2002

This is my last will and testament.  Well, not really.  Actually, this is my workout journal but could be considered one in the same.  I hope this will keep me motivated to continue torturing my body all in the name of good health (and a smaller dress size.)  There were several important dates coming up and I needed to loose weight to feel better.  I wouldn’t be caught dead at a class reunion, at parties, or on vacation looking like this.

Joining a gym has always been in the back of my mind.  I have belonged to “the society” before….as a young thin person in my 20’s.  As the years of sedentary life caught up with me (along with age,) the more I thought about joining again.  Joining a gym is the easy part.  Going is the hard part.  Anyone can join a gym, pay their dues and broadcast to the world that they have a membership to a gym.  Big Deal!  Those are the people who are continually disappointed by their never changing body shape or weight.  But, THEY have a membership to a gym therefore fool themselves into thinking they are healthy or look good in spandex.  On the contrary my good people…..a gym membership does not a good body make.

There is no gym fairy that appears, waves a wand over your head and gives you the motivation to move your body in a repetitious motion until you’re drenched in sweat.  This is something you must find on your own.  Finding this motivation can only be likened to that of finding the lost continent of Atlantis.  I plan to find this motivation.  I don’t know if I’m going to keep it for long but I’m going to try.

My goals are simple.  Get rid of cellulite, body mass, and work my muscles into something shapely yet feminine.  I know it can be done.  I’ve seen it done.  Open any fitness magazine and you’ll find the “Success Stories” of the miserable and overweight.  These people found the motivation to reshape their bodies.  Everyone’s story is the same; overweight, unhealthy, and miserable looking at their reflection.  They eat right, exercise 4-5 times a week for 90+ minutes and keep at it.  Keeping at it is the clue.  Sure you can cheat once in a while.  But, if you walk 5 blocks to Baskin & Robbins for a double hot fudge sundae I guarantee you are defeating the purpose.  The real exercise would be to only order a child size fat-free frozen yogurt with no toppings.  Let’s see you do that!  I’m sure I couldn’t – so I don’t go to places like that.  I simply keep a few Hershey’s kisses around and eat them when I need a fix.

There was a time when I was thin and could walk a flight of stairs without stopping halfway for a nap.  I could put on tight clothing without looking pregnant.  I could ride in a 4x4 without my fat bouncing with every bump.  I never needed motivation in the past.  I was just naturally thin.  In junior high I was a size 3.  By high school I weight 115 and wore a size 5.  I ran track, took dance, and was a cheerleader.  I was constantly moving.  After high school I married and on my wedding day I weight in at 103.  Being 5’6” that was way too small but I felt very healthy.  As a matter of fact I couldn’t gain weight if I tried.   And, try I did.  I drank protein shakes, ate fast food, and ate all the time.  Nothing worked for me.  I wasn’t until I reached 28 that things started to grow.  I was a size 5 and skipped right over 7 & 9 and went to a misses size 10.  This was very disturbing to me although 140 lbs wasn’t obese.  I maintained this weight for a couple of years without much effort.  I went to the gym 3-4 times a week and barely worked out more than 30 minutes a day.  I hiked, backpacked, swam, walked, ran, and took aerobic classes.

Then the bomb hit.  I went from 140 to 180 in less than 2 months.  I was perplexed as well as my doctors.  I was tested for everything.  I was poked, prodded and invaded more than once.  No one could find a reason, no medical reason as to why this could happen.  This was of no comfort to me.  There had to be a reason.  Thyroid, hormones, diabetes, something to state this wasn’t my fault, that I didn’t cause my bodies demise. 

Feb. 10, 2002

We decided to join a gym today.  We both had been feeling pudgy and lethargic with no energy level.  Most of the time we didn’t even have the energy to turn sideways on the couch to talk to each other.  I wasn’t too terribly “in to” signing up today since I was fighting strep throat and could hardly talk.  We decided I would be better off starting with a personal trainer and looked forward to my first meeting.

Feb. 20, 2002

I finally feel good enough to work out without coughing or being out of breath.  I also wanted to inquire about why my personal trainer hadn’t called me yet.  After 15 minutes of trying to find my paperwork the manager said he would have to get a hold of the salesman to see what he had done with me.  I wasn’t “into” working out today.  I felt out of place and unbalanced.  Maybe Nyquil had caused that or maybe it was just the fat.  I tried several machines without committing to any of them.  I started on the treadmill.  I find this torture device to be the worst.  I can walk.  I walk all the time.  And, if I’m going to walk I sure wouldn’t do it inside a building, staying in the same spot, not going anywhere.  That lasted about 2 minutes.  I looked around for something else cardio to do.  I’m supposed to do 20 minutes of cardio but couldn’t do more than 5 minutes without raising my heart rate too high.  I went upstairs to the stair climbers, stationary bikes, and the elliptical machines.  I find them all ridiculous in that you work really hard not to go anywhere.  If I wanted to bike I would do this outside.  I finally settled on the elliptical.  It had huge pedals that look like snow-shoes and two poles to hold on to.  The idea is to start pedaling and moving your arms at the same time.  I liked this machine.  It was something I could do for more than 2 minutes.  I actually made it for 5 minutes without dying.  The machine said my target heart rate was 149.  Within 2 minutes my heart rate was over 180 and the machine was telling me to slow down.  Just how out of shape am I?  Looking at the chart I had the stamina of a 72 year old woman.  That’s not what I expected at all, maybe 50 years old but not 72.  This is going to take longer than I expect.  After walking around for 20 minutes looking at everything and everyone, and waiting for Brian to get done on the treadmill, we finally left.  I was disappointed in my stamina and the fact I was lost by the personal trainer.  I definitely was not motivated to do anything at this point.

Feb. 23, 2002

I still haven’t heard from the personal trainer and called the manager again.  He informed me that one trainer was in a car wreck and another one on vacation.  They were very far behind but would get me scheduled soon.  Vince called back and set my first appointment for March 11^th….one month after signing up.  I wasn’t exactly happy about that but what am I going to do about it since we already signed the contract and paid for him.

March 3, 2002

Okay, now I’m ready.  I feel confident that I need to loose weight, improve my stamina, etc.  I can do this!  Got to the gym at 7:30 am this morning.  I was very awake and ready to go.  I was disappointed with how busy the gym was on a Sunday morning.  I figured I would be one of 10 people there.  Nope, crazy people there just like us.  Brain started on the treadmill and I went to the ellipticals.  I did almost 10 minutes and figured I was ready for weights downstairs.  I found Brian who was up to running and started walking on the treadmill next to him.  There was no way I was going to run.  Even though I had the girls double bagged with two sports bras they still move considerably when they get up some momentum.  Like I said, I really hate the treadmill so I lasted only 2 minutes before boredom set in.  I headed to the Nautilus weights.  I enjoy this part.  I like pushing my body.  I just don’t like to sweat a whole lot.  I know that I need to sweat to loose weight.  I guess I’m going to have to get used to it.  It’s just more disgusting now that I have more fat folds to catch it in.  I worked out my legs and stomach.  It was a nice short 30 minute session.  I didn’t have any idea what I was doing and was wishing I had met with the trainer before this. 

March 6, 2002

Arrived at the gym without Brian.  The parking lot was full.  I had to park way out back.  I went in and found the place completely crowded.  I must have arrived at a good time because there was one elliptical left.  I got on and started my first 10 minutes.  Within 5 minutes there wee people going from machine to machine looking to see who was the closest to getting done.  Since I set mine in 10 minute intervals they camped out in front of me.  When I pushed the button for another 10 minutes they were pissed.  I didn’t want to have to explain my workout regimen to these people.  After being stared at for a few minutes I got off and let them have it.  I went to the Nautilus machines and not one was free.  I waited a few minutes and then went to the crunch machine.  All of them were being used with people waiting.  This was RIDICULOUS.  Working out in the evening was not a good idea.  It would have taken me 2 hours to get 45 minutes worth of exercise.  I left after 20 minutes.

March 8, 2002

Decided to try an aerobics class instead of the elliptical.  I walked into the room and there were 50 people there.  The instructor came in and asked everyone to sit down.  She then walked to about the middle of the class and said everyone from this room back will have to come to the next class.  You need to get here 15-20 minutes before class starts and form a line outside the door.  We only have room for about 35 people.  Sorry.  Well, that didn’t go well at all.  I was one of the last people through the door so one of the first out the door.  I was in a fast walk to find a machine before any of the other class rejects staked their claim.  I found Brian sitting next to the treadmill and asked him what happened.  He said he’s hurt his knees running too much and that he wanted to go home so I went and got the car and picked him up at the door.

March 11, 2002

Meet with my trainer today.  Wow – what a workout.  He wants 20 minutes of cardio, 25 sit ups, and then to work with the weights.  He showed me all kinds of stretches, different ways to do sit ups and then we worked on my upper body.  My arms ache more than my stomach.  I mentioned that to him and he said “Good, then on our next meeting you can do 45 sit ups.”  Then he just smiled.  Me and my big mouth!  He’s ex-military so he doesn’t like a lot of fancy machines.  He believes you can do it all yourself and with a few weights.  He’s a nice guy and very motivational.  Too bad I can’t have him forever.  I need someone to stand next to me and tell me I can do it…push me to do it…then show me more.  I’m looking forward to my next session.

March 18, 2002

Today is Brian’s birthday and we celebrated by going to the gym.  The trainer pointed me in the direction of the incline bike and said “10 minutes and I’ll be back.”  I hate this machine.  It hurts my back.  I stopped after 3 minutes and went to the elliptical.  He found me on this machine and asked what was up.  I told him it hurt my back and that I don’t have much cushion on my backside so the seat hits a nerve.  He just laughed at me and said “I have no idea what that’s like.”  He’s a big black guy with a very robust bottom end.  I finished my warm ups – including the 45 sit ups that I hoped he had forgotten, and we worked on my legs.  I love to feel my muscles ache.  It’s a great feeling.  We only paid for the two sessions so this was the end of our time together.  I thanked him and felt confident that I could do it on my own now.

March 21, 2002

The gym was crowded.  Very very crowded…AGAIN!  They really should put a cap on how many people they sell memberships to.  This is just ridiculous.  When I was with the trainer people moved out of the way for us.  Now I was on my own and was back to waiting for everything.  I went upstairs and nothing was available, no stair climbers, no ellipticals and no bikes.  I sat down next to a lady who said she had been waiting for an elliptical for 20 minutes so she was hoping to get 10 minutes in on one before she had to go pick her daughter up from the babysitter.  She was very disappointed.  She said that usually things are better around June when it’s warm enough to swim.  A lot of members go outdoors and stretch or swim.  Great, three more months of the “two hour to get 45 minutes” workout.  Well, if she had waited for 20 minutes I couldn’t imagine how long I’d have to wait.  I wasn’t about to be one of those people who walked around looking at everyone’s minutes to see who was coming up next.  A guy walked in and just started asking how much time people had left.  The gal on the machine in front of her (gotta love her) pretty much yelled “You see those two sitting over there?  That’s the line for these machines.”  Have I mentioned yet how much I really hate this gym?  I would get more of a workout just walking in the orchard than driving 35 minutes to the gym to sit here.  I wonder if Brian would notice if I just stopped coming.  This sucks.

And, that was the last journal entry I had.  I know I only went a few more times and had the same problems getting machines or getting into aerobic classes.  I started walking 2 miles a day in the orchard and got more exercise than I ever did paying $50 a month to go to a gym that is overcrowded with rude people.  I keep this journal so that when January rolls around and I feel the urge to join a gym I can read this and remember why I hated it so much.  I don’t think I will ever belong to a gym again.

Christmas has come and gone…another year is upon us.  The years seem to be coming faster these days.  This is the time of year I like the least.  No matter how hard I try I cannot bring myself to forgo the eventual failure of my New Years Resolutions…plural, because there are many.  Most of my resolutions are the same every year.  I want to loose weight.  I want to be in better shape.  I want to eat better.  I want to finish some house projects.  I want to save to go on a killer vacation.  And, I will find the time to take some on-line classes.  Some of my resolutions are short lived.  Some are never more than a thought…a wish…a dream!

I haven’t given much thought to the New Year.  I’ve been concentrating on my job and actually having to work 5 days a week now.  I was used to my four days and having Friday to clean the house.  Now I have to fit it into my normally busy weekend so I’ve been a little off with my schedule.  I even started my Christmas shopping in December.  For those who know me well……this NEVER happens.  I’m the person with all Christmas shopping done by the first of November.  It seems to be more difficult to motivate myself to do anything the older (& fatter) I get. 

The last few years I have become a Grinch.  Yes, Ms. Christmas turned green and grumpy.  I haven’t put up a tree or even a single decoration in two years.  I have become the polar opposite of my former self…the person who had a Christmas tree in every room, even the kitchen and bathrooms.  Christmas cards were mailed on December 1^st and I made personal phone calls to my friends to wish them a Merry Christmas.  I baked cookies and fudge for all my co-workers and delivered the treats with a smile (and usually a Christmas hat or antlers).  Now, my friends are lucky to even get a card.  Last year Brian said he wanted me to put up decorations for Christmas so….. I politely, and ever so gently, pointed to the dark, dank underbelly of our house and told him “go for it.”  As you can imagine, the house stayed stark, bare of any Christmas cheer.

This year was no different than the last two year.  I had no intention of decorating anything in the house.  It’s just another day for Christ’s sake.  And, yes, it WAS for Christ’s sake that we have Christmas….and HE didn’t decorate any trees so I didn’t have to either.  Poor Brian, tired of my humbuggery, left work early on the 21^st, went to the store and bought a tree and ornaments.  He came home decorated the tree and put my gifts under it (that he wasn’t supposed to get), all before I got home from work.  I walked in the door and couldn’t believe it.  The house was warm with Christmas cheer.  Brian worked on the 22^nd and feeling a little pang of Christmas joy I decided to head down the mountain to Jackson and see what other decorations I could find the Friday before “the big day.”  I arrived at Wal-Mart at 6:15 am and THEY WEREN’T OPEN.  At times I forget that I live in a backwards/backwoods location where Wal-Mart’s aren’t open 24 hours a day.  So, I went to Safeway to do some shopping.  At least they were open.  By the time I was done Wal-Mart was finally open.  I didn’t find anything at “cheap world” so headed to K-Mart directly across the street.  Jackson is not a metropolis and we are limited on shopping.  We have Wal-Mart, K-mart, and Lowes.  We just got Staples and we have a dozen very quaint shops in touristy downtown that don’t open up until 10 am.

Now……..you have to understand Jackson K-Mart.  If there are ever any more than 5 cars in the parking lot, something big is happening.  The last time I saw more than 5 cars in the parking lot three of them were fire trucks trying to save a huge RV that had caught fire.  Days later we drove by and it was just a hollowed out blackened shell.  True to form I was one of only 10 people shopping that day, three days before Christmas.  I found tons of decorations for 60% off and headed home to decorate.  I guess Brian decorating the tree jump-started my spirit….a little…or it was guilt.  Of course, with a 5 month old kitten in the house you have to be very careful what types of ornaments you have.  When we got back from Modesto on Christmas Day I found ornaments in my bathroom….a long way from the living room.

Christmas Eve started early for us.  We left the sunny mountains in the morning and somberly headed to the fogged in valley where the temperature was actually colder than at our house.  We ate more food than we should have, more snacks and appetizers than should be allowed, then got ready for family poker night.  It was pretty touch and go for a while.  We each won our fair share of hands and large pots….each fighting to keep all we had for the coveted family trophy and collection of gift cards.  We play by one rule…….WINNER takes all.  Aaron’s girlfriend, Christina, said she had never played but it was evident VERY quickly that she was a little shark…..or had the best beginners luck we’d ever seen.  Soon she was throwing thousands of “fake” dollars in the pot hoping to take down my father-in-law, Dale.  It was just the two of them in the end and it was very close.  Dale pulled it out with a last hand and an “all in” pot.  He will keep the trophy for the entire year and bring it back for Christmas Eve Family Poker 2007 where any one of us could walk away with it…but I doubt it will be me.  Last year Brian’s brother-in-law, Chris, was the first to win it and guarded it the entire year hoping to take it home again.

Christmas day was spent in French Camp with Brian’s grandparents and a handful of immediate family.  We always have so much fun when we are there.  And, AGAIN, we ate way too much great food, snacks, treats, and appetizers.  It was a day of minor food disasters with someone either dropping something, dripping something, or burning something.  I did one of those but won’t tell you which.  Brian’s grandma Jewel loves her musical decorations.  You can hardly walk in her house without setting off a creature or critter.  A fat Santa breaks into a very LOUD rendition of Jingle Bells, moose sing, penguins sing and dance……..AND……as a present from Dale, she got a musical moving big top circus with very intricate parts that move all the while playing many different Christmas carols.