and the winner is .....

I use those words (of the title) and I WISH I was referring to to myself being the winner of something from Blue Moon Scrapbooking .... but alas - tis not ME that has won (well at least not yet) I have shopped, searched, picked over, and read reviews. EVERYTIME I found one that I thought would be sort of groovey ..... I would read the reviews and it would deflate another balloon! The DeLonghi that I bought first (Merry Christmas to me)was really nice looking on my counter & for the 6 days it worked, I LOVED it. but then. SOOOOO, this time around, I have been reading reviews and reviews & more reviews - & PER THE CAPTAIN - since nothing (that I can justify paying for) is perfect .... then I NEEEEED to find something local rather than over the internet in case it has to go back (like the DeLonghi)

I would have preferred to have something automated but ....

I would have preferred to use regular ground coffee also, but ...

THIS will be sort of fun, & actually more convenient to use & clean up after. I will be purchasing latte macchiato, caffe lungo & skinny capsules I think.

I believe it means a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond tomorrow (since I have a gift card)

WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO

but on a lighter note ....

It's been a tough 11 day week (it feels) jammed into (unbelievably) 4 days (so far)- BUT the end of the week is near and next week I start a (supposedly routine) shorter work week - and THAT is cause to look on the bright side of things! I loved reading Candra's blog this morning. Had it not been quite so dark (early), I might have given the big WHOOO-HOOO loud & clear from atop my barstool. For now, I will just relish the words :o) (www.mycreativereality.blogspot.com)
IN ADDITION to her post .... I also read an email that Pops forwarded to me & it gave me the first chuckle in a couple of days (long over due). check these out please. (from the minds of 2nd graders)

why did God make mothers? to help us out when we were getting born.
how did God make mothers? with lots of magic, some super powers, & lots of stirring
the same as me only with bigger parts
what ingredients are mothers made of? with clouds & angel hair and everything in the world
that is nice, but a dab of mean
if you could change one thing about your mom what would it be? I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes behind her head.

HIGH MAINTENANCE? I think not !!

and when I say I think not .... I really mean a big N-O-T! (really) but then again .... does a person of high maintenance (here-to-fore to be known as PHM) actually know or think they are?
But - none of that matters because this is about me being not. Cuz I am (not that is). IF I was PHM, my car would not be blue - for example. I see an PHM as "I want, I need, I want some more" (and pretty much right now) - be it belongings or attention or affection, etc.
NOT
and perhaps picky too ... a lot of the "on the side" stuff.
again NOT
I have heard it said of me in passing at work .... perhaps jokingly, BUT I am not PHM- I am concientious & detail oriented. And some not-jokingly have said it not-in-passing that I am PHM in my relationship with my Captain
but once again, NOT -
I am loved.
DUH .... get the picture?!
IF I WERE a PHM .... trust me- it would be obvious. I would be golden blonde, botoxed, juvadermed, flat tummied, french tipped, rock star toed, bronze skinned, dripping in platinum, long haired, long lashed, full lipped, Kathy VanZeeland carrying, on a crusie & STILL ASLEEP !!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

(that was a growl by the way) and I don't growl often so you know when you see it, that I am a little unhappy. (maybe more than a little)
like it wasn't bad enough that my BRAND SPANKIN' NEW brewing system konked out yesterday ..... I spent hours on the phone talking & texting, then email on top of that because of "issues" I shall not further discuss. on my day off & without warning, I might add!! (ok, so I am sort of discussing it aren't I?)
well - if I am going to discuss it at all .... let it be known that SOME PEOPLE should not be handling some things. people should know their limitations. people should know their shortcomings. people should know their weak points. people should know their you-know-what from a hole in the ground. but I guess that is just too much to ask huh?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T ....
can't we all just get along?
sometimes you feel like a nut
when you wish upon a star
sorry .. my mind was wandering. it's been a rough day (and I am sure it does NOT compare to that of a few others) I'm done ... for now. In fact, I am so done I don't wanna shop for a new system. I don't even want to think about it. (for now)

P.S. thanks pa .... thanks Captain. I love you both.

the NEW YEAR begins(with a scrap page of course)

New Year's is a little bitter-sweet around our place. It's "eve"
marks Ma & Pa's wedding anniversay each year (it would have
been #68 this time around I think).
I am reminded of mom on

a very regular basis, but

at times as significant as

this- it's Pa that I think of

most. I can think about

mom and not cry(usually)-

but I still feel such a sense

of sadness if I talk of her

out loud. I don't know if

that will ever change.

............... ..................

But New Year's is also a time for opportunity. A chance for change.

Renewal. Fresh starts.

I hope I can live up to some of those "opportunities" that present themselves. I don't want to take things for granted. SOOO, while I am not one for making resolutions .... I am going to try & make better use of my time, while still enjoying those times that I take for myself. Afterall .... it's my year too!

10 good reasons for not having a job .... (?)

it hasn't happened yet .... but.
The word is in. With the recent decision of Medicare wanting to cut payments to providers by another 21% (and Palmetto not sending out any reimbersements in the near future)- my job is in serious limbo. Drive time & mileage is now a thing of the past .... and I am sure that is only the tip of the iceberg. HOWEVER, since I don't want to worry thru my entire night's sleep- I am going to try & come up with 10 reason why losing my job might be a good thing ! Here goes:
1. I could establish a regular exercise routine
2. I could do my chores around home a little each day, rather than letting them pile up
3. I could decorate for an upcoming holiday before the holiday is almost over
4. my car would stay cleaner
5. I could do some volunteer work at the animal shelter or marine reserve
6. I could sew with the 20+ pieces of fabric I already have
7. I could go see or have my grandkids with me more often
8. I could do more of the cooking (and use less packaged stuff)
9. I could finish painting the 3 projects I started 2 years ago
10. I could help the Captain with the gardening
(YES >>>> I know that I did not include "spending more time" with the Captain-
but there is a very good reason for that. Compared to how much/little time we used to get together .... I do get to see him a lot. BUT more would be just fine with me, I assure you)

and it would give me time to think of more things that I could accomplish (?!)

my NOVEMBER tribute

and I know you are thinking ....

I am behind by a couple of

months??! well lemme tell ya -

it was busy, busy time !!

(as you can see)

Gosh I love my life

(almost every second of it)

Farewell to Christmas for another 11 months ! This was the last to be packed away. I left the sparkly lights on for most of the day .... wanting to enjoy my pretty little tree as long as possible. The decorations are packed up & ready to go back up into the attic except for one near full one that will catch whatever I have overlooked (and there is ALWAYS something). It's nice to reduce the clutter .... tomorrow I will change out the Christmas bedding as well. The sunny & warm weather we have enjoyed for the past 2 days helped me to get OUT of the wintery holiday mood nicely!

BUT ..... looky here ..... my first blog banner for 2010 is out & about :o)

THANKS PA - I learn from you every day!!

You are generous in nature with your compliments & your appreciation. You are patient when you wait for us to help you with the little things & gently nudge us when things are more timely. Listening to your stories or recollections - I find I am in awe in how it must have been to grow up in your family & OF COURSE, I am ever-so-thankful that you helped to bring the Captain into my life (when you "dragged" him along with you to Hawaii !!)
From you, I learn & am reminded daily of tolerance, patience, & accepting that which you cannot change. Thank you for those gifts. Thank you for loving us & wanting to be such a wonderful part of our "every day" life.

LuLu & Brucie are missing the fun!

if you only knew how much fun you are missing you would be here!!!

all this singing and horsing around

was "alcohol free" if you can imagine!

even pops got in the act (sorta)

we all got involved one way or another.

I know it's difficult to believe but GABBIE

wiped the floor with us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(but it was entertaining even when it didn't

sound so good :o)

the window gel went for a walk ...

well, actually, Poki was caught several times yesterday
pulling the gels
off the window.
He got to the
point where he
was almost
obsessed with
the reindeer
head missing
from the wreath
you see here. A
couple of times
we even found
the red dots
(well .... berries, if you will) stuck to his foot!! Goofy cat.
I removed them by the end of yesterday .... do you suppose
he was trying to tell me it was time to put them away??!