Happy Birthday to my Best Friend

Joe~ Today its your milestone birthday. And I know that it's "freaking you out" a bit.  But...

...you are wonderful
...you are loved
...you are simply the most handsome man I have ever seen

I hope the upcoming year is full of life and love for you.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Happy birthday!

And on to the Next...

I love Christmas. I really do. And I'm not going to talk about the spiritual side of it (yes, that's the most important thing to me).

What I love is the idea of the holiday. Even the way we celebrate it here in the US. I love the giving of gifts, the surprise on people's faces when they realize that you were actually listening back in August when they said they just loved (or needed) that special something.  I love seeing what your special someone (for years, even in adulthood it was my mom...thanks, mom) puts in your Christmas stocking.

What I don't love are my personal, false expectations of how it ought to be. I had a bit of a meltdown on Christmas Eve. Too much to do, fear of failure, fear of rejection. Possibly all irrational thoughts, but floating around and settling in my brain nonetheless. 

By Christmas morning I had straightened myself out, with a lot of encouragement from my honey. We had a marvelous day. Very relaxed. Joe came over and we opened our stockings. My mom called and asked if I liked the funky old mirror she found for me. Uh-oh. Hadn't actually opened presents yet. (But I do like the mirror!) Popped the turkey in the oven and cooked all day. It was marvelous. I am learning to be a hostess like my mom is, relaxed, and fun. No one has ever died because the day was not perfectly orchestrated.  Joe's mom and cousin came over and we ate like pigs. My dad stayed home and humbugged. He should have come. The turkey and everything else came out perfectly.

So now it's over and we can plan for the new year. 2011 had big things in store.

Something New

I start my new position at the hospital tomorrow morning. There are pros and cons with every change in life, and this one is no different. I sure will miss the energy and craziness of the ER. Also, I feel quite confident in my capabilities there, and now I get to start over learning a bunch of new systems, new personnel and new management styles.

However, the Maternal Fetal Medicine position is Monday through Friday. Hooray. No more weekends. No holidays. No evenings. I am very excited about that! And so is Joe.

Plus, I will now be going in at 9, which means that since I am up early anyway, I will be able to get my workout done in the morning, and have plenty of time for housework and chores to get done. So my evenings will be free.

I'll keep you posted!

They Also Favor Caning as Punishment for Theft

While reading one of my garage sale finds (the Bill Bryson book listed to the left) a desembarkation receipt from the prior reader's travel to Singapore fell out. Since I've never visited anywhere other than our North American neighbors, I found the following warning on the bottom rather ominous.

WARNING: DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER SINGAPORE LAW

That would make me think twice if I was choosing drug mule as a career. What would you do if you had already ingested illegal substances and you had to get off the plane?!

Mommy's Little (Bro) Helper

It would probably be much easier to change the linen on the bed without assistance from Little Bro. But I just can't seem to deprive him of the pleasure of helping. As soon as the bottom sheet goes on, he races on the bed and buries himself in the fresh top sheet.

Little Bro, get out of the bed.

La la la. If I can't see you, I can't hear you!  Besides, I'm helping you, Mommy.

I guess I'd better get off the computer and go kick this killer beast out of the bed so I can finish making it.

Quote of the Day: Jane Austen

Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.

~Jane Austen, Emma

Using What I Have

Small Notebook is an interesting blog that I often read. Recently, the author posted on using what we have for Christmas decorating. This presents an interesting challenge, which I confess, I already failed, because I bought new candles. But I have been decorating today using some things that I pulled out of storage.

The garlands are up, but not yet decorated, as I am thinking about what I want to do with them this year. I think I am going to skip getting a tree. I am unwilling to give up the floor space. I am also unwilling to pick up the aforementioned tree every night after work. My kitties are naughty and inquisitive little beasts.

So this is what the Christmas decor looks like so far.  The cedar was cut from my dad's property this morning. I figure if it dries out, I can replace it as needed. It smells wonderful. The little fur mukluks were my mother's as a baby. Adorable! And the huskies were my grandma's. I remember them in her home.

Lo-Carb Iced Mocha

Occasionally I really want a mocha.

Well, daily I want a mocha. A nice tall, triple-shot, chocolatey, full-of-fat and sugar mocha.

But I never ever get one. Poor me. I've switched to the Americano.

Joy of joys, I have found a way to give myself a bit of indulgence.  I bought a 4-pack of the Atkins Mocha Latte Shakes for about $5.

Add to ice and 2 shots of espresso....yummy Iced Mocha! And it's about $2.70 total, in comparison to the $4 I would spend at Star$$$$s.

There are a couple of other flavors in the Atkins collection and I want to try this one pictured, the Cafe Caramel.

Thank You for Your Sacrifice

SOLDIERS AND JESUS

Ode to Little Bro

This is Little Bro. He is, in Joe's words "a bit of a dummy". But he's the sweetest little lovebug. How can I resist that little ball of energetic love? Every night when I come home, I cannot sit down unless I plan to be there for a while, because instantly I have him snuggling with me.

What a baby.