Starting over

Long time..No post .
As of January 13th (luck date right?) I was laid off my job of almost 14 years. The business had sustained so many losses in my department, not of my doing, that it could not longer afford to pay me. pretty big blow for me.  Trying now to find my new normal, draw unemployment and hopefully find another job.
The hardest part for me is the betrayal by people I trusted and was very loyal to. . I asked 60 days ago if I needed to look for work. Was told no. It was obvious things were not going super well and there would be changes. I was also assured for years, if my department closed, I would have a place in another department. That did not happen. They cut me lose with one week notice.
I know if will find work again, hopefully sooner rather than later but it still stings...probably will for awhile.

I hope all is well in the world of my bloggy friends. I think of all you all often, hoping and praying that this year is starting kinder to you than it has me so far :)

♥ Suz

An Ode To Christmas Baking

Twas the week before Christmas at my house on the lane
Pretty sure Christmas baking driving me insane

Christmas tins and bags stacked neatly on the chair
Who am I kidding they are strewn every where

The time has grown short, the list very long
I  head to the kitchen put my apron on

I can do this I say, as I raise my fist
spilling the flour I was going to sift

The smoke alarm chirps as smoke fills the air
 I burned the toffee, guess that I won't share

chocolate bark,  &  peanut butter balls.
Is that Dutch processed cocoa tracked down the hall?

Superfine sugar, butter by the pound
Shortbread is done a beautiful light brown.

My eyes grow tired,there is frosting in my hair
my treats are all baked not a moment to spare

Then it is time to get goodies delivered
and for myself I don't save even a sliver

Whoo hoo I am finished I say with a shout
Merry Christmas to all and to all Peace out!

** this May or May Not have been inspired by actual events...I will never tell :)

November..already???

So much for being back here blogging on a regular basis.. Oh well that is how it goes I guess.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. YIKES! I am so not ready for the holidays and am completely annoyed by all the Christmas ads in the newspaper and on television. Come on!! It is way too early for that junk!  I digress....Thanksgiving will not be at my house this year (hooray!) One of the sister in laws is hosting. Should be interesting. They don't host often and she has never made a turkey. While they have a pretty big house, not sure where all 25 plus of us are going to sit. I guess if the days is nice, outside!

Work continues to be busy. We lost out on a huge project and I must say I am very disappointed about it. The collective "we" meaning me, have put over two years into prep and the bidding process. Countless hours on the computer and leg work. All for not. I am trying not to be upset about what I cannot control, I just take my work and what I put into it seriously. Maybe too much so. There are somethings that are simply out of our control.  

That is it in a nut shell for whomever is out in bloggy land. Hope this finds you well, in good spirits and enjoying life.

♥ Suz

Valentines day..and others

So you know it is valentines day. I think this "holiday" was a conspiracy to sell more cards, candy and flowers. I would prefer cards, candy and flowers on any other day. I don't want my husband to have to do something but want to. And I know he loves me always, not just today.

So I will give you a list of other holidays today if you are in the same boat as me and don't really care about valentines day.

It is national ferris wheel day. FYI  I have never ridden on a ferris wheel. I don't like them.

It is national read to your child day. I don't have kids but if you do, read to them today they will appreciate it.

It is national league of women voters day. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.  (according to their website) It is national clean out your computer day. I keep my computer pretty cleaned up so  all good there. So there are a few other holidays to pick from to celebrate today if you don't like valentines day.  But just in case.. Happy Valentines Day! That all :) Suz

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

In case you did not know, today is National Hot Pastrami  Sandwich Day. What I found out is pastrami  meat was created as a way to preserve meat prior to modern refrigeration. The beef is brined, dried, seasoned.smoked and then steamed. It was first served in New York Deli's in the 1880's.  I would guess first served at Katz Deli but I did not google that to find out.

I had no idea the meat went through that many processes to it's final product. Gotta admit I love it though!

There is your meaningless tidbit for the day, now go out and eat pastrami! Happy weekend :)

That's all

Suz

Saying Goodbye

Said goodbye to my little Pete yesterday. One of the hardest things I have ever done.I have a lump in my throat just thinking about him. We got 3 more months out of him than expected. But in the end, we gave him all we could, he gave us all he could and there was nothing left. He was suffering so it was time to let him go. Thank goodness the hubs went with me,  I really don't think I could have don't it by myself.
It was hard this morning to wake up and not see him and I know we will feel the void for a long time.

Rest well Pete, you were a good boy and we will miss you.

Can't please them all

This is going to be a bit of a rant. This is the only place to do it because some of my family members are on Facebook so I can't rant there :)
Any one else struggle to make EVERYONE happy for Christmas? To contort yourself in a box to make others happy or satisfy some one else? Come on, raise your hand..You know you want to!

Over the last several years, we have had our whole family Christmas celebration (4 brothers wives kids etc) a week before Christmas to accommodate one family my youngest brothers family. They have the only small kids left in the family so a few years ago my sister in law said she did not want to take the kids two places so they would not be joining us on Christmas eve or Christmas day. Now I understand wanting to create your own traditions with your kids and have family time. It is super important. But she will not concede any time for us over time with her family.  And apparently, she wears the pants in her family.
So, I changed the date for the family gig from the 19th to Christmas eve to better suit the majority of the family. We extended an invite but they declined because the kids are in a Christmas play at church in the evening and it would be too much for them to spend the morning with us and church at night. (Don't get me started on having Christmas programs on Christmas eve at church) My sister in law's comment was, do what you need to do, our feelings won't be hurt. What she fails to realize is it hurts our feelings she does not seem to want to be with us. And my brother really needs to grow a pair, seriously.
 I can no longer extend and change and contort our entire family's Christmas for the sake of one who will not bend or come our way at all.
So, you can't make them all happy and I have be ok with that and quit trying.

That's all

In the Christmas swing

I cannot believe it is the 8th of December already! I am just getting into the Christmas swing. I have done a little cookie baking with a boatload more to do. My cookie gift list has grown this year so I hope I can get it all done.

I have no desire to wrap presents or send out Christmas cards this year. I am not sure why on the cards either because this is the first year we took a photo and put it on Christmas cards. I think it is because I hate the picture of me. The hubs is soooo excited about it though so I had better get with it.

I am hosting our family Christmas on the 18th and am so not prepared. Don't have a meal plan or time. The hubs wants to go duck hunting that day so I am trying to find a compromise for a situation one is not likely. I am guessing I will do the cooking and he will be home in time to eat with us. I don't know.

I hope everyone else is enjoying the Christmas season and faring better than me. I am getting in the swing but it has been a slow process so far.

That's all

Christmas Songs

I visited a blog yesterday that the topic was Christmas songs you can't live without this year. I love Christmas music and have been known to start listening to it in October. I did not do that this year though, I started my Christmas music listening  December 1st.
She listed her top 11, not sure why 11 is the number but I am game.:)  Here is mine.

Boots, The Killers. This is a pretty cool song and I love the Killers.  
      

Linus and Lucy, Vincent Guaradli Trio. This song makes me feel happy and is such a classic.


Blue Christmas, Elvis. 


Silver Bells, Reliant K. I like this band's version.


Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt.  NO Madonna version for me, Eartha Kitt does it best.


Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Red Mountain Church.


Oh Holy Night, Il Divo. These men do this song right.

 A Cradle in Bethlehem, Nat King Cole. What a smooth voice this man had.


Frosty the Snowman, The Ronettes


Go Tell it on the Mountain, Need to Breathe


I'm Gett'n Nuthin for Christmas, Reliant K...LOVE THIS SONG

I really could go on and on. I have a huge range of songs and taste when it comes to music in general so Christmas music is no different.

Hope you check them out if you have not heard them.  I would love to know what your favorites are this year.

That's all

Changing directions

I think I started this blog about a year ago or more. I started it for me as an outlet and off shoot after another blog blew up. So much drama there I named my blog life with out the drama. But I am ready to head a different direction. Because really, there is some drama in every life including mine. None lately really but it is there. So I hope to blog more just tidbits and ramblings and things that make me go hmmmm..

So, for my first useless fact I give you this: Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Archaeologists have found honey in tombs of ancient Egyptians, has been tasted and found to be edible. (From the website 50 amazing but useless facts)
Probably equally as useless I love honey. I prefer orange blossom honey. Seedless Mandarin orange growers in California have been in a battle with beekeepers over bees in their orange groves. The reason? The fear of cross pollination with seedless and seeded varieties of oranges. I would hate to see the bees not be able to pollinate the orange trees because then where would I get my orange blossom honey? Florida. I guess.

That's all.

High Tea

My friend sponsored a table for a high tea to raise money for the local pregnancy care center. She has done this for years and every year, her tables are the best. This year she went with a pink and blue theme. After all, it is all about babies and her daughter is expecting her first.
So, she and I went to a place here in town called color me mine. We spent 6 hours (yes 6 hours) last Saturday painting the dishes, cups and tea pots. Here a few photos. The round dishes were pink polka dot, the square plates blue polka dot. The last photo is of our finished table. It was fun and funky. A bunch of the tables were decked out for Christmas and way too fancy for my taste. I think if they gave a prize for the best table, it would have been ours. :)
It was a great cause and neat to hear how the pregnancy care center helps women from all walks of life and age.

Thank you.

Today is Veterans Day. They one day specifically set aside to remember those who have fought for our country.

I live with a veteran. My husband was in Viet Nam. I can not imagine what it must have been like for an 18 year old to be drafted; to do what he did, see what he saw. He was honorably discharged after his tour was up took all his stuff including 2 purple hearts and threw them in the trash dumpster and never looked back. He rarely talks about his experiences and I don't push. I mean how could I really understand anyway the hell and horrors of war?

So today all I can say is thank you to my husband and to all the veterans who have served our country in various places and too many wars. May we never forget them.

Wordless Wednesday Glacier Bay

Halloween 2010

Here are my boys dressed for Halloween. Pete HATES it when I put anything on him so this is his pissed off I am going to kill you look. Sparky does not mind too much. They stayed dressed up for as long as it took to take the photos. then off with the bandannas!!

My little man is sick. I am heart sick. We found out last week he has lymphoma a fairly common cancer in mini schnauzers. The vet said his survival is likely 4-6 weeks with out chemo. We are not going to do chemo because lets face it, he is still just an animal. And who can afford doggie chemo anyway? He has been a good friend to me and we won't let him suffer. He is ok today and I guess that is good enough.
But my heart? it hurts.

Weirdo Wednesday.

This is my little weirdo Pete. He likes to lay on his back with a smile on his face. This is the first time he was laying on his back against the couch though and I thought it was funny.
He is a strange one, but then so am I!

Autumn begins

Today is considered according to the calender, the first day of Autumn. I say "considered by the calender" because we are expecting a warm up this weekend with the predicted temperature 97 for Saturday, Sunday and Monday..nice. We will probably endure another 30 days of pretty warm weather.

So I will think happy thoughts for cooler weather as we enter my favorite time of year. Here are a few things I enjoy about fall.

Cooler Weather...eventually :) Rain and stormy weather means a fire in the fireplace which I love.

The return of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes and all the fall and Christmas flavors.

Decorating my house for fall. I don't decorate for halloween but love to put up my fall decorations. I love the colors of fall I guess that is why.

Going back to Standard time instead of Daylight savings. I am not a fan of daylight savings, it goes on too long.

College football on Saturday. I am a college football junkie. I will watch every game televised if I get the chance.

Those are a few things about fall and autumn I am looking forward to, what about you?

Wordless Wednesday

A view from above

More Alaska!

it has been a little over three months since our trip to Alaska. I still can not get over how incredibly blessed we were to take this trip. I look at my photos and remember what we did and I smile.

These photos are from the really fun and most memorable event on our trip. We took an airplane ride to the Ruth Glacier and the base of Denali. The plane pictured above, is a 1964 deHavilland Beaver. Which is a fairly rare float type plane used for glacier landing and getting hunters and fishermen to out of the way places. It was a 90 minute plane ride from Talkeetna to the glacier. The ride was a bit like a rollercoaster and the flight deck was 8 thousand and we climbed to 13,000 feet to escape the turbulence.
The views were spectacular from the plane! These two are just a couple from the air, but I will post more. It was the most incredible thing I have done or seen. The views made my heart ache from the sheer beauty of what I was seeing. The one photo is of Denali, the other was a another peak whose name I can not remember. The plane photo is on the glacier itself and the shadow is our plane descending to land on the glacier.

Truly, an experience of a life time.