My Best friend Ann gave me these three awards. Thank
you Ann!

Etta's First Hunting Trip

They didn't get anything, but they had a few laughs just getting dressed and trying to walk through the woods. Etta could barely move!

Jakes 18th Birthday

My sister Chris's son, Jake, turned 18 today. We had a wonderful time at his party. We got to see Uncle Aurthur(uncle Bootsie) and Aunt Linda whom I haven't seen in quite some time. Katie's little boy, Broden, as usual stole the show. Jake is a senior in high school and is going in the Air National Guard right after. He is such a sweet kid. He and Etta actually got along pretty good today. They used to just fight all the time. I guess since he is all grown up and Etta is getting there, things will change and they will get along a lot better.

Cookie exchange

My first cookie exchange party was a lot of fun. A nice veriety of cookies was the order of the day. My supervisor, Suzanne, made some Norwiegian chocolate chip cookies and pecan pie cookies (the top cookie and the one with the thumb print). Mom made cookie bars and lemon cookies (far left and bottom), Ann made peanut butter munchies(the dark chocolate cookie) Judy made no bake chocolate, coconut, and peanut butter,(obvious) and I made Lace cookies and chocolate crinkles(center and bottom right).

My neice brought her little girls. They were certainly the life of the party. The cats of course hid for the evening. Faith was facinated with the train around the village and Emily love all the red decorations and lights on the Christmas tree. I didn't get any pictures of my Mom! But, she was there too. I can't wait to do this again next year. It's nice have a ladies only get together where you get to talk crafts, recipes and all about men. The great thing about the cookie exchange itself is you get a variety of cookies after baking two batches of cookies.

Getting there!

Still decorating for Christmas. Slowly getting done. I really thought this year I would get done way early because I am not trying to work 80 hours a week. I think what happened is I lost my Christmas spirit there for a while. I was tired and just didn't feel like messing with it. I was stressing out because I want everything to be the way I have wanted it for years. Perfect. There were things I wanted, but couldn't find. There were crafts I wanted to do but they didn't turn out the way I wanted. Then it snowed. Everything looked so pretty and festive. The Christmas lights at night glowed under the snow. I got so angry that night at my husband and daughter who were watching TV while I struggled with he lights on the tree. Struggled with the village, and tried new crafts. I felt as if they didn't give a crap. I had the resulting fit, stomped outside, and went to look at the lights. While I cooled off, literally, I realized just how ridiculous I was being and how lucky I was. I have my husband and daughter right there in the house. Many people don't have a family that is together. The holidays are so much harder for them and here I am throwing a fit because things are not going my way. Typical of us red-heads or part red-heads. The German Irish temper, what ever. Anyway, I could feel my spirit coming back as I stood shivering in the snow. I came back inside feeling better. Come to find out, Tom and Etta could see the build up of my temper and just stayed out of my way. They were both going to help with the tree but thought better of it. They taught me a lesson that night. Throwing a fit doesn't decorate a tree. LOL. Well, that's part of it. When the stress gets to you, take a step back, look at what you have, instead of what you don't. Count your blessing and let the spirit of all that is good, wash over you. The beauty of Christmas isn't in what you see. It's the love and joy of family and friends that makes the season warm and bright. Anyway, I got my spirit back. Things are back on track as far as my decorating goes. It doesn't have to be perfect, and I'm not going to stop until its done. I will try to finish each room before my party, if its not, oh well. I don't think my family and friends will love me any more or less if the decorating is not complete. I am taking it easy on myself. I will look at a room and think, OK, that table could use a touch of Christmas, and i go find something to stick on it. No problem. Etta helped with the tree last night. Its not perfect anymore, but that's OK. She did it, and it looks fine. Tom headed out hunting but when he comes back he gets to help with Grandmas decorating and the outside project i have cooking up for him. Hope he remembers the Christmas spirit while shivering out in the cold. LoL