Beefy Or Peachy

Mood: laughing

One winter morning a couple was listening to the radio over breakfast. They heard the announcer say, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snowplows can get through."

Norm's wife goes out and moves her car.

A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer

Says, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snowplows can get through."

Norm's wife goes out and moves her car again.

The next week they are again having breakfast, when the radio announcer

Says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park..." Then the power went out.

Norm's wife is very upset, and with a worried look on her face she says, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowplows can get through?"

With the love and understanding in his voice that all men who are married to Blondes exhibit, Norman says.. "Why don't you just leave it in the garage this time?"

Well I just wanted to post a short 'hello' to everyone as I just have not had the time to post a thing since company has arrived. My sister and aunt have still not been able to come up from Tucson as my aunt came down with some virus, however, my adopted aunt has been here and we have been doing something with her every day. Today we took her to Turf Paradise to watch the last four horse races, lol. What a hoot! We haven't been in so many years I forgot how to place a bet properly. Watching her and hubby was very entertaining I must say, grin. Maybe more fun then watching the horses race!!!

Well I do hope you are all enjoying this time with your families and or friends.  I will post again when I can.

Until then.....

May Peace and Joy follow Your Footsteps,
Aly 

Well as this New Year approaches I feel confident that many good changes will come our way. I do believe my hubby will get his long overdue promotion he's been waiting for, I will have 2 minor surgeries taken care of, we will work together on weight issues, and of course, we will be working on relationships in our circle of friends and families.

With all this to accomplish, I do think we need a Guardian Angel on Duty! :)

Hugs and Peace,
Aly

Mood: good

Well I had a rough nite with sleeping and nightmares but when I finally got calmed down and back to sleep I almost couldn't get up in time to pick up our company! If hubby and my gf hadn't called multiple times I would have slept right thru pick up time at the airport. Lordy, I was tired!

So we visited this afternoon and had a nice simple dinner at home tonight followed with chocolate cream pie. Everyone was tired so we didn't play cards tonight. Our guest was tired from traveling. Our Jordan cat LOVES her to pieces and was so thrilled to see her arrive, lol. She gives him extra treats so he always gains more weight when she is here.

We have to pick up 2 more small gifts tomorrow for the rest of the company that might be coming this weekend. My aunt called and said she has caught something, a cold or virus she's not sure. She said she hopes to be better at least by Saturday. We'll see as no one wants to be ill. It is a wait and see situation.

Well I should try to settle in as I don't want our guest up for hours alone in the morning while I sleep in.

Hugs and Peace to Your Hearts,
Aly

Mood: calming down

Well I awoke from a sound sleep of a whole 3 hours completely panic stricken from a nightmare about being tricked by someone who supposedly loved me... and losing someone I loved. My heart was racing as if an animal were chasing me. Hubby held me and we talked awhile and he of course reassured me that he will be here the entire time and no one will be hurting me/my feelings while he is here. His protective side is showing. I told while I pray the visit goes well, deep inside my heart I don't trust that my sister won't hurt me while she is here. Before she has arrived even she brought up a very painful issue between us. 5 years ago my son and his wife and little baby girl were packing up and moving back to CT to be closer to her mom who had been quite ill. Well my son had another friend in Tucson who they were visiting before leaving the State and they were also going to visit my sister and aunt. I hadn't had a chance to see much of them as there was so much going on. It was only a few months after Haley was born that they left. My heart was broken to see them leave, but it is their life to live.

I called and asked them if it would be alright if we had a caravan trip to Tucson so I could spend a little more time with them. They said sure, that would be fun. Well I called my sister she told me no. She wanted this visit to herself to enjoy the baby. My gf was with me and heard her on the speaker phone and she was as shocked as I was that she wasn't allowing me to visit before my son and his family left the state. Well two days ago she actually had the nerve to bring that topic up to me on the phone about what she cooked for them and what a wonderful time she had. Sometimes I think she is just sick with vengence or something. I don't understand her motivations and choices in life at all. So now that she has brought that up before she even gets here, she has once more reinforced it is not safe to trust her.

Sighing... I must try to get more sleep. I am so tired.

Hugs,
Aly

Mood: good

Well hubby cooked a marvelous Christmas dinner and everyone of course ate a bit too much. We were too full for dessert after dinner. I was still too full 2 hours later but had a slice of chocolate cream pie. Now while it tasted good, I feel too full :(. I have to learn not to eat unless I'm reallllly hungry, even on a holiday as I hate being uncomfortable.

The gifts were wonderful this year and I think everyone is happy. Hubby bought me a new 21" flat panel monitor for my computer... it seems HUGE, lol. He also bought me a custom made bracelet 24ct white gold with beautiful gem stones! It is awesome. He bought me the new Queen concert that we saw last year featuring Paul Rogers and my gf bought me the Queen concert from Wembley hall in 1986, both awesome!  He went overboard for sure. 2 of his gifts haven't arrived yet so he'll be having an extended Christmas. He was happy with his new microsuede jacket, new razor, tie, wallet, DVD, new forged knives, and he will be happy with his new cookware set when it ever arrives, lol.

One of our friends bought us a gift certificate for the Outback Steakhouse for our anniversary coming up in 3 days. That will be nice to have after the expense of Christmas.

Jordan is now eating his Christmas Turkey. I ran out of steam so he will also be getting an extended Christmas present, lol. He is just happy everyone has gone home and he has his house and us all to himself again, grin.

Hugs to all,
Aly

A precious little girl, Heather, sings a song for her daddy serving in the war, "When are you coming home?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVFF98kNg8Q

Mood: very good

Well I managed to get a hold of both my sons before they got off and running to friends and families where they live and they are both feeling well and sounding upbeat about the holidays. They received their gifts on time and little Haley is so excited that Christmas is finally here that she can hardly contain herself! I guess to her it has been a VERY long wait, smile.

Hubby is on the way home from working a few hours this morning and we will be starting the prep work for Christmas dinner tomorrow. Our dishwasher needs replacing but won't be replaced until next week so we are trying to manage until then. It just will be easier to break up some of the work over the two days.

Our friend who is visiting us tonight will have his little girl with him also so we will give her her Christmas presents tonight. She is a real sweetheart and loves coming here :). I understand he's bringing his new Playstation 2 with him so I imagine he and hubby will play some games if time permits, lol.

I am trying to get my back quieted down this morning as I have overdone over these past few days and it is talking back to me big time. I will use my TENS unit on it to see if it will quiet my muscle spasms down. I am hopeful it will!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and make sure that the ones you love know they are loved and not just with gift exchanges ;). I know I have talked alot about the prep for this holiday in terms of getting things done, but the real reason that Christmas is so special is the message and spirit of Love. May God bless us all with a warm and healthy holiday season.

Hugs and Peace to your Hearts,
Aly

Old family customs are nostalgic but sometimes not practical in this day and age. Try mixing some old traditions with new ones. If you want to be out and about on Christmas Eve, going out to see a holiday movie or play will serve that purpose and add some holiday cheer. Check in with the personnel at a local nursing home to get an idea of what residents will not have family in town. Pay them a visit and give them a small, useful gift, all in the spirit of Christmas.

Well I was up early today but had a terrible headache so I laid back down and cuddled with hubby and fell asleep until 2 this afternoon! I rose with such a start that I had slept so long and with so much still to do. Hubby was just going to let me sleep all day I guess, lol. Anyways, we started out to return and exchange a few items, then hubby went to do some errands and my gf and I went off to finish our shopping, well almost. Two items will be bought during the week before our company arrives. I just plain ran out of energy and trying to do all this with a really bad headache didn't work well.

We met up with hubby for lunch then he went to buy food for Christmas dinner and she and I hit two more stores. Well that really finished me off between the crazy drivers on the road and the messy and crowded stores, lol.

I said that's it, I can't take anymore, period. We came home and wrapped what we had left to wrap and sent my gf on her way so hubby and I could have a little time alone. He has to work 4 hours in the morning and then another friend of ours is coming over to spend Christmas Eve with us. We are going out to eat though tomorrow night. We might even play a little Texas Holdem for a little while, lol.

The stockings are hung, the decorating almost all done, and oh my I still haven't bought Jordan something. I guess I will have to do that tomorrow. He is all excited as he knows when I am getting the guest room fixed up my adopted aunt is coming to town and she is one of his favorite people, grin. She gives him treats and tells him how handsome he is and plays blankie with him so he's anxious for her arrival, smile.

Well the bed and hubby are calling me. Night all and to all a good night~

Aly 

Mood: good but tired

Well we made another run tonight and then settled in to hang wreaths and wall hangings and a cranberry swag etc on the walls. We put garland with lights wrapped around them to frame the pass thru between the dining room and the kitchen and that looks nice also. I think Santa would approve.

The gift giving and thinking of what others would like is more about the spirit of giving and sharing and about Jesus. It is such a pleasure to find a gift for someone you love that you think they will enjoy. It makes you smile inside and out. The music lifts our hearts to sing along as we drive around taking care of the errands that make this holiday all come together.

One of our friends is coming over Christmas Eve and spending that night with us and also Christmas day. Another friend is joining us later on in the day for our Christmas meal. Our families are mostly in different states and having their own gatherings and that part is hard to deal with, but we will see them later on in the year. The important part is their health and their love for their families.

Next weekend my sister and aunt will be up for the 4-day weekend, and also our adopted aunt if she can get out of Colorado, and we will celebrate bringing in the New Year and hopefully better communication and trust in our relationships. I will hope for the best and let God do the rest.

Our cat Jordan is exploring all the new decorations and I can only imagine what the place might look like in the morning.. sigh. He likes to check out every new thing that enters our domain. Whether or not the garland is still framing the pass thru in the morning, well that is up for grabs!

Peace and Love to your Hearts,
Aly

Mood: worn out now

Well we have spent the entire afternoon wrapping gifts, putting together floral and wreath arrangements, washing clothes and we still have to go out to buy the turkey yet! Stick a fork in me, I'm done! Oy vey. This is getting to be a lot like too much work!

I'm sure we will all enjoy it once it is done, but my back is really hurting from all the work so I'm using my heat'em up bag on it now to try and settle it down.

It has been a gray and rainy day here which is alot better than a snow blizzard to deal with! My aunt is in  Boulder, Colorado so we are hoping she will be able to get out of there next Wednesday to come visit us over New Year's.

Well off to do some more. Hope everyone drives safely and don't drink and drive please.

Hugs and Peace to your Hearts,
Aly

Well I am wide awake at 330 in the morning, sigh. Found a couple of nice things for hubby so he is finished except for stocking stuffers. We are going tomorrow to do that and will finish decorating and wrapping tomorrow. Hubby is shopping for our Christmas meal tomorrow also. So much to do. A list needs to be made at this point or something will be forgotten.

Our cat Jordan is always happy when I can't sleep at night so he gets more attention and more cuddle and kneading time in. Last night he got in the crook of my arm.. his head on my shoulder.. looking up at me and fell asleep like that, roflmao here. He even snored. He couldn't have been happier. His little ears were cold to the touch. He's not use to this cold weather either so he is cuddling up more. Oh geez, I haven't gotten him a toy yet for Christmas! I must do that, smile. He gives us many hours of laughter and attention and is deserving of a new toy.

Well I guess having coffee earlier tonight wasn't such a good idea but at the time I was cold and it sounded good and tasted good too.

Sweet dreams all,
Aly

Mood: good

Well we are going to brave the outside world of last minute shoppers to find the 'deals' just before Christmas. First off to a store to get hubby one more kind of major gift and then looking for my niece and for stocking stuffers. I'm sure many of those things will be marked down so that will be helpful.

We need a few more decorative things like garland and a few more flowers to put around but things are shaping up. My son also called to tell me they received their gift today and I was so relieved as they told me they most likely wouldn't get it until after Christmas and this was an item I ordered for both my sons in NOVEMBER!. Phew on that one, lol.

So I'm donning my warm sweater, taking some money, and away we will go!

Hugs and Peace to your Hearts,
Aly

As I sit here alone thinking about the New Year approaching, I began thinking about some of my 'bad habits' and the fact that some of those habits need to be 'exchanged' for good habits. Most of them relate to how I take care of myself emotionally and physically and a few how I interact with my family, and my darling hubby.

It is that time of year when one take's an inventory of oneself and if being truthful with oneself realizes the bad habits that have evolved and need changing. Making a resolution and not acting on it is useless. What motivates you? What motivates me? I am sure we all have different motivators in life and it doesn't matter what it is as long as it moves us to make the changes we need to become a better person.

I am a constant 'work in progress' and have many flaws in the way of being the kind of person I would like to be. I am really terrible about writing letters and sending cards to those I care about. I am so computer dependent I have given up on the conventional snail mail and many people still like getting the actual cards in the mail. I guess that is thoughtless on my part, or lazy.

I need to make an effort to meet some new people this year and get out of the house more often. I am too often alone. If I am not careful I will become a hermit at this rate! I need to get some physical therapy and join some healthy group of some sort as too much alone time is not good for me and sets me up for eating junk food when I'm bored and lonely. I so want to be healthier in whatever ways I can.

Well that is just the beginning of some of my thoughts about the New Year. Anyone else having these kinds of thoughts too?

Peace and Hugs,
Aly

Mood: mixed
Listening to: Holy Night

Well I do so love the spirit of Christmas, however, for many years now, the month of December is especially hard on me emotionally and physically. I didn't realize this until about 5 years ago when it was pointed out to me by a family member that a pattern had formed over the past several years. Either my fibro or IBS were worse, and or, my depression seemed to be worse. This certainly has a way of tainting my holiday spirit in the process as I try to make plans and at least once a week I am sick in bed

I had many plans for today including more decorating and wrapping but I can't stay up for more then 10 minutes at a time. This is so very frustrating and knowing that company is arriving next week isn't helping because I know I have to get so many more things done. I know hubby will help me but I hate being sick while people are here in my home.

Much of my abuse symptoms seem to reappear during this time of the year and it is a royal pita. I have made so much progress in other areas of my recovery, but the flashbacks and the increased pain and  fatigue seems to take a serious hold over me. 

I will rest again and pray for a quieting of my mind, body and soul. Perhaps my guardian angel(s) will hear me and help me.

Hugs to you all,
Aly

Well we ran all day again and almost finished our gifts for everyone. The stores were jam-packed today. I also got my nail done using 'Red Dazzle' color to add some Christmas Cheer. I went to a lot of trouble to look good for hubby at the party, but I still think most people find it hard to know what to say to me because of our age difference. The host and hostess were quite nice and also friendly, but very busy too. One couple there took some time just to chat with me. Maybe someday the stigma will end, who knows. It is perfectly alright for older men to be married to younger woman, but unless you are a movie star, and I'm NOT, then it is not so ok.

Well it is more than ok in our book, smile. I love him madly, big grin here, so I will endure some awkward moments once or twice a year for him.

Hope everyone had a good day. Our house looks like a cyclone hit it so I guess it means back to my house-wifey duties starting tomorrow!

Peace to your Hearts,
Aly

Well here is the link to Beefy or Peachy Part II until such time they might find the time to fix this blog. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope you will still visit me and keep me posted on happenings in your worlds :)

http://www.blogigo.co.uk/Beefy_Or_Peachy_Part_II 

Hugs,
Aly