Happy New Year 2013!

Yes, Bring it on 2013 - this is going to be MY year.  I am tired of being fat and unhappy and the only way that is going to change is if I make it change.  I am going to rejoin Weight Watchers (for the umpteenth time) and start exercising more - would really love to take Zumba or Jazzercise as well. 

Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your day be filled with family, fun, laughter and lots of good food!

The Zombies Have Invaded

Dog Zombies, that is!  AHHHHH!  Run for your lives. 

Happy Halloween!!!

Scenes From A San Diego Summer

 Hello - is there anybody out there?  It has been too long since I have posted to this blog.  Life has just been too busy but I hope to post more frequently now.

We had a lovely vacation in San Diego in August to visit my Dad and stepmother.  The weather was HOT for San Diego but we really enjoyed ourselves and were able to really relax.

 

Here is the Hotel Del Coronado - a must see if you go to San Diego.

 

 

This is from LaJolla Beach.  We went to the Cove to see the Seals, but they were gone, all in the water or on a large rock out in the ocean.  There were a lot of people sunbathing where the Seals usually are.  Personally, I think that is kind of gross.  I don't think I'd like to be laying in the sand where Seals do their business, have babies, etc.  Ewwww...

We also took a "2 hour tour, a 2 hour tour"
 of the Harbor and that was really cool!

 

Michael has a blast touring The USS Midway Ship and Museum.  He loved all of the planes that are on the flight deck.  Another "Must See" if visiting San Diego.

 



 

Finally, a beautiful view of the Sunset from my Dad's place...awesome!

 

 

More photos to come in another post. 

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I want to wish everyone a very Happy St. Patrick's Day! The weather here has been crazy nuts...tulips , daffodils and hyacinth's are popping up, our Yellow Dogwood tree is blossoming..we are enjoying every minute, even Roadie is happily viewing his domain from the back deck!

What about you? How has the weather been where you are?

Happy New Year - 2012

This is about how I feel today although I have been somewhat productive - shredding papers and receipts and just enjoying the day. We went over to our neighbor's house last night and I have a new favorite cocktail - Effen Black Cherry vodka and 7 Up! Quite delicious! We actually made it past midnight and the boys ran outside banging pots and pans and whooping it up - it was so cute!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2012!

It's A Small World After All...

We went to Disney World last week and had a wonderful time. We kept it a surprise from Michael until we got to the Southwest Airlines gate at the airport, then I handed him a typed up note saying "Surprise, Michael...We are taking you to Walt Disney World"! At first he thought we were going to California (Disney Land), but then when we told him Orlando, Florida, his face lit up with the best smile! Michael had a lot of fun getting autographs from all of the characters. The whole family had to get a hug and a picture with Pooh!

I had not been to WDW since around 1990 and WOW! This place has really grown. There is now the Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom parks in addition to Epcot and The Magic Kingdom.

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Have a Sparklin' Weekend - Happy Birthday, America!

Wishing you and your loved one's a wonderful weekend...be safe!

I Heart Faces Contest

I thought I would enter this contest for the fun of it. I love this photo of Roadie's adorable face. He was really focused on me because I had a treat for him if he listened well!

"You're Soaking In It."

On Thursday, the Forest Preserve/Park District did a controlled burn in the field out back to kill off the dead weeds and reeds, etc. They try to do it before any birds start nesting so as not to disturb the wildlife. Here are a couple of pictures of the burn... Whoa!! It sure looks like it might be getting a little out of control but it didn't. The fires went out pretty quickly. So now we have burnt grass, weeds, etc. out back except for the mowed trails that we like to walk on, well we used to just walk on the non-burnt trails. But now that the grass has been charred, "let's not listen to Mom as she calls me back to the yard and just run ALL OVER the nice burned grass"!

Burned grass and white Aussie paws do not mix. So of course a mani and pedi is in order. Do you ever wonder how dogs know by the tone of your voice that something is up...

Here is a little video clip of the escape. Roadie is running back to me but Holly took off the other way.

Giving Back

For the past 6 months or so I have been volunteering on Saturday mornings for a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program and I love it! This program provides Therapeutic horseback riding for physically and mentally challenged children and adults. I get to the barn around 8:00 am to help groom and lunge the horses before the first riders arrive at 9:00. Then, I help out for the next hour as either a horse walker or side walker. It's really amazing to see how this program really helps the riders become physically stronger, mentally able to better communicate emotions or emotionally improving self-confidence and self-esteem.

I also love spending time with the horses - and I get to "get my horse fix"; smell the smells of the barn and horses, brushing and tacking.

Here are a couple of the horses in the program. This is Big Shrek - he's a 14 year old Percheron, pretty sweet,sometimes stubborn but great with the riders!


This is Little Cloud ("Mini Shrek"). He's 17 and has been with the program for 14 years - what a doll baby!


Here is KC - she's a little moody in the morning but that attitude disappears when they put on the vaulting saddle. She's used for the therapeutic vaulting sessions - very interesting to watch the kids - they are fearless!


I hope to snap some pictures this spring - if it ever gets here! Thank goodness the barn and arena are somewhat heated.

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago we drove to Ohio (near Cleveland) to pick up little Roadie. He has become such a wonderful member of our family. He's quite a little love bug and a little stinker, too!



Just kidding! Here is our handsome little guy...

Catching Up

Since I have a few days off of work, I thought I would catch up on posting. We went to San Diego at Thanksgiving and we brought the cold rainy weather with us. During a break in the rain, we went to Balboa Park and walked around a bit.

This is a beautiful building with a Lily Pond in front of it.

This is the Casa del Prado Theatre. We didn't get inside but I heard that it isn't as nice as the outside. Oh, well.



Close-up...it might not be that grand inside, but this ornate facade is pretty amazing.




Here is the Botanical Building - very nice with lot's of Orchids, Christmas Cactus and Poinsettias.








More posts to come about our trip. We really had a lot of fun there and hope to go back this summer.

Christmas Gift

I have enjoyed reading Country Living for years now and was introduced to
"The Farm Chicks" through the magazine. I saw their exhibit at the Country Living Fair a few years ago when it was held at the Chicago Botanical Garden and purchased their first book last year. So, one of the items on my list this year was to get The Farm Chicks Christmas book - which I got! I can't wait to start some of the great projects and recipes. I'll let you know how they turn out. What did you get for Christmas?

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

We hope that you all have had a lovely Christmas! It was a great Christmas here - we opened our presents and then went over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house. Lovely dinner - polish sausage, ham, scalloped potatoes, pigs in a blanket (my fav!) and pumpkin pie.

Driving back through the city was a bit hairy, lake effect snow hampered driving but it was nice to catch up with my brother, who met us at my MIL's house. He and I drove back together.

Even Holly and Roadie had a nice Christmas, a few new stuffed animals to tear apart. Time to call it a night...Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Halloween To All!

Well, the kids are all dressed in their costumes and ready to hit the neighborhood.

Michael is a Chicago Blackhawk Hockey Player, Holly is a "Queen Bee" and Roadie is a King...not "The King" but that gives me an idea for next year.



Holly - Miss Queen Bee. She was a trooper and the costume stayed on the whole time!


King Roadie and Holly. I had to bring Roadie home because he wasn't behaving well - little Brat.


As we progressed, Michael shed most of his Costume and I ended up carrying his gloves, his roller blades and then his helmet. Next year, he's on his own! But it is a beautiful afternoon here - we've had worse Halloweens. It seems like it was always raining and cold when I was young. Then again, we got to go begging for candy on the actual Halloween day, not matter what day of the week and it was at night too.


I hope all of your little goblins have a safe and Happy Halloween!

It's all happening at the zoo

Just a few photos of our trip to the Brookfield Zoo. We especially enjoyed the butterfly house.