Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve

Just in case you were wondering about my New Year's Eve plans, here they are:

1.  put on comfy pjs
2.  get in bed and turn on heating mattress pad
3.  turn on TV
4.  wait until tomorrow to celebrate

I am a party animal ...


**************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  going to the mall and getting Elfa deal; picking up Everley at school and having Everley time: MSU win at Liberty Bowl

Monday, December 30, 2013

Monday. Again.

2013 is quickly coming to an end.  I would like to report on all the stuff I have done this year, but if you read this blog on any kind of regular basis, then you've heard it all.  There have been highs and lows and goals reached and goals abandoned.  I have met friends in person for the first time and made new friends.  I have chatted online, in messages, on the phone, and in person with people whom I love.  I have walked and wogged and even jogged a step or two.  In other words, it's been a good year.

So here it is, the last Monday of 2013.  Nothing really different about today.  I picked up Lindley at school and had some Lindley and Everley time at home.  Steve and Sam are headed to Memphis for the Mississippi State bowl game.  People are back at work, I'm still trying to clean my house and exercise more/eat less, and "Law and Order" is on TV at some point today.

It's the last Monday of 2013 - and I wonder if the Mondays of 2014 be different?  We will see ...
**************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  I gave blood at the Red Cross and got a free juice and t-shirt; picked up Lindley at school; had Lindley and Everley time; Maribeth brought dinner; Sam's birthday

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Well That Was Fun ...

Basically, here's what happened.  With no car we decided to forego with race.  The start/finish was six miles from the hotel, and yes, we could have added that to the race and walked to the race, or we could have taken a cab, but based on yesterday's cab ride, we decided it would be better to just go home.  Which we did.  We changed our flights to take an earlier one (actually THE earlier one, as only two flights go from Panama City to Nashville). 

Of course today's weather was beautiful, especially when compared with yesterday's cloudy overcast weather.  Today we called a legitimate shuttle service, whose mini van was clean and showed no signs of needed repairs.  Also, the driver said NOTHING during the entire trip - and was promptly compensated for his silence when we arrived at the airport.

At the airport, I noticed I was TSA Approved, which meant I didn't have to take my shoes off and I got to go through the metal detector instead of the x-ray.  I still had to take my liquids and computer out, but I got to keep my shoes on.

Once onboard and in the air, the flight attendant came through for drink orders.  Molly and I had five drink coupons between us that would expire in three days.  Not wanting an alcoholic beverage that early in the morning (well, I didn't anyway), we asked for Vitamin Waters which apparently you can get with your coupons.  The flight attendant said she would see, that they only had six bottles on board, to which Molly said, "Just anything we can carry off the plane."  A few minutes later she returned with a garbage sack full of our Vitamin Waters.  We is classy.

Anyhow, an hour later we landed back in Nashville and Molly got a text saying Rambo had escaped the yard again (he has learned to climb the chain-link fence in her yard).  I dropped her off and headed to Pei Wei to pick up lunch because Molly also had coupons for two free entrees (that would expire in a few days).  On the way home I found Rambo walking with some people out for their daily walk, so everyone had a lovely lunch.

So to recap, today we got home early, got five free Vitamin Waters, and ate two free lunches.  Oh, and Molly is now Southwest A-List.  A happy day all around!!
**************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  great ride to airport; breakfast biscuit; safe, smooth flight; free drinks and lunch; finding Rambo with nice people; Steve's safe trip home from Columbus; Lindley and Everley time

Saturday, December 28, 2013

And Then They Went To Panama City

First of all, let me state that this is all due to Molly.  Sometime earlier this fall she figured out that she could become "A" List on Southwest if she took X number of flights by the end of this year.  What's the big deal about being an "A"?  Because you don't have to worry about checking in at the exact allowed second so you can be an "A" boarder.  So that you can wear the special "I Am An A With Southwest" t-shirt (okay, so maybe you don't get a t-shirt).  So that Molly can say she is an A-Lister.  Anyhow, she figured out with just a little work, she could achieve this status.

So the crowning flight in this A-List journey was going to be a flight to Panama City, Florida.  Why?  Because it was on sale when she booked it, it was a quick flight, and there was a half-marathon that weekend that had a 5 hour time limit.  So we booked the flight (yes, "we" because I am her mommy and thought it was a great idea). Anyhoo, we booked the flight to fly down on Saturday morning and back on Sunday evening.  I know, quick flight but it would fulfill its purpose.

So we booked the flight, registered for the half-marathon, and then booked a hotel.  The supposed host hotel did not get great reviews, so I booked a Holiday Inn.  Mainly because it seemed close to the host hotel.  Lastly we booked a rental car to take us to and fro.

So we headed to the airport, with what we thought would be oodles of time.  We failed to take into account that it was the first Saturday after Christmas and perhaps the airport might be busy.  We chose the "B" side of security because we thought it would be less busy.  We were not correct.  We stood in separate lines.  As usual, I did not choose wisely.  My TSA agent was recently awarded "The Slowest Person Ever" award.  Because security was a bit backed up, she had to hold the line up now and then.  Which wouldn't be so bad except that she was manning two lines and she frequently forgot which side she last checked.  Anyhow, Molly was long gone and in the xray line by the time it was my turn.  Which was after the mom who was putting her child on the plane by himself and the family with three kids.  As you can imagine, I was not particularly thrilled.  At least until I started into the xray line and the next TSA lady said, "How many are in your party?" and when I said, "One," she escorted me into the TSA precheck line.  Where you don't have to take out your computer or take off your shoes and take out your clear bag of toiletries.  As it ended up, I was through the line before Molly!  She eventually caught up with me before we passed the food court.

So we made it to our gate just before we had to line up.  We made it on to the plane, where Molly was saving me a seat (even though we checked in at the same time, she ended up an A54 and I was a B18 - hence the reason she wants to be on the A List).  Once we were on the plane, we waited.  And waited.  First for luggage from another flight which needed to be loaded.  Then they decided there was some frost on the plane and we needed to be de-iced, which was fine with me.  I'm all for de-icing, changing the oil, washing the plane - whatever it takes to have a safe flight.  All the waiting was made even more fun by the lady sitting behind us who was obsessing about a rental car - or rather the lack of one.  She apparently had called every rental company in Panama City and they were out.  This let to quite a lively discussion between her and her husband sitting across the aisle.  And led me to checking and re-checking my already-made car rental confirmation.

Anyhow, 45 minutes later (or late) we left Nashville and headed toward Panama City.  About an hour later we landed and headed for the rental car counter.  Of course the lady who was behind us was scurrying ahead of us, stopping at every counter along the way.  We got to our counter, Thrifty, before crazy lady (whose name we soon learned was Barbie) and waited for the man customer at the counter to finish.  Which he soon did, just after he told the Thrifty people, "Thanks for nothing!!"

Now it was our turn.  Immediately Frick and Frack started talking.  First of all, their computers were down so we would need to wait maybe 5 or 10 minutes until they started working again.  I asked them if my printed confirmation would help, to which they replied again that their computers were down so they couldn't pull my reservation up.  I guess they don't/can't read the printed-on-paper word.

Anyhow, next came the excuses of why I eventually was not going to get a rental car:

Excuse #1:  The computers are down.  Even though they came back up to see that my reservation had become a "no show."  Why was my reservation a "no show?"  Because ...

Excuse #2:  Even though I had put in my flight information (although it was not coming up on their computers, if/when their computers came up, and it might have been only a problem on the big national Thrifty computer or just on their Panama City computer), they were only holding my car for 30-45 minutes because of the rate that I got (which was not on hotwire or priceline but on the Thrifty website) even though I was in the one-hour guarantee time period.  However, none of that really mattered because ...

Excuse #3:  (a) They has 10 cars rented out to the military that were supposed to be returned yesterday, but as of today, they had no idea where the cars were, and (b) They had 3 cars that were supposed to be returned today but hadn't, and (c) two of their cars had been in a wreck.  So even if they had the car that I was supposed to have (which they didn't), I couldn't have gotten it because of the 30-45 minute wait rate rule.

Then Frick and Frack started giving me advice, such as:

Advice #1:  Take the Thingamabob Shuttle down the hall because yesterday they gave some lady a really great rate of $30.

Advice #2:  Take a cab to our hotel but take the cabs in the "back" (and I have no idea what or where the back was) because they might give you a better deal if you tell them you will need them to get back to the airport

Advice #3:  There is an Enterprise rental place right across from the hotel that we could walk to.  We should go online and rent a car from there.

In other words, go away.  Which we did.  We went outside to find a cab (not going to the "back" wherever that was) and ended up in Bubba's mini van.  Whose DVD player was hanging down from the ceiling.  Bubba talked THE ENTIRE TRIP to the hotel, except that he talked barely above a whisper which was hard to hear over the rumble of his old mini-van motor.  Molly was no help as she was on her phone attempting to rent an Enterprise car.  Bubba's mini-van had no rate-ticker-machine like most cabs, but it did have a sticker listing the cost of the ride - a charge for every mile, every person, every bag, when your birthday was, what type of shoes you had on, and so on.  Eventually we made it to the hotel, where upon our exit from his vehicle, Bubba said, "$50 okay?"

Anyhow, we check into our hotel and started our conversation with Enterprise.  Basically, they had no cars and we couldn't have rented one today to return tomorrow because that branch is closed on Sundays.  On the website, it said that we could return the car to the airport - for an additional $999 (yes, nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars).  Molly called the office across the street that we could talk to and chatted with Ermaline who said that yes, we could return it to the airport for only $50, but they didn't have any cars.  But they would put us on a list if one was returned and would put us on the list at the other branch.  This branch closed at noon, and it was 11am, so our chances for a car evaporated before our eyes.  The other branch would closed at 4pm, so clearly we were going to have a fun afternoon.

Once we gave up on having a car, we started looking for our lunch options.  Since we would be on foot, we hoped for something close.  Thanks to Molly and Yelp, we set out for Dee's Diner which should have been down the street.  Eventually it was.  Because this is "off season," everything else was closed.  We had a nice lunch at Dee's, which was basically a gallon bucket full of fried shrimp.  Another two-tenths of a mile found us a Wal-Mart and then we began our trek back to the hotel.

We ended up with no car and dinner at the hotel, but Molly did get her "A List."  And they all lived happily ever after.  We're hoping Barbie got her car ...
************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Molly and I had so many fun adventures; meeting the people from Nashville while on our trek to lunch

Friday, December 27, 2013

What's Next? Making New Year's Resolutions?

Yeah, I didn't think so, either ...
*********************************************;********************************
Today was a great day because: it was a beautiful winter day; the people at the Red Cross; giving blood; getting things accomplished; beef tips dinner with Maribeth, Mathieu, and Everley; Everley time

Thursday, December 26, 2013

And Then It Was The 26th

'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house,
Things were very quiet - as quiet as a mouse.
The presents were unwrapped, put away, or being used,
The very messy house was still being excused.
The stockings still hung by the chimney with care,
The diet they were on had left them quite bare.
The tree was still up and decorations still grand,
But people had moved on to other matters at hand.
Some might say that Christmas came and went,
Some might forget the gift Heaven sent.
Because the gifts that we give and receive with such love,
Will never compare with the gift from above.
So let us always remember as a new year starts,
That Christmas should last every day in our hearts.
Let the love and goodwill and echoes of good cheer,
Stay in our hearts and our minds and on our lips all year.
For it all began with an act of great love,
And a tiny sweet baby who was sent from above.

***************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  it was a nice, quiet day; Steve's safe travel to GDiz's

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!


 Merry Christmas from our home to yours -
from a Christmas that seems like yesterday!! 
 
*********************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  phone chat with Lindley and Sam; ham, turkey, and veggies for dinner; Molly visit; beautiful sunny day

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

My Other "Home Castle"

Maybe this is my goal outdoor lighting for next year ...
I have a lot of goals for next year ...
Maybe I should just spend Christmas next year in my other home ...
******************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  spending some time with Everley at her house; safe travel to Columbus for Maribeth, Mathieu, and Everley; visiting Rambo at his house

Monday, December 23, 2013

My Tree At My "Second Home"

Maybe this is my goal tree for next year ...
************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  I managed to get five miles in; getting the mail at Sam's; chatting with Rambo's rescue lady; Everley time; cookie delivery from Jeff and the girls; helping MB move stuff

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sunday

And it's December 22.  Which means it's time to break out the Christmas movies.  For me, it especially means the oldies but goodies -

"The Gathering" with Ed Asner
The Waltons - "The Homecoming"
"Holiday Inn"
"Love Actually"
"Scrooged"
"Trading Places"
"One Magic Christmas"
"Home Alone" - 1 and 2
"The Santa Clause"
"Miracle on 34th Street" - with Natalie Wood
"It's A Wonderful Life"
"Elf"
"A Charlie Brown Christmas"
"A Christmas Carol" - with several different casts
 
And I hope to finally see one movie that I've never seen - "A Christmas Story."  And I know there are many more movies than should be on a Christmas movie list - they just aren't on mine.
 
So I guess it's time to put on my Christmas jammies, get my snacks, and jump in the bed!!
 
************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley made it safely to their Texas destination; Everley time; Steve's steaks on the grill; visit with Molly and her help with spiffing up the sun room; cruise plans made

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Now What?

For the most part, Davidson Christmas is over.  All the presents have been bought, wrapped, given, unwrapped, and taken home.  The Christmas present amnesty box is fairly empty, although it will be available for the next several weeks as people consider and reconsider their gifts (and consider what others have donated to the box, in case it's more valuable to one person than the original giftee).

Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley are making their way to Ft. Worth, Texas, to spend Christmas with the Ogle family.

So it's going to be a quiet Christmas at the Davidsons.  And I think that's going to be just fine!
******************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Shoney's breakfast with Steve; Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley got most of the way to Texas with a two-hour delay outside of Memphis; no damage by the crazy weather during the night; taking Molly to get her car

Friday, December 20, 2013

Made It ...

First of all, we must all agree that "make it" is a very broad term and is taken very loosely.  If we can all agree on that, then you may continue to read ...

This is an arts and craft (or whatever) apron for Lynnette.  Bought the apron at Michael's and ironed on the design.  All the artwork are copies of pieces that Lynnette has done.  The Make-it part was creating the iron-on and then ironing it on. 

Apron #2.  Again, bought the apron at Michaels and ironed everything else on.  Except for the bows which I tied and sewed on.  Make-it was cutting, ironing, and sewing.  The apron tied in nicely with the kitchen she also received.   Hat courtesy of cousins Morgan and Madison via Mae-Mae.

Lindley got a treasure chest full of Jake stuff.  Some of that stuff was a Jake outfit.  The boots, white t-shirt, and blue sweat pants were manufactured elsewhere.  The red head scarf and blue vest with yellow piping was made by LaLa.  Who probably should have used a pattern.  There is no picture because - well, have you ever tried to get a 3-almost-4 year old into an outfit for the sole purpose of taking a picture?  Especially at Christmas where there are an infinite number of presents left to open and play with?  There will be a picture.  One day ...  Actually the fact that there's no picture is not my fault.  When I remembered that there was no picture, I texted Lynnette to take one.  She refused to wake up Lindley, get her out of bed (so maybe it was like 9 or 10 pm), get her dressed in said outfit, and make sure she was joyous in the picture ...  However, I did get a picture via Sam of Lindley opening the chest-o-Jake-crap.  If you look closely, you can see the vest just above the Lego box.  You're welcome.
Molly got a "utilities" bag made from all the different lanyards from the Disney cruise ships (she's been on enough to have earned all the lanyards).  Again, I probably should have used a pattern.  Also, it looked slightly better in person than in this picture.  The lining is Minnie Mouse polka-dots.  It's adorbs ...

Mathieu's frame from Michaels.  Pictures were printed, cut, and glued on.  And ribbon was glued around the sides.  And yes, this was probably a project done by 5th graders in Vacation Bible School. 
Sam's was "made" by the bobblehead people.  So to keep it legal, I made him some chocolate oatmeal cookies.  Steve got homemade fudge and Maribeth got homemade poppy seed bread.  Some years are better than others ...
 
 
****************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  I no longer have to worry about Christmas presents; Everley time; veggie soup for lunch; oranges from Ken and Jeanne

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Merry Doikmas!

On the 19th Day of December, it was our Doikmas Day (feel free to sing that part).  And here's how it all went down ...

The Meal:  The theme was food on sticks.  Roughly 50% of the family remembered this part and participated. 

Sam and Mathieu were busy packing boxes for Batch Nashville, but remembered at the last minute (perhaps due to some last-minute texting wanting to know when they were going to arrive) and brought some locally manufactured dipped marshmallows (which might have been likker flavored).  Anyhoo, Sam shoved some toothpicks into them and voila! - a dish was born.

The main dish (by luck of the draw) was grape jelly/chili sauce meatballs in the crockpot.  My crockpot and Molly's recipe.  Which were then stabbed with toothpicks and put in a dish (after crock-potting for several hours).

Why bother with cutlery when you have your own toothpick?
There were more meatballs - plenty more - leftovers more ...
Maribeth ordered an Edible Arrangement - which conveniently comes on sticks, so no stabbing was necessary.  Our only potential issue was when it was going to be delivered - which it was just before we ate.

Quite festive with the sleigh and reindeer ...
We also had a cheese tray - cubes of Kraft (which came pre-cubed in a package) and - you guessed it - stabbed with toothpicks.

Our final dish was "salad on a stick."  Can you figure this out?  Okay, I'll give you the recipe.  First, get out the toothpicks and then stab a grape tomato, a carrot, and a stick of broccoli or cauliflower.  Serve with an individual ranch dressing container.

Okay, so the presentation leaves something to be desired - like a lot to be desired.  But at this point, we were just trying to figure out if we were going to have any food at all ...

Dessert was provided by Lynnette and Molly - popsicles.  Which came with their own sticks.  Of course, Molly had her own idea of dessert.  Which possibly should have started before the meal ...
By the way, that IS Disney champagne.  Disney Christmas champagne.
So there you have it.  Considering some of our previous Doikmas meals, this one was possibly our healthiest.  We had fruit, vegetables, turkey meatballs, and cheese.  What more could one ask for?  Especially since we had one baby running a fever and clearly not into anything remotely related to Christmas and eating and presents.  And an adult who was overcome by the respiratory plague and had to go to bed.  Maybe we should have had Robitussin shots for Happy Hour ..

Oh, and if Molly will send me a picture of her "make it" gift, I shall report on those tomorrow.  They are almost as special as this meal was!!
***************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  all the ordered gifts came in; no one was harmed in the celebration of Doikmas; lots of fun gifts; it was Doikmas!!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

'Twas The Night Before Doikmas ...

'Twas the night before Doikmas* when all through the place,
Presents were being finished at a lazy snail's pace.
Some gifts were wrapped with paper and some tape;
Others were covered with a Kroger sack cape.
The door was watched carefully for a Fed Ex delivery dude;
He should probably have been tipped, but procrastinators are rude.
Menus were researched for dishes that were quite easy;
It really didn't matter if it was fried and quite greasy.
Plans were hatched for a great family treat;
Too bad it was the family who lived down the street.
Expectations weren't high since Davidson history proves this -
We shoot for the stars and usually wildly miss.
But this we know for sure and forever -
Each Doikmas is different and will be repeated quite never!
 
See you tomorrow!
 
*Doikmas - penned this year by somebody.  Springdoik is the name of our house,
therefore our family Christmas celebration, held before different family members
head to different celebrations, is now called Doikmas.  Catchy, huh?
**********************************************
Today was a great day because:  almost all gifts are present and accounted for; phone chat with Marilyn; picking up Everley at school; Molly bringing dinner; stocking the stockings and putting presents under the tree; installing shelf by desk; planning February cruise
 


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Done! Well, Mostly ...

Today I finished the last of my "make it" gifts.  You will have to wait a few days before I tell you what they turned out to be.  Some of them are real "winners."  Anyhoo, I pretty much finished up and also finished my other Christmas shopping - that is if the ones I ordered arrive on time.

Now all I have to do is figure out my contribution to our family meal - this year it's "food on sticks."  I'm going to see what I can stab in my refrigerator ...

****************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  finished my Christmas gift-making-getting; transporting Sam around town; visit with Maribeth during toy drop-off; chatting with neighbor; beautiful sunny day; sweet Christmas cards from Jeanne, Emily, and KB

Monday, December 16, 2013

Science - Part Deux

Since my last science experiment was not completed, today I decided on another one.  I now wish I hadn't gone through with it ...

Here's the backstory:  Some of you may know of my love/hate relationship with Little Debbie and her Christmas Tree Cakes.  This year the little pusher came out with a new variety - red velvet.  Of course, as any addict would, the moment I saw them I had to purchase them.  Along with a box of the traditional white and chocolate variety.  I hate Little Debbie ...


Anyhoo, the other day when the family was over, Mathieu asked me if I really liked the cakes.  To which I replied that nobody really likes them - we just buy them and inhale them because we are weak minded.

So here's where today's science experiment came into play.  After days of consuming at least one of each of the cakes, I started to wonder if (a) they really had any taste at all, and (b) if blindfolded, could I really tell the difference between the three.  Obviously I had too much time on my hands ...

So this afternoon I performed my great experiment.  I put all three on a plate, closed my eyes, turned the plate around a few times, and proceeded to eat a bite of each one.  The only one that was discernable was the chocolate one, possibly because of the faint taste of chocolate that it held.  I actually thought the white cake was the red velvet.    Since I did not add a fourth taster of whipped cream in-between two pieces of bread, I cannot tell you if that would have been distinguishable from the others.

At any rate, all the cakes are now gone from my house (we shall not discuss who ate what and when they were eaten).  My 2013 Christmas Tree Cake experience is over - and hopefully not to return for another 12 months, when I'm sure Little Debbie will have a new atrocious variety to tempt me.

However, my stomach would like to say that it would rather have by butt torn up by Maggie The Cat than subject itself to another Little Debbie Debacle.  I knew I was never meant to be a scientist ...
************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  beautiful sunny winter day; almost finished my Christmas shopping and projects; lady helping me with ideas at store

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Kind Of A Scientific Experiment ...

One of the best things about cold weather is that I get out my electric heated mattress pad.  There's nothing better than turning it on a few minutes before I intend to plow into the bed, and then get into it all nice and toasty and warm.

Apparently Maggie the Cat also likes it, because tonight she burrowed under the covers, pretty much right on top of one of the warmest spots.  Now here is my proposed science experiment:

Due to today's consumption of chili (fraught with several varieties of beans), let's just say that perhaps my GI system would choose to dispel some of the after-affects of said chili ingestion.  Provided that this would be under the covers where I have also sought refuge in the warm and inviting bed, would the resulting atmosphere be a detriment to Maggie's enjoyment of said warm environment?  And if so, what would be her exit route?

I would conduct this experiment, but I would also have to calculate how deep the claw marks might be and how long my recuperation might last.  I never cared much for science anyway ...
*************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Steve's safe travel back home from Columbus; Lindley and Everley time; chili and cornbread

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Stop Watching Your Mail ...

Just in case you are waiting for my Christmas card.  Yes, I've already received some from friends and family.  Yes, some of them have pictures - current pictures - of various family members.  Yes, some of them have something more to say other than just signing the name of the sender.  But this year from me?  It's just not going to happen.

So, instead I shall send you a vintage Christmas picture.  The kids are grown now, and Molly finally started wearing pants.  We don't have those stockings anymore, nor do we have that fireplace - since we don't live there anymore. 

But somehow I do believe if I tried to take a picture now, it would probably be about the same - including No-Pants Molly ...

**************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Molly and I had breakfast with Charity (sort of) and then did some Target-ing; Lindley came over for some nap time; I ate the leftover pizza from last night; I wrapped a few more Christmas presents and managed to get a few more

Friday, December 13, 2013

Happy Friday 13!

So it wasn't so bad ...  I have a black cat, so I'm not concerned about those crossing my path (since my black cat seems intent on getting in my path every chance it gets).  I didn't step on a crack (as if I could see one without my glasses anyway).  I didn't walk under a ladder (I would have a greater chance of waling INTO a ladder with my abilities).

And I saw Santa at the mall - a lucky day indeed!!

******************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  I got some Christmas shopping completed; Everley time; deep dish pizza and Toy Story marathon; Steve's safe travel to Columbus

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Yup, I'm A Grandma!

This afternoon Lynnette texted to say that Lindley wanted to come by.  Lindley had fallen at school and had a boo-boo that she wanted me to see.  And she also requested cornbread.

Naturally I told them to come on over and I trotted into the kitchen to make cornbread.  Later, after the boo-boo had been inspected and the details of the accident had been told, when half of the cornbread and been consumed and the other half was packed for Lindley to take home, Everley decided that she wanted some more cornbread.  Which Lindley was not keen on sharing because she had plans to take the cornbread home and eat it there.

So I promptly went back into the kitchen and made more cornbread.  Because that's what grandmas do!
************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Airport run for KB; Lindley and Everley time

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Yes, I'm Playing Catch Up. Again ...


But you've got to love a little Maxine!!
 
****************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  KB and Cindy came by to drop off a ginormous beautiful poinsettia; I got caught up on some paperwork; got the laundry done; Everley time

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

What????

According to my calculations (and I've used a calculator AND a slide rule), there are two weeks until Christmas.  Okay, so it's technically two weeks and a day, but are you catching my drift?  Christmas is almost here!!

Add to the mix that the family Christmas was moved up a day to next THURSDAY night (because of family travel).  Oh, and did I mention that I have about half a dozen gifts TO MAKE?

Wonder if it's too late to learn to knit ...
********************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground and no school for my teacher friends; lunch with Maribeth, Everley, and Steve at the Lobster; picking up Lindley at school; Lindley and Everley time; visits with Molly and Sam

Monday, December 9, 2013

I Aims To Please ...

It seemed simple enough.  After arriving home late Sunday afternoon, I discovered that both Sam's and Lynnette's cars were at my house.  They were due to fly in from Ohio later that evening, and tentative plans were to pick them up, bring the driver back to my house, and pick up the other car and head home.  However, their flight was delayed quite a bit, and I felt that the best idea was to take one car to their house and leave the other one at the airport so that they could go straight home and straight to bed.  So much for good ideas ...

Step One was to take Sam's car to their house and leave it.  Why Sam's car?  Because the keys to Lynnette's car were with her.  In Cleveland.  The other set was at their house in the cabinet by the washing machine.  So I drove Sam's car to their house with Maribeth following behind to take me back for Step Two.

I asked Sam if he wanted the car in the garage or in front of their house and he designated the garage.  Which was fine, until I got to said garage and could not locate the garage door opener.  I pushed all the garage buttons on the console, looked in all the pockets (where apparently is stashed the largest collection of gum I've ever seen), and felt all over the visor - no opener.  Luckily, Sam was in text range, and after a few texts, I located the opener where he said it would be - the pocket down by my leg.

Anyhow, I got the garage open and headed in.  I haven't parked a car in a garage in many years (we have a carport), so I had to determine how far in to pull the car.  Far enough for the garage door to close, yet back enough from the door to get out of the garage.  I accomplished this by pulling in, getting out, surmising the situation, getting back in the car, and making the necessary adjustments.  I turned off the car and closed the garage door with success (meaning I did not hit the car).  I also was able to open the person door to go to the house (they have an unattached garage).

The next job was to take their luggage from Florida (don't ask) along with a sack of Under Armour purchases, the box containing Lindley's box of treasures and Sam's new shoes, and Lindley's million-dollar Mickey Mouse Light-Up Balloon.  I managed to do this in one trip, opening the back door and shoving everything in the dining room.  Of course, did I get to the alarm box before the bleeping (or should I say screeching) thing went off?  Of course not!  Even though the treasure box/shoes got splattered on the floor, I was still not quick enough before the neighbors were awakened, but apparently I was quick enough before the police were summoned. 

By this time Maribeth called to say she was in the front waiting for me.  I went to take the key out of the back door - which it refused to come out.  I called Maribeth to come in and test her skill in removing the key.  She said she was double parked, so I told her to come around the back (the garage backs up to an alley).  She did, which required more door openings and garage door openings.  I pulled Lynnette's extra car keys from the cabinet and unlocked the people garage door and got Maribeth to come inside.  Unfortunately at that point, the car key set was now stuck in the people garage door.  Also, the car keys were to Sam's car, which was evident by the fact that they would lock/unlock his car.  So where were Lynnette's keys?

The next fifteen minutes were spent trying to get the keys out of the garage door, which Maribeth managed to do.  There was another set of car keys stuck inside the house door, which I surmised to be Lynnette's, so the plan was to take those and head back to the house.  But wait, there is still a set of keys stuck in the back door to the house.  Why make it easy for burglars to come in and steal not only Sam's new shoes, but Lindley's treasure box?  So I locked the door with the stuck key, then closed the storm door and locked it.  I is a genius.

Now to leaving.  I did not want to risk another stuck key-in-door, so the plan was to leave via the garage.  This would involve closing the garage door via the wall switch and hightailing it out before it stopped and opened back up.  A great idea, but there is a sensor that I would have to jump over to keep it from opening again.  I tried once and the sensor caught me.  I tried another time and the garage door caught my head.  So another plan would have to be hatched.  I tried to close the garage door again, but it would only go halfway.  It continued to do this three more times.  Maribeth determined that it was sticking on a piece of rubber sticking out so she pulled it off.  It wasn't sticking on that piece of rubber after all.  Instead, the roller thingys had gotten out of the track.  I was too short to sufficiently effect a repair, so I had to take the shelves out of the Radio Flyer Wagon and stand in it.  Which Maribeth wisely thought to anchor before I attempted said repair.  Once the wheels were back in the track, the garage door closed.  I went out the people door and decided to go out the back yard gate, which I unbolted from the inside.  Which I couldn't bolt from the outside, so I stuck a big garbage can in front of the gate.  Because burglars are often thwarted when they see a big garbage can in front of a gate.

Anyhow, eventually we get back to my house and we get ready to go to the airport.  I got in Lynnette's car to start it (it's a Prius so it's a push button start).  It starts off by telling me "Key Not Detected."  I go to Maribeth and tell her that we have the wrong key - again - but she remembers that Lynnette told her the battery in the car remotes are dead, so to start it you have to hold the remote thingy up to the start button and the car will start.  Which it does.  But it still is telling me "Key Not Detected."  Maribeth says to see if it will let me drive it.  Which it does, all the way to the airport.  But not without screaming every moment of the trip, "KEY NOT DETECTED!!! WHAT ARE YOU - STUPID?"  Okay, so maybe the last part is a little imagined on my part.

Anyhow, I get to the airport, planning to park on the top of the parking garage as we usually do when we leave a car.  Except the top floor is closed because it's the open floor and Nashville weather people forecasted sleet and snow and when either is predicted in Nashville, emergency battle plans go into effect and bread, eggs, and milk are stockpiled for omelets.  Anyhow, now I have to go to the second floor and find a close parking place for three weary travelers to locate should they ever return to Nashville.  I find a place, park the ticked-off car, lock it (hoping the key thingy Lynnette has will unlock it) and go find Steve for my ride back home.

Eventually I get a call from Sam who eventually finds the car and eventually they get home.  And the new shoes and Lindley's treasure box were still there!!
****************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  I woke up in my own bed; got a suitcase unpacked; enjoyed some Everley time at her house

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Road Trip!!

Phase 1 - Get in pre-packed car and leave around 6am - check
Phase 2 - get on Turnpike - check
Phase 3 - get off Turnpike onto I-75, get gas, and have pit stop - check
Phase 4 - Get to Florida/Georgia line and have second gas and pit stop - check
Phase 5 - Get to Atlanta for late lunch at OK Café - check
Phase 6 - Get to Georgia/Tennessee line and Chattanooga for final pit stop - check
Phase 7 - Get to Nashville and drop off KB and Molly at their houses and then head to mine

Road Trip Complete!!
*********************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  we had a safe road trip home; watched "The Heat" and "Pitch Perfect" on the way; KB mastered the satellite radio; had lunch at the OK Café; had my first peppermint mocha of the season; arrived at home with tons of luggage; returned Sam and Lynnette's cars to the places they needed to be

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Lights, Camera, It's The Osbourne Lights!!

Today we managed to get in a little more shopping and lunch at Wolfgang Puck's before Sam and Lindley had to leave for the airport for a quick trip to Cleveland to meet Lynnette.  That left KB and Molly and me to head for a quick trip around Epcot for dinner.  We wanted to eat at Tutto Italia but didn't have a reservation.  We went to the head dude at the restaurant and asked if they were booked.  In his Italian accent he said, "Yes.  How many do you have?"  We responded with a "three" and he said, "I'll seat you on the mumble, mumble," which we later determined meant on the covered patio.  The food and service were great and soon we were on our way to Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights which KB had never seen.  Soon after, we got hit with the "tired" stick again, so we headed back to the hotel, with a quick trip to Wal Mart.  It was time for bed, as we have an early call in the morning - Road Trip!!

 


******************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  we shopped, listened to a part of The Candlelight Processional, had a great lunch and dinner, and saw he Osbourne lights

Friday, December 6, 2013

Mickey's Christmas Party

With Molly's arrival this morning, our current travel party became complete.  KB and I picked her up and managed to get in an outlet shopping trip.  Or two.  We picked up Sam and Lindley at Downtown Disney and had a brief nap before heading out to the MK for Mickey's Christmas Party.  It was pretty much wall-to-wall people, and even though it was in the 80s, snow was falling down Main Street.  We wandered around a bit, finally deciding on a spot near the riverboat to watch the parade.  Ken and Jeanne found us, and we watched as Mickey and friends and Santa headed down the path.  Sam and Lindley left and we stayed for cookies and cocoa and the fireworks.   By that time, the "I am wore-out" stick hit us and we headed back to the hotel.  What a fun night!!


********************************************
Today was a great day because: Molly flew into town; KB and Molly and I went shopping; Mickey's Christmas Party with the gang; meeting up with Ken and Jeanne

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Best Thing At Disney World ...

... is the swimming pool.  In other words, Lindley and I headed to the Magic Kingdom and stayed about an hour, long enough to check out Belle's Storytime and then head back to the hotel for some swimming time.  Which was followed by a Mickey Bar for lunch and a nap (for LaLa and Lindley) followed by running a few errands followed by more pool time.  KB arrived later in the day, and Molly will arrive in the morning.  Wonder who will be on pool duty tomorrow ...


 **********************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  Extra magic hours at the MK and seeing Belle; ticket lady at the MK; bus lady at the MK; swimming at the resort pool; KB's arrival

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Vacation, Phase 2 - or is it 3 or 4 ....

Today we had to get off the boat.  Maribeth, Everley, and Molly headed to the Ft. Lauderdale airport for a return flight to Nashville.  Steve and I headed to Orlando for a few days at Disney World, where Sam and Lindley would join us later in the day.  Except that Steve decided to fly back to Nashville from Orlando because Everley and/or Maribeth who apparently had a respiratory virus might need some relief.  And Steve thought he might be coming down with the same thing and preferred to see a physician rather than tough it out like the rest of us (been to the doctor enough times to be told "it's a virus - you get no antibiotic but you do get a bill - so go buy some Mucinex).

Anyhow, we made it to Orlando, at lunch at a chicken place, dropped Steve off at the airport, checked into Saratoga Springs, made a grocery store run, and made a return trip to the airport to pick up Sam and Lindley.  Just in time to do some post-cruise laundry.

Tomorrow's early opening at the Magic Kingdom, so looks like I have a date with Mickey - and Lindley!
******************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  we had a great porter help us get all seven bags to the car; shuttle eventually picked up the Ms and E; room was ready upon arrival; picking up Sam and Lindley; chicken lunch place

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Christmas on the Magic


 After eating our way through our Palo dinner, Molly went out and made pictures of the Christmas decorations on the ship.  Of course, pictures don't do it justice - the decorations are absolutely lovely.  This is the main concourse. There are Christmas trees and wreaths everywhere.

Off to the side is a huge, real gingerbread house - amazing - and probably a zillion billion calories. 
 Not to be outdone by the pastry chef on the ship, we attended a family event where we got to make our own gingerbread house - as you can see Molly was rather intense about it.  And while ours was not quite the magnitude of the other one, for a Davidson creation, it was pretty good!!

********************************************************************************
Today was a great day because:  beautiful day at sea; watching movies with Molly; dinner at Palo; gingerbread house creation

Monday, December 2, 2013

Cozumel

Pirate Night - and cutest pirate ever!!
Today we stopped in Cozumel. Steve and I eventually got off the ship to walk about, get a Starbucks mug, and return. The Ms and I watched “21 Jump Street” and parts of “Superman.” And lots of Disney Junior. Other than that it’s been a fairly quiet day. As any vacay should be!
**********************************************
Today was a great day because: the weather was beautiful; Everley let our server feed her; Molly, Everley, and I ate lunch; we discussed the merits of lazy vs sedentary

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Grand Cayman

The newest Disney princess - Princess Trucker

Today was a day to get off the boat – if you wished. Or if you wished to have the boat to yourself, you stayed onboard, which was my personal choice. The highlights for today are: Molly went to the movie to see “Thor” not in 3-D, Molly got a facial in the spa, Molly did the “Aqua Dunk” which is a water slide drop (which she said she would not do again which is enough for me to never do) – maybe this should be titled “Molly’s Day.” Unfortunately, as some point she ate something that did not go over well, and sorta (well, not sorta) came back up. A few times. She was well enough to show up for dinner in Animator’s Palate, which was fun for everyone, including Everley.

Steve took Everley to the shop to buy a hat, since she was adamant (that’s baby speak for pitching a fit) about Steve not wearing a hat unless she had one. She chose a “Cars” themed hat with Mickey ears, which went nicely with her princess nightgown dress (yes, we’re those people who deem certain nightgowns acceptable for daily wear – at least for toddlers – the style has yet to be acceptable for 50+ year old women).

Anyhow, that’s about it for today – it’s probably time for my nap, anyway!
*****************************************************************************
Today was a great day because: the weather was sunny; Molly did the Dunk and some other stuff; Everley got a new hat