The perfect combination....

......a good read, good friends to discuss it with and good food. That's what we all need once a month...a Book Club and I'm glad I have mine. We met at Cynthia's last night and no one does it better. If you want a good book, click on this one to read about it and see if it's one you would like to read. I like a book that I can relate to and that makes me think; better still, one that inspires me to do something. This one has inspired me to simplify my life and think about what's most important. The food was awesome. Cynthia Wintch really knows how to do it up right when it comes to entertaining. Thanks, Cynthia.

And....speaking of combinations.....I had to get a bike lock to go with my new, or should I say....Lauri's mission bike referbished, my new mode of transportation. I love it, love it, love it. However, when I ride to the grocery store, I must learn to only purchase what fits in the basket. My first trip to the store caught me with not only a full basket but a bag to juggle as well and it was a bit awkward. I'm learning.

Derby time.....

.....Pinewood Derby, that is and I was invited to George's. It's come a long way since we used to do it but a lot is still the same. I have to say the dad's were pretty calm, or seemed to be. The boys were pretty hyper but that just comes with Cub Scouts and the evening was well-planned and great fun. The Cub Master was awesome and even raced his own car. The track was automated and announced the winner so there was no chance for speculation. It was a really fun evening and I have to hand it to George for taking it on to see that he won the People's Choice Award. He reminded everyone to vote...... for him. He's a pretty cool kid and gets the job done. Good for you, George!!!!!!

Out with the old....

....in with the new. I HATE CHANGE.....but, change we must for Dixie Rebels apparently is not politically correct here in the "South" so it is out. We are now.....are you ready for this?
........ the Dixie Red Storm and the "black" bull mascot is named "Ragin' Red". He was introduced at half time and I have to admit I was a little sad and didn't like it at first but by the end of the game I was warmin' up to it. There was a huge crowd, lots of hype and t-shirts for everyone. Kyle was honored as one of the Faculty Fans (I'm not sure what the real award was) but he was announced before the game and given another Dixie shirt. You can never have too many Dixie College shirts. Balloons came down at the end and it was a darn good thing we won the game. It was a fun evening..... good to see a little enthusiasm back at Burns Arena. I'm still a fan of Dixie College no matter what name some outsider chooses to call it.

I just thought these pictures were blog-worthy. Miller and McKay having some photographic moments.

Twenty-eight years of stuff.....

.....and I wanted to get rid of all of it today. It's disgusting how cluttered this house has gotten and I just wanted to get it all sorted through today....of course, unrealistic, but I gave it my all and got quite a bit of it mucked out. Another 364 days and I should have it done but I have such a hard time throwing things away, especially treasures like this one...... ....I guess Lauri's creative juices were flowing one day and she captured the fabric of our lives on this box. I don't know if you can tell but I tried to get a picture of all sides. One of them was too glossy and didn't come out but just wanted to give you an idea of something that I think is pretty cool....perhaps a good idea for a Sunday afternoon activity. Give the kids some odds n' end pics, scissors, some glue and see what they can come up with. Through the years I would put in cards and notes the kids gave me or things they made at school. It's amazing what can be found when the cleaning bug hits.

Also, this picture is for Spencer...I think he pretty much likes this shirt. If he doesn't wear it, I'll make him give it back to you. Long live B Dubs.....hope it survives these hard economic times so you Kentucky boys can keep makin' memories and eatin' hot wings.

I just flew in from Kentucky....

....and boy, are my arms tired. (A little grandpa humor there). Actually, I'm still on Kentucky time and it's about time for Laynee's alarm to go off (I've been to bed by 9 this past week which is really 7 my time and up at 7:40). I'm wide awake and between my draining mucus and racing thoughts, I thought I'd blog a bit before I get my day started and since I haven't had control of the remote for the last 6 days, I've been a bit news deprived....I'm not sayin' I haven't enjoyed my heavy doses of Mario Kart and Barney but I just haven't been up-to-date with let's say....the happenings of this past week. So....I get home in time for my nightly routine....a "tubby" and then the nightly "star power" news. This is the first time I'm actually hearing what the press is saying about what Michelle Obama wore and I have to say that I really thought it was nice....a bit vintage....but vintage is good and a resounding "yes" I'm glad she didn't go with basic black or the usual red or blue, you know, the patriotic thing and as far as the gown...why not let a 26 year old, rich, unknown designer get a little more rich and known. I thought her gown was fine...but wish she would have gone with perhaps...."Modest But Beautiful" but that's just me. And oh....let me say. This is the first time I'm hearing about the "Treasure Hunt". See....back at the White House, Sasha and what's her name got to have a sleep over with all their school friends and they had this treasure hunt to get them used to the big place and guess who was waiting for them at the end of the treasure hunt? Oh, my, heck....THE JONAS BROTHERS. Aren't ya lovin' the way our tax dollars are being spent here? So.....I've been thinkin' who I'd like at the end of my treasure hunt. I'm gonna say George Strait. How about you?

We woke up to a bit o' snow....

It's one thing to have bitter cold temperatures but if there's no snow, ya just plain feel cheated but no more.....here it is and we were able to play out in it for a bit but it didn't take long to want to get in out of the cold and just look at it out the window.

I'm here in Kentucky....

.....and it's eleven below but not to worry. Wii have been golfing, playing tennis.....
....and even a little guitar hero. Jeff picked me up at the airport and joined us for the evening before heading up to Evansville for his trial. We're hoping to be in the 30's today but the chill in the air hasn't slowed us down....much. We enjoyed watching Laynee cheer last night. Her team lost but she won our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Russ......

......maker of pots, fixer of cars, handyman extraordinaire who can lay wood floors, tile and do all the finishing woodwork in a "fixer-upper" house while crunching numbers and commanding computers at work and getting a Master's degree in a foreign state....whew.....I'm tired just thinking of it all....oh, I forgot to mention Guitar Hero Hero and Rubik's Cube speedster and I've only known him for such a short time. No telling what hidden talents he may have. Anyway, just wanted to dedicate my blog today to my son-in-law who is an excellent husband to my daughter and father to my grandsons. His birthday is actually tomorrow but I'll be in the air on my way to Kentucky so Happy Birthday, Russell no-middle-name Staheli. Have a great day.

My pans are happy again....

Here .....and I wish I would have taken a picture of them tonight as Lauri used most all of them while cooking her Mexican cuisine. We decided to have a Mexican night and Lauri cooked up a scrumptious batch of Chilaquiles. Just click HERE to go to her blog that will take you to the recipe. Oh, and while at the Three Amigos Market today, we couldn't resist the real Tres Leche. Mandy brought hers that she had made for a party last night and it was really good too. It must be the "cake n' milk" up-bringing that has made me such a fan of this stuff but I sure do love it. So when eating at Cafe Rio......always have dessert. The Tres Leche there is awesome.

A good read once in a while is needed....

.....and to you avid readers, not hard to come by but I'm not an "avid" reader. I love a good book and when I find one I have to read until it's done and during 2007, I read plenty but in 2008, I discovered knitting. I have finished a few "recorded books" that I downloaded to listen to while knitting but it's never the same as holding a good book in your hands, curling up in a comfortable position or sitting out in the January sunshine (which is what I did today) and turning the pages one by one. I have to say this book has been an easy and delightful read and one I will go back over again and again. If a book makes me think about my life and how I want to make it better, it's a good book so I'm recommending it to anyone, even those that don't have time to read. This one will be worth making the time. Loved it!!!!!! Click on the book to read more about the book and the author. If you've read this book, let me know what you thought about it.

You can have your cake and eat it too.....

....unless, of course, you prefer cherry cheesecake. Happy Birthday tomorrow to Spencer George Wells. Three has always been his favorite number for sports so double good this year with the big "33". Through the years Spencer has always known what he wanted....and so with his birthday cakes. So I came up with this little collage of some of my favorites that usually depicted the "phase" he was in on any particular January 10. However, around birthday number 12, he settled in on cherry cheesecake which made my job a lot easier and he's requested it ever since....so, here's to your cheery cherry cheesecake birthday number 33, Spencer. May it be as happy as you are and may all the wishes you wished as you blew out all of those candles through the years come true.

Wanna get the year started off right.......

....then go to Disneyland. We did. Ashley was down and she got Friday off so we were sittin' 'round and it was one of those "what do you wanna do...... I don't know what do you wanna do" type conversations when, I think it was Lauri that said "Let's go do Disneyland." I have to admit I had to wrap my brain around that one for a minute or two but we were off at 1:30 a.m. Friday arriving to pick up our "ebay purchased tickets" at a little office around the corner and we were off to "Early Entry" to have the park to ourselves for a few minutes before the record crowds arrived....and it was coooooold but it didn't keep anyone away, believe me. We did it up in fine Disneyland fashion then headed home early Saturday with smiles on our faces because we really did it. Ya gotta love that place and if ya don't, well.....ya just don't know it.

You know you're getting old when.....

.....you have one thing to do and you have a full day. Well, my day is full already so I'm off to the post office. Oh, and I have to say I enjoyed my one thing to do yesterday....I went to the Dunford Auditorium and listened to Kyle's speech on "Optimism in Today's Economy" (that wasn't really the name of it but it was good. I didn't understand a thing he said but enjoyed it nonetheless and the press was there and they did a really good little bleep on it on KCSG. If you would like to see that then click HERE and go to "watch video" under the blue powerpoint picture. Also, Mindi is having a ginormous giveaway so if you want to enter that, click HERE.

It's the big three oh.......

......for Mandy and we're glad she's still enjoyin' the ride. It about got cut short a while ago but we're glad she's with us and especially back here spinnin' and bikin' and being a dentist's wife and mom to three. Keep on keepin' on Mandy and have a very HaPpy BiRthdAy.......and many more.

Happy Birthday, Dad and Happy 2009....

Before I send out my Happy New Year wishes, I must pay tribute to my dad. He weighed in at 13 lbs. when he was born 81 years ago today. He left us 6 years ago in October and we all miss him so much but I'm just so glad he didn't have to grow any older. He hated being old. He was always young at heart and loved his grandkids so much. When my girls were little, he never missed a day of stopping by in the mornings on the way to the farm to hold them and bounce them on his knee or fly them around the room by holding on to the backs of their overalls, and give them hugs and kisses. There are so many "grandpa-isms" that we all still laugh about today. "It'll feel better when it quits hurtin' " or "I'm sure glad you got to see me." He loved a good joke and he loved to laugh. He loved his land and he worked it to the day he died. He loved Pine Valley and he loved his wife and his family. Happy Birthday, Grandpa. We miss you. (You can click on this picture to enlarge it.)

Texas Roadhouse and First Night make for a great ringing in of the New Year. Ashley came down to celebrate with us. The city puts on a great celebration. If you couldn't make it this year, consider joining us next year. Hopefully we'll be able to convince them to bring back the cotton candy and not make the hot chocolate line so long but eating at Roadhouse first made it fine that we didn't want to wait in lines for food.....(and if you didn't know, Roadhouse has "call ahead" seating. That's as good as "fast passes" at Disneyland, uh huh....)