Christmas 2012

 Well Christmas has come and gone and as usual, time seems to be moving forward at record speed. We celebrated less than a week ago...but it seems like much longer. Oh well...I guess I really am getting old...haha We enjoyed a kind of quiet Christmas day with Rob, Shane, Brenna, Megan and Paul. A small ham from Honey Baked Ham and a Roast Beef along with the usual sides served us well. My favorite was the Sweet Potato Pudding (recipe from Bon Appetit a couple of years ago.). It's sweet potatoes mashed with a little bit of sugar, half and half and orange juice. Topped with a gingerbread crumb crust. It's good...not too sweet...and we were able to make it Gluten-free for Megan. I ate all the leftovers over the next few days :)

We also had time to go over some details for the wedding. The DJ/Planner had sent us some checklists to fill in. Kind of like who is going to do what, when etc. What song(s) we want for different time during the ceremony, before the ceremony...etc, etc. We  (Brenna, Shane, Megan and I) were talking about the play list and then like a scene  from a (bad)(haha) movie...we all started dancing at the table and then around the table. It was fun. We all agreed the 4 songs we listened to were MUSTS for the dance set! Shane has also been officially added to my list of "motivational" dancers...haha I made Megan try on the dress my friend Lisa brought over. I had mentioned the frustrating search for a dress...and Lisa generously said..."What size is she? She can wear my dress...she can do whatever she wants to it...it's already been through several weddings....(4?6?...I can't remember how many people she said have used it.). Well...one look at the puffy sleeves and the large bow on the rear-end...and we knew it was unlikely...but Lisa had dropped it off...and I have not had the chance to go dress shopping with Megan...so I told her to humor me and try it on. It fit perfectly...length and size...(of course...try on 50 dresses that DON"T fit and someone gives you one that fits perfectly...and IS the ivory color we also wanted) Anyway...Megan has already ordered a dress...so we knew she wouldn't need one...

 but we all agreed minus the sleeves and the bow...it was a nice dress and it certainly fit well. Pretty beading Nice train...but that would get in the way of dancing....

                                                  looks like something from Dynasty....haha

          Oh my! I don't remember this on Lisa...the bow part that is...I remember she looked nice

Karen, Anne,Lisa and Dixie- some of the Oak Ridge gang at Lisa's wedding

So here's what the view coming down the aisle could've  been...check back after May 12th to see the alternative...haha

 You can't really see it in the photo...but I had puffed sleeves on too...June 1990.
 It was nice of Lisa to offer the dress.

A Weekend of familly and fun

Our neighbor's house-best decorations in the neighborhood...haha

 

 

 

The month is winding down and Christmas is right around the corner. We enjoyed stopping by our friend's house last night for their annual Eggnog party. It was fun as usual. The weather was perfect...kind of chilly...but clear skies...just like I like it. We arrived at their house as the annual neighborhood  boat parade was finishing up...that would have been fun to watch but we did see the last of the boats pulling into their respective docks.

 The party is always a nice one...lots of tasty food and drinks. we originally met them when John did a big job for them about 12 years ago. John and Don hit it off...and we've been friends ever since. Mary and John share the same birthday. (12/20) It's also great to see the friends . Most of them are a few years older than John and I...but lots of fun...and it's great because whatever we are experiencing at the time...more than likely they've been through it with their kids/family, etc. Last night we got to talk weddings...that was fun.
One friend Kathy K. had a daughter who got married about 6 months ago. I enjoyed hearing Kathy's stories about the planning, decorations, guest list dilemmas, etc. She is from a family of 8? or 9 girls...just with her family they had 80 people...hahah...and they made it work...so I'm sure we will too. The place they held the reception was one we had considered...so it was good to hear the good/bad about it. In the end they had a wonderful time...and I know we will too. It's a great group of friends they have...reminds me of the "gang" my parents had...lots of similarities.  And they too all started out at Our Lady of Lourdes church...haha

 Today we got together with David, Paul, Bridget , Rob and Shane to celebrate Shane's 14th birthday...which we all unfortunately thought was his 13th...oops. we had a big 13 on the cake...he looked at it funny...Brenna thought it was put in wrong...then he told me .."Aunt Anne. I'm 14! Not 13!" Like I said...OOOPS! At least the cake tasted good.

 We combined the celebration with an afternoon of watching football at a local place that is popular with Dolphin fans...they were happy with the outcome of their game...but unfortunately they didn't make it to the post season...because the teams that needed to win/lose...whatever...didn't. They looked pretty good though. (Maybe there's hope for next year.) Reid, Chandler and Reid's father -in-law and his wife stopped by briefly...then went to another place where Reid would be able to watch his Green Bay Packers win. It was a BEAUTIFUL day...and we had a good time together. I think Shane enjoyed his 13th 14th birthday!

Need a good laugh?

My favorite place for a laugh a day is  the "Cake Wrecks" blog.....and the Christmas cakes have been pretty awful...but great for a good laugh. Link up to today's post.
John doesn't always appreciate my sense of humor...but I think these cakes are hilarious. Yesterday's are pretty funny too.

Dancing with Santa

Dancing Santa

We went to a party Saturday night...lots of good food and fun people. We had a good time. John hasn't been out as much lately...so his friends were happy to see him out on the town. While we were there...we had to pose near the Santa...who we then found out was a dancing Santa....our friend got him on E-Bay. He had sort of a creepy expression.....and he kind of danced like one of our relatives..(.no names in order to protect the innocent...haha) feet firmly planted...lots of knee movement...haha. You press a button and he starts up...but on occasion he just started dancing on his own. He could scare you if you walked into a dark room and he started moving around. Maybe they use it  for when their kids come in late...hahah...my Mom could've used one! haha Anyway...we had a good time and it was nice to go out and celebrate a little.... and get into the holiday spirit.

A day off

I had the day off...so I spent it trying to get organized...and made some progress weeding through piles of catalogs, papers and cards...some from last year....that I've decided I really CAN live without saving. Have to make room for the ones arriving now....I have butter sitting out ready to be added into some recipe or another...still haven't figured out what I'm making.
I read to Amy's class today...that was fun. They liked the three books I brought. Christmas Magic by Michael Garland. Cute story about a magical Christmas Eve when the snowmen come to life, the mice are in the kitchen baking, the stockings are forming a chorus line, the angel figurines are flying around, etc. The class seemed to like the idea of such magic fun.  (snowman below is not the one from the book...but he's cute! haha)
Next was Santa Mouse and the Ratdeer by Thatcher Hurd. I've mentioned this one before...it's funny and a cute story...the kids get a kick out of the fact that Santa's in a bad mood and the reindeer are grumbling. They laugh every time! And another favorite that I wrote about last year...The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristen Kladstrup. I LOVE that book...so cute. I think I made them all hungry...each story mentioned cookies and cocoa...they all were ready for a snack when I was leaving...haha Tomorrow I will read Sharing Christmas by Kate Westerlund. It's a nice little story about sharing and caring. The animals are hungry during an especially snowy winter...but they hear bells and follow the sound...and all ends well...but not exactly what you might think....read it and see where the bell sound is coming from. Another cute...but short book is Marmalade's Christmas Present by Cindy Wheeler....for all the cat lover's out there.
A fellow Children's Librarian sent this link to an adorable flannel board story. Dianne was already working on it...and I hope it's done...because I want to use it tomorrow! haha It's about Rudolph and all the different colored noses he tries before he gets to the the right one! Looks perfect for a small group ....they can take turns putting the noses on the board. That should be fun.
I worked on finishing up my Christmas cards...only a handful left to go...the ones that need a little note...I save them for last. It's satisfying to send out a whole big stack....that way I know I'm making progress. Then I can slowly put out a few each day....towards the end of the month.
We got a message from a friend today "We're having a poor people's Christmas Party (from a girl who had a big bash at the Yacht Club a couple of years ago) ...BYOB and bring a dish. Well...that's right up my alley...I told John to write back and say "We're poor...we'll be there"...haha These people always have fun...it should be a great time. Tomorrow is already Thursday...this week was quick!...Dinner out to celebrate my birthday...sounds good to me!

Quick Trip

We left Saturday afternoon (after work) for Orlando. Martha and Tony were arriving from Hawaii at about 4:30pm...and we got checked in just a few minutes before that. We went to our hotel in Lake Buena Vista. A Wyndham Hotel...not bad for the price. The property was nice, convenient to Disney and had everything we needed. It was too too crowded...as it is still early in the season...I imagine as the month goes on they will book up. Lots of families with little kids...of course.

Santa display at the mall

Martha-Tony-John -Anne

wearing our new dresses...

Martha and Tony were staying down the road at the Marriott World Center Hotel...which they were told was completely sold out...something that the hotel has  not had happen in a while. Martha was attending a big conference.....and since it didn't really start until Monday...we planned to spend the day together on Sunday while John and Tony golfed. We decided to head to the Mall at Millena (of Millena...whatever it is)...and we thought it opened at 10:00am. We arrived shortly before 10:00 and should have known when we didn't see any other cars...that something was up. I figured everyone was late getting out of church or something...haha. Fortunately Starbucks was open...we went in and had a nice cup of coffee. Welll...we had to make it last since we discovered that the stores didn't actually open until 11:00. (we thought for sure there would be "holiday" hours...oh well. We sat, talked and walked around...deciding what stores we wanted to go in once they opened. The time went by pretty quickly and we had a good time shopping....especially when we went into White House Black Market! haha We left there with a couple of bags each. The saleswomen were great and we both found several things we liked.Martha was good...she managed to get everything on her shopping list...I didn't have a list...so...I didn't...but it was fun.

Entrance at the Waldorf Astoria-Orlando

We ventured into The Cheesecake Factory for lunch...it was a little crazy in there....but we only had to wait about 15-20 minutes. We had delicious salads....I'd go back anytime. We got back to the hotel around the same time the guys finished golfing. We saw Alan and Rick...some of Martha and Tony's old friends. Later that night we went to have a delicious dinner at the Bull and Bear at the Waldorf. The steaks were so good...really everything was good.
Monday morning, the guys went golfing again...we went to breakfast and then I hung out in the room while Martha went to check out some of the poster presentations. There was thick fog everywhere...and it was kind of fun to sit on the balcony of their 24th room room...and feel like I was up in the clouds. haha. It cleared out quickly enough  for the golfers...and it kept the temperature down...so I enjoyed sitting outside, reading, writing Christmas cards and just watching the goings on down below.
It was a nice long weekend....and a great way to have an early birthday celebration.
YAY! I guess I deleted enough duplicate pictures from my Picasa web albums...that   I could post pictures on my blog again....it was a shot in the dark...(isn't everything for me...haha) but I figured I didn't have a problem before I started using the program...and I knew I had lots of duplicate files...so I started deleting them....tried once...no luck...tried again...no luck...but I guess I reached the lucky number...or something...anyway the pictures are back...and they make this much more interesting....haha

November ends

During the last week I have run into several friends on the bike path, at the mall, at work. It's been kind of fun. Each day I seem to run into someone different...some of whom I haven't seen in a year or more.
I have enjoyed catching up (briefly) with everyone. Yesterday I saw Patti, today it was Lisa, Rene, Debbie and a friend, last week I visited with Karen.
The weather here has been great...we had a couple weeks of cooler, fall like weather; which really made it feel like it really was November! I have lived in Florida over 40 (yikes) years and still miss the changing seasons. Thanksgiving just seems more like Thanksgiving when it's cool and cloudy out. It's so nice to wear a long sleeved shirt/dress and not get HOT!
Brenna and her friend Josh were here for Thanksgiving. We took a boat ride up the river one afternoon. It was windy...but not too bad, especially back in the canals, where you have to keep your speed down anyway.(Manatee zone) We did see some manatees and a few dolphins. It was a great afternoon. I have pictures...but have to figure out how to add to my account so I can continue to post photos. Haven't deciphered all the "Terms of Service" yet...when I do...I'll be able to post pictures again.
We watched the exciting game between Alabama and Georgia last night. Alabama manged to pull off the win...barely. Georgia players made a tactical error right at the end that probably cost them the win...but who cares???? Alabama won again...can't wait to see the game with Notre Dame. Hope it's as exciting as the one last night.
 Of course everyone knows by now that the Gators managed to beat Florida State this year...I really didn't know if they could do it...but that was exciting and fun to watch too...especially since we came out victorious! (like I had anything to do with it...haha). (now we don't have to listen to the FSU fans for a whole year! haha)
Wedding plans are moving along...things are falling into place. We have a few other weddings coming up...my nephew Ian is engaged...no date (as far as I know) yet....our friend Lindsey is getting married in February. Next weekend Karen and Al will celebrate their son Eric's wedding...I can't wait to see the pictures and hear all about it.
Okay...I have been spending too much time on the computer lately...what I really need to do is get my holiday decorations out and start figuring out what I am putting up this year. It's only December 2nd...but somehow it feels like time is racing on and if I don't get it done....I'm going to run out of time. I don't put up my tree too early...because I like to keep it up until after the 1st of the year....but I do enjoy it while it's up. The sooner I put it all up...the sooner I can sit back and enjoy the view I guess! So...next stop is the garage...where I will get the bins and boxes down...open them and shake them around to let any unwanted "creatures" get out...then start getting things organized and up. Until next time........................

Catch up

 It's been a week or so since I wrote anything...just haven't had much going on...or I just didn't get around to writing about it. Either way...I'll catch up a little...............................These are a couple of shots from Hilton Head. The last hole on the Harbour Pines Golf course and below, the club house at the Westin Hotel's golf course. It was pretty...all the oak trees, nice big porch. We dropped off the guys and headed to the spa. Everyone had a good day!

Cool clouds at sunset in Shelter Cove Marina area

 Sunset on the marsh.

Last week John's cousin Joe was in town We met Lucy and Mac for dinner at Meg O'Malley's .downtown

.Joe had never met them so we got together for dinner.

 We had a nice dinner. Our neighbor Scotty was there and he took care of us. He offered us drinks after dinner (I had already had two champagne & raspberry liqueur cocktails)...but when he didn't get any takers...he brought us two delicious desserts instead. We all protested..."We're pretty full..." However we polished them both off in no time at all. Bread pudding and a Black and Tanner Sundae...Yum.

 Wednesday I finally made it in to read some Thanksgiving stories to Amy's class. That was fun...and I think they enjoyed the ones I picked. And then today I had Story Time... that has finally started to pick up a bit. October was slow...I was starting to think I would never get any kids to come. We read Thanksgiving and food stories...and made some pretend "Stone Soup" The kids really liked putting the" vegetables" in and stirring the" soup".
Tomorrow evening John and I are participating in the First annual "Rivalry Run"...between the local alumni from UF and FSU. It should be fun and the $$ goes to Project Hunger...a local charity dear to my heart.

YAAAAAAAAAY!

We won!
To take a line from a song I like..."I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst"....and driving past all the Romney Ryan signs yesterday made me nervous....BUT we did it! And I am so happy! Now I just hope everyone will GET TO WORK and GET SOMETHING Accomplished! And today when I listen to all the people whining (which I would have been had we lost... :) ) I will be humble and just keep smiling. But I am relieved and happy! And thank goodness we do not have to watch any more  d@#$ ads!

Disney Hilton Head

 We left Savannah and arrived at our destination...Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. We went to the same resort about 15 or so years ago; shortly after it opened. During our first visit(s) the kids had an absolute blast...and I've always wanted to go back again. Since we did not make it up to see the leaves this year, we opted to go to SC and hoped to catch a glimpse of autumn, enjoy the resort and for John...enjoy some of the many golf courses in the area. We lucked out...when we left town...Tropical Storm (at the time) Sandy was heading towards our home. We did not encounter any rain on the way out of town...just wind. As you can see...we arrived to find sunshine in Hilton Head.

 We planned our activities around what we thought the weather might do. Thursday morning the guys golfed at Heritage Pines , Teresa and I rode the shuttle over to the Beach House. We walked the beach and then walked back (approx a mile) back to the resort. Then we wandered around the shopping center just across the bridge from Shelter Cove.

 View from our room. Our back patio

looked out onto the pool area and the Community Hall.      

 The "theme" of the resort is a 1940's hunting/ fishing camp. The nerd in me loves all the "old" signs. I think I am a Disney Imagineer" at heart.. haha The whole area was decorated for fall and Halloween activities scheduled for the following week.

  Looking out toward the water.

 There is a pier out back where you can watch as the tide goes in and out over a 6 hour period. It fluctuates about 6 feet.

 Bird waiting to see what was being caught.  Thursday afternoon we went kayaking. We figured we better go while the weather was still good. It was pretty windy...but we all did fine. We did opt for double kayaks...so no one got stranded out in the marsh...haha. It was a great "tour"...and a pretty good workout! haha

 After we had a nice dinner outside...with some great live music...we walked back and had a S'more by the campfire. It was good...I really thought I'd just roast a marshmallow...but then decided to have the graham cracker & chocolate too...it was really good...perfectly melted! John helped me finish it off in no time  haha.