2009

2008 has come to end. Another 365 days of memories, good or bad, happy or sad. 2008 will join the past and we will soon wake up to see a new year. What will it bring? Who knows. We can't control the future, I know that. But, we can change some things...

Here are a few things that are on my list for 2009... some are only extensions of 2008 , some are wishful self improvements, and some are just things that I really want to take the time and do. I mixed my list with some pictures I've taken over the past year...

• Garage sales - I hope to get up before sunrise on Saturday mornings at least twice a month.

• Sunday grilling - Thad & I used to grill hamburgers every Sunday for lunch. We slacked in doing this in '08 and I miss those times...hopefully my Dad will join us like he used to do.

• Start the new year clean and fresh - hold no grudges and leave all negative thoughts and actions behind.

• List items in my Etsy store - it's been open since 2007 and I've never put anything for sale. I've been giving everything I make away as gifts or surprises. I really need to stop that.

Keep in touch with high school friends - I've really enjoyed being with some of my classmates since our 20 year reunion.

• Exercise - To start walking again...for my mind, body & soul.

• Take a photography class - I love my camera and I want to get the most I can out of it.

• To cook more - We've been so busy this year, we ate out a lot. It's a habit we need to stop.

• Do things because I want to, not because I should or have to.

• Bingo - I hope to play at least twice a month. (& win!)

• Blog often - I hope to blog at least 4 times a week about something interesting with lots of pictures. Maybe even join some swaps or participate in more "show & tells".

• Be more thankful - I want to think of at least five things daily to be thankful for so I won't ever get in the habit of taking things or people I love for granted.

• Go to the movies at least once every two months - I only went to the movies once in '08. I miss the popcorn.

• Send birthday cards - I'm bad about not sending them. Matter of fact, I never give a present with a birthday card. I really need to work on that!

• Listen to my ipod more - I miss my music, that's how busy I have been in '08. Life is not the same without music.

• Learn to sew - big stuff like curtains, pillows, etc.

And, there are other things on my list but I'll stop here. Just know that I'll be doing my best to make the new year great...for myself and for those I love!

Have you made your list yet? It's never too late!!!!!

Counting Christmas Blessings...

Our son is home from college for the holiday break after whizzing through another semester...(we are so proud of him!)

My Dad was able to join us from Assisted Living and spend some time with us and his newest grandchild, Ella Jane...

There were toys all over the living room floor which we haven't seen in our home in almost 20 years...

We were fortunate to have our new little niece Ella Jane spend her very first Christmas with us...

It was a pleasure to wake up at 4 a.m.  Christmas morning to start cooking a 12 pound roast for Thad's family and mine...

To have a home filled with young and old & joy and laughter...

To have friends & family from near and far think of us...

                  

And a total surprise from one of my Silver Bella blessings...look at the precious apron Sandy Marotti made and sent to me along with a vintage copy of a photo she found at a garage sale! Love it!

And most of all, my biggest blessing this year was to have everyone healthy and happy.

Have you counted your blessings for this joyous holiday season?

Day After Christmas...

EVERYONE goes shopping the day after Christmas right?

Not me...never. I am usually busy with cleaning the house or I have family staying over for the holidays. And besides, I really really really hate fighting people in the isles and waiting in long check out lines. I don't need to buy anything that bad.

This year everyone left early and I really had no mess to clean so I decided I'd venture out with my cousin Sonya to have a nice and relaxing day of catching those wonderful sales I always hear about but have never seen.

Instead of unbelievable sales, I caught the rear end of a Chevrolet Tahoe with a huge hitch I might add.

  

What sucks about this is ... this is my first accident that is MY fault. Now I can never have the glory of telling my 20 year old son that I have NEVER hit anyone, that I am the most perfect driver in the world (and he should be like me), and that I ALWAYS drive defensively and keep my eyes on the road. Never again can I say that. I am so sad.

Now, I must admit to the world:

My name is Jodie, I am 38 years old and I have wrongfully hit someone. I no longer have a perfect driving history.

Okay, now that it's done, let me tell you that I hit an ANGEL! Yep, I sure did. I would have never dreamed someone would get out of a vehicle so pretty and smiling and speaking so softly. I asked her if her and her children were okay and she said yes and that SHE was sorry she stopped so suddenly! Her Tahoe didn't have a scratch (as my nose flew under her rear bumper and hooked her hitch). No information was exchanged and no cops were called but I gave her a  hug and then Sonya & I were off to shopping again! I don't know how many times I said "Thank You Jesus!"

So that was my Day After Christmas present to myself yesterday...

You see, I am not complaining as it could have been SO much worse. The Angel (whoever she is) was a blessing to me because I didn't get a ticket, nor is it on my record and no one was hurt.

As for the old Dodge, well, this is another blessing why we own a collision center and I guess I'll just have to sweet-talk hubby into fixing this one for me for free! tee hee! He's a pro with this old car as he just fixed the whole front end a couple of months ago. (An accident that was NOT my fault, thank you very much!)

So anyway, blessings were abound this weekend...this is my loot from the "so called" sales.

I don't know about the sales that you found if you went shopping, but here honestly, there were none to speak of. So, I found most of this at my favorite store in whole world and used my Christmas gift card from my son to buy me some goodies...

Thanks Brett, I had some fun shopping but please don't forget that I am still a PERFECT mom... just not in a driving sort of way!)

Wishing You Merry Christmas...

 

                

From our home to yours, Thad, Jodie Brett & Oreo

 

Christmas Coasters...

 

 

Just wanted to share with you a little fun and whimsical gift you can whip up really fast for any occasion...

These are Christmas coasters that I am giving to friends, however they are not limited to the holidays and would be very pretty with photos of family or vintage ephemera.

All you need is:

1. tumbled tile  4"x4"
2. photos or vintage ephemera sized no larger than 3.25"
3. self adhesive cork backing cut to 3.25" square
4. mod podge (gloss)
5. sponge applicator

Adhere photo/ephemera to tile with mod podge, (be sure to eliminate all wrinkles and air bubbles)

Apply mod podge generously over photo/ephemera and the top of the tile surface, let dry

Repeat applications until all edges of photo/ephemera "blend" into tile with no hard edges

When completely dry, apply self adhesive cork backing to bottom of tile

Additional creative tips: try inking or tearing the edges for a vintage or shabby look.

The new year is right around the corner and birthdays are coming up...it never hurts to think outside the box!

I hope you and yours have a Wonderfully Blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

A Very Merry Disney

We left the Louisiana snow last weekend and headed for Orlando Florida to see Mickey and Friends.

{Before we go any further, I have to tell you that this was the first time I flew on Southwest Airlines and I was totally impressed. Lately I have flown locally and have a layover or two. Since then, layovers are for the birds (literally) and I'm the newest Southwest fan.} (My little brother was right about this all along!)

I promised pictures of Disney at Christmas time and I can tell you right now that these pictures just do not do it justice. (It was a very overcast and cold day.) If you've ever been to Disney during the holiday season...it's simply breath taking to say the least. Yes, I was a child at heart with eyes wide open and camera in hand...

First stop of the two parks visited...Magic Kingdom on Friday~

Above is my first glimpse of Cinderella's Castle afar (like 3 blocks away!)

Sounds of music and laughter, ooohs & aaaaahs everywhere

The year of a Million Dreams...

Well I'll be honest, I was dreaming for this big Mickey Mouse pretzel to fit in my suitcase to bring home with me on the plane...

             

However, I realized that it wouldn't fit & obviously I got over it...see how happy I am?

This really helped in my getting over the pretzel thing... My first frozen chocolate & nut covered banana, ever!

             

This wouldn't fit on the plane either, bummer. I could swing the $37,500 price tag, but I thought the shipping was just too high.

Just kidding!

Heck, I can't even swing little Snow White for $350! This is for MAJOR Disney fans ONLY!

Actually, I left Magic Kingdom on Friday without a souvenir! (thank goodness there wasn't any flea markets in there!)

Saturday we went to Epcot...

Me and my wonderful exciting husband who looked SO happy to be at Disney... what do you think? (I think he'd rather be racing!)

Now this was one of our first rides of the morning...

               

Just in case you can't read the launch ticket, in order to ride you must be: free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure...hmmm. My thought on that was how bad can it be? Let's do it! It was a blast and I think it was my husband's favorite ride. Immediately after it was over he looked at me with this big grin and said "Can we do it again?" just like a little kid. Then he came up with this great idea...everyone should be given only 2 "Do it again" tickets for the day so if we really liked the ride, we could stay on it (instead of standing in line) and ride again! Good idea don't you think?

Epcot is obviously sponsored by GM which is really cool since we are major GM fans. Just think, in about 20 years our cars might look like this above! Cool huh?

Gotta love Nascar!

Our last stop at Epcot was during the evening when we "went around the world".  Follow me please...

Over the hills...

And through the woods...

To awesome settlements of different countries...

 

 

                          

Some had their own Santa Claus...

I think France was one of my favorite.

 

                        

Some had no Santa or he was on break...

 

 

 

And then it got really cold and dark, therefore I saved my camera and my hands were cozy in my jacket pockets. However, Italy was absolutely beautiful at night. We dined in an Italian restaurant and pretended we were there again...even if it was only for an hour or so. The hotel was calling my husband's name as he had enough of Disney for the weekend and it was well after his 9:00 bedtime. So we headed back to the hotel after purchasing ONE Disney souvenir...he was kind enough to buy me a Mickey Mouse hoodie sweatshirt. And, I was totally happy!

          

Walt and Mickey personally told us good-bye and thanked us for visiting. They told us that we could come back whenever we wanted and told us not to forget to bring my son Brett! How thoughtful of them to think of him back home. Little do they know that we're coming back next month too...again without Brett! (This time it will be for an NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) judging meet...I'm game for whatever reason!)

What? You think we are horrible parents? Do you really? It's not like that at all. We are really proud parents of a (4th semester) college student who hope that one day he will graduate, have a wonderful and fulfilling job... and will be able to go to Disney as often as he'd like. (with his own $$$$) Love ya Brett!

So thank you all for coming along with us. It was my pleasure in picking up the tab for you! 

Next destination of my wonderful travels of 2008: Christmas!!!!! Yeah!!!!