Well, can you believe it?  We are getting LOTS of the pretty white stuff today!  It's really a beautiful snow that is melting off of the roads quickly.  However, it is staying on the grass and trees, just sitting there looking pretty!

I let the girls play outside this morning, instead of having our school lessons.  The air temperature was just cold enough to make snow, but not so cold (like the last 2 storms) that they couldn't bundle up and go outside.

Everything they wore is soaking wet.  I washed their winter coats and Annamarie's is still in the dryer.  Their gloves have taken two times through the dryer to dry.  I wrung them out as best I could, but they were heavy and soaked with melted snow.  Brrrrr!  When they came in, I made them change everything, including their underwear.  They were wet clean through to their skin.  Makes me cold just thinking about it!

                              
                                      (Face down snow angel.  Now *that's* different!)

They had a ball and I got some good pictures of them playing.  Little Bit stayed out the shortest time.  I guess he doesn't have the protection of fur (or fat) like Sushi to keep him warm in snowy weather.  Sushi stayed out with the girls they whole time they played.

My lady who cleans came today and did the basics, vacuum, dust, sweep the kitchen with a broom, and cleaned the toilets & sinks.  She also cleaned the inside of the microwave and my refrigerator's vegetable bins.  She'll be back on Friday, unless the snow expected on Thursday is profuse.  It feels good to have those areas cleaned by her!

I made some Valentine cards last night.  It reminded me of the time, a few months ago, when I sat down and used the girls' paint sets to paint a picture.  I really sat down during the Super Bowl game to cut out more hearts and fancy edged paper for them, but I got a little more involved than I had intended! 

The Valentine project (the girls giving each other one Valentine a day) is still holding their interest.  I should think of more arts and crafts projects to give them, or get a book to give me ideas.  After all, "if they were in public school" they would be exposed to all kinds of art projects . . .

I have ground beef thawing for dinner.  I'm going to make a vegetable beef soup.  Jesse had mentioned it recently as something that sounded good to him.  Soup is easy AND a good idea for a cold day.  I can have nothing to eat or drink after midnight tonight.

Speaking of cooking, I think I've finally figured out why I'm burning so many of my baked goods.  I made something this weekend that said "For a *convection oven* - reduce heat by 25° AND reduce cooking time."  If the oven's directions said that with the pamphlet that came from the manufacturer, I have forgotten.  EVERYTHING has been turning out "more done" than it should.  Today, I made a frozen peach pie and reduced the oven temperature and it actually looks like a normal baked peach pie.  No black or dark brown edges and crust!  That's AFTER Rissy dropped it, trying to put it in the oven!  The pie has taken a beating today!

I'm not exactly looking forward to my surgery tomorrow.  Please keep me in your prayers.  I don't usually bounce back from anything they do to my body.  I always have the weird complications that usually don' t happen to most people.  I hope this is as simple as they make it sound and recovery time is like they say it is (immediate relief).

Jesse's test didn't go so well this morning.  LOTS of questions he hadn't studied for.  He was down because of the poor score, but, on the bright side, he has an idea of what the test is like and has 30 days to study before he tries again.

ALSO, he got a call on the drive back home, from his half brother's wife.  His brother had a heart attack yesterday.  Angie said he refused to go to the doctor yesterday, despite the chest pains, but she made him go today.  Sure enough, he had a real heart attack.  And, he's the one who is in such good physical shape.  I would have never thought . . . But, then again, those things don't happen when we expect them.  I'm still in a state of disbelief.  He is in the service, so he has good medical care available to him.

The girls are in the kitchen making hot chocolate.  I may have to go in there and make a cup for me!

Be Blessed  ~

If you wouldn't mind, please send a short comment like, "Got it!" if you are reading this.  I've heard of weird Xanga problems where people's blogs are dropped clean out of sight and people have to resubscribe.  I've also heard that a couple of people have had someone leave ugly notes to their subscribers - making the subscriber think the blog owner has been rude or crass to them.  Anyway, let me know.  There hasn't been much activity at all, as far as new posts by others, so maybe it's just a slow Xanga time for everyone.  I hope people aren't abandoning Xanga and picking up Facebook, instead!

                         
                                (See the little doggy around the corner of the loveseat?!)

Jesse's toe is VERY slowing improving.  He still can't wear a shoe comfortably and has to keep his foot elevated.  He saw another doctor on Friday, who gave him two more prescriptions - ones actually used for gout, rather than him only take the pain pills the first doctor prescribed.

We didn't go to church, today.  Between Jesse's medications making him ill and the fact he can't wear a shoe and the church parking lot is muddy . . .

We stayed home this morning and are hunkering down, preparing for the next storm, due to arrive tonight.  The last I heard, the ice shouldn't be an issue, but there will be another very heavy snowfall.  The snow has been gorgeous, but this time I will have to get out in it; and, I may not enjoy that part of it, as much as I do watching it from inside my house!  My surgery is early Tuesday and it's supposed to snow all day Monday.  We will have to leave extra early to get the girls to their grandmother's house AND allow for slow driving through the snow to get to the hospital.  At least our Suburban has four wheel drive!

We are doing NOTHING for "Super Bowl Sunday" today.  I used to buy "party foods" and that was our one day a year to eat good tasting, high calorie foods without worrying.  I didn't have the energy this year to plan any purchases, and last year we were super strapped for cash.  Jesse is hanging his head (not really!) because there will be no "Super Bowl Sunday Food" - AGAIN!

I bought Rissy a couple of dresses and shirts on eBay for her birthday.  I also bid on and won real American Girl dresses at a fraction of the price new.  There is one American Girl doll coming up for auction tomorrow.  If I don't win her at a cheap price, we'll spring for the doll new from American Girl.  Annamarie has bought Rissy a little gift and Luci still needs to shop for something. 

Speaking of dolls, I need to send our American Girl doll "Samantha" to the American Girl hospital.  Annamarie broke her leg off a couple of months ago.  She used to be Stephanie's doll and is one of the original dolls made.  They will fix her arms & legs, style her hair, and clean up her skin for $24.  A VERY reasonable amount to restore her.

Yesterday, I was cleaning my dresser and found a picture of Luci from a couple of years ago and was amazed at how much SHE has changed!  Where does the time go?   Makes me want to be sure to not waste one single second of my life.  So much happens everyday and then it's gone forever.

The girls are continuing to make and disperse Valentines to each other, each day.  This has turned into a very fun project for them AND for me.  We rarely do "art" kind of things and I'm thinking we should incorporate art into our school lessons more often!

That's about the all the news from around here.  I continue to find small piles of junk to clean up here and there.  Things sure pile up in a hurry if you don't put them in their proper place immediately!  I've read quit a bit this past week, too.  I'm back into a reading mood, I guess!

Be Blessed  ~

CHERYLYN

Yesterday, the girls started on their Valentine's Day art project.  We talked about what the Bible says about love, then we began the art project.  Today, I'll post pictures of the project.

My friend from church is here helping me clean this morning.  She does the things that the other gal (sent by the county) doesn't do.  They have a long list of chores they *don't* do.  Kind of like, "I don't do windows," but much more extensive.  I need help dusting high places because I shouldn't reach and the girls are too short to reach, even when standing on a step stool.  Who did they send me?  They sent me a short cleaning lady!  And, they aren't allowed to climb up step stools!  Go figure!

They aren't allowed to dust blinds.

They aren't allowed to clean nick knacks.

They aren't allowed to knock dust from ceiling fans or chandeliers.

They don't wipe dust from silk plants (that's considered spring cleaning and they don't do spring cleaning!).

So, my church friend comes every couple of weeks to save the day!!!  She does a great job of cleaning AND I enjoy chatting with her!  Double bonus!

We have the girls' usual appointment this afternoon.  AND, I have to stop by the post office to mail some packages.  After that, I guess we will do the grocery shopping. 

We're still waiting for Jesse's W2 from that one little job he had before Christmas.  If it wasn't for them, we could have filed our taxes and already received our refund.  I overheard Jesse talking to the guy that has done painting for us in the past, and I think Jesse's seriously considering painting the main part of the house (foyer, formal living room, and dining room).  It will make a huge difference.  I'm guessing the original paint color, from when the house was built, is what is on the walls now.  I have to choose some colors, but I'm leaning toward a light taupe and a darker taupe on the accent walls (the ones I painted eggplant when we moved in 5 years ago).

I'm continuing to log all of the books I've read this year and rating them with one to five stars.  I finished one book last night and started another.  When I went through my books and rearranged them, last Tuesday, I found about six books I had started, but never finished.  They each had bookmarks in them.  Thaaaat's where all of my bookmarks had gone!

I'm still eBay watching for Rissy's birthday gifts.  Things are about to wind down.  I feel like I've been glued to this chair all week.  Not just watching eBay, but taking care of business papers and filing things away.  I had to fill out the forms they sent me from the surgeon's office.  There were so many pages and questions.  I told Jesse I had started out with the day 2/3/10, but by the time I finished all of their questions, I bet the date would be 2/4/10 on the last pages!!!!  When it got to the part where they ask me to list all medications, including vitamins and herbal remedies, I just said, "See attached."  There's no way all of the pills I take could fit in the space they had allowed!!!

I started writing my book a few days ago.  The story of my journey and reactions to being diagnosed with cancer.  I'm at the point of writing thoughts down, as they come to me; but, I still need to sift through my old blog entries to cut and paste pieces I had written along the way. 

Many people have told me things they think I should include.  If anyone reading this has an opinion, feel free to message me your thoughts.  Some of what others have told me to write has surprised me.  "Their" reaction to my walk through cancer.

I'm going to get dressed and spend some time with Jesse.  Have a great day!

Be Blessed  ~

Ice is everywhere, not melting much . . .

except for the rooftops,

where giant icicles, that are growing in length, hang precariously

some measuring several feet long.

There are large grinding sounds, as ice tries to disconnect from the clutches of the roof tops.

Icicles crash to the ground, commingled with sheets of ice that have slid down the slope of the roof.

There are huge thundering sounds outside the windows, as ice hits the pavement below.

I took a few pictures of the cold after affects of our ice storm, but I decided it was much too dangerous to stand on the patio.  I retreated to the house to take pictures of things and people *IN*side!  I wrapped some gifts for a friend who is having a birthday.  Gay colors.  Makes me think of tulips!

Before coming in, I took pictures of the iron "cat" stuck in the backyard snow.  I thought it might bring peace of mind to those of you who thought we had allowed the snow to bury one of God's living creatures!!!!

I continue to watch items I'm interested in buying from eBay.  And, I keep missing auctions!  I've spent so much time in this desk chair over the past 48 hours.  So how is it that I keep missing one item after another? 

This morning, I was diligently keeping an eye on one bid (a doll dress) and our bank called. 

To discuss a mortgage loan. 

I listened but kept watch as the eBay clock ticked away the auction's final minutes.

I was still determined to win this one doll dress auction. 

I looked up and it was gone!  Just like that!  Poof!  Missed it again!

Do you think I'm not supposed to be buying doll clothes for the girls' dolls?  Or what?!!! LOL

We checked yesterday with our vet about having Little Bit neutered.  We will never use him for breeding, despite his expensive price tag, and it's the "right" thing to do, as a pet owner; but, I always hate thinking about anything that will make my pets uncomfortable.   It bothers me greatly.  I'm going into surgery next week, but I'm worried about a dog!

We will start our Valentine projects today in school.  We will be assembling the pouches that will hang on the girls' bedroom doorknobs.  I haven't told them yet.  I know they will be excited.

I found some pillows stashed in the closet for Rissy's new bedroom decor.  Luci doesn't really care, but Rissy is very much into "decorating" and making things pretty.  Since it's Luci's old bedroom Rissy has been moved to, it looks very plain Jane for her tastes.

I think if I continue to look for feminine pillow shams (or cases) and posters for the wall, she will be happy.

Today, I have a candle burning that a friend gave me years ago.  Literally "years" ago.  Like in 2005!!!  I've made it last this long because I love the scent.  Guess what?  I found out I can order them online from the Cranberry Barn - the scent I am burning is Bayberry & Twigs.  I just love it!  Very different from anything I've smelled before.  And, I suppose you could say it's worth the money, since I've had this one for five years!

It's time to get moving and eat something for lunch.  We're having a Stouffer's Lasagna for dinner tonight.  Easy to prepare with a green salad and some garlic bread!  Sounds good to me!

Be Blessed  ~