I'm Baaaack... I think

Oh boy - two weeks have gone by and I haven't written any new posts.  My apologies to my 15 followers, and anyone else who may randomly stop by.  I guess I haven't had much to say - that, and I've been busy with some of the curve balls that life throws you once in a while.  Also, my apologies to the bloggers that I follow.  I haven't been reading many blogs in the last week or so.  Heck, I even needed Leanne to tell me that I was "tagged" by Saimi in her blog this week.  So, I've got to write up my tag question answers and get those posted.  Hope to get to that this weekend.

So, here are a few updates:

First, I have to give an official shout-out and thank you to my personal blog designer, Leanne (who, as you know, is also my sister.)  Leanne is the artistic creator of my blog header.  It is so convenient to call her up and say, "Ok, I'm ready for a new blog header, so when you're in the creative mood, feel free to work on one!"  I love the excitement in her voice when a few hours later, I get a return call that says, "It's done!  Check it out!"  So, thanks, Sis, you are definitely the best.

Second, I do have my "word" for 2011.  No, I don't do resolutions.  I don't believe in them.  Why set yourself up to fail?  Anyway, my word for 2011 is "Re-Focus".  Focus would be too easy of a word.  Everyone needs to focus in at least one aspect of their life.  In my case, I need to just re-focus on many things in my life.  So, that is my word.  Done.  I think I'm supposed to post this on Leanne's blog.  Gotta double check that.

Third, we are in our dreary winter months here in Chicago, which means very little sunshine, lots of cold weather, and snow every other day (or so it seems).  At least we're not getting a foot of snow at a time, like our poor friends on the east coast.  No, we just get enough snow (a few inches at a time, like every other day) to make life a little miserable.  It is so hard not to get into a winter "funk" with this weather, but CT and I dream about moving to someplace warm and sunny when we retire.  Our move, however, would only be during the really bad winter months (like the day after Christmas through March or April) and then we would return home.  Chicago will always be our home, and I can't even imagine ever leaving this place for good. 

Ok, so that is my quick update.  I promise to get caught up with all my favorite blogs.  In the meantime, I hope life and winter is treating you well.

Out With The Old

At midnight tonight, billions of people will be celebrating the end of 2010 and welcoming in the beginning of 2011.  Me and CT... well, I doubt we will stay awake until midnight.  Heck, our goal is to try to stay awake until the East Coast rings in the new year, which occurs at 11 p.m. Chicago time.  (We just celebrate with the New Yorkers.)

So, as the world is saying good-bye to the old (2010) and hello to the new (2011), I will be whispering my own little celebratory chant.  You see, I will be celebrating the tossing out of CT's old pair of worn out bachaboos. 

What are bachaboos?   (Side note - the BACH part is pronounced like the composer's last name Johann Sebastian Bach.  BACH-A-BOOS.)   Bachaboos are slippers, and can be worn indoors or outdoors.  CT's outdoor bachaboos are convienently located by the garage door, and are there for an easily slip-on when CT has to go outside for quick things like getting the mail, picking up the newspaper, taking out the garbage, feeding his birds, getting something out of the garage, etc.  


Left:  new pair of Bachaboos.  Right:  old pair of bachaboos.


Everyone has their favorite "something" that has seen better days and is way past even recycling - be it a favorite shirt (stains and all), a favorite pair of torn jeans, a favorite pair of grungy socks.  For CT, it has been his blue outdoor bachaboos.  I have been begging CT to throw out these bachaboos for the last few years because, 1) they are so worn out that the toes were starting to wear through at the bottom of the slipper, and 2) well... let's just say that they no longer carry that fresh, new, scent they had five years ago.

Every Christmas for the last three or four years, CT has received a new pair of bachaboos as a gift from either me or someone in my family.  Some of the bachaboos have been returned after the Christmas holiday, because, according to CT, they weren't quite "right".  Others became new indoor bachaboos.  None replaced the old blue pair, until this year.  When CT opened the new pair and tried them on, much to my surprise he said, "Ok.  I think these will work.  I'll toss out my old pair."  Wahoo - out with the old, in with the new! 

So, I raise my glass (ok, my cup of coffee this morning) and I welcome you to join me in toasting the old, and welcoming in the new!  From CT and me, we wish you and your loved ones all the very best for the coming new year.  Happy New Year!

A Double Take

As CT and I were driving through the neighborhood this morning, we had to do a "double take" - and then just laughed at what we saw.  Thought I'd share the picture with you (please forgive the poor quality of the photo.)

Yes, a snow-woman complete with a wig, red lips and a bra.  Unfortunately, one of her eyes popped off, but still, it is just too funny.

Our laugh for the day, from me to you.

Schedule Changes & Productive Days

It's the Monday after Christmas, and I hope you've recovered from a weekend of holiday festivities.  For me, today is the start of week #2 of CT's two-week vacation, and I'm still trying to adjust to our new schedule with him being home.

Google Image Search found at urbancubes.com

When CT works, he's up at 4 a.m. each day and out the door by 4:45 a.m.  And because I get up with him too and see him out the door, I get my days started early.  I like getting my days started early and getting the most out of each day - "Productive Days" as I call them.  Yes, I love having productive days.  The downside is that since we are both up at the crack of dawn each day, we crash like babies by 9 p.m.   

I like to tease CT and tell him he cramps my style when he is off from work.  Some days, he does.  Since I've been unemployed, I've developed my own schedule each day (ok, I'm a creature of habit) -- job searching, workout, certain days of cleaning, laundry, errands, babysitting for Katie and Ella, etc., etc, etc.  It seems that when he is home, then my schedule and my good intentions just go out the window.  For example, we've been sleeping in until -- wait for it -- 6 A.M.!!!!  The shame of it!  Heck, when CT works, I am usually at the healthclub working out at 6 a.m.!  Not today, though.

So, we are leisurely enjoying our cup of coffee this morning, and CT has the TV remote control glued to his hand flipping channels.  I'm relaxing on my comfy couch with my laptop, thinking that we really should get our day started.  I've got a list of things that we need to do today, and if we get started now, then we will be sure to have a productive day.  But then again, there are plenty of days to be productive next week.  After all, CT will be back at work, and I'll be back on my regular schedule.  So, until then, I think I'll just let CT cramp my style a little longer.  
 

Merry Christmas!

Well, my friends in Blogland, it is December 24th.  The craziness of the holiday season is starting to wind down for me and CT.  All gifts have been purchased and wrapped.  Christmas cards have been sent.  One last Christmas cookie recipe to make this morning, and then we load up the car and head over to Leanne's tonight, and RW's tomorrow.  Looks like it is going to be a white Christmas for us Chicagoans too, with snow in the forecast for today and tomorrow.  (And no, I'm not taking a snow blowing lesson from CT this weekend -- I don't "study" or "practice" on holidays!)

So, as I extend my heartfelt Christmas wishes to everyone out there, I thought I'd end this post with Linus' explanation of the true meaning of Christmas. 

"And the angel said unto them,

‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy,

 which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior,

which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,

praising God, and saying,

 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

– A Charlie Brown Christmas

 

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Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!