It's A Wonderful Life!

A wonderful Christmas was had by all!!!!!

We opened presents for what seemed like forever. We had a pile of wrapping paper on the floor. Shannon decided she would dive in. We call her the Wrapping Shannon.



















Here is a pic of Eddie opening a present. Doesn't he look just like a little kid. I love this pic of him.



















I think Brandon enjoyed his presents. He opened the "Where's Gary" Spongebob DVD.



















Listen up good! I got the Picture Mate Personal Photo Lab! Oh Joy! And I also got an Old Fashioned Kettle Popcorn Maker. I got some smelly stuff from Shannon and books, lots of books. (Smile!!!)














Jeannie and Chad got gift cards. I think they liked them. They can use them to buy stuff for the new house they are starting to build.

Extended Family Christmas Get-Together

I traveled to Birmingham on Friday morning to have lunch with some friends from my old office and visit with them before heading to my brother's house that evening. Susan, Ellen, and I ate lunch at O'Charley's where my daughter is a server. We had a very nice lunch and I was able to see Shannon as well. Ellen went back to work and Susan and I headed all over town doing some Christmas shopping.

Susan brought me back to my truck around four in the afternoon because she had a Christmas party to go to that evening and I headed for Don's. The minute I got to Don's we had to go pick his wife up from work. We came back home and had dinner and then Brenda and I went to Publix to pick up more food stuff for the Christmas party on Saturday night.

I didn't sleep very good and was up early the following morning. I made a batch of fudge with nuts that turned out perfect without even having to use a candy thermometer. So I was in high spirits. Brenda and I made sausage balls, a chicken ball, potato salad, baked beans, and a ham. She had a friend of hers make a fried turkey. The second batch of fudge I tried to make without nuts didn't turn out so good, it was more like "spoon" fudge, did not harden. I guess I got to impatient.

I then took Sarah to meet my other brother and his family at Ruby Tuesday's to celebrate my niece, Kaitlyn's 10th birthday. After lunch, they all went to see Chicken Little and I went back to my brother's house. Brenda and I finished preparing everything for the party that evening.

Everyone showed up on time and we had a feast of food. After eating we let the kids open their presents and play for a while so we could let our food digest before the "Dirty Santa" game began. If you have ever been around my family when we play "Dirty Santa," just suffice it to say things can get rough and hairy. We don't mind stealing each other's ornaments. The "hot" items this year was a Star Wars R2D2, a translucent sequin ball, and a Seraphim angel ornament. Honorable mention has to be given to the fuzzy pink flamingo with ruby slippers, but we decided not to take it away from my niece Lauryn when she started squawling her eyes out.

I spend Saturday night surrounded by my family, literally. My brother Chris and his wife and three kids stayed at Don's with me, Don, Brenda, and Sarah. I slept on the couch and didn't fare none the better than I did on Friday night.

Chris and his family left early Sunday to go to church and my brother Don took the day off from work to spend with me. We went to Jim and Nick's to eat lunch and then went to visit my mother's grave. Afterward I drove home. I was glad to be home and see Eddie.

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and Christmas is not even here yet.

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Santa Claus...

Anniversary dinner at SmokeyBones

Eddie and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary with his daughter, Jeannie, his son-in-law, Chad, and his grandson, Brandon. We went to SmokeyBones Barbeque and Grill.














Jeannie and Chad graciously paid for our meal in honor of our anniversary. I thought that was so nice. After we got through eating, the men's horse play kinda got outta hand, as you will see in the next few shots.














Chad was making a face in this one because Brandon was taking the picture and he wanted to make Brandon laugh.














This pic really needs no caption, but I will say that this is Eddie's version of a corn cob pipe (literally)! The next pic is of Eddie and I (notice how I look white as a sheet next to my Indian husband).














And finally a pic of Brandon. I had a wonderful time, the only thing that would have made it more perfect, is if my daughter, Shannon could have been there too!

Fudge and Brownies

I started making my Christmas goodies. Thursday is the office party and Saturday is my family party.

I made one batch of fudge and one batch of brownies for Eddie. He said fudge is too sweet for him, so he always asks me to make him some brownies. I am going to make another batch of brownies, some sausage balls, divinity, and fudge for our work party.

I might make a cheese ball for the family party, but I am supposed to bring rolls, plates, napkins, and fudge. We do a casual dinner with ham and potato salad for the Christmas meal so we can play "Dirty Santa."

I am going to take off Friday and come to Birmingham early since Eddie is not coming with me. I have made plans to have lunch with Ellen and Susan and then spend the night Friday and Saturday night with my brother, Don, his wife, Brenda, and their daughter, Sarah.

I can spend more time on the food stuff since I am through with shopping and wrapping.

Tomorrow is Eddie's and my second anniversary. We are going to Smokey Bones to celebrate. Eddie got me a present and a card. I bet it is not a mushy, romantic card, I am almost positive it will be a funny card. But at least I am getting a card and present and taken out to eat. I am impressed.

So, I will be posting pictures on Tuesday of my anniversary dinner. See you then...

Trimming the tree!

Here are some pictures of Eddie and I trimming the 2005 Christmas tree. First, is a picture of the two of us trimmed out in our Christmas colors.














The next two pic's are of the tree as it stands in Shannon's room after trimming and decorating with all the presents.

Here is the cover of my new book

Forever Odd

I got my new Dean Koontz book today, so don't expect me to blog for a couple of days, while I begin and finish reading my favorite author.

I am so excited that I can't even think of anything else to write.

Take care 'til I post again...

Birthday Celebration at O'Charley's

We celebrated Shannon's birthday and Chad's (Eddie's son-in-law) birthday at O'Charley's last night. Chad's birthday is today the fourth and Shannon's is the fifth. 20 years ago I was in labor with Shannon right now, she wasn't born until 12:23a.m. They wouldn't give me any medications so it was a little rough. My mother was there to keep me sane.

Here are a few of the pictures I took last night. Shannon enjoyed opening her presents. Here is a keyring that Eddie and I gave her.


















Eddie and I gave Chad a card and some money. Here is a pic of Jeannie and Chad reading his card. Brandon (Eddie's grandson) was with his dad and not able to come celebrate with us.














Of course, Eddie and I enjoyed ourselves with our family as we always do.

Shannon is here

Shannon turned in the drive about 25 minutes ago. Eddie and I were outside burning some boxes. She brought in Christmas presents and her bag of clothes for the weekend. We are going out tomorrow night to celebrate her birthday. I think we are going to Up-The_Creek or somewhere like that. I will let you know.

I guess we will head to Greenville, AL, tomorrow to the Super Wal-Mart to get a few Christmas ornaments AND I DO MEAN CHRISTMAS, NOT HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS!!!

I may not post tomorrow since we will be out and about for a while, but I will post on Sunday with pictures of the birthday celebration.

Have a great weekend.