One Year Down the Drain

As it gets closer to the end of 2008 I find myself doing some Self Evaluations,
some Soul Searching. Did I do all I wanted to do this year? Did I meet my
goals, expectations, hopes? The more thinking I do the more I find wanting, so many things that didn't happen that I wanted to happen. I am one year away from 30- the big 30- and to be honest it's scaring me a little.
There are so many things I want to do before I turn 30, I feel like if I don't get my Life straightened out before then that I won't be able to. I'm sure it's just a crazy mind set, but I am having a hard time getting past it. So this year will definitely be a year of goal setting, there is a lot I need to get done & one year to do it in. I'm starting my list & will have it posted on New Years Eve, I have never done the New Years Resolution Thing- but this year it may be my last hope, before all I see at the end of 2009 is another Year down the Drain.

Papertake #2 for me :)

Here is my card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge.
I made a Birthday Card for my Brother-in-Law
hopefully it's manly enough :)

Reindeer Food & Other Fun

This was a really fun craft that we made this year, it also doubles as a cute little Christmas Gift.
You need-
10c. oatmeal, regular
1c. brown sugar
1/4t. salt
1/4 bottle red sugar sprinkles
1/4 bottle green sugar sprinkles

Mix all together well, place 1c. of the mix into a disposable icing bag,
and tie shut with a pretty ribbon. This makes 10 bags of Reindeer Food.

I used my computer to make cute tags for these. The directions on the tag
say to sprinkle half of the contents of the bag over your front lawn for
Santa's reindeer, the remaining food you save for your Christmas Morning
Breakfast- to prepare you mix 1/2c. water with the remaining oats, stir- cook
in the microwave for about 1 min.

These were a lot of fun, we made them at home & as a craft project for my
3rd graders Christmas Party at school & the kids loved making them.

For Teachers gifts this year we made each of them a pkg of Candy Cane Cocoa Mix,
which I have the recipe for here- Candy Cane Cocoa Mix.
Also a bag of Reindeer Food, an Herb Rice In a Jar Mix-
And a pkg of Freeze dried Snowballs for their Cocoa.
Happy Holidays!

Yes we are Crazy, but we LOVE each other :)

OK, after the crazy week last week I parked myself in my home & didn't leave for almost 3 days, & only left it than because My Sib's & cousins were all getting together at my Gram's for dinner. I LOVE hanging out with my family, we are such a goofy bunch, we laugh & tease & hug a lot. The biggest reason we were getting together was because my cousin & his wife flew in from Alaska & were going to be here for a few days. It's always great to see them, & this was a bit bitter-sweet. He's an Army Chaplain & is being sent back over to Iraq. It was great to see him, & hard to say goodbye.
Also this is our first Christmas without Grandpa, he passed away in August, So this year amongst the laughing, teasing & love, there were a few bittersweet tears shed- For my Cousin who is leaving us, & for the Grandpa we all adore & miss so much. But underneath it all is such a strong love of Family, that I thank God for everyday. I hate goodbyes, and have come to learn that they are one of the hardest steps we take in this Journey called life.

Here are a few of my Favorite Pic's from the afternoon-

Christmas Dinner Insanity

Here's for all of you who are making Christmas Day Dinner, On the Crockpot Lady's Blog she has a great list of Holiday Foods- Main dish- through- Desserts that can be prepared in the crock pot. If you are interested Click on the Smiley here :)

Tag You're It ;)

Pam from Pam-fried Family Life Tagged me this morning with this - so here it goes-


1- I am the middle child of 7.

2- I have visited 8 different countries.

3- Since My Hubby & I have been married 10 years ago we have moved 10 times.

4- I do NOT like cats, unless I have mice, then I like mice less than cats, so I borrow a cat ;)

5- Growing up I had 4 goats, 2 horses & several pet rabbits.

6- I have lived in 5 different states, before I got married I was a nanny.

7- I have a brother that looks so much like me that people have asked if we are twins :)



Now I tag 7 people- hmmmm :) Jumping in the Rain Puddles of Life , Crystal, Lisa,
Christine, Kristina, Keri, & last Yesterday's Tomorrow. If you want to play along, you can copy the tag from my page or Pam's. If you don't that's fine, Thanks everyone :)

Card-o-Rama

Good Morning! :) I got up early and started working on some more
Christmas Cards. I made 2 of each of these using punches,
Embossing powder, & a stamp. 6 down 44 to go.