that was fast

come and gone.  in the blink of an eye.  seems like it only just got started.  I could carry on but I think I made my point.  the year is over.  so much to ponder.  so much to wonder.  427+ jobs applied for.  100+ margaritas.  45+ days packing.  3+ days moving.  nyc.  tucson.  milwaukee.  chicago.  devo.  blondie.  cats.  lion king, beauty, beast.  paint.  pool.  family.  friends.  2010.

it's been awesome.  thanks to everyone in and around my life.  i couldn't imagine it without you.

2011.  new year.  new job.  new adventure . . .

fa la la la la - la la la la

the trees lit.  the presents wrapped.  the cookies baked.  the egg nog chilled.  the snow fallen.  Now time to enjoy the holiday.  Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.  you're in my heart and on my mind.

*picture copyright wdc

to be jolly

the rough snow days have ceased for the time being.  (yay!)  done some baking; frosted gingerbread cookies, chocolate chip butterscotch cookies.  Chocolate chip and sugar cookies on the agenda too.  Going out to dinner tonight then traveling the neighborhoods around the city checking out the christmas lights.  Then out for some salted caramel hot chocolate.  (yum!) 

'tis the season

snow.  not very fond of it, that's for sure.  seems like it's been snowing for days.  oh, wait, it has.  right now it is lake effect.  the main storm came through Sunday, not much of one, about four inches.  Monday it was mostly clear, snow in the morning, enough to shovel.  I was out shoveling this morning, about two inches fell overnight.  I'm noticing that the sidewalk and driveway are covered again.  even though it is snowing, I do see patches of blue sky.  one of the nice things about the neighborhood, a guy two houses over has a tractor with a plow, so he clears off the sidewalk on one side of the house regularly.  the sidewalk on the cul-de-sac abuts the street and the city plows that side nicely, leaving only the front walk and driveway for me. not too bad.  except when it snows.  and snows.  and snows.

garbaging

matt's trash.  based on the recipe I found online for texas trash.  changed up a bit with things I like to munch on.  nibble on.  snack on.  Shane makes his own mix, scramble, which I love munching, nibbling, snacking.  it gave me the idea to create my own.  dare I share the recipe?  well, it has butter, chili powder, garlic salt, worcestershire, a-1, fritos, pretzels, bugles, life, cashews, sesame sticks.  oh yeah, and a secret ingredient added.  next I'll be baking gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies.

flurry of activity

Friday.  Shane, his dad John, Bill and I celebrated the son and the father's birthdays.  Fine dining.  Filet, Sweet Potato, Green Beans, Creme Brulee.  Delicious.  Saturday.  After a slow start, some laundry, bench assembly completed.  Despite the weather, a drive into Chicago for dinner and a concert.  Starbucks close early in Chicago by the way.  The drive back started out fine, got windy, rainy, snowy, fine again.  Sunday.  Blueberry muffins.  Shopping.  New ornaments.  New pants.  New hangers.  Some snow.  Some shoveling.  More shopping.  Nothing new.  Monday.  Job search.  Laundry done.  More snow.  More shoveling.  More snow.  More shoveling.  More snow.

procrastination in full effect

it has been snowing lightly through out the day today.  woke up to ground cover.  actually braved the roads, went to the mall, bookstore, coffee, Disney etc.  the house is decorated for the holidays now.  the day after Thanksgiving, I dragged things out of the rafters and put the tree up, lighted.  it was a nice day of thanks and turkey with Mom and Dad, Pat, Toni, Chris and Shane.  been keeping myself busy doing things the last few weeks, some painting, still got more to do, later this week (procrastination in full effect).  yesterday the entryway bench got delivered.  in a flat box.  guess that means some assembly required actually mean complete assembly required.  later this week. (remember, procrastination is is full effect).  not much to report on the job front, still applying for available positions, hanging out, waiting for that one phone call that will start me on the path towards a new career.  been debating about getting a gaming system, especially since there's a new game on the market featuring Mickey.  Played Rock Band with Shane, Beth and Ken (I rocked the mic, dabbled on keyboards), gorged on pizza, fun!  pretty much covers all that's been going on 'round here for now.  cats are good, crazy, cute, entertaining.  think the new show on AMC, The Walking Dead is incredible, glad Ann is in the final two for ANTM, Survivor is getting good now that the tribe got rid of the power player, hopefully they will now get rid of the troublemaker.  I need to pick a book off my shelf, plenty to choose from.  Yay, it's Christmas time!!!