HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a quick wish for everyone that reads my blog. I hope you all have a wonderful, successful, healthy, happy and prosperous 2009.

Weekly Bowling Scores 12/26/08

Jeff was in town for Christmas. We had a very nice visit. We decided to take the family to dinner on Friday as one last get together before he had to leave early Saturday morning. I knew that all the men would love a good juicy steak so I picked the restaurant. Texas Roadhouse is Brent's favorite place for steaks so that's where we headed. Unfortunately, it was so crowded that we had to break up our party into two groups, Men and Women. We didn't even get to sit anywhere close to eachother. Because of this and my plan for one last get together, I dediced to bring up our favorite past time, bowling. Everyone was "game".

Kim 66 / 87
Jenny 116 142
Terrie 124 / 189 Yes, that's right! my highest score ever! 4 strikes in a row!
Zach 60
Shawn 129 / 121
Matt 135 / 153
Jeff 143 / 133
Brent 137 / 174 Brent thought he was going to beat me because he and I both had Turkey at the same time. I pulled it off though!

A Year in Review

Life truly is measured by the moments that take our breath away. My new blog header shows just a few of the photos that were taken this year. Photos that are special to me in one respect or another. I will not go into details but I am sure in most of the pictures, you can imagine why they are special. My family means the world to me. I have been so blessed this year. Although we have all had experiences that we prefer had never happened, we are stronger for each trial we've endured and knowing that we have a loving family behind us, our lives are richer than we could have ever hoped.
As the year comes to a close, "Count your blessings. Name them one by one!" I'm sure you won't have to look too far to see that you too have the wealth of kings.

Weekly bowling scores 12/20/08

Brent 128 / 136 / 166
Terrie 110 / 129 / 97 and this was after two strikes in my tenth frame!
SomeGuy 699
Going bowling at the same time every week, you become acquainted with people that frequent the bowling alley on your schedule. Today, this guy that was bowling next to us had a 3 game combined score of 699. Yes, I said 699 and I believe his first game was something like 253. The problem bowling next to someone this good is that you feel obligated to wait for them and they usually have an extremely slow approach. This guy wipes off his ball before each toss but not only that, he stands there for about 2 minutes just looking at the pins and if someone within 2 lanes of him happens to go ahead, he waits until they go back to the table then takes another 2 minutes looking at the pins. Maybe I should try that. I just might get better scores. Either that or I will never let the ball out of my hand because I am waitning for people to clear out of the way.

Ahhhh Pop

Comfort food anyone? As Brent was out snowblowing the driveway and walks Friday night, I was looking for something to cook for dinner. The minute I spotted the box of Quaker Oats in the cupboard, I just had to have some. I am not talking about the instant, microwave oatmeal. I am talking about the good old fashioned POP that my mom used to make. This is not just any old oatmeal. There is something very special about having it the way my mom made it. Not only does it bring back memories of when I was young, it's a genuine comfort food that fills you up and makes you feel better when you're feeling a little down or even feeling a little icky. Made with milk and somewhat runny, not sticky and gloppy like a lot of people make it; you HAVE to put it on a PLATE. You just don't eat it out of a bowl, that wouldn't be right. Putting it on a plate, and eating it from the outside edges in, allows you to eat it at a consistent temperature. The edges are cooler and you can start eating immediately and by the time you get to the center, it too has cooled enough to be able to gobble it up without burning your mouth.

Christmas Past

So I took a little inspiration from Emily. Here are a bunch of Family photos from our Christmas's past. Can you find yourself in any of them?

Just an FYI, in case you didn't already know... If you click on the slideshow, it will open another widow so you can see the pictures in larger format.



Remember our family tradition of going to Oma and Opa's for Christmas Eve? I will admit, some of the pictures are not that great and in many, can't even see anyone's face but I am including them so you remember what Opa and Oma's house looked like and the fun times we had. The last two pictures are a small tribute to our fun times at Brent's parent's house.

Do you Believe

Sometimes it's easier NOT to believe. Here's hoping that you all take time to believe in something again that you've possibly lost a little hope in. Pray for better times to come and do all you can to make someone else's dreams come true. "What goes around, comes around".

Decorating for Christmas

Every year I get so excited to decorate for Christmas and then when it is time to actually do it, I get all depressed and just don't feel like doing anything. This year was no exception. I did get my tree up last Sunday and attempted to put my village up but got so frustrated with it. For some reason, I can never seem to just put it up and be satisfied. I plan, and move things around multiple times and still it never looks right. Here is my attempt this year. I ended up pushing the kitchen table against the wall and set it up there because Brent said we needed some decorations upstairs and not just in the family room. I think he suggested this so I wouldn't take up anymore space in "his" area of the house. I already hogged up one little corner of the family room for the tree. He even went so far as to suggest that I put it in my bedroom on my dresser!

Weekly Bowling Scores 12/13/08

Brent 111 / 164 / 150
Terrie 106 / 136 / 146

The first game was only a practice game :) Hey, at least I still broke 100

Aubreys Doll Clothes

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was making doll clothes for a doll I got for Aubrey for Christmas. The doll now has 14 outfits and 2 coats, all handcrafted by me. I bought all the shoes and stockings online. I have one item left to make and that is a nightgown to match the one I am making for Aubrey. I will post that picture after Christmas so I can get one of both the doll and Aubrey in matching jammies. I plan on making more clothes for the doll as long as Aubrey has an interest. I had a lot of fun with this project.

Weekly Bowling Scores 12/6/08

Brent 148 / 110 / 121
Jenny 125 / 113 / 99
Terrie --- / 105 / 132