Friday, January 30, 2009

Got up this morning and walked into the kitchen and saw this dark, black line going all the way from the family room, across the kitchen and into the laundry room. "What is that?", I was thinking as I came closer. ANTS!!!! Doing a Conga line across my floor and into GiGi's food dish. AHHHHHHHHH!!!! I give GiGi dry dog food and sometimes she doesn't finish it all. Picked up the dog dish, water bowl and dog mat that it sits on and took it all into the garage to empty into the garbage bag. Not the water dish as there weren't any ants in there...just put it in the sink. Next went and got the vacuum cleaner and proceeded to suck up all those nasty things. After that, took out the bag and put it with the trash outside. At least they made a nice little track for me to follow. We seem to always have problems with ants in the winter as there is no basement below are family room...just a concrete slab over sand....an ants favorite place. Hate getting any type of exterminator out here because of the dog and because our basement is loaded with junk! I'm telling you...I don't need these problems!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Well, here we go again with some more snow. Can't complain as it is winter. Finally cleaned the ceiling above the stove this morning. Boy...dirty. Kept looking at it and saying I was going to clean it but just kept looking at it and saying I have to clean it...never doing it. Didn't have Alexis yesterday as Brandy came home sick. Guess she went back to work today as haven't heard from John so assume am watching her today. And that's about it.

Saturday night we went to a retirement party of an old friend. It was at a bar/restaurant in Wayne so wasn't too far to travel. Only thing with having a doing at a bar is the smoke! When we came home I told Juan not to hang anything in the closet just put it all in the laundry. Boy...cigarette smoke is terrible and I used to smoke...for 30 years I huffed and puffed on those things. Stinky! Stinky! Kind of a quite day today...just worked on the above scrapbook page and vacuumed a bit in the kitchen.
And....after listening a few times to the American songs I liked...decided I didn't like them that much so deleted them and left the Latin ones. Ü

Friday, January 23, 2009

Tonight Juan and I went to eat at Palermo's Restaurant here in Canton. We haven't been there in ages....well, at least not to eat inside the restaurant. I had the cheese ravioli and Juan had jumbo shrimp. Was good! Tomorrow afternoon we go to a retirement party at a bar/restaurant located in Wayne. Starts at 4:00pm. At that time you can tell it is geared for older folks. Ü But, am kind of glad it is at that time as I'm not quite sure of the location of the place. Know the general vicinity so shouldn't be too difficult to find. Will be bringing my camera. Scrapbook page, you know. Ü
And....the songs playing are all on the top Billboard lists for this week...American and Latin. Songs up to La Derrota by Vicente Fernandez. These are the ones I like so far...still have others to listen to..to see if I likey. You should listen to them if you have the time...they are all pretty good.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

John had brought over a disk with photos he had taken while at the Auto Show with Sierra so did the above scrapbook page. Ran across the song that is playing, "Apologize" and like it! Don't know when it came out so if I'm behind the times with hearing it...oh well. I listen to latin music all the time so don't really know what's going on out there most of the time with American music. Will have to go to billboard and see what's happening now and see if I can listen to the songs. That's one of the differences between Juan and myself. He likes to relive the past with 50's and 60's music. Now, I don't mind the music just that I like what is being playing now....and he doesn't. :(

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Juan and I saw Gran Tornio tonight. Ehhhhhhh....not my favorite movie. I really didn't think it was that good...sorry Clint. Just thought of who he reminded me of in the movie....Pappy! Remember Popeye's father? His name was Pappy and he scowled all the time and you could hardly understand him. Pappy...that was Clint Eastwood in this picture. Sooooo....what else is going on???....Nothing! We go to a retirement party this Saturday and not much else. Such an exciting life.

A New Day

So...we have a new president and a new beginning. Hopefully everything will go well with him and our country. It will be a nice change. Not that much going on but am too busy watching all the doings with this day so will make this short and get back when I can concentrate more.

A Cold Wednesday

Cold! Cold! Cold! GiGi gets her hair cut tomorrow or else I would have put her picture up top. You can't even see her eyes she is so fuzzy. It's that time of year again for Girl Scout cookies and I ordered some from a friend's daughter. This is her first year being a scout and her first cookie sale so order quite a few. There goes another 10 pounds. Haven't ventured out since it is so cold but will have to anyway. Have to go to the store to pick up some items and go to the bank. Besides...good to start the car and warm it up a bit even though it's in the garage. My Aunt Bea called me this morning just to say she is alive. She does this every time she dog sits at her daughters (my cousin) house. Guess she will be there until Sunday when Sandy gets back. Just assuming that Sandy went to Chicago to her one daughter's place....or maybe, to Pennsylvania for the other daughter. Not sure but think it would be Chicago.

SEE!!!!! DID I NOT TELL YOU!!!!!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE! It just won four Golden Globes tonight. Best Original Music Score Motion Picture....Best Screenplay...Best Director...and Best Motion Picture (Drama)! I told you all to go see this movie...you will love it!

Day After the Snow

So...yesterday we had a bit of snow. Weather stations were saying it would come overnight but it came during the day. Pretty. John came over yesterday and helped take down the Christmas tree...sooooo...Chirstmas is finally over at our house. Still have to go downstairs and put the ornaments away but that won't take long. Juan and I went out for breakfast today...at 4pm. Ü We both like this one restaurant by us...can't think of it's name...but they serve a really good breakfast menu and they aren't expensive. Actually it's in Plymouth but right down the road. Think it's called Zack's now but it used to be called something else...Silverman's or something like that. Anyway...pretty good.
A friend of ours called yesterday to say that his retirement party had been cancelled because of the weather. Good thing we had the bad weather because I had it written down for next Saturday...ahhhh. Would have hated to have missed it. He called back later last night and said it would be on the 24th of this month. Marked it down and now should not forget.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Finished another scrapbook page for Alex. More of Chicago. Also, did another one of just Alex and Tanya as Tanya had taken lots of photos of the two of them togeter. So, did a best friends one.
We had Alexis here again today. I bought eight new coloring books for her. Got them at Walgreens for $1.00. That's $1.00 for all eight. Pretty good. They were on sale because they are holiday related books. All are different and have activities also to do but she just likes to color.
Song playing is just because I like it. It if called "La Derrota" (The Defeat) and is sung by mi Alejandro's father, Vicente Fernandez. Love the Mexican yell at the beginning and later in the middle of the song. Aye...yi...yi....ha! ha! ha! He is also a very popular singer in Mexico and is called "El Rey"...which means "The King". Sings ranchero music. Love it!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Alex and Tanya went to Chicago this past week-end. Think they found out that winter is not the time to visit, though I think they had a good time. Did the above scrapbook page and will be doing one more. Had to go out and buy some fooooood today and forgot to take my coupons. ahhhhh Not as cold as I thought it would be outside. Inside...our Christmas tree is still up. Will stay up until Alex can come and help take it down. Ü Since she is the one who put it up we aren't sure on how it comes down.

Saturday, January 4, 2008

Listen....Juan and I saw a movie last night that was GREAT!!! "Slumdog Millionaire". If you get a chance go and SEE THIS MOVIE!!! A terrific movie worth seeing. It is set in India with an India not many of us have seen. The story goes...."Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai (used to be called Bombay), is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's ''Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he tells the police the incredible story of his life on the streets, and of the girl he loved and lost. But what is a kid with no interest in money doing on the show? And how is it he knows all the answers?" Highly recommend!!!
And on another note...still taking down Christmas stuff though not very hurriedly...hehehe. All the ornaments off the tree now just have to load them in the laundry basket and take them downstairs to put away. Think we will wait for Alex to come and help take the tree down. Ü
That's it......GO SEE THAT MOVIE!....and don't be put off by the music now playing from the picture....it plays at the very end when the credits are rolling.

The New Year...January 2, 2009

Well...2009 is here. Have to get used to typing in the 9...my finger kind of goes automatically to the eight. Anyway...guess what is coming back to our PBS station. You should know by what is playing. Yup...The Electric Company! Can't remember if it will be on the 15th or the 23rd of this month...but, this month it will start. Just looked it up and it will start on Friday, January 23rd at 4:30 pm. It will be new and not the old shows but I used to love that show. Suppose to teach children of ages 7-10 how to read and it certainly did! But, Alex and John learned how to read from that show...and at one and two years of age. So will look forward to seeing what it is all about now. Morgan Freeman was on the show as Easy Reader. Didn't even know he had a name on the show. It ran from 1971-1977 but had reruns through 1985. Caaaa.....at.....CAT. Ü
Did the above scrapbook page of John and all when they were here to get some tacos on new year's eve. Yesterday started taking down the Christmas decorations. Still have lots to put away since we put up the Christmas village this year.

New Year's Eve 2008

Here at last...the last day of 2008. John, Brandy and the kids will be here to have some tacos and then it's just the two of us. Finished the above scrapbook page of the rest of the Christmas card photos received. Have to admit that some are from Alex as we didn't send out any cards this year...but we know all of them pictured.
Soooo.....Happy New Year everyone! And hope the new year holds a brighter & happier year.

Monday, December 29, 2008

So the new year is almost here. For the first time in a looonnnnngggg time we aren't doing anything. We used to have a taco or tostada party on new years eve but it just is getting to be too much work. It's a lot of work making all those tacos and there are time when we make sooo many because people say they are coming and they just don't show. Juan will still be making tacos but just for us, John, Brandy and the kids. Did the above scarpbook page of some of the photos from Christmas day and when we went to Ann and Reno's this past week-end. Alex went back to her place on Sunday since she had to be back at work today. She will be going to Chicago this coming week-end. John took the girls to The Henry Ford Museum today as they had never been. Guess they had a good time and were able to make some things there. They also had their photo taken in front of a blue screen to make it look like Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz. Sierra is the Tin Man and Alexis is Dorothy with her basket. And that's about it.

Last Saturday of the Year

Well...Christmas is over...kind of. We are off today to get together with more relatives. Christmas was different this year for us. Christmas morning was only Juan, Alex and myself as John now is with Brandy and her girls. They did come over for brunch and opening of more presents and to see what Santa brought in their stockings. Was a good Christmas day and I think everyone received what they wanted. Did the above scrapbook page of cards or photos we received with Christmas wishes. You can click on the photo for a larger view. Not that many cards this year but then, we ended up not sending out any. Know I had mentioned about typing a Christmas letter but just never got around to it.
Can't believe it's going to be 60 degrees today. One of the gifts I got for Juan is a five day forecast of your local weather. Lately this seems to be one of Juan's favorite things to talk about....which drives me crazy!...the weather. So now he can have his very own weather station and know all the latest predictions. It's a digital thing that gets it's signals from a satellite to keep you updated. Has a lot of other American cities you can scan through if you want. He loves this gift. So easy to keep him amused. Ü

Almost Christmas Day

Well, the day that most people have been waiting for is almost here. One more day to go out and try and find something for the special people in your lives. Yesterday Brandy had to take Alexis to emergency as she had a fever...again. Found out she had quite a few things wrong with her including pink eye and is now on antibiotics. She is such a cute little thing and is finally feeling better. Juan calls her "the little munchkin". Not fun for a child to be sick on Christmas Day so hopefully she will be much better in a couple of days. Alex will be coming in tomorrow sometime. Know she still has all her presents to wrap. Went out today and brought food to get us through for a few days. Christmas day we will be having brunch. Just remembered...have to get the apple loaf bread out of the freezer. We should be all set. Lots of traffic out there and I suppose there will more tomorrow so didn't want to have to go out.
Anyway....Juan and I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and will be talking to you soon.

And so it's my birthday....

Can't believe another year has come around to December 22nd. Geeh! And, can't believe how old I'm getting. Of course, on one hand, I guess that's a good thing. Juan gave me a giant card and a gift this morning and Alex called to wish me a happy birthday. John I'll see later when he drops off Alexis on his way to work. Finished the above scrapbook page of the girls and John with their gingerbread people. Alex will be coming here on Christmas Eve morning and that's probably when I will go out to the store and pick up a few groceries. GiGi was a bad girl as she got a hold of the one Santa hat, the one that Sierra is wearing, and pulled off half of the white poof on the top of the hat. Poof all over the family room floor. When I came into the room and said, "What did you do?"....she sulked and went under the table and laid there. Well...can't be mad at her for long. She's our baby....lol.

Gingerbread Day

Today was Gingerbread Day. Sierra and Alexis decorated gingerbread men to take home. John was here to help with the process. I had made the men the day before and they finished them. Alexis' gingerbread man is shown on top and is a woman with curly hair and earrings. Sierra's gingerbread man has lots of hair and is wearing a belt. Brandy showed up later as she was out shopping. All the pictures taken are further down on this site if you want to see them all. Each girl had two to decorate and also put some decorations on the cardborad holding each man.
Think they are going to give one to their father and their grandmother. Seemed to be a good time for them both.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Did the above scrapbook page of Alex with some of the other people in the Lansing JayCees when they did the "Stuff the Bus" earlier this month. That's Alex inside the bus...right side. They get donations of items to give to others at Chirstmas who are not so fortunate. Guess they got quite a few items this year. They were even written about in the local newpaper.

"For one day, a crowded bus was a cause for celebration.On Saturday, a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus parked outside Eastwood Towne Center's Wal-Mart was overflowing with hundreds of donated gifts and items for 20 Lansing-area children and shelters.
The Lansing Jaycees held their fourth annual "Stuff the Bus" donation drive to collect Christmas gifts and basic necessities such as toilet paper and underwear for the needy.
Standing outside the shopping center, Jaycees and volunteers handed lists containing the needs of the children and shelters to incoming shoppers.
The 20 children were selected through the Salvation Army's "Adopt-a-Family" initiative. The Jaycees will deliver the gifts to them before Christmas.
Angela Clock, co-chairperson of "Stuff the Bus," said the benefit "gives families the opportunity to have a good Christmas" and lets them "know they aren't alone."
"There are so many people in dire need this year," Clock said. "Even though the economy isn't great, (people) are still giving. It looks we're going to get everything we need and a little more."
Shopper Marini Lee donated a pack of toilet paper on her way out.
"It feels great. Every little bit helps," said Lee, 30, of Lansing.
Event chairperson Colleen Burton said she enjoys brightening the holiday season for others.
"They're so happy," she said. "They get all this stuff for their kids that they could never get otherwise."
Lansing Jaycee member Sean Kottke said he was humbled by the needs of his community.
"The needs don't stop after Christmas. After reading the economic news, it may get worse," said Kottke, 37, of Lansing.
"We hope this giving spirit continues into the new year."

A Cold Friday

Cold...at least I am. Didn't really do anything today. Played some with Alexis while she was here. Juan found some coloring books and stuff a while back and she plays with them. One of them was Christmas related with stickers you had to punch out and place one on each page of the coloring book. I punched them out and wet a paper towel placed on a plate for her to get the sticker wet. You had to search where to put the sticker and she really liked doing that activity. Tomorrow I'm going to made my apple loaf breads...one for now and the other one to be put out for the Christmas morning brunch. Will also have some french toast that you make the night before and put in the oven the next day. Probably some bacon, juice and who knows what else. Just remembered...instead of the bacon Juan will be getting a ham from the coney island so will slice some of that up and use instead of the bacon. And that's it for today.

Hair Cut Day

Finally went today and had my hair cut and yes, colored. Almost three months since I had it done. I looked like late 60's all over again. More gifts came in the mail today...the ones for Juan...like he needs more stuff. These are kind of neat...kind of. Just think...what does Juan really like....and don't say BEER! As if! Alexis and I made some chocolate chip cookies and I let her take home some of them. She is a real junk food eater...and Sierra is just the opposite. Sierra will go for the more healthy item while Alexis is nothing but sweet, sweet, sweet! Will have to head out tomorrow and get some food for GiGi. Meant to stop tonight but passed the store right by. Hope everyone out there picked up a lottery ticket for tomorrows drawing. Don't know what the figure is now BUT....IT'S LOTS! You just never know...you might be the winner....of course, I hope it's me. Ü

Wednesday Evening

Well, I ended up making some cookies but not really Christmas ones. Had a package of those pre-made ones from Nestle's....Oatmeal Raisin...really good. This was the last of the packages I bought last month at Meijer's. They had them on sale and I had a good coupone so ended up getting them for only twenty-five cents each....and each package makes two dozen cookies. Pretty good. I used to use coupons all the time back in the day when I did refunding but stopped after a while. Now with the prices so high on everything, I started to use them again. Even made a new coupon box from one of Alexis' shoe boxes. You would be surprised how much you save.
Thought I would start writting some Chirstmas cards today and found out I have another problem. Have been having trouble with arthrites in my middle finger of my right hand. Well....now it is going to the pointer finger also and when I started to write...well...can't do it. But...I can type and do have some Christmas paper that once belonged to my mom so I just might write a Christmas letter. I'll have to see what I can put down without going on and on and on. Will see. When I told Juan he said to see if Alex will write the card...yeah right....and then he said John will do it....oh sure he will. I told him about the typing and he said, "Do we have a typewriter?"...as he is standing next to me while I'm on the computer. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Well, that's my Juan and only!