I-Luv-Eeyore's blog

So, how did you do on your 2007 resolutions?

Inspired by Bonita-In-Pink's post.

Here is a link to my 2007 resolutions.

Here is how I did:

1.  Keep the checkbook balanced.  Well, since I only bounced one check---I think I did pretty well, however I am ending the year with an unbalanced checkbook.  There is a $25 difference from November that I can NOT find.  I'm waiting for December's check statement to come in so I can see if it magically works itself out.

2.  Healthier eating choices.  Well...I started 2007 at 157 (which was on the old-off-by-five-pounds scale so I really started at 162).  I got up to 170 but am now down to 152-ish.  So, the whole year wasn't a good one, but the last few months have been much better.

3.  Less internet during working hours.  That one did not happen----at all---I totally 100% failed at this one.

Those were my only resolutions for 2007.

I haven't really thought about my 2008 resolutions yet. But I still have a few days.

How well did you do?

I'm back---for a short time

Still on vacation, but now on vacation at home.  Trip to the in-laws and to my parent's home is over.  Christmas is over, now to recover, undecorate, and prepare for India and Europe. 

Trip to the in-laws was tons of fun.  Caroline is the sweetest smilingest six month old I know.  Loretta is a typical 2 1/2 y/o....spoiled rotten and very sweet by turns.  Chris surprised Loretta by ringing the door bell dressed as Santa Claus.  He told her that he was just checking his list to make sure he knew where all the good little girls and boys were for Christmas.  She was in awe----invited him into the house and asked him if he wanted a cookie.  We got pictures, it was cool.

 

 

Santa at the door

 

Santa 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning came and we were all able to sleep in until after 7:00 as Loretta and Caroline didn't wake up early to see what Santa brought.  I bet next year Annie and John will be up by six as I think Loretta figured it out after she saw her doll house and got her Ariel doll that she asked for.

The trip out to my folks was relatively uneventful.  The whole clan was together for the first time in about 10 years.  My parents, the three kids (and two spouses), All four grand kids, (two step-grandkids and a spouse) and five great grandkids (one step-great grandkid).  We tried to get pictures of all of us, but no one was able to get a camera with a timer set up in a good spot.  Besides---we have some camera shy people, so it was really hard to get them all together----not to mention how hard it is to get seven kids aged 12 and under to all look at the camera AND smile at the same time.  But, here is a shot of most of us (at least most of the blood relatives----)

 

Johnson Family 2007

Yup, nephew Ray is holding his son, Ethan, upside down.  Missing is Jordan, my oldest brother and 4 spouses.

Here is Chris's side of the family---

 

Clifford Familly smaller

I'm glad to be back.  But miss the traveling relatives already.  Luckily all had safe travels to and from Mississippi.  We had people come from Boston, North Carolina, and New Mexico.  It was a Christmas to remember.

Healthy Lifestyle--Friday update

Yup, the Holidays are here.  Right here---they are settling on my tummy and my hips.  I need to get in some exercise.  152.8 was this mornings weigh-in.  About a half a pound weight gain from last Friday.  We will be headed over to the in-laws later today.  They live in an actual subdivision with paved roads that aren't highway (read crazy drivers).  I hope to be able to get in some walks or some bike riding while we are there....this will help combat the crazy food week + that is ahead of me. 

My mother-in-law is a wonderful person.  But she is constantly trying to shove food down anyone that is in the house's throat.  After a while it just become easier to say 'yes' than it is to listen to her list everything over and over ad nasuem.  I love her and wouldn't trade her for the World, but she makes it hard to keep my calorie count down. 

Push-ups, sit-ups, walks and bike rides....not to mention bowling and possibly some frisbee golf. 

Oh, but I do have to make the desserts for my family's Christmas dinner.  Desserts for 20.  ACK!!  How many pies will that be?  Oh, and I have to make some dirt pudding because it is my nephew and my neice's favorite.

dirt pudding
pumkin pie
pecan pie
apple pie
watergate salad (not a dessert, but something my Mom specifically asked for)
Oh, and the Green Bean Casserole.

~sigh~

Here's to healthy eating and hopefully a good check-in in two weeks.  (Vacation next week, will still be at my in-laws with a different scale than my own...)  'See' you on the 4th!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I would have been so ticked off!

Xavier has been spending time with his Grandparents this week.  Tressa has called and checked on him once or twice every day and things have been going very well.  Shopping, playing, eating, napping, etc...life of a toddler.  Tressa called this evening and talked with her mother-in-law....the woman went and got the child's hair cut!  His first hair cut and not only was the Momma not there, the Momma wasn't even consulted on whether or not it was okay for her son's hair to get cut!

Poor Tressa cried for about five minutes after she got off the phone.  Chris has been raging ever since.  Everyone that has been told has been upset, too. 

Supposedly the lady didn't know that Xavier hadn't had his first hair cut, yet....but at the same time she saved some of the curls---how does that make sense?

Grrr.....

Countdown to Christmas: Done, done and done!

Presents bought: Done
Presents wrapped: Done
Dinner party attended: Done
Work party attended: Done
Christmas letter composed: Done
Christmas cards written out: Done
Christmas cards in the mail: Done
Wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and bows put away until next year: Done
Left over Christmas cards, stickers, embelleshments put away until next year: Done
Laundry finished and ready to be packed: Done
Someone lined up to feed OC while we are gone: Done
Car gased and ready to go: Done

Today is my last day to work this year.  I won't be working again until January 2nd.  Then I work for five days before hopping a plane to India, where I will work (and train someone how to do my job) for five days. (Not counting weekend days---or the Monday Holiday that is happening in India)  Then I'm on vacation until January 29th.  Wohoo!!!

I hope I can relax the next week or so...because once I come back I will be working hard and long getting ready for India.  But, then I can relax while I'm in Europe. 

Uhmm....OW!!

Some people consider Darcy to be a big dog.  She's a bit over 50 pounds, but since she's been with me from a tiny puppy I don't see her as being all that big.  The only time her 'bigness' bothers me is when she's out on the chain and is running around while I'm trying to get to the back door.  The chain can trip a person up lickity split.  So far, I haven't been tripped completely---stumbled a time or two, but hit the ground---nope.  Not even really today when she caught me off guard.  I wasn't paying attention because we were busy packing the car with Christmas presents, Jordan's luggage, Chris's golf clubs and my bike.  We got them all packed up and ready to go; I was stressing about Baron being stressed that the car was being packed and he was scared he'd be left behind.  I went to step up on the back step, Darcy ran by and clipped my ankle.  I started down, threw out my arm to catch my fall and whacked it hard on the porch railing, that threw me even further off balance and I hit my hip on the porch step, then I was knocked catty-whompus and hit my back on the post holding the porch railing up.  All of this happened in super slow motion and Chris was able to come over and grab my outstretched hand which kept me from totally falling off the steps and onto the ground.

So, the inside part of the elbow where the elbow would rest on an arm rest is swollen and reddish purple, my back hurts, my hip is bruised and I have a welt on my ankle.  All I can think about is the fact that my 72 y/o mother will be here for 18 days in January watching my kid and my dogs---I hope Darcy doesn't trip or out muscle my Mom.  that would not be a good thing. 

Ibuprofen is the Chris recommended therapy...I wonder if I should ice the elbow, too?

Vox Hunt: Deck the Halls!

Show us your holiday decorations.

Here they are in all of their glory.  The picture of the tree does not do it justice.  But, I can't seem to get a good picture this year.  Maybe I'll try again now that all of the presents are wrapped and under it.

Fireplace

Christmas tree

Nativity

 

Christmas on top of the TV

 

 

Snowmen collection

Countdown to Christmas

I got a couple of big projects done between yesterday and today.

ALL presents are wrapped.  I have to wrap a couple of things we are giving to my father-in-law as retirement gifts, but I am done with the Christmas presents!

And, I've gotten my tins covered in fabric and filled with Kisses---they are ready to go for tomorrow.

 

Filling the tins

Here is the finished project: 

Finished project

Now, I just have to address about 60 Christmas cards and get them sent out---oh, and go to the Post Office to buy Christmas stamps.  Uhm....other than that I am ready for the holiday.

I do have work to do for my trip to India---so I guess I better get to it.

 

Got my hair done

I went this past Tuesday and got my hair done in preparation for Friday's company Christmas party and so it would look decent when we go on our trip next month.

Before:

 

Trish before

This is me on our way to the company Christmas party Friday evening:

 

Trish after

How do I handle bill paying?

As I sit here paying the bills for December I have started to wonder how am I going to get the January bills paid on time when I won't even be in the country?  I don't want to leave my checkbook behind for my Mom to pay the bills with.  But, if I don't, then the bills will be late and our credit score will take a hit; not to mention the late fees that will add up.  I don't know how many will come in after we leave, and how many will be due while we are gone.  The car payment is one of those.  I believe the water, gas, and electric will come in before we leave and I can set them up so that all Mom has to do is put them in the mail after payday.  I suppose I could leave a couple of pre-written checks ready for Mom to just stick in the envelopes when they come in: for the credit cards and the car payment.  I can write the checks for what I figure the amount due (or minimum amount due) will be...then she can just open the bill and pop the checks in the envelopes.

hmm....I wonder how other people handle paying the bills when they are gone for long periods of time?