A Brand New Start

Happy New Year to you all!  

May God bless you with peace, good health, security in your finances, and joy.

New Year's Resolutions

Every year people make resolutions for the New Year.  However, as we all know, most (if not all) are never kept.  We have such good intentions, don't we?  All we can do is try our best, right?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Merry Christmas To All!

Rosiak Decoration!

These were taken less than two weeks ago when we went to decorate Flo and Si's  rooms and common room.  Flo was in such good spirits - we had a good laugh together as we decorated her.  Simon loved the Christmas tree in the common room and was cutting up.

Have a safe, fun weekend!

Poor Santa!

We always enjoyed keeping up the Santa fun with our girls.  When Krista was 7 she was starting not to believe so John went up onto the roof Christmas Eve and made noises...She believed for one more year.
We told them the real story of St. Nicholas so they knew that the Santa Claus legend was based in truth.

We always made sure they knew the real reason for Christmas; we even had a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake for several years. 

Cartoon provided by:  Mark Parisi

Happy 34th!

John and I met 34 years and 6 months ago.  We married 3 days shy of knowing each other for 6 months.  There was no decision to be made on my part - I knew I would marry him after knowing him for one day. Love at first sight does exist!  What clinched the deal was seeing him with Krista, who was 5 at the time.  He was her 'daddy' for sure. We married on her 6th birthday.  Happy 40th birthday, Krista!  I will love John forever.

Visit To Santa

Every year we always took the girls to see Santa when they were little.  They liked it only for a few years.  Once Bekah and Roxie were born we often went with them when they visited Santa.  I think it is a wonderful part of 'Christmas Magic' for children.  More about Santa another time.

Cartoon provided by:  Reader's Digest

Everyone Has A Gripe!

No one is ever happy!

Cartoon provided by:  Mark Parisi

Gingerbread Cookies

I have been on Weight Watchers for 10 months.  It has been very successful.  Considering that I cannot exercise at all, due to the vertigo, I have lost 42 pounds.  Now... It is almost Christmas and the 'fun begins'.  John made the most delicious gingerbread cookies over the weekend  -  HELP!!!!

Cartoon provided by:  Mark Parisi

Trim That Tree!

Put up a small (nearly 3 feet tall) Christmas tree in our great room next to the fireplace on a table covered in red cloth.  Really looks nice.  We haven't had a real tree since we moved to NM in 2007.  When Christmas is over John will plant it in our back yard - it is drought resistant too.

Cartoon provided by:  Mark Parisi

Trekkie

I love Star Trek.  We were also big fans of Star Trek: Next Generation.  A new TV station has come to this area - it is a new network called MeTV (MemoryEntertainmentTV).  All kinds of great old shows are shown including Star Trek.  It is such fun to watch the original series.  They also show:  Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Thriller, The Rebel, Combat -- a few of the shows that we record and watch when we can.  Great fun!

Cartoon provided by:  Reader's Digest

No Kidding!

We will be spending Thanksgiving with John's mom and brother at their Assisted Living facility.  Nice lunch, good company.  John is actually taking off 3 full days this week:  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  What a treat!  He plans on cooking (after brining) our turkey on Friday or Saturday.  He loves turkey (so do I) and so he carves the turkey and stores meal sized portions in our extra freezer for future lunches and dinners.  Looking forward to two turkey dinners this week.

Won't see you again until next Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Autumn Leaves

We have had true autumn weather for the past two weeks.  Put away all my summer clothes and brought out fall and winter.  Nothing better than getting all cozy with a nice sweatshirt on and a hot cup of French Vanilla Cappuccino - yum.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thanksgiving Invitations

Well, have you invited all those you wish to be with you on Thanksgiving?  Have you made sure everyone gets along?  Have you assured there will be no quarrels?  Good luck with that!

We will be having Thanksgiving Lunch with Grandma Flo and Uncle Simon (my mother-in-law and brother-in-law) at their Assisted Living facility.  Being that it is much too difficult to move Flo and we would have to have a CNA with her the whole time she was away from her home, it is much easier for everyone if we go there.

See you Friday!

Are We Alone?

I think we have to be realistic, whether we believe in God or not, that the chances that He created all this just for us is just a wee bit narcissistic.  I have no idea what or where there is something or someone else but I do believe there is.

Have a great weekend!

Biodegradable

I love it when we can purchase items that are biodegradable.  However, it seems in the last few years, it is more difficult to find them - can't figure out why though.  Just keep hunting.

Don't forget to vote!

No Cartoon or Photo

Due to our upgrading our internet speed there are some things that cannot be done until Monday evening - one is that I cannot upload photos, cartoons, etc...

Sorry!

Have a super, duper weekend.

Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants!!

What a World Series - 4 - 0.  Amazing!  We all believe now.

Goodbye To Our Sweet Tiggy

For the last two weeks we have noticed many changes in our sweet puppy.  He started eating only every other day and then not at all for the last four days; he wouldn't even eat his Milk Bone biscuits, which he loves. He was throwing up many times during the day and night. He would sleep almost all day without even moving and hardly drank any water.  John took him to the Vet this morning (I was at the dentist) and he and the Vet decided it was time his life here with us is over.

Tiggy (or Mr. Tiggs to some) came to us Labor Day weekend 1998; he was only a year old. We adopted him from the SPCA.  We were told he would probably only live one year or so as he had a collapsed trachea.  He was always coughing to open it up so he could breathe.  

His big smile reminded us all of a Teddy Bear. He has been with us and a wonderful part of our family for 13 years - he was just a little over 14 years old.  Danny, Krista, Misha, Alan, Bekah, Roxie, Marcelle, Susan, and Sue, Carol (his groomer) all loved him.

We will all miss you so much, Tiggy.  Have fun chasing bunnies in Heaven. You will remain in our hearts, along with Daisy and Jenny, forever. We love you.

Wake Up!

It is close to 5:30 a.m. - about the usual time I am up.  Sometimes I am up a lot earlier.  John has already arrived at one of his part-time jobs about 15 minutes ago.  He will then go to his full-time job at 8am until 6:30pm.  A very long day - hopefully he won't have to do any part-time work on his way home; sometimes he does.  

So, wake up everyone!!

Cartoon provided by:  Reader's Digest

Sorry

See you Monday.

And...It's Over

Last day of the Balloon Fiesta yesterday.  Great success.  Over 600 hot air balloons from all over the world.  The largest in the world.  Come and see next year!

Just One More...

Okay.  I have really had enough.  Every single night for the past several weeks we have had a survey phone call. Most are regarding the upcoming election but there are others too.  It is almost like an alarm is set and at 8:20 the phone rings and there they are asking me a bunch of questions. They are only doing their job, I know, so I answer.  Will be happy when the election is over then there will be at least 75% less survey calls.

Have a great weekend!

Mass Ascension

And they're off!

Awesome!

Balloon Fiesta 2012

Tomorrow the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta begins.  There will be over 500 hot air balloons!  It is an amazing sight.  Above are 3 of many photos John has taken.  Nine days of 'Ascensions" (when they all go up within minutes of each other) and 'Glows" (when they are all on the ground at night and they are lit within - Gorgeous).
Have a wonderful weekend.

Autumn Leaves

Dizzy - See you Friday

Autumn!

Finally, finally, it feels like Autumn.  There is a crispness in the air each morning and the afternoons are nice and warm - range is low 50's to low 80's -- Really, Really nice weather.  I love this time of year and, of course, Spring - but we never had a Spring this year so Autumn is even more important.  Everyone is talking about the weather and how happy they are and that they hope it lasts a long time before Winter sets in.

Have a wonderful weekend -- enjoy the leaves changing color.

Cartoon provided by:  Reader's Digest

Roller Coaster Ride

You can see Misha and Marcelle at the top of the roller coaster; Marcelle is holding on tightly to her mom.  This was taken at Pixieland while we were visiting them a few weeks ago.  Marcelle has been wanting to ride this roller coaster for quite a while now.  Misha took her, hoping it would be OK.  The ride was scary and Marcelle wanted to get off - of course, that didn't happen.  When it was all over she was still fascinated by the 'dragon' flying around.

New Mexico Aliens

New Mexico is building a Spaceport - near Roswell (not too far).  Famous for alien sightings and abductions, this area is a great place to build a place to go into space.  People (regular citizens) will be able to pay (A LOT) to be on board one of the flights.  Won't be too long now so you better reserve your seat!

Cartoon provided by:  Reader's Digest

It Has Begun

Ah, Yes!  The Season has begun -- pigskins, tackles, yelling coaches, sad injuries.  My (John's) favorite time of the year.  I guess I will see him again in February.

Cartoon Provided by:  Reader's Digest

Marcelle, Pop, and Gramma

Great time we had in Walnut Creek. We just love Misha, Alan, and Marcelle so much; we miss seeing them so this was a wonderful treat.

Have a wonderful, fun weekend!

Photo provided by: Diane Neet

Lest We Forget

September 11, 2001

Rapunzels Three

Photo was taken at Marcelle's birthday party. She just turned three. It was awesome to be there to visit her, Misha, and Alan. Was a wonderful time. We so enjoyed spending time with Diane and Don as well.

From left to right:
Ela Anderssen, Marcelle, Amelie Bolduc. Three buddies in their "Tangled" Rapunzel dresses. So sweet I'm going to get a cavity.

More on Monday.

Have a super weekend!

Photo provided by: Kristen Bolduc

Vacation

Won't blog again until September 10. John is actually taking 2 weeks of vacation time. Just chillin'. Will fill you in on the 10th.

Les Artistes

Artwork by Bekah - Age 14 1/2



Artwork by Roxie - Age 11

Bekah and Roxie gave us the above two pieces of art. Bekah and Roxie also did miniatures for us but the are so small and on little canvases so we cannot scan them into our computer. I really like their art and have several displayed in our home.

Have a super, duper weekend!

Really?

Well, we are near the end of our 3rd month over 90 degrees. Almost one month was over 100. We are hot and the land is very dry as we have had little to no rain during our 'monsoon' season. Everyone gets so excited when it looks like it's going to rain but most of the time - nothing. It is cloudy today (partly) and so -- there is a chance. Wish us luck - we need the rain and cool down that comes with it - badly!

Tropical Storm Gordon

Absolutely beautiful and frightening.

Have a great weekend everyone.

What Else Is New?

We all have budget constraints. We had them for a few years now, or haven't you noticed. If John and I were to build a pyramid it would be pretty small (see above) but it would be really nice, have straight lines, and we would love it - 'cause that's the way we are.

GOODBYE, to the Coyans. They are flying back to the Czech Republic this evening. It was so great seeing them for the 8 days they were here and speaking with them on the phone thereafter. We love you all!!!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Granddaughters Together

This summer is the first time our three granddaughters have been together. Marcelle was born three months after Bekah and Roxie's visit three years ago. Lots of threes!!! Here they are playing with Playdoh together - three cousins having fun together. Makes my heart happy.

Go!

Been watching Track and Field the last couple of days. Love this cartoon.

Got a big rainfall last night, lost of thunder and lightening. Really, really need the rain - Thank You, Lord!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

New Olympic Sports

Hope you all have been enjoying the Olympic Games as much as we have. The Gymnastics, Swimming, and Diving events have been awesome. Other sports are great but these three have been spectacular. Looking forward to more each day.

Posted today instead of tomorrow as I will be out very early for a doctor's appointment.

Have an olympic weekend!

Coyans and LeClairs

So nice to see a photo of the four of them together after three years separated. They have had two visits already and one more on the horizon. Sisters need to spend time together.

Love you all!

Photo provided by: Alan

Granddaughters

Roxie: serene, easygoing, funny, intelligent, inquisitive. Rebekah: intelligent, artistic, honest, dramatic, funny. Sweetie pie granddaughters: love and miss them so much.

Fun Family Visit

Krista, Danny, Bekah, and Roxie were here for 8 days. They just left on Friday. We miss them so much. We had such a great time with them. John went all over the place with them. Even went to Santa Fe with them. I even had a chance to go out one day with them and visit Tome Gallery (bought some cool stuff too) and lunch with them at Chili's. Spent time alone with each of them as well. Love you all so very much.

Photos above: top: Bekah -- she is known for her mismatched fun socks. Roxie: posing so nicely. Danny: 'reflecting'. Krista: "Mirror, Mirror."