1st & 2nd nights of Hanukkah

I love Hanukkah! I love sitting in the glow of the candles as they burn. When Sam was little we used to play dreidel and it was so nice. The warm glow of the candles made me feel so good.


Last night we played Uno and Scattergories. We always crack up with some of the answers Sam comes up with.
Tonight we gave Sam Guitar Hero World Tour, Band Kit for the Wii. We love playing Rockband (PS2), so I know we will love playing this one too. We did a few songs already and had a lot of fun.

Following Danielle I am posting a picture of a recipe that I made tonight. Pasta with roasted cauliflower and ham, from Rachael Ray's magazine. It was AWESOME!!!

2 more days of work this week and then we are off until Jan 5th. I don't know if I will be recovered from my 50th birthday on the 4th.

More Goodbyes

This just seems to be my season for loss. Lynn, my friend and co-worker for the last 10 years is retiring. Today was her last day. We enjoyed a nice lunch of pizza, Diane's special salad and chocolate pecan pie and a homemade cake made by Dorothy. The food was yummy and the company was nice too. Mary C came over and so did Rose and Janice (people who used to work here). It was really nice to see them since we don't get together often.

SAD, SAD DAY

Last night I received bad news. My good friend Dawn passed away. It was sudden and unexpected. I am in total shock. I just can't believe it. When her sister Judy called to tell me I sat with my mouth hanging open.
Dawn was a dear friend. She was thoughtful and caring. I remember one morning when Bruce & I were driving to work. We passed her on RT 130 and saw her crossing herself as we passed. She didn't see us and I couldn't imagine what she was doing. When I spoke to her later I mentioned it and she laughed. She had seen a dead deer on the side of the road, and any time she saw a dead animal on the road she said a prayer for them. I thought that was so sweet.

I will miss her, probably more than I realize now. We would email each other many times a day and I know I will feel that void. She could aways make me laugh. Just last week I got a card and a gift from her through campus mail. The card said "Girlfriends Matter". Those words are so true!

From the House of Dogs

This is what the well dressed dog is wearing this season. She's a cutie!

Another Monday

We had a busy weekend thanks to my brother Michael.

Saturday night we went to see the NJ Devils play. I'd never been to a professional hockey game but I really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to the view from his regular seats, center ice, 13th row, but was blown away by his other seats 1st row behind the goal

What a great view, and the pic was taken with my cell phone, so no zoom or anything.

Sunday Bruce and I, Sam and his friend Andrew went to the Ironmen home opener. We've been looking forward to this since the end of last season. I have to be honest, I was disappointed. Not just because they lost the game, but the play was really sloppy.
Hopefully it was just a case of them needing to practice playing together a little more. I did like some of the new players and missed seeing Freddy Moojen play. Hope you get better soon Freddy!!>
The goalie on the Chicago Storm was so obnoxious. It was a tossup who wanted to punch him in the face more, me or Andrew. This guy just didn't shut up.

I also enjoyed meeting Ethan Zohn, who took the first kick. He was really friendly, and very cute!

We are going to put up our Hanukkah decorations tonight (if I ever get them up from the basement) I'm almost done with the shopping and feel good about that. I still have to buy for Bruce. I have ideas, but nothing that I am sure of. Maybe I will hit the stores tomorrow night.

Shop till I ????

Well the holiday shopping has begun. Sam gave us a list of things he wants. I loved it when we could buy a bunch of crap from the dollar store. No chance of that now. Everything he wants is so expensive. I didn't realize that Hanukkah is only 3 weeks away. I don't want to be running around at the last minute. I still have no clue what to get for Rick and his family, but then again, I never know what to get for them. If I have time this weekend I will go out and hopefully get all the shopping done.

I am working on a recipe swap that I am participating in at the Scrappers Cove. I would love to do one with my friends. If anyone is interseted in doing a 6X6 recipe page swap, let me know. It is a lot of fun. I did a few swaps like this a few years ago and have 2 great albums, one for breakfast foods and the other for desserts. SIGN UP!!!! I will even help by hosting a scrapping day at my house.

I think we are going to Carmen's house tonight to drop off some tickets. I love spending time with her and especially her girls. Alyssa is SO much fun. Sam enjoys visiting them too.

BYE BYE BRACES

The braces are finally off! This is what $6,000 worth of orthodontic work looks like. I have to admit (not that I am biased or anything) that he looks really good. If he doesn't wear the retainers and I kill him, you will all know why and I know you will kind enough to take up a collection for bail money. LOL

Now that they are off I can finish the scrapbook page that I started when he got them. I have the before, the during and now the after. Woo Hoo!