New Years' Resolutions~unearthed

New Year's Day, or January 1, is the first day of the year and is an occasion that witnesses the biggest annual celebration across all countries of the world. It is the time when we ring out the old year and welcome the present year with open arms, with eyes filled with new dreams and hearts replete with new expectations. With another year approaching soon, it's time again to gear up for New Year celebrations.



Instead of overloading ones' life with a list of resolutions...AGAIN!! Lists that overwhelm! They bring discouragement as the months' roll by and we see our determination wane. Dani suggests that we throw away these lists and pick One word! A word that encompasses all that we hope for the New Year.
So I am not going to make a list this year...I am going to take her suggestion and pick one word. Several came to mind but this one word made sense to me.....TRY!! So TRY is my word that will be my focus this year!
I will TRY to do new things. TRY to go to new places. TRY to be the best person I can be. TRY allowing myself to fail. TRY to meet life without fear. TRY new styles; new foods; new looks' new ways of making art! TRY....TRY...TRY!!! I will TRY!

This word takes the pressure off of my mind; my psyche! It sets me free to explore and hopefully experience life in a whole new way. I am really excited about this and I hope this encourages you to ponder your "word" of the year. Let's make 2010 the best ever. Visit Dani's blog and see what she has to say. Visit the other bloggers who are also using this one word to change their lives in 2010.

May you have a magical and fabulous day! May your New Year be more exciting than you expected!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot? And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot? And auld Lang Syne?

CHORUS

For auld Lang Syne, my dear, For auld Lang Syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, For auld Lang Syne. And surely you'll get your pint mug! And surely I'll get mine! And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, For auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the hills, And pulled the daisies fine; But we've wandered many a weary foot, Since auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared Since auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o' thine! And we'll take a right good-friendly draught, for auld Lang Syne.

Christmas in Gallup, New Mexico~2009

What a wonderful celebration I have had with my family. We had a blast!
Before Christmas, Lisa (my eldest granddaughter), Georgia (my youngest granddaughter) and Lee, Jr. (my only grandson) all stayed with us until Christmas eve. We went to the movie and saw Alvin and the Chipmonks; the Squealqual! LOL! It was a fun movie and Lee Jr. thoroughly enjoyed it. The rest of us wanted to see Avatar; but Lee Jr. didn't want too...so Alvin it was! Youngest rules and we felt Avatar would be too intense for Lee! Then we went to Fuddruckers for hamburgers.
Got home and I finished wrapping a few last minute gifts and we all went to bed early.
Christmas eve morn we loaded the SUV up with suitcases and presents and we were packed in like sardines!!! (And the sleigh was packed with care) And off we went to Gallup, New Mexico! It was a three hour trip and we made it in record time. Soon we were at my son's house and mom was so glad to see the kids. She had a tree to finish decorating and some cookies to make. So we all set to work! We unloaded the car and that took all hands and we proceeded to fill the area around the tree. What fun!! Now the kids were really excited!!
We had pizza for dinner and John and I headed to the hotel for a good nights sleep. They wanted us back at 7AM!!!
We arrived Christmas Morn and all the stockings had already been opened and they showed us their goodies! Then after we got our coffee, the present distribution began. I did a Smilebox to give you a glimpse of Christmas day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hope you enjoy it! We did!
Later on we went to another movie and saw Sherlock Holmes. Boy did they capture the essence of the period. The pacing was a bit slow at times but overall an enjoyable movie.
We arrived home to finish the holiday dinner preparations. Some played Yahtzee and some watched another movie ( Push ).
For dinner we had roast turkey and baked honey glazed ham. Mashed potatoes with garlic, dressing, sweet potato casserole, veggie plate, fruit plate, deviled eggs ( a must), and a pasta salad. Yummy!!! Also offered was wine, pop, margaritas and mojitos. Another yum!
Since surgery, I can't eat very much (which is a good thing) but my few bites were really really good. LOL!!
After dinner we sat and talked and laughed and told stories of times past. All and all, it was a fabulous two days! I just love my family and any time I can spend with them is wonderful!!!!
John and I left the next day and made it home safe and sound.
When we walked into the door we could smell propane and John went and checked out tank and it was almost on empty!!! Oh! Oh! So we called the gas company and no one answered. We had the heat turned down while we were away so John just kept it at 65 degrees and tried to call later. Finally we got someone to answer the phone and told them our dilemma. He called a driver and we got our tank filled within the hour! What a blessing that was. The office was closed for the holidays but they opened up for us!! Praise God! When the driver arrived, he said all we had was fumes!! He was surprised we even had a pilot light; let alone the furnace running. John and he both declared this was a miracle and we let it go at that!!! Again, Praise God!!
It is now 6AM, Sunday morn and I am roasty, toasty warm. Now all I need is some coffee and I will be perfectly content!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Next stop....New Years' Eve!! We are going out with several friends for dinner and then to one of their houses for drinks and snacks. Should be another fabulous party!
Have a wonderful and magical day!
Hugging you all
SueAnn

Light Parade!!

Well, my son's family all arrived safe and sound. And we have been having a blast!!! Shopping and eating and shopping and eating and laughing and laughing and laughing.
We went to the Bio Park Light Parade on Saturday night and it is fabulous! We took a ton of pictures and I just had to share some with you.



That group photo is not all of us...and it isn't very good. We all look a little spacey; but it was very cold and we were overcome by the beauty of all the sights. And it truly was/is beautiful! Here are some more photos.
Unbelieveable! It is 6AM and all of us have been up since 4, talking and talking!!! LOL!!! Tiger Woods...economy...health care....jobs....democrats and republicans! And no fighting!!!! Isn't that wonderful?
My son and his wife and two of the granddaughters are going home today because of work schedules. The grandson and two of the remaining granddaughters will be staying with us and we will all be traveling on Christmas eve to meet up in Gallup, New Mexico. That is where they live. It is about a three hour drive so a movie will be in order! We are blessed to have a DVD player in our SUV...woohoo!!
Speaking of movies....we will take the kids to the movies on Wednesday. Not sure yet, which one we will see...probably The Chipmonks! LOL! I wanted to see Avatar but I think it will be too intense for the 10 year old grandson. We all want to see Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland!!! What about you? What movies do you want to see?
Well I am off to do some more wrapping before the kids get up! hehehehehehe And I need more coffee!
This will probably be my last post until after the holidays...so Merry Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year (or just before)!! May joy and peace fill your hearts and homes this Holiday season. Be kind to strangers and donate food, clothing and toys where you can.
Hugging you
SueAnn

Christmas Babe!

This wonderful new baby will be going to my eldest granddaughter for Christmas. She has been hinting at wanting one for a year now.
This is a preemie and is so tiny. Only weight 2 lbs. 2 ozs.!



Isn't she just so precious? I know Lisa (GD) will be thrilled. She is attending college at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM.
She is coming tonight to stay with us until the 23rd. Then we will all go to Gallup, NM to be with the family. They are excited to see her too!
In fact, the family is coming Saturday afternoon so we can go to the Festival of Lights at the Bio Park!! So I am not sure where everyone is sleeping yet...but we will have a blast!!
Have a magical and beautiful day!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Ten Days!!!!! Wow!

This morning isn't as cold as it has been. But we do have new snow on the ground. Just a few inches! I hope that is all we get because I have to go out today.
Well yesterday we started a fire in the fireplace and began the process of packing up the gifts that are going out of town. My mom is going to be so surprised. I am sending her a baby!!



I am also sending her two collages and a necklace I made using a Rose Quartz stone! She is going to be so excited. Can't wait till she gets this package.





Wish my presents looked this pretty. Found this image on photobucket. Beautiful!



See the snow on my yucca? And, as always, beautiful blue skies!! Love living in New Mexico!
I am now waiting on some last minute gifts that I purchased and once they are wrapped I am done!! Cards are out and firewood has been delivered. We are ready for a cozy, fun Christmas! Life just couldn't be any better! I feel so blessed.
My son and his family are coming this weekend to go see the festival of lights at our BioPark! I will take lots of pics and share them with you. I hear it is beautiful! It will be a fun weekend. They will also see all their wrapped presents and begin to get excited!!!! I love it!!!!
Well, I smell the coffee and I need it badly. So I will sign off for now!
May you have a magical and blessed day!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Finally finished!!

This is the before picture of the baby I have been working on. He is for a custom order from the doll show. I think I told you about him. His new mommy wanted a baby that would depict Santa when he was a baby. Actually, though, she wanted a baby that looked more like her son at that age. Because when her son was little, he wanted to grow up and become Santa! I am still waiting for that to happen! LOL! Growing up to be Santa is one of my dreams!
Anyway, here he is finished. I deliver him tonight to his mommy and I sure hope she is pleased with him. I personally think he is adorable. Her son, by the way, had blond hair.


Tonight, at his new mommy's house, we are going to a Mystery Solving Party. So that will be so much fun. My character name is Norma Nightshade...and I might be a vampire!?! No one knows for sure. She is a late night TV host. And no one ever sees her during the day. So it does make one wonder. Yes?
My hubby is going as a motivational speaker! We remember that character on Saturday Night Live where the motivational speaker lived in a van down by the river!!! He had greased back hair and horn rim glasses. His suit was two sizes two small for him!!! So funny!
Today is cold but it is beautiful outside. The sun is shining and the skies are blue. I love this type of winter. You can keep that snow! I like snow to come on Christmas Eve and disappear on the 26th! Never to be seen again. I feel this way because we always travel during the Christmas holidays and it sure can be tiresome when it is snowing. People just don't know how to drive in it! And we have driven in some hellish blizzards....where you could just barely see what was in front of you and that was it! Awful!!!!! Nightmares!!!! Don't want to do that anymore!!
Well, I am off to finish last minute wrapping. Hope you all have a magical and beautiful day!!
Hugging you
SueAnn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA!!

It is your birthday and I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate with you!! You are such a wonderful soul; full of light and color!! I just love you!!! Your blog is amazing and a delight for the eyes and for the mind and the spirit as well!!
I can see you now, dancing in your Gypsy Garden with all the fairies and wee folk. The light that emanates from you is blinding!! I love it!

This is my celebration for your birthday dear one!! May you have many more of these!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Seasons' Greetings...again!!

Oh Christmas tree! Oh Christmas tree! How lovely are your branches.....La La La!!!


Here is my black Christmas tree! Yes! You heard right. It is black and I love it. It is a pencil tree as you can see and my ornies are white, black and silver with some angels thrown into the mix. I just wanted to share this with you. Here are some close ups!


I still have alot of prezzies to wrap and that is what I am doing today. The snow has hit and the winds are awful! 50 to 60 miles per hour!!!!! Say...shaking the rafters!!! Blew the lid off of the hot tub and the snow took out our satellite! Yes, it is winter and I am not a happy camper.
Hope you all are having better weather than me? But at least I am snuggy and warm and I thank God for that. Heat is a wonderful thing!!!!
I was talking to my DIL last night and in the midst of this blizzard, my son was outside trying to fix a broken water pipe??!! He was a frozen popcycle! And in the house was one wife, one son and four {count them} four daughters. No water!! No bathroom!! No showers!! They thought they were going to die!!! LOL!! By the way, he is now their official hero. He fixed it and they have water and bathrooms in working order. Now they can wash and blow dry their hair with reckless abandon!!!!
My husband is home from work today due to the blizzard like conditions up here. I say "up here" because we live up in the East Mountains, outside Albuquerque. So he calls in to the office and they say the sun is shinning and the roads are just damp. No snow!!! We are only 30 miles away!!! How strange is that? But that happens all the time. Anyway, it is good to have him home. He can help wrap!
My friend and I went shopping yesterday and her hubby said he would call us if the weather started turning bad. So we were merrily shopping our hearts out. I was at Macy's and my phone rang. It was my husband and he said, "Where are you?" I replied with glee, "Macy's!" He then said, " It is really snowing up here! Why aren't you home?!!" I said, " Oh Shit!!!" Told Cheri that we were in trouble due to the snow and we left as soon as we could. It was a scary trip home; but we made it. Again, thank the good Lord!! Prayers answered! But her husband is so fired!!!!! He never called! He didn't think it was that bad??!!! What??!!!!!!
So take care my dear ones and stay warm and cozy!
Have a magical and beautiful day
Hugging you all
SueAnn

Jingle Bells...jingle bells!

Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride...a one horse open sleigh...Hey!!!! This is just one of my favorite songs during this time of year. I love the classics, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman! Always brings a smile to my face and I see myself as a little girl; all excited on Christmas Eve. Wondering what Santa will bring? I still get excited and I pretty much know what he will bring. LOL!! What is your favorite song?
Finished the photo shoot of my Christmas baby and she did a wonderful job! Bless her heart. It was a long time sitting in front of the camera but she handled it so well.


Isn't she the cutest little thing? As you can see, she slept through most of it.
Well, all the shopping is done! {you can hate me now} And the items have begun to arrive at my house. Yesterday, the UPS man arrived with several boxes. How exciting! But he wasn't a happy camper. It was snowing and he was so flustered. We ended up with six inches!!!
Now that they presents have begun to arrive; the fun part begins. Wrapping! {really} I love this part. I purchased mostly clothing for my grandkids and I can just imagine the looks on their faces when they open these gifts. Wonder what they will look like in them. Of course, I will ask for a fashion show! And I take dozens of pics. It is a yearly ritual now. And I love it.
These pics are from last year. Sorry they are blurry but I needed new glasses at the time and my vision was way off. But, you get the idea. We have a blast!!! My grandson gets toys...he says clothes are for regular shopping days. LOL!
My hubby took this pic. Nice and clear! Would you look at those ears!! We have no idea where they came from. If anyone knows, please let us in on it! LOL!!!! As you can see. He was pretty happy that day...no clothing was purchased for him. Well, I did get him some new PJ's. But that was it; I swear!

As you can see, we received some snow yesterday! Bah hum bug! I know! I know! It is pretty but still....people can't drive in this stuff. They go way to fast and end up crashing into whomever they please! It is like bumper cars! I mean...what are they thinking? And those with four-wheel drive think they are invincible! They love to drive down the road and veer off onto the median just because they think they can! And then, when they discover that the snow was deeper than they thought...they panic and leave huge scars on the side of the road! Dummies! So, I like looking at it...but driving in it is another story. Oh! And I especially hate semi-truck drivers who go down the snowy freeway at 90 miles per hour; trailing a rooster tail of snow behind them. Of course, YOU can't see but they don't give a d**mn!!! Boy do I hate that!
Well, enough ranting here! The snow is pretty and I have a fire roaring in the living room. I am surrounded with packages to wrap and I have my Mojito!!! Can we say "BLISS"?
Have a warm and snugly and magical day!
Hugging you all,
SueAnn

Wow! It has been awhile!

Since I entered into the Mind Wide Open Challenge hosted by Gail! She gave us a wonderful photo to use as our source. This is it here! Please visit the blog and vote, vote, vote!!

And the word to use is "TIME"! So I decided on making a shrine...a personal shrine about time. I used an old clock body and began to work. This is what I came up with....

I used old brass clock parts...a gear and a single clock hand. My homage to time. Hope you enjoy my piece.
Have a magical evening!
Hugs
SueAnn

Amazing!

I received the Honest Scrap Award from the fabulous Julie-Ann Bowden. You must visit her blog and see her art. Amazing and beautiful and awe-inspiring! Just to give you some idea of how I feel about her art!! Any who; she bestowed this upon me and I feel so honored,
Now I have to list ten things that I have not written about before. So here it goes:

1. Before I leave this world, I want to design and decorate a store-front window in NY or Chicago for the Christmas season!

2. I had gastric-by-pass surgery in Feb. of this year and so far have lost 105 lbs.

3. I collect Gene dolls and my granddaughters can't wait to get their hands on them.

4. I am a clutter bug. Every place I go, I leave a pile of stuff. Usually art projects but still...I am just saying....!

5. I haven't worn high heels in over 12 years! And this New Years' eve I will be putting a pair on! Yikes!! Can we say...fall on my face!!

6. I love football and baseball and watch the games all the time. I love the Browns, the Bears, the Cowboys, the Vikings, and the Colts! The Indians and the Red Soxs also have my interest!

7. Magazines and books! I have a huge collection of them and am always fighting to find time to read. I just finished the Twilight series and loved them.

8. I thought I was 5' 5" but was recently measured and I am really 5'3"!!! What's up with that?

9. Can you say, "well endowed"? That's me and I am constantly tripping over my feet because I can't see where my feet are going! Really!!

10. I was diagnosed bi-polar about 6 years ago. Sure helped me make sense of the ups and downs in my life. Medication and counseling has made a huge difference in my life. For the good I might add!

Well there is more about me that you probably wanted to know! LOL! No I need to give this award to 10 bloggers that I admire and follow. I would just like to give it to all of you. I feel like saying, "Everyone, grab this award and run with it!" But I will do my best here and chose 10.

1. Debrina Pratt of Spark your imagination. Amazing works of art!

2. insomniac Ellen of this bittersweet symphony. Wonderful story teller!

3. Eleni of La Femme Readers A true bookaholic!!!

4, Cindy of 12 Tribes A wonderful and refreshing blogger!

5. Kat of 3 Bedroom Bungalow. Pure delight to read!

6. Lyn of Actual Scale. Taking charge of her weight and sharing her journey!!

7. Pam of Art at the Speed of Life. Wonderful artist and working on her first book!!!!!

8. Beth at Be Yourself...Everyone else is Taken. Amazing photographer and writer!

9. Denise of Bella Dreams. Lover of vintage style and flea markets. Great blog!

10. Alix at Casa Hice. Alix is a wonderful teller of tales. Refreshing blogger.

Woohoo! I did it! But like I said earlier, so many bloggers out there who all deserve awards!!

Thanksgiving is officially over! But the leftovers continue. Ah! The curse of them! But now the Christmas season begins and I hit the ground running this year. I did all my shopping on line. Would you believe...I am done! You heard it right...DONE!! I brow beat my grand kids in visiting their favorite on line stores and making a wish list. Then I just shopped from their lists. It was so easy! I had already purchased a special gift for my son and my daughter-in-law. So all gifts are obtained. The only other person I worry about {buy for} is my mom. And I have her taken care of as well.
Then I went and bought some really cool gift bags from Oriental Trading Place; so I am ready to go when the gifts begin to arrive. My biggest task now will be making the gift tags! But that is always fun and I just use my computer.
So, the tree is up in the living room and all gifts are purchased. The Christmas cards are ordered and I even made up matching stamps at Zazzle.com. All I have left to do is make my Christmas vignette in the dining room and put up my pink tree in my bedroom. I know...I said PINK!! With light green ornaments. The tree in my living room is black and I have black, white and silver ornaments for this one. Very cool!
Well, I am off to start my day. Hope you have a magical one!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Gorgeous!!!

Another fabulous sunrise in New Mexico!!
Enjoy and have a magical day!
Hugs
SueAnn

It's official!

Thanksgiving has come and gone and copious quantities of food have been consumed! For those who don't know; this holiday is totally about food! How it looks; how it tastes; how it smells; how long it took to prepare; how many mouths it fed; how big the turkey was/is; etc, etc, etc.
So I thought I would give you the down and dirty version.
Turkey still in roasting pan....
Table set up in construction zone!!.....On the left, is my granddaughter Georgia who is 14! Center is my son, Lee Sr.; and right is my granddaughter, Lisa who is home from college!!
The turkey weighed in at 26.9 ozs. The meal fed 10 people, with enough left over for 10 more!! We had sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. Stuffing and mashed potatoes. A pickle plate and whole cranberry sauce! Turkey (of course) and pasta salad with balsamic dressing. A red wine that was $14.00 for 64 ozs. {giggling here} And fresh hot rolls!
And the table was set by my 11 year old grandson who is 11. Here he is in his tree house/fort!
Here I am with my granddaughter Lisa (on the right), sharing college stories and waiting for dinner.As for china and glassware; we used paper plates with a Christmas motif and paper cups! We did use regular silverware though. So dishes where not circumvented entirely. Sigh!
So that was my Thanksgiving day menu with guests included. I would like to add that my daughter-in-law, and three of my granddaughters were sick and did their best to be part of the festivities. Ginger {DIL} braved the kitchen and put together a wonderful feast. She was assisted by everyone and we were thrilled with the outcome. The day before, there was talk of McDonald's!
I was just thrilled to be able to spend two days with my wonderful family. Then, to add spice to the day, I told all the grand kids I wanted their Christmas wish lists and mad writing and dream-shopping commenced!
Black Friday came and went and I attended no malls or shopping centers. No! I shopped on line and had a ball. Got some good deals too! Now most of my Christmas shopping is done. I only have one more granddaughter to buy for!! WooHoo! Don't you just love a good deal? I sure do!
Hope your feasts were fabulous?
Have a magical and dreamy weekend!
Hugging you all,
SueAnn