Good Morning Surprises!

This just flew through my back yard! Amazingly big and beautiful! Good morning to you too!!

2009 Christmas Memories...

Mary, Chris (mas)...hee hee!

New Toys to play with...Rick's Video camera

Grandkids & Great Grandkids (Audrey)-someone's missing...Jamey & Kate!

Auntie Megan and Audrey (Brianna & Chris' little one- 8 mo. old)

Kids Table!

Gettin' Ready to Eat!

Busy Kitchen!

Auntie Cindy and Audrey

2 of my kitties enjoying Christmas! Thanks for the new toys Santa!

An Empty Space Jamey and Kate usually occupy- Sad :(
Christmas Morning

Excitement of Christmas Morning...Go Megan!

Presents Await! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Snowstorm- Megan's snowman looking into the warm house.

I think he liked the snowstorm!

Megan makes a Cute Christmas Snowman with the new fallen snow!

Christmas in Minneapolis with Aunt Bev and Uncle Danny!

It's nice to have them here to celebrate Christmas!

Megan's Perfect Snowman!

So fun to see my 26 year old daughter still enjoying the snow!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1

Nearly Done....

So I went out today to get a couple more gifts and I'm nearly done with my Christmas shopping. A couple small things for someone and I'll be done! Yay! Now for the wrapping. Rick usually does this but I might help out this year cause I'm home for a change (instead of at the mall) and it will be fun. It's either that or I will bake Cookies and we don't NEED the cookie!. So I think I'll wrap presents. After all...that'll burn calories instead of putting them all on my hips. Uuugh! Wish it would warm up about 20 degrees so I can stop complaining. You know it's cold when Rick actually says he's cold! Stay warm everyone!

Merry Christmas...

http://www.flixxy.com/best-christmas-lights-display.htm

Old Man Winter's Surprise Visit...

Is this Old Man Winter? Ha!

The kitties are amazed and confused! Biddy-what's out the window?

Poor Lil Christmas Tree! That's one way to get flocked!

Peacefully serene...

Ok...so maybe we won't be grilling our dinner tonight?

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Meeting Someone Special...

Megan brought her special guy home for a good ol' fashioned meal complete with smoked BBQ Pork (thank you Rick-Yum!) and cheesy potatoes! We were happy to meet Josh. A nice small town boy from Plymouth, MN. This is the only picture I took the whole day! I was busy cooking and preparing. Rick has always been the photographer in our house but has totally slacked in his duties since the kids graduated from high school. I don't get it but, whatever. We're just lucky to have gotten this one shot (taken by me). I'll do better next time (or should I say Rick will).

Thanks for coming to visit Megan and Josh! It was fun!

December Excitement

I love the excitement of December! This is the first year in several that I haven't been in Apache Mall. I really miss the hustle and bustle but it was the right decision. Traffic and spending is down so much in our little corner of the world that it isn't worth the time and effort. I'm really just happy to have a normal Christmas season for a change. I'm enjoying the planning, shopping, and preparation for the big day. I finally went to the chiropractor for my back because it wasn't getting any better (hurt it last week). Amazing what one treatment will do! I can sit without much pain and even went to exercise class today! I feel fantastic!! Thank you Dr. Krause!! Just one more treatment tomorrow and I'll be good to go. He found some sublexations in my mid back and it's starting to show arthritis so I will probably go a few times a year to keep things in check. That will help for a number of things. Including my attitude. Now if he could only fix my attitude about this white crap on the ground and the cold temps I'd give him a trophy! I don't think he can do that though. Maybe I should do more talking to the man upstairs. It'll be alright through Christmas Day but then it needs to go away and start warming up. In the off chance it isn't going to do that (this is Minnesooooota after all) I'll anxiously await my Mexico vacation. It'll be a good one this year because we're going with our friends Deb and Paul Gjere. It's good I have that to look forward to or I think I'd go insane from the cold!! Stay warm and cozy everyone!

You Never Know....

My parents were given the gift of a plane ticket to come back to Minnesota (they've been in Arizona for the past several years) so they could see family and friends. It's been nearly 3 years since I've seen them in person and the day before we were to get together my Mom started having eyesight problems. She mentioned that she had seen a large flash and that now her vision seemed impaired in her right eye. After a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, she was told she had a tear in her retina that needed to be surgically repaired. Since surgery and recovery would take up to 8 weeks (my parents can't stand the cold any longer) they decided to leave early and go back home to have the emergency surgery done in Scottsdale at the Mayo Clinic. Thank God for referrals from Rochester or she wouldn't have gotten in since they don't take Medi Care patients at the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic any longer. Ridiculous. I have been so busy with shows that I didn't have a chance to see them and was going to get together with them on Tuesday. It ended up that they had to fly home so I didn't get to see them. I'm frustrated and disappointed. It was not meant to be I guess. Maybe there's a reason...one just never knows.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I will be setting up to retail in Minneapolis tomorrow night to run through Sunday. If anyone needs to reach me you'll have to call my cell phone. I will have limited access to emails so calling is the best way to get in contact with me. For those of you I won't see on Thanksgiving day have a very good one and I send my blessings to you all!

Moon Palace-Cancun, Mexico

It's just nice to have something to look forward to. It helps me make it through our hellish winters! Can't wait for February 19th!!

Go Get Em' KoMets!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCze_O1VU3A

Christmas Shopping with Major Briggs!

This year Major is planning to do a majority of his Christmas shopping online.

He has a great teacher- his momma-Kate.

Remember your budget Major. Thatsa good boy!

Busy, Busy...

Just an update on what's going on in my life as I'm sure you're all SO interested. I'm busy getting ready for my Christmas season of selling. I kick it off on Saturday at the Mayo Clinic Craft Fair from 8-4:00. Then next week I'm over at LaCrosse for the big Holiday Craft Fair from Thur-Sunday. The following Tuesday I go up to the cities to work the busy retail Thanksgiving weekend at a mall in Coon Rapids. 4 days of long hours but hopefully really good sales. Fingers crossed (XX). I'll come home for a week and then return to the cities to a mall in St.Louis Park for the 2 weeks before Christmas. I already have several things booked for next year too so I'm gearing up my business and having a blast. There is nothing so gratifying then owning your own successful business. Just ask my hubby who also has his own side business (http://www.homepro-inspection.com/). We're having the Best time of our lives but working hard is our middle name. The nice thing for me is that it's not stressful and I can make it as busy as I want to so it's flexible for me. That's the beauty of my business too. http://stores.ebay.com/Crystal-Notion
I've started going to exercise classes in Kasson. Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Strengthing & Toning, etc. Nearly any kind of class you could want or need. It feels good. I've been hitting it hard the last 3 weeks going 4 times a week and throwing in some extra biking and walking too. We're on a mission folks. Gotta get this old lady back into shape if it kills me! Any donations to the "Healthy In Perfect Shape (HIPS)" fund would be appreciated to fulfill my goal (JK!). Wish me luck!

Congrats Kasson Komets!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg0odPRlz2w

Travelin' Man...and WoMan!

Goin to see the childrens today! Haven't seen them since Oct. 16th! Can't wait! Here's a little tip for all of you who have goals to reach-and who doesn't?....
"All you have got to do is plant that seed in your mind, care for it, work steadily toward your goal, and it will become a reality."
~Earl Nightingale

Happy Halloween!!

Megan and Josh's expertly carved Pumpkins....Cute!

Have fun and be safe everyone!

Mr. Major Briggs...

Gamma is thinking about you today. Are you feeling better? You need to take a lot of naps so you can heal properly and I know you don't like to do that. Just be a good boy ok? Gamma loves and misses you. Come and visit me soon!

The Best Things in Life!

These are my grown children. Megan is a beauty both in personality and looks! She always makes us laugh and cry (especially when she writes these beautiful thank you letters or cards for inspiring her and for being her parents). Her brother, Jamey, is the one who has always made us wonder. I wonder what he's thinking (especially when he makes these goofy faces for every single picture taken of him),I wonder what he's doing, I wonder how he's feeling, I wonder what makes him tick. I wonder if they know how much I love them both! Being a parent is the best part of life! I can't wait until they get to experience it.

26 Years Ago Today!

Happy Brithday Megan! I'm glad we get to share this special day with you!

Love You Much!

Happy Birthday Michelle!

You Wild Thing!!

Check it out!

I know you probably all checked out my Crystal Store on the internet but you should also know that there will be new inventory added each week. So put it in your "Favorites" and keep checking it out. Who knows...you might just find that perfect unique gift for someone you care for (or yourself!). Thanks for your support! I sold 3 items last week! yay!!! Just click on the above picture to go directly to my store!

http://stores.ebay.com/Crystal-Notion

Lucky!!!

I got a very special request to babysit the cutest little girl today!

Audrey and I got to hang out and play -not nearly long enough

between naps and when her papa came home. I hope I'll

get to do it again sometime but, until then, I will just count my

blessings that I could support Brianna and Chris and treasure the

giggles and smiles from a sweet girl. Thanks Audrey!

We're sooo Proud of your Accomplishment!

My son, Jamey, and his good friend, Aaron, have been training for a good part of the year for the twin cities marathon. Today they ran it and both of them made it across the finish line!! This is quite an amazing feat for both of them. Jamey's never been a distance runner but always had a dream and Aaron is all about trying new things and challenging himself. Congratulations to both of them for reaching their goal! We are sooo proud of you both!

Major Briggs was sooo happy to see his "Daddy" make it to the finish line!

New Crystal Website!

Now you can all see my latest and greatest creations and bid for them. Come on-I know you want to!!

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Crystal-Notion

Success!

I had a great weekend in DesMoines, Iowa! I know what you're thinking...what's so special in Iowa. I was participating in a craft show that was attended by over 5500 people. It was great! I made a lot of money selling my custom crystal suncatchers and met some very nice people. It was held at their state fairgrounds and there were over 300 vendors! Rick was bored so he went over to the gun show that was in one of the other buildings. Thank god he didn't buy one! I've never been to DesMoines before so we went to check things out on Saturday evening. We had a wonderful time and got to see the capitol. It was kinda like a weekend getaway but I had to go to work. ha ha! I'll definitely do it again. It was a great success and well worth my time. Now...on to the next!

Silly Lilly

You always make me laugh and feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Love you kitty!

Someone came to visit us over Marigold Days. Mr. Major...you look like you've been up to something! Not too surprising! How could you not love this little dog?!

Rick rewired my alabaster lamp I got from Italy. It's soooo beautiful!

See how it glows!

29 Years!

It's been 29 years since we were wed and 32 years I've known this special man!

Thanks for being such an honest, trustworthy, and caring partner.

I love you!

A Visit from Mr. Major Briggs...

He just makes me smile...wuff you Major!

A Good Weekend at Marigold Days!

My aunt and uncle, Bev and Danny, helped out at Marigold Days. We shared a booth and sold our wares. The weather cooperated and we had a great time. Thanks for all your help everyone! Let's do it again next year!! Oh Yeah!

http://www.break.com/index/dumb-cat-cant-figure-out-how-to-drink.html

This is just too funny for words...is this cat just stupid or what?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momecats/sets/72157622165083351/

Finally got it done! Our vacation in Tuscany Italy! This was a huuuge undertaking to reduce all these pics (& this is only 1/3 of the ones taken)! Then to upload and make comments. I hope you have fun looking at them. Click on this link or copy and paste it in your browser window. Click on slide show and then in the upper right click on show info to get my comments. If you have any problems gimme a call! this was such an amazing vacation it's hard to put it into words so just enjoy.

Busy Day!

Good to be back home but soooo much to do! I'm a little overwhelmed today. Hopefully I'll get a handle on things again by Sunday. Got a lot done today but now I'm totally exhausted. I miss my Mr. Major too! Come and see Gamma soon Major!!

Dogsitting "The Major"

Cutest "boy" on the block!

Home Again, Home Again...

These are the beautiful flowers my lovely daughter left for us (Thanks Meggie Loo Hoo!) along with a few other wonderful suprises when we got home. Next to the vase is a beautiful alabaster lamp I splurged on. I got it from an area of Italy they mine the stone. It includes all 4 grades of alabaster. Rick has to rewire it so I can actually plug it in since they use different outlets over there, but he's talented enough to figure it out. It'll be beautiful! Kitties were well taken care of but very happy to see us. Both Lilly and Izzy still follow me around the house and meow like crazy if we get out of their sight. They were lonely! Poor baby kitties. They are so Spoiled Rotten and it's all my fault. Oh well...it's not like they're kids or anything so I guess it doesn't matter too much. I'll post more italy pics at a later date. We have so many I need to go through them and upload them and that will take quite a bit of time and effort. So we'll catch ya all later. Ciao and Arrivederci!