Again for my two men............

Whomever thinks that men do not have a soft spot for the feline species just has to watch or listen to my hubby and son. When I talk to them, they ask how the cats are. So, I promised some pictures to last them through their vacation.

Well, looks like he's almost flipping me off....lol! I think he and Jade have had it with the picture taking!

Here is Jade for you in her "brush me" position, she misses her daily brushes!

Well, Mason has finally had it with the picture taking and starts ignoring me. Maybe it is that I've called his name about 30 times in 2 minutes. I think he feels your pain honey........haha!

There now, I hope you got your "fix" of pictures of our "babies".

J and C, these are for you......

These are for my two men who are in North Carolina. I tried to explain that the roads were all ice, that people were getting stuck just outside our house and that I helped push a few out. Which was really tricky considering it was a sheet of ice and I kept falling and slipping just trying to get to the cars. Anyway, my hubby said get a picture of it with your new camera. So I did, and a few more............actually I took over 100 yesterday of random things and about 50 of our cats.

So, here you go........see how mopey the cats are without you two.....

Yes honey....your baby Jade misses you greatly!

Here is yesterday at 11:30 am.

Then today at 4:00 pm.

What a difference. In the 50's, it rained off and on today and was rather gloomy out.

So, enjoy your sunny 75 degree weather!! I know you are glad to be there! You are in golfers delight!

DSLR Delirium

I am so happy with my gift this year from the hubby. He gave me a SLR camera....as I have been waiting years to own one of these babies! So, I have been eagerly giving it a try. I really am wet behind the ears knowing anything about operating these. I have read a little and here's what I got in automatic mode. I received the manual "DSLR for Dummies", so I will find some time to look that over!!

My little mini tree and snowmen. I love snowmen!

One of my favorite ornaments.....my son found this for me!

Mason.........he's even cute when he's sleeping. He's in my hubbies chair since he misses him. My son and hubby are in North Carolina staying with my brother, as he is holding the Rupp family reunion. My father, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins (& their families) are all there. I offered to stay back to be here with my mom and visit her, as someone needs to be available just in case of any emergencies. My father would not attend unless someone would be with my mom. Without hesitation I wanted to, as I felt it was very important for him to be there. My father is able to see his brother and sister. They are all close to, if not in their 80's, and haven't seen each other in years! I just hope the hubby and my son aren't too overwhelmed with all the craziness of the fun loving Rupp's!!

Jade was licking the window......yuck!





Some Christmas photos of the Ditto festivities, as we were able to have the celebration here!

A tradition.......whoever hosts, gets to wear the stocking cap and hand out the gifts.

I liked this one the best! He's my little buddy while everyone is away!

I hope everyone had a nice blessed Christmas. It is the best time of the year!

CJD photos.......

My son loves Christmas time. It starts when we decorate the tree. Today he took some photos of a few of his favorite ornaments. Oh, and of course Jade.......who loves to bite on the tree when she thinks we are not looking.

Tonight he told me he likes our tree and the originality of each ornament. The special memory attached to almost every one of them is what makes decorating it so special. He said he is glad ours isn't one that has all the bulbs, ribbons and garland matching. I am glad he likes it!

I love my ornaments and the memories gathered over the last 15 years. I would not trade them for anything!

Gifts from the heart!

I am so proud of my student senate. They decided to spread some holiday cheer to the residents of an area assisted living facility. They made fleece blankets that tie at the edges. The local news paper put the article on the front page and the students couldn't be more proud!

It was priceless to see the students interact with and show much respect and admiration to this generation! Many students were emotionally touched by the gratitude they received from the residents. Oh yes, I too was affected by the emotions of the students and residents alike. Once again, I cried with happiness, pride and a true sense of the Christmas Spirit!

This is life at its best!!

Here is the article and picture that ran the following day in the paper.

The facility is also the one in which my mother resides. The students made a special blanket for my mother. She loved the angels on hers!!

I love when she smiles and is happy. Lord knows she's done plenty of deeds like this in her day for others! What a great example to follow!

So, Merry Christmas to all. I hope each and every person is filled with the spirit of Christmas this year. There is no better way, then to give joy to another by simple deeds!

Some Sweet Christmas Fun!

Every year it is a tradition at our school to have our gingerbread house contest. The students group into pairs and build the best house they can.....made from all edible parts. They had so much fun and were really quite creative. I thought it was so clever that one group made a garage, with a car and little gumdrop light fixtures on the outside of the garage.

We substituted graham crackers for the gingerbread, but the students didn't mind!

And the winner was.............

They had a window on one side that had a tree with presents and gummy people standing around. So cute!

A favorite

I just love this part of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has been one of my favorites since I can remember!

A Beary Merry Christmas...

My son was picked to play Santa for the school Christmas program when he was 6 years old. He was elated that his teacher chose him. She was, and still remains, one of his best teachers ever. She took the time to show an interest in her students, and simply, they took an interest in what she had to say and teach.....easy concept! Sadly, I have found not all teachers get the importance of that vital connection.

Anyway....here he is in his glory!

Meet Santa Bear 1999!




and..................his bear choir!




I love trips down memory lane!!

Reflections of Christmas past.....

There was a time when my son and I would decorate a gingerbread house every year around this time. We walked by a big display this year and I asked him if we should get one again. Well, it's times like these where I would love to rewind the clock and have him beg me to buy one to decorate. I guess it is the rite of passage that at 15 he no longer has an interest. Well, at least I have the memories frozen in time. Photo's are great for transporting me back in time to some fantastic memories!

We had a blast!