Remembering Bray-Bray

Rest in peace, Brady.

Brady passed away yesterday, January 10, 2009. We buried him out at the farm on the hill above the pond. That's all I can say about that right now. Chris and I are hurting. Please remember us in your prayers.

I love it. No, I REALLY, REALLY love it!

My new Kindle. I can't believe how much more I'm reading. It's easy to hold, convenient to take along with you, and just plain awesome.

It's true. The Kindle has re-kindled my love of reading. Not that I've ever really stopped reading but you know what I mean.

I just finished up the 3rd book in the Twilight series, Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. I can't wait to get the 4th one started but I'm taking a bit of a break from the series because there are a few other things I wanted to read. SARAH - You NEED to read this series. I really think you will like it.

Our online book club (man, that makes me sound like a dork!) is reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This is a book I normally wouldn't have chosen myself but it is great! I guess that is the point of a book club; to get you out of your same old-same old routine. Good book and the first in the series if you are looking for a series to get wrapped up in. MARANDA - Try it. I think you will like this if you can get past the first 5 chapters.

Since we are only supposed to read 5 Chapters a week for the book club, I wanted to start something else so I am reading The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks. It is okay so far. I am not a big Nicolas Sparks fan because everyone always dies in his books. No one is dead in this one, YET. I bought it because it was on sale on my Kindle for $1.00. Even if it ends up being really bad, I'm only out a dollar and a couple hours of my time.

After I finish the Rescue, I will be giving the Kindle a break and reading a book that Chris' mom let me borrow. It is The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. I'll let you know what I think of it.

And finally, Chris is reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

What are you all reading right now?

Welcome 2009!

2008? Has it been a good year? Hmmm.

The economy stinks.
My dog got sick.


Adios, 2008! I won't be missing you.

I guess that isn't entirely fair. There were some good things about 2008.

Chris and I had an awesome beach vacation.
We both kept our jobs even though I work in banking and Chris works in the auto industry and they've both suffered horrible years.
My family has been blessed with good health.

2009 Resolution:

I have purchased the 2009 Daily Task Checklist from Motivated Moms. There is a checksheet that you print off each day. On one side there is a list of daily things that need to be done and the other side has 3 or 4 things each day to complete. If followed, you are never supposed to have to "deep" clean or "spring" clean your house. Chris and I plan on keeping up with it. I keep a fairly clean house but the biggest arguement that Chris and I have is that I spend a good portion of the day cleaning on Saturday. Chris wants me to go somewhere with him or do something with him and I don't want to because I don't like a messy house. I feel I have to get it done before anything else. Chris is willing to help me, but not on the weekends. He says the weekends are for having fun and relaxing. I agree. So this is our solution. There are some things on the lists that we can cross off each day because we don't have children but there are some things that the list reminds us to do that we wouldn't otherwise think of. For instance, yesterday... One of the items was to clean the telephones. We both kind of laughed at that. I can honestly say that in my 9 years of marriage, I don't think I have ever cleaned the telephones. Well, yesterday I did. And can I just tell you how dirty they were. GROSS! It was disgusting the stuff I got off those things. ICK! So the next time cleaning the telephones rolls up on the list, we won't laugh.

I thought about my sister as I was doing this yesterday. She might be on to something. My sister is a hard-core list maker. She will make a list of what she needs to do each day. If she is cleaning the house, she writes down EVERY SINGLE CHORE. I would always say that I would be half way finished cleaning by the time she finished her list. I didn't realize the satisfaction you get from CHECKING THINGS OFF the list. It keeps you focused, for sure. So, I stand corrected. Lists are good. But I'm still not making my own. I am happy someone else has done it for me and I can just start checking stuff off ASAP.

Twas the Day Before Christmas...

Twas the Day before Christmas

And I've slacked on my blog

So I'm posting pictures from the season

And one of my dog.

I had never been to the Christmas Eve Barn Service until Chris and I got married. That is one of the traditions he has brought into the marriage and it has turned out to be my FAVORITE one. I love the service. There is one at 4:00 and one at 10:00. Growing up, Chris and his family always went to the 10:00 service so that is what we do. People gather in Vernon's barn and there is a live nativity. Chris' Dad usually plays a Wiseman. There is a message and singing, all serving as a reminder to the true meaning of Christmas. They have hay bales to sit on but we usually end up standing (because of the huge crowd and to keep warmer too.). I love this barn. I love this service. I can't wait until tonight. After the service, Chris and I will come home and have some hot chocolate to warm up and some wine and open our presents to each other. In the morning, we will go to my mom's, then Chris' Dads and this year we are very excited to spend Christmas evening with Chris' mom.

This year is Kailey's second Christmas. Sometime last year, my friend Carrie Courtney told me about a tradition that her aunt did for her and her brother. Her aunt would buy her an ornament each year to symbolize something that took place in their lives that year. If Carrie took a trip to New York, her aunt would get her an ornament of the Empire State Building or a NY Cab or something like that. I loved the idea and started doing it with my neice Kailey. Last year I got her a little pig on a present (because it was her first Christmas and she was such a chunky thing). Man, I love BABY CHUBBY ROLLS!

This year, Maranda and I were looking at ornaments and when Maranda pointed out this one, we knew it was the one. It is a Cheerios ornament to symbolize learning to eat REAL food and she has little Cheerios snacks packed in that diaper bag at all times.

I can't wait for years to come to see how she grows and changes and what kind of personality she will have and who she will become. I wonder sometimes what kind of ornaments will I be buying for her. Will she be into soccer, basketball, princesses, Disney? Hmmm...

Here is the Jolly Old Man himself making an appearance in the Rural Retreat Christmas parade. Man that was a cold parade!

And here I am with my girls at the Bank's Christmas party at Holston Hills Country Club.

And as promised, a picture of Brady. He is hanging in there. He's a fighter. He isn't himself but he doesn't seem to be in pain and is very cuddly these days. We are so thankful to have him here for Christmas and I'm pretty sure he has more presents under the tree than anyone.

A simple Christmas treat for you.

Ingredients:

Square pretzels. I found these at Wal-Mart and they are made by Snyder's. I think they are called Snaps. I am sure you can use mini pretzels if you can't find these though.

Wilton Candy Melts. These are in the cake decorating section at Wal-Mart. They have milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Red and Green M&M's.

Place a layer of pretzels on a cookie sheet and top each one with a Wilton Candy Melt. Place in the oven on 325 for 5 minutes. (just enough to soften the candy melts) Remove them from the oven and while the candy is still soft, place an M&M on each.

I have the best Mom!

I came home to the most wonderful surprise yesterday. Mom had stoppped by the house and left an advent calendar on my kitchen table. I have been wanting one for a long time and she made a special trip to the house to make sure it arrived on December 1st. It is complete with surprises every day except the 15th but she left strict orders for Chris to add something for that day. I can't wait to see what is behind each door but I promised not to peek. I have the best Mommy! I love you!