IT WAS A YEAR OF PARTIES!

I thought it would be fun to join in the party that Cindy over at Romantic Homes is hosting. She has asked us to go through our photos and posts and do a review of 2009.

In doing so, I noticed 2009 was filled with parties, parties and more parties.

So, my review is going to be of all the fun parties I've thrown this year.


The first party of 2009 was Trinity's birthday party. Every year it's a different theme.

For her 8th birthday it was all about horses!

We went to a local petting zoo and had a BBQ, played games, opened presents and rode on the train. The high light was when all the kids got to ride on a horse.

For some, it was the first time they had been on a horse before.

It was a fun time and, per Trinity, "a birthday she will never forget".

It's almost time for her birthday party this year. Wow! She is almost 9 years old. Growing up so fast. The theme this year is going to be MAGIC!


The next party was a baby shower for a friend. The theme was "Welcome to the Nest Little One".

Of course that meant birds and nests were the main theme of the decor.

Since she was having a little boy (her 4th boy) the color was blue and brown.

My favorite thing of the whole shower was the cupcakes! Little bird nests with baby birds popping up. You can see them here.


Then came the darling Alice in Wonderland birthday party for my sister, Patty.

This was a surprise party. She didn't have a clue what we were up to. It was just our family as she made me promise not to have a big party for her.

However, the decorations were so cute. Thanks to Donna at Party Wishes. This is one of her parties you can rent. If you have not been to her blog you must go see it. She has the best parties in town!


Summer time was a great reason to throw a FUN IN THE SUN party for Trinity and a few of her girlfriends.

They ate, played water games, jumped on the trampoline as they squirted the hose and had a fun time.

We decided to have more of these smaller parties with just three or so friends over so she can have some quality time with her friends.

Our next girlfriend party is going to be a Barbie theme.


The annual Halloween party, I throw for Trinity, was a big hit this year. It was all about Pirates!

We had food, games, crafts, tattoos and so much fun! All the kids said they loved going to Trinity's parties because they have such a good time.

I'm already in the planning mode for this years Halloween party.


After all the fun with the kids on Halloween, I wanted to have a little party for adults. So I had a Witches Lunch.

It was nice to sit down and enjoy some time with my sisters and friend and it was decided we all want to do this every year.

The year closed up with a Christmas Cookie party for Trinity and a few of her friends.

Each girl got to make and decorate their own cookies to take home.

We had dinner, baked cookies and the girls all won awards for their cookies.

Next Christmas we are going to make Gingerbread Houses.

So that's about how my life is, if I'm not throwing a party, I'm planning one.

I have several in the works right now. Of course there is Trinity's Birthday party coming up in Jan. Then I am having a small Valentine's Day lunch for my friends and sisters, maybe a St. Patrick's Day tea party, an Academy Award party, a New York theme birthday party for my sister, Maureen, a Barbie party, a flip flop summer party, the annual Halloween party, a Witches lunch and a Gingerbread House party.

Oh my! I'm tired already.

The year 2009 was a good year. I hope 2010 is even better.

Now be sure to go to Romantic Homes and see everyone's end of the year reviews.

Happy New Year!

A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR

We all have those days when it seems like "Just a spoon full of sugar" would help.

But, for me, tomorrow will not be one of them! Why? Well, because we are going to Los Angeles to see the musical Mary Poppins!


At first, I declined the offer to go. What was I thinking? I have no idea.

I had heard so many wonderful reviews of this musical when it was in New York, I think I just feared I would be let down.


I quickly changed my mind though. I mean, come on! It's Mary Poppins! Could she really ever let anyone down? I doubt it.

Plus there is everyone's favorite chimney sweep! Who could resist that man!

As a kid I loved, loved, loved Mary Poppins. I would often sit for hours listening to the record (yes I'm old as it was an actual record) album and sing along to every song.

Oh you know you want to sing too. So sing loud now! Everyone! Here we go.

JUST A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR HELPS THE MEDICINE GO DOWN...

VISITING REINDEER

On Christmas I found three little reindeer wondering around my house. I have no idea where they came from. Unless, Santa left them behind.


This little one was running around all day trying to get food from anyone who had anything to eat. Look at him licking his chops! He must have seen someone across the room munching on something.

This guy was frantically trying to see what everyone got as they unwrapped their presents. Darting to and fro as fast as he could. He should be named speedy. I think he is how Santa gets to all the kids house so fast.

Then there was this sweet little girl. She looks a lot like my nephew's dog, Ginger.

She was such a good girl. I wanted to keep her forever.

Once the stroke of midnight came, and Christmas was over, these three darling reindeer lost their antlers and once again turned back into dogs.

Three dogs so tired all they wanted to do was sleep, sleep, sleep. But, it sure was fun having reindeer visit for Christmas.

IT'S A WRAP!

This year I wrapped everyone's presents in a red and white theme.

Trying to get through Christmas with spending very little money on Christmas decorations, which included the wrapping paper, I went searching at Big Lots and came across a package of three rolls of paper that fit my theme.

I loved the look and the price was only $3.00 for three rolls. Can't beat that. But, it was when I saw it was actually Hallmark paper I knew I found my paper for the year.

I picked up 6 rolls for only $6.00.


Even my gift cards got wrapped in red and white. I bought these cute little Santa bags from a fund raiser that Trinity was having at school.

Cheep and a tax write off!

I tried to make each present look different even though the wrapping all looked the same. I used ribbon that I already had so it didn't cost me a penny for the ribbon this year either.

Some presents got big bows, some got candy canes tied to the ribbon.

Here I added a T ornament made out of pearls. Since this one is for Trinity, she will love to see the pearl T on her tree every year.

This cute Santa bag was in our supplies from last year. I'm not sure where we got him but he sure is darling.

Do you wrap your presents with a theme?

No matter what you get this year, I hope it's what you always dreamed of.

Merry Christmas!

I'M READY!

The shopping is done, the presents wrapped and now the table is set. I'm ready for Christmas...finally!

This year our table is set with a poinsettia theme.

About 25 years ago I bought these china dishes and I think I've only used them once or twice.

Since this year I tried hard to not spend any money on new Christmas decorations I thought it was a perfect time to used these.

A few years, ago my sister, Patty bought me the poinsettia table cloth and napkins. They go perfectly with the china.

The center table cloth and candles were given to me this year from my friend Sandra.

The vase is vintage Milk Glass that I found at a thrift store awhile ago.

The silver and goblets we have had for years.

Of course Santa and Mrs. Claus has to show up too. They are little salt and pepper shakers I got from my Aunt and Uncle when they passed away.

I love how they are holding hands. They make me smile.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and my you all stay safe and healthy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WHAT'S UP WITH THE DECORATIONS AT CA ADVENTURE

Monday, we went to Disney's California Adventure just to walk around and take in all the decorations.

After all, Disney is known for the way they go all out on the Holidays.


As we walked up to the gates I knew we were in for some really cute decorations.

The word California is always outside but they change the way the look for different holidays.

For Christmas they were done up to look like Candy Canes. With Mickey Mouse on the C and Goofy on the A.

Very cute! A popular spot for kids to play around on and have their photos taken.

When you first walk in the big bridge, that represents the Golden Gate Bridge, was decorated with a big wreath and garland. Both covered with shinny ornaments.

But that was about it really. Not much else in the park to see but little touches here and there. It was a real disappointment.

Oh, sure there was Santa. But, even he was a pretty poor looking Santa. The park was super crowded but the line to sit on Santa's lap was small.

I just don't think parents wanted him to be the Santa in their yearly Christmas photo with their child. Not when there are so many wonderful looking Santas out there.

A few poinsettias in pot were sitting out by Santa as was the Christmas tree. My photo of the tree didn't turn out so I can't show that to you.

The tree was pretty and if you looked closely you noticed that some of the ornaments were in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears. That was cute.

Most of the park didn't have anything to let you even know it was Christmas.

There was some white garland on this one building.

This resturant had some green garland with ornaments.

The Hollywood area had gold wreaths flanking each side of the entrance but you had to look up high to see them or you would have missed them.

Walking down the street in the Hollywood back lot there were some decorations hanging on the lights.

We were all surprised at the lack of Christmas celebrations taking place over at CA Adventure this year. We heard several other people saying the same thing.

Now Disneyland is another story. Each land is decorated and there are tons of Christmas things going on over there.

I wonder why Disney decided to go so simple at CA Adventure this year.

IF IT'S TUESDAY...

That's right, if it's Tuesday it must be weigh in day.

Bright and early I woke up, crawled out of my warm bed and got dressed. Then I got in the car, drove to my Weight Watcher meeting and met with my sister, Maureen.

Together we walked into the building and one by one we got on the scale.

Today the scales were good to me and said I had lost another 2.4 lbs. Which makes that now a total of 38.4 lbs. So that means, I've lost 8.8 lbs. since the challage to lose 10 lbs by the first week in Jan 2010 was made.

I only have 1.2 lbs more to go to reach my goal of 10 lbs. It should be a goal I can reach. I sure hope so.


It's been hard to be good durning these past few weeks. As you know, there are parties, Christmas functions, dinners, baking and all sorts of sweets everywhere these days.

This week I think one reason I lost was due to my brother and sister. So I must thank them.

One of the first things we did when we got to my brothers house was to go for a walk. Not by my choice either.

My brother had recently gotten his electric wheel chair and wanted to go take it out to see how it did on his streets.

The streets where he lives are all hills. It's either up, up, up or down, down, down.

As we were walking, it was getting harder and harder to go that first mile. You see, it was all up hill! I thought my legs were going to fall off.

But, I would hear my brother and sister telling me to keep going. That I could do it. I was almost to the top of the hill.

They were my cheerleaders.

It made me remember years ago when my brother used to live up by me. It was way before he had his stroke and he used to run then.

He was always trying to get me to get out there and run with him. The best I did was walk. I've never been a runner and doubt if I ever will be.

He would call me up daily and tell me he was going to the track to meet me and I had 20 mins to get there.

With his help, I walked lots and lots of laps back then. He has always been my cheerleader and has tried his best to get me into shape.

Since my brother has had his stroke, he has told me time and time again that I need to eat right, exercise more and take care of myself. He does not want anyone else in our family to go through what he is going through.

So, with my brother and sister's help, I made it up that hill that went on for what seemed like forever. I was so happy when we made it to the top and we got to turn around.

We walked for several miles that day. The more I thought about it, the more I think my brother just used his wanting to check out the wheelchair as an excuse to get me walking.

We all agreed that every time we get together we are going to go for long walks. As much as I hate to exercise, to me it's the sweetest thing. Because, I know they are going for mostly for me.

I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I'm so thankful we are all close and really love each other.

It's because of my family that I really believe I'll lose my weight this time.

Maureen goes to each meeting with me and gives me so much support. Gene talks to me and peps me up and is checking on my exercise and Patty makes sure I always have the right food to eat and cheers me on.

So, I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of them and let them know I love them with all my heart.

WINTER WONDERETTES

This weekend, my sister, Maureen, Trinity and I took some time out of our busy schedule and drove down to the Laguna Beach Playhouse so we could see The Christmas show "The Winter Wonderettes".

We got there early so we had time to have a cold drink and a snack before the doors to the theater seats opened up.


Once inside we talked about what we thought the show would be like. We really didn't know what to expect.

The curtains were opened so we could see the stage all ready to go. Then it was finally time for the show to start.

The story takes place in the 1960's. We are all (yes they include the audience) employees of the local Hardware store and are at the Company Christmas party.

The entertainment is four women who work at the store. They call themselves the Winter Wonderettes.

They sing, dance and make us laugh as we all wait for the owner to show up in his Santa Suit and hands out the Christmas bonuses.

I thought it was very cute how they did include the audience in the show. They handed out the white envelopes the boss gave out to all of us. We all opened them at the same time. What a surprise we found in there!

We all played the game "Find the Elf" and one lucky girl even won a prize!

They had us all help sing a song. They even brought a few men and women up on the stage to help with the song.

While this show isn't one of our normal Christmas shows we go to see, I did find it fun and entertaining. It was different, fun and made me laugh.

The only drawback was the cost. At $60 a ticket, we felt the price was to high for this show that lasted only 1 hour and 45 mins.

Even so, I'm happy we went. If you get a chance to, go. I'm sure you will be happy you did too.