Goodbye 2008....hello 2009!

I've been trying to figure out what to post for my last one of 2008....and I thought I would go back and look at last year. Well, that wasn't such a great idea because I didn't do too good with my goals! Oh well, I still think I had a good year......take a look at last year's goals.....


1. First off....Damnit......I WILL lose that "no smoking" weight. I know it won't be that easy but really, I have that new pink bike so how hard can it be! DECEMBER UPDATE - ummm...well, it IS HARD!! I didn't lose any...guess we'll work on that one again.

2. Find more time for scrapbooking - DECEMBER UPDATE - I didn't find time for scrapbooking BUT I did find time to set up my scrapbooking room and now have my awesome new TV....thank you Johnny boy! So I think I will find the time now.

3. Learn how to take awesome pics with my new camera - DECEMBER UPDATE - I DID take a class and I learned a whole lot. I have my new lens on order....thank you Johnny boy! I'm looking for another class.

4. Learn to quilt - DECEMBER UPDATE - Darn.....I just didn't have time this year. I want to take a class.....BUT I do have my sewing machine now set up in my new scrapbooking room so maybe it will happen!

5. Spend more time with mom and dad - DECEMBER UPDATE - I think I did this some but I still need to work on it even more. We took mom and dad on vacation with us this year and it was awesome!!

So, to all of my bloggy friends......HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish you all of the best...good health and happy lives!

love.......Nina Diane

later.......

Christmas returns....

Johnny boy and I had a busy day today........so busy, it's bullet point worthy!

*We first went over to Ritz Camera as I could not figure out how to make my new macro lens work as autofocus on my camera.....well, come to find out, it won't work on my Nikon D40X! haha.....so I returned it and ordered the new Nikon 50mm, f1.4 with auto focus. It hasn't been released yet but I'm on the list!!

*Then we returned some jeans I had bought for Jake to Kohl's and I bought myself some new shoes. Now I have to order him some from his fav place...Swell.

*Next up.....we headed over to Lens Crafters to get my new glasses. And pretty much, I felt like they were rude. I've been getting my glasses there since I started wearing glasses so I was a little disappointed. So I left! Went over to For Eyes and ordered my new glasses.......which took care of what was left in my flex spend account.

*Target next......just some hair products and laundry detergent

*Lunch at The Peking....yum

*Costco of course.......just some of our regular purchases.....milk, coffee, coffee mate, trash bags, etc

then home......and made a nice pot of coffee.
Turkey sandwiches for dinner
relaxing with some wine
and now it's about time for bed

later........

help...please....

It's Sunday night and the Cowboys failed to show up for their game that COULD have gotten them into the playoffs.....oh well, there's always next year.

it's hot here! I mean just hot.....like it's 77 degrees in my house right now and it's 9:45 pm. good grief........

Now....please help me. I don't know how to get my pics a little bit larger when I post on this here blog

can someone tell me?

later....

Pictures.......

pics from Christmas......

*Jake and Bucky hanging out in the tent

*Jake snowboarding with th wii

*Christmas trash

*Maddox and his big wheel

*Bucky and Jake playing guitar hero....ummm...sitting down!

*Johnny with his new sign for his bar.....from Jacquelyn and Bucky

*Mr. Marley

*Jacquelyn and her baby dogs.....

*My new lens

*Maddox in his new Christmas pj's

*Nicole enjoying breakfast

later.......

Our Christmas......

We had such a wonderful Christmas! I feel so blessed......everyone was healthy and happy and really, what more can you ask for! I think this Christmas was the latest we have slept since having children.....7:00 am! wow! Jacquelyn and Bucky had come over and spent the night so Jacquelyn came running up stairs at 7:00 to get everyone up! And what fun......tearing through all of the gifts, breakfast casserole, lots of coffee, cinnamon buns.....

Nicole let Maddox sleep and sleep he did! I think he woke around 8:30 and had a bit of a confused look on his face. But that didn't last long as he caught on to opening presents. There were times that I think he was a little overwhelmed or rather, he just wanted to play with the toys he had already opened......so we would have to wait a while to give him another to open. He really had fun but I think the best part for him was his Big Wheel.....once that came out, it's all he was really interested in.

My mom and dad came over for a little while and then my BIL, niece and nephew. By night time everyone was gone and it was me in a recliner with a glass of wine relaxing. Christmas is so much fun and so tiring!

We spent Friday just hanging out and gorging on food....haha! Realizing that we really should stop eating......off we went to.....well, what else.....SHOP!! We bought a beverage holder for Johnny's bar. It keeps 128 cans chilled!! And we bought a TV stand for my NEW TV! Thank you Johnny boy.....he gave me a 32" LCD HD flat screen TV for my scrap/sew room. AND....he even had already gone to the cable company and got the box and DVR.......how awesome is my Santa!

Saturday was spent at my sister's house with all of my family. The young kids all opened up their presents then my mom and dad gave out all of their gifts to everyone. After that we did our crazy gift exchange........so much fun. We all brought 2 or 3 appetizers so grazing was the way we ate all.day.long! It has just been such a wonderful time.

So now we have football tomorrow.....then on Monday Johnny and I have a few exchanges to make. Johnny boy also gave me a really cool macro lens for my camera but I'm not doing something right so we need to go by the camera shop so someone can help me.

So here's a bunch of pics.....
*We gave Maddox a frog tent.....so here's Nicole and I hanging out with him. And then of course Bucky and Jake in the tent!
I was going to post a bunch of pictures but I can't get bloggy to love me tonight!
I'll try a little again...

later

There are nice people......

So apparently, my package that contains most of Jake's Christmas is in limbo in some little post office in West Virginia.

But because of a wonderful gal at Swell, we will get our stuff tomorrow.....guaranteed! She re-created the order and shipped overnight express. She said we should have it before 8:00 pm Christmas eve.

there are nice people in the world......

later

Arghh........

Right now I am not a fan of Fedex Smart Post...........hello! who even heard of that!!
I placed an order online with a company in CA and was expecting delivery last Friday. This is pretty much half of Jake's Christmas.......yes HALF!!
the tracking last shows the package being delivered on the 18th in West Virginia.......ack!! I'm in Virginia! At that point, the Post Office takes over except that when I talk to them, they have no record of the package.

I have to wait a couple of more hours for the business on the West Coast to open before I can "calmly" explain to them that they did a major goof up!!!!

I guess worst case..........ummmmm, really, I have nothing for worst case. Not sure what I will tell my son.

later........

Five for Fighting......

I love that band "Five for Fighting"

Johnny and I were at the hockey game and 2 of the guys were in a fight....then sent to the penalty box, adult time out...haha.
I noticed they got 5 minutes in the box for fighting......

I said to Johnny......they get 5 for fighting

he said yes, that's what that band is named for ...... 5 for Fighting.

guess I didn't know

later......

4 more days....

I think I pretty much get into the holiday spirit around Thanksgiving. It's just my fav time of year and I enjoy the build up to the 25th of December.....Jesus' birthday. And I've learned over the years to not stress...to do what is necessary but to enjoy as you go along. And I think I have really been getting better each year with that. I did some final shopping yesterday, picked up Chrissy from getting her holiday hair cut and then hit the grocery store. I had my list and was planning on buying everything I need from now until Christmas. I had menu plans and recipes out....you just can't get anymore prepared than that!

and for some silly reason, as I was leaving the grocery store, that holiday spirit smacked me in the face again. I just felt good......excited and happy about.... well, everything! And no, I wasn't drinking..... haha......here are just a bunch of pics from around the house, us making candy and our little guy Maddox!

later.......

One more week.......

I sure hope I receive a few UPS packages soon......

later...

Sunday.....

It's been a busy weekend

Lots and lots of shopping.

I'm almost done

And lots and lots of wrapping....I'm almost done with that too!

Did a little baking......Russian tea cookies.

Watching football all day and I have 6 wrong from today!!

7 more work days and then I'm off until Jan 5th....woo hoo!

later........

Braces...

Maddox received his braces today for his ankles.......

look at how tiny

I know these are going to help him so much

I wished he didn't need all of this but it's all good, it will help him

later.........

A Christmas post.....

I was chatting with Jacquelyn this afternoon....actually we were emailing...haha!
we were talking about how people complain about the commercialism of Christmas. And here's just my opinion........I think people who do that, they are just looking for a reason to complain. Because I don't see commercialism all around.....nope, I see the beautiful Christmas decorations and I see people out shopping having fun....old and young, laughing together. I have more people hold the door open for me and more people smile at each other. People just seem nicer...and that's fine. Even if it is just one time of the year....it's ok. I wish it was more but at least they do it!

And that's because regardless of what stores do or what shows are on TV....Christmas is what you make it. I don't mind decorations coming out in October..they are beautiful so it's just fine by me. We raised our children in church, they know the reason for the season, we taught them to help the less fortnate, and now as adults, they continue with that. We spend the holidays at home not party hopping...we spend good quality family time together and we have a bunch of holiday traditions that we still do...no matter how old the kids are. And it's fun.....it's just fun at our house during the holidays. And we keep God's love in our hearts year round....not just Christmas. But Christmas is a reminder to everyone of God's love and you know what, there's nothing wrong with that......we all need reminders!

I guess what I'm saying is the holiday season is what you make it to be.....and don't tell me there is too much commercialsim because you know, I'll just smile. And I'll wish for you that you will see the real beauty of the season.

later........

In Glen Allen, Virginia.......

it is snowing.......right now

might just be flurries

might just be a clipper system

but it's snowing........right now!

later......

Christmas shopping........

Johnny boy and I went Christmas shopping last night

We stopped by the going out of business Linens and Things

We bought new bathroom scales......as we had the other one since we got married so I was pretty sure they were "off" a little

ummm.....let's say "off" a lot

looks like I know what my New Years resolution will be........

later....

here's a pic of my Target snowmen.....I just love them

and a pic of the foyer table

a pic of the dining room

pic of the window in the den

all of the decorations out....Nicole said it looked like Christmas threw up!

later.......

A long weekend.....

This has been the best weekend in so long....
My Johnny is a workaholic and because of his hospital stay, he's been home!
and it's been great to spend some good time with him.

He's returning to work on Monday...

We are almost finished with our Christmas decorating.
I'm going to post pictures soon of each room.
I go a little overboard...my kids might would say I'm a freak but I just love my decorations.

almost done......

later......

Happy Thanksgiving.....

We had a wonderful day........football, Dallas winning and wonderful food.

and now......the decorating begins!!
I had Jake and his friend Tony take my Christmas trees down because Johnny can't....you know, with his back.

I love decorating for Christmas. I keep ideas swirling through my head all of the time and then I just love pulling everything out and putting my ideas into place.

And we'll go do some shopping tomorrow. Though we are not the kind who get up at 4:00am to shop! Nope.....we wait until the crowds die down and then head out. We're going to Costco and Best Buy. Not sure where else.....

A lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving......Johnny home from the hospital and doing well, our family, our jobs, our home....God in our hearts. This is tough times for a lot of people...I am thankful that right now, we are doing ok....my 401k is another story though!

A few pictures......you can see my kitchen is all painted now but very, very plain looking. I've bought my fabric..hopefully will sew my curtains this week. I've framed a few of my photos but haven't hung them yet...I'll get it done soon.

I'm tired.....did a whole lot of cooking and it has worn out this woman!!

later.......

Joy, joy......

Johnny is home!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow

I start cooking this evening

all is right with the world......at least my world!

later.......

Maybe tomorrow........

Just maybe Johnny will get to come home.

3 things..........

1. If he shows enough improvement for the hospital to release him, then he will come home. And then next week, get another steroid injection.

2. If he shows enough improvement for the hospital to release him, but doesn't show much improvement through next week, then they will do the surgery on the disk.

3. If he doesn't show enough improvement to be released form the hospital, then they will do the surgery this Wed.

so there it is........let's hope he's hopping and skipping down the hallways tomorrow! Or at least taking a few baby steps.

later.........

Just sitting in the .........

hospital room with Johnny watching the Dallas Cowboys!

he's still no better.
they are going to do a CAT scan today
they are also going to move him over to the spine center today

I WANT JOHNNY TO COME HOME........damn it!

later........

Wah wah wah.......

Johnny's still not home!
and he's no better
Still cannot sit up or walk

maybe tomorrow things will change
pray hard tonight that Johnny improves enough to come home

later........

This sucks....

Johnny did not get to come home today.
Apparently, that injection doesn't always work on everyone.
And sometimes it can takes days to work.

They had physical therapy come in and try to get him up but no go.
He still can't sit or walk....same as yesterday.

He's frustrated and that makes me sad.
I hope tomorrow is better.

later......

Fun at the ER.......

I have been sitting in the ER with Johnny boy from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm today. Yes, that was am to pm........isn't that the way it always is in an ER!

anyway, Johnny hurt his back a while back but wouldn't go to the doctor's because, well, because he's a man and he's Johnny.

so for the past 2 wks, it has just been getting worse and this morning he couldn't move. I mean really, he couldn't move! Could not get out of bed and there was no way I could get him to the doc's so I had to call the rescue squad to get him and take him to the ER.

and I felt really bad for him because he was in major pain......like it was taking his breath away pain. And I'm just not used to seeing my Johnny like this.

So, it's a slipped disc and it's pinching that big nerve that runs down your leg. They admitted him to the hospital and tomorrow will be giving him an injection in his spine......ughh. And then he can come home....and hopefully rest and be better.

I'm lost without my Johnny.....we've been together 30 years and I'm just lost without him here with me.

later........

Oh my......

nerves on end last night BUT............THE COWBOYS came through!

and Marion Barber, well, he's my hero now!!

later......

20 minutes and counting........

Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins......

my stomach is in knots.

later......

Just doing my part......

Did some shopping today......fueling the economy!

I'm finished with Maddox's shopping.

My son Jake stood me up today......we were supposed to shop but it didn't happen.

I finally found fabric for the curtains for the kitchen.

I'll be working on those this week.

A bit nervous about the Cowboys / Redskin game tomorrow......

later.....

Nicole and Maddox.....

have their own blog now

go visit them

leave a comment.....you know how it always makes you smile when someone leaves a comment. It's like getting a letter from a friend...almost!

so go visit......and enjoy!

www.maddoxandmommy.blogspot.com

later......

Whew.....

I am so tired of painting.
And I still have so much to do.
see that pic....it shows the cloud of dust that settled on my kitchen after I used the power sander on the walls.
The mess wasn't fun to clean up.
The power sander was fun to use though!
Hopefully I will be done soon and can post some pics

later......

Monday night......

Carpe Diem........Happy Birthday to the Marines!

And tomorrow is Veterens Day...to which we are so grateful to all of our servicemen.

AND....it's a holiday for us!

So I'm off tomorrow and everyone else in my house has to work.....can I get a big ole woo hoo on that one!!

later.......

Bowling anyone?

Jacquelyn and her boyfriend Bucky love bowling.
they bowl on 3 different leagues during the winter
and tonight Bucky bowled a 300 game........a perfect game, near impossible, a strike in every single frame.
Jacquelyn said even after they were done, he was still nervous and a little pale.
way to go Bucky!!

later.......

This weekend....

The leaves are the most beautiful around here that I have seen in a long time. But it's been overcast every day this week and I want so badly to get outside and get some good pictures. I'm going to attempt tomorrow........hope for the sun!

also tomorrow we are going to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. This will be our 3rd year of seeing them and we are very excited. And as in the past, we will have our pre show appetizers......all of the kids and a couple of friends coming over. I'm fixing.......meatballs, deli tray, cheese tray, veggie tray, brushetta and creme puffs. yum yum.....

It's been pretty interesting reading all of the blogs on thoughts of the new president. A lot of different views.......I was not a supporter of Obama but now that he is our president elect, as an American, I will support our new president. I offer up prayers that he will be able to help our economy and unite our country. I don't like a lot of his ideas but the country has spoken. So let's all stand behind him.

I'm tired.....it's been one heck of a week at work.

later.....

I'm so thankful........

I meant to do the thing where you post each day what you are thankful for during the month of November........but got too busy and forgot! BUT.....I do not ever forget what I am thankful for so I'll just list them.......in no particular order...just as they popped in my head!

1. God and all that he means
2. Johnny boy
3. My kids
4. My family
5. Maddox
6. My home
7. My job
8. Living in Virginia
9. Being an American
10. coffee
11. Sweet fresh basil
12. brushetta
13. The upcoming holidays
14. A good book
15. A quiet day at home
16. Annual bonuses!
17. vacation
18. good friends
19. My camera
20. All 4 seasons
21. a steady rain when I don't have to work
22. family celebrations
23. Football
24. All the kids home on Sundays for dinner!
25. the sight and smell of the ocean
26. OBX and that it's only 3 hours away!
27. warm Ugg boots
28. flip flops
29. very cold beer on a hot summer day
30. good cooking

and I'm just going to stop right there because I could go on and on forever. I am grateful for my life and everything about it. I feel so fortunate to have the close family, love and all of the things that go with that.

later.......

Halloween 2008.....

our little guy Maddox was Tony Romo
he was not very happy about getting all of this on as I think he just wanted his routine......supper, bath and bed
but once he found out it involved going outside, he was all good
and then.....to come home and eat candy! He loved it

later.......

I voted.....

did you?

later....

Election Day.....

I got up this morning 40 min early, got ready for work.......arrived @ the polls @ 6:20 am and could not find a parking spot. Could not even get into the parking lot to look for one......and no where along the road to park. Actually, it was getting into a pretty serious situation with cars all sticking out in the road.

So I left.

And arrived @ work at 6:40 am!
and it's spooky here in the office this early.

So I will leave around 2:00.....go vote and then go work from home!

later......

A stolen meme.....

Swiped from......ack.....I can never get links to work.
so go here....http://ellenprentice.typepad.com (it's Traci's friend)

1. I’ve come to realize that my last kiss was........last night from my Johnny boy

2. I am listening to… the Cowboys lose

3. I talk… way too much

4. I love… quiet time

5. My best friend is.....gone! :(

6. My love life… pretty darn good

7. I hate it when people assume… what they "think" I might say

8. Love is… wonderful

9. Marriage is… the best part of my life

10. Somewhere, someone is thinking… WTF with those Dallas Cowboys!

11. I’m always… tired

12. I have a secret crush on… food

13. My cell phone… so very cool

14. When I wake up in the morning… I wish I could sleep a little longer

15. When I go to bed at night… I'm happy

16. Right now I am thinking about… I'm stuffed from my turkey dinner

17. Babies are… little pieces of heaven

18. I get on Face Book…..I'm new!

19. Tonight I will… watch more football, tape Desperate Housewives

20. Tomorrow I will… go to work

and I tag Jacquelyn, Paula, Carol, Lillian, Traci, Connie and anyone else who reads this ole blog......

later

Stick a fork in us......

we're done for the season.
I mean really, you put in your third string quarterback and his first play, he throws an interception.
yeah, I think we're done!

later........

Facebook

I finally broke down and joined Facebook.
Though I haven't really touched based with anyone from waaay back in school, I have found some of my friends from work that have since left.
so that's very cool

later.....

Oct 31st....

can't believe tomorrow is Nov 1st....already!
we had right many trick or treaters tonight
that wine in the last post...tasted awful
Nov 1st....time to start shopping
next weekend we are going to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra
usually we see them closer to Christmas but oh well...they are so great!
tomorrow i'm putting the primer on the walls
and I guess next Saturday painting

that's it....nothing else

later.......

My trick or treat

here's my treat for tomorrow night........

later

My protest tonight......

will be.......

no TV's in my house will be on tonight from 8:00 to 8:30!

but I can promise you that @ 8:37 we will be watching the game....

later......

The Biggest Loser.....

there are a few on that blue team that I'm not liking too much.....

I hope Brady doesn't lose too much this week...just because he is sneaky.

awww man.....he lost 13 lbs!! Should be happy for him but that Heba gets on my nerves. I want the black team to win.....guess Phil is going home tonight!

later.....

No game tonight......

No game in Phila tonight
Maybe Wed night
I might actually get some sleep tonight
yeah me!

later......

Sports are killing me......

I'm getting no sleep due to sports!
Last night, the World Series........it was called
had to switch to football
it got me all wound up...couldn't go to sleep
now, maybe, weather permitting, a game tonight

man.....I've got to get some sleep!

later......

The weekend and more pictures......

Johnny boy and I went to the Richmond Renegades games on Friday night....and it was fun. Two fights, pretty funny. The crowd just goes wild when they start fighting.

Worked on the kitchen all day Saturday.
The wallpaper came off so easy but the glue decided to hang around a bit more.
So I had to work on getting that off.
That product Diff, works pretty good.

Sunday all the kids over.
Big dinner and football....oh gosh I just love it!
Made that apple cake again.....it is just so good!

and now it's a bit cold here in Richmond, VA.
getting down in the 30's tonight.

Here's more pics from the apple pickin day.

later........