Mike and I in Napa - 2007

When nothing seems to be going right in life and it feels like the entire universe is out to get me I try to remember the good things that I am surrounded with . My friends and family etc. Mike is in yet another interview process with yet another company. Hopefully this one will go better than the last.

Mia and I Napa - 2007

Hopefully, 2011 is going to turn around in a big hurry. I know we're ready for it. Mike's unemployment benefit has not yet been extended due to some massive mix-up with the temp agency he was working with just before Christmas. He was told his contract ended on a specific date and that he wouldn't be working beyond that date unless otherwise notified. He wasn't notified. It means we're not getting paid. Ouch. Nuff said.

Heather and I - December 2009

In other news, Heather's birthday is today. Isn't she gorgeous? I love her and I hope her day is fabulous. I will note at this juncture that she has to work today, which is a bum deal. But I'm hoping that she grabs a drink or a bite to eat or something.

Heather and Jarrod - December 2009

Hopefully her man will do something verrrrry nice for her today too, knowing that she's working. Aren't they cute together? I heart them both very much.

Happy birthday baby sister!

Well, I've finally gotten around to uploading some of the shots I took between Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm not done polishing them all up just yet, but here is a peek at a few of the ones that I have spit-shined.

The roomies did a fabulous job decorating for Halloween:

Here's the bruddah-in-law all fancied up for the party: 

The party was tons o' fun. There was a murder mystery, fun drinks and fun people... so all in all a good time was had. 

For Thanksgiving, there was a little bit of a bake-off held. Mike and Dan each vs Dad in a battle of French Bread and Egg Twist bread. I contributed two pies as well, while Joe contributed two of his own to the mix. 

Holiday cooking is shifting up into high gear at my place this week/weekend. There is hot buttered rum, Butter Toffee, Merry Minty Meringues and much else to be made in the coming days. Gifts to give at work this week and general insanity to be had. I'm hoping to update everyone on the chaos by the end of the weekend. 

Happy Playing folks!

I distanced myself quite a bit from all of the social media outlets: Blog, Facebook, Twitter, ... pretty much everything... after my dear friend suffered the loss of her little angel. I felt like I needed to refocus, regroup and just generally get my bearings. It was hard. Really hard. I had a really tough time coping with it for a while and then I discovered something.   I am that person. The lady that shows up with a veritable truckload of food for two people.

It helped to be able to help them. I'm at their disposal whenever they need me.

But, while dealing with tragedy, the world spins on. It's pretty much the way of things. And with the world spinning on... I have some general updates to bring everyone up to date!

Family Shout-Outs
We've had two birthdays this month - both were celebrated this past weekend. Both are such fabulous people that, really, they deserve shout outs of their own. I'm combining them because I neglected to post them on their respective birthdays.




Mom: My mom's birthday fell in the middle of last week. My mom is my hero. It's pretty much all I can say... and yet it doesn't even begin to do her justice. The woman has a strength and resilience that I can only hope to attain a shadow of in my lifetime... and yet she is possessed of  limitless warmth, compassion, wit... I could go on, but I'll stop here. I guess, to sum up, she is one of the most fabulous people I know. She taught me so much about baking, one of my favorite hobbies, and I really think that everyone should meet her. Happy Birthday (belated on the blog, not in person) Mom! I love you!




Dad: Hubs' Dad's birthday is four days after my mom's. It makes for an interesting week in Mid-October. He is a fabulously funny and caring guy. He has done nothing but make me feel like a part of the family since I met him... during an admittedly trying time in his life. He never fails to make me laugh, regardless of the mood I'm in. Happy Birthday! We love you too!








News
In other news... Hubs finally got an interview! HOORAY! Interestingly enough the company he interviewed with conducted the interview over the phone. Regardless of how he interviewed... it is done! He made it through round 2ish of the hiring process! This week he is brushing up on some math he hasn't had cause to use since high school, so that he can take a competency test on the 29th. Everyone? Keep your fingers crossed! I've got absolute faith that he'll be fine, but every little thing helps, doesn't it?

That's all I've got for today - I should be more regular around here again.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

I've been looking for a picture to do this with for the last few weeks... and I've finally found it! I may be four days late on the actual post (rest assured that I wished her a happy birthday on her special day)

Seeester's birthday was this past Saturday. For those of you keeping track... yes that is 09/11. Since that fateful day, I really think that her special day gets frequently lost in a day of remembrance... so I wanted to call it out here!

I know her weekend was fantastic and we will be continuing celebrations up at the farm this weekend. For now, check her out below.. being the goofball that I've always known and loved her to be!

Check one off the bucket list! Seester and Pops ride a camel.