Merry Christmas

This is wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS... filled with lots of love, fun and laughter.

We had a great time yesterday with family and friends. I roasted a turkey and was in charge of the veggies... I decided to try something new for both and they turned out great... everyone loved it.We had lots of good food, snacks, played games and of course opened our presents to each other.

Today, we head over to our daughters to spend the day with them and the little munchkins... it will be fun to watch them play and have fun... kids are always on an adrenaline 'high' on Christmas.

May God bless you with a glorious day and all through the next year.
Hugs, Karen

Happy Monday

Hard to believe that it is almost Christmas... oh my, how time flies. I have been busy doing all the pre Christmas activities and enjoying it. Presents are all bought and wrapped, house decorated.

Now I am working on Christmas cookies. I have found some new ones that I am trying out, including sugar free ones for my hubby. Had to laugh, my first sugar free cookies turned out like hard hockey pucks but this last batch of a different cookie has turned out much better except that they want to crumble easily. I think it must have some to do with the sugar substitute for it is much dryer than usual sugars.

Hate to say that I did not make many of my Christmas cards this year. I just could not get my mojo going in time.  I do have plans for this next year and so I hope to be all ready much earlier.

Well, much to do but wanted to pop in to say 'Hi' to everyone. Hope you are all having a very merry Christmas holiday season so far.

Hugs

Karen

Stay warm

Hope this finds everyone warm, happy and healthy.

Not sure about where you are but is starting to get much colder here.... not really ready for winter weather but it was bound to come our way. Of course we do not have it near as bad as others in the US.

Well I am excited for the weekend... this Sunday will be my dear husbands '65th' birthday... not that he wants to be reminded of that, LOL. We are going to my sisters for a little lunch and get together, should be fun. He is one of those people that when you ask him what he would like as a present... absolutely nothing comes to mind so needless to say, he is hard to find the right gift.

I know it is before Thanksgiving but I have been enjoying listening to Christmas music.... there is something inspirational about them and they make me smile.

So have all my crafting friends been busy making Christmas cards... if so, I would love to see them... need some inspiration. Just leave a comment and I will check them out.

Well it is time to head to bed, a big day tomorrow.

Hugs
Karen

Happy Friday

I hope this finds everyone healthy and happy.

I am on a mission to improve my health and it will be a difficult one for I am not good at developing consistent exercise. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.
I have ordered a juicer and will integrate a lot more vegetables and fruits into my daily diet. Plus I plan to reduce my meat intake to a very low amount and increase more beans instead... then there is the challenge of cutting down on breads or the high level carbs. I do not plan to go full vegetarian but closer... I just want to be healthier.

Is everyone getting ready for Thanksgiving? Hard to believe that it is almost here...time goes way too fast.

This is a short post... just wanted to let you know I am still alive.

May God bless you all.
Love
Karen

Sleep Study

Greetings on this fine cool but damp Saturday.

Have any of you ever have a sleep study done? My doctor ordered one for me and I will have to say, that was quite an experiment. I read the data they sent and it described a little on what they will be doing and that it was an overnight stay at the hospital. Now I decided to bring my 'cool' looking pajamas that has little blue flowers on yellow (lol), not a real fashion statement but comfortable.
The process started by the tech attaching two monitor patches on the inside of each of my lower legs which I had to put down through my pants. Then they put two straps around me, one around my waist and one around by chest. They attached more monitors to my chest and neck. Then came the fun part, they attached with some gummy glue, a bunch of little wires to my head  and used some tape to the side of my face so they would not get in the way. Then finally was one of those air breathing tubes that usually provides you oxygen but this one actually reads data instead.  I just HAD to look in the mirror and I kid you not, I looked like some experiment. Were they nuts, how could anyone sleep with all that stuff on but the tech said that most usually gets used to it. They also fitted me for the PBAP mask in case it was needed during the night - it felt rather odd as long as you do not talk. I asked the tech where the clock was but they said there isn't one for they do not want us looking at any clock, including watches during the night.
So I took my normal evening meds which helps me relax and get sleepy... then I read for awhile. I wasn't really sleepy yet but decided that I would try anyways. They turned the lights off and said we have to do a few alignment tests to make sure everything is hooked up right. So first I lift one leg and move it, then the other, did a few other various things and the last one was to snore three times.... I had to laugh and said 'are you serious', he said yes so I made the snoring sounds but was laughing afterwards, seemed so silly.
Oh, how I tried to sleep.... I laid there for what seemed like hours and I think I finally fell asleep but then I would wake up again, my back hurting from the bed and then it took forever to get back to sleep.... my mind just did not want to shut down. By the time morning came (with one potty break during the night), I asked the tech whether I even slept enough for the tests and I guess I did.
I have an appt to go over the results with my doctor and am curious to find out what she says.

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Can you believe that it is already October... oh my, how time is just flying by. I pulled out some of my Christmas stamps and papers and have been playing around with some simple card designs... I will post one when I get them done.

Hope you all have a great weekend.
Until next time.
Karen

Happy Sunday

Well yet again, I have let too much time pass my by and have not posted anything on my blog.

Let's see, what has been happening.
This has been a busy summer and I did a lot of yard work. Of course it never ends for it will not be long before the leaves start to fall, actually they are already starting.

This has been the year for everything to break down... my goodness, we have had to replace our furnace (actually that was at the end of last year), our water heater, had two rounds of major plumbing done, irrigation repair (I think we may have more for next year), plus a few other things... it seemed like it was never going to end. Of course that put a nasty dent in our retirement but it comes with owning a home.

Lately, we have been trying to get our grass back into shape by thatching, adding lime and re-seeding. The first round of seeds did not do as well as expected so we just put another round of seed down and will hope for the best.... may need to do it again next spring.

My hubby's seizures have not improved, I was sure hoping this new trial medication would be the answer but it has only helped the seizures to be not as intense... which is a good thing too. I thank the Lord that he wears his helmet around the house/yard for he has fallen many times and it has saved him many head injuries. Now he has had injuries to his ribs.... sometimes I feel like I would like him to wear patted gear but I know that would be going too far... LOL. I praise the Lord that it is not more serious which it could be.

My kids and family are doing great.... 3 of the grandchildren are in school and they seem to enjoy it. The oldest granddaughter called us about a couple weeks ago to let us know that her first tooth fell out during school, she was SO excited and so she had to tell everyone - so cute.

I will have to admit that I have not touched my craft room all summer. I know that I need to get myself back in there and start creating again. I have been thinking and browsing the blogs, looking for simple, yet nice looking designs to make Christmas cards. I had better get that started or I will never complete them. Since most of them will be mailed out, I will have to keep the accents flat.

I have been reading a LOT lately. My sister and I both love to read and she cannot go into the library without help so I wheel her in when I go every 3 weeks so we can get new books, etc. It has been fun and will continue to do this. I find reading relaxing and enjoy the stories... for me, I love mysteries or fiction stories that have a lot of intrigue and fast paced action.

Time to sign off but will be back later.
Hugs
Karen

Lavender Bouquet

Hope everyone is having a great start to a wonderful weekend.  At last, we are having a nice sunny day, although I am grateful that we are not among those were are being hit hard with the heat blast.... my heart and thoughts go out to each of you - find someway to stay cool and safe.

My son is taking a 2 week class in Washington and has popped down for a visit this weekend. This is a real treat for us since they live in Hawaii and we do not see him much. We are planning to spend the day at our daughters farm and it should be a lot of fun... more on that later.

I would like to share with you a card that my sister made. It is so pretty with the soft greens and lavenders. I hope you enjoy this delightful Tilda.

Have a great day
Karen