Um. . . . . . spicy

We went to the Cinegrill of Saturday night with the Lloyds and the Galbisos. It was DE-LISH, as usual. I always get the Hot Italian Sausage Sandwich, but I was torn between the salad or the soup. Well, did you know they have what is known as "the splash" and it gives you a small sample of both. Doesn't get much better. Mandi laughed and told Boyd, "I love watching you eat here. . . . . I've never seen anyone eat that much is a single sitting" It's true. He started with 2-3 pieces of cheese bread and sauce to dip it. Then a corned beef sandwich (not shy on the meat in this bad-boy) and an order of spaghetti. It's an amazing amount of food, but he eats it all. . . . there's not even a smidge of anything left on his plate. It's quite impressive! Harmony had experimented with a pumpkin cheesecake recipe, she had little balls of cheesecake dipped in a scrumptious layer of chocolate. They were delicious, and creamy, and fattening, and yummy, and addictive, and I brought some home for later. (I actually ate one before my meal came) It was a great evening. Harmony lost her voice so she was all quiet, but Isaac made up for it :-)

At the carwash. . . . . . .

I just took Alice thru the car wash by my work.
It cost me $6.00.
That was the cheapest option.
(automatic – where you don’t get out of car)
It was kind of pathetic..
It consisted of:
A foam-up
A flappy wash
A “spot-free” rinse.
That was it.
When I got to the office parking
lot, got out to lock my car
and go in the building. . . . .
there was still foam on the door.
Is is me, or is that too much to
pay for a rather pitiful car wash.
It is a necessary evil.
Who is going to hook up a
hose at home in this weather?
Who likes to brush by their car
only to get salt and road-muck on
your clothes? Not me I say.
Boyd washed my car on Saturday
using the hand wand, that was only
$2.50, but he’s a maniac and
doesn’t mind the bitter cold and wet.
Me, not so much.

I'm just saying. . . . . . .

Open letter to who ever want’s to read.
Last night was delicious. Boyd scheduled a couples massage.
After I arrived home from work we changed and headed to the Massage Salon.

It was amazing. We stopped to get a bite to eat then went home for a soak.

It is just the way I like it. The air was so cold, you could bite it.

I love that feeling of putting your teeth together and sucking i

n a mouthful of cold air that has a definite taste of winter to it.

I’m a little excited for the storm tonight.

I love watching the snow pile up.

I like watching vehicles try to get up

the street I live on. (it's steep and I know it

shouldn't provide me with any sort

of pleasure because Boyd usually

has to go out and help them

dig out - but it's still enjoyable.

I've seen a school bus come down

my street SIDEWAYS!

it's exhilarating!)

I love the sort of "magic pink" glow

the air has when there is snow on the ground.

I can’t remember ever having a “blizzard warning” in the 35+ years
I’ve lived up here.

It makes me want to hunker down and watch the weather from the
safety of my kitchen with a warm bowl of soup, some crusty bread and some hot cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top.

Good Luck everyone driving home
this afternoon.

It's Here . . . Lovin' it

This is the corner of my deck this morning.

Here is the front steps, my poor little
pumpkins are still out there. . . .freezing!

You can't see it from here
but my little colorful
windmill is out
there covered in snow
I won't mention the shivering
of my FLAMINGOS!!

We barely covered out picnic
table at about
5:00 last evening.

There are still leaves
on the plum trees!!
But, good news, the
streets have been plowed.

I love the first snow of the
season. Mostly I love it until
about mid-January. Then
I get real tired of the dumb
drivers on the roads.

WELCOME HOME WINTER!
MY ARMPITS HAVE MISSED YOU!

The Family. . . . . . .

I purchased a external
drive to backup my computer.
(Hey J or Mandi, I might need some
assistance)
So, I was looking as some
old pictures (not too old I think
April 2009-Uncle Gregor's funeral)
Anyway, I run across this picture
of my youngest brother, his wife
and oldest daughter.
It made me laugh, because
they are so serious.
(I know it's a funeral and all)
But, if you knew these
knuckleheads you would laugh
too, because they are always
having fun. This guy got the
lions share of the "Paxman Family Fun Gene"
He is so great to be around.
He and his wife walk into a room
and you know that the fun has arrived.
No need for anything else. The entertainment
is taken care of. I'm so thankful that
they are a part of my family.
I Love you "Hon-Yocks" (SP)
as my dad would call you!

October beauties. . . .

This is how they grow, on lovely bushes - sometimes they break open and the birds have a fabulous lunch snacking on them.

This is a basket full of the best fruit EVER.

Then when they are broke open, out tumbles these lovely pink pearls of sweet

delicious-ness. When I met my husband

he had NEVER had them. We started dating

in August, so we weren't far into our

dating when these reared their beautiful

face. I made him some famous

Dixie Fruit Salad

and he was hooked. Totally Hooked.

For him and all my kids
Thanksgiving would be
Thanksgiving without Dixie
Fruit Salad on the Table.
Mandi gets to make it this
year along with her
Fabulous Famous Rolls!
Can you say yummmmm. . . . .

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Thanks to my Dad who served

our country.

Thanks to the many

thousands who also served

and are continuing

to serve.