Snow Across The Plains

Did someone order snow? Well we got some here!
Between last night and today we have 6 inches of fluffy white snow on the ground.

Beneath that we have a layer of melted off snow and about 2 inches of ice that never got a chance to melt. We had to clear off the front porch twice today just so we could open the door.

Now, it is snowing harder than it has all day. We could be snowed in by morning. Yikes.

So, what else is new?

• I'm hard at work on an e-book. Nearly done!
• I cleaned up all the files on my computer -- took me over a week.
• I organized all my email accounts and folders as well
• I had a lovely visit with my father
• My ankle is broken-- a nasty fall on the ice. Yuck
  
• I've submitted a book of poems for publication

Keep warm. Keep writing. See ya soon.
I promise to visit blogs again as soon as humanly possible.

My father is visiting from Hawaii

My father sails a 40 foot sloop called the Cirrus. His page all about his travels is here.

He has raced in the Pacific Cup several times.

Welcome to the New Year

I watched a Harpo and Chico Marx Marathon last night to ring in the new year. I'm not one to make resolutions but I did make one this year. It has nothing to do with diet or any of the usual stuff. I need to do things to keep my concentration from getting any worse.
I have started playing word games and puzzles to help with my concentration and short term memory problems.

It took me 65 minutes to get through a Mahjong puzzle the first time. Yikes!!! The second time through it only took 48 minutes. I hope it improves each time. Real arcade has great games. I don't care for the rock 'em sock 'em type, but I do like the word puzzles and mind games. They give away free trials and about every six weeks they give away full games. Try them out.

I'm taking a break from short stories and my novel until all the holidays are over and my family visits are done. Too many breaks make concentration difficult.
My father arrives on the 9th. We had a bit of snow yesterday.... I hope he is ready for cold weather. (he is coming from Hawaii)

After Christmas exhaustion

I'm so tired. Christmas wore me out. I've been reading a few books, spending time with family and catching up on rest. I know I have neglected this blog...what can I say. My son was here, I've been loading a bunch of stuff on my new laptop and just generally trying to get recharged.
My father is coming from Hawaii on the 8th. I'm ready.

My Christmas was TODAY

Stayed up till 2 am putting together a train for a toddler. Needless to say my eyes have been begging to close all day. The look on my grandson's face was priceless. His eyes were HUGE and his mouth dropped open as he said, "Oh choo choo" He didn't even want to open most of the rest of the presents. He played with the train set until the train started to slow down. Then he got out his adorable blow up punching gloves and proceeded to go around "bopping everyone" as they started drifting off in their chairs.

My son loved his sweaters and PSP handheld game with case and games. My daughter got hand made jewelry, scrapbooks of the babies, and clothes for job interviews. I got a new laptop from Dell. (woooooooooo hoooooooooooooo), a fabulous sweater and jeans which are 2 sizes smaller than last year due to my dieting.

I also got some great software and graphics manipulation software and a new thesaurus. Dana got porcelain clay, a new laptop, a world radio and tee shirts.

I cannot believe I didn't get a clock radio (even though I begged for one) I didn't get the new Holly Lisle book and the writing program I wanted. Oh well. No such thing as a perfect holiday.

I took a tumble.

Yep, I'm a klutz. I fell down and couldn't get up. It wasn't funny. I'll be out of commission for a while. (picture me right now with an ankle the size of a cantaloupe) I'm sitting in my recliner with my foot propped on two pillows, in complete agony. Pain pills are NOT HELPING!!!

The only bright side to the picture is that my son is home for Christmas so I am one very happy camper. He flew in last night. Apparently Unlce Sam can only spare him for one measly week so he has to go back before Christmas day but I'll take what I can get. In the meantime, we are laughing at old jokes and he loves the babies. (I'm not sure he likes the noise level)
Jaden just adores him. He bounced up onto his lap and shouted ---Unlce Maffyoooooooo.
I've been showing him the pictures of Matthew on the walls for a couple of months now getting him prepared for the visit.

Matthew came home with gifts for everyone. He even had a fuzzy bone for the dog. The crazy thing... it didn't have a squeaky in it. Instead, it barked when you squeezed it. Boo Boo has been carrying it around the house all afternoon.
That's my son for ya! He even got a present for the dog. (smile)

Cookies, Cookies Cookies

I have a recipe for diabetics who like cookies.

Low-Sugar-Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Recipe courtesy of Hershey's ~ 3 dozen)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup sugar granulated sugar substitute
to equal 1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Hershey's Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/3 cup Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 375°. In medium bowl, beat butter, and sugar substitute until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Per 1 cookie: 50 calories, 1 g protein, 3 g fat, 5 g carbohydrate, 5 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

These taste GREAT and do not have a diet taste. They are also great for diabetics like ME.
Remember, not all people can eat holiday goodies.


Hey, check this out. Kinda funny.

Watching the Daily Show with your Toddler

Image from Comedy Central Website


Ready for a Funny Friday? Try watching The Daily Show with your toddler. Oh my goodness! Yes, laughter will ensue. Last night, while watching the show, my eighteen-month-old grandson Jaden decided to pay attention to the television in an attempt to avoid falling asleep. As John Stewart did his comedy bit ripping G. Dubya to bits and making fun of his Rose Garden Press Conference, my grandson began to imitate the Prez. He waved his arms about gesturing in the "Dubya" manner and had us all in stitches. Someone once happened to mention the word "Dumb Dumb" and so every time Jaden sees good ole' Dubya he shreiks "Dumb Dumb" and points to the Prez. Hilarity ensues.

I know, I know. Not very patriotic. But hilarious as all get out at 11:30 at night. I 'bout peed my drawers I laughed so hard. He must have said "dumb dumb" about 19 times in a row during the broadcast while Stewart discussed issues and continued to show pieces of the press conference.

Hey, at least we didn't teach him a "bad" word. It could have been much worse. I know I'll get tons of comments on this one so bring 'em on. It was just harmless fun.