My Hubby Is The...

Sweetest!!!

Since he couldn't be with me for my birthday today he sent me this.

Not only did he send me flowers, but I also got an adorable bear and chocolates. And the best part? They weren't in Christmas colors. It's really hard to order anything this time of year without it being red and green or Christmas themed. Not even a winter theme. Thank goodness! So I TRULY appreciate the effort that was put into this.

It got to me a day before my birthday, which irked my hubby, but it gives me all of my birthday to enjoy the gifts!


Thanks again honey!!

Welcome Gifts

So my sister and her family are arriving at my house in an hour or so. So I had to make sure I had things for everyone. I can post this now because I know they're on the road and won't be reading this.

I painted each of the kids a bag. Most people call them tote bags, but I call them around town bags because I take mine just about everywhere and they hold a lot of stuff.

I have a niece and two nephews. I did the mermaid for Abby and added some colors to her hair that are favorites of hers. The boys each got fish, but I tried to make them a little different. Noah likes blue, so that's what I did his fish in. JD likes orange and yellow, so that's what he got.

Everyone got the same amount of stuff in their bags. Tervis Tumblers and lids, gummy bears, a disposable camera and a photo album. Just a few things to make the trip memorable and so they have something.

This tote I didn't make. I got it from my good friend Jenny. She has a fantastic site and I appreciate the fantastic and quick job she did for me.

So at least I will know that the Totos will leave with something other than a sunburn. LOL I'm really looking forward to their arrival. Yes, even my brother-in-law.

My Sweetie...

Is the best!

We celebrate 17 years together today. And he sent me 18 roses. The note says that they wouldn't let him order 17 roses, so I'd have to make do with 18 and promise to stay the extra year.

Not a problem!

I love him so much!

Now I have something lovely to look at today. That is as long as I can keep my orange kitty away from it. He REALLY loves plants.

Christmas Cookies

Every year around Christmas I bake cookies to give away. We don't need them sitting around. I mean they're yummy and all, but I don't want us eating them all by ourselves. I'm not looking to add any more pounds on with that temptation sitting around. It's just not in the holiday spirit either.

When I started this tradition we were living on base. So I would make a batch for security, the doctor's office, the housing office and, of course, my sweet baboo's work. Now that's only four groups, so I normally sent out pretty big platters with three to four kinds of cookies as well as some candy on it. This year I decided to do it for the people on the street I live on. I figured it would be a great way to meet all my neighbors. That's right we've been in our home something like three months and I've met only one neighbor.

Most people don't realize how much work goes into the goodies that they get. They just gobble them down. I was kind enough to include a list of the cookies I made with the box. That way if they liked something they could research it. Or, better yet, come talk to me! I only made three types of cookies this year. There were just too many batches to get out to do more than that. May sound grinchy, but I'm only one person. And I didn't want to get grouchy about doing this. I made my great grandma's applesauce cookies (which are always a hit), peanut butter blossoms and, of course, sugar cookies. Easy to do except for the icing. That can be a bear at times.

I delivered eight of these boxes. Plus I took a large box to a friend's party. One of my neighbors wasn't home and the other 'house' has been turned into a duplex. Not something I was happy to hear about. Considering this is supposed to be zoned for single family dwellings only. Don't know how they got away with that.

I probably made something like 20 dozen cookies. Hopefully everyone enjoyed them. We have noticed that our neighbors wave at us more now. Nothing like a little sugar to get into the good graces of our neighbors. :-)

The Way To A Friend's Heart

So last week I was supposed to watch my buddy's little one, but then they didn't need me. Then they did and then they didn't. It was funny actually. Sorry John I have to tell the tale.

Originally Ruth asked if I would mind watching Theo so they could go to a farewell thing. Of course I wouldn't mind. He's a good kid for a one year old. ;-) The next day she calls saying she forgot her in-laws were coming and wouldn't actually need me. Hey it happens we all forget stuff. We laughed and I told her she'd just had a blonde moment. No big deal. A few days go by and I get a call requesting my services, because grandma and grandpa have other plans for that night. They'll be visiting relatives in another state. I said sure I could do it. No problem. The day I'm to babysit John calls up, because Ruth says she's not gonna do it, to say that things have changed again and they won't need me. I laughed and told them it was okay I would go to the hubby's softball game instead. After a few apologies I told them to stop that life happens and not to worry.

That's the end of the story. Right? Nope! See John felt the need to get me something as a thank you for all this. I told him there was no need because that's what friends do for each other. And really John and Ruth are more like family to us. And I figured it wouldn't be anything major. In fact I completely forgot about it.

So Saturday we stopped by John and Ruth's house so we could visit with John's parents before they headed home. We had a really nice time visiting. John let us try a batch of his Hefeweizen that he had brewed. John's a home brewer and I always enjoy trying his latest stuff. He and Ruth introduced us to Hefeweizens and I love them. His batch was really good and I informed him of that fact. So we stayed longer than we expected, cutting into valuable family time (Sorry John!) and made our way to the door when John comes out with a box.

And here's why this post is titled as such. John gave me twelve of his Hefeweizens and a lemon. Now not only is it cool that he gave me twelve of these gems, but he was thoughtful enough to include the lemon for the slice to be added to the drink. Yum! Best thanks ever! I almost didn't want to share with the hubby, but we each had one last night while watching American Gladiator. It was tasty!