Life In a Small Town

Just read Petey's entry where he summed up the past 10 years...and really liked the idea, so I am stealing copying his idea. A LOT has happened in my life during this decade...so I am gonna think back over it for a moment. (and since most of you did not know me during these years, it'll give you a chance to peek into how I've become this wonderfully fabulous megaterrific woman you read before you!! BWHAHAHAHA..whatever!! but it will give you a chance to learn a little more about me.) My world expanded in the year 2000. I had just celebrated my 10th anniversary, and had 3 small children. Trey was 7, Matthew was 18 months old, and Molly was 4 months old. That tax season bought us our very first computer, which I still have and was using up until this past year! I quickly found a chatroom where I made many friends (most of whom I am still very close to), and I opened up my first online diary that summer. FreeOpenDiary! I learned to use email and chat and my world grew bigger....

As the year draws to a close, I look back over all the things that have happened. The good, the bad, the ugly... and in trying to recapture some of the memories, my "year in review" entry is waxing long. I started working on it yesterday and will post it tomorrow..after I do a little more editing on it. But for now I simply ask you this... How are you spending New Year's Eve? Me? I'm not sure yet. I figure the usual trip to the Outback and then sitting on Greg's couch watching tv and making out. That's what we've done the past 3 or 4 NYEs. But now I'm not sure. He was sick yesterday...violently ill.....so I guess we'll just have to see how he feels today. I wish there were parties to go to. I love parties. But we've not been invited to any, nor know of any to crash, so I doubt the party scene will be our's. I sure could use a good party. But what about you? ...what are you and your loved one(s) doing to ring in the new year? Let me live vi...

My girliefriends over at 5 Moms and a Blog are having a give-away! Well..actually my friend Nan is hosting, she's one of the 5 moms...but you have to go there to enter. Oh...what could you win? Well...a $15 gift card to your choice of.... Starbucks (can you say coffee anyone????) Best Buy (how about a cd?) Target (hmmm, lotsa good stuff there) Walmart (oooh, good stuff here too) Michaels (time to get your craft on?) interested? Well then pop on by and visit the 5 Moms ...and tell them I sent you! :)

Well, like I said, my family knows how to stretch out a celebration. The day after Christmas was set to be our "Family Christmas" day. My brother, Brian, and his family (Gayle and not-so-baby Mary) were there, as well as my sister Jeanette and her family (hubby Jeremy, and sons Dalton and Baby Max.) My "aunt" Laura came down for the weekend, too. My other sister Shelli and her family couldn't make it from Phoenix, but she called during the commotion good time to join in the fun. And fun was had by all, of course! Aunt Laura entertained Max while we got the brunch food ready. Jeanette cooked the eggs while Greg sliced up the brisket we brought. Jeremy had made Max cry while changing his diaper, so Auntie Rah-Rah had to come to the rescue! and Mary was curious about Maggie. She's always been afraid of Maggie, but today she really wanted to play with her..it just took some time to warm up to her. As usual, the food was all delicious, but Max was fussy while we...

Christmas is never a one day thing in our family. Actually...no holiday ever is. If there's one thing we Vermeers know how to do, it's how to stretch out a special occassion to make it last as long as possible in order to enjoy it to the fullest. Birthdays last a week. Easter is a 2 day celebration. And Christmas is no different. After a lazy Christmas afternoon,Friday, that evening found us preparing a big dinner at Greg's to celebrate with him and Alex. The internet and phone lines were down, so that forced the kids to actually spend time with us old folks! LOL Now...you all know me. I am no cook. I dont even pretend to be. I've never made a whole ham, nor roasted a turkey. I just have no Better Crocker nor Julia Child genes in my body. So...I improvised. ----I bought ham steaks...and I fried them. Which, as it turned out, were very good (we all love fried ham) and was different than the dinner the guys had had over at Vampira's. I also prepared Julienne potatoes,...

Merry Christmas Morning Everyone! After a rough go of it weatherwise yesterday, today has dawned sunny and bright...just as it should on Christmas morn! Just a mere 24 hours ago, the world looked like this: and the drive to Texarkana yesterday looked something like this: But that didn't stop us! Even though the Chipmunk movie we wanted to see was sold out, we still made the best of it and spent some time together (the M&Ms and I that is...Trey stayed home to get some rest...altho I'm not sure how much rest one can get with a cellphone permanantly glued to your ear and a young lady on the other end). After our excursion, we finished up or Oreo Balls, made Chex Mix, and got ready for the candlelight service at church. It was very nice! Then we took our traditional Christmas meal over to Greg's house and spent the evening frying and chocolate dipping bacon & wrapping presents. The kids chowed down on pretty much the same as last year (Trey requested chili-cheese dip ag...