Cute N Cool

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Goodbye 2009....Happy New Year!


What a year!

I had a post that I had put together yesterday, and pulled it after reading it. I felt I was seeing a lot of negativeness in it. A lot of what I had said had to do with how last year ... (whew..I can say that now!)... went.

I read it to my girls last night...and was advised that yes, it did sound negative.

So rather then look back, and possibly sound like I am whining about 2009... I will look forward.

After all, I want to be the person with the glass half full...and hope 2010 will help that glass get filled a tad bit more!!!

I wish this for all of you as well.




Happy New Year!!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Broken Bones...and turns in the road...

Ahh... you know that they say things happen in three's. Dang, I sure don't like that feeling that the other foot is about to fall, after two incidents are already under our belt.

As I previously mentioned, we did have two mishaps on Christmas Eve... and thought we were going to dodge a bullet for the infamous 3rd incident... not the case.

As I mentioned in the previous post, we counted ourselves fortunate to have one more Christmas Eve with Mom and our rather large clan. So after everyone left her house, my Mom and sister Jill were able to finally go to bed.

I think I need to mention, my Mom lives in Vegas most of the year, and is here at her home in Washington during the summer months from June to August. She had planned on being here for Christmas, and going back to Vegas for New Years, and some parties with her friends.

OK, back to the story. Mom who is 86, got up around 2AM to go to the bathroom...yes, you know where I am going with this, don't you...

Ah huh, yes... she fell and broke her hip, dare I say..Oh crap!

So on Christmas day she has surgery and gets 3 screws in her hip. We chucked our Christmas day plans and hung around the hospital. After a long day, my brother and his wife, and my husband and I felt like we were living the "Christmas Story" movie scene...at the end of Christmas day we were at a authentic Chinese restaurant, eating duck, though ours came headless!

Today Mom left the hospital to go to rehab. We have had daily phone calls and visits between 5 siblings, and even had a family meeting. We are fortunate that 4 of the 5 of us live in the area, and that my sister Jill was here from Vegas for Christmas, and was staying at Mom's when it happened. Jill lives in Vegas, where she is a teacher.

On top of all of this, my sister Jill is getting married in Las Vegas at our Mom's house on January 10th... Oh yeah, now double crap.

A wedding just about 2 weeks away, and most of us have plane tickets, the wedding is planned.. and the family Matriarch is not going anywhere any time soon, especially not to Vegas....

After much discussion it was decided.. the Wedding will go on. So.. we will have a wedding, and it is so unfortunate Mom can't be there. She will be in rehab for weeks, and we pray she works hard to get on the mend fast..(Prayers asked for and appreciated!!!)

So, that was our family Christmas....how was your Christmas????


Recent changes, and update as of 12-29-2009

A private wedding is on for Jill and Douglas in January.
The party will follow some time in the spring, so Mom can be there.
We all feel better, knowing she will have a reason to get better fast!

My tickets are canceled.





Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas to all...

We had a wonderful family get together on Christmas Eve.

All my siblings were there, with almost all of our kids, and grand kids. Even my ex and his wife come every year (life is to short to hold grudges).

My mother hosted the party, and seemed to enjoy the clan her and my father produced, coming together again in her home. We never know how many of these gatherings we will get to enjoy...and are thankful whenever we get another one with her.

We had our traditional crazy family gift exchange. This year 13 participants who bring a wrapped package. We draw numbers and take turns either opening a package, or "steal"from someone else who already opened one. One year my nephew brought an Alligator head, we still talk about how that thing was stolen over and over again..who would of guessed!

I had hoped to get to a Christmas Eve service, but our timing just didn't work out. First my 8 year old granddaughter was playing with my grandson at the party, and crashed into the wall, cutting her head. Once she is cleaned up, and the blood washed away to see that it was not as serious as it first appeared, my other granddaughter was carrying a glass plate to the car, and somehow dropped it, cutting her hand. They were still picking the glass out of her hand an hour later. It sure is a good thing her mother ( my daughter) is a nurse!

These will be the crazy memories we will all remember for years to come.


This being said...it is so easy to be so busy with Christmas...to not have a Christ-mas. After all, it is all about Jesus Christ, and the miracle of his birth. As a believer I cannot think of words to express my thankfulness for Jesus, and what he came to earth and did for me...and you.

So, as you enjoy your Christmas day, I hope that the real reason for Christmas doesn't get lost in the festivities of the day....

Dear Blogger friends...

Merry Christmas !

Jan

Friday, December 18, 2009

It is almost that time.. 1 week to go, are you ready?


One week away, how are you doing... are you ready?
  • Shopping done?
  • Tree Up?
  • Christmas Music playing?
  • Packages wrapped?
  • Packages mailed?
  • Cards mailed?
  • Decorations all up?
  • Any Holiday memories made so far?
  • Stayed on budget?
  • Made Christmas Cookies?
  • Grocery shopping done?
  • Cleaned up for company?
  • Staying stress free??????
Could you check all of them?

I can't...

Oh well...

I do want to at least achieve the stress free one!

Merry Christmas, and carry on!!!!




Sunday, December 13, 2009

Daughter does Jury duty.. read her blog

My youngest daughter Brea is also a blogger... unfortunately not posting enough!

She has just posted the first of a series on a recent Jury Duty trial she was called on for a murder case..

If you want to read about it please go on over and visit her at And the Story Goes... maybe she will start blogging more! She is an excellent writer, and great story teller!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Going to see Santa... Memories

As I shared on the previous post, I had 2 brothers and 1 sister when I was little. I say this, because later...much later ... we got a surprise new sibling, Jill. But that is a story for another day.

We grew up in the Midwest, so you had to bundle up in layers anytime you went out in the cold winter. Mom says she would spend an hour getting everyone's clothes on to go outside.
Out comes all the snow gear; snow overalls, sweaters, winter coats, mittens, hats, scarves.. and finally send the four of us out to play in the snow.

In 10 or 15 minutes one of us would be back in the house... gotta go to the bathroom. So... take it all off, only to put it all back on again.
I am sure we drove her batty.

OK, so this is the one and only picture of the four of us, going to visit Santa.
My brother Ron had recently crashed on his face, and has the sore nose to show for it.


My sister Chris was pretty small and was frightened by Santa. Now that I look again at that Santa's kinda mean, stern and scary face... well, I wonder why we were not all crying!

Yep, looking at the picture now I'm thinking that he was flat out scary for a Santa, no wonder we never went to see him again...

How bout you, how are your memories for visiting the Big Jolly Guy?
Hope they were better then mine!







Monday, December 7, 2009

Remember when you were little and....Todays one little Memory



Oh, I bet there are a lot of stories out there...of Christmas at your house.. I would love to hear them!
I was thinking back, and realized I do have some different memories of different Christmas'. I decided to reminisce a little bit as the big day draws near!


I was a huge sucker for Santa for many years, just plain gullible! When we first moved to Washington, I remember a Christmas Eve we (4 kids) were commanded to walk around the block. Hey, it is dark and cold and we are not that old..but my big brother Dale lead us on our Journey in the Wilderness.... around and around we marched... oh wait, wrong story.

OK, so we trek around the block, and can you believe... Santa came while we were gone? How in the heck did he do that?

When we came back, we found out we had just missed him.
I was really bummed out, as I needed to have a talk with him.

I was sure a pony would be delivered and left under the tree, but alas this was not in my cards for a few more years of trekking in the horseless wilderness...



What memory just popped into your head... from when you were young?

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Guess What? I have done most of my Christmas Shopping!


You heard me.. almost all of my CHRISTMAS shopping is done! This is an absolute first for me. Of course I suppose I should provide "clear disclosure" and also admit, I have cut back substantially on my shopping this year as well. I am hoping my family follows suit, as I have some commitments :
  1. Remember what the Season is really all about.
  2. Do not buy anything with credit!
  3. And, do we all really need more stuff?
So, who have I shopped for... yes, pretty much the Grandkids.
I did not go overboard. After all, they have more grandparents then most, and plenty of cousins, and Aunts, and Uncles to spare. This means plenty of stuff!

Every year we ( in my family) all say the same thing, stop the shopping madness! And then, as the big day comes closer and closer ... panic sets in, and the very clever marketing of the holiday sales sucks you in.
When it is all over, it is like waking up from a dream and you just want to say...what happened?


So.. I am going to try to make a very conscious effort to stop the madness... and hope my loved ones do the same.
This has been a tough year financially for us, as small business owners.
But hey...maybe someday we will look back and see that maybe we learned something out of this year of stress...


And to the original question you may have ,which is "How did you get that much shopping done so quickly?"
Cyber Monday !
How easy was that, I had Monday off, and didn't even leave my home office to get it done! Plus, it did not take as long as I thought it would either!

Now the tree is going up, and I am going to enjoy my December with Family memories (I hope), more pleasant Christmas music, and less stress.


And..yes I guess I am a bit early for the Christmas templates.
This gives me time to try several fun Christmas themes on my blog during the month. Please
bear with me, I am getting into the spirit of the Holidays, my way!
HO, HO HO!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

My 1 year Anniversary and why do we blog?


I had no idea what blogging was, last year at this time. I wasn't sure how to access blogs..and once I found out how to do so, I had to figure out how to find people with like interests. My world opened up! So here I am, 222 posts later, who would of guessed!

Initially it started because my daughters blogged. I really didn't think I had anything to say that anyone else may care to read about, but the challenge was there.

I guess I may be a closet " kinda, sorta, wanna be writer" (of what I don't know!) Maybe you are too!

The ironic part is I write for a living..sorta crazy I guess.
I write all day long, and then come home
and (time permitting)
either write or read some more.

I have found new friends, and read about your lives and families (both two legged and four legged). Many of you I can so relate too, either because you are in a place I was in when I was younger, or you are in a place in this time of your life I am in now!

I have talked about my faith, my politics, my family, my critters, my roadtrips and the weather with our wet & gray Pacific NW.

I have rambled about miscellaneous nothing, and about personal loss. I have been encouraged and comforted by you, people who I don't know, but who have taken the time to hit the "comment" button to say something to me.

Blogging is huge, it is a means to communicate and have contact with others. Did you know we were created to need others? No wonder this blogging stuff is so huge.

People who feel lonely, or low, who feel something is missing in their lives...blog.


People who are outgoing and have so much to say, who are naturally like a magnet to other people, they blog as an extension of their outgoing nature.

People who have strong feelings about their faith, their politics, and their hobbies and interests...they blog.

People who are shy, can blog as if they are not.

If you have a lot or a little, no worries...we are all on the same playing field in the Blog-sphere.

I don't have to know what your house looks like, if it is big or small, new or old. I don't need to know how it is furnished, if it is clean, or a mess. I don't have to know if you shop at the mall, or at the second hand store...it doesn't matter... ( I will say it can make for a fun blog though to hear about your bargain finds!).


So, as my 1 year Anniversary is technically coming upon me, I want to say ...

Thank You, to all of you.

Thanks for coming by, and for letting me come visit you.
Thanks for having the faith to add yourself as a follower on my Blog, and for leaving comments to encourage me and make me smile.


I have had a fun year, and more then anything have enjoyed your Blogs during this time..
Thank You!
Jan



Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Giving Thanks..with an Attitude of Gratitude.



To all of you in the Blogger-sphere...I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Dinner time...winter, spring, summer, or fall...





Some things do not change...

Even as I sit here and share Betsy's dinner time look, I know that when I get up in a few minutes and go down to the barn, this is who will be waiting for me.

Hello mom, where is our dinner????

When I was horseless after years of having horses and my kids were small, I would wake up feeling panic...

I forgot to feed the horse!

Oh wait, I don't have a horse...

That was not just once or twice, but many many times.
I suspect that the day will come when I may again not have horses, as they really are pretty expensive pasture ornaments.

There was a time when I was young, I could never imagine being without horses. As I get older..I understand how life brings change, and this may also be a change in my life someday, to again be horseless.

When that time happens, I suspect it will be like losing a part of who I am.
You know, we have "O Heavens To Betsy" who is 14 and have had her since she was 6 months old.

We also have Zoe (Nugget A Gold) who is 18, and we have had her since she was 2. Some of you folks don't have kids that old!


So, no matter what, I will always be a horse woman...with or without a horse.
It is who I am.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Heathcare Reform..gotta love this Van.. wish there were more like it....

I received an email recently, and could not pass up the opportunity to share this one.
I have asked this same question...shouldn't it make you skeptical of this government plan?


In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is a congress.

--John Adams


Give the people the same health care as their elected officials!!!




Fight organized crime: Re-elect no one...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterns Day.. Thanks to all you Vet's!


What a great day to remember those who are serving our Country and those who have already served our Country. Especially those who have given their lives for us to live in this amazing free Country.

God Bless them, and their families, and I mean that in the most sincere sense. My prayers are with you.

When I got married in my early 20's my husband Mike was drafted into the Army shortly after we got married. I had two brothers who signed up for the Navy at the time, and my (current) husband Ken, was part of our High School group who also signed up for the Navy.

While we lived off base, my first husband was fortunate to be assigned duty at Ft Lewis here in Washington, for 1 of the 2 years he served.

The second year of his duty he went to Nam. He came home safe and sound, as my brothers did, and Ken did, and many of our friends did. We had very close friends who did not come home safe and alive.

I was in 4-H as a teenager, and we had a club member named Johnny Wolf. Johnny had a little palomino mare, named Cindy. We all loved Johnny Wolf, he was funny, and cute, and the life of the party... well our 4-H party!

He was the only son in a family with 5 sisters. Johnny was also drafted and went to Viet Nam.

He was not there long, before he came back home.

His name is one of those names on the Viet Nam wall. I will never forget Johnny Wolf, and in my mind and heart I see a 18 year old tall thin teenage boy with blond hair, riding his little palomino mare, Cindy.

My father is buried at the National Cemetery in Auburn Washington. He had been a member of the Army Air Corps during WWII. He told us of losing his closest friends in that war, and I know he never forgot them to the day he died.

One of my greatest fears is that our young people may forget what hero's were born and lived in the previous generations, as well as this generation.

My fathers generation is sometimes called the Greatest Generation... I don't doubt that at all, when hearing those amazing stories of WWII.

I fly the American flag in honor of all of them, and feel tingles when I hear the Star Spangled Banner. I really do love America.

Is it only me, or do others feel we are loosing what our Country was founded on.

Like a lobster in a pot turned on to boil... it seems like many are oblivious that our rights are being taken from us a little at a time (maybe not so little at this point).

So, back to the theme of this post. If you have a Veteran in your house, or a member of the Armed Forces... tell them Thank You from Jan. And give them a hug!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hello..I am back! Just general rambling,while medicated!

Jumping and skipping, yep that is me !



I am hopping and skipping.. well not really... but compared to 5 days ago, much better. It was the "flu" yes.. my Doc said since the only flu going around is the "Swine Flu", we assume that was it.

I worked yesterday and part of today.. decided not to push it and left early today.
Doc said, as long as temp was gone for 24 hours, not contagious, just do smart stuff like cover your mouth when you cough (DAH!)

So on to the post. We got a new printer recently, and while I was down and out I spent 2 hours on the phone with HP getting the scanner to work with my Mac..that HP guy was a patient jewel, and he got me up and running. I had him on speaker phone, and he would tell me to get myself some water, or medicine or whatever...what a guy!
I give HP a A+ on Customer Service!

So, once that was done while on "down" time, I have found that if I am sitting, I can be scanning old pictures...

My oh my.. I should show you some, don't you think????

You are so going to get so tired of my old pictures ...go ahead, roll your eyes!

I understand (remember they say I am OCD!)...
OK, here we go...


My mom, young and very good looking all dressed up for... I have no idea what!

Below, a picture of me, Tamis (of A Day in the Life) , and my sister Chrys. I think Tamis was about 3.

We had several ponies, and I think this particular one was "Pony Face"

As I recall, he was a bugger, Tamis gets to hold him for the picture and Brea is just enjoying the ride :)
I actually used a feature on the new copier that let me scan this from an old negative. That is why the color isn't there, the negative is so old (sorry Tamis and Brea, I guess that dates you as well !)


And, I love this picture...this was our last pony..and the most wonderful pony ever. Her name was Misty . This was the perfect pony, and I wish I had one just like her now...

She was getting a bath, Brea is scrubbing, you can see Tamis's shoes..she must be holding the pony...again!



This picture below is my ex husbands grandmother, her name was Severina, and she would come to our house and spend hours with Tamis.
Tamis was 5 years older then her sister, so Gramma was her best friend for those 5 years. I believe this is why Tamis is so patient with old folks (like me).

Notice our little parakeet Peppy, he was wonderful, and Gramma did not seem to mind him hanging out with her.

OK.. had to include one of the old guy, er, my other half. This was at our family cabin some years back, on a friends jet sky...

Thanks for hanging in to the end here!!!

So...I sure hope everyone has a healthy fun weekend, I know mine will be better then last weekend!

PS... for all of you party girls from VGNO from over at Ann Again and Again.....I raise my toast of Cough Medicine with you all. Happy VGNO!

Monday, November 2, 2009

The dreaded H1N1.. , do I have a really bad cold... or the Flu?




It came on over the weekend.. and at first I thought, dang.. I caught a cold.

So I canceled all weekend fun, did pretty much zero. I did make that trip to the feed store Saturday. I was feeling worse as the day progressed, and that was pretty much it.

By Saturday night... bad sore throat, cough coming on that made me hurt, and a headache. Still thinking, bad cold. I have not had a cold or flu for a long time, so thought that it was my turn I guess.

Today, worse cough, chills and so tired. So after talking to "Nurse" daughter...I was told this sounds more like the dreaded flu. Oh double crap, not fun.

I took my temperature, 100.6, dang this sucks.

So thank goodness for the Internet, time to do some research. You know, most people who get this flu, have it like any other flu, in other words survive it!

I have read that you may not have all the symptoms, such as vomiting (I have dodged that bullet so far)...

So per the Mayo Clinic:

"Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Swine flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

Swine flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about eight days, starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you've recovered.

When to see a doctor
It's not necessary to call a doctor if you're generally healthy and you develop swine flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches. Do call your doctor, however, if you have flu symptoms and you're pregnant or you have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition"

I have called my boss, who I think is happy I am not bringing my little bug to work.. though, I am not happy about using sick days. Oh well. I am sick...and cant wait to be "normal".

So for the rest of you, keep doing this:


And use this ....

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Scary Halloween'ers!






Really, they are very sweet children.. they really do not look like this normally.

Thank goodness it is just one time a year...
Maybe Elise will want to be a princess next year, or an Angel, yes, I vote Angel!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Bob's Corn.. Pumpkins, Hayrides and Corn Maze, family fun!


We have a wonderful local farm that has been around forever..and despite the economy, and the challenges local farmers face just to keep the farm going.. Bob of Bob's Corn has found his way through the "maze" of progress.



In the summer, the sweetest corn you ever want to eat is at Bob's.
He now also has a complete Country Store with so many other fun items, sauces, mustard's, honey, baskets, cheeses, ice cream...



In the fall the Corn Maze opens up, and has become a favorite for our family. We have had the whole family show up to go through Bob's Corn Maze.

He has hayrides, pony rides, a corn cannon (yep, a cannon to shoot corn!)and rides for the little ones.




And pumpkins, of course!


And because he truly invites you to take your time, and have fun.. you may want to get a snack at Sarah's snack bar!


When we first moved out here in 1994, he had cows, now the cows are pretty much gone, and he has horses in the field, so possibly boards some.

I linked to him above, so if you are out this way...go see Bob!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Barn Sale


Well, if you know me at all, you know that I do like to go to those out of the way places. To go to someone's old barn and snoop around..well almost heaven on earth!

The town of Snohomish Washington is known for it's antique stores, and even in the valley at a farm that specializes in roses.. they have a way of filling those antique collectors needs.

While coming home from the feed store, we saw a "Barn Sale" sign for this particular farm business... and I really am glad I went, if nothing else but to take pictures.



I used to collect antiques.. now taking a picture will work just fine for me. I can't justify buying things I don't have the room for anymore.



I can say... I am partial to Kitchen Queen's and have had several. I still have one.
They actually had 3 at this barn sale...


The one I am showing above with the glass doors was one that really caught my eye. If the price was lower, I could of talked myself into it!


I think spinning wheels are so cool...

I also thought the little display of Gnomes was kind of cute!

The garden shed had some fun stuff too....

And so did I grow weak, and buy something?

Yes I did...


The red sign...
It is now hanging above a window in my kitchen.