2011 IN REVIEW

My friend Amy at Keeping Up With The Schultz Family did this so I thought I would give it a try.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Traveled out of the country.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No I did not keep it and I don't think I'll do any for 2012.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A dear friend had a little girl in November and a close blog friend (Amy) also gave birth this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No but I am closer to people who have lost a loved one this year through my blog. Their pain is unbearable and my heart hurts with them.

5. What countries did you visit?
I was in the UK, France and Italy.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Great health and energy with a little bit of ambition on the side!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 29th for the Royal Wedding. October 3rd because I turned 60! December 11th because we saw Wicked which was my birthday gift.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I think sightseeing around Europe, alone most of the time, was a huge achievement for me!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Weight loss.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Well I have very severe asthma (COPD)which is always present. Had a scare with a lump in my breast which turned out okay. Glory be to God.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I think maybe my netbook by Toshiba. It is great for travel. (I also just got a Droid incredible 2)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I believe that each year when something devastating happens all the people who go over and volunteer their time to help should be celebrated.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The football scandal at Penn State

14. Where did most of your money go?
Beside the normal bills I would have to say up in a cloud! I never have much to show for the money I spend except for the charities I donate to.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I stayed up all night and going to Westminster Abbey this year was a thrill for me! Also seeing the famous kissing balcony was a dream come true.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
I will say Firework by Katy Perry. (click here for lyrics)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
A little happier, a little fatter and about the same money wise.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I would have gone out more to meet with friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating the wrong things and wasting time on feeling sorry for myself.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with our son, his girlfriend, our daughter, son in law, husband, dogs and a friend from my husbands office. We ate snacks, opened presents, laughed, ate pizza, decorated gingerbread houses and danced to a Michael Jackson game!

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I fell in love with Paris!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I have many but Modern Family is on of the best. I am also enjoying Two Broke Girls!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you did not hate this time last year?
I don't do hate. I think I have disliked our government more!

24. What was the best book you read?
Water for Elephants

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Liking some country music with Scotty McCreery!

26. What did you want and get?
A Wii and also a Pandora Charm Bracelet. Also got a new phone, it wasn't on my list but I wanted one!

27. What did you want and not get?
A cruiser bike, Justin Beiber cologne, a movie and a book.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Help but seeing Breaking Dawn was pretty good too!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We hung out at home, I turned 60 and got the tickets to Wicked. See #7

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having my father her with me. He lives in Florida and I miss him.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Well I spend a good part of my day in my pajamas. Otherwise it's jeans and a blouse.

32. What kept you sane?
Well this is kinda mixed, blogging kept me sane but it can also drive me crazy!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
William/Kate and Scotty McCreery.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't do politics so no answer here.

35. Who did you miss?
Family members who are no longer here on earth. Wouldn't one more day be awesome?

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Well I enjoyed meeting Win & Bob who are Phil's parents and also Ali his girlfriend back in the UK.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
Life is short. I have always heard that phrase and have seen the years fly by but reaching 60 this year threw me for a loop! Where did my life go?

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Band: Baz Lurhman (performed by) Written by Mary Schmich in 1997.
Song: "Everybody is free to wear sunscreen" (click to see all the lyrics, they are pretty awesome)

"Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, nevermind, you won't understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded, but trust me in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine."

THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME

I cannot remember~e.v.e.r ~missing a day after Christmas sale. I am normally out of the house early in the morning. But today I sat in my pajamas and robe typing away at the computer. I was exhausted and don't want to get off of my butt. I feel good today which is great! I keep thinking I should go but then I remind myself that I still have many years worth of Christmas supplies. (cards, paper, tissue, ribbon, bows, bags & tags)

Christmas Day was perfect. We started around two and ended around midnight. I worked my little (not really) butt off. Everyone was happy and thrilled with their gifts. Another Christmas to be recorded in the books. Well not really but it's here for you to read! I had this idea on Christmas Eve while I baked goodies for 8 hours so here is what came to mind:

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas"

By Clement Clarke Moore
(changed by Debby)

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through my house
One creature was stirring and there better not be a mouse!
The stockings were not hung by the chimney with care,
I didn't even have time to run a comb through my hair;

Somewhere my children were still nestled snug in their beds,
While visions of spritz cookies danced in their heads;
I was still in pajamas, no time for a nap,
I was certainly ready for a winter's nightcap!

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the kitchen to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash, (not)

The sun was still shinning on the mountains of snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to cars down below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Skye with her tennis ball, and my husband so dear,

There were balls to be chased, and pruning to do,
Me drinking some coffee, needed help to get me through,
Rocky Road candy and Alton's White Trash,
But oh how the dishes piled up so fast,

Back in the kitchen, had more batches to bake,
I wondered if I would ever shower or get to that cake,
Started my day with burning the butter,
There were some very choice words that I did muttered,

I dragged myself to the shower, got clean as a whistle,
And away to my office, I shot like a mistle,(toe)
But I had to exclaim, I'm all done for the night,
It's now time for me to watch "It's a Wonderful Life!"

So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,
I can't wait for Christmas with our faces so bright,
We will open our presents and share in the joy,
I know Skye can not wait to see a new toy!

Debby Pucci

Okay, here are some pictures from our Christmas Day and all the treats that I baked. First and foremost Mark watched It's a Wonderful Life with me :) Skye laid between us on the sofa on Christmas Eve. Mark also helped with some dishes when I baked and with the Hoska.

Started with treats to eat, opened gifts for 3 hours, ate our pizza dinner, worked on gingerbread houses (ran out of time), and danced the evening away with Michael Jackson. (not me!!) Clean, clean and clean some more! (of course my day started at 8am getting things ready for the 2pm party!)

Christmas for us is "go all out", each year is better then the last! All the goodies I baked were fabulous but you know what, 3 batches would have been plenty. Never even got around to the Eli's peppermint cheesecake and Phil brought over a red velvet cheesecake that still sits unopened in the refrigerator!

Everyone had the best of time. Skye never stopped getting squeakers out of every toy and was exhausted by midnight! I finally got a Wii and now we can also stream Netflix! I got a Pandora Charm Bracelet and will be getting a Droid phone! It's about time I join in and actually have interenet on my phone. Not to mention that I am tired of texting with the abc,def way! Also got so many other fun gifts and a very generous check from my father.

Sorry, I was a little long winded today. Click on the pictures to enlarge them. Finally finished my mini tree on Christmas morning. I also put out a few pieces from my Christmas bag collection. Would you believe me when I tell you that I have 7 bins that I did not put out this year!

If you missed the pictures of the house and tree that I posted on Christmas Day here they are!

Now it's time to enjoy the decorated house, eat the leftovers and relax with a glass of wine!

I think Phil had a nice time. (he works with Mark and his family is in the UK)

Also thanks to Headless Mom's Mom for mentioning the Alton Brown White Trash.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR HOME TO YOU

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; (not really) Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; (maybe pizza) Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer (wine) We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Nothing better than my family together celebrating Christmas and music playing throughout the house. Of course all the goodies and smells from the kitchen are awesome too!

Enjoy your day and may God Bless You Abundantly.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS EVE

I thought this was fun and wanted to share it!

(Borrowed from Donna)

So on Friday morning I woke up feeling pretty good and ready to bake but first I wanted to check on my emails and do some clearing in my reader. So I am on the computer for about 1 hour when the power went out. I knew that I couldn't bake so I thought this might be a good time to finish wrapping the gifts so that's what I did. As time went on I hoped the power would come on soon because I didn't want 12 thawed pizzas!

Luckily it was only out for about 2 hours. (high winds) So I was finishing up the wrapping and I started feeling extremely nauseous. No way, I didn't have time for that so I turned to my trusted friend Emetrol for nausea. If you have never had this it's worth keeping in the house. A doctor told us about it many, many years ago and it's still on the shelves in the store. I think I found it at Target.

So I have always been a pretty good gift wrapper. Loved wrapping presents. I always wanted to work like at a Nordstrom's in the gift wrap center. Anyway I think as I have aged I just don't care as much anymore. I still wrap a nice gift but I think the OCD parts have left my brain! Well I know that it left because you would never see so many crooked to/from labels years ago. Why I can't get them straight is beyond me!

So all the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Got a few batches of cookies mixed and will bake them tomorrow. Have several others I hope to make but we shall see! Mark came home early and did a few loads of laundry to help me out. Thanks honey.

The church I normally go to does not have a Christmas Eve service this year. I decided that I am going to play some Christmas carols and read the story of the birth of Jesus. Then it will be Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life!

Wishing Everyone a

Very Merry Christmas Eve!

P.S. Hope to post some pictures on Christmas Day!

LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY!

Not really, it was more like Wicked & Mission & Tree is not done!

Not much time to spare but I want to share...

It was a "WICKED" Sunday on the 11th and I loved every minute of it. What a great day we had. I thoroughly enjoyed the show! (don't forget to click to enlarge)

My mission was the Mission Inn. We had Mark's Christmas dinner at Mario's which is across from the Mission Inn. We went a little early so I could get a few pictures just before the sun set. It didn't disappoint! Our dinner was perfection. If you are ever in Riverside, CA you must give them a try. If you look through the Season's Greetings that is Mario's across the street!


So my tree is not done but its getting there. I thought I would share a few ornaments from my tree and a couple of other little trees that are done. I also put my plush out this year. I don't think I am going to have time for my snow globes, nativities or snow village this year. They will mean even more when I unpack them next year!






I learned a few things this year:

I'm not enjoying getting up and down the ladder!

Ornaments that go over a bulb so they light up are not easy to place on the tree!

Trees get old and the branches get weaker, it's been frustrating this year. Put the ornament on and the branch will bend over to one side or the other, ARGH!

I don't need more ornaments but two new smaller trees would be nice!

When you replace a burned out bulb don't take it out and go get the new one, bring the new one with you beforehand otherwise it's like looking for a needle in a haystack!

Now for a really special treat you need to go over and visit with Laurie. It will blow you mind!

FAIR+FOOD+FUN=

A Great Day!

(click to enlarge the photos)

Let's see how much we can eat!

Let the games begin! I was thankful Dylan road the Tilt-A-Whirl with me. I could ride all day. I LOVE IT! He was a good sport. They would not let people ride single otherwise I would have road it a dozen more times.

A wonderful small train village.

Some silly fun!

Fun at Photobucket!

Let me just say that almost all of us could have gotten into Disneyland for what we spent! Even got in for $1.00!!! How do people do it with a large family? I really feel sorry for those on a strict budget.


You can see Amber riding the bull at the Fair here!
Head on over and watch it.....

P.S. If you follow Debby's Tree there is a new post to see!