January...

I sooo don't like the month of January. The holidays are over, there is the let down from that. It is usually cold and wet and dreary and dark when you leave for work, dark when you get home and nothing exciting(good) seems to happen in January.

So I was told I needed to update my blog (why oh why are you tired of looking at Cancun pics? Sunny, beach, pool, relaxing.... Although it makes me want to be there NOW!) but I didn't feel too excited about posting anything. It was suggested that I post 5 things about something (kinda did not hear the rest of the conversation), so I decided to post 5 things that made/make me happy this month.

Here we go in no particular order.......

1) Fabulous shoes --
for some reason in the last couple of years I have started, ok developed a shoe fetish. I have bought more shoes in the last year than in the previous 10 years combined. These are my latest acquistion and I gotta tell ya, I love them. Get alot of compliments and yes they are high but they are actually comfortable (As I continue to lose weight, the heel gets higher.) Missy talked me into buying them when we went shopping in Salem. Still bummed the red ones didn't fit, they were hot!!

2) Pile o' clothes -- this started out as a box to start for a garage sale. Well everytime I am on the ellipitical I notice something else in my closet that doesnt't fit anymore. This is all stuff I have cleaned out of my closet since the middle of December (all stuff that is now too big WAHOOO!!!). There are a pair of capris (really cute) that i wore twice. Losing 51 lbs has a VERY big (no pun HAHAHA) impact on a person's wardrobe.

3) Pretty Piggies -- freshly painted toenails from a pedicure. Angela and I "HAD" to go get pedicures and get our feetsies ready for flip flops before we leave for AZ. It felt sooo good. As Michelle said, a pedicure every week should be something every woman is required/entitled to do. I AGREE!!!!

4) Packed Suitcase?! -- yes, there is a suitcase under there. I seem to be under the inpression if I just throw clothes in the general area of the suitcase, that it is considered packed? Or maybe some little leperchaun will come along and pack for me? somehow I don't think so, I guess I better think about packing since we leave Wed (Of course, surprise, surprise, I had not completely unpacked from Cancun!) and for the record, the books you see I am packing to take to my mom!! will make sense after you read item #5.

5) IMPULSE (Ok,I have more Brant blood in my veins than I usually admit) -- I broke down and bought a kindle. I hemmed and I hawwed and I researched and I thought about it, finally decided, Hell I am worth it (ummm, that seems to be the theme for the other 4 items too, YIKES), was having a shitty day at work and decided, between cranky customers at work, I needed some retail therapy,went to Amazon and BAM it was ordered (and, gulp, delivered the next day. I swear on my new shoes, I did not pay for overnight shipping!!). I have downloaded about 5 books I bought and about 5 free books (have about 30 on my wishlist at Amazon HEHEHE). I am now ready to lounge by the pool in AZ

Bonus Happiness....

1) I leave on Wed for AZ for 6 days. No schedule, no work, no cooking, just my kindle, I-pod and sunshine.(Although I understand no cabana boy either, bummer) (and obviously this is not me and not the pool I will be at, but you get the idea!)

2) Gunner got his permit, 1st try, he is pretty darn excited. Just wish it would be a little lighter in the evening and the rain would stop, he could then drive more.

3) Drake shot his first duck, duck hunting, I think he actually shot 2. He has gone a few times, but this was definitely his shot, his kill.


Ok, put in that perspective, it has not been such a bad month. Some years January has been WWWWAAAAAYYYYYY worse, but I will still be happy to see it gone....(Did I mention I will be in sunny AZ by the pool for the rest of the month?) Here is the forecast we get to look forward to:
Wed
Jan 26 Sunny 77°/50° 0 %
Thu
Jan 27 Sunny 76°/51° 0 %
Fri
Jan 28 Mostly Sunny 78°/51° 0 %
Sat
Jan 29 Sunny 79°/51° 0 %
Sun
Jan 30 Mostly Sunny 76°/50° 0 %
Mon
Jan 31 Sunny 75°/48° 0 %
ENJOY......and bring on spring!

Do you need a hug?

Do you know…
There is one gift which can’t be given
without taking it back…
That is why I give you hug
which can’t be giving without taking it back.

~~Cancun 2010~~

What a wonderful trip we had in Cancun, Mexico. It was kinda hectic getting there. Had to end up changing airlines and adding another stop, had missing luggage along the way and ended up in Cancun about 6 hours after we were originally supposed to..but all is well, we made it!! When we go there, they had us in the wrong room, I had paid for an oceanview, but they had us in a lagoon view. They moved us for the night, but all they had was a room with a king bed and offered to bring in a roll away bed. Here is Gunner's bed
and then we told Drake he had to sleep on this
...HEHEHE, he actually brought in the mattress from the lounger on the balcony.

Got up Sunday, after having breakfast, we had to deal with switching rooms (I paid for oceanview, I wanted oceanview damn it!!), and then we had to sign up for our tours and stuff that we were using our resort dollars on. After getting that all done, we headed up to the skydeck. We spent most of Sunday afternoon chilling by the pool, soaking up some rays and drinking.
(I started with Mojitos and finished the day with straight shots of tequila, in between there was some margarita's, mudslides, B-52 shots and not sure what else...oh yeah, there was some water in there). Went to dinner and then went back to our room to watch a movie from our balcony on the big screen over the pool.

Monday we were supposed to go to Isla Mujeres, but it was too windy and the trip was cancelled. SO we decided to take the bus and go to the Flea Market. What an experience for the kids. That was the first time they had seen how the mexican flea market works. Bought a few things, stopped for lunch and then walked back towards our hotel to go swimming. Before dinner we decided to take a walk on the beach and see some of the other resorts. I was very peaceful and quiet walking back in the dark.


Tuesday we visited Cancun Palace and did a timeshare presentation. Not sure why we did that, but it was fun for the boys to see how that works. Had the taxi drop us off at the La Isla mall, did some more shopping and then walked back to the hotel. I had a spa appt at 3:00 for a massage and facial (OOOOHHHH that felt good!), while I was gone the boys went back to the Flea (Free as drake says) Market. We got back about the same time, I showered and we walked to Bubba Gumps for dinner.

Wednesday was Chichen Itza, that was amazing to see the pyramids and the mayan village and hear about it. It was a very long day though, took about 2 1/2 hours each way driving straight......(took LOTS of picture and some video)


Thursday we were able to go to Isla Mujeres. Our first thing we did was snorkeling. None of us had ever done it before and even Mark tried it (Although he had trouble getting his mask to seal, we think because of his mustache). Me and the boys loved it, we thought it was the highlight! After snorkeling, we took a boat rid to the Island and wandered around a little bit and did some shopping. Our ferry ride back to Cancun was at sunset, it was beautiful. The ferry ride4 is supposed to be a party. We were sitting up top and the guy was trying to get people to dance. Next song to come up was YMCA, we convinced Drake to get out there and dance. I sooo wish I had my video camera. He ended up taking off his shirt and strutting his stuff, I was laughing my arse off!!! It was great!



Friday was Wet N Wild/Swim with the Dolophins. That was great, Mark did not do it, but me and the boys really enjoyed it (Thanks Nichole for the warning about the cost of pictures. I ended up buying them all AND the video YIKES!!, but I was prepared!) Once the dolophins was over we had passes for the water park so we spent most of the day there. All 4 of us went on all the waterslides. Let me just say, the Kamokazie was a very, ummm, very, interesting experience (none of us did it more than once!)....After the water park, we went back to the hotel and the boys swimmed and we just kinda chilled.



Saturday we had pictures taken by the resort photographer, that was nice to get some family pics. When we got some of the prints, they look like a fake background, but really we were on the beach, in the sand!! After pics, the boys went swimming for a bit before we had to pack up, check out and head for home.


I am sure there are things I am missing, but that is just a general overview. I have only posted a few pictures on here, but here is a link to see the rest of them. (I am actually in some of them too, you can tell that I want on vacation this time :D)

http://harrisoncancun.shutterfly.com/

(I guess you will have to cut and paste the link, hope it works)

Had a good time, there were some things we didn't get a chance to do, but like I told the boys, we need something to do next time :D!

Happy 15th Birthday Gunner....

My baby is getting all grown up. I can't believe he is 15 today......Did not do much, went to lunch at Red Robin w/Grandma Harrison and then went bowling. Going to spend a quiet evening at home. He is kinda bummed DMV was closed today, he feels like he is ready to take his test for his permit. BUT he has to wait until Tuesday.........mean mommy!!

P.S. Happy New Year, hope everyone has a safe and happy evening, may 2011 bring everything you want it to!

P.S.S. HOPEFULLY, in the next few days I will have all my pics sorted from vacation and will post some........

~~Christmas 2010~~

It's that time of year again, how did that happen!! It was really hectic coming home on Sunday and then having Christmas be the next Saturday, but I got pretty much everything done (except cards, maybe I will do New Years cards!)

Spent Christmas Eve with Missy, LeRoy, Nicole, Tyler, JD, Ellen and Grandma Harrison joined us after her church program. What a wonderful evening. It has been a few years since we have all gotten together. I can't believe all our babies are getting so grown up.

It was a very low key, peaceful evening loved it. We had food and drinks (DUH!), the kids had to endure our mini photo session. I am not sure sometimes who is worse about wanting to take pictures, me or Missy! LOL.... (HOLY COW, think there is a family resemblence there?!...WOW!)

Missy had done up a pizza bar and everyone was able to make their own little pizza with whatever toppings they want on them.

Grandmac Mac made about 11 dozen sugar cookies and Grandpa made frosting so the kids could frost sugar cookies. As Missy and I suspected, the kids frosted about 2 cookies each and then Missy and I were left to frost them. But it was fun, we sat there and laughed while we finished them. Thankfully Gunner was sitting there putting the sprinkles on as we frosted. I guess that ended up being more for Missy and I's benefit than the kids. But hey, it was fun, we enjoyed it and had a few laughs.


Did a gift exchange for the kids and then, bam, before we knew it, it was after 9:00......time to head for home so Santa could come.


Saturday dawned and it was actually after 8:00 before the boys got up. We made them wait until almost 9:30 to open anything. I kept telling them, there is not much under there, I would wait as long as possible!! Finally, everyone was awake, had their coffee and we let them rip.
Well 5 minutes later it was all done, hahaha, j/k.


Grandma Harrison stayed Christmas Eve with us and then LeeAnn came over about noon. We had dinner and then spent the afternoon playing games.
Again, was a very nice, peaceful, low key christmas!!

(Missy, I think I need some of your group pics we took at first, I don't have any on my camera. I have some I will email you too that I didn't post)

Dog Sitting by Grandma Harrison......

A Tail at Christmas Time, by Grandma Harrison

Son Mark, wife and their two boys booked a week in Cancun for a Mid December Vacation.

They asked me if I would keep their two large chocolate labs while they were gone to Mexico. I could not very well turn them down as they have been keeping my little Jack Russell Terrier whenever I go on one of my trips back east to visit family.

They brought the dogs with them when they came for Thanksgiving dinner just to see if I would be able to handle them. They brought the dog kennels with them so they could sleep in the garage at night. The dogs went home on Saturday, all went well.

On Thursday evening before their Saturday departure they brought the dogs over to me but left the kennel at home. Instead they brought the large fluffy cloth dog bed. Mark and family left Friday evening to stay the night in Portland for a very early dparture to Phoenix, headed to Cancun. (Which ended up being a flight to Phoenix, then to Houston, then to Cancun!)

Meanwhile all went well overnight. I left to go to SAHS for swimming for one of my 4 mornings a week senior exercise class. Since we have a fenced yard but cattle in the adjoining fields and three pit bulls next door, I felt it prudent to leave the dogs confined in the garage until I returned, not quite 2 hours later. I had put their dog bed in the garaga for them to lay on.

When I returned I let them outdoors for awhile and then picked up the dog bed to put it in the house and discovered a 2 inch square hole in the bed, I patched it up. On Saturday while I was reading the older dog (Bailey) got up and nosed around knocking a glass lamp top that fits over a glass candle jar on the floor. The top and matching plate were both broken. I cleaned up the mess and thought, oh well, no use crying over split milk, RIGHT!!

Sunday morning found me in church and both dogs with their nice soft bed in the garage, again for about 2 hours. This time I opened the back door to let the dogs out their stuffing from the bed was all over the garage floor and there was a 2 by 2 foot hole in the dog bed. I again patched it up....in the meantime one of the dogs rushed to the living room window knocking over a small poinsetta plant on to the floor and spilling dirt on the carpet. Oh well, why did I leave the plant there anyways......

Monday morning, I put the dogs in the garage before leaving for swim class, without the dog bed, which they seemed intent on destroying. Besides, they had a nice piece of carpet to lay. I returned home to find dirt all over the floor whre they had knocked over flower pots that I had brought inside for the winter. Broom it up and forget it Shirley....OKAY!

Tuesday morning, same procedure, I head for swim class. When I opened the kitchen door leading to the garage, I nearly cried, but just had to laugh. I got my camera and took a picture before cleaning up the mess. They had somehow gotten a hold of a complete pkg of 8 rools of paper towels, and a partial box of kleenex and a wrapped plastic pkge of dining room seat cushions. They did a pretty through job of shredding the paper towels, kleenex and one chair cushion. I put the dogs out back and cleaned up the mess and got on with my day.
Wednesday morning, I had an invite to go to breakfast with some friends. I left about 8 am, putting the monsters in the garage again. NOTE, my dog remained in the house during these episodes so she was never a part of these shenanigans. After breakfast, and running to the grocery store, I was gone less than 2 hours. In to the house I go and feeling like nothing else could possibly happen. Wouldn't you know it, they have decorated my garagee with some of my christmas tree decorations that were left on the floor in a plastic tote. The tinsel rope was neatly severed into much smaller sections. The stuffing was extracted from the from hand made ornaments. Thank goodness there were no glass bulbs in the box. A long handled dry west mop was added to the decorations just for an added touch. I got out the camera again and nearly dampened my underwear I was laughing so hard. This decorating job took a little longer to clean up and it looked as if they had begun as soon as I left the house.
What surprise will Thursday morning bring? I head off to swim class and leave Molly in the house and the 2 labs in the garage. Nothing bad can happen today, I say to myself as I leave the house. I arrive home about 10 AM, again being gone about 2 hours . I put the key in the door and I am greeted by one of the labs. The kitchen door is wide open and the bottom panel, that was a puppy door, has been bent so Remi can get thru.
Ok, I say to myself, this isn't too bad but I better check the garage. A large plastic planter is upside down on the floor, the contents, dirt, is scattered and there is a chewed up pari of crocs (shoes). A older pair of leather shoes I use for gardening and lawn work are added to this offering.
I return to the house to get my camera, laughing all the way. I had expected they might get into the plastic christmas tree in the box but no, the tree needs to be replaced, so they left it alone. Perhaps, they are saving that for tomorrow!

Friday is the last day, same routine. It is cold so I take pity on them and put the dog bed in the garage with them. I am expecting it to be in shreds when I return, but when I get home the bed is still intact and nothing destroyed.

I will most likely be in church when the kids get home on Sunday, perhaps they will be greeted by another decorating job.

Donna warned me not to leave food on the counter as they might get it, but not only food they might get, I think........

SIDE NOTE: I think Grandma might have had an easier time if we had left the kids and even though they did not destroy the tree, we surprised her with a new one. We did/do appreciate grandma keeping the monster while we were gone!!!

Happy Anniversary....

Today was our 21st wedding anniversary. Can't really post any pics since left netbook at home and only Internet i have is wifi on iPod. Had an awesome day, went snorkeling and drake "performed" to YMCA on ferry ride back. Wish I had video camera but was freaking hillarious!!!! I have a new favorite drink, Mexican coffee (kaluha, tequlia, brandy, coffee liquor wArmed and topped with THE best vanilla ice cream I have ever had. Tomorrow swim with the dolophins, can't wait. :).

PS - only at about 500 pics so far......