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Thursday Thirteen....
 
I know this usually comes after Christmas, but I've been thinking a lot more about this recently....
In November we went to dinner for my brother in laws birthday.  During that dinner he talked about a couple resolutions he has which are donating an hour of his time a month, reading 3 books in the year and continuing his workout schedule.
Isn't it those things that we...

In between the craziness of Christmas and all the holiday fun I have been also receiving and trying to organize the many books that have so far been donated in memory of Ryan to build the library for the Metro Hospital Pediatric floor.
I've also taken the month of December and paid it forward in memory of Ryan by leaving $5 after paying for my order in various coffee shops, drive through, etc.  It's...

and we are sure counting down here!
So much to do and yet so much to enjoy!  We got some snow on the ground, just enough for the dog to roll around in and a coating on the grass to make it look pretty!
Last night we went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra at Quicken Loans Arena and it was a fabulous night and a fabulous show!
 
The light show itself was spectacular and then add the music!

...

One of the things that sold me about buying our house over 16 years ago was the fireplace...
And I have loved it ever since, even more so when we switched over to gas logs.  Our family room was once the coldest room in the house, but that is no longer the case!
It is perfect for the cold winter afternoons while baking and wrapping gifts to look over to see the glow of the fireplace and really lends...

 
1. No, we will NOT open gifts early. 
2. I remember making cookies at the old kitchen table. 
3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: Life is good.
4. Having faith and watching him work I know everything is going to be okay.
5. I'll take today and make it as productive as possible.
6. Things all worked out the way they should... at least...

Every year the kids pick out an ornament or I find one that has something to do with what they are into that year.  
Its fun looking back at all the fads the kids went through. Zach was into cowboys for several years, Chelsea into boy bands like Nsync and one of the earlier ornaments I have of Ryan's is Aladdin - it was one of his favorites, my sister got it for him.

 

Both Chelsea...

I spent the day yesterday in Michigan with my mom, sister, Brenda and Debbie doing some shopping and checking out Debbie's store one last time before it closes for good!
We had so much fun shopping and both Debbie and Brenda surprised my mom by purchasing a coat she tried on... we could not get a picture of my mom without her busting into tears...
 
Then we went back to the store to meet up with...

Finally got a chance to take some pictures of my December Daily.  I'm almost caught up to the day but didn't get pictures yet of all the days and still want to add some embellishments.
Here's a couple of the days I've completed
 
let the decorating begin....
  
Our tradition of shopping one day every year with my mom and sister begins with a Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks!

  I cracked...

found on yahoo...
5 Behaviors of Manipulative 
People
by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance, on Wed Dec 2, 2009 9:40am PST622 CommentsPost a CommentRead More from This Author »Report Abuse
Many of us like to think the best of people.  We like to think that they shoot straight and are forthright in their intentions.  We also like to believe that they will ask for what they...

the weekend fun continued on Sunday when Deb and I went to Trish's mother/daughter gingerbread decorating.  Yep, that's right mother daughter and I didn't have my daughter!  She was back at school studying for finals which while I wanted her with me, was where she belonged!
I did get some great pictures of the other  guests...

Love this picture of Molly working on her house! 
 
  ...