Our White Christmas

We planned on heading up to our cabin in the mountains on Wednesday (12/22) but Southern California decided to have the storm of storms that day... and several days before... The forecast for that particular Wednesday was very high winds and blizzard conditions in the mountains... I am a white knuckle passenger when the roads are perfect so you can understand that this Wednesday drive was Not an option.... So we went up on Thursday.... God had favor on me - somehow - the roads were clear (except for the summit) and no chains were needed... But we did have some fun fog.....

The drive was beautiful with all the snow covered trees..


After we unpacked all our stuff it was time for dinner... We decided to go out to our favorite little hole in the wall for the best chicken fried steak (outside of my kitchen) dinner..

The next day we went into Big Bear's little town... Such a pretty day...




We then decided to go up to the ski resort... There were NO LINES.. We could not believe it - Very bummed that we did not bring the girls' snowboards... Next time we will be prepared..



We went by the golf course and the zoo...


On the way back to the cabin we took a drive around the lake and drooled over the cabins and their views.... Some day...




We made in back to the cabin and Dusty (the hubby) made us a cozy fire and I made hot cocoa with marshmallows of course...


The next morning was Christmas - we woke up to filled stockings and Dusty's famous French toast made from hamburger buns (we forgot the bread at home).. They turned out yummy...





After our Christmas morning celebration it was time to head down the mountain to have dinner at my sister's house... On the way - we stopped by the cemetery and wished my dad a Merry Christmas....

My sister made the best turkey I have ever had and I don't like turkey... I had two servings... I need to find out what she did! My brother in law played some Christmas tunes and the cousins posed for their annual Christmas picture...

How was your Christmas?

Plans For 2011 - Do NOT Call Them Resolutions!!

I decided long ago to NOT make New Year's Resolutions simply because I usually break them within the week - and because I am a complete failure I then proceed to indulge myself to the extreme in all my worst vices......

So Here are My Plans ... and do NOT call them Resolutions!!!!!!

In July - I plan to take my two favorite girls (sans husband) to the East Coast for two weeks - visit DC, Boston, and NY City.. Spend our days enjoying our American History and visiting with long time friends and family...

I plan to start a healthy way of living.... Eating BBQ chips and drinking Cherry Diet Coke while I write these plans is not a good start....

I plan to spend more time for me.... I get so busy with work, kids, and husband - I forget about me... More me time is on the planner for 2011.

Now that I have an IPAD and I have downloaded a daily devotion app - I plan to spend more time in His word...

I have expectations of others and when they don't live up to them - I get upset - My plan is to let go and not expect anything... This will be hard for me... That "type A" personality trait I have is at bugger at times....

I want to love more freely and gracefully.....

I live in a beautiful part of the country and I am always stuck in my office at home... I plan to take walks... Go to the beach, parks, neighborhood, and wherever... I need to get off my butt and soak in the beauty of my world...

What Are Your Resolutions Plans for 2011?

Birds Of A Feather......

I admire a skill my youngest daughter has... It's a skill she has perfected in her short 12 (almost 13) years here on Earth.... She can completely turn herself off... What I mean is that - when she makes up her mind - she is steadfast and true.... When she decided that gymnastics was not a way of life for her - she said "I'm done"... I remember her coach trying to coax her into changing her mind by painting pictures of Olympics and Ivy league scholarships.. He had almost convinced me to give it a try.... But Kara (my kid) never looked back and had no regrets... She also has this talent with people... She can let go of an unhealthy friendship and forget about it.... until and only until it becomes healthy again... She won't play games...

One of the things that I try to teach my girls is that others will judge them on who they hang out with regardless of the circumstances... If they hang out with bad kids... they will be seen as bad kids.. It's just the way it is - fair or not... Teachers especially will judge them based on their friends... Hang out with the "stoners" and the teacher will not believe a word they say nor will they be given the benefit of the doubt.... I hope that my girls try to surround themselves with good kids.... Kids who get good grades... Who try to practice the art of doing the "right thing"...

The saying "Birds of a Feather Flock Together" is true for the most part.... What is strange about life is that the flocks and the feathers change during the different seasons of our lives.... I have a friend who I have known my entire life... We have gone through thick and thin together... We supported each other during the tough times and cheered each other in the great times... We witnessed marriages... births... losses... just about anything two people can share - we've done it.... Now we are both going through very different seasons in our lives and I find that we no longer have anything in common and this fact saddens me...

You see, my friend is a recovering alcoholic.... She is now very involved in her meetings and her journey into sobriety... I am so very proud of her... But she is now in a very different season in her life and the birds that she is flocking towards are birds that are flying the same path as she is.. In her addiction she has developed newer relationships that are so very different from those she previously had.... I can understand that she needs to surround herself with those who are also conquering their own demons... She needs to be around others she can relate to.... I wish I could relate to what's she is going through but this is a flock that I don't fit into...

Our friendship will always be here... But during this very different season in our lives... Our flights are temporarily flying in different directions.....

A Small Little Peek Into Our Christmas

Tomorrow we are leaving our home near the shore and driving up to our cabin in the mountains.. It's been raining non-stop here in Southern California and tomorrow's forecast calls for snow snow and more snow in our local mountains... We will have a late start - we are having the termite people come to tent our home - termites.. yikes.. Perfect timing... so this year we will have a white Christmas (for the first time) and open presents with the fireplace burning and the snow glistening...

Dusty (the husband) got me a new camera for my birthday last month... it's nice to have a husband who works for Canon and I decided to take a few close pictures of my decorations... I think my favorite part of Christmas decorating is rediscovering the ornaments that I have cherished over the years... I think my favorite are the ones my girls made when they were little... many are falling apart and I find it difficult to part with them...







I collect Santas and Nutcrackers so every year there is at least one or two additions... This year I bought a rocker nutcracker with a guitar. Many of our decorations have something to do with golf - due to my husband's other passion besides me of course....








So here is a small peek of our decorations this year.. May God bless you and keep you this Christmas and never lose sight that He sent His Son to Save the World.. Happy Birthday Jesus!!!