Out with the Old, In with the New

We did it.. along with the rest of America. We switched to this new fandangled TV. On Black Friday, heading across the state of Missouri, we stopped at Costco and joined the crowds. After standing there in the electronic section with ALL the rest of Missouri measuring TVs, looking, starring, getting advice from my techie brother on the phone, it was decided. We took this BIG box to the truck. T then proceeded to unload everything else in the truck and I do mean everything.. Trader Joe's wine, suitcases, pillows, back packs, more suitcases, right there in the Costco parking lot. We shoved this big ol' box on the bottom of the pile (okay he shoved, we cheered!) reloaded, and headed back across America. Picture Perfect.

Mom's Christmas Treasure

This Christmas is a year for me to mark in my mind for a number of reasons. Graduation from college, a spa for the family, my kids are all coming together for Christmas, family photos, and these beautiful dishes from my momma. I am one sentimental ol' gal and to see the dishes my mom used for years, now mine to use and placed on this, um... "hutch"... makes me smile. A new tradition has begun with my kids. I will eventually be the grandma with the Christmas dishes but for now I am the momma with the Christmas dishes.

Funny thing is I remember Mom receiving these from Dad. I can see the room that Christmas morning so long ago clearly in my mind. I see the tree, the couches, the table and chairs, the fireplace, all of it. He bought her two complete sets of new dishes one year for Christmas. These charmers and her everyday dishes. He was so excited to have her open box after box. And when they were brought into my home, I had the same privilege... box after box.

Thank you Dad and Thank you Mom. I will take good care of them and use them with love.

A Gift of Therapy

Family Therapy. Massage Therapy. Sanity Therapy. Sleep Therapy. Feel free to add to the list. We are so excited to have this big tub of hot water that bubbles in our back yard. It's been 16 years since we last owned a spa. T and I would go out when Boo was a baby and escape for just a little while. Loved it! When we moved to Colorado we knew this was a part of the big plan for us but we were anticipating re-doing the deck first. Well, that will be next summer's project but this winters gift to ourselves was this fine baby. Loving it all over again.

Craigslist wins again!

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

I am dizzy. And it's all from this small part in my inner ear.

Now, it isn't 24/7 so that's good. It's when I do certain things like bending up and down, blowing my hair, moving too fast but especially lying down and sitting up. Falling out of bed twice this week, yeah...that was no fun. No injuries thankfully; I fell into my chair next to my bed. That was kind of my indicator something was up. I thought it would go away but it hasn't so off to the doctor I went. He said it is BPPV. Oh yeah! (That was me being funny.)

I have these nauseating exercises that I have the privilege of doing three times a day this week. It should make me all better and get the tiny crystal thingy out of my inner ear.

Here's to hoping that little bugger goes away soon.

Gateway to the West

The St Louis Arch is an amazing structure. Huge, steel, magnificent piece of art. The little white pod that takes you to the top is small (you feel like you were shoved in a pea pod with 4 other people) and kinda rickety but you just HAVE to do it anyways. Once your up there, it's hot and stuffy and the thing sways so you don't stay too awfully long. But the view, the view, is so worth it. After we came down our micro pea pod, we explored the museum under ground. It is chalked full of history about Lewis and Clark, the settling of the West, and was more than any one person can take in. This was a highlight for me. Another thing I can check of the list.

St Louis Arch. Check.