Just for the record, the Apple Pies & Embroidery won out! Pie was wonderfully tasty and the scarf turned out just as I'd hoped. We enjoyed the pie, Cherrie enjoyed the scarf set, so that settles the last post.
Our Christmas was really nice. We went to Janka's house on the Eve. Baked, prepped Christmas dinner, played games, wrapped pkgs, and had an abundance of cocktails. I retired at 9:00 p.m. with the grandgirls and was awoken about 5:00 a.m. with "whispers" from the top bunk.
The gals were told they couldn't get up until 7 o'clock when Traci, Eric & Keith were due. So, they did their best to be good.........actually it was fun to lie there & listen to them. "What did you get Papa? What did you get Auntie Jen? What did you get your Mom?"..........I let them know I was awake when I was afraid they'd get to "What did you get Grandma?"
I love Christmas' there. So many memories. The 3 gals are close to the same difference in ages as my girls are. Same house they grew up in, beautiful tree in the same spot, watching them open tons of gifts..........it's all good.
Janka got Illeana & Dellia a Wii. Richie & I had never even seen one before. What a trip! You gotta understand, we go back to the days of the first video game. Anybody remember Pong? And we thought that was fun! The Wii kept everyone occupied all day. Thank goodness Janka had the foresite to get 4 controllers and better yet, have Keith set the whole thing up the day before when the girls were at their Dad's house. So, once she gave them their controllers----as an afterthought, "oh, I forgot, you have one more present to open" thing, no waiting at all. The games began!
We had calendars made for all the girls plus Keith, Richard & Leigh. I went through so many photos to pick just the right one for each month for each person. And it paid off. They were the hit of the day. Everybody got memories special to them. Keith's was all about Janka. From very young to her senior prom. I haven't seen Richard (b.i.l.) so expressive in a long time. I included a pic of his son Matt, on his 1st bday wearing nothing but a gun holster & cowboy boots. And another of Matt at about 7 yrs old, talking to his grandma with his hand down his pajama pants, scratching his butt. Maybe you had to be there. But, we all enjoyed it immensely.
Jen surprised us with a new cordless PINK mouse (gotta love her) and a wonderful flat screen monitor. Tell me we're not loving that!!! It's like a whole new world. Janka got us a 6 month subscription to Netflix. What better for 2 laid off parents with limited cable programming? And Traci got me a box of watercolor cards and nice heavy stock paper. Bless her heart, she remembered me saying that now that I'll have the time, I'd like to get back to watercoloring.
Gennevra came home with us Christmas night. We've been playing games and best yet, she's taken an interest in stained glass. She made me a really pretty heart suncatcher yesterday. Oh, she's had a few cuts and her first solder burn, but she's hanging in. Anybody ever get burned by hot solder? Ouch, worse that a good glue gun burn.
We've been working on Cherrie's door. I've come to the conclusion that I may be seriously mentally ill. Or as Jen says, perhaps an idiot savant. I've never worked with such tiny pieces EVER! The angel itself consists of close to 100 pieces! Not to mention the 3 detailed barns and all the rest. It's ready now for the border to be added and finish soldering to be done. Hopefull, Richie can install in by next week.
I guess I've rambled on enough for right now. I have to get ready to go into town to pick up my last paycheck. But first, shower for as long and hot as I can. Once the new pump is installed, the guy's here now. That's another story........
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Day Of Possibilities
Today's a freeeee paid day off. I'm trying to decide just what to do with it. There are so many possibilities, although I have limited them to ONLY things that I want to do. Absolutely no HAVE TOs today.
Go Me. So, shall I choose to bake a couple of apple pies? Just the thought of the smell in the house is very enticing. I have all the ingredients on hand. I could go through recipes and decide what to bake for the holidays. I'm thinking of the old time favorites of the girls. Russian teacakes, Shortbread, Pecan Tarts, Holiday Bread, Grandma's Caramel Corn..........maybe even some good old tried & true electric skillet Peanut Brittle. Oh, and I haven't had Wheatie's Cherry Blinks in years & years. Need to gather up recipes and make a grocery list. Then, plan a day. I have them all free from now until someday......................wow, that's pretty cool when I think of it that way!
What a nice time of year to be off work. Seriously, if you gotta lose your job, it's pretty great to have it at the most stressful part of the year. I get to go in slow motion this year. Yes, this is a very good thing. Hmmm, funny how your outlook can can change so drastically in just a few days? And with a lot of grace, I'll be able to hold onto the positive.
So, what else could I get into? I could embroider & bead the hat, scarf & glove set that I'm regifting. I got it last year, off white soft fleece, very pretty, just not quite "me". I put it up as I knew I'd find the right recipient. I want to do a simple "I believe in angels" theme. Simple writing and a few beads here and there. It's for my friend we're making the stained glass door for. She's a collector of angels. Her door is my rendition of her farm with her favorite guardian angel looking down on it. It's nearer to getting done each week. It's beautiful already. I can't wait to lift it up and look through it. That's the best part, to actually see that your work LOOKS as you planned it would with the light going through it. Again, photos when I learn how to do it. That's another thing on my list. I'll have time now. Smile.
Gee, this is fun. I think I'll see what other options I can come up with. Maybe I'll be back later..............come on, do something YOU want to do along with me. xox
Go Me. So, shall I choose to bake a couple of apple pies? Just the thought of the smell in the house is very enticing. I have all the ingredients on hand. I could go through recipes and decide what to bake for the holidays. I'm thinking of the old time favorites of the girls. Russian teacakes, Shortbread, Pecan Tarts, Holiday Bread, Grandma's Caramel Corn..........maybe even some good old tried & true electric skillet Peanut Brittle. Oh, and I haven't had Wheatie's Cherry Blinks in years & years. Need to gather up recipes and make a grocery list. Then, plan a day. I have them all free from now until someday......................wow, that's pretty cool when I think of it that way!
What a nice time of year to be off work. Seriously, if you gotta lose your job, it's pretty great to have it at the most stressful part of the year. I get to go in slow motion this year. Yes, this is a very good thing. Hmmm, funny how your outlook can can change so drastically in just a few days? And with a lot of grace, I'll be able to hold onto the positive.
So, what else could I get into? I could embroider & bead the hat, scarf & glove set that I'm regifting. I got it last year, off white soft fleece, very pretty, just not quite "me". I put it up as I knew I'd find the right recipient. I want to do a simple "I believe in angels" theme. Simple writing and a few beads here and there. It's for my friend we're making the stained glass door for. She's a collector of angels. Her door is my rendition of her farm with her favorite guardian angel looking down on it. It's nearer to getting done each week. It's beautiful already. I can't wait to lift it up and look through it. That's the best part, to actually see that your work LOOKS as you planned it would with the light going through it. Again, photos when I learn how to do it. That's another thing on my list. I'll have time now. Smile.
Gee, this is fun. I think I'll see what other options I can come up with. Maybe I'll be back later..............come on, do something YOU want to do along with me. xox
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Verdict Is In
Lolli = Unemployed as of Thursday, December 18, 2008. Pending good behavior and consistency of my good production standards , severance pay is $1872.00-- 4 weeks pay. Plus the four paid holidays coming up. I can't complain. It' s truly more than I expected. Word is "it may be over tomorrow." Honda is pulling all of their tools by Thursday, which means end of production by Wed. at the latest, possibly tomorrow.
And, so far, it's only me. I'm very sure Richie isn't far behind, but you know what? Every little bit TRULY does count if you are enough aware of it to notice. I pray that I STAY as aware. Wish me luck kids. This should be quite a ride for a couple of aging hippies!!! xox
And, so far, it's only me. I'm very sure Richie isn't far behind, but you know what? Every little bit TRULY does count if you are enough aware of it to notice. I pray that I STAY as aware. Wish me luck kids. This should be quite a ride for a couple of aging hippies!!! xox
Friday, December 5, 2008
Trying to catch up.....
Well, here we are again, early morning & just home from work. Without good news tonite. SAD. Sad & scary.
A notice on the board today when we came in to work, letting us know that we lost our Honda production. That's about 40 to 50% of our work. What's my position in all of this? I do nearly 100% Honda parts. Richie does some, me nearly all. That is so scary. There's a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, but it's really hard to believe they'll tell us even a fair percent of the truth of what's going on. That's not just a dismal guess, it's an honest statement based on what's gone on before.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm the eternal optimist. OK, so Miss Optimist just can't pull it off right now. I haven't said all I'd like to right now, I'm just purely tired and worn out and exhausted & haven't any more in me to write more. And I don't know how to save this & post later, so I've just gotta let it go for now. More later. Hopefully, somehow, with God's blessing, I'll find more strength & energy overnight and be able to finish with some of my characteristic optimism tomorrow. xox
A notice on the board today when we came in to work, letting us know that we lost our Honda production. That's about 40 to 50% of our work. What's my position in all of this? I do nearly 100% Honda parts. Richie does some, me nearly all. That is so scary. There's a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, but it's really hard to believe they'll tell us even a fair percent of the truth of what's going on. That's not just a dismal guess, it's an honest statement based on what's gone on before.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm the eternal optimist. OK, so Miss Optimist just can't pull it off right now. I haven't said all I'd like to right now, I'm just purely tired and worn out and exhausted & haven't any more in me to write more. And I don't know how to save this & post later, so I've just gotta let it go for now. More later. Hopefully, somehow, with God's blessing, I'll find more strength & energy overnight and be able to finish with some of my characteristic optimism tomorrow. xox
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Help Wanted
Ok, fellow bloggers. Help is needed. I wrote a post and saved it as a draft. Now I can't figure out how to post it. I went to the draft page, clicked edit, could see my post, but try as I may, I can't seem to see a "publish post" option. Thanks in advance.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The tree is up and it's pretty. Period. Not beautiful or gorgeous or sensational. It's pretty. Less than I usually do, but more than I really felt like this particular holiday season. So, that's pretty good, right? G was a willing participant in the decorating. Richie a great "getter outer & put-awayer." Unfortunately, my heart just isn't in it this year. I'm trying to overcome, but, Man, it's soooo hard.
One of our good work friends got fired on Friday. Plus another gal then and yet another one today. Why? Shit, who knows? Michigan. Auto industry? Any reason seems to be the reason where we work. It's really scary. Every day we go to work we speculate on how full the parking lot is. If it' s full.....great...there's work. If not? Will we be sent home for "lack of work" i.e non-paid day off?? Both of us working at the same place is downright insecure. Yet, there's nowhere else in this county.
The stamping plant across the street just laid off 301 employees last week. "Not closing" they state loudly in all the papers. They're leaving ONE employee. That way they can just outwait the union, skip schooling "let-go" employees and paying any compensation. Then, somewhere down the line they hire new employees at half the pay & people will be lining up for the jobs. It's so damn depressing.
Do I think the automakers should be bailed out? In my heart, NO! In my pocketbook, if they fail, we fail. Scary shit when you're almost at retirement age. And with that cheery note, I say good night to all and to all a good night.
xoxox
One of our good work friends got fired on Friday. Plus another gal then and yet another one today. Why? Shit, who knows? Michigan. Auto industry? Any reason seems to be the reason where we work. It's really scary. Every day we go to work we speculate on how full the parking lot is. If it' s full.....great...there's work. If not? Will we be sent home for "lack of work" i.e non-paid day off?? Both of us working at the same place is downright insecure. Yet, there's nowhere else in this county.
The stamping plant across the street just laid off 301 employees last week. "Not closing" they state loudly in all the papers. They're leaving ONE employee. That way they can just outwait the union, skip schooling "let-go" employees and paying any compensation. Then, somewhere down the line they hire new employees at half the pay & people will be lining up for the jobs. It's so damn depressing.
Do I think the automakers should be bailed out? In my heart, NO! In my pocketbook, if they fail, we fail. Scary shit when you're almost at retirement age. And with that cheery note, I say good night to all and to all a good night.
xoxox
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tis The Season
Today's the day to get into the Holiday Spirit.
Right.
Got a great deal on a tree. For once, no lights to deal with. Well, that's not so true. I'll need to add a little color to the clear lights. Clear lights are just fine for other people's trees, my Christmas tree NEEDS colorful lights!
I 've never put a tree up this early. Usually after Thanksgiving. This year things are just so depressing--- I live in Michigan and work in the auto industry---enough said on that right now, so I'm trying to rise above the worry and surprise the girls when they come out for Thanksgiving dinner. Good traditional food and cheery decorations, I'm really trying to do my part. But, damn, it's so hard.
2 years ago I sat in the living room and watched my beautifully decorated tree, up for only 3 days, tumble over before my eyes. I picked everything up, cursed it out, put it back in boxes, took it upstairs and put it all away till now. Needless to say I trashed that bad boy tree........thus the new one.
Richie's on the way to the mid-way meeting point for the weekend pickup. G's spending the weekend and hopefully, together we can jazz this joint up. Wish us luck. If I can figure out the posting of pics here, I'll show off tomorrow.
Right.
Got a great deal on a tree. For once, no lights to deal with. Well, that's not so true. I'll need to add a little color to the clear lights. Clear lights are just fine for other people's trees, my Christmas tree NEEDS colorful lights!
I 've never put a tree up this early. Usually after Thanksgiving. This year things are just so depressing--- I live in Michigan and work in the auto industry---enough said on that right now, so I'm trying to rise above the worry and surprise the girls when they come out for Thanksgiving dinner. Good traditional food and cheery decorations, I'm really trying to do my part. But, damn, it's so hard.
2 years ago I sat in the living room and watched my beautifully decorated tree, up for only 3 days, tumble over before my eyes. I picked everything up, cursed it out, put it back in boxes, took it upstairs and put it all away till now. Needless to say I trashed that bad boy tree........thus the new one.
Richie's on the way to the mid-way meeting point for the weekend pickup. G's spending the weekend and hopefully, together we can jazz this joint up. Wish us luck. If I can figure out the posting of pics here, I'll show off tomorrow.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Deb, Help me out here. I need the basics of this stuff. Mostly, I don't want to just be a voyeur of other people's lives. I would like to find my way into this "blog-world" and leave my comments and insight when I feel like it. Damn, I feel OLD!!! How does one start this whole business comfortably? You know the term "fish out of water? Gulp, gulp, gasp....where's the air???? How many attempts has this been? Toooo many. Let's hope this one works.
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