Beautiful Carolina Blue Sky

Well, at least it wasn't snowing...

Ok, so this is not what I wanted to do on Friday night, and especially on a cold, wet Friday night. I believe I picked up a nasty bit of metal at the stop sign on Western By-pass and Cornwallis. When I pulled out onto Cornwallis I heard a "poof", then I heard another noise once I was out on 15-501. Then I could feel the bump, bump of the flat. Luckily, I was able to get to a parking lot and not stuck on the side of the road in a big mud puddle. Then the nicest, bestest man in the world, Rick, came out and changed my tire. 2 hours we were out in the cold, wet weather, at least it wasn't snowing...

Here is the nasty piece of metal that caused it all. Sorry for the glare, I took the photo while holding the umbrella and trying to keep the camera and myself dry.

There are lessons learned from this experience. Read your car manual, this will save time when you are trying to get everything out from the back of the car to lift up the bolted down cover only to find no spare tire... it's under the car!!!!

Also, if one was up to date on the manual, one would have also known how to release the tire from the underside of the car. Note: the drawings in the manual don't necessarily match the car. One will have to hunt around for the noted spare tire release and jack placement.

And have a flashlight, a big one, not a little pen light flashlight. I would have been better off if I would have just started a fire (could have used all the stuff that I had in the back of the car.)

Snow

We actually got the snow, 6 inches of it, and it was beautiful. I got many visitors to the back deck. I felt guilty that I had not filled the feeders the night before, so I went out to fill up them.

There were so many birds and not enough room at the feeders, I put out a cookie sheet with more seed.

Even a squirrel showed up.

A view of the car from the front porch (too cold to step outside).

Another view from the front porch.

Then I finally went outside, walked around the house and cleaned off the car to go to the store. I know crazy, but I wanted to go.

Here is the view of the neighborhood with much ice on the road, should have been a sign to stay home, but I still ventured out.

Another page done!

Just wanted to share and show that I have completed a page, Everyone Loves A Monkey.

Product Review

The Quik Pod

I recently purchased the "Quik Pod" mono pod to use for those times when I wanted a photo but did not want to ask a stranger to take the it. I also wanted it to collapse small enough to carry it in my purse.

I got the chance to try it out this weekend - I will need practice.

First attempt...

and the second.

Thumbs up for the pod.

Cookie Monster...

Tonight I decided, or should I say was pleaded with to make homemade chocolate chip cookies, the Nestle Toll House kind. So I did and I found that a ice cream scoop makes for a perfect giant cookie....

I was working on placing more cookie dough on the sheet and I took out another batch of cookies and when I turned around, cookies were gone, disappeared right off the cooling rack, just gone. I believe it was the Cookie Monster (a.k.a. Rick).

My Top 10 For 2009

Two of my dear my friends came up with the wonderful idea of writing down the top 10 eventful things that happened in our lives for the year 2009. Then post them on our blogs to share and then we can scrap-book them, so here is my Top 10 List:

#1. The passing of My Mother

January brought the death of my mother. She passed away on January 15 at 11:56 pm. The passing of my mother so early in the year definitely gave me a year of "firsts" without her.

#2. Facebook

Also, in January, I found myself on Facebook and enjoying it. I was able to get in touch with family members and friends with whom I have not spoken to in years, and it has been fun catching up.

#3. Major Surgery

March brought in my hysterectomy surgery, bye-bye monthly cycle, hello mood swings, hot flashes and did I mention mood swings.

#4. Blogging

May found me starting a blog with much encouragement from my friend Melanie.

#5. The birth of "Grandson" Liam

June 13 brought us Liam, Rick's first grandson. What a perfect little Grandson.

#6. Scrapbooking

August 16, my wonderful friend, Melanie took time from her busy schedule to introduce me to scrapbooking. Since then I have become completely hooked on it and enjoy buying supplies (so far I have 6 pages done.)

#7. The birth of Caleb

Aug. 31 brought us Caleb, my friend Melanie's son. Getting to meet and hold him on his birthday was a wonderful experience, one among many that has touched my heart.

#8. House in Order

November was the month I finally got my house in order with the purchase of a new kitchen table and a bed for the extra bedroom.

#9. Holiday Party

December gave me the chance to have my first holiday party and left me exicted about planning one for the next season.

#10 (10-14), Travels

I was blessed with many travel opportunities. I traveled to new places and met many new friends along the way.

May sent us to New York to spent time with my friend Mindi and meet new friends, Mike and Denise (long-time friends of Rick). We also took a quick drive thru Hershey, PA, and yes, got chocolate.

July took us to Kempton, Pennsylvania for Dixon's 27th Annual Gunmakers Fair where I learned the art of Tatting, Lucet Weaving and YoYo quilting and got to see many incredible handcrafted longrifles, powder horns and bullet pouches.

July also took us to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for a nice scenic tour.

August send us on the "Longest Yard Sale" through Tennessee and Kentucky. While traveling thru Tennessee we stopped for a visit at the Sgt. Alvin York Historic Park, where we got to meet his son, Andrew Jackson York, and tour the house.

December took us to Wilmington, NC for a nice quick getaway.

I am very thankful for all the time I got to spent with family and my friends in 2009, here's to much more time and fellowship in the year 2010.