An Unplanned Blogging Break

Happy Friday!

Sadly (for me) I will not be blogging, or reading/commenting on any other blogs, for the next week or so as my hard drive crashed and I am without a computer until it gets replaced.

I am already missing the connection with all of you. However, my house is cleaner and all the laundry is done!

I miss the internet! My phone is just not a very good substitute.

See you soon!

Memories and Dances

Starr’s sorority had a formal this past weekend. Her date was the same young man she went to the Winter dance with her junior year of high school almost five years ago.

I don’t think that E and Starr are destined to be together, much to my dismay, but they have remained friends over the years.

Last Saturday night, seniors in college:

And February 2006, juniors in high school:

They were at Sunny’s house that day, getting ready, taking pictures and having fun:

Aren’t they cute? It seems forever ago, yet so very recent at the same time!

Portable North Pole

These personalized video cards are a lot of fun, free and not just for the kids!! So, I thought I would pass it along.

Portable North Pole

Dragonfly’s Favorites: This Santa

Starr colored this paper Santa at daycare when she was three years old, 18 years ago. It makes me smile every time I see it. I have a companion tree ornament that I cherish equally. Oh, and the reindeer with her traced hands as antlers that we post on the fridge! So cute.

She doesn’t make things like that any more. *sad face* I know…they grow up!

Do you have a favorite holiday decoration?

Monday Monday

We didn’t go anywhere and no one came to visit. Starr and I had a mini-Thanksgiving, just the two of us. It was nice and stress free, though there are times that I wish we had family closer. Starr made this Apple Pie, it was really good. It was her first ever pie making experience…I think she will do it again!! I hope that she will do it again!

We talked about taking a day trip to Estes Park while she was on break. I might of actually taken some pictures, but her professor assigned two papers due today, so Starr spent most of her “break” writing and reading. It wasn’t much of a break at all!

The Holiday decorations are up and we are ready for the season. Starr actually broke her long-time rule of waiting until Thanksgiving is over and started listening to Holiday music a couple weeks ago.

Her sorority sisters have been getting a kick out of teasing her for her unusual playlist. I guess that is partially my fault!! Here is one of her favorites, she says that it is the best Christmas song ever! Though I am sure that many songs are equally her favorite!:

“Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey” – Lou Monte

What is your favorite Christmas or Holiday song??

I’m Still Diet Coke Free!

It’s been four weeks!! I am drinking tons of water and the occasional Sweet Tea.

My weak moments are each and every morning when I open the fridge and see this:

Starr is still drinking Diet Coke, so I’ve been keeping it on hand. It is so tempting, cold, easy, bubbly…mmm! But I have resisted and reach for the water instead.

Yay!

I think my goal for this week is to move those cokes to the garage fridge so that they aren’t so tempting. I wonder how Starr would feel about that??

Honey Lemon Tea

I made this jar of Lemon Honey last spring and have been using it regularly over the past week. I don’t know if it helps my cold or not, but it sure feels (smells and tastes!) nice!

I don’t remember where I first saw this recipe, if you can call it that, but I have made several jars over the past few years. I sliced 2 lemons and placed them in the jar and then I poured honey over the top until the jar was full. I keep it in the refrigerator. To use, add it, to taste, to plain hot water or hot tea. It’s good!

Sammy and Zeta were, as usual, were in the way! But they are cute doing it!

Holding Hands

Starr was a very affectionate child.

Always a cuddler, she was more comfortable in my lap, in my arms, leaning against me or holding my hand. I loved each and every second of it.

She would hold my hand in public places until she was about 12, when she announced that she wouldn’t be holding my hand any longer. I respected it. I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

It was about 4 months after she made that declaration that we were shopping at the local mall and she kept reaching for and holding my hand. I smiled and let it happen. We would separate and then she would be reaching for me again. She was holding my hand more often than not. I was aware of it and didn’t reach for her or instigate it, she was reaching for me. Repeatedly. I savored it, because I knew that this sort of thing wouldn’t last.

I was right and that was the last time she really held my hand in public. We’ve talked about and laughed about that day many times over the years.

The truth is, she really likes me…and I love her…yanno…just a little bit!

For Fun

Have you seen this?

Damn You Auto Correct! It’s funny. It can be vulgar and obscene, but sometimes I like it like that.

His Smiles are Contagious

Starr and I received free tickets to a taping of eTown radio show featuring Josh Ritter and The Hold Steady Wednesday night. What an interesting experience! It was a lot of fun too! It was a two hour taping for a one hour show which will be broadcast in 6 to 8 weeks.

Josh Ritter was the artist that we were most familiar with and he was great. His smiles and barely contained energy were a joy to watch. Though we knew little about The Hold Steady, we throughly appreciated their music too.

Josh Ritter – “To the Dogs or Whoever” on Letterman

The Hold Steady – “The Sweet Part Of The City” – live El Rey, May 5, 2010

As the left the venue, we were greeted by our first snow. Big beautiful wet sticky flakes. As much as I hate Winter, it was really lovely.