Finally...WHEW!

January is coming to a close...I thought it must be time to re-cap what has been going ON!!!

Somehow, January turned into - see-every-possible-friend-before-the-month-ends kinda deal. I don't know how, but it has been fun! I think I may have to stay home for a few days and just do menial chores, like laundry and dishes.

Nahhhh. This is way more exciting!

So, the rest of the posts work backwards. I recapped up to the 26th, going backwards in time so you don't miss a minute! On the 28th I saw my friend JC, who I also had not seen for a while. Above is a pic of her, a year ago almost exactly! She came over after work on Monday and we played a little bit of catch up.

So, since January was so crazy-busy...I wonder what February will bring???

Happy reading!

Saturday, January 26th

I work with Ed and Jen at Alliance, who had baby Noah last June.
They graciously invited us over for dinner so we could visit.
I hadn't seen Noah since October. He is such a big boy now!
Jen cooked us a wonderful meal (thanks Jen!) and we had fun laughing and talking with the whole family.
Ed got to share his model work with Ian and I, and then they talked WWII history for a bit.

And then, of course, it was time for Apples to Apples!

My turn to hold Noah!

I got to help feed him for a little while, and help make him smile!
I can't believe how big he is!
He is very smart.
Look out world, here he comes!!!

Ian proved to be quite the entertainer...

He was fascinated with his little tiny fingernails

But loved to make him smile and laugh!

Fun in the excersaucer...

"Hey Noah - I'll be your buddy while these girls are snap happy!"

Yes! This is a BOY kissing my DAUGHTER!

It was so funny - Megan loves babies. Once she had Noah, she didn't want to put him down!
Well, the feeling was mutual!
Little baby Noah decided he would lavish his kisses all over Megan!

He didn't forget to compliment her on her hair...

Before giving her another smooch...

Alright kids...break it up...BREAK IT UP!!!! ;-)

Finally Friday...January 25th!

Pat's birthday was on the 26th, but we had decided to celebrate it on the 25th with dinner and a sharing of photos/videos.
They had gone to Mexico for a week and we had gone to California.
It was time to get caught up with my friends I hadn't seen for a whole month!

So...everyone helped prepare...


Ian chopped tomatoes for the black bean salsa and guacamole...

While Megan tended to the stove

And I took over when it was good and ready! :-)

We had chicken enchiladas, quesadillas, mexican rice and beans.
Puerto Vallarta, eat your heart out!
But we still prefer you cook it. :-)

Pat gets a birthday wish!

Tonight, tireless Pat could rest and relax a little.
After dinner, what else to do but enjoy dessert - MEXICAN style!
That's right folks...fried ice cream!



We presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Note that this is the room that she and Joyce decorated with such love and care.
It is so nice to just sit in my family room and enjoy the decor!

Pat and Bill are ready to dive in, after showing me their Mexico pictures.

Not bad for home-made?

Make a wish Pat! May all your wishes come true!
Love ya!

January 24th!

It had been months since I had seen my great friends Jennie and (her mom) Cindi.
Their husbands Ray and Shannon rounded out our gathering and we did a lot of catching up!
It was so fun to just chat and enjoy each other's company, and the kids had a great time hanging out together too.

I have known Jennie and Cindi since I was in 7th grade. I met them through playing in the 4-H Band! They both have had a tremendous impact in my life.

By the way, one topic we discussed...we all very strongly dislike the Energy Cooperative.
If anyone wants to participate in an uprising, please let me know!



Jennie and I

Her mom, Cindi, just had surgery. She was describing having problems with her middle finger.
We were laughing since she is so sweet and innocent, and has probably never used her middle finger!

Must not be too bad. Finally got her to smile!!!

Doesn't this look like fun?

Daniel, Luke, Ian and Megan get into a fun game of Twister


Hamming it up for the camera with these good friends

So many memories, having spent so much time in this house with my friend Jennie growing up!

January 22nd

So, that brought me to Tuesday.

I was so excited to hear my good friend Carmen was in town. He was visiting Longaberger, helping through the transition with the new staff.
I was thrilled that he and I could have dinner and catch up!
I really miss working with him and his wife Jill. They run their business in Wakefield, MA, and are 2 of the neatest people in the world!
We got to share family pictures, talk about business and life.
Thanks, Carmen! Had a great time and really do miss you and everyone at Pastore Associates.

I didn't have my camera that night either - but I went digging and look what I found!
Double trouble!
Here is Carmen (on the right) and my other great friend Tom (on the left).
These guys were just the best, helped me learn so much about my businesses at the time and have stayed as good friends!
This picture was taken at our jewelry counter during our convention.
They worked right next to me, helping sell and know the business so we could all team up and do the best for our customers.
It was hard work and long days, but always fun.
One year, Tom actually worked the entire 10 days, right along with all of us from Longaberger. He is a trooper!
(For those who knew me then...this was during the Italian charm link craze!!!)

Jan 18-21...the rest of the story!

As you know from previous posts, I spent Jan 18-21 visiting my darling new nephew, Collin, in Austin, and his mom and dad.
It was a wonderful visit and from the previous pics, you can tell I am just in love with this little guy!
So are his parents!

Here is proud daddy Greg, burping the big little guy:


Here is Collin's room. Pooh and a soft blue are the themes.

Changing table. Note the wipe warmer. I never had that!

I love the furniture. It's very classy and goes just right with the decor.

A peek into Collin's nursery...

I couldn't believe the transformation of the new nursery! It is just darling, and perfect for Collin.


Here is where his mommy rocks him.

Greg built this closet. I was so impressed. I want him to come and do that to mine!

The crib, with Classic Pooh decor and the infamous mobile!

The little guy even has his own growth chart!

Then there was Jan 14, 15, 16...17!

January 14th and 15th I was in New York for business. Just a quick trip and in the middle of all this catching up!
I hadn't even unpacked from California yet!
The 16th was the gymnastics booster club meeting.

Then...the 17th brought us the treat of having dinner with our friends, Deb and Brandon!
They were such great neighbors when they lived here a couple of houses away! We really miss them!
Deb lives out in the country now, and Brandon is in college in Washington, DC. He was home for a visit.

I didn't have my camera that night, so I went searching for a picture. Unbelievably, I found this one from 2003!!
Deb is in the middle of Melissa (this Melissa is another great friend and former neighbor!) and I.
Brandon is holding the blond girl, Sierra (Megan's bestest friend ever!), in the front row.

I remember this well - we packed up the kids and went to the circus at the convention center!
We miss everyone so much!
Melissa, Sierra and Savannah live in Kansas now.

Oh my gosh - can you believe the picture of Ian and Megan!!!!

January 13th...and some cuties!!!

I couldn't resist these 2 beautiful little girls, so in love with their "ice".

Madeline is Brian and Carolyn's daughter and I believe she is 3. She reminds me SO much of Megan when she was little!
And Millie - such a doll baby! She is one and is such a fun little girl to watch, she is so smart! She is Melissa and Rod's daughter.
So, of course, I am teaching her to play...what else...the drums!

So here they are, sharing the ice that's in the bucket...