Cuzzins

A mid-winter family get-together

We had a great day today at my Little Bro's house.

We celebrated my neice & nephews birthdays

Grant & Alex

As my sis and I were standing around talking we were thinking how neat it isthat our family has grown up a close-knit family and have remained that way.

It's easy when the cousins are all younger and still living at home. We...the mom's and dad's packed up the kids and they went with us because, well.... they had to. (but really they wanted to)

Now some of the cousins are all grown up... they've live away from home and make their own decisions and choices

they still come...

because they want to !

and they do it because there cousins and they really do enjoy being together!

Now we have 2nd generation cousins

and...

Cousin-in-laws

It warms my heart to see all the big cousins make an effort to join the younger cousins for their birthdays, I know the little ones adore the big ones !!!

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A few more pics from the party today...

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Christmas 09

The cousins (missing Jamey & Kate)

They are a "special group"

Black-tie protection

How many times have you heard the sales pitch

for an extended warranty, when you make that big purchase?

We have done alot of business at best buy and we alway say....
"NO THANKS" when the pitch goes out at the register.
EXCEPT for one time....

The time we bought my "Big camera"

I bought my "big camera" a little over a year ago. The salesman brought up the whole spiel about the "black tie protection plan" (extended warranty). It basically covered everything that could happen to my camera. Our first thought was "no thanks", but after milling over it for a bit we agreed it would probably be a good idea. You see I take alot of Nature pictures...I LOVE being out in the elements. Where I go...my camera goes. For example my camera was out with me this winter when I was traipsing around Oxbow park in sub-below weather. The temp was -15 and the windchill -30

Camera's can be very vulnerable in the cold cold air.

But I take my chances....

...and I take pictures of winter

~~~

A couple of weeks ago I ventured out again after one of our many beautiful snowfalls. I parked the car, removed my camera from it's padded case, turned it on and saw something like this...

(cracked LCD screen)

My first thought..... Not good

I felt a little sick to my stomach, thinking about the price I paid for my camera, and how I would never be able to replace it and how I would miss it and then I remembered...

"The Black Tie Protection Plan"...whoooo hoooooo
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I marched right over to best buy with warranty in hand and presented my wounded camera. They took care of it, I had it back less than 2 weeks later and I'm a happy girl.

*

This time.... it was worth what we paid to protect our investment and I'm glad we did

all better now :)

~~~

My favorite little....nature shot

TODAY

THINGS I DID TODAY....

Spent the morning doing my favorite thing,

*sippin' on my Chocolate/Raspberry lite Latte while....

*reading...learning and growing in my faith.

~~~

Yesterday a walked past this little treasure,

picked it up.... put it down...opened it up....then put it down.

*Today, I found a $10 off coupon on-line and hiked over to the mall to purchase this (already 30% off) Nicole Miller clutch :)

I did use my Christmas money that I got from my in-laws so I dont have to feel a bit guilty.
~

*I went to Walgreens for the first time and was pleased to say they get big points for having the toilet paper dispenser in the correct place,

If you dont get my point you can see my blog about this subject that I did a while ago .
http://jackie000.blogspot.com/2009/03/contortionist-moves-and-knee-injuries.html

~

*On the way home I notice the BLUE sky peeking out from under the clouds

~~~

*Got home and decided to go for a walk....

while listening to my book on tape that my wonderful husband got me for Valentines day.

~

To top the day off, we got a visit from Brianna & Chris and....
This little one....about to give grandma a kiss :)

February 18th is a special day for a special boy.

Wanted to give a Happy Birthday "shout out" to one of my favorite blog readers.....

My awesome nephew, Grant.

Happy happy Birthday Mr. 8 yr old :)

Hope you enjoyed your day

See you next weekend

Gemstones & Diamonds

Rick oftens says to me...

" you only have 10 fingers", why would you want another ring???

I have always loved jewelry...especially rings, can you tell?

These are a few of my favorites...

~~~

Citrine & diamonds, set in yellow gold

I bought the one on the left, a birthday gift from Rick on the right

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Green sapphire & Aqumarine need to be set in white gold...

can't forget the garnish of diamonds.

~

Dear to my heart is Rhodilite garnet, my daughters birthstone.

Its got more of a "wine color" instead of the classic orangey-red.

~~~

Oh how I love Peridot, pronounced... per-i-doh

such a lovely shade of lime green

~

Black pearl & diamonds, set in 14 k yellow gold...

Got this one in Hawaii for our 15 year anniversary.

~

Ever heard the saying...

"DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND"?

~~~

(top left) wedding ring, (top right) anniversary band, (bottom) mom's wedding set

...well I woudn't say my best friend is a diamond, but it's a close 2nd :)

***

Ever have one of those days....

... I had one today

~

Somedays I just wanna go plow streets & parking lots, or be a barista at caribou,

or water the plants at apache mall.

~

Tomorrow will be a better day... I'm sure of it !

Valentines weekend

Friday night...about midnight I walked through the livingroom and looked out the front window. I saw the most amazing picture. Our big tree in the front was covered with hoarfrost, the thickest, most beautiful frost I've ever seen. The street light in front of our house accented it's beauty. My first thought was, "man...I gotta get my camera and tripod and capture this moment. Then I remembered, my camera is in the "shop". Sigh... guess I'l have to wait till morning and get some shots in dayight with my little "point & shoot"

Saturday Morning

****

Rick and I enjoyed our Saturday together, chatting at Caribou in the morning, then running errands, and relaxing in the afternoon. Rick made me a yummy, omelette for supper and soon after our little Valentine came over so her mommy & daddy could go out on a date.

Audrey Joanne is our Joy... we played and played and giggled alot. She is such a fun baby!
***
Valentines day.... Today

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Church in the morning, then the mall for lunch.

We came home and Rick & I hung our new (beautiful) picture above the sofa. We sat admiring our "newly" finished upstairs. We really feel like we have a new house, and we're so glad we took on this redecorating & fix-up project... the results are rewarding ! We love it !!!

~

Tonight, Rick took me to Victoria's for a wonderful dinner...

It was truly lovely, we were seated by a window, with a clear view of the snow falling outside. Those of you that know me, know that I was in my glory. Rick & I enjoyed the amazing loaves of Victoria's bread, and shared what Rochester voted as the "top italian meal" this year.... Mechi's chicken. Mmmm mmm good. If you have never tryed mechi's chicken, it's time you did .

***

After some great conversation & food we returned home to watch a movie on our new blue ray player which was playing on our brand new 47" widescreen TV. We watched Master & Commander with Russell Crowe, I kinda felt like I was at the theater :)

~~~

Did I mention we are also empty-nesting... Gavin traveled to Duluth to hang out with some buddies at UMD and do some down hill skiing at Spirit Mountain (lucky duck)

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Hope you all enjoyed your weekend in whatever way was special to you !!!

When God made you

I wonder what God was thinking...

when He created you.

~

I wonder if He...

~

knew everything I would need, because He made all my dreams come true.

When God made you....

~

he must have been thinking about me ! ! !

I've never been so sure about anything in my life....

~~~

I Love you Rick,

Happy Valentines day

(Lyrics from "When God made you") Newsong

Winter

You simply cannot deny the beauty of this day....

freshly fallen snow

mild temperatures

no wind

blue skies

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (psalm 118:24)

we are to rejoice in spring, summer, fall AND winter !!!

Icicles: A tapering spike of ice formed by the freezing of dripping or falling water.

Did I mention Blue skies

I wanted to share a funny little thing that happened

in the elevator, on the way up to work on Monday.

Man in the elevator:
" I dont care if it's Minnesota... I dont care if it's winter"... "I HATE IT"

I just smiled and said , "I kinda like winter, have a nice day", and off I went.

Those of you who dont enjoy this time of year,

I have some advice...

be still

enjoy the quiet

There is no air fresher that that of winter
God's beauty is all around you, It's just another season...it really is amazing!

Without winter there wouldnt be spring,

so look forward to spring, it'll be here before you know it.

SPRING