A Christmas Surprise!

Sometimes, it is hard to surprise Lorrie for Christmas. Not this year! She hinted that she wanted 6 green Buffalo mugs (Buffalo China is unique, but not manufactured any longer). Mackenzie told Lorrie back in November she found the 6GBMs at an estate sale, and it would be nice if I got them for her for her birthday. But, when I found out Kenzie was planning to give Lorrie 2 white BMs, I bought the green ones, but told Lorrie nothing. They showed up on M&M's website as sold, so Lorrie was bummed I didn't move fast enough. She was surprised when she got the white ones, and loved them. But everytime we used them this past month, I would bemoan the fact everytime when they were in the dishwasher that we couldn't have hot chocolate in our mugs, because they were dirty. Lorrie would then give me a hard time about missing the opportunity to buy the 6 GBMs, and I just snickered to myself like Snoopy. Needless to say, the foundation was laid for the mother of all surprises, when she opened her final present on Christmas morning. (See above.) This was better (and cheaper) than those commercials with the new cars with ribbons on them in the driveway.

Flamethrower!

I'm sure many of you got a chuckle out of reading our Christmas family newsletter (WHAT? you didn't read the newsletter? Too bad if you didn't, it was written by Malorie this year, it was short and amusing!). I'll refer specifically to the line that read, "Kirt and Lorrie are now half a century old. They celebrated their golden birthday by taking a trip for McCall and purchasing a vacuum."

Normally, that wouldn't be a newsworthy item...NORMALLY! But this wasn't a normal situation. Here what happened. On November 8, I was vacuuming the downstairs, getting it ready for the 30 people we were having over for a little social. We have a central vac, and for years, the power in the powerhead just cuts out, but then starts right back up again, because the little plug in thingy isn't QUITE making the connection. On this particular day, right as I was finishing, a ONE FOOT FLAME shot out, scaring me and causing the damage you see in the above pictures. I had the presence of mind NOT to drop the powerhead on the carpet, although I will admit that I blew on it twice.

So, on our way to McCall, we stopped to see if this one could be repaired. Our friends at Coltrin Central Vac got quite the kick out of seeing it, and talked us into buying a new one, instead, which we did, happily. That's the story.

Christmas Quilt

This is a photo of the Christmas Quilt I finished in November. It was designed by my friend and neighbor, Carol, who is also a member of my quilting group. Several of us made the quilt, and, as always, it's fun to see the individual interpretation of the blocks making up the quilt. Mine is made up entirely of green and red scraps, none of them "Christmas" fabrics. (and for you Old Town Pewter fans, that is my soup tureen doing double duty as a pot for my poinsettia!)

There are five different trees, and these are two of my favorites.

This is a paper-pieced quilt (VERY small pieces of fabric!), and worth every stitch in the fabric! This quilt is currently gracing my front hallway, and bring Christmas cheer to me every time I come up the stairs or in the door! Merry Christmas to you!

Half Century Mark . . . the rest of the story!

There are so many accomplishments that one could point to at arriving the half century mark. Lost hair, found wisdom and calming tempermant all seem to arrive with age. But the most important stepping stone and badge of honor is . . . The Colonoscopy! Columnist Dave Barry says it best here, but he did leave a few details and advice out.

For those of you too embarrassed to enjoy this post, just wait. The time will come when it will be meaningful to you. More importantly, you might be related to someone over 50 who, like Dave Barry was procrastinating the prognosticator and may need a shove. To put it simply, it isn't all that bad.

First, you set aside a day of your life to lose 5 lbs by not eating anything that requires teeth (good for preparing for the toothless times in 30 years). Your liquid diet must not include anything red in color (reason for that is explained below). So, I chose a bonus fast Sunday to do this. The program is to clean out the plumbing from all normal "waste" so the camera that winds through your inner casing is not obstructed by dark colors. It starts like you just ate food your birthday week in McCall that results in food poisoning (minus the projectile vomit). When that has pretty much cleaned you out normally, you draw upon the magical potion you received from your local pharmacist: Halflytely. In the old days, you drank a gallon of a thick, milky substance that resembled a salty milk shake. Now, the drink is light and only 1/2 gallon; hence Halflytely! This new product, when mixed with a packet of Crystal Light lemonade (not included with the batteries in this product, and don't use the flavors provided), and after chilling in the fridge for 24 hours, makes this drink almost taste like Gaterorade. Not too bad.

You drink a glass every 10 minutes, until you're done. Now, normally after a set of tennis in 98 degree weather, I have no problem downing that much liquid. Try it when you're looking forward to this event. Soon, the magical potion does its magic and, like Draino, flushes out your system. After a short while, it is like whatever you drink flows directly through you. Now, the reason you can't intake red Jello or red popcicles: This instant liquid voiding soon takes on the color of the intake. So, yes, first lemonade, then green Jello exited that portal in liquid form. If you like variety, eat green Jello, blue popcicles and Crystal Light lemonade! Then, you'll enjoy a rainbow of fun.

Really, this all wasn't so bad. And by the time I have to do it again in "about 5 years" (translated 8-10 years) according to my doctor who found everything fine, the prep-process might even be less intimidating. By then, you might just take a pill and read a book on the Throne and be done.

Now, for the process: except for the embarassing backless gown, and the nurse asking me to turn on my side and make sure I'm not resting on my gown when I am put out (so there is easy access), there is nothing else to remember. They give you a drug that puts you to sleep and makes you happy, and the next thing you know, you're trying to dress yourself in a slightly drunken stupor with your wife laughing as she watches. Perhaps the most traumatizing part is your wife having to drive you home (for her and you), with you in a drugged out state of mind.

So, if you have been putting it off, and you are "due," don't wait. You'll be glad you did. And I think I'll send away for my tacky certificate from Dave Barry.

Cookies Galore!

This week was the week to bake sugar cookies...16 dozen of the delectable darlings. I've been making sugar cookies forever, and always delivered a plate to wherever Kirt has been working at the holiday season. On November 1, 2000, Kirt started his own firm. He wanted to give a gift to two of his biggest clients, but alas, money was a little tight, so he asked if I could make a platterful of cookies for each of them, which I was more than happy to do. Since then, things have gotten A LOT better, but these two particular clients always inquire "if they're going to get cookies this year." Of course! So I start with a triple batch, baked in a convection oven...

(this is always my favorite cookie, the tiniest scrap, too small to make anything but an artsy blob)

...and here is the finished product. These are only 9 dozen, frosted. I make a triple batch of frosting, too. Over the years, I've learned that less is more, so I've simplified, and gone with only one shape. The rest are tucked away in the freezer, awaiting their turn.

Remnants of Reese

This is what is left of Reese after she left on Sunday. This is a little card she crumpled in her tiny hand...

little Reesie crumbs under her chair...

Reesie smudges on the mirror...

empty baby food jars that Reesie ate. Reese also ate Grandma's good good good green beans, peaches and applesauce. I miss her little sounds. I miss holding her.

When I married Kirt, I didn't think there could be anyone I could love as much, then we had Jake, Kenzie and Malorie. I never thought there could be an equal to these three, but then they married Lindsay, Tyler and Jonathan. Then came Reese! I can't even describe the emotions that this little girl brings out in me. It was just great to spend time with her. Malorie commented that our home was a little messy, but I didn't seem to mind. I didn't. It was more important to spend time with my kids and Reese!

1st Annual Naylor Turkey Trot--2008

On Thanksgiving Day, around 9:30 AM, we had our first annual Naylor Family Turkey Trot. Our motto: "We don't walk!" Jake, Lindsay, Malorie and Jon all run, (so do Tyler and Kenzie, but they were in Virginia!) and I started running in September. I'm obviously the weak link. Our goal--run three miles without stopping to walk. I would have stopped to walk several times, but my kids faithfully stayed by my side, and wouldn't let me! I did it! Thanks to Grandpa Naylor for staying home with Reese!

I went running again this morning, alone. It's nice running in cold weather. It was great UNTIL about half a mile into the run, I missed a curb and went down. I skinned my knee, made a hole in my sweats, and walked a few steps so I could ascertain my injuries, which were minimal. A little blood and a hole, and my hands stung a little, but broke my fall. Thankfully, the sun hadn't quite come up, so no one saw me fall. THEN, about a half mile from home, on the little path leading from Rose Creek to Charleston Place, I came across a very big black lab, with no owner in sight. He stood still and stared at me. I again slowed to a walk (so he wouldn't chase me down), and didn't make eye contact, and started running again once I was off the path. I didn't look back, I hope he was gone. What should I have done? I made it home, showed my skinned knee and hole and whined about the dog a little to Kirt, who showed appropriate sympathy. The sunrise this morning made it all worth it, though.