Out With the Old...

The last day of 2005... what a year it was.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Nan's Post: Two Weeks and Counting

It has been a busy couple of weeks... We have finally finished painting the bedroom, and we're ready to do the spare/den/anything room. I just taped off everything but the ceiling and the yellow paint will go on tonight. By Christmas we hope to have the bathroom, hallway, and kitchen done as well. Here's hoping...

Only two weeks until Christmas and I cannot wait. I've been enjoying the Christmas songs, the Christmas TV specials (nothing says it better than It's Christmas, Charlie Brown), and Christmas cards. All of the gifts have been bought (or made) and wrapped up. Nothing more to do but take it all in and enjoy every moment.

My sisters and their families, and maybe even their dogs, will be here from Boston next week. I can't wait to see how everyone has grown or changed. I enjoy having all of my family together, but I think I appreciate it more now that I don't live with my mom and dad. It can get pretty crazy with ALL of the siblings, husbands, wives, children all together. I especially like when we all do stuff as a group ... zoo lights, movies, skiing, et cetera... but I don't know how much is actually possible.

Did I mention that it is snowing like crazy? We may get six inches today; thank goodness the condo association takes care of the shoveling! But I can take care of the snowmen and snowangels!

Ken's Post: What a week!

Hello all out there! Sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been pretty busy or not feeling well. Just seen the end of yet another Lion loss. That's the way to start a week. Can't wait to hear sports talk all week. I've been waiting to see what bowl game Michigan is going to, and I keep checking the links to get the scoop.
Since my last post it has gotten much colder outside, but that hasn't stopped me and Nan. I am behind on the painting, but I hope to get it going this week. However, we (mostly Nan) have decorated the place for Christmas, and we decorated out FIRST Christmas tree together the other night. That was very exciting for us. I must say that the place looks great! It looks like people live here.
This week we also picked up our invitations for the wedding, so be on the look out for those in 6 months. Otherwise, things just keep rolling. We are about 95% done with our Christmas shopping. Thankfully!!!
Well I am going to start dinner, fold some clothes, and write some Christmas cards. GOD BLESS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Nan's Post: Another Tuesday

I love a five-day weekend. Thanksgiving this year was spent with the Durisin family: 35 people in one house (and that's with four who couldn't make it this year), food that never stopped coming, and football games that made you cry. All in all, a typical Thanksgiving Day. We then made it to Ken's Aunt Judy and Uncle Mark's house for dessert and Texas Hold 'Em poker. It was a lot of fun, and it was nice to meet his family.

Friday we met some of the family in Novi for the Festival of Trees. I always enjoy being with my sisters and their families as we walk around. The trees, gingerbread houses, and wreaths were great. But my absolute favorite was the Curious George tree- creative, unique, and funny- it should have won first prize!

Saturday Ken and I ordered our wedding invitations and everything that goes with them. We also looked for cake tops, and we finally found one online that we like. That's two things down and only about 150 more to go...

We started to put up Christmas decorations on Sunday and Monday. We still aren't done and probably won't be until Christmas Eve. It's just very hard when we are also painting; putting stuff up and then having to move them, only to move them back... It's a never-ending process.
And that brings us to today- Tuesday. I am home from subbing at Carkenord. It's a school I like, it's close by, and the classes I've been in have all been great. I have two more things to add to my list of "Good Things About Being a Substitute":
3) No papers to correct, grade, or document.
4) No parent / teacher conferences.
It's still a very small list.

Nan's Post: Other People's Thoughts

What is it about reading other people's thoughts? I just got done reading my friend Sarah's sister's Blog. I found it terribly interesting- mostly, I think, because I recognized some of the pictures she had posted and some of the events she wrote about. I was excited by that; but I had to stop and realize that... this was not some stranger, but someone I've known since I was a child. No big deal.
It's crazy how caught-up I can get when I read. And maybe that's why I found Mary Beth's blog so interesting- I love to read. Books. Magazines. Billboards. Cereal boxes. Anything. Everything. Whatever has words, I will read it.

Nan's Post: The Holidays

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is two days away. It seems almost impossible- I still have boxes from June that need unpacking. My old room at Mom and Dad's still has a bunch of things that need to be moved over here. Next thing you know, Christmas will be here and I only have one thing bought.
I have come to realize there are only a few nice things about substitute teaching:
1) When you have a wild, unruly class, you get to go home and never go back to it.
2) You get holidays off. (I found out that Christmas/Winter vacation is a full two weeks!)
3) ...??
Maybe there are only those two good things. I really don't have anything else good to say about it.

Ken's Post: The First...

The first snowfall of the year I experienced on my way into work this morning. Driving up to Port Huron it started with just a few flakes then turned into this mess. The wind was over 20 mph; it was cold and slippery. With all the open fields out here the winds forces the snow across the highway and makes it even more dangerous. But I made it there and back safely. Nice and dry in Chesterfield, amazing what a few miles can do.

The Day After- Nan's Post

Wow, what a night! As you can see, Sarah, Kirstie, and I were ready to go! Greektown Casino was loads of fun. Why is it that one person seems to win everything and the rest of us get nothing? Well, it wasn't me this time, but at least I balanced out... I started with $15.00 and ended up with $14.00. (The nickel and penny slots were kind to me.)
Ken met up with us at Loco's for dinner (looking VERY sad about Michigan's horrible loss). He didn't have much of an appetite, but went back to the casinowith us for the rest of the evening. We ended up at their bar watching the Pistons get spanked and the Wings lose. Not a fun night for Detroit sports.
Kirstie's fundraiser for her fifth grade class to go to a week-long camp was a success. Two luxury buses were full and everyone had a BlaSt!

Michigan Lost

Yet another let down from the Michigan football team this year. 4 losses, what can you say. It was a beautiful day for a game, clear sky, slight breeze, and good friends. Michigan started slow then turned it on until seven minutes left when they fell apart and lost the game. Thankfully PSU won, meaning OSU is not the Big Ten representative in the BCS. However, they may still get an invite. After the game I met up with Nancy and her gang at Greektown, but was pretty down after the loss. I'm sure she'll tell you all about her day. Have to go and be up early for mass. GO BLUE!!

Nan's Post

We are just about out the door for the day. Ken is pumped for the Michigan-Ohio State game. He is welcome to it... cold bleachers, elbows and knees bumping into every inch of one's body, shouting and swearing fans. I tried it once, and once was good enough for me.
I am going to spend the day with friends... and the evening at the Greektown Casino for a fundraiser (wouldn't it be nice to raise some of my funds, too).
All in all, a long day for both of us. It should be great!

Ken's Post

Just finished painting the kitchen ceiling and wanted to see what was going on in the internet world. The only ceiling we have left to do is the livingroom, then it will be onto the walls. FUN stuff!!

The Reason...

This is our very own red maple tree. At least, we think it's a red maple tree.

At least it's red. And a tree.

Two out of three ain't bad.