HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I've had a very nice weekend. All my orders for bears are finished. so finally I can putter about and do what I want. So this is my new years eve bear. She is carrying a clock with wings.. because you know how time flies from one year to the next! I had fun making her. I need to name her.. lets have a contest.. who can think of the perfect name for her..

We had company today, first my husbands cousin and aunt, then my mother and father in law. I baked a ham for sandwhiches, made a potato salad, deviled eggs, rosa marina salad and a cherry pie. Everything was awesome! It was nice to have everyone over.

tomorrow night we spend the evening with our closest friends, three families and sometimes some extras, get together and eat drink and be merry. (not too much drinking.. maybe two or three pina coladas or some baileys irish creme..) Actually, now that I think of it, I'm on call.. so there will be no drinkys for me! Thats ok.. the least little bit of alcohol gives me a headache anyways!

I do have to work tomorrow. but I have off tuesday.. I sure hope that the on call stuff is quiet! I got 6 hours in overtime this weekend, all easy stuff though..

Oh yeah, remember i talked about hosting another swap, one for valentines day? Well Dolly at frommycherryheart is hosting one. I'm going to do her swap instead of hosting. I encourage anyone interested to check out her blog and join her swap. She has a great one set up already!

Well, I should be getting myself ready for bed.. but first I need to go blog hopping to see whats new in all your blogs!

see ya there!

New Years resolutions anyone?

(this little birdie is part of the ornaments I made for the pink ornament exchange! I'm so glad I made one for myself, cause I really like it! )

DECEMBER is almost over.. Were about to enter into 2008! wow How fast this past year went by! Its about time to start cleaning up the christmas decorations.. isnt it? I hate the thought. Its so much work! I'm thinking of doing it all on New years day.. maybe. I'm not really in any hurry, Its just a big job. the hardest part is putting things back together!

Its about time to also start thinking about the new year. Resolutions anyone? I hate new years resolutions. I know the one I should make, to eat healthier and lose weight.. but why set myself up with something that most likely wont happen!

I am making one resolution though.. a fun one! To purchase a piece of art work from all or most of my artist idols! that list includes.. Debrina, Debra Schoch, Holly Doodle (a crown!!).. and a few more! there really are so many!

I started a miniature New Years eve bear last night... hope to finish it tonight! stay tuned for pictures..

My hubby is recouping well. A bit grumpy.. but thats pretty normal for him!! I think hes gonna get tired of being home. He actually can start driving this weekend, but hes pretty sore and worn out and I'm sure wont go far or for long. He'll go for coffee at the restaurant and see all the old men that sit around in the morning drinking coffee! He needs to do that! we need him to do that!

HI HO HI HO ITS OFF TO WORK I GO! I havent really worked in about 2 weeks it seems.. I ve been to work a couple times.. but havent really worked! ITs back to work I go today! OH Joy! I hope I can get focused when I get there. I'm on call this weekend an dall next week.. Not looking forward to that at all! Well I'm starting to feel a bit scattered.. so I better go get ready to go!

christmas comfort!

christmas comfort!
Originally uploaded by vivianneroni

First things first..
thank you all for your prayers and encouragement this last week. It has been a long and difficult week, but i do know that all was in Gods hands and christmas came about with a much sweeter taste, and a deeper appreciation than it may have otherwise. When you're looking at sickness and dispair and then move on to healing and blessings, it certainly makes the day more meaningful. I needed all of your messages of encouragement this past week, and the reminders that we were in Gods hands, also that our prayers really had been answered as things could have been much worse. Its good to have friends that help keep us mindful of blessings when we are sometimes momentarily blind to! thank you.
With all that said, I can tell you that tony is home and relaxed and enjoying his family, probably more so then he would have had he not just spent a week in ICU!
The kids showered us with wonderful gifts! I got two pair of PJs, socks, booties, a movie, candy and a Sirius radio with five months paid for! they gave me 3 pairs of earrings and filled my stocking with goodies! I also got gift certificates to CJ banks, michaels and jOanns! I dont know what else I got... too much to list is all.. candles, and other goodies! they spoiled their father as well.. He got an awful lot of movies.. we all gave him some.. I think we thought he would need to keep occupied for a bit! He also got books and lots of other neat stuff. We are blessed with wonderfully thoughtful children! And of course, we spoiled them right back!
Well, I need to go fill tonys scripts and pick up a few things for him..

MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Well, its has been a long and trying week.. Preparing for Christmas in and of its self some how is stressful. But add to that a very sick husband (who is a bit grinchy to start with) put him in the hospital and do major surgery on him, and the Stress level goes up about a million times! and talk about grinchy.. or not.. lets not talk about it.. but ok.. let me just say...hes MISERABLE. well of course he is.. he has a colostomy. temporary or not.. it is a huge ordeal. my poor baby.. Ive shed enough tears this week for the next ten years, and I am not really one to cry! I feel so bad for him.
So.. today is the day that the doctor said he could most likely come home. the nurses in ICU say, its early.. and that its not normal to let someone who has gone through this to come home yet. I say.. (just between you and me) He is not ready to come home. I dont know what I will do with him here. Dont get me wrong. I want him home. but Im very concerned about his comfort and he is sooo irritable, he is going to be a bear to live with. every sound or movement in the house is going to bug him. we have a water bed, and he is going to have a hard time sleeping there, in fact, I'm not sure he should even try to..
Well.. the good news is that with each day, he should get a little better.
Oh yes, and its Christmas eve. praise god from whom all blessings flow! My husband is strong and will recover, and this is temporary.. It could have been so much worse, and we could have even lost him if things had progressed much further. We will all be together tonight. not in the way we usually spend Christmas eve, but as a family. (sitting still and quiet, so as not to upset the bear! HA!) Oh gosh..
hmmmm.... keep us in your prayers..
and I really do appreciate all of you who stop by and those of you who leave me messages and I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas..
HUGS!!!
vivian

Heres the miniature horse that I had an order for. A girl I work with had to have her daughters horse put down and she cut off and cleaned part of the horses tail for me to use on a tiny horse for her. I think it turned out ok. I hope she likes it. I really didnt know how to make a horse, so I had to wing it! I also finished allllll those bears! my time is mine now.. well then of course theres this....

My husband did end up having to have some very serious surgery yesterday afternoon. Its been a long and difficult week! He ended up with a colostomy bag. He is a "young", strong , healthy man so this is very hard to swallow. It is temporary though. the doctor said about 3 to 6 months and then he can reverse it. thank God for that. I ve had a rough couple days and have cried my share of tears for him.. but today he is handling it pretty well, so I am feeling better. Scared to death of taking care of him when he comes home though. We're hoping that he will come home on Christmas eve. Though as much as I want him home, like I said, Im scared to have him home. Well.. god is good all the time.. and he will get us through this. I will appreciate any prayers for a quick recovery and comfort for my husband that anyone cares to send up for him.

He kicked me out of the hospital at 7:30 cause he wanted to sleep. so I came home, put on some comfy pjs, ate an english muffin and a cup of decaf tea. the kids are all out, (if you want to call them kids... ages 19 to 26) and my daughter Bethany just called and wants to come over and watch a movie with me. I mixed up a batch of sugar cookie dough, so were going to bake and decorate some cookies too.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Almost Finished!!

I am about finished with all the bears.. I have these all done and two more to finish.. The last two are done, they just needs noses and tags! Yay!! I started the miniature horse last night and I have to say vor having absolutely no idea what I was going to do, I drew a pattern and started sewing the pieces and I think it might turn out ok! I will finish it tonight!

I am exhusted! My husband is in the hospital! He had been sick for about a week, not seriously sick, but just not feeling well. Anyways, he ended up in severe pain on Monday (lower left side). I tried to get him to go to the hospital monday night and tuesday all day.. He finally let me take him tuesday afternoon.. It ended up he had a perferated bowel. He has been very lucky. The surgeon decided that it was sealing itself up and if they could get rid of the infection, he wouldnt have to do surgery. (yay) He would have ended up with a bag for a bit if they had done the surgery. they would have had to cut out about 10 inches of his colon and then would not have been able to put the two pieces back together until the infection was totally healed. then they would go back in later and attache the two ends and get rid of the bag! in any case, the dr, said he would still need the surgery in a few months when they can do it all at once when there is no infection!
My poor husband is not well though. He has a tube up him nose and into his stomach that is pumping out all stomach juices.. GROSS ! you can watch it.. very nasty. Hopefully the tube will come out today.. I think thats the worse part of Tonys hospital experience at this time. He is miserable. The dr. said he'd be there 4 to 6 days.. so hopefully he'll be home for christmas. I think he'll come home sunday or monday! He is not a good patient. and he is mean when hes sick! He told me to leave yesterday morning! Can you believe that? wont let me touch him, well.. other then to rub his FEET!!! haha..
so Christmas is a little behind schedule and I dont know if I will get every thing done at this point.. It doesnt look like cookies are going to get baked! My cards wont get mailed, and my packages definitely arent goign to make it now! they should have gone monday.. but they just didnt. My cards are written out.. I took them to the hospital.. but I dont have all the addresses together.. Maybe I can take them to work and do them on my lunch hour! I dont even know if I'll get back to the city to finish up my shopping! I'm going to have to try! Oh hell.. I'm super woman.. I'll manage right! (well hopefully anyways!)

Well I should go do something constructive.. like shower and iron.. pack a lunch and get my self together for work. I'm going to stop at the hospital and say goodmorning to my sweetie first! I need some energy! I' am just dragging myself along here!

have a lovely day!

OH!! one more thing! My sweet blog friend BRen, is having a give away on her site! go visit her! http://benzy55.typepad.com/my_weblog

BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE!

This is what it looks like out my front door this morning. They are calling for a major winter storm from last night through tomorrow morning. When I woke up this morning, I thought maybe the weather man was wrong because the road was clear and it seemed to be not so bad.. However, in the last few hours weve had freezing rain and sleet an now the snow is coming. I'm hoping the county has to shut down tomorrow so I dont have to go to work! I so hate driving in the snow! Were supposed to have blizzard like conditions at times. such fun!!

I prepared well for the storm though. I went grocery shopping Friday right after work, and then to get a few things at walmart. Then yesterday Little TOny (yay! my son is graduated and home from Arizona!!!!♥) and I went shopping all day and into the night. We got a lot done.. but I still have quite a bit to do this week. I also still have 4 more bears to make and 2 to finish up today. I'll post pics later of the order that I'm finishing today. I also have to make a miniature horse before Christmas eve!

So I've done a little more unnecessary decorating this morning.. put up two more garlands, and some more lights.. put greens and berries around the candles in the fireplace and hung the stockings (with care, of course!)

Now, I need to decide which to make for dinner, lasagna or homemade soup and bread (in the bread machine). I think I'm leaning towards the soup and bread...

.... Its quite a while later since I started writing this entry, since then , Both Jennifer and Tony have gotten their cars stuck in the snow! I'm not going no where!!

And lookie here.. My kitties go outside to go potty.. I hate litter boxes! they hate snow! he's done doing his business and ready to come back in!

"HEY! COULD I COME IN NOW PLEASE!!"

Doesnt he look a bit desparate?

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

Well, I just have to say that my swap partner ROCKS!! she spoiled me !

See all the goodies debra sent me! she even painted the box she mailed them in with snowflakes! Thank you soo much Debra! I love everything.

I'm still wanting to see everyones pictures of the swaps! Has everyone recieved or at least mailed theirs out yet? I'd love it if everyone who participated in the swap would touch base with me!

I finally finshed another bear order.. This lady wanted her bears to have blue eyes, as her husband had blue eyes, (he died of cancer this year.. ) so I made the bears with blue eyes.. eiy yie yie! (ha!) anyways.. I dont care for those eyes not one bit.. and guess what , she wasnt really thrilled about the color either! I didnt offer to change them though because I still have an order for 8, an order for 2 and two single bears to do, AND a miniature horse! so on that note.. I really should go work on something!

but.. just one more thing.. Im putting my tree up tonight.. so I probably wont work on any bears tonight.. (I did this morning though!)

OK.. one more thing.. I made a roast for dinner and doesnt my husband, whose not feeling well today, calls and says, "I'm sorry , but I really want pizza!!!!" eiy yie yie!! so.. perhaps, tomorrows dinner is already done!! OK, waiting to hear from all you swappers. I have seen some of the snowmen, and they have been wonderful!!


prepare yourselfs for a valentine swap in january, I figure we will have to have them finished and in the mail by Feb, 4th! what do you think?
gotta go!

so busy!! tomorrows bethanys 22 nd birthday. Ive been wasting time since I got home from work, playing on the computer with those silly NYC pictures.. check out my flickr.. I have most of them posted. I still have to make Beths cake and wrap her presents. I also have gifts to wrap for kids at work that need to go with me in the am. It seems there was something else.. but maybe its just bears..

BEARS BEARS BEARS!!! good grief! I cant wait to get them all finished! this order of five will be done by friday! then I start the next order of 8, which is already cut out.. then theres 4 more.. and a horse.. I plan on having everything finished by the 19th!! wish me luck!

so has everyone mailed out their snowmen? I'm waiting to hear from everyone and to see pictures! keep me posted ! I hope everyones having fun!

brrrr! its cold here.. I think I need to go turn up the heat! Im leaving you with some pictures.. stay warm!

this is what I recieved in the pink ornament swap from Amber e! I love them all Amber.. You did a great job! And you were worried about it! they are perfect!

And this one was recieved from becca at bluebirdroses@blogspot.comI bought this from sea dream studios.. isnt it beautiful!? I had to have it!

another little splurge item.. I have to quit buying things for myself!!

I saw a little ornament similiar to this in NYC and tried to make one last night. I thought it came out cute.

this is my splurge item in NYC. A steiff rudolph! isnt he the cutest darn thing!?

I'm back! I had a great time.. went to the empire state building, yes, I did it, I went up and out on the observation deck! loved it! but I was scared at first! went on the subway.. didnt like that too much. something about being underground disturbs me!
did alot of shopping and site seeing..
went to see the broadway performance of Hairspray! It was awesome!
Went to see the Rockettes.. even more awesome!! Went to a dinner theatre.. very crowded, but fun!
went to grand central station, and I cant even begin to tell you all the places we saw. Central park... ground zero.. we ate at a bakery that was right there... very sad. I took about 250 pictures, I did up load them to my computer, but it'll take a while to get them all on flickr and in a set.. but if you want to see them go to my flickr site! I did get a bunch on there tonight.
Anyways.. I am exhusted and trying hard to catch up on the weekend.. since I didnt know I was going til thursday, I did not have time to plan and prepare.. therefore, nothing that normally gets done on the weekend got done!
I have bears to work on.. and I need to get them finished as soon as possible.
we are having a winter storm today/tonight and tomorrow! (hate snow!) It was not very pleasant driving home tonight from work. but tis the season!
I hope everyone has their snowman about done and ready to go.. Theres a lot of you I havent heard from! Im dying to know what your all making!!!
OK.. I have to go back to flickr now.. this is my flickr address..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41916737@N00/
so check it out!
OH! I recieved a my 12 days of christmas swap!!! dying to open all 12 of those gifts! I also recieved two more of the pink christmas ornament swap items.. there are 5 in all.. I've recieved 3 of them.. people are so creative! I did mail my snowman to Debra..
Ok friends.. I'm stressing here, got to get busy on those bears!