Goodbye to 2011

Less than six hours left in 2011---how will it be remembered? For me, it's been a love/hate relationship. I love that my Mom and I have gotten closer this year. I hate that my sister, Karen and I have grown further apart. I love that my Grand kids are back in Missouri. I hate that Brad and Chely are divorcing. I love that I got to see a different part of our country when I went to Utah. I hate that the kids had to move away for me to see Utah. I love that once again Doyle and I were able to travel to Minnesota for Kruse-a-palooza. I hate that Roy was not there to enjoy it with us. I love that Doyle and I both have jobs. I hate that gas is so expensive. I love that my sister, Irene was able to come and visit several times this year. I hate that my sister, Irene lives so far away. I love that we have our health. I hate that I had to start blood pressure medicine this year. I think that I could go til midnight making this list! Like every year in the past and every year to come, 2011 has had it's bad with the good. I'm most thankful that 2011 was spent with the people that I love and that love me. I've never been blessed with the "best" of things or a ton of money BUT I have something far more valuable and important. I have a husband that loves me for me, a son that I'm extremely proud of, and the BEST Grand kids. I wake up happy and thankful each morning for the blessings that I've been given and thank God each night for those same blessings.

Priorities

My work week is over (finally) and now I have a few days at home before heading back next Monday. My house needs some serious attention after Christmas and the Grand kids being out of school and around. Also my laundry seems to have multiplied and is more than usual (hummmmm). What I want to be doing is to be in my craft room. I'm thinking ahead to 2012 and my resolutions. I have this idea to make a "inspiration" board. I already have the cork board, so all I need to do is decorate it and start pinning stuff to it. So, I need to put up the computer, get busy on the work, and then I get to play! Happy Thursday, everyone.

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas!! We had our Christmas yesterday, since that's when Brad had the kiddo's. Today we'll have lunch with my Mom and then hopefully get back home in time to take down the decorations (what little we put up). Tomorrow, it's back to work for me, Doyle has the day off. I love Christmas but my heart just wasn't in it this year. I think this is the first year that we didn't send any Christmas cards and I didn't make any treats. Hopefully, next year will be better. I already have some ideas floating around my head for some small crafty gifts to make for next year. Despite my mood about the season, yesterday was a day to forget everything and just enjoy my family. We did have a great day, seeing my grand kids happy is all the present I needed.

It's Almost Time

One week--that's what we're down to. Actually, it's less than that for these Kruse's. Brad will have the kids' on Christmas Eve so that's when we'll have our Christmas. Doyle and I went and got groceries this morning and I had finished up the Christmas shopping on Friday. I have a bed full of gifts to wrap yet today. We decided that we would have steaks (Emily loves Papa Doyle's steaks), Green Bean Casserole (Brad loves it), baked potatoes (my favorite), and Cheesecake (Patrick's favorite), for Christmas Eve dinner. Now we just have to decide how "Santa" will visit. If all else fails I'll have Brad take the kids for a little "light seeing" drive and Santa can deliver there presents then. I'm anxious to see the kids' get there presents, that is truly the best part of Christmas. Doyle and I had decided much earlier in the year not to exchange gifts but I do need to make him a card yet. I must say that I'm ready for 2011 to be done, it's been a rough year with a lot of heartache and I hope that 2012 will be a much better year.

Christmas is Coming---Ready or Not!

It's time for me to get serious about Christmas shopping! I have bought a few gifts and have most of the goodies for the stockings BUT, I have a lot more shopping to do. So, I'm off to Springfield bright and early in the morning. Hopefully, I will find everything I need and be finished by tomorrow night. I promised Miss Emily that I would take her shopping (she wants to get her little brothers some gifts), so I will probably end up taking her to Springfield on Saturday (unless I can talk her into shopping in West Plains). We can't wait too long or we won't be able to move around in the stores! I'm hoping to put up our tree and decorate on Sunday (if not before). I decided to wait until the weekend so the little ones could help. I haven't even decided if we're sending out cards this year or not---I guess it depends on if I buy some. I should have made cards this year, but with everything going on, it's just not going to happen. Well I'm off to make a list for tomorrow----wish me luck!!!