Christmas is over and what a great one it was. The house looked lovely and was decorated with ornaments and items from our travels. We had a 10 foot tree in the family room that was just gorgeous. I made some gorgeous bows for the top and added a lot of extra sparkles. With all the fluff on top, it looked to be about 13 feet tall. In the office was a 6 foot tree with ornaments from our travels. We buy ornaments when we travel and that has turned into a beautiful, unique tree. I did a 9 foot Bama tree in the media room that was decorated with black, crimson, and white everything. We had ribbons, bows, elephant ornaments, and UA ornaments. The topper was a Bear Bryant hounds tooth hat with lots of "umph" on top. We also added shakers, a car tag, ball caps, and flags. Of course there was a hounds tooth tree skirt. It was amazing.
My mom got me a large metal cow that is painted in great colors, I'm going to put it in the basement when we get it ready this spring/summer. In addition to other things, I got a North Face jacket and a new laptop, which was necessary as my other one was about to crash. Tide Guy got a pellet gun and some UGG house shoes. He also got a propane standing heater that will be great around the pool. We both got some cash and some other goodies. We got tickets to see Celtic Women. Oh, and we got tickets to the National Championship Game!!! YES!!! We are going to THE game Santa left the tickets in our hounds tooth stockings in the media room.
The Niece had a great Christmas. She finally got it this year. Meaning, she knew she would get more than one gift. In years past, she would open one gift and want to play with that item without opening any more. No longer. The paper was flying. She racked up, too. She got an iPad, iPod, New Balance shoes like her dad's, Justin Bieber items, John Deere tractor items, tons of Ken (of Barbie and Ken) items, the Barbie camper and accessories, a BB gun (and "bullets", or as we call them "BBs"), a Wii game, a DS game, and some outside toys. She had a blast and it was such a joy to watch her.
I painted four of the side boards for the deck and we got those up yesterday. It was freezing, but we got that done. Now, I've to paint more so we can get those up and get the railing back up.
Well, today is another busy day. The Niece is having a friend over to spend the night and I'm going to help by spending the night, too. I will probably be exhausted tomorrow.
Have a great one!
Tide Gal
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Catching Up....Again!
Ugh. So much has happened since the last post.
Let's start with Bama football. We were undefeated until we played LSU in November. We lost in overtime 9-6. We could have won the game as we missed several field goals. It was just heart breaking. Our hopes for a National Championship were gone. Then, for the next several weeks, things just started happening to put us back into position to play in the big game in January. There were several major upsets in other games and conferences. Suddenly, if the voting went our way, we were back in. And it happened. So now, Bama is playing LSU in New Orleans for the National Championship. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this game. Some saying we should not be in it as we lost a game, even though we lost in over time to the number one team. Some saying there should not be a "rematch" between the two teams. Some saying two SEC teams should not be playing. Some are saying LSU should play Oklahoma St because OSU lost a game a few days after their women's basketball coach was killed in a plane crash. Anyway, since New Orleans is in LSU's backyard and easy driving distance from Alabama, ticket prices are insane. Insane as in over $1,500 EACH!! And that is for the upper endzone tickets. We are hoping prices go down after Christmas. Way down. Regardless, we are going and meeting a lot of friends in New Orleans. We are still hopeful for tickets between now and game time. I have been to the past two National Championship games and I just have to go to this one.
Other big football news surrounds Penn State and a retired assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky. He has been arrested and is being charged with child abuse. It seems the abuse on boys has been going on for many years. Joe Paterno was forced to retire mid-season since he was informed about the alleged abuse about 20 years ago. At first he had a lot of support from some students, but now things have quieted down. And, even worse, since his ousting, Joe Pa now has cancer and is going through treatments.
On a brighter note, Tide Guy put the very last board onto the deck last weekend. Ah!! Love it. Now, we have to have the tub put back onto the tub deck, remove all the railing, add "sides", and put the rails back on. It will be nice to have the whole deck completely done. But, the "sides" are hardy board and will have to be painted. Now, with it with it so cold it will be a problem trying to paint outside.
We also cleaned up a bit in the back yard last weekend. More limbs and trees are gone. I think we are to the point where the tree cutting may be beyond our abilities.
In the adoption world, China is still slow. Nuff said.
Gas prices are actually going down and we paid $2.97 the other day!! Finally.
We just had Christmas at my mom's yesterday. The Niece (turned 5 last month) had a blast. Before eating and opening gifts, she rode her scooter inside the house singing loudly "it's the most wonderful time of the year". It was hilarious. She has finally gotten the opening gifts thing. Now she knows that she gets more than one gift. In times past, she would open a gift and want to play with it at that very moment not realizing there were other gifts. She also got "The Elf on the Shelf" which has been so much fun for her.
Christmas is today at my dad's and Sunday morning we will go to my brother's house since Santa will visit The Niece Saturday night. I think Tide Guy and I will exchange gifts after lunch Sunday.
Well, I hope not, but this may be the last post this year. Maybe I'll have time to get back to update Christmas events!!
Til Then,
Tide Gal
Let's start with Bama football. We were undefeated until we played LSU in November. We lost in overtime 9-6. We could have won the game as we missed several field goals. It was just heart breaking. Our hopes for a National Championship were gone. Then, for the next several weeks, things just started happening to put us back into position to play in the big game in January. There were several major upsets in other games and conferences. Suddenly, if the voting went our way, we were back in. And it happened. So now, Bama is playing LSU in New Orleans for the National Championship. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this game. Some saying we should not be in it as we lost a game, even though we lost in over time to the number one team. Some saying there should not be a "rematch" between the two teams. Some saying two SEC teams should not be playing. Some are saying LSU should play Oklahoma St because OSU lost a game a few days after their women's basketball coach was killed in a plane crash. Anyway, since New Orleans is in LSU's backyard and easy driving distance from Alabama, ticket prices are insane. Insane as in over $1,500 EACH!! And that is for the upper endzone tickets. We are hoping prices go down after Christmas. Way down. Regardless, we are going and meeting a lot of friends in New Orleans. We are still hopeful for tickets between now and game time. I have been to the past two National Championship games and I just have to go to this one.
Other big football news surrounds Penn State and a retired assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky. He has been arrested and is being charged with child abuse. It seems the abuse on boys has been going on for many years. Joe Paterno was forced to retire mid-season since he was informed about the alleged abuse about 20 years ago. At first he had a lot of support from some students, but now things have quieted down. And, even worse, since his ousting, Joe Pa now has cancer and is going through treatments.
On a brighter note, Tide Guy put the very last board onto the deck last weekend. Ah!! Love it. Now, we have to have the tub put back onto the tub deck, remove all the railing, add "sides", and put the rails back on. It will be nice to have the whole deck completely done. But, the "sides" are hardy board and will have to be painted. Now, with it with it so cold it will be a problem trying to paint outside.
We also cleaned up a bit in the back yard last weekend. More limbs and trees are gone. I think we are to the point where the tree cutting may be beyond our abilities.
In the adoption world, China is still slow. Nuff said.
Gas prices are actually going down and we paid $2.97 the other day!! Finally.
We just had Christmas at my mom's yesterday. The Niece (turned 5 last month) had a blast. Before eating and opening gifts, she rode her scooter inside the house singing loudly "it's the most wonderful time of the year". It was hilarious. She has finally gotten the opening gifts thing. Now she knows that she gets more than one gift. In times past, she would open a gift and want to play with it at that very moment not realizing there were other gifts. She also got "The Elf on the Shelf" which has been so much fun for her.
Christmas is today at my dad's and Sunday morning we will go to my brother's house since Santa will visit The Niece Saturday night. I think Tide Guy and I will exchange gifts after lunch Sunday.
Well, I hope not, but this may be the last post this year. Maybe I'll have time to get back to update Christmas events!!
Til Then,
Tide Gal
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