Iowa

Iowa

Thursday, December 9, 2010

It's Beginning.....

I won't even say it...I will just say that winter has arrived with a vengeance. Bitter cold...not really, but it feels like it. Snow.

I came home from Phipps on Monday night (we are open now until 10:00 PM) and it was blizzardy. Snow covered roads, cold, blowing snow. Of course, no salt thrown in the city until morning. Thank goodness for the new tires.

My brother will be happy to hear...no music. He doesn't much like the music I put on this site. So to you...Merry Christmas, I won't put any music on here for you to have to listen to and about which to complain. It's OK, he's my brother, he can complain.

Alas, another friend has been diagnosed with cancer. It makes me incredibly sad, but can I just say this...I got an email from her. She was diagnosed a week ago, and her outlook is incredible. Positive. Upbeat. Hopeful. Accepting. Here's to you J, you are my inspiration.

OK, I am sick of winter. Sweeping/shoveling snow. And it is December. And I ask...when will this end? I know, it is only beginning. And white Christmas....forget it. Give me a warm, sunny day.

I'll stop whining.

Positive stuff only....

I figured out my grab bag gift and, as usual, it is wonderful. As you may remember, and if you don't...I'll remind you. First year was a framed, autographed picture of myself. Wonderful, if I may say so. Next was the postage stamps with my picture on them. A tremendous hit, it I may say so. Next....M&M's with my picture on them. EVERYONE wanted them. This year tops it all. Wait till they see this one! Aren't you all curious? Mippy asked "what will your face be on this year". She just wants the gift. And when Monkeyboy chooses it, when it is her turn, she will grab it. I'm pretty sure there will be a humongous fight over this one. And don't let Bird fool you, he wants my gifts, even though he says he takes them out of pity.

I have found some wonderful gifts and have done most of my ordering on line. Most of it is here, although I am worried about one. I got an email that told me to quit going to the mailbox. They were only going to ship beginning this week, so stop looking. They would email me when I should start looking. Only one gift was wrong, and there is time to fix that one.

Ava is doing well, running and jumping about. Curling up with me to sleep. I so would love to have a dog, pets are such a wonderful thing.

OK, time for bed for me...actually, well past bedtime for me. Have a great week!

18 comments:

Cathy said...

Yes, mia, I am curious about your gift. Made me laugh. It has been cold here also. Not a lot of snow...yet. I think what makes it worse is that it is very cold very fast. Only four and a half months till spring! As much as I hate winter, I don't think I could ever leave the northeast. It has been my home forever.

Shelly said...

That is a neat picture of the tree. I assume it is at your work and not in your living room. Very pretty.
Most of my shopping is done, thank goodness.
It has been cold here, but not much snow. I feel the same way, Cathy, as much as I hate the cold I don't think I want to live in the south.
I liked the music on the blog, mia, but I have to say, I am glad there is not Christmas music!
I'm sorry about your friend. Positive outlooks can make a world of difference, I think. Even more so than medicine. Hope they are okay.

Lori said...

Awww, come on, Mia, give us a hint about the gift.
I know the feeling of getting the wrong thing when you order on line. And they entice you with free shipping. Of course, the free shipping comes late, so if you do get the wrong thing you have to cross your fingers that an exchange can be made. Oh the joys of the holidays!

Twigs said...

Great to hear about Ava. Always good when our pets are feeling fit. It's been very cold here also. It is winter, but this hit fast and I see no end in sight. Whatever happened to global warming?

Jen said...

Well, Mia, if you want a dog, then get one! I know, they are a great deal of responsibility, but why not?
Now you have everyone wondering what the gift is. It's fun to do something that excites you and surprises others. And Bird should try to get it again this year, because he probably is the one who appreciates it the most.
Love the pictures.

Tim said...

I hear there is going to be a nasty storm in Pittsburgh on Sunday, and I'm just not sure how effective I can be as a cheerleader.

Bill said...

Well, with Ben's broken nose, injured foot, Troy not practicing today...we need you Tim. Please reconsider. We'll be on sidelines with warm up measures.
We are all happy Ava is feeling better, and if my wife orders one more thing on line, we are done.

Noelle said...

Those snowmen are so cute! And the tree is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I also liked the music, and one can turn it off if they don't like it, can't they? I'm glad that Ava is feeling better.

Tigger said...

It's been cold here, too. I guess since we aren't playing you this week, Tim can cheer for the steelers.
That is a pretty neat tree that you took a picture of, mia. And yes, the snowmen are cute. Your workplace must go all out with the decorations, mia. Looks like more than just a botanical garden!

SassySam said...

Well,as you know, I got most of my shopping done on black Friday, BUT, some of the things in retrospect, weren't quite right, so I have been exchanging, examining, etc. I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR!!!

SocialWorker2 said...

I don't think I have seen anyone who gets as much joy from the mall as you, Sassy! Do you want to do my shopping? A new career for you, a personal shopper.
That tree is beautiful, Mia. Is it in water? I think I still like the picture of Bean on pointe, she looks so graceful.
So glad Ava is feeling better.

Jessica said...

I like the music. Can't please everyone, but as Noelle said, they can turn it off! But I have to say, I would come to read the blog, music or not, because I so enjoy it.
Sorry about your friend, glad about the cat. We are having rain here, changing to snow.

ginger said...

I love the music even if it's Xmas music which I also love.

Yes the tree is beautiful,saw it in person and enjoyed the whole Phipps experience.

My shopping was done early because I have to ship things to CA and VA.
Well, some scrooge ripped off one package to CA and it had most of the grandsons stuff in it. Don't think it will ever be recovered but we just have to move on without it.

Our snow is coming also tomorrow so the Steeler game should be fun since we are now "The Walking Wounded" Keep on cheering Tim!

Mark said...

I have been working all day, putting lights on the tree, on the outside of the house, busy, busy, busy. Tomorrow is a day of football and relaxation.
So, give us a hint, mia...what's the gift?

Angela said...

We just cut downour tree today and put it up. We decorate it tomorrow, along with the rest of the house. We did the outside while it was warmer. I keep thinking all the shopping is done, but then I think of something else...like batteries.

Ben said...

GO STEELERS! Going to be a muddy mess on the field today. We'll get the sideline heaters going for you Tim. Steelers are favored, we'll see!

Shahana Shafiuddin said...

If you don't like winter you can travel to other countries in cheap. Like Bangladesh, Vietnam etc.

Elizabeth said...

Welcome, Shahana, I visited your site. It's nice to have you join us. Perhaps you can tell us a little about your culture. Your are from India, no? What part of India? I think this is a site where we have known each other for some time. We talk about football, weather, Mia's world. She tells us stories and we enjoy reading about her life, as I did about yours.