Happy 2018!

My New Year's Eve is being spent with Stubbs and Rachel Ray!

Steve and I are both still battling the crud so we are not together this evening. I picked up a Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meal DVD for a $1 so I've been spending my evening watching it. Painted my nails ala galaxy because it takes more time and I have plenty of that this evening.

Here's to things looking up in 2018, including a new job. This holiday season has beaten my self-esteem down pretty well so the tide needs to turn in my favor!

Film Fest

Being down with a cold has given me plenty of time to catch up on movies, as follows:

Little Women

Having watched the Katherine Hepburn one, the June Allyson/Elizabeth Taylor one, and the Winona Ryder one, my vote for biggest tearjerker goes to the June Allyson version which has little Margaret O'Brien as Beth passing away.  All are good in their own Way but I now need a rest from hearing the line "Rodrigo, Rodrigo, save me" in all three movies.

Drew Barrymore

I watched Never Been Kissed and Ever After. Good solid B movies but I love Drew in just about anything.

Blackface

On the heels of Princess Michael of Kent wearing Blackamoor jewelry to meet Meghan Markle, I ended up watching a few movies that had blackface. The first was the Al Jolson story, where obviously that played a big role based upon Jolson's vaudeville style. I then watched a couple of Garland and Rooney movies, Babes on Arms and Babes on Broadway where both had them singing and dancing in blackface. Seemed to be the acceptable mode of entertainment back in the 30's. Shocking to see now especially when Princess Michael doesn't even have a clue.

Terms of Endearment 

Nothing like subjecting myself to the queen of all sobfests than this Shirley MacClaine/Debra Winger ten hankie drama. Such a great movie but it sure gets you in the end. Just finished watching it and I think I've finally depleted myself of tears.

It's a White and Congested Christmas

Christmas time - the tree, the lights, the snow, the colds!! Yep, my cold has morphed into coughing fits that had me up at 4am this morning. Downed a few Alka Seltzer cold gels which have added some relief, although they keep me very tired.

Everyone else is fighting a cold so they all came over at noon to share gifts.  As we were unwrapping, the snow started falling. WTF?? That final action put the final kibosh on my plans to spend Christmas Eve with Steve and his family as the drive would not be safe.  I've now consigned myself to spending both Christmas Eve and Day on the couch!

One funny event that occurred was Sam gave Jordan a funny cat t-shirt for Christmas. After Jordan unwrapped his gift, he took off his flannel shirt and he was wearing the exact same shirt!

Merry Christmas to everyone and here's to renewed health and blessings in the coming year!

Conch & Cold

First day of winter and I believe I'm battling a cold. Just the beginnings of congestion but I'm over it already.

Tonight I made breakfast for dinner and ate up while watching Victor/Victoria, one of my mom's favorites. Been forever since I've seen this flick yet it's still entertaining. Love me some Julie Andrews!

Lynn stopped today to drop off my Christmas gift, which included an absolutely huge conch shell. Love it and it's perfect for my beach abode.

Good List

Another Party Already Over!

The Shepard Family Christmas was, as always, a success.  A few highlights:

Black Velvet Carmel is yummy.  I'm not a big drinker but this really hit the spot;

Magnetic lashes are a thing and they look fabulous!;

Nail polish wasn't Steve's first choice to win during the gift game. However, he made my great niece Maddy's day by gifting the set to her;

No matter how goofy they look, elf slippers are pretty darn comfy;

Seems like just yesterday kids were still kids and all of a sudden they are 18 and taller than you;

No matter how many people are there, you still miss the ones who couldn't make it.

It was a nice party. Thanks to Arlene for hosting!

Weekend for Parties!

This Friday started out poorly but thankfully ended well.

I woke up this morning with my left eye swollen shut due to allergies. Looked like I had taken a hard hit right to the face. Super puffy and swollen.

Popped an allergy pill, used some allergy eye drops, then laid back with a cold washcloth to reduce the swelling. Finally decided to divert my attention elsewhere so whipped up a batch of peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies to take to the family party tomorrow.  Also cooked the bacon needed for my green bean dish tomorrow.

After the cookies, decided to trim and bathe Stubbs. Grabbed the clippers and went to town. Still need to trim his nails but he is looking much better and smells great too.

Cleaned the kitchen then relaxed for the rest of the day watching black and white movies, including Showboat which always gives me a good, long cry.

Finally took a shower about 4pm to get ready for Sam's work party, which was being held at his bosses house. I'd met most of his coworkers but not his boss, who actually turned out to be a pretty nice guy.

Dinner was awesome - huge slice of perfectly cooked prime rib with all the fixings.  Dinner was followed by some games, all of which I'd never before played. Was a fun time.

Tomorrow it's time for the annual Shepard family Christmas. I've got homemade gifts for everyone along with the game gifts.  My eye is still red and a little puffy but hoping that will be gone by morning!