Two Days of Beauty and Maintenance ?

If you wonder why there is no picture to this post it is because I am saving you from seeing the horrors of my face. Yes, once again I have headed to the dermatologist for my twice yearly skin cancer check. I have yet to come away unscathed by the stainless steel canister of "freeze- it." Yes, the icy cold stuff burns the crud out of your skin while it kills all those little skin cells before they turn to melanoma. Actually, I only had two taken off this time. I had 5 taken off the back of my hand the last time and had to wear a glove it was so scary and leaky! That time they cut into my face for a biopsy too (but all was good). Anyway, one is on my cheek and the other on my forehead. They are blistery, oozy, disgusting circles that look like cigarette burns! It is my hope that by Turkey Day I will look just fine...well, as good as it gets.

Now, it can't get much worse right? Wrong! I went to the dentist to have an old crown replaced. Jeez, I thought those things would last more than 25 years! Anyway, yesterday was the day to get the temporary off and the new crown on. Well, it is a perfect match and so pretty. So what is the big deal you ask?  I think it may have warped into the need for a root canal! UGH. That is not good news for a dental- phobe. You know the symptoms, cold sensitivity, pain....For now I am ignoring the fact that it is a real possibility. My luck on Thanksgiving when I am visiting relatives it will blow up! That just cannot happen because I plan to shop on Black Friday no matter what!

To top off all this beauty and maintenance, I got my first sty. Go figure that after all those years of teaching I never got lice or a sty...just conjunctivitis.  Well this is just dandy! Giant red blotches that ooze and then a puffy pink eye. Fortunately, my amazing eye Dr. saw me ASAP and got me started on hot compresses, and this miracle ointment that has an antibiotic and steroids in it. Not bad after just 2 days.

Yes, this is a big whine session. Sorry, but really, can you blame me?

The Godfather

Jay Timothy Pedersen is the proud Godfather to little Lilly Marie. Long time neighbors, Ann Marie and Jason (Jason was a groomsman in Jay's wedding if you think he looks familiar), asked Jay to be a Godfather and he jumped at the chance. She is an adorable little girl and the apple of her parent's eye. Being that they are Catholic and Jay is Protestant, Jay asked lots of questions to be sure he was up for the responsibility. He was quite honored and thrilled to be asked.

They gave him a mug that says "I'm a Godfather" on it and since Jay doesn't drink coffee, it sits on his desk at the office and holds pens. He really wants Dan to start calling him The Godfather, but that isn't going over to well with Popi. I'm afraid that Jay will always be called "Jaybuddy" by family.

As you can see, Jay is login' holding little Lilly. He will be a great dad one day! I am not sure who will have more fun, the kid or Jay. Perhaps Heidi is in for some interesting times....

Time for Card Making

Now that I am retired, I have time for hobbies. One that I started a few years ago was card making. My sister Beth got me started. Now I have time to use the creative side of my brain and I have so much fun with this. I have met many folks who make cards and love to get together to share ideas. You have to be careful though because this is a very addictive hobby. It can get expensive when you start finding all the cute papers, stamps, and embellishments. You really have to set a limit before you go into these speciality shops. DO NOT TAKE A CREDIT CARD WITH YOU!

My friend has told me about a new store that has opened up in Temecula. We are thinking of getting a group from church together to take a "field trip" up there for a Girl's Day Out. They have craft stuff of all kinds and it is more unique than Michael's or JoAnn's offer. Gosh, I better start a little savings fund for this trip now.

Last weekend I was invited to a holiday card making workshop by another friend at church. I learned a few new techniques and certainly came up with some new ideas.

Once I finish the Christmas cards, I am going to start making individualized business cards for Patience, my daughter-in-law. She has a most delightful baking business and these cards will be perfect for her. The Paper Source makes great colored cards and I can just emboss the ink with the cutest cake stamps right on the pre-cut business cards. Gosh, I hope the substitute assignment desk does not call me in to work. Right now I work 2 days a month, maybe a 3rd day if someone is out sick. It is soooo sweet!

I am also learning to use Copic markers. I am using a "how to" book to try to learn. I did take a class once, but I need more help that what it offered. I need remediation! Anyway, it is a super fun hobby. The thought that, "Oh, think of how much I can save on all the cards I need to buy," is a joke! I spend 3x as much on the fun stuff to make them! Well, I guess it is a better past time than drinking or gambling! Now if I would only spend this much time on working out!

And The Winner Is...

The Gecko

Jay ran the Remission Rock 5K in San Diego this past Halloween. And he took 1st place! Well, in the costume department anyway. Yes, he ran as the Gecko the entire way.

With his new webbed feet safety-pinned to the top of his sneakers, he took off! Jay, always the prankster (must take after his Grandpa Jim), was going to make sure everyone, including himself, was thoroughly entertained during this run.

Jay is on the wagon these days, so this get-up was done without the help of any beer or other spirits. As you can see, Danny Boy appears interested in the ball, not his crazy daddy.

What a crazy kid :)

Airport Maddness

Chicago, Midway Airport
1:00 P.M.
Halloween Day
Southwest- 2 bags fly free!


SO WHERE ARE THE LINES OF PEOPLE?


Yes, this picture is for real. We arrived at the airport in plenty of time to face the crowds flying across the country. When we arrived to check-in this is what we saw--NO PEOPLE. It was as if there had been some sort of evacuation or something. It was just empty. You could just look down the hallway and there were still no people. When was the last time you saw something like this? To top it off the plane was half full! Lots of leg room on this trip. It was a great ending to a fun mid-west vacation.

You Want One Don't You!

Is this not the perfect gift for me? My cousin and his wife, who for the sake of less confusion I will call a "sister-in-law," sent this too me after Jay and Heidi's wedding. I have no idea where she found it, but I must say I have never had a more perfect gift in years!

I get so many comments on this phone case. So a super big thanks to Roxy and her family. It was so fun having all of you out for the wedding.

We are approaching the one year anniversary of the death of our beloved Auggie and this is a wonderful tribute to him. Thanksgiving is always a fun time with our family, but it will always be marked with some sadness because of his passing. He was a great dog and had an amazing 15 years of life.

As a little side note, today is Danny Boy's birthday. Jay's wiener dog turned 4 today. They had a birthday party for him at the office today. The adults had cake, and he and another dog at the office, Pepper, had fancy decorated dog bones to celebrate with. Yes, we are dog people!