The Latest

It started like any other Christmas.

Jase decorated Dad's house this year.
These two miniature trees were really cute.

Then...THIS happened! The upstairs hot water heater busted.
This thing was 17 years old and sitting on bricks. Egads!

At 3:00am Sunday morning, the ceiling in the billards room collapsed. When the emergency cleanup crew arrived, they accidently tore the sheet rock, so the adjustor is allowing for the entire room to be repainted.

This is the den where Dad sits on the sofa and watches TV. Water was pouring out the light fixture. Stupid we would even turn on the lights, but even though they still work, the adjustor is allowing for new light/fan installs.

Dad's room is the lowest point of the house, so his room had the most damage, primarily to the flooring and furniture. This room also presented us with another problem. It was unsafe for Dad.

Monday morning was so chaotic and busy! We had plummers, a clean up crew, insurance adjustors, (and the yard guys showed up but at least they were outside!), and we had the home health providers out. Dad's little dog Winston was glad to be in his crate. Dad wanted to 'supervise' what was going on in his house, so we found a safe place in the corner for him to watch all the commotion.

Today is Thursday. The annoying green blowers are still on. The crew said it takes 3-5 days for the sub-flooring to completely dry out. We are on day 4...

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Holiday Light Safari

Had a great time at the Denver Zoo with Danny last Saturday night.
The zoo was hosting their annual Holiday Light Safari.
Tony didn't want to go, he preferred chillin' with his friends.
Marisa went with Sam and her family.

We watched this guy sculpt ice.

Light everywhere! These were swinging from a tree.

These were on an island.

Love graceful giraffes, even in lights.

More on the prairie.

It was so incredibly cold.
Fortunately, hot chocolate with 'spirit shots' were available along the stroll.
Adding the Peppermint Schnapps was a warming touch!

Midnight Blue

This kiddo is sending me to the nut house! He decided to color his hair....AGAIN! And, like always with 'Twinkle Toes', there's a back story!

T: Mom, Can I color my hair?
Mom {that's me}: What color?
T: Black.
Mom: Why black?
T: I don't know, because.
Mom: Tony, can you wait until the summer?
T: Why?! I wanna do it now!
Mom: Why black?
T: I DON'T KNOW!
Mom: How are you gonna pay for it?
T: I don't know, can I?
Mom: Let me think about it.

Next day....
T: Mom! Can I color my hair?
Me: How are you going to pay for it?
T: Me and Tom going to help Jarrod clean his mom's house and she's going to get us hair color?
Me: Seriously? You don't even clean our house for cash!
{silence}
T: Mom?
Me: {Thinking that Jarrod's mom wouldn't really to this...} Whatever, Tony.

Later that same day, Tony comes home with a box of 'Midnight Blue' hair color. He's so proud as he shows me the box. I'm gonna have to call Jarrod's mom!

T: Mom! Look what I got!
Me: Really? You're not serious! {KNOWING THAT I LOST THIS ONE...} Okay, can you wait until after work tomorrow and I'll help you do it?
T: YEAH!!! {He immediately gets on the phone.}

Monday....

I come home and log into facebook to see this photography! I call Tony and before I could ask if he was ready to color his hair, he told me he colored it himself.

T: It was real easy, Mom! I didn't make a mess.
Me: Great! {I lost!}

Today... I just couldn't stand that 'Midnight Blue' rat's nest any longer! Tony agreed to a hair trim to get rid of the dried ends. Okay, so we both got what we want after all! He has blue/black hair. I got it groomed.

FMLA

It's official. I'm taking a leave of absence from work to help take care of Dad.

Holiday Vendor Sale

Lori's house is a happenin' place. At Lori's we scrapbook, spa, cook, and also hold the annual holiday vendor sale. This year Jewelry Junction™ was a vendor!
Here are a few pieces from my collection.

Simple and festive

Natural gems with glass beads

Swarovski crystals

A beautiful Rosary