Kingman ...

My parents were taking a mini vacation in Laughlin, and invited us down yesterday to meet up with them for some antiquing. I have a new obsession with crystal. My mom has given me a number of bowls, trays, candle holders, and candy dishes. I added a great crystal salt and pepper shaker set to my collection, and of course I got a deal. Next on my list is finding a crystal wine decanter. Justin got a lot more license plates to hang up in the garage. I can't wait for us to put them up to fill in more of the far wall.

Til our next antiquing adventure.

Magical Forest ...

Tonight we all went to Magical Forest at Oppurtunity Village. We haven't been in a few years and man did they upgrade! We had a great time strolling up and down the paths and enjoying hot cocoa and funnel cake. We even saw Rollie Fingers there with his family. I didn't have the heart to interupt him and his family, so there's no picture. I love Christmas lights, they are like the cherry onto of a sundaie.

Holiday Light Parade ...

The family climbed into my parents SUV and we had a mission. Travel around town looking at all the Holiday lights. Better said than done. Our Itinerary included us all going to dinner, the glittering lights at the speedway, a few holiday dancing houses, and the magical forest. There wasn't enough time in the evening to experience everything without us feeling rushed, so we never made in to the magical forest, but that will be on our list for all of us to visit on Christmas Eve.

GLITTERING LIGHTS AT THE LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY





THE BEST DANCING HOLIDAY HOUSE

What the Flock ?!

My mom usualy puts up her giant artifical Christmas tree every year full of thousands of lights and ornaments, but this year my dad really wanted to get a real one, and flocked ontop of it. We all made it a family outing to the tree lot and browsed all the different tree types from charlie brown to ones that looked like pine cones. Of course in our style we made a joke every fifteen minutes about "flocking" and of course we thought we were the funniest people ever.

Secret Menus 411 ...

Not sure if any of this is true, but mighty intresting ...

24 Secret Menu Restaurant Menus

The Merriest Place on Earth ...

Last Tue, Wed, Thu we went to Disneyland with another couple that we are friend with. The weather was absolutly perfect and we had a blast.

First night we went shopping at downtown disney and had the greatest dinner at the Jazz Kitchen. The atmosphere was so great, and I had the best beef medallions and bloody mary ever. The boys had a few too many moonshine drinks, but made for a very fun evening.



The next day we spent the whole day from sun up to sun down at Disneyland. The Holidays are the best time to go for the best decorations. It even snows after the fireworks. We even got to be picked to ride the Tower of Terror before the park opened. Best perk ever. We took pictures with Chip and Dale, and even go to sign the guest book.







And of course we stayed at Candy Cane Inn.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day ...

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region, some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice and Bari vied to get the
Nicholas relics. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola.

Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.

Thank you to Saint Nicholas Center for all the information.

Plastic Wedding ...

Super-talented—and super-creative!—photographer Beatrice de Guigne masterminded this ingenious photo shoot then captured it all on film over three days.

“Barbie & Ken were married at Faraway Castle, in Plasticity. The bride bought her dress from The Fairy Godmother shop and her shoes from the Cinderella Store. The groom wore a suit from The Prince Charming Emporium. The couple met more than 50 years ago (yes I know they look young). Barbie was tired of waiting so she asked Ken to get married.”

Barbie & Ken's Wedding Pictures

Beaticede Guigne Blog

December Means ...

It's time for the Holidays !

1956 NFL World Championship Ring ...

Yesterday Justin's Grandpa let me wear his championship ring. It is so cool. He played for the New York Giants from 1949–50, 1953–57. He was drafted into the military for two years in between. It's like wearing a piece of history.

Giving Thanks ...

I am thankful for ...

- MY HEALTH, FAMILY, FRIENDS
- THE OPPURTUNITY TO TRAVEL AND SEE NEW PLACES
- MY STRONG MARRIAGE TO MY BEST FRIEND
- OUR TWO RAMBUNCTIOUS DOGS
- CARPOOLING TO WORK
- BEING DEBT FREE

Make A Wish ...

11:11 Today is the day that you can make a wish at any moment. Go on and just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and wish.

Lunar Halo ...

Last night we just happened to look out the window and saw a hazy ring around the moon. It was a creepy sight to see and my imagination went wild. But I did google it and I guess it's some what normal. No zombies or aliens are going to be taking over the earth.

It was a lunar halo, and is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. As light passes through these hexagon-shaped ice crystals, it is bent at a 22 degree angle, creating a halo 22 degrees in radius.

The prism effect of light passing through these six-sided ice crystals separates the light into its various colors, resulting in a halo tinged with very pale rainbow colors with red on the inside and blue on the outside. The phenomenon of a lunar halo is similar to a rainbow produced by sunlight and rain falling between your eye and the sun.

Here are a few pictures I took from my SLR camera ...

Things I Want To Remember ...

Salute To Service ...

Following after the NFL's annual "Pink Alert" campaign, the NFL has unveiled these ribbon logos as part of a new annual "Salute to Service" campaign that will occur each November, around Veterans Day.

The “Salute to Service” campaign is designed to unify and elevate the extensive military appreciation work of the NFL and its clubs. Throughout November, teams will designate home games as special military appreciation games. During these games, teams will display “Salute to Service” banners on their sidelines, in addition to hosting ceremonies to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s troops.

In addition, the NFL and USAA are launching the inaugural “Salute to Service” Award which will recognize NFL team representatives who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to members of the U.S. military and their families, is the NFL’s first Official Military Appreciation Sponsor.

Additional “Salute to Service” moments will include recognition of all military personnel in attendance and on-field ceremonies honoring service men and women.

NFL "Salute to Service Link

Fish Bowl ...

Last night we went out to Pete's Dueling Piano Bar with Corey and Alyssa. Corey bought Alyssa and I this blue fish bowl drink. It was mighty delicious, but took forever to finish !


Before & After

72 Days, Really ...

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphrie's marriage only lasted 72 days. But to whom was this really a surprise? It just makes me sick to think that people take the union of marriage so lightly. Some People don't marry for forever like its suppost to be. My grandparents have been married for 63 years, through all up and downs and they still love each other. Their "I love yous" now are as strong and true as their very first "I love you."

There are so many same sex couples that would love to be able to take the next step and unify their relationship. They are shunned because some people say that it is against the covent of marriage. Are you kidding me !!! Kim and Kris made a mockery of the sanctuary of marriage. I wish some couples wouldn't take marriage for granted. It's a blessing to be able to share your vows and your life with the one you love.

I hope one day that all couples have their own chance to say "I do" and have their fairy tale wedding.

Just Treats Please ...

I made tastey candy corn cupcakes for Halloween to go along with our traditional chili and corn bread dinner. I even made some bread bowls that were a hit with some of our ghoulish guests.



Justin and I were a little over ambicious thinking we were qualified to carve Mickey and Minnie Mouse on our pumpkins, so this is what we ended up with. If you stand on your head and squint you may see a resemblance to the famouse mouse couple.

The Anatomy of Fear ...

In honarary of Halloween; The anatomy of fear in one quick tuitoral ...

Old NFL Telagrams ...

We were going through some of Justins grandfather's old football scrapbooks and came across some really cool telagrams from WT Mara of the New York Giants. Regarding how they were intrested in drafting him the following fall. These are so cool, I can't believe the history in all of these boxes that we are coming across.

In college he earned All-Coast honors as a tackle in 1948 and played in the 1949 East-West Shrine Game. He then was a 1982 inductee into the State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.





Here is a neat photo of Bill & Goody after they have arrived in Hawaii. It was on of their favorite places to vacation after he played in the pro bowl in 1955.



Links ...
Bill Austin Wikipedia
Bill Austin NFL
Bill Austin Photos

The Hardest Things ...

The hardest thing I ever have had to witness is a loving husband saying goodbye to his wife after 55 years of marriage.

I couldn't even begin to imagine experiencing this, even after only 3 years of marriage.

And of course this has to happen on the 24th. What are the odds?

RIP Goody & Marietta ...

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us."

RIP Goody: 10.19.11

RIP Marietta: 10.20.09

We will love and miss you forever.

Couples Game Night ...

Wednesday Alyssa and I hosted a couples game night on our house. It consisted of spa and valet people. It seems these two departments mesh well together, since 4 spa girls have significant others in valet. Its like our own little posse lol. We made meatballs, crescent rolls, and an assorted cheese tray. The best was our sugar strawberry cookies and red velvet creamcheese cake balls covered in a chocolate shell. Mmm Mmm !



We had a total of 6 couples, including us, playing pictionary. It was probaly the funniest pictionary game ever. I can't even to begin to count how many times "What the hell is that?!" was said. It was a success cause there was no break ups or divorces. Maybe a few yelling matches, but it was all in good fun.










We even played a Battle of the Sexes game filled with the most random questions. The ladies asked girlie questions to the guys and the gents asked manly questions to the girls. In the end the best sex won, the females of course !