Christmas has come and gone

All that is left in the Mihelich house is a big mess! Everything is torn apart,and toys are all over the place! No matter what I do to keep the mess contained,it finds its way around again. I asked Santa to keep the gift giving to a minimum, I don't think he got that letter! We have a Barbie Camp ground going on here along with a
Playmobile toyland in the middle of my livingroom. The upstairs is in the middle of being painted. Me and my bright Idea's! I have the hallway and Coleton's room almost done. So...For now the downstairs has been neglected.The kids are loving it!!!

I hope to get all the holiday decorations down soon.I would like to have it done by New Years Day,but the past couple of days,I don't feel much for cleaning. I just want to paint! We will see what happen's.

I made my New Years Resolutions and got them written down in my journal. There are only 3. Normally I don't make any because I don't feel like I could go thru with it.But this year I hope it will be different.

My first one is to be more watchful on our money. We have been way to giving and it feels good,but we need to be more frugal. We make a great living but this house needs to be paid off!

My second Resolution is to watch my weight. Not just to lose weight,but to be healthier. I can be a fluffy person,and still eat healthy. Drink more water and eat more veggies.

My third one is to be more organized with my house. To take care of my home for the future. Meaning there are things that we have been putting off that need to be done. The basement for example has a problem that needed to be addressed since we moved in and just haven't bothered with it.It should be dealt with or it will be worse in the long run.

That is it!!! I only have 3!!! Let's see if I can stick to them!!!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas!!! Yeahhhh!!!! I had a wonderful day today.We played outside,played too many matching games.I got to play barbies with Nikiah and her new Barbie camper. We had breakfast and a big dinner like always. Lots of relaxing and I got to watch lots of my favorite channel HGTV!!! It was a great day. The kids seemed happy with all their gifts and they have been playing for hours together.That is what I like to see....

Lastnight we had the Demske's over.We had some wine and decorated cookies together.The kids played together and let us adults relax after all the cookies were done. We had a good time.

The Year Is Almost Over...

So I am thinking about what the new year is going to bring. I hope its a heathlier one for my family...Especially my parents. We have dealt with strokes,blood clots,cancer...What else can go wrong... I hope my buddy Troy will make it to see another birthday. He is an amazing,strong little guy. To think he has made it thru another year.He will be 20 this year and that alone is just beyond a miracle. He has been through it all and just keeps hanging on. Smiling his big bright smile! He was so happy this evening opening his Christmas gifts from us. He loves brightly colored papers and the noise the paper makes when you crumple it all up. He was just giggling away!!! So.I hope this year brings more laughter from him.

Another thought for this new year is getting my house chores all done,so summer can come and I can be outside enjoying my yard and camper. So...The upstairs is in the process of getting new paint onthe walls. Yeah...Don't know what I was thinking. I started with the trim in all the bedrooms and I started a whole new mess!!! But it will look nice when its all done! I am finally done downstairs....

Then there is the whole weightloss thing. That is always a resolution....Well, I made that same resolution last year...It didn't hold up too well, so my resolution this year...To gain 20 lbs!!!! Maybe the reverse affect will happen!!!

Dinner with Friends

Well, dinner on Friday was great. YUMMY! I think I ate too much,but all the food turned out. There was Lasagna,Tuna Salad to add to the things I had already made.I made some punch and there was homemade bakery thanks to Brian and Danielle. We had a great time and had a lot of laughs!

Some more of Holiday sharing!!

Tonight is our night to gather our friends around and have a potluck! I am actually excited about preparing the food for this. I am making homemade sloppy joes,meatballs,and taco salad. I don't know for sure what everyone else plans to bring.Its a suprise! We try and do this every year right before Christmas,have a big dinner potluck type thing. Normally,every Friday we all meet here and hang out.Play games,watch movies or just hang out. I like it. There have been a lot of different people in and out of my home. Its strange when I think about it sometimes,because I wouldn't have thought to invite them. You know...Someone knows this person,so hey come on and join us. Or this person is friends with him....Sure come on over!! Its neat! I hope they enjoy it here!

Well,I hope everyone has a good time tonight. I will have to show ya's my spread when I take our pictures! Gotta have pictures!!!

Enjoy your weekend! I know I will enjoy mine!

Sharing the Holidays

This is the time of year I love. I love how everyone is so cheerful and giving. Its the one time of year when families get together whether everyone likes it or not. Me...I am one who doesn't mind who I am with as long as there is laughter,I don't care who is sitting next to me. I am one who likes my family. I enjoy spending time with them and not just during the holidays. I enjoy their company and we spend a lot of time laughing at each other. Nick's side of the family....I think that we all get along. I enjoy spending time with them and enjoy watching their children grow just as I do my own family.

The other night my sister Laurie came for a very short visit. We don't see each other as often as we would like,but talk on the phone often. She came up to suprise my parents for Christmas. So while she was in town we decided to go to dinner and visit. We had such a great time,I wish the night didn't have to end and her have to go back in the morning. We took a lot of photos and hugged and said out goodbyes. I hate goodbyes!!

So...I will leave you for now with some photos of our dinner....

My family

Yesterday was Michaels 13th birthday. 13 years old already! Michael is my little sister Tarri's oldest. She has 3 boys. Michael,Brandon and Devan. Well, yesterday we went to her house to celebrate with some yummy food and cake. And of course some good company. It was one of those kind of days where you just wanted to sit around and just visit.So...That is what we did. Somewhere in the mix we decided to have the boys spend the night at our house! I must of been crazy at that time. We have a house full today. Of course the weather is stormy and cold,so no one wants to play outside. Playing tag in the house is just not happening,so instead,they decide to play hide and seek....Oy Vey!!!

My family is rather large. I have 6 sisters Karen,who has 3 kids. Laurie who has 3 kids. Kelly who has 3 kids. Kim has 3 kids,one of them has passed away. Tamara,she has 6 kids. And Tarri who has the 3 boys. Then I have 3 brothers. John has 2 girls.Michael has 3 kids,and Alan has 3 kids also. WOW!!! That is alot of kids!!!

I wish I had pictures of all of them! But for now I have a few photos of the ones I am closer to.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I'd say I am done with all the decorating. I didn't go all out this year. I don't know why,but looking at all those 12 55 gallon sized buckets....I just kind of wanted to go simple this time. Just a little Christmas cheer here and there! I still have yet to take pictures though,I just haven't had the time.

The snow is really piling up outside making it really feel like the Christmas season.The lights really look nice against all the white snow. They just seem to twinkle more. This year we did the outside with colored lights. I really like how they stand out.

Today the younger two had there Christmas Concert at the school.This evening we took a ride to Calumet for a Tree Lighting ceremony. Its called the "Tree Of Love". We added this tradition last year to our must do list. I have donated or remembered a loved one for a few years,but until last year,never took part in the ceremony. This year was the 15th Annual Tree Of Love ceremony in memory of Jamie Jurmu who was 13 when she suddenly passed on.Her mother started this organization up to keep her memory alive. Why its special to us is our neice Sara passed away when she was just a little over a year old. Nicks brother and his wife were just devastated. This was in 1991.....So they have been there with Mrs Jurmu keeping Sara's memory alive. Steve and Suzette have had 4 children and this is their way to get through the holidays without their precious Sara. We started going because I feel I would like them to know that we will always remember her. Its a very touching short cememony,and to me a sad one. Many tears were shed this evening. I am just happy that I was able to be a part of it. Janet was represented with one of those bright lights along with a few others that I lit up.

Along the ride to and from we were able to check out the holiday lights. There doesn't seem to be as many as in the past years. That is sad to see....But the ones we did see were just so bright.It was nice to have sometime to relax and look around.

So take the time to look at the lights...They are so beautiful this time of year.....

Looking back....

This evening I decided I had better start writing out my Christmas cards. So with the help of Nikiah we got everything together to sit down and start writing them out. I got to my third person on my list and realized that person is no longer with us.....I kept my list from the previous years and just decided to see how many have passed on from when I started writing my cards out until now....Its sad to think of them people as being gone from my life.

I got down my list some and came to my dear friend Janet's name. It's still so fresh in my mind,her passing. I know that she is not here this year and it just doesn't seem real,even though its going to be 4 months. It seems weird not seeing her at Walmart or places where this time of year she would be. I really miss her company,her funny laugh....I bought an ornament for her last year for our Christmas celebration....We all knew it would be her last,so what do you get a person who knows its almost time....I bought an angel,very pretty and victorian.She loved anything victorian or primitive. So today while I was going thru some christmas decration ideas on the web.....There was that ornament on someone's tree....I found it hard to control my tears. This year I found another ornament, a pair of angel wings...I placed it on my tree and smiled....Its in memory of Janet......I sure do miss you friend!!

Christmas Cards

I so enjoy recieving Christmas cards. Its nice to reconnect with lost people that seem to come out during the holidays. I also like to buy them. It takes me forever to find them perfect ones that I want to send out. I like the primitive ones. I often wonder what people do with there collection after the holidays. I wonder if they keep them like I do. I enjoy the photo kind too.It's neat to see how the kids grow through out the years. I like to write a little note in mine.

For the past couple of years I have sent my sister Kim and my sister Kelly a card. They live downstate and we don't have any contact with each other. My dad and their mom were married once and things I guess didn't go too good. I don't know the details,but that side of my family kinda disconnected from us. For me its hard to be distant and angry.I try not be be that kind of person. There isn't anything I can do to bring back the past,but I can change the future. So I found a way to contact them and I wrote them each a letter one year.Every Christmas there after,I have sent them a card with a picture of us in it....I haven't heard from them as of yet....And I wonder if they ever wonder about me like I do them. Now mind you I haven't seen them since I was about 5. I am 34....It seems so strange to me that they may not care to contact me. Are they angry with me because of what happened in the past? Its seems so strange...But I will keep sending them their cards and maybe one day they will suprise me! I won't push the issue,but I just want them to know that I do think of them and wonder about them.

Enjoy them cards...I know I do!!!

A Thanksgiving Feast.....

There is so much to be thankful for.I could go on forever with everything and everyone I am thankful for. Thanksgiving was a day to reflect on all of those things and people that make my life what it is. It was a day for relaxing and being with just my kids and my husband. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything else. We sat together watching movies and putting up our tree. I cooked a beautiful turkey.Yes!!! I pulled it off and everyone survived!!(if you knew my cooking you would understand where that comment came from!!!)It came out perfect.I was so proud of myself!

Its just amazing how fast this year has gone by. Soon Christmas will be here and then a brand new year. I have lot to do before Christmas gets here. A lot of things happening in celebration of my favorite holiday.

As fast as this month went by,I hated to see the weekend end. Our friends from Indianapolis came up for the holiday weekend and I hated to see them leave. I thought when they moved this past summer that it would be easier to say goodbye the next time around...I was wrong,I still cried! We had a great weekend,and celebrated our friendships with a few too many drinks.....Hopefully next time it won't be so sad!!

Just some more photos

Getting Ready For The Christmas Season

I have been so excited to get my Christmas stuff out of the basement and start decorating. I love this time of year!!! I love the feeling of how friendly and giving people are. I like reading in the newspaper or seeing the news about how this person gave this or that....For all the awful people out there,their are millions more that are giving and caring. Some people give monetary donations,some give their time,some give their prayers and thoughts....Whatever you give give it with lots of love!!!

A couple of weeks ago my favorite store "The Wicker and Willow" had there annual holiday open house. I just love looking in that store. The Owner is so very friendly and its just a nice feeling store. Well,I just happened to be the 3rd person to make a purchase that night,which in turn I won the door prize. Not really knowing what to expect...I was so suprised to see 2 snowmen there waiting for me on Monday. They are so cute and I can't wait to decorate my house with the Mr.and Mrs.!!

Today we took alittle trip to a few of my favorite stores to get a few new decorations. It seems I have everything I need,but then you see a few things and you just have to have them! For some odd reason the apple green color has really caught my eye this year and seems to look really good with my colors in house here. I picked up a few different things here and there. I can't wait until I get them all in there places.



Until I get them in there place...Here are some sneak peeks!!!

Winter Wonderland

It has been snowing here for the past couple of days. At first it is beautiful.The scenery is different and bright to take in. But then April comes and its kind of tiresome by then. There is a lot of things to do here in the winter,that is one nice thing...But bundling up the kids and getting yourself bundled up gets rediculous after the first two weeks. By December the mittens have gotten lost and they can't find their hats,thinking they left them somewhere on the bus. Then by April you feel like you invested millions into the mitten stockmarket. Funny how in July you seem to find all those missing mittens somewhere around the house!

Well, this year we are somewhat prepared for the many feet of white stuff. Not only are we set on winter attire,but we have some new winter activities to do with the kids. Last year I found my way on to the ice rink....Never been skating before! I had so much fun,and am excited to get started on doing that again this year. Sledding is always a must,but sometimes I am too afraid to go down. So,I sit back and watch the kids. They have a good time and it seems to wear them down real quick.
This year though,we are going to venture out on some snow shoes. I have never done this either and here its a lot of fun and we will get some exercise. So, now I just have to get moving on buying some snowshoes.....

Winter Greetings.....

Just some projects....

I have been doing some things here around the house.So I thought I would share with ya all.

The weekend is gone....

Yeah,another weekend that came and went. Seems like a lot happened this weekend. I accomplished so much and I even manage to have time for some visiting and shopping!

I am almost....ALMOST done with the kitchen. I have just the trim left on the basement door and then I can finish the hallway upstairs. So things are coming along.

All 3 of our cats got declawed this weekend,so that will cut my time in half with a paintbrush. They have all taken part in ruining our trim around the doors and my favorite chair.So I finally talked Nick into bringing them to get it done. Now I am left with cleaning up the claw marks on almost every door way.I guess I will be busy!

My sister in law and brother in law stopped by this weekend. I like visiting with them. We don't do it too often,but its nice when we do. After they left, Scott,Jenn and their kids along with Bob,Brian and Danielle came for a cook out. IN THE SNOW!!!

Yeah...Snow.....We decided to go to Marquette on Sunday. Our Expedition broke down,we had to get it towed.So we took the truck. Well, on the way home we almost ended up in the trees. It was so stormy out. Almost hit 3 deer and saw a car on its roof....So yeah...I was sure glad to get home yesterday!!!

Enough excitement for one weekend.....

Health and getting older....

Lately I have been feeling terrible. Not like a depression kind of blah,but just not having any energy. I feel so tired all the time. I have put on a significant amount of weight and there is not reason I should be this heavy. Its terrible! I am not a big eater and I am not a lazy person.So,it didn't make sense to feel this crappy and to be this heavy. I thought my reasoning for my feeling tired was my blood count being low again. I have been dealing with that for years and have even had to have transfusions to get it back on track.

Not only am I feeling tired and out of breath,my hair is falling out. Talk about depression there. I have short,thin hair to begin with!! So...Getting sick and tired of being tired,I called the doctor. As a result of my blood being taken,I have some results.Not sure yet what they are going to have me do about it,but at least I am getting somewhere....My thyroid is on the fritz. My numbers were higher than they like and would like to see me soon. Its a start in the right direction and hopefully they will figure something out so that I can start getting back on track and I can get some of my energy back. NOW...That doesn't give me permission to go off and eat Dairy Queen all day!!! I still need to get my eating in order and stay active.......

Till next time.....

My house projects....

Will I ever be done with that dang paintbrush! I am STILL in the kitchen. I have just a small part to do,but I just can't seem to get it all finished. Its been so busy here,that I can't seem to get back into my corner and get it finished up. I have soooo many things I want to redo and start,but I think I better wait. Christmas will be here soon and I love decorating for it. I better hold of on my to do list.....

I am really happy that the diningroom is all done and has come together so nicely. I have a few more things I would like to add to the display cabinet,but I haven't found just the right things. I like all the new dishes that are out and the colors...So, there is no rush on putting anything in there right away. It takes time to find that perfect piece!!

I have decided after the hallway upstairs is done,that I will be moving on to my bedroom and my bathroom. I have had the inspiration pieces now for awhile and new bedding...So hopefully after I get the holiday decorating done I can start on that.....

Until then...Here is my new and improved dinning space.....

Trick or Treat.....

I cannot believe Halloween has come and gone. The days seem to be flying by. Before you know it...It will be Christmas....

Well, before Christmas gets here,I decided to post some pictures of Halloween here at the Mihelich's. Nick and I even dressed up. I don't think I have done this since grade school. It was a lot of fun....So enjoy!!!

Just going thru some photos...

Here are some Halloween ones...