And the winner is................

Award season is upon us.  We'll soon learn the who are the best of the best, what movies are top notch and who's wearing ...who?  I take each award with a grain of salt..................around the rim of my bloody mary.  The People's Choice awards are the only ones I actually feel give us the best perspective of the good, the bad and the ugly. Although award shows in general, are not really all that great.  My favorite show applauding the arts is "The Kennedy Center Honors."  The classiest heralding of talent on broadcast TV. Since its inception in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors has redefined America's perception of its artistic legacy and reinvented the way America rewards its artists. The Honors have been compared to a knighthood in Britain, or the French Legion of Honor--the quintessential reward for a lifetime's endeavor. At the same time, the annual addition of new names to the roster of Honors recipients charts the international standard of excellence set by America's artists.

The annual Honors gala is an evening without categories, without disappointments, and without competition.

The complete list of guest performers is kept secret until the show is in progress, keeping both the Honorees and the nation on the edge of their seats. "Our tradition of surprises and surprise guests is particularly special," says George Stevens, Jr., the show's longtime co-producer. "[The fun of the show] is increased by not knowing what to expect; the evening becomes exciting for the Honorees, whose reactions and pleasure at the proceedings make the evening so much fun to watch."

I could do without watching the President and his spouse sway in their seats but I presume POTUS and FLOTUS were never a "maybe" on the guest list.  At least we didn't have to hear his empty words although we did have to see his rendition of honoree, Al Green in a video clip. Lady Gaga didn't disappoint once again as I always listen to her with my eyes tightly closed. I am, however; amazed that her significant other, hunky Severide from Chicago Fire, is till firmly entrenched by her side.  (I would have put her out a long time ago;-) The tributes to Tom Hanks and Sting were awesome.  Definitely a 2 thumbs up event.  The award shows on tap will pale in comparison!

Holiday Season... check!

It appears that I have not blogged (or bragged or whined) for nearly 2 weeks....at least in written form.  I love Christmas.............and it seems the older I get, I also love when it's over.  Each year it has it's obstacles and it's blessings.  This year was no exception.  Bailee's Dad (we refer to him as the donor ...as sperm and $80 a week DO NOT make a father) decided, after 2 months including her birthday and Thanksgiving, of not seeing or contacting her, that it might be appropriate to take her for Christmas.  The court order, which he follows on a whim or if he gets a bug up his a--, said that this year Bailee could go to her Dad's at noon on Christmas Day and return to normalcy at 7 p.m. (obstacle) That really didn't work for us as Jeff, Lacie and Julia would be here in the afternoon for our Christmas (blessing)!  After a bit of negotiation and an occasional reverse psychology ass kiss, she went to her Dad's for Christmas Eve and back to Grandma's at noon. (blessing)   Her Christmas Eve dinner was served at Subway, her Christmas gift from her donor, I mean Dad, was a candy cane..(.REALLY!!!!! A f-ing candy cane..homeless kids get more than that!) and her Christmas breakfast was a code red mountain dew...(obstacle...BFO.)   Once the entire flock was under my roof, things were great. Everybody enjoyed their gifts especially since house rules state that we open one at a time....it takes a little longer but it took 4 months to get it together so we should all reap the rewards of everyone's happy faces and words of gratitude.(blessing)  Even Grandma must have been good as she received some wonderful, thoughtful (requested)  gifts.  Soon I could be hovering over you and you won't even know I am there...I have my very own drone...How James Bond is that?  My hopes are to spy on my eagles and all of nature's wonderful things around EIEIO. My family is pretty sure I will crash soon and possibly, mistakenly kill something... Ye of little faith...............:-)
Needless to say, it was a wonderful holiday.  There were no tear ridden good-byes this year (blessing) and only good thoughts of Jeff and Lacie in their new (old) house and Jeff's imminent surgery/therapy for his back.(obstacle.)  2015 is on tap to be another exciting year...it will be exactly what we make...and we'll make it GREAT!
Happy New Year all... who'd have dreamed we'd be around in Two Thousand and Fifteen!

Friends

I am so, so fortunate!  I have many friends.  I have old friends, new friends, young friends and weathered friends. I have friends who like to shop, friends who like to eat, friends who like to read and friends who like to meet.  Face Book has facilitated renewed friendships and friendships with family afar.  Friendships should never be taken lightly. Often, those very women (and men) are more family than family.  Old age seems to strengthen those bonds. I, for one, can attest to the fact the blood is not thicker than water...It may be redder, it may transfusable, it may even be lifesaving but friends are definitely the family you choose and choice is a liberating, warm, wonderful thing. Our parents, ok, at least my parents, were not members of a communicative generation. Warm, fuzzy and full of "I love you's" weren't part of their genetic (or acquired) make up.  Thankfully, our generation learned from their shortcomings. Not only do we express our love for family but we express our love for friends.  Today is our "lunch bunch" Christmas gathering....one of my favorite times. Old friends together for fun and food, laughs and libation, gifts and giggles and most definitely....♥

I'm NOT the Pope:-(

Drama on Face Book depresses me. Angry rants on Face Book depress me.  Stupidity on Face Book frustrates me. The inability to fix things saddens me.  I am not Olivia Pope.  (FYI, She's the fixer on Scandal.)  Today, I admit that I'm tired.  I won't admit it or discuss it on Face Book but I can punch the keys today and relieve some frustration.  I'm not a drinker or a pill popper (Ok maybe a few Advil here and there and an occasional bloody mary.)  I don't meditate or assume Yoga positions for fear of not being able to untangle myself or return to an upright position.  I'm not a gambler or a shopper (for myself) so dolling out the bucks won't help.  I am, however, a Mom and I should be able to make things right.  I could when my kids were babies, toddlers and juveniles..... but once they arrived at the teenage years and subsequently since, my fixing skills are waning.  I can no longer make them happy, healthy or wealthy:-( I can't make insurance pay what and when they should, I can no longer find employers who fit their schedules and wage needs.  I can't dress them or fix their hair. Those were the days my friend.  My wants are still the same but their adult needs are beyond my areas of expertise. Happy....that seems like such a simple quest.  My advice has been and will continue to be: You are the only one who can make yourself happy.  Don't spend more than you make. ALWAYS pay your bills on time even if you don't have the entire amount. Never forget your mother's birthday and remember you are judged by the company you keep. Why do I think that's not rocket science?  Be happy for what you have and by all means, don't piss off the Pope!

Getting excited

I know I have been AWOL for a bit. I had thought that I had everything planned and almost everything accomplished for the holidays so I would be able to enjoy my late afternoon reading hour, Hallmark's month of Christmas movies, leisurely drives to see the lights and the anticipation of a Christmas with everybody home.  The best laid plans............................ 


Jeff and Lacie are sooooooooooooo close to being Home Sweet Home.  Bedroom paint goes on this week-end, carpet next week and in by Christmas.  With all hands on deck, much as been accomplished to transform this ranch by a pond into an updated, classy home filled with love.  Pictures to follow real soon!


Jeff has had some issues with sciatica and it's cause.  Ten days out of work put some stress on the house "work," the wallet, the mind and the body.  Insurance my cause me to go postal one day but things are copacetic (look it up) for now.


20 inches of snow falling actually made things better. Snow at EIEIO is one of the most peaceful things on earth. Presents are wrapped and under the tree.  The sports tree is decorated and donning it's red, white and blue...for the Buffalo Bills not the U.S.A., although I love them both. Dinner plans are good to go for Hatfield Christmas on Sunday when 25 of the clan will gather here.  This year will be a wonderful Christmas afternoon when BOTH of my kiddos will be here with their families. I have and will continue to spoil them all and "yes",  I do know the true meaning of the season.

I am, indeed, blessed and a lot is TWO words;-)

The Christmas "List!"

It's really pretty simple!

Monday Update:

Wow, so much going on packed in so little time.  The house @ 4628 is really starting to come together. Lacie's Dad is a Godsend as the Hatfield knowledge bank and skill-set in the carpentry field is a negative number. We could take your engine apart and rebuild or write you a rockin' resume but measure twice and cut once in the extent of our expertise....in anything related to wood. On top of a lack of necessary skills for renovation comes a severe case of sciatica for Jeff.  Rolling out of bed and getting dressed is nearly impossible.  Steroids, low level pain meds, Convenient Care, heating pad and hot tub aren't doing the trick.  Today, we're on to the Chiropractor and her helping hands!!!  Fingers crossed.......The airport isn't too thrilled that he was AWOL ( OK, he did have a no work script from the Doc) during the busiest week-end of the year.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. All available Hatfields gathered at Jon and Lisa's for a great meal. About 30 were there in body and many more in spirit. They had done some recent remodeling and their home looks awesome!!


Jeff painfully, (literally) turned 36 on Thanksgiving too.  Not as joyful a birthday as usual but despite the pain, his Mother was eternally grateful to have him back home!!


We were lucky to have Bailee with us as well. Her sperm donor forgot to come and get her....That would be an entirely different blog for another day.  Yay for us, big L for him!!!


Tree is up and was decorated almost entirely by Bailee and Allison. We did a movie day at the Mall Saturday then they both spent the night.  So much more fun when kiddos are around. They did a great job!!!!!
We still have so very much to be thankful for!!!