Hi :)

Well so much for getting caught up on this blog! I've been waiting until I had the time and energy to post new pictures at the same time but this is going to have to do for now! Sometimes I have the time but not the energy...and sometimes the energy but not the time. Sorry guys! For any of you out there that blog you know what a pain it can be to deal with posting pics...especially in the order you want them!! It's frustrating to no end. Maybe it's just ME. LOL! Anyway, the last few weeks have been pretty uneventful and quiet...just the way we like it! We've been slowly watching the snow melt and have enjoyed some very nice, sunny (almost balmy) weather between rain storms. I JUST got the Christmas decorations and tree put away this past weekend and that is a huge weight that has been lifted. The house looks so bare now! It was good to go thru everything, tho, and I even managed to consolidate some of my decos AND managed to part with quite a bit of stuff. I feel like I've started my spring cleaning already and it feels GOOD!!

Speaking of feeling good...many of you know that I have been on a quest to lose weight since October. So far, I have lost a total of 23 pounds and I feel terrific!! I decided back in late September that I wanted to give NutriSystem a try because a close friend of mine was having tremendous success with it. Sooooooo...I bit the bullet and placed my order. It has been SO easy and I've managed to get 3 more people (my mom included) on what I like to call "the program"...we aren't using the word D-I-E-T any longer!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I've also been exercising which you are aware of including a Pilates class that is kicking my fanny into shape! I have also gotten my Acid Reflux under control with the help of medication. So, with the help of poundage GONE and getting help for the agony of A.R....I feel like a new woman!! I am ready for whatever 2009 has to offer!! So, for those of you out there that made resolutions to lose weight...what are you waiting for??? It is SO worth the time and effort and you will feel amazing!! I plan to try and lose another 17 pounds and with the help of Nutrisystem, exercise and sheer determination I am sure I can do it. I'm hoping the next time my family sees me...they don't recognize me!! LOL!!

Jake is doing well and gets his cast off on Monday. This could not come at a better time...it seems like it's been on forever!! It stinks to high Heaven....anyone that's had a cast or a kid with a cast knows what I am referring to. There's nothing that can be done and I just can't wait for it to come off!!!! Jake is tired of it, too, and was very happy to hear it's coming off.

Not much else is happening. Just waiting for Spring at this point. OH!!!! I almost forgot...I got a call over the weekend from Dr. Mesdag...the foot doctor from Juneau I occasionally work for. He offered me a permanent spot working one Saturday a month for either him or a collegue (sp?) coming from Juneau. He is even giving me a raise! He is adding a third clinic to his schedule but Heidi (his regular gal) can't work another shift so he offered it to me. It will be good extra money which will come in handy. This will start next month...not sure exactly what day. Now if I could just figure out how to use this laptop while I'm there...hmmmmmm....not sure if there's a wireless connection or whatever it is you need to make this work. I'm still learning....LOL!!

OK...that's all I can think of for now. I will sign off and bid you "good night"....Nanette XOX

P.S. I set myself up on "Skype" if anyone is familiar with that and would like to "call" me. My Skype name is AKMom99901 or you can find me by putting in my name. I signed up so I could see and hear my new niece, Abbie, in Ohio! If anyone would like to set themselves up and you have a web cam...go to skype.com and it is very easy to get set up! Night Y'all!!!!!!!!! :)

P.S.S. Did anyone take my advice and go see "Australia"?????? Apparently NOT b/c I haven't heard SQUAT from any of you!! You know who you are!!!!!!!! LOL!! Anyway...if you didn't take that advice...AT LEAST LISTEN TO THIS....DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT go see "7 Pounds". I thought it was SO SAD!!!!!!!!!!!! Not my kind of movie AT ALL...although, Will Smith did an amazing job AS USUAL...but still...if I want to be depressed I can watch the NEWS...and it's FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Film of 2009

OK...If you haven't seen "Australia"...get your fanny down to the theatre ASAP and see it. In a word...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the must see of the year IMHO (in my humble opinion.) I am not going to say any more for fear of ruining it. I knew it was going to be good...how can you go wrong with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman? BUT CRICKEY (sp?)...it blew me away!! And I forgot kleenex...........DON'T FORGET THE KLEENEX LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad I got out tonight. There's another big storm heading our way tomorrow. We might be snowed in again for a bit. I'll be dreaming of being "down under"........**SIGH**.

Night Y'all!!! :) Nan

Catching Up

Well...as you can see I am trying to play "catch up" with my December postings. I still have many more pics to post so bear with me. It may take me several days but now that the holidays are over I can focus again on keeping up with this blog. I feel very led to say Thank You once again for all the wonderful cards, letters, and gifts we received throughout the month. We are very blessed and very loved! I'm sad it's all over...all that energy, time etc. to get ready and then it's all just OVER!! Oh well...what are you gonna do, right? LOL!! My tree is still up and I'm still enjoying looking at my snowman collection...I can make it last if I want to! So there!! :) Anyway, I'm going to call it a night and finish my chores. More soon! Love, Nanette XOX

The Singing Christmas Tree

As most of you know...I participated in the Singing Christmas Tree at church this year. It took place the 2nd weekend of December. It was an awesome year to be involved! The music was amazing and with much, much prayer...the weather was PERFECT! PTL!!!!! Anyway...here's some pics of us and the set. Enjoy....

There was a set of trees in the foyer...they included "animals" amongst the snow and bushes. Cute, huh?!?

There was a church/village scene that was stunning. It's hard to capture it with my cheap camera but you get the idea. I also had someone take a photo from a distance so you would get the idea of exactly how things are set up (for those that have never seen something of this nature!) The next photo is a close-up...can you guess which one is ME? And last but not least...our wonderful kids choir. They were awesome!!!

Christmas Party 2008

Christmas Party...Food, Fun and Friends!

Tony and Rich...our maintenance man. They "clean up" nicely don't they? Oh Tony...I heart you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie (in purple) gets down with Erin...our DJ for the party.

Leslie and Kelly!

My co-worker, Kim, and her sweetie, Evan. So cute!!

My new friends Cecil and Abbie. Abbie is a therpist for CMH.

First and foremost...I look SUPER fat here but I'm really not. Anyway, that's me, Rachael, and Renee. The three muskateers at ComCon! :)

My most awesome neighbor and friend, Rachael, and her sweetie, Aaron.

Tracy, Me, and Greg.

My good friend, Rachael, and I. Aren't we cute?

I saved the best for last...Me and the Hubs!! :)

Our party this year was at Steamers and it was very nice! Great job everyone on the committee and Thanks so much for a very nice evening!!! You Rock!!!!!!!!!!

God's Glorious Wonderland

This is the view going up our driveway!

Looking out over the ballfield where we were sledding!

This is the view from where we were sledding today...breathtaking!

On the drive home...the sun shining on one of the mountains. So pretty with the fresh snow!

Wicked Cold!

Happy 2009!! We started the year off with a very pretty but COLD day. The temp reader on my car said 19 deg but with the wind chill it was even colder. We took the boys (Jake & Damion) sledding up at the school out north. It was a blast but boy...were we ever cold by the time we left. I realized that I need to buy some long underwear and a thermos even if I only use them for 1 day a winter. I have a feeling I'm going to need them even more than that THIS winter! Brrrrrrr!!! Anyway, so far this year is flying by already! It's almost bed time and we've done next to nothing today. I slept in, which was heavenly after being up so late last night. When we got home from sledding I layed on the couch under a blanket and tried to thaw out. I put on P.S. I Love You (Gerard Butler, y'all!!) but I fell asleep. The cold just takes it out of you!! Sooo...without further a-due (sp?) here are some sledding pics. Happy New Year everyone!!!

Jake and Damion going on a run down the hill at North Point Higgins!

Jake trying a new path...the snow was too deep and fluffy so we went back to the other run.

Jake trying Chris' Ski-Doo...Chris, Julie and the kids showed up to sled with us.