New stuff in the house

OK, the exciting thing is that after 26 years, I finally got a new fridge! (OK, I'm a cheap date; it doesn't take much to make me happy.) I got the kind with the freezer on the bottom and the french doors, and it is bigger than the old one, which is a good thing for someone who hoards food the way I do. And it's black and shiny, so it looks a lot different from the old almond one, but very nice. Of course, I had to put a few magnets back on it so it doesn't look too perfect. :)

The not-so-exciting thing is that our water heater started leaking a couple of days ago, and it had to be replaced. Of course, it held out for 36 years, so that's not too bad. Allen and his brother just finished that. We certainly didn't plan to have to buy two new appliances at the same time, but life has a way of not fitting into our plans, doesn't it?

Speaking of plans, it's time to start making the summer plans. Seems early, I know, but it sneaks up on us. Allen is riding a Double Century (200+ miles in 2 days) from Seattle to Portland in mid-July, so we need to be there in time for him to prepare. Then my dad's birthday on the 14th so we'll stay there til then, and a very close friend in Oregon's birthday right after, so I'm hoping to be there for her on her day, working our way home. Dean is planning to go to music camp at Donner again and he will be stepping into the drum major slot year after next, so he is supposed to go to drum major training camp this summer and next with the current drum major. Somehow I have to reconcile all this stuff with the fact that he will only be 15 and not able to drive himself and I can't take off to drive him everywhere this year. It will be interesting, that's for sure.

Dean is getting so tall and skinny; he's starting to remind me of my older brother. Typical teenage boy, he goes through days when he eats everything in the house, then he hardly eats anything for a couple of days. He's planning to join the golf team this year, so we'll see how he likes that. It will give him lots of practice, that's for sure. Tonight is the Winter Banquet, so he'll get all dressed up and go to an appetizer party first, then they go to Ca' Bianca for dinner. Yum! I wish I was chaperoning; I haven't been there for a long time. When I was in high school (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), kids didn't go to dances and such without a date. It's nice that they just go solo a lot now and hang out in a group when they get there. Lots less pressure that way.

Several years ago one of our couple friends came over on Valentine's Day and we had fondue. What a fun time that was! They have since moved to another state, but I remember that night with fondness. I'm thinking about having fondue for Valentine's Day again this year. It's on a Saturday, so we can take our time and have some fun with it. It's just as much fun looking through all my fondue recipes and planning it as it is actually making it, I think. (Remember, I told you earlier that I was a cheap date.)

OK, I've rambled enough. I have work to do. Love to all my family and friends.

It's a new year, so why do I feel so old?

That probably won't make much sense to you all, but it makes sense to me. If the year is new, shouldn't I feel new too? OK, OK, just kidding (sort of). I'm a little behind these days, because the year has been "new" for almost two weeks now. I don't think I goofed and wrote 2008 on very many things, so that's a good way to start off.

Dean and I had a play day the day after Christmas. He got some streaks in his hair and I got mine hacked off about 6 inches, then we went out to lunch and to a movie. We saw "Yes Man" with Jim Carrey, which was pretty funny, but had a few parts that we both were surprised about, since it was rated PG13. I don't understand why script writers feel the need to add swearing to almost every movie these days. It usually doesn't add anything to the movie that wasn't there already, so why not leave it out? Maybe more families could bring their children - although, now that I think about it, there were quite a few children there that were quite some distance away from 13. Maybe I'm just more sensitive than other people. I know I'm more protective as a mother, but hey, if mothers don't protect their children, who will? Anyway, blah, blah, blah.

I'm having a hard time getting revved up this week. I think it's time to do some purging, starting with my closet and then the office. Maybe even get rid of all those boxes of books collecting dust in the garage. Sounds like a project for this weekend.

And I eventually got those Christmas cards sent, but just in case I didn't send enough of them, here is the photo on the card. My sister-in-law took it on Thanksgiving Day, and though it isn't a fabulous photo, it really is us. (And yes, Dean was standing on the hearth, so is not quite that tall. He looks about 3" taller there than he really is.)

Love to all - and Happy New Year!