Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you! I hope you have a very prosperous and healthy 2010. I usually don't burden myself with goals or new resolutions, but this year, I have a couple of things I would like to accomplish.

I've been going to the gym every weekday since August and although I have firmed up, I haven't lost any weight. I am going to focus in on the diet and try to lose 20 lbs. Yikes! I can't believe I said that outloud, let alone typed it for all of you to see and gulp, hold me accountable! I'd like to fit nicely into a beautiful dress from Anthropologie and walk the streets of Paris. Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I daydream about. (If I dreamed about running marathons, I would probably have a better chance at reaching my goal.)

I'm going to try to not spend so much money. Ouch! That one hurt, don't let the Handsome Husband hear that. Is that called saving? I'm not sure. I spend too much money on the little things. I'm cutting out all those little things that cost $2-10 and when I go to check out, I've spent $200! (This also means cutting back on the tablescapes. I'm actually going to try to buy some real china. I think these two thoughts just negated each other. The money I save on the little things will help me buy the big things!)

I'm going to try to make more handmade items that are more personal. (Relax girls, like tags and stuff, not the presents! ).

I'm going to try to have a date night with the Handsome Husband once or twice a month.

I wonder if I'm sabotaging myself, because looking at everything I've said, it all says, "I'm going to try" not I am going to. Who's taking bets on my success?

Sherlock Holmes

The Handsome Husband and I went to see Sherlock Holmes on Tuesday night. It was definitely a Guy Richie film. The fight scenes, the way the movie was put together mirrored all our favorites such as: Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smocking Barrels, etc. It portrayed Sherlock Holmes and Watson in a totally different way than I had ever perceived him thats for sure. I found it enjoyable, but a little slow in the middle. I think I would wait to rent this one if I had to choose. I liked it, but didn't love it.

Christmas With All the Gores'

It is Gore family tradition to gather for dinner and the exchanging of presents on Christmas night. We always go over to Jack and Stacy's house for the festivities.
Everyone gathers around their "bar" to mingle and catch up on the latest happenings.

We then enjoy a tasty buffet dinner. The meal is mostly made by Stacy and Jack and we just bring dessert and salad.

Here are the grandparents (Katie and Jer) with all the grandchildren. Notice all the girls are about the same height, 5'10ish (except Alyssa, she is the midget).

Alyssa and Greg

The Girls: Katie, Delaney, Jessica and Emma

Katie at home enjoying her Snuggie.

Christmas Past

Ain't she a beauty? As I'm begging my children ( late teens) for some direction in buying their Christmas presents, I'm remembering the things that got me so excited when I was little. How I couldn't wait for Christmas! There were no Ipods, video games or movies to be considered. The sweet ride up above was number 1 on my list and I was soooo excited when Santa brought me one. Schwinn stingray with a banana seat. My mom had to put it on lay-away because a Huffy just would not do.
I LOVED Donny Osmond and I wanted this album so bad. My grandmother got it for me at a huge record store in South Coast Plaza, back when there was only two wings off the Carousel. No Nordstrom, Saks and swanky designer stores. Just Sears and May Co. surrounded by bean fields in the middle of nowhere.
This was also on my list. I still listen to these songs today on my Ipod. They make me happy. Songs like: I Think I Love You and I Can Feel Your Heartbeat.
Then there was Barbie! How I loved Barbie. I had every Barbie thing known to any living little girl. I wish I still had all my stuff. Malibu Barbie and Ken where huge in my day. I had that bus and all kinds of cases, and doll furniture and
this fantastic mansion. I can still remember coming out on Christmas morning and Santa had "left" this for me, all set up. Thank you Santa!
My mom gave me an edge over my friends by making these ultra cool clothes for Barbie. I could dress her for hours. I have suppressed the Barbie lover in me for too long, I'm gonna give her some breathing room now! What were your favorite Christmas toys?

I'm so EXASPERATED!!!

Yesterday, I got my hair cut, no big deal. Then I went to pay for it and she accidentally charged me $1,256.00 (on my debit card) for my $156 hair cut. She immediately voided it. I thought, "no big deal, its been voided". WRONG!!! She then tried to charge the correct amount, Declined! So I wrote her a check. I went home and sure enough $1,256 was taken out of my account. I called the bank. The girl said no problem, it would come off the next day. I thought the situation was handled. WRONG!!! Today, I went to use my debit card and I was declined. How embarrassing. I happen to be close to a branch so I went in. Yes, a freeze had been put on my card and I had to call the Fraud department. Really, can't you just help me here? NO! Call the number on the back of your card So, I went home and called customer service. "OOOH, I see the charge, I don't see the void, you have to make a claim", said Mr. Customer Service. "Of course, I can't help you, here is the claims number". "Okay," I said, "please transfer me to the Fraud department". He transfers me, of course, none of the options match what I need them for. I wait to be transfered to a banker. The call tells me, whoever is not at their desk and the machine will now hang up on me and I should try my call later. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! I call the claims department. They don't see the transaction yet, so they cannnot file a claim, call them back if the charge doesn't drop off in a couple of days. COUPLE OF DAYS!!! Yes, I will be out that $1,256 until they are able to "process" the transaction. Funny, how they can take it out within seconds, but it takes multiple days to put it back into the account. At least she then transfered me to a live person in the Fraud department were I had to verify every transaction I made yesterday. (I did some Christmas shopping before I got my hair cut). They unfroze my ATM Debit card, but it took me over an hour to do all this. UNBELIEVABLE!

Christmas Party

On Friday night, we had a Christmas party for my Handsome Husband's team at his office. I made these gift boxes for everyone to take home. The boxes have a red top and four compartments inside. The compartments are scalloped and red dot tissue paper come to line each compartment. They are made by Martha Stewart and I bought them last year. I bought extra and good thing I did, because I couldn't find them this year. I absolutely love them. If they don't come back for next year, I have saved a box so I can try to make my own.

We put the Handsome Husband's homemade and delicious fudge, O'henry's, rolo turtles and a little trail mix. So yummy! Sorry to show them all wrapped up, but I forgot to take pictures until I had them almost all done.

I bought these cute stickers from Polkadotinvitations.com

We had to move out some of my livingroom furniture to accomodate this table. We had 18 people and my house was just big enough!


We set an appetizer and drink table up and when it was time for dinner, we turned it into a buffet table.

The appetizers went fast. Simple and easy, pepperoni, salami, cheese, and veggies. Everyone helped themselves and it all disappeared. For dinner we served: Butternut squash soup, pork tenderloin with a pepper jelly sauce and gorgonzola cheese, green beans, salad and bread. For dessert: chocolate cake or tiramasu and coffee. I think every dish in my whole house was used!

Merry Christmas!

Had to be there moment!

So your asking yourself, why are these kids laughing so hard?

Because of this unfortunate situation! When we were all jumping into the "Doom Buggies" at the haunted house, there were three adults left. I said, "I'll sit by myself" and the kid directing everyone said, "Three can fit". "Okay" I said, and preceeded to get into the buggy with Lance and Cindy. Needless to say, we did not fit comfortably. I was practically sitting on top of Cindy and Lance was smooshed in the corner. Oh my goodness, we laughed hysterically through the whole thing. Wow! Talk about the third wheel, just like high school all over again! hehe!

Other than that, we had a great day at Disneyland. Sunny and cool and the best of all - NO LINES!!!

50th Wedding Anniversary Party

On Saturday, we headed out to Wickenburg, AZ (in the pounding rain, passing two wrecks) to help celebrate Katie and Jer's 50th Wedding Anniversary. They met in Las Cruces, New Mexico and after only 5 weeks of courtship, they married.
It was a wonderful evening with all their friends and lots of family. It was held at Charley's Steakhouse, the nicest place in town. The next morning when we went to Denny's for breakfast, we heard the staff all talking about the big party for Katie and Jer the night before and what a great turnout they had!

They had this wonderful photo from 50 years ago. Beautiful!

Jer welcomed everyone and introduced all the family members sitting at the head table.
Then a little story and background and "Jack the Knife" was played and Katie and Jer danced for us all. They were having a great time and you could see the happiness and love between them.


Jer made a little speech, reminiscing and telling his children and grandchildren how proud of them he was. Then he got a little choked up as he told us all how much he loved Katie and how she was his best friend.
The next morning, bright and early, we hit the open road. There was a beautiful sunrise (unfortunately, we didn't get out the camera until it was too late). The desert was alive with light and shadow, and beautiful colors and smells.


I had to get a shot of the saguaro cactus. They are amazing. As soon as you cross the border from California into Arizona, you see them. They seem to like certain places and will grown in their own little neighborhoods. You won't see any for miles and then you'll come across a whole patch of them filling acres and acres. They are native and I believe only grow naturally in Arizona.

Heading out

to the land of these majestic giants for the Handsome Husband's parent's 50th wedding anniversary party, then right back.

The Results Are In...

Voted "Best Smile" by the Senior class at THHS.