We are under our first winter weather advisory. Yuck! (I really wanted to say something else.:p) It is supposed to start snowing late tonight, tomorrow, until early on Monday. I enjoy looking at it from the warmth of my house, but hate driving or walking on it anymore.

We are starting to get hit here by the huge budget deficit in the state -- 2 billion dollars. First they increased our co pays on meds (3 tiers), then decided we would have to pay a deductible first for meds and increased our insurance premiums, deductibles for medical, and max out of pocket expenses. The state also has not been paying all of its contributions to our pension plans for several years even though they are required to do so by law. While the system can meet all of its obligations now, if they do not start funding it taxpayers are going to be hit with a huge bill in the future or I will not have a pension.

Now all universities have to give back 2.5 % of their budgets. We just got out first budget increase of 2.8% this year -- have not gotten an increase in over four years. It is really incorrect to call our universities state universities anymore. Only about 20% of our budget comes from the state which means that tuition costs keep going up. And as you can all imagine, it is hard for schools to raise much money right now through their foundations. And student loans may be tougher to get.

They also just closed the Lincoln Park and historic sight that is near here for the next 7 months. Several state parks and historic sights are being closed.

Okay -- done with my rant for now.

Hoping my balance issues will be at bay when trying to ski....hehe I LOVE skiing..just having so many kids..slowed my skiing days down..even now hard to fit it in...but going to MAKE it happen and give it a try!!!

the kids are dancing together...the 3 year old and 19month old...to Christmas music we have on..hehe..

I get to sleep in tomorrow...I usually work mornings on Sundays..but tomorrow is last day of month...and I count inventory at night..so working a 2pm- 10pm....doing schedule...food order, working a bit on floor, then counting inventory....

hugss to you all....love and care about you all A LOT!!! hugsss,sarah

(my sister that we hardly hear from...she did make to my other sister funeral...and she did go over today...for the burial...she called me a bit ago..they were on way back to Detroit area...and she said she just wanted me to know...I was on her mind today..and hoping I dont feel wierd that I didnt go down. She also said..Mark had them go thru Madelines clothes and pick any they want..and that they made a pile of stuff that might fit me for me to look thru...and also my nieces went thru all of Madelines costume jewelry...and split it up for us four sisters....)

that was cool my sister was thinking of me, and it will be nice to see the stuff my mom brings home for me...I am misty still many days...but as time goes..and I know Madeline is with my baby girl Sabrina...I am ok!! Hoping Mark is Ok...he is struggling..but has lots of friends inviting him to dinners...he also does have single buddies..that he can start doing more hiking and stuff he has always enjoyed.

Hoping he is doing ok...as ok as someone can be losing a spouse at age 50...

huggss to you all, sarah

I'm sitting her listening to Christmas music on iTunes. Kevin has an account and I figured out how to download singles to my playlist! Guess I need to leave a $5 bill on his dresser, huh?

Rudoloh is playing now. I got Silver Bells, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, The Christmas Song.....all the old versions by Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Gene Autry and Nat King Cole. Just takes me back to my Mom and Dad's when I was a child.....

This will be the first Christmas we've had since Susan (my sister) passed away. It will seem strange, but she had been sick for so long that she didn't get to participate much for the past few years. It's hard not to think about all those who aren't here with us any longer, especially at this time of year. Seems like our family has just gotten so small.....we used to have such big gatherings. Now, if there's six people it's considered big. :( If my MIL wasn't such a troll we could see my DH's side of the family more. She tends to put alot of energy into making us all feel unwelcome so we just don't attempt to go anymore. I do not understand her at all...but she's not well....obviously.

On a happier note.....tomorrow I will wrap all the gifts we purchased for our adopted seniors and we'll deliver them one day next week. I want to make some goodies (cookies and turtles) to include. Maybe we'll put our tree up tomorrow. We have a prelit artificial tree. It's really lifelike. I just hate trying to keep the cats from climbing it. They ignore it after a couple of days but for those first couple of days they're really annoying!

Evening all. :)

We went wandering around and did some shopping. Also did a lot of window shopping too. Man, am I beat right now.

Got some good news on an insurance thing. Been fighting with a place telling them that all the info we got from our insurer said that they paid the bill in full. Got a copy of a letter the insurance company sent to the provider telling them to stop and desist trying to get $$ from us and that they did accept the amount paid to them as payment in full. Definitely holding onto that one and making copies. Not very often you get something helpful like that. :)

~~~~~~

Kelly, we put the tree up for a couple of days with no ornaments 'cuz our cats do that too. Also found they are ten times more interested in a live tree than the fake ones. :rolleyes:

Barb, sorry to hear the state is having financial issues. :( Oh, and I say "Vac the room" ;)

Tami, that is such a cool picture of Olhipie. :cool: What a neat device.

Frank, hope you're feeling better

Kay, Rich in ways more than money, hun. :hug:

Sarah, :hug::hug:

Sox, those cookies sound great! Enjoy your kids when they get home. :)

howdy all

sarah be careful, as fruitless as it is to say dont over do it:Doh:

Kelly I say not changing the door locks, is as good as a five spot

Fin I have run into a few docs in my days that tried that BS... glad Ins comp stood up for you

now this winter stuff its not that bad, lol I dont even know where my boots are or my gloves are:Bang-Head: Barb you are right about how nice it looks
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/pi...pictureid=1789

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ington/158.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j.../Freshsnow.jpg

OK I could dig living here

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...osnowcabin.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...h/IMGP1552.jpg

nice pics Frank...

wow humidity must be creeping as I am numbing up....wish I wasnt a barometer..not fun anymore..really...

I will try not to overdo in life...:eek: it gets tricky...but I will try thanks Frank..

my hands are numby..and feet are sooo tingling numby..good part is..with the neurontin working..the tinglings arent the painful kind...wihtout the neurotin right now I would be in painful tingling mode...I know it!!

hugss to all and good night, although get to sleep in...I am beat..hugss,sarah

I know Sarah easier said than done, when you have others to tend to, rest well have a nice Sunday


hello Maddie mgirjgprwkjtperkj

Hello everyone. We've been busy finishing off the outdoor decs and inside tree. I still have more to decorate inside but I think I am done outside unless I change my mind and do around the garage door. lol

Here are some pics. Sorry they are big but I am too tired to resize them because my finger hurts. I was at Ace buying a Rudolph yard art and my finger slid along the cardboard and I got a bad cut. The owner was running for paper towels and band-aids. lol I am Ok, could have probably used a stitch but it's all good. I just yelled out "Band-aid, I need a band-aid now please." Funny how not one shopper was bothered. Just went around me like nothing was going on. Ha!

Ok, on to the pics.

My tree

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/102_0324.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/102_0323.jpg

Front of house

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...15736_6600.jpg

Front door deck

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...15729_4988.jpg

Left side of front yard

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/102_0333.jpg

Right side of front yard

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/102_0336.jpg

Birdhouse with flashing lights

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/102_0332.jpg

Peanuts gang

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...15732_5669.jpg

Rudolph

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...15733_5900.jpg

wow Sandy...not in bed yet..and peeked in...what wonderful lights..and so many....hugsss,sarah

The scary part is I want more lights! lol