Thanksgiving

Mickey hoping for a fire

We are ready!!

Cutie pie, Valerie


Justin being crazy

Showing off his dance moves

I love this time of year. It's cold outside, windy and rainy. It's a great time of year, especially when we're done Christmas shopping. It's also great when I have 4 days off of work with the greatest husband in the world. Since we were finished Christmas shopping, I didn't have to get up early to go to black Friday.

On turkey day (now known as gobble gobble day), we went to my parents house for dinner. My oldest brother (older by many years) and his family were able to make it down from Washington. It was nice to see them, since its been quit a few months since we last saw them. It was fun to see our nephew and niece. Other family (aunts, uncles and cousins) that we haven't seen in a while were able to make it over as well. It was nice to see everyone.

The rest of the weekend was extremely lazy. Today, I was able to get some Christmas stuff done. Since we need to mail most of our presents off, I need to get everything ready to mail out this weekend. Christmas cards are made and presents are next on my list. Everything will be ready! I love it when everything comes together. It just makes it that much easier.

Jason has been extremely busy with school work. He has a lot of papers and studying to do. We can't believe that he only has a bout 2 weeks until finals week. Everything is coming so fast. That just makes it sooner that we move!! YAY!!

We are all set for winter and lots of fires. My boss's neighbors had cut down a tree and had waaaay too much firewood and needed to get rid of it (for free!!). We drove out to Lincoln and picked up the wood. There was so much, I couldn't believe it. We are set for warmth this winter. I love having fires, and so does Mickey.

Home made Applesauce

Do we keep it too cold in house?

The apples are in the crock pot

I think my mom had a pair of glasses like these when I was growing up

Me on date night with my new hair


Don't we make a cute couple?

On Saturday, I finally got my hair done. It was much needed. I hadn't had a haircut or anything since before we went to Europe. Whenever I get my hair done, we make a point to go out somewhere (doesn't matter where). We had a gift certificate to PF Chang's. We arrive there (near the Galleria) about 6pm, the wait was over a hour and half. That was way too to wait, so we headed out to Citrus Heights. Sad to say, we knew it would less crowded. We were right, the place was basically empty. We ended up eating at Logan's Roadhouse. It wasn't what we were expecting. We do like our restaurants to be clean and neat. At this place, you could throw your peanut shells right on the floor. When the bus boys cleaned tables, they threw the trash directly on the floor. There was this painting that cracked Jason up. It was not painted well. The people in the painting had one arm bigger than the other, or no necks, or a small face, but a fat back or the head. It looked like it was painted by a 10 year old. It was pretty funny to look at.

The food at Logan's was pretty good. A little more expensive than we guessed, but good. When we go out, we always guess how much the check is going to be before we look. We each had 2 beers, and regular dinners, and the check was about $50.00.

Sunday (today), I am making home made apple sauce. I've never made it before, but I love apple sauce. The apple aren't from Apple Hill (as I know most of you are asking). I'm still in the progress of making the sauce. I love making things in my crock pot. It's like I'm cooking all day, but I'm not doing anything. It's the best. The apple sauce is making the whole house smell like apples and cinnamon. It's great!

Great news! Jason got a part time seasonal job. I'm so proud of him. It's just something small before he graduates. He's working part time at Toys R Us. Any money is good money. I'm also meeting with someone one Tuesday about a pet sitting job for over Thanksgiving holiday. It's pretty awesome because it is so close to my work (which is 10 minutes from my house). Well, I guess I should go check on the apple sauce, I can't wait to try it tonight...only another 2 hours and 15 minutes (I'm not counting down or anything).

Run for a Safe Haven

A pretty flower growing on a cactus of ours (Jason's)

Our fire on Saturday

My Mickey Blue Eyes


Off we go to the race

I'm freezing and ready to go

There is a lot of people here

I'm heading towards the finish line

Me and my supportive husband

On Saturday morning, we got up super early (6:30 am) and I got ready for my first 5K (3.1 miles) in about 2 years. I've been training fora while now and was prepared. I had a goal set in my head of 30 minutes or less. I've been running a 10 minute mile and knew it could be possible. It was so cold, I never wanted to take off my jacket, but I knew I had to in order to get in a good run. When they were making their announcements and thanking their sponsors. They announced that the mayor was there and was going to race, as well. I thought that was pretty cool.

I was timing myself during the race and I was hitting every mile dead on to my practices. I think what threw me off was the traffic jam at the water station (I was also getting more tired towards the nd). My final chip time was 31:37. I finished 19th in my age group (out of 44 girls). In all, I came in 117 out of 241. This was my best time EVER! I didn't meet my goal, but I set a new record for myself. Last time I ran in this race (in 2006), I finished at 38:48. I placed 132 overall. I'm very happy and proud of myself. I thank Jason for being there at the finish line waiting for me. It makes it a lot easier when I have someone there at the end. My next race is December 20. It's just a 3 miler that helps out the salvation army.

On Saturday night, we relaxed by the fire and watched a movie. Sunday was a pretty laid back day. We just got things done around the house. Jason worked on his homework, while I blogged. Overall, this was a great weekend.

Halloween

The final product

In progress

Here's the start

Roxy posing for a picture

This Halloween, we ended up staying home and relaxing. It is kind of nice because we never get any trick or treaters here. Who wants candy from people that can't afford a house? We love it. Jason carved his pumpkin (with the help of Roxy). It was a nice, relaxing night of scary movies while Jason played on-line.