My 2015 Year in Books

Goodreads.com is what I refer to as a "Facebook for book lovers" and I've been an active member since 2011.  Each year thereafter I have set a goal for myself to read 40 books annually.  Interestingly enough I read exactly 37 books in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014.  This past year I kicked it into high gear and sucessfully finished 41 books which earned me this cute little badge of honor.

Yay Me!

My goal for 2016 is 45 books.  It's going to be tough but I'm always up for a good challenge.  If anyone reading wants to follow/friend me on Goodreads, my screen name is JulieP.  I'd love to see what you're reading.

The formatting isn't pretty but here's what I read in 2015...

really liked it

it was amazing

it was amazing

really liked it

it was amazing

Happenings

After a very hectic last couple of months it was nice to spend a few quiet days at home relaxing.  Meg has asked me to take her shopping today, her last day of Christmas vacation.  She may have to don a parka since the temperature right now is only 55 degrees.  I'm thrilled!  She. Might. Die.  :-)

Proof that Fin is feeling much better came yesterday with these photos from Colleen taken at the science center.  For Iphone photos I thought they came out super cool.

 



I'm going to spend my morning playing catch up with my half finished December Daily album.

Probably a good idea, don't you think?   I'm so ready to move on to other projects.

Happy 2016 !

Little Fin was released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon fully hydrated but still running a fever, however I'm happy to report that the fever is now gone and he is slowly on the mend.  

I hope everyone rung in the new year safely and in good health.  We spent our last evening of 2015 with friends and as of noon, this first day of 2016, I still have three teenage girls (and one dog) zonked out in our kitchen/family room. Who knew sparkling apple cider was such a wicked conconction?

I'm going to spend today doing a whole lotto nuttin' and then hit my to do list hard tomorrow.  *smile*

Happy New Year to All !!!

Fin News and Christmas Photos

We had a great visit with Jay, Colleen and Fin however the little guy woke up Christmas morning with a deep croupy cough which seemed to materialize out of nowhere.  He's such a little trooper because even though you could see that he didn't feel well, there was absolutely no fussing or complaining on his part. Unfortunately he has gone downhill since their departure on Saturday and was hospitalized yesterday for persistant fever and dehydration.  :-(  I'm told that he's feeling better this morning but I'm still awaiting word as to whether or not he's going to be released today.  This was the little guy last night watching his nightly episode of Bubble Guppies from the hospital bed.

My heart breaks for the little guy and his parents, who I know must be drained. I'm waiting to hear if they need Grandma backup this week.  In the meantime I'd like to share a couple of happier family photos taken on Christmas Eve.

It was so nice to have us all together.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  I'll be sure to keep you posted on Fin's recovery and my whereabouts this week.

Happy Holidays!

The last month has been crazy busy but fortunately the madness has started to wind down. I do have a few things left to do but for the most part it should be a fairly quiet day.  Actually that may not be true since Jay and Fam are headed this way but that's a whole different kind of hectic, not to mention, the best Christmas present ever.

We plan to spend our evening with fifty of our closest friends and their families. Yes, my dear friends Kelley and Hans are hosting Christmas Eve dinner for fifty-nine.  She is in her element (O.M.G., right?) and we are all very thankful to be included in their "Danglish" festivities.

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.  I'm counting the minutes until I can get my hands on this dapper little guy...

I have no doubt that he will be a hit tonight with all of my girlfriends.  :-)

The Fin-Man Turns One

It's so hard to believe that a year has gone by already.  This cute newborn baby boy ...

 is now officially a toddler...

His parents recently held his first birthday party at a park near their home.  The number of attendees hovered close to thirty but out of repect to their children's privacy, only photos of our family will be shared here.

Naturally Fin had no clue as to the cause for such a fine celebration but he thoroughly enjoyed his independence. He was a man on the move which meant Grandma was also on the move.

I had lots of photos of his backside.

So much mulch, so little time.

There were playsets to climb...

Decorations to destroy...

And bubbles.  Lots of bubbles...

 


Fin proudly yielded his bubble wand as a sword...

(This kid is ALL boy.)

Of course there was cake.  The theme for Birthday Party #1 was Bubble Guppies.

He wasn't quite sure what to do with his Smash Cake....

  

but he eventually figured out that he was supposed to eat it...

Of course, a bath in the doggy water fountain was then in order.  This turned out to be way more fun than playing with cake.

Then it was time for some family photos...

Grandma #1...

Grandma #2 with Aunt Meg...

And Grandpa...who will never willingly pose for a photo.

And of course, presents.  LOTS of presents....

 (Can't have a Bubble Guppy party without a Bubble Puppy, courtesy of Aunt Meg.)

Look at this obscene Pile o' Presents ....

Thankfully his parents only have themselves to blame for this next one...

Fortunately it serves double duty as a "baby keeper."  :-)


And just think!  Christmas is only three days away....

The Rocking Chair

It can be said that I'm a hoarder and in a sense, I am.  But I consider myself a very select and organized saver.  My main source of saving comes in the form of sentimental treasures.  Take this rocking chair for example...

If you look closely at the photo you will notice that it is stenciled with Jay's name and the year 1983. My mother purchased this unfinished and presented it to Jay for his very first Christmas when he was ten months old.

(If I remember correctly, she and my father also bought him the cute outfit and the red step stool.  I believe Santa may have brought the Smurf slippers but I can't say for sure.)


He loved this chair and used it daily until he outgrew it.  I knew it was a keepsake so for the past 32 years it's been loving moved to eight different homes across the state of Florida. Why?  Because I knew one day there would be another special someone to enjoy the chair.

Enter Fin, just a week shy of twelve months old..

Last week I hauled this chair to it's ninth home.  The little guy was fast asleep for the night when I arrived but I set it out in anticipation of my o'dark thirty wake up call.  Fortunately for me the little guy "slept in" until 6:15.  (His parents were already long gone for their shifts at the hospital.)

It didn't take him long to figure out just what it was for...

And that, my friends, was the start of our day together.   :-)