Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas

From Our Sleigh to Yours

 

The Adams Family's Top Ten List of What Made Us Enjoy 2012

 

  1.  Keaton turned 21 and after celebrating with a nice dinner with us, he went out to celebrate with his roommates.  That's all we know and all we want to know.

  2.  Keaton and Matt saved gas money and the environment by carpooling together to work every day over the summer while Keaton worked at his internship.  Surprisingly, Keaton was able to stay awake in the car...especially while driving.

  3.  Matt & Deb took a trip out west to visit The Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and The Petrified Forest.  They spent some time in the Ozarks on the way home and, surprisingly, did not hear any banjo music.

  4.  Keaton finished his sophomore year at Kalamazoo College and began his junior year...still working toward a degree in computer science.  If he double majors with a degree in math, he could potentially become a very well-educated bookie.

  5.  Matt returned home from nearly two weeks in India for a work-related trip and thankfully didn't smell like curry.

  6.  Matt made his long-anticipated dream of collecting pinball machines a reality.  His collection now contains nine machines and he is a true pinhead.  (That's what pinball enthusiasts are called.  Really.  I'm not calling him a name.  Really.) 

  7.  Matt & Deb still dress up for Halloween and enjoyed a sports theme this year:  Matt was a short basketball player (we know it's a stretch to imagine, but he was on his knees), Deb was a referee, and Cyrus was a Detroit Lions football player.  Keaton wisely chose to stay at school to avoid any embarrassing family photos.

  8.  Matt had surgery in November, was a very good patient, and Deb didn't have to strangle him.

  9.  Deb is getting closer to realizing her dream of writing a book.  Now she just has to decide if it's going to be "How to Send Your Only Child Off to College  While Not Crying Hysterically and Hanging on His Feet While He Leaves" or "300 Ways My Husband Has Tried to Kill Me Over the Years".

10.  Cyrus has enjoyed his "pampering" a few times this past year when he developed a gut-wrenching hobble and Deb dutifully carried him around everywhere until he was back to normal.  We're still not completely sure Cyrus wasn't faking just so he could get lots of additional doting.

Kalamazoo College Security Blotter

The Kalamazoo College Security Blotter reports two tires slashed on two vehicles belonging to two players on the mens' basketball team.  The incident occurred sometime between the hours of 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7th and 1:00 p.m.on Saturday, Dec. 8th.  The first victim's parents happened to be visiting (after serving the team a delicious home-cooked breakfast) and noticed a flat tire on their son's vehicle.  The mother of the victim, with her keen sense of observation and crime-solving capabilities, also noticed a flat tire on the vehicle parked next to her son's vehicle.  After investigating, it was determined two tires were in fact slashed...probably with a knife.  First victim's father jokingly reported to security to question basketball players from rival Hope College.  Both players had a bonus workout of changing tires added to their daily regimen.  The investigation continues...

Living in Michigan, we're thankful this didn't happen with a foot of snow!

Merry Christmas Decorations

We finally have our tree up...well, most of it.  Since Matt can't climb a ladder and I don't like to climb a ladder, we only put up 2/3 of our tree.  I miss the 12-foot size of it, but I guess this means it won't take us as long to take everything down! 

I made this ornament wreath this week. 
It's glittery and Cyrus has tracked the glitter all over the house!

Styrofoam + Paper + Wooden Stars + Paint + Hot Glue Gun = Cute!!!

I made these letters a few years ago.



I re-purposed some old ornaments by filling clear ornaments with gold ribbon and adding old, unused ornaments to a bowl.

 

Our Thanksgiving Feast for 2.7

Another Thanksgiving has flown the coop.  We like to be different, so we celebrated Thanksgiving without the usual consumption of the turkey.  We gave thanks with a chicken instead.  Planning for our dinner, I did the math and found there would be only three of us eating (well, really only 2.7 when I broke it down):

1.0 Matt's portion
1.0 Deb's portion
0.5 Keaton's portion (he had to save room for half a portion with his girlfriend's family)
0.2 Cyrus's portion
2.7 Thanksgiving dinner portions/people

(Wow...I may be watching too much of The Big Bang Theory!)  So, another Thanksgiving has passed and we have lots of which to be thankful:  we're happy, healthy, and not eating leftover turkey for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!



Our bedroom before Cyrus decided to try his paw at decorating.

Our bedroom after Cyrus finished with his decorating project.



Cyrus is ready for some Thanksgiving football!

The guys in orange tackled the Black Friday sale ads...carefully studying the newspaper ads and online ads.
Cyrus is either a true Lions fan and couldn't tear his gaze from the game...or he was watching a commercial about food.



Three hours of cooking enjoyed in 20 min. of eating.



Cyrus enjoyed his 0.2 portion of the meal.



Before we ate dinner.



After we ate dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

Yum!

Matt's still on the road to recovery.  Each day the pain is lessening and each night he's able to sleep a little more comfortably.  He's still slow moving around, but is able to stand a little more upright each day.  He's not shuffling along like a little old man anymore!  He's been eating well...probably better than most patients.  I made him Chex mix, brownies, caramel/chocolate-covered popcorn, and his beloved Oriental salad.  He's the luckiest man in the world...and I remind him daily.  ;-)

Happy (Early) Thanksgiving!

Today we headed up to Matt's brother's house for a little pre-Thanksgiving celebration with his brothers and sister-in-law.  Keaton, his aunt, and the dog fell asleep watching football after lunch...all without eating any usual nap-inducing turkey.  Keaton, of course, slept the longest...even after the dog came to cuddle with him.

Nip/Tuck

Today's adventure was a trip to the hospital for Matt's hernia surgery...and I'm probably a large factor in causing it. I'll be the first to admit that I over-pack for everything and I can cram a lot of clothes and shoes in my bags for our trips.  Those bags get pretty heavy.  After 22 years of hauling my heavy stuff around, I guess I literally became a pain in Matt's side.  It's still better than being a pain somewhere else.  So, Matt was admitted at 7:30 a.m. and we were back home by 1:30 p.m.  Everything went well and now he just has to rest and not do any heavy lifting.  I guess we won't be able to take any trips for a while...or I'll have to cut down on my packing!



Matt's pre-op pose.
(You can't tell here, but he couldn't get his feet to fit on the bed unless his pillow and head hung off the bed.)

 

Matt's pretty souvenir bracelet.

 

I was bored and didn't have anything else to photograph while waiting.

 

Matt's post-op pose. 
(He was finally able to fit his pillow and head on the bed...but not his feet.)
 

 

 

IT'S FINALLY OVER!!!

IT'S FINALLY OVER!!!  I'm sooooo happy not to see any more negative political ads on TV, get annoying phone calls all day and night, or receive TONS of political junk mail!  Life is good again!!  I just shudder to think of all the money candidates put into their advertising campaigns.  Billions of dollars wasted, in my opinion.  Just think of the better choice they all could have made by earmarking most of that advertising money for charity...instead of drumming their pleas on numb ears.  (I don't know about you all, but we totally tuned out all ads after the first week of being bombarded.)  With social media outlets (like facebook and twitter), candidates can get their message out to the voters...FOR FREE!!  Sure, not all voters utilize social media, so I'll even allow some TV ads, phone calls, and mailings.  But the political advertising blitz these last couple of months is unwanted, annoying, and a total waste of money.  It's definitely time for a change in campaign finances. Okay, I'm climbing off my soapbox now.

Keaton voted for his very first time...and we think he totally voted correctly.  I guess he really does listen to everything we've been saying over the years and we're so proud he shares our left-wing beliefs.  We're all thankful we live in a country where we're all entitled to our personal beliefs...however uptight, racist, homophobic, and wrong some people may be.  ;-)

Happy Halloween!

I know, I know...Halloween was last week, but I just now finally have some time to sit at the computer and update this.  While trying to tackle BOTH computers' serious issues (and creating some new curse words), carving pumpkins (well, Matt did...I cheated and glued buttons on mine), cheering on the Hornets at their game on Thursday, raking leaves, hosting a dinner party, and spending a day at Matt's brother's house, I just haven't had time.  I'm happy to announce that I think I have one computer fixed (pretty much) and my blood pressure is finally beginning to drop a bit. 

 



So, Halloween here was cold, wet, and gloomy.  We had about 160 trick-or-treaters (half of our usual 300+), so that means that we had some left-over candy...including a full bag of Snickers.  Darn.  Sports was our theme this year and we hung up our K College flag and WMU flag (I like how Matt says the U of M flag won't fit....hmmmm),  and dressed in our costumes (including Cyrus in his Detroit Lions jersey).  We tried to sit on the porch to pass out candy like we usually do, but we got too cold and had to wimp out and move inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hit the store early the morning after Halloween to stock up on some discounted wigs and costumes for future photo opportunities.  Even Cyrus got a new costume...he'll be wise Yoda sometime.  Now I have to find some Star Wars costumes to fit into the theme.  And I'm not wearing the Princess Leia bikini...but maybe Matt will.

 



Basketball season is getting underway.  K had its first exhibition game against WMU on Thursday night.  The team and parents went out to dinner after the game and it was nice to meet some new parents and talk with the coaches a bit.  Oh, and to visit with Keaton for a bit.  ;-)

We hosted a fondue dinner for our friend's birthday on Saturday.  Three courses of yumminess...if I do say so myself.  I love fondue, but it definitely is a time commitment.  It took me an hour and a half to prepare everything (meat, veggies, fruit, bread, and dipping sauces) and then it took us about 2 hours to eat.  But, I definitely recommend a fondue dinner...when you have some serious time to be able to enjoy it!

Happy Birthday to Keaton!

 

Keaton turned 21 on Saturday!  We enjoyed celebrating with him, his beloved, his roommates, and some family members at a seafood restaurant.  After dinner (and thoroughly embarrassing him when everyone sang to him in the restaurant) we headed back to his dorm room to watch the Tigers, open presents, and cut into the adorable cake his girlfriend had made for him.  Even though the Wings aren't playing, he still is a HUGE fan and the cake was absolutely perfect!  The only thing that could have made his birthday any better was a win by the Tigers...and a settlement for the NHL.

 

 

To further embarrass Keaton, I had to make a cute little birthday video.  So, click on the arrow below, turn up the volume, sit back, and enjoy to a trip down birthday lane.  I dare you not to smile or tap your foot.  Enjoy!!

 

 

   

More Fall Stuff

 

 

 

Okay, I'm now officially ready for winter.  I don't want it to be winter yet, but I am ready for it just in case.  And living in Michigan, we could have snow any day now.  I switched around all the closets and drawers and packed up all our summer stuff last week. I also added more fall touches to my already-decorated house. I can't ever leave anything alone. Just ask the dog. I'm constantly in his face snapping his picture or kissing him or talking/singing to him.  I guess I can kind of see why I also drive Keaton crazy. 

 

We enjoyed a nice visit from my dad and step-mom this past week. They're living in TN now and their blood has definitely thinned in the years they've been down there. They were chilly in our 50 degree weather while I thought about wearing shorts. Just kidding...they were packed away, remember?  We went to the casino for our monthly donation to the Indians, but still had a lot of fun. Keaton came home for a visit and I ended up making him all sorts of goodies. (Can you say spoiled?)  It was a nice weekend and now I think it's time for my nap.  Finally. 

Cyrus enjoyed cuddling with Keaton...until the yelling when the Tigers lost their lead.  (My ears are still ringing.)



This is Matt getting ready to bite into his homemade caramel apple dipped in chocolate chips. 
As a matter of fact, this is the same face he made when the Yankees tied the game last night.

 

Fall Color Tour (and My Near-Death Experience)

Yesterday, I grabbed the camera and Matt (so he could drive me while I gawked at the gorgeous colors...plus his height helps to elongate my ever-widening frame in pictures) and we embarked on our west Michigan color tour.  It was a drizzly, cold, gray day, but the drizzle soon stopped and the sun even poked out a couple of times as we headed north to see the spectacular colors and visit some covered bridges.  We were able to visit three of the four on our list (one was closed to the public, darn it) and we were even able to drive over two of them (bridges, not the list).

 

 

We had some drama at the second bridge that involved Matt saving my life.  Well, it wasn't really that extreme...but it could have been.  Matt crossed the bridge to go underneath to look at some fish.  I went down to the water on my side to take some pictures and that's when there was a ferocious barking and a woman frantically yelling in the woods behind me, trying to get her dog under control.  Based on the horrific, blood-curdling barking, the dog was a reincarnation of Cujo...or more likely, a hell hound...and my heart about jumped out of my chest.  As the barking and yelling kept getting closer, I yelled for Matt while I frantically started trying to decide which tree I was going to have to climb and how far up I had to be so the maniacal beast wouldn't rip me to shreds.  (Oh, did I mention that Matt had the car keys and I couldn't go cower in the car like the big baby I'll hastily agree I am when there's a demon dog who is probably thirsting for my blood?)  Matt, being a thoughtful husband, was already sprinting over to me as I yelled for him.  (I'm sure he was being thoughtful and protective...and not trying to prevent any embarrassment he'd feel from the screaming, crying, hysterical hot mess he knew would be coming from my side of the bridge any second.  Plus, he probably did not want to have to climb up a tree to coax me down or...God forbid...have to catch me as I fell from a tree.)  Thankfully, the lady got demon beast under control before I was eaten alive.  It was pretty scary, though.  Big dogs absolutely, positively terrify me.  And I definitely must have been terrified if I was actually thinking of climbing a tree!

 

 

 

After my heart rate became normal again and I stopped shaking, I finally remembered that I had brought along the tri-pod (duh) and we were able to take some cheesy photos of us posing at the last bridge.  (For your sake, I'm not posting those.  You're welcome.)  I'm extremely happy and thankful I don't have any pictures of Cujo mauling me...or any pictures of me being stitched up in the nearest emergency room.  Life is good...and would be even better if I don't ever have to come in contact with a big dog.  Ever.

If I Only Had a Girl...

Being the only girl in the house forces me to sometimes play dress-up with the dog.  Here he is in a pretty pink headband.  Wait 'til you see him in a skirt and heels.

Ta Da!!

Here's what I made today with my hot glue gun, some foam pumpkins, and some fake fall flowers.  My porch is now officially decorated for fall.  (And I don't have any blisters from my hot glue gun.  It was a good day!)

 

 

10 Reasons Why I Love My Husband

Matt may be the best husband in the whole-wide world.  He brought me home a pretty bouquet of fall flowers just to cheer me up. 

Well, if he's not the best husband in the world, then he's gotta be in at least in the top ten.  Speaking of top ten...here are ten reasons why I love him.

1. He always puts the toilet seat down...and closes the lid.  Always.
2. He likes to do the dishes.
3. He cleans up the yard after the dog.
4. He doesn't question my vast collection of shoes and purses...or question my need to keep adding to it.
5. He lets me pick which movies we get from Netflix.
6. He puts gas in my car...and always has since I was pregnant with Keaton (21 years ago).
7. He doesn't conspicuously roll his eyes when I make him watch 'The Notebook' with me.
8. He patiently waits for me to spackle before we go out for an evening on the town and never gives me an A.I.S. (ass in seat) ultimatum.
9. He's been known to hold my purse for me and make a run to the store for feminine hygiene products.  The times are far and few between, but he has done both a few times.
10. He lets me control the TV remote...for the most part.

Halloween Month

It's October, so that means it's Halloween month!  I LOVE Halloween and to help us get in the spirit of Halloween, I decorated our back door yesterday with some pictures, magnets, and scrapbook paper.  I saw this little saying online and definitely had to turn it into a sign.  It pretty much sums up our little family!