AAAAH......I am sort of on vacation!!  I don't *have to return to the office until Jan. 3rd.   I might go in one day to catch up on a few things though.   I also will be working on my work laptop to clean it up and work on some reports.   But I will be home!!

Last night I bought groceries after work.  I went to Aldi of course and then to Cub since they had ham on sale.  I came home and made homemade pizza.  Hubby cooked up 6 pounds of hamburger for me and put it into the freezer.  Hubby was home yesterday with Tommy and did quite a bit of laundry for me.  I need to get that put away today and things straightened for Christmas Eve.  

I went to bed early and read for a bit while Tommy watch a bit of Scooby Doo.  We were asleep by 10:00.  I woke up at 3:00 to use the restroom and was up reading again for a few hours.   I finished another book and started a new one.   So looks like I am at 48 books read for 2005.  

Trans-Sister Radio - Chris Bohjalian - 4/5 

Today......we will clean up around the house a bit and go to the library.   We are going to church at 4:00 and will come home and make appetizers and exchange presents between our family. 

Christmas Eve Traditions -  We will spend some of the afternoon watching Christmas movies as a family.  We try to attend church on both Christmas Eve and Day.  We also each pick our favorite appetizers to nibble on while enjoying our presents.   This year we are having Chicken Wings with Buffalo Wild Wings Sauce, Mozzarella Sticks, BBQ Chicken tenders and TGIF Artichoke and Spinach dip with chips.  We drink either sparkling grape or apple juice out of goblets or hot cocoa. Christmas Eve and Day are all about family for us and being together.  We will probably stop by my in-laws today for a bit to say hello as well. 

I am going to work on my website for a bit and hopefully add some recipes......Have a great day! 

I am up and showered, have switched around laundry and meat is thawing for supper.   Hubby, Erik and Tommy are still sleeping.   I will be getting Erik up shortly for school.  Hubby and Tommy are sleeping in since there is no daycare today.    I will be going to work.   I know it will be SO DEAD at work today.  No one will be there, but I am the on-call worker so I have to be there all day, many of my friends at work took the month of January off.  I wish I was able to do that....maybe some day.   I am sure I will get alot of junk done, but I really don't have that much work to do yet.   I could definitely clean out some files and stuff.   You would not believe the amount of paper in my cube! 

At lunch today I need to run to the bank and get some cash for groceries.  On the way home I will need to stop at Aldi and pick up groceries since stores will be closed over the weekend I imagine.   I already have all the appetizers for Christmas eve.  Rainbow has ham on sale though so I would like to buy one and we need hamburger too. 

Well Tommy is up now...I am off to get the kids ready for the day and head to work.  have a great day!

It is before 5:30 and I am leaving the office!!  WOO HOO!!!  This must mean I have all my work done for 2005!   YEAH!  What a stress reliever!

Have a great night!

All budgets turned in and out of my hands.......Free at last!!

The anticipation is great.....I almost have all my budgets done and approved!  Over $700,000.00 of funds accounted for and planned for.   No wonder December is such a hellish month for me.  

Supervisor....please sign off on these last few and put me out of my misery!

"Heal the past, live the present, and dream the future."

 - Mary Engelbreit -

It it is nearing the end of the year and I always like to look back at the year and what books I have read.   I have kept a running list of the books I have read since 2003.   Before that I have a few books listed each year.  Some years I didn't even track.    So since I started the list back in June of 98, I have read 131 books.   I wonder how many years until I reach 1000!  

In 2003 - Read 30 books
In 2004 - Read 20 Books
In 2005 - I have read 47 books.   I will probably finish one more before the end of the year.  

Top 12 Favorite Books of 2005:

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown - 4.5/5
The Pact - Jodi Picoult - 4/5
East of Eden - John Steinbeck - 5/5
Delectable Mountain - Earlene Fowler - 4/5
Vanishing Act - Jodi Picoult - 4/5
Until They Bring the Streetcars Back - Stanley Gordon West - 4/5
Good Harbor - Anita Diamant - 4/5
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult - 4/5
The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory - 4.5/5
Kite Runner -Khaled Hosseini - 5/5
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger - 4/5
The Bridal Wreath: Kristin Lavransdatter Vol. #1 - Sigrid Undset - 4.5/5

Lunch break is over...back to work.

Wow....just figured out my mileage for December for work.   I have driven over 700 miles this month that will be reimbursed.  I still need to figure out my cell phone and meals reimbursement.   I have been a busy little worker!

Supper Tonight......

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

• 1 pound cooked ground beef
  
• 1 large onion, chopped and sauteed
  
• 1 can diced green chilis (optional)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
  
• 1/2 cup Bisquick® mix
  
• 1 cup milk
  
• 2 eggs

Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Combine beef and onion. Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with salt, chilis, and cheese. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake about 25 minutes or until bubbly.

If you haven't discovered this site....it is fabulous.   Menus4Moms.com offers great menus and shopping lsits each week.  A real time saver for a busy mom like me!