the crazy Cuckoo clock...

Ken got me this crazy cuckoo clock for christmas... I saw it in a really cute shop in Lincoln Park and knew it would go great in our loft.. the strange thing is ... it cuckoo's on the hour but you never know how many times it will cuckoo... thirteen times??? now thats cuckoo..

Happy New Year...

let 2010 begin. I have to say 2009 wasn't such a bad year for us. We welcomed our first grandchild, Coy Christopher Lyght in March. Ken landed a terrific promotion at the Tribune. We moved to Chicago in July. I started my often uneasy, temporary "retirement". I spent a great week with Mom in California after her very successful back surgery. We bought a car after 2 years of not having one, and I drove solo from California to Chicago. We have a beautiful home, happy and healthy pets. I have revived friendships with ghosts from the past through facebook and I love catching up with everyone. I enjoy my many catch-up's with my favorite sibling. We're close enough now we get to see and enjoy the kids, Coy and Ken's family. The holidays are over, the cold is setting in... Let's see where 2010 takes us... Happy New year everyone!

The new media center

Ken and I decided to expand our media center by going up. I spent the day monday trying to arrange the accessories on the shelves so they didn't make me crazy... here's what I ended up with.

Christmas with the kids...

We had a wonderful day on Saturday. Christmas with the kids, Meg and Nick hosted us at their apartment and Meg prepared a fantastic brunch. The food was delish, and the company was fantastic. Here's a couple of the gifts I received.. a set a stemless wine glasses from Chris and Melissa. They have little Chalk Boards on each glass so you can write someone's name, or even write the name of the wine someone is drinking. Meg and Nick got me some very handy Martha Stewart kitchen gadgets.. a garlic chopper and a food chopper.. how handy is that? Thank you very much!

The INSANITY!

yes.. it's a bit insane.. but the reality is... it's the same as what we do every year... In past years we would do this same amout of shopping then pay to ship it all..then we shifted to gift cards.. much cheaper to send.. then we shifted to cash.. but where's the thrill of unwrapping a gift? so... here is where we are at this year.. with only a bit more shopping to do.. Ken for me, me for Ken.. we're heading to Indianapolis this Saturday for xmas with the kids.. then will travel to Platteville for xmas with Ken's family on xmas day. It's beginning to look alot like christmas......

North Pole News

G-pa Ken created a very cute North Pole Newsletter for Coy.....

a little sweets...

besides the homemade brownies and fudge I put together a platter of sweets.. from Trader Joes, filled chocolates, Meringues and granola chews.