My Christmas is here with more WORK

It was over 2 months ago that my computer died. Usually, that isn't too big of a problem. This time it was!

It was the motherboard that died. (If you know what that is -great. If you don't know let's just say that it is not as easy to fix as most things on the computer.) Since we couldn't do anything about it for a while, I started using T's work laptop. It would only be for a short time, right?

Well, I muddled along and all of a sudden, it had been 2 months! T had gone through ear surgery again and was mostly recovered. Now he needed his laptop back. After all, that's what he neds to make money.  Using it when I wasn't was getting to be a problem.  So yesterday, we broke down and went to AIRMATE in Mesa. This is the perfect place for us!

We took my dead computer and RICHARD (the owner) was able to give us only what we needed! I kept the same MEMORY, DVD PLAYER and HARD DRIVE! I didn't have to buy a NEW system and pay a ton of money. I got what I needed and it cost much less. RICHARD even put in the MEMORY & DVD PLAYER for me. SO COOL!

Today, I have been going over my old FAVORITES and checking out what I have missed. I didn't realized how much I missed my own system until I started re-visiting the best places and blogs I had forgoten about.

Today I have also realized how much work I have in front of me. I need to re-install all the programs I need to be able to really work. You see my old HARD DRIVE has become the second HARD DRIVE in the system. RICHARD already had a 40G drive in this new one with WINDOWS on it ready to go. Now, in reality, that can take a lot of time. So having WINDOWS installed was great. I still have all my documents & pictures and other junk I save, but I have to put the programs back on to be able to use them.

If you don't understand what the last paragraph meant-don't worry-it just means you don't speak geek!

Anyway, back on my desk-- I still have to find all the program CD's and install them. But I already have my Christmas! (and T's too).

Microwave Fudge

I know I put this recipe on before, but I have changed it a little since then.

Microwave Fudge

4 cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 to 1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cube of butter cut in pieces (not margarine)
1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla
1/2 to 1 cup peanut butter
nuts (optional)
peppermint pieces (optional)

Mix only the first 4 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. DO NOT STIR. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and mix until smooth. Using an electric mixer is the best way to do this without leaving lumps of sugar.

Add vanilla, peanut butter and nuts (if using them) and mix until well blended. The mixture should be thick and able to hold it's shape. If it is not pulling cleanly away from the sides of the bowl, add a little more powdered sugar and mix until it is thick enough.

Pour into a buttered dish. Put into the fridge to set and cool. Make sure to lick the beaters and the bowl; you won't want to waste any of this. Cut into pieces and enjoy.


Make this once or twice before you give it as a gift or anything, just to make sure you get the right consistancy. It will be a hardship, I know!

Family Christmas Party

I thought I'd put up a few pictures from my family's Christmas Party.



Singing the traditional song to end the evening. " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas."



I could only get part of the crowd at once. If you multipy the people in this by five, you will get a number that almost equals how many people we had there.

Daughter playing her flute for the program.

Everyone milling around as we are eating.

Singing an original song to the newest law enforcement official.

One family playing the "bell" pipes. It sounded really good.

Our 2 visitors from Albania sang a christmas song in their own language. They gave an international flavor to the evening.