"For happiness is anyone and anything at all...

that's loved by you"



I do not have a face to see,
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss,
I don't yet have a name.
You can't yet hold my tiny hands,
Nor whisper in my ear.
It's still too soon to sing a song,
Or cuddle me so near.
But all will change come June,
That's when the say I'm due.
I'm your new grandson or granddaughter,
I can't wait till I meet you.
All I ask between now and then,
Is your patience while I grow.
I promise I'll be worth the wait,
Because of all the love we'll know.
So what I have to give you now,
is a wish to you from me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this wonderful family.

~Author Unknown~

Congratulations Alec and Christine!

I love you,
Mom

xxoo

My Man Turns 50 Years Young Today...

My sweet hubby is 50 years young today. I sure do love him.
He's worked hard for his family. So today is his day.



We started out with a wonderful, simple, little breakfast with our daughter in law at her place of business. She makes the BEST Bloody Mary's in all of Vegas!



We sat, sipping and watching one of our favorite past time's, football.



Now he's plopped on the couch watching more football. He wanted a day to relax and no big plans (he said Chicago was enough). A pot roast dinner with his children tonight will suit him just fine. To him a birthday is just another day, but I still want it to be special so it's pizelles for dessert.

Sorry about the unfocused photos...like I said...she makes the "BEST" Bloody Marys.

The "NORTH West 4-40"

Even though the Chicago Bears lost to the New England Patriots, Sam and I enjoyed an experience of a life time attending the game with our great friends, Michelle and Kelly.







It snowed as we walked from our hotel to Soldier Field along with faithful Bear fans.







I am so glad I purchased snow boots a couple days before!



After hiking up Mt Everest to our seats in the North west Section 440 (that's 2 rows down from the very top of the stadium), we bundled up upon our scraped frozen seats to overlook the entire stadium.





The field below us looked just like an ice skating rink. We cheered as the scoreboard flashed the Packers loss to the Lions.



Arriving an hour or more before the game might not have been the best idea as our toes were not responding well to the Blackberry Brandy nor the Mint Bailey's hot chocolate. My "thumping" experience with the Rootbeer Schnapp's may be another blog!



As the wind began to blow at halftime and no score on the board by the Bears we decided to head back to the hotel (bar) to thaw out our frozen body parts.

Yes, another great ending to another great day! Happy Birthday Sammy!

Chicago via Milwaukee

Nothing starts out a weekend better than FLOOR tickets to a Milwaukee BUCKS vs ROCKETS basketball game! And were talking "FLOOR" tickets!



We flew into Milwaukee yesterday to visit with our wonderful friends, Michelle and Kelly to celebrate Sam's upcoming 50th birthday.



Michelle surprised Sam today with tickets to the game. How exciting was that? Just ask Sam! LOL



We had a great time, even if "Marisa" the cheerleader refused to give Sam a Buck Ball or a Buck T-Shirt. What was she thinking? He's the birthday boy!



The action was excellent!



Now on to Sunday's CHICAGO BEARS vs the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at Soldier Field.
GO BEAR'S!!!!!



Thank you Michelle!!!!

What's new pussycat??

Alot has been going on since my return from Florida on the 29th.

My beautiful little sister Barbie flying in from Texas for 18 days to participate with me at the Annual Victorian Holiday Boutique in Prescott, AZ.



A ribbon class with the girls given by our favorite Ribbon Lady Carole.




A quick trip to Fountain Valley, CA for an alumni rival football game.



Stuffing and more stuffing dolls. Making ornies and makedo's for the holiday boutique.



A 3 day boutique event with enough time at night to spend with my two wonderful, BFF's in Prescott, Rose and Leza.











Another 2 days in Chino Valley, AZ helping our Mom organize her kitchen.
A mini turkey day with Mom, Dad, my brother Dave and sister in law Michelle.

And a new kitty that my daughter Jordan gave to us last week.



Now to get the house ready for Thanksgiving this week.

My "favorite sister in law Dorothy" and her husband Gary are driving in from AZ to spend "Ravioli Day" with us on Thursday. I can already smell the anise ironed pizelles!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!
Love to you,
Norine

2010 4th Annual Victorian Holiday Boutique

The annual Victorian Holiday Boutique has outgrown Prescott's historic Brinkmeyer house, so this year it's moving to the Smoki Museum at 147 N. Arizona St. across from Lindley Field, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 12, 13 and 14th.

The 4th annual boutique will be wheelchair accessible for the first time, and people won't bump into each other so much.

The boutique hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. There is no entrance fee and free coffee is available. The event accepts only cash and checks.

Forty-three crafters have produced hundreds of items perfect for holiday gifts, and most cost less than $20.

A short list of items includes miniature Christmas trees, cloth pumpkins, grunge dolls, ornaments, handbags, baby items, wreaths, pillows, walking sticks, jewelry, blankets, paper crafts, sachets, homemade soaps and other bath items, scarves, quilted items, photographs, books, paintings by local artists, cookbooks and lots of seasonal décor.

"If it ain't here, you don't need it!" co-organizer Bobbie Windham said only half-jokingly.

One shopper favorite is the hand-painted wine glasses with local sayings such as "What happens in Prescott stays in Prescott." Some are geared toward the Red Hat Ladies.

The sale also includes baked goods, and anyone who wants to donate food can call Nancy at 928 445-8765 or Cookie at 928 445-1645.

A special pink basket and pink Christmas tree raffle will benefit Jim Burch in memory of Angel Burch, a co-organizer of the annual boutique who died of breast cancer in August.

Proceeds from the boutique benefit the county government's historic Citizens' Cemetery on Sheldon Street. The Yavapai Cemetery Association is using the money to continue to build a metal fence around the cemetery to help protect its old headstones from vandals.

The boutique has raised more than $13,000 for the fence so far.

Over the years, many of the cemetery's headstones have been stolen or destroyed. It is the final resting place for thousands of Prescott's first pioneers, located at 815 E. Sheldon St.

http://prescottaz.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=87236&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1086&S=1

Florida Fall-ies

I am nearing the end of a wonderful visit with my Aunt Mary and her family in Sunrise, Florida. Mom and my Aunt Cenny flew in to meet us. We have spent most of our visit solving the world's problems over sweets (I think we found every childhood candy to share) and coffee. Nothing like girl talk with junk food to snack on!



The weather has been beautiful. A few light showers to keep the lush Florida flora green. I now understand why people move or visit Florida in the fall and winter, everyday is a vacation day.



After many, many years, I had the chance to finally visit with my east coast cousins and upon meeting them, they have made me feel like we had never been apart. I just love our family.


(Aunt Cenny, me (oldest cousin), Aunt Mary, Tommy, Mom and Leah (youngest cousin)

My Mom for the first time ever put her toes in the Atlantic Ocean. The water was gorgeous.





We were able to share and celebrate three October birthdays, Paul's, Tommy's and Leah's. I think we celebrated everyday!



Today sadly, Mom flys home to Arizona. Tomorrow my Aunt Cenny flys home to Rochester, NY and I fly home to Las Vegas (Henderson), NV.
Our home is open to any visit they may like to take and I hope for it to be very soon.


(Aunt Cenny, Aunt Mary, me and my Mom)

As the Saints went marching out!

What a great game to watch last weekend as the Cardinals came through to beat the Saints 30-20. 101010 really did add up to 30! Way to go Cardinals!!





It has really been a treat to buy in on a couple of season Cardinal tickets this year and cheer on one of our favorite teams. We are proud to sit in the "red sea" of fans.



Yes, that is my husband wearing da'Bears/Butkus jersey. He is a die hard Bears fan with room in his heart for the Cardinals. People joke with him and ask if he's at the correct game and he always answers "a true fan wears his jersey to any event".



We feel Arizona is our home state as we had lived there for many years while raising our family. I am a Dockett fan as you can see. He's a huge wall with legs.



I of course, am the DD and Sam is the tailgater. I meet up with him just before the game begins and he hangs (term for drinking beer) with our son Alec and friends in the parking lot starting at 10:00 am for a 1:15 pm game.



No wonder he looks like this by 7:00 pm.

"Whoever said winning isn't everything, never had to fight cancer."

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is the month of "pink".



And today we gathered in celebration and in memory of those who have fought and won and who have fought and sadly lost there battle against breast cancer.

Joined by my very good friends, Cindy and her daughter, Mackenzie and my beautiful sister in law Dorothy, we partipated in the Susan G Komen's Race for the Cure 5K Walk in sunny downtown Phoenix, AZ.




Today I walked for my good friend, Angel who lost her difficult fight just this past August.



Pink ribbon shaped balloons let go to the wind.



A sea of "pink" surrounded us. Pink boas, hats, strollers, hair, shoes, shorts...and even underwear!





I was happy to see so many of us all with the same goal in mind. Taking the negativity of cancer to a positive level.

Prayers to you who have survived such a difficult fight and prayers to those of you who have won your place in heaven.



I agree..."Whoever said winning isn't everything, never had to fight cancer."