Just for the fun of it.

Where have I been??

I have been neglecting my blog site.....due to developing an addiction. I guess I have Teri, my sister, to thank for inviting me to join facebook. What is facebook? That was my first question. The next question was Why do I want to join? Then in the recess of my mind a memory of Lance, my nephew, informing me that he had some family pictures on facebook. This pushed me over the edge and I had to check it out. I set up an account, which by the way is free. I quickly discovered this is a great way to keep in touch with family and long lost friends. I searched and found many highschool friends that I haven't seen since graduation on facebook. I also found family on facebook that I might see once a year or not even that much, but I can stay updated because of this wonderful invention. I can chat with friends and family on a daily basis from my computer and I can look at their family albums that they uploaded. It is great! Facebook also has many games, birthday calendar, family tree for relatives, and many options that I haven't discovered yet. I must say I really like the Wall-to -Wall section where you can make comments to each other and the Birthday Calendar that keeps track of friends and family dates. I can send free gifts and cards to them over the computer on their important date. I have also joined several groups that I am interested in, one of them is "I graduated from E.R.H.S." I can just go on and on, it is something worth checking out if you haven't done so yet. I am definitely a facebook junkie!

Winter Wonderland

The last few days the kids have enjoyed playing in the snow. I must admit that I am ready for it to melt. What has happened to me? I used to love playing in the snow when I was younger and full of undying energy. That must be it, I am older ,wiser and fatigue easier. The white glistening snow doesn't call my name like it use to. I remember being young and eager to get outside and make a snow man or go sledding down the hill. I would watch from inside the house as the big fluffy snow flakes fell outside the window. As soon as it stopped snowing or sometimes before, Kevin, Mary Ann, and I would gather up our gloves, boots, scarves, and coats to head outside. We would play for hours in the snow. We would quickly make snow forts and bomb each other with snow balls. It seemed like it was always Mary Ann and I against Kevin, the lonely boy. We would tire of that and lay down to make snow angels and then pop right back up to start a snowman. Each of us was in charge of making a section of the snowman. I always liked making the head because it didn't take as long and I got to track snow inside while I hunted a carrot for the nose. We ended the day with the favorite thing, sledding! We had some type of plastic sled that raced down the hill at an amazing speed. I remember the cold and wet snow flying in my face and my thoughts would focus on the possibility of me flying from the sled to take out a sibling. I must admit, I did go flying a few times but it was worth the bumps and bruises that helped create all the childhood memories. As I get older, I still enjoy watching the snowflakes fall as I sip from a cup of hot chocolate, but that is about it. Now when I see snow, my thoughts focus on how many wet clothes I have to wash and dry and how many wet boots I have to deal with...I guess I should think about all the childhood memories my own children are creating. I have realized that getting older brings on more responsibilities and a different way of seeing and thinking about things. I don't know if that is always for the best, well at least I can always look back at my childhood memories of the snow. I just don't see myself playing in the snow, it is way to cold for my delicate, sensitive, and arthritic body. I am thankful my own kids don't try to drag me out in the snow...oh, let us not put any ideas into their mind. They are quite happy playing together or with the times when their dad pulls the sled behind the three wheeler knowing that I will have hot chocolate waiting for them when they come in all cold and red faced.

Italian Beef

My friend shared this recipe with me, and it has become one of the family favorites. I don't think she will mind if I post it, that way I won't lose it. She doesn't plan on opening a restaurant anytime soon so here it is:
3-4 lb. chuck roast, put in crock-pot with 1 cup water
Add:
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. italian spices
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. pepper
6-8 pepperoncini and some of the juice (not so many, if don't like HOT)
Pepperoncini are found by the jars of pickles in my store. I can't quite figure out why? No way near a pickle.

Cook on high 6-8 hours, until roast shreds easily with a fork. I serve it on crispy white italian bread.

Christmas Past

The countdown until Christmas is complete, the stockings are hung, it is now Christmas Eve. The freshly baked cookies and a glass of milk have been lovingly placed on the table waiting for Santa Claus to devour.

After a night of restful sleep, the kids woke up to stockings filled with enough sweets to promote tooth decay, and the Christmas tree surrounded by presents.

We did receive an unexpected gift the day before Christmas Eve, the stomach flu. I must say we still had Christmas dinner and it didn't hamper the excitement of opening the presents, but the flu hung on until New Year's Eve. I don't know why, but looking back over the last 5 years, I have come to a conclusion that the Seals family tends to be ill at Christmas time. In the past, we have had the flu for 3 different Christmas times and Eli was hospitalized with pneumonia for his first Christmas. Despite all of the illness, Christmas is our favorite holiday. We are blessed to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Our kids like to receive gifts, give gifts, and talk about Santa. Most importantly, they know the real reason we celebrate Christmas. As the kids say, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Polar Express

The kids hopped into their PJ's and headed for the van to make the two hour trip to Monticello,IL for an old-fashioned steam engine ride. We picked up our yellow Polar Express train tickets and headed for the train. The conductor was shouting, "All aboard, all aboard the Polar Express!" We found our assigned seats and anxiously waited to see what would happen next. We were served hot chocolate and cookies by young ladies wearing santa hats and dressed in short red velvet dresses with white trim. The kids were excited as the train pulled away from the station heading towards the North Pole. The entertainment included tap-dancing girls, magic tricks ,Christmas songs, and a visit to the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus. Santa gave each child a jingle bell to take home. The girls are showing the jingle bells they received. Unfortunately, we didn't go any further than the North Pole because the Caribou were blocking the track, the conductor announced that we must go backwards toward the same train station that we came from. Eli kept looking out his window for those Caribou but for some reason he couldn't see them...

Thanksgiving Pictures

Thanksgiving 2008, some pictures to share...















my sister, Deb and Dad

my twin, Kevin and his daughter, Sabrina

my brother, Steve and his wife Vicki

sarah, breanna, the famous cousins-emma and madyson, and natalie