April 30,2011 Mandi's shower

Just a couple of pictures from Mandi's shower today. It was great fun and she got so many nice gifts. Linderlou was able to come so I had fun catching up with her as well. Paula and her sisters outdid themselves with the food. Everything was delish!

The tasting at the country club went very well on Thurs. Paula and I agreed the food was better this time than when we tasted at the bridal fair a year ago..guess they have a new chef. Mandi approved of all the selections as well.

Mandi goes back to Fla tomorrow morning and will be back June 20th or so. Jeremy will come in July 12.

Two meetings on tap this week :)

Will this rain every stop????? Temperatures have been mild in the 60s so that is a good thing. Had a quiet Easter with dinner at Mert and Bill's. Worked on the wedding bouquets on Sat. Sent a pic to Mandi and she liked it. Have to purchase more flowers but that was expected. Will wait until Hobby Lobby has them 1/2 price sale.
Meetings after school tonight and tomorrow night. Mandi arrives in Ohio on Wed. and Thurs. we meet at the country club to taste foods. Her Bridal shower is on Saturday and is sure to be fun.




Everything is possible.The impossible just takes longer....

April, 16, 2011

Had an all day meeting in Columbus yesterday on the TIF project and OAC. Was a good group and we got a good start on our project. Still lots of work to do though.
Been working on the wedding invitations....225 of them! Have all the supplies in and the basic folder, ribbon and monogram are put together.
Mandi will be home in two weeks and then much will be decided. Plan on going to Dover for tasting on Thursday and then to see the outdoor decorations. Sure wish Jeremy was coming with her!!! I miss him SO much! Been almost a year since I saw him last. Then on the 30th is Mandi's shower. Should be a GREAT time.

April 1, 2011

It's been 10 years today since I lost my mom. So many things I wish I could share with her. Miss you mom!

March 14, 2011

Ok I know it's early for St. Patrick's Day but gonna be a busy week. Had a GREAT weekend! Saturday Pat and I went to Zanesville to Sam's to stock the freezer then to Bill's for ribs...YUMMO!
Yesterday I picked up Rachel and we went to Mt. Vernon to Pat Catan's. WHAT A STORE!!! I was good and didn't buy much. LOL. Was GREAT to spend time with Rach and catch up. :)

Today I have spent the day working with the online courses for TIF. Lots of info to digest but interesting and meaningful. Tomorrow meeting with Dr. Hire and Kathy Robbins to discuss things. Wed. and Thurs. they are to come install the new furnace. That should be fun with the dogs...just hope the weather is nice so they can be outside while the guys are working. Friday I go to Columbus again for a meeting. Hope to catch up with Linderlou after the meeting :).

Don't forget to wear green on Thursday!

March 1, 2011

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. Sail away from your safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." by Mark Twain.

What a wonderful quote!!

February 27, 2011

Ok been awhile since I posted. Lots going on!!
Valentines Day brought a surprise....flowers from Mandi and Jeremy and a Reese ice cream cake from Pat. Yummo!



Miss Patty suggested me to Dr. Hire and I am now the lead for the Coshocton City Schools' Teacher Incentive Grant. It is a part time job which will involve working off and on as needed and attending meetings. Should be a great challenge. Nice to be involved again but not have the responsiblities of a building and all that goes with it.

Pat has been after me for years to get rid of my Pontiac Bonneville. I didn't realize how worried he was when I drove it out of town. It was 11 yrs. old and had over 100 thou. miles on it. Still running great but he worried. I told him when I retired that if I got another job I would get a new car. Wellll, he held me to that. I looked at the Chevy Cruze but when we looked at the Hondas I was sold. I drove an Accord and CR-V. There was no question the CR-V was the one. Got it last Friday. LOVE IT!!!


Spring weather seems to be trying to come through. Can't come too soon. Enjoy it!

February 5, 2011

A belated post of Happy Birthday to our son Jeremy~ Happy Birthday!!! I know we wished you HB yesterday on the phone but can never send too many wishes.

My adventure with Dell has come to an end....well sorta..... My laptop now has Windows 7 Yea! No more Vista!!! and have upgraded to Office 2010. It runs like a new machine now. GREAT!! The printer situation though not so good.

Pat called them when the supposed new printer arrived at the shop. It was refurbished! He threw a McKenzie fit when they said we had had it for over 30 days so you get refurbished. They are sending us a new one. So that is returning the original and the refurbished. Hoping the wireless card will work in this one! If not, I am going to send the wireless adaptor back and just use the USB.

Had lunch with Patty C. on Friday. Much to my surprise she had a job offer lead for me. Met with the Supt. at 2 and there is a possiblility I will be contracted to do some work. More later if it comes through.

Off to play on my newly updated computer :)

January 27, 2011 update

Ok so today was a total I don't know what!!!I don't know whether to love Dell or hate them. Ok so Santa Pat bought me a wonderful color laser printer for Christmas. I finally got around to setting it all up this past week. Got it all installed ok using the USB port. Pat also bought me a wireless adapter...that's when the trouble started!!! I tried to install it myself but it didn't work. Soooo after Pat asking me if I called Dell for help several days in a row, I called. It was about 1PM when my soaps started. It is now 9PM. Five count them five techs later it is somewhat resolved. The first tech wanted to sell me an extended warrenty not getting that all I wanted was to fix the wireless adapter. The second tech helped a lot. He was on most of the day cleanning up crap off the computer. Lots of temp files and stuff I didn't need. He also got me to update to office 2010 and Windows 7....goodbye Vista. These are two things I was planning to do anyways to got them done. Well he reinstalled the printer and said the computer and printer were good to go. Still the wireless didn't work...so on to tech #3. He was the printer dept. and said it was the wireless dept. I wanted of course this was after I went through the whole story of the day. Got the wireless dept. and went through the story AGAIN. They informed me they only worked on connecting to the internet and I wanted the printer dept. I thought I just talked to them but ok...send me back. Note: all these techs were from /in India...hard time understanding most of the day. This time I got a genuine American girl. She was SO understanding and was able to give me to the right person who in a short 15 min. figured out....are you ready for this one.....the wireless adapter was defective!!! All that to find out that the dang part was junk. So they are sending me a new one tomorrow. We will try again. WHAT A DAY!!! Took a hot shower and ready for bed. Wish I had a Wallerbeedarn (drink a the Outback steakhouse) but settled for hot cider. Tomorrow is another day..............

January 27,2011

So, I got the Save the Dates finished and mailed out. They turned out very nice. Mandi and Jeremy liked them...J even called me to thank me! He is so busy that I rarely hear from him. :(

Have the centerpieces to tackle next. I did one yesterday which turned out as expected. Will be very nice on the tables I think. Pat has to cut the styrofoam balls for me this weekend and then I can begin the assembly line to complete the other 23! Yep, 24 total.

Signs for family tables are completed. Final decision on favor boxes has been made. We are going with metallic red and silver chinese take out boxes. Have had trouble finding a red that was the correct color of red.

Mandi has updated their website and everything is moving along on time. She and Jeremy sent their guest list to Paula and when it is finalized, I can begin the favors and invitations. Such a fun time! I just wish Mandi and Jeremy were here to join in the fun or preparing. Miss them terribly!

A little snow is expected today and tomorrow but nothing significant...yea! I'm ready for spring. Just found out that my friend Rachel B. is pregnant. She is so great with kids and will be a WONDERFUL mommy. I am SOOOOO happy for her! Congratulations Rachel!!

You can see the wedding items on my other blog: http://hollydayscreations.blogspot.com/
Maybe someday this will become a business for me????

January 20. 2011

Yep, and it's gonna get colder. We have about 5 inches of snow on the ground and the temp is going down to 14 tonight. Wind is supposed to start tonight as well. All school in the county have already called off for tomorrow and it is only 10 PM. County under a level 1.

This week has been interesting. Many people in town including my brother lost their gas so for many that ment no heat or hot water. He was a day without but then it was repaired. As of today most have had their service restored but what a mess!

Spent a few days trying to get the laser printer to work. No problem installing it to the laptop but still can't get the wireless to work....ggggrrrrr. Finished the Save the Dates and mailed them out today. I love the job the laser printer does!

Supposed to have a massage tomorrow at 11 but I doubt I will go in and I doubt Wendy will come to town either. :( Been three weeks and if I don't get to go tomorrow I will have to wait two more weeks.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Pat and I finished up the homemade stew I made yesterday. He really liked this batch and yes, I did write down how I made it so I can do it again...LOL Tasted good since it has been so cold out. More snow 1-2" expected this weekend and more again the first of the week...ugh!

Here are some pictures of my latest creations. I am cutting things with my Cricut machine out of vinyl which can be put on walls without damaging the surface. Such fun!





I have been organizing the wedding "stuff" and cleaning out the craft room in the process. I can't believe how much there is and most of it is ready to go. Thanks to Linda M. I have a lot of things that were no cost to us...yea! Save the Dates will be made as soon as the magnet sheets arrive and I get them printed. Oh, speaking of printing, Santa Pat did get me a new color laser printer for Christmas. Not fired it up yet but getting close. Have to wait to get a new cd drive for my laptop so I can load the software.

Update on the Sugar Bowl trip. Mandi and Jeremy did get to New Orleans. They also got free tickets to the game...Jeremy has connections...always knows someone who knows someone...lol. While on their trip they got to meet Peyton Hillis of the Cleveland Browns. They report that the trip was awesome!



Stay warm out there!!

Happy Birthday Emma!

December 25, 2010

Well it was a very quiet Christmas in the McKenzie house. Mandi and Paula came to visit on Wednesday and we had a lovely lunch. Discussed wedding plans and things that still needed bought and decided on.

Pat caught a terrible cold which turned into bronchitis. It started on Tues. and by Thurs. he was home from work which NEVER happens. He finally gave in on Christmas eve and went to he ER to get some meds. I got up with a sore throat so guess who is next??? They delivered his new lazy boy yesterday so he was able to sit up and sleep which helped. By the way he liked the chair even though he did admit he thought for sure that is what he was getting. I got my laser printer and can't wait to get it set up and started. Pat got me the wireless option so that will be super nice! Those were the two big gifts we got this year for each other so along with some smaller items it was a great Christmas.

Missing Jeremy this year ...AGAIN! He is not able to come home for the holidays since it is a busy time of year for golfers. Just doesn't seem like Christmas without your children home no matter how old they are.

Postponed Christmas dinner with brother and sister til next weekend when maybe we will both be feeling better. Not gonna waste that prime rib when we are too sick to enjoy it.LOL

Hope everyone had a wonderful, Merry Christmas!

Sunday Dec. 19, 2010

Happy Birthday to my sister Joanie....the BIG 50!!


http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=8018 Go here to live chat tonight at 9 about Cricut and SVG cuts. Should be great....if I can stay awake..lol. They are giving away many great prizes.

December 8, 2010

The weathermans says we are having Jan. weather in early Dec. NO KIDDING! Supposed to be a winter storm coming this weekend to part of Ohio..just waiting to see which part. Then next week Mon. and Tues. has highs of 10!!!

Jeremy lucked out again. He and mandi wanted to attend the OSU bowl game but the days were black out days for Air Tran using their free tix.He wrote to Air Tran to complain about not being able to use their comp tickets to go to N. Orleans. He is SO lucky...Air Tran scheduled them on the flight so they can go using their free tickets..yipee for them! Now to get hotel and tix to the game. Even if they don't actually go to the game, they will have a nice mini vacation and be around the hoopla of the game.

Have made chocolate covered pretzels and oreos. Also made peanut butter cake balls. Have a few other Christmas goodies to make yet. JRT cards and gift are mailed. Have personal cards to get out yet and box for J and Mandi. Hope to get that done tomorrow. Gifts are all wrapped and under the tree. (and so far.....Emma has left them alone..lol)

I got the dress!!!

Well I went shopping yesterday. It was probably one of the last nice days of the year so I took advantage of the good weather and I'm glad I did. I found my dress for the wedding!! It does need to be altered and I will have that done in the spring closer to the time. The dress shop ladies were wonderful. I had an appointment so I was the only one in the shop with two ladies to help try dresses on me. After two hours and endless dresses we were down to two. This was the winner. I hope it will do. Mandi says she likes it...and Pat says he likes it so....we shall see. What do ya think??? It's a little lace and sparkle and I think it is "me".Not too fussy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Had a wonderful dinner with Pat, John and Joanie. Sure missed Mandi and Jeremy though. They had their own dinner in Fla. with the orphans from the pro shop (those who didn't go home for Thanksgiving). Rained all day off and on so the dogs got to stay inside while we celebrated but they behaved so that's a good thing.

Going to see about a dress for the wedding on Monday with Linda C. Figured I better start looking. Have no idea what is out there in the stores as I have only looked on line so far.

All Christmas gifts are bought. Have to send a package out to Fla. and I am done. Oh, have to pick up something for the dogs but that's easy. LOL. Just putting up a few decorations inside..nothing over the top since no one will be coming out except John, Joanie and Mike.

Hope to have some new pictures soon.
Oh....and GO BUCKEYES!! BEAT MICH...AGAIN!!

October 12, 2010

This is a picture of Mandi & Jeremy's friends Holly & Jerry (we met them the night J proposed to Mandi). They were married last May and Mandi was in the wedding. Holly will be in Mandi and Jeremy's wedding next July. Minor snafoo inbetween though...Holly & Jerry are expecting a little one by next May/June. Happy news for them! Will make fitting a dress for Holly interesting but I am sure she is not the first woman to buy a dress while pregnant to be worn after the baby arrives.

The weather in Ohio is just beautiful at this time of year. Pat's is so happy it is finally fannel shirt weather. The county fair has come and gone and we again didn't attend. Nothing new to see so why spend the money and time.

Have had a few new ideas for wedding decor. Won't be long and I will begin the process of making all the things Mandi and Jeremy have picted out. Still no idea of a dress for myself but there is still time.

Dogs are loving the cooler weather. Emma is becoming a proficient digger and Pat has had to get fill dirt, grass seed and straw to try to repair her land mine holes. She also has chewed a hole in a tshirt and jacket I had a the end of the bed...shades of Bailey who loved to chew blankets when she was young. Brody is still the perfect big brother but does set her straight from time to time.

Made homemade chicken and noodles for dinner tonight. Grandpa Bill has been told to eat chicken (which he hates and usually refuses to eat)so I will send some in to him and Mert. Hope he enjoys it.

September 4, 2010

Football season is here! Buckeyes played their frist game and won. Browns not doing so well.
Been a month since I posted last. Not much new to report. School has started for everyone. Pat is back to working 5 days a week so the dogs and I keep eachother company all day. Weather is cooling off finally and we are enjoying being outside on the deck.
Jeremy and Mandi are doing fine. Mandi back to school working hard but is teaching Lang. arts this year which she likes much better than the reading she did last year. Jeremy is also working hard.
Pat's brother is moving from Columbus back to Dresden to work at AEP in Conesville. We visited his new condo last weekend. He is busy redecorating and it will be nice when he is finished. Moving in at the end of the month.