The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday, as you already saw, was our first Christmas of 2014. It was at Ryan's mom and Allen's STUNNING log cabin in the woods...and we had a really nice time with his brother and sisters and their kids. So much good food. So many lovely gifts. SO MANY PICTURES. Fun fact that will get you nowhere in life...this was our second Christmas with them in 2014 as our Christmas LAST year got postponed until New Year's Day!

* Monday was Ryan's mom's actual 60th birthday, so her kids organized a little dinner-out adventure at Bob Evans. We all gathered for a meal and gifts and fun - and it WAS fun, until we left, and Ryan came down with what I can only assume was food poisoning. He was one miserable boy the rest of the night, and I felt TERRIBLE for him!

* By Tuesday, Ryan was better, and we both went to work...and for me, it was my last day of work this week!! YAY!!!! It was a CRAZY mid-fifties day for the first day of winter. SERIOUSLY!!? Didn't it snow on Halloween? Ohhhh, Indiana. Tuesday night, y'all, I got a massage. And not just a massage. A massage AT MY HOUSE. I told Ryan the only thing I wanted after our house sold was to get a nice massage to work away the 2 year stress of selling the thing. I couldn't find a therapist in town open late, so I found a therapist who makes house calls! She came over, set up her table right by my Christmas tree, and then she worked away all my stress. HEAVENLY. She even brought purple sheets because she knows I love purple! I was happy at the end of that! Went to sleep by the light of the Christmas tree, one happy girl.

* Wednesday was Christmas Eve, and I was off work, but Ryan was not. I worked on some last minute things at home, and when Ryan got off work, we went to our church to take communion, since we weren't going to be able to go to the Christmas Eve service. We hadn't done that before, and it was really a sacred experience. After that, we headed to Ryan's grandma's house to have Christmas with his dad's side of the family. I got to hang out with Ryan and his two brothers, and we laughed until we cried! A great night!

* Thursday was, of course, Christmas day, and we had two celebrations to attend after enjoying our own stocking exchange that morning. The first was with my family - and Ryan's mom and Allen and his sister, Bre, came as well. My parents are sick, so we had a Petri dish Christmas, complete with masks!!! So fun. We also had a photo booth - which ended up being so much fun, we brought it out again that night at Allen's family Christmas with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles. A blast!! It was a long day, and we were pooped by the end, but it really was a lovely Christmas.

* When I woke up on Friday, I felt horrible! Ryan had to go to work, so I moved to the couch and stayed there the majority of the day. Braeya sat with me and was a quiet, good girl. I did feel a little better for a while in the afternoon, so I got up and did some cleaning and sorting of the Christmas gifts. Next year's stash-o-boxes are ready to be stored in the attic!! {I hate buying boxes!!!} Ryan brought home an iced tea to make me feel better and we curled up to watch The Nativity Story for our Friday night date!

* Yesterday was our last Christmas celebration with family...and it was Ryan's extended family on his mom's side. We had a huge and delicious taco bar to eat for lunch, and then we brought the photo booth back...and played all kinds of games...and watched the little kids open their presents. Ryan's grandpa shared with everyone the story of how he became a Christian, and Ryan's mom recorded it so we always have it. It was a really beautiful day {even if I did make a whole bunch of mistakes and ended up having multiple meltdowns - one right there in the middle of Christmas!}

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday morning, our church was just so beautifully decorated for Christmas...and I enjoyed the service thoroughly!! It was fun, too, to celebrate with our Sunday School class, who has prayed with/for/over us regarding the sale of that Greentown house! We left in the early part of the afternoon to head to Fort Wayne, because I worked the TobyMac concert! Last event of the year!! Even got to meet him, which was fun! :)

* Monday night, I came home to find our celebratory house-sale Christmas ornament in the mail! Seemed appropriate that it arrived that day since it was also the day of Ryan's final visit to the house; he wanted to explain some stuff about the furnace to the new owner. While mentally and emotionally completing this journey, we also inscribed the stone for our "altar" - to show the sale of the house. And then we pretty much collapsed in the living room to watch TV and enjoy the gorgeous Christmas lights. I do so love this season for all the lights!!!

* Tuesday night, I was a cooking FOOL!! We were prepping for company on Wednesday night and Ryan's work carry-in on Wednesday as well, so I spent some time in the kitchen getting all that ready. While I did that, Ryan put together two go-karts. Someone he knows from work bought them for her grandkids and she didn't know how to assemble them. Assembly is one of Ryan's many happy places, so he brought them home and had an assembly party in our house. And then we may or may not have a had a photo shoot with them. They're COOL!!!!

* Wednesday at work, I had a couple of meetings, so I went in with all my stay-awake go-to items! Water! Coke! Granola bar! Paper for scribbling! I have luggage everywhere I go. That evening, we had dinner with our friend Ronda. So nice to have her over and just sit and enjoy conversation! I curled up to write and Ryan curled up to watch the Sing-Off - and we BOTH fell asleep eventually. I did get to see Pentatonix, though. They were great!

* Thursday, I went to the funeral of a friend's mom, which was very sad...and very cold! It was a graveside service and there were a few snowflakes flying. I was glad to be able to go in support, though. After work, Ryan and I scurried over to a church in town to attend the preschool Christmas program - ALWAYS a comical event. We went in support of one of our blognonymous friends, and we had a great time. Some of those kids were flat out hysterical!

* Friday was a normal day at the office for me - hanging out with the morning guys, hanging out with Lynne; it was a food-filled day for Ryan! His patients sure spoil him with a lot of goodies! We longed for a night at home, so we did a quick shopping date to TJ Maxx and then hung out at home, watching TV and taking it easy. I even squeezed in some writing. It was so lovely!

* Yesterday was a rare day that both of us had off work. We decided to skip setting alarms and just rest. NEITHER of us woke up until almost 10:00. That is not unusual for me, but it's UNHEARD of for Ryan. We were thrilled to have an entire day at home to both rest and get a LOT of chores done. We were able to finish the last of our Christmas shopping, make some last minute gifts, and even make a quick trip to Starbucks, where Ryan cashed in on his free drink! When we got home, I made cookies for our Phil at work, who is a diabetic. Always a challenge to find recipes that work for him, but this one went well!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday, we helped pull off the surprise of the year...a birthday party for my mother-in-law! She turns 60 this year {that's been plastered all over Facebook, courtesy of the party pictures, so I'm guessing it's not a secret!!} and her kids banded together to plan a really nice surprise party for her. I'll write about it soon, but let's just say there was a LOT of lying involved on the part of your two Shaffer friends. I'm still repenting. But the best part was...she WAS surprised and she LOVED her day!

* Monday, I had my first big, significant follow-up appointment at the dentist after the Great Dental Event of 2014. I'd had a quick checkup a while back, but this one was lengthier and more in-depth. They are still pleased with my progress, although one particular area is not healing at all. Unfortunately it's in the front! That could be bad! She wasn't worried...yet. She gave me a 30 day antibiotic and said she would see if that helped clear up the infection. I was so happy that Ryan was able to come with me {just calms me}, and also happy that I was up for a free drink at Starbucks, so I was generously rewarded for my time in the chair. :)

* Tuesday was SUPPOSED to be our closing date for the house, and it fell through, which was a million kinds of devastating for everyone. I tried to hang onto promises I kept encountering on Facebook and Twitter...love the way God shows up with those at the perfect time. We spent the night at home, being sad, though entertained by our four-legged child. AND I did the final prep for my speaking engagement on Wednesday!

* Wednesday night, I stayed in Fort Wayne and spoke at the women's Christmas dinner at First Assembly church. The ladies were all gracious and warm and welcoming, and I loved spending the evening there. I had the opportunity to speak and share my heart, AND hear a really wonderful harpist! Can't wait to tell you more about it. And whilst I was gone, Ryan sold the living room furntiture...so little IKEA couch?? We're coming for you!!

* Thursday was the big day OF THE YEAR...we closed, at long, long last on the Greentown house! It was almost a 2 hour drive for me to get to work to the closing, and it was possibly the longest two hours of my life. We had drama clear up until the bitter end, but we closed and we were THRILLED! Celebrated with dinner at B-Dubs and after we got home - some serious prayer time!!

* Friday, Lynne and I took some time away for a working lunch and afternoon - we can't believe this year is almost wrapped UP! We went to McAlister's for lunch - and they were actually OUT OF TABLES! We lucked out by getting there right when someone left. After work I squeezed in some Christmas shopping for my handsome husband, and then said husband and I curled up and were ASLEEP by 7 p.m. If you can't tell, this has been a very long and big week! 

* We both had the day off work yesterday, so we started the day by sleeping IN!!! We finished all our Christmas cards and got those in the mail, wrapped all our gifts, did our grocery shopping, and ended our day by walking the entire Walkway of Lights in Marion. This is the 3rd year in a row we've visited it, but the first two times, it was so cold, we drove it. This year, the night was warm {well, for December} - so we walked it. It was SO much fun! I think our favorite part was walking past all the cars that were driving it and hearing families singing Christmas carols together!!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday morning, we set out on our mini-getaway for anniversary #2!! We headed north toward Chicago, stopping just outside in the little burg of Willowbrook for lunch at Dell Rhea's, which we learned about on the Duggar show. GOOD chicken! We continued to Schaumburg, which was our home for the duration, and then that evening, we drove right to the heart of Chicago, to Lincoln Park Zoo, to tour the Zoo Lights...even got to witness a proposal! Minus a frustrating end to the day {always has to be some drama...} it was a GREAT start to a getaway!

* Monday morning, we slept in a little and then we set out on our next great adventure: IKEA, baby!! We had never been to IKEA before, and we were so excited. We went in with a completely open mind and were absolutely in love before we even got out of the first floor. We fell most in love with a couch that we have ever intention of purchasing if and when our house in Greentown ever sells. We also enjoyed eating lunch there in the store - and the free coffee in the afternoon. Let's move into IKEA!!!

* Tuesday was our actual anniversary, and it was a lovely day. We took the train into Chicago and went up to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower to check out the observation deck, and then we trekked up and down the Magnificent Mile in the freezing cold. Did photo opps with the Bean and then we ended up at Ryan's surprise for me...dinner on the 95th floor at the Signature Room. GORGEOUS views - and so many surprises for me!!

* We left Chicago to come home on Wednesday - BOOOOOO - via a Christmas tree farm in DeMotte, Indiana, where we picked out our newest tree. We named her Penelope! We came home to find sparkling grape juice waiting on us, courtesy of our house-and-Braeya-sitters, and we enjoyed decorating Penelope and getting unpacked after our trip!

* Thursday was back-to-work day for both of us - and a busy day it was at our jobs!! I had a lot to catch up on, though Lynne did a marvelous job of keeping up on everything while I was gone. When we got home, we worked on a craft project, which Braeya insisted upon helping with. :) And we had our sparkling grape juice date. A good night at home after a week away!!

* Friday was Jim Barron's birthday, and he brought some of the tastiest cucpcakes to work! They did crack me up though, because I thought they looked a little like they had chives on top. Nope! Just green chocolate curls!!  Our Friday night was a little bit crazy...we had to scurry to get our Christmas cards addressed!! I was so thankful Ryan was willing to help with that project, because I would STILL be working on it if it weren't for him!!

* Ryan worked Saturday morning, and we did something we NEVER do - we overslept! He turned his alarm off and apparently mine had never been turned back on from the vacation weekend before. WHOOPSIE! Fortunately, unlike me, he naturally wakes up early, so he didn't end up late to work. As soon as he got home, we headed to Fort Wayne so I could work the Gaither Christmas concert. Even got to go on stage with Phil to make announcements for the station. Scared me out of my skull, but  it was still a fun night!!!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday was a beautiful day at home with NO commitments after church. I took part of the afternoon and sorted through all the gifts we bought on Saturday and bagged them according to recipient to make our wrapping-palooza a little easier. Ryan and I did a LOT of online house hunting. {Don't worry. We have no news. We just like to house hunt!} And after dinner, he surprised me by making us ice cream sundaes. YUM!!!!!!

* Monday {after all the snow last week} - we got all KINDS of rain and had high rivers and flooding roads and the whole nine yards. And so. much. wind. Oh my word. It was crazy windy! Power outages everywhere. We were spared, but we did have some pretty vocal wind chimes! Lynne did a fun Christmas show during Mid-Morning, and I worked hard trying to get ahead for the holidays this week, so by the time I got home, I was ready to curl up and rest - and let Ms. Neighborhood Watch keep track of life for us!

* Tuesday evening after work, Lynne and I went out for dinner - BBQ!!! YUM!!! - and then we headed downtown to see all the trees at the Festival of Trees. We had a great time! So many beautiful trees, and the one from WBCL was so well done. Since I was gone, Ryan got to have dinner with his mom, which he doesn't often have the chance to do, so I'm glad he could do that!

* Wednesday I only worked half a day. My standing rule is that when I only have a half day of work because of a holiday, I get to have a frappe for my commute home. So I enjoyed that and then may or may not have taken a nap when I got home. A long nap. Ryan and I skipped cooking that night and had burgers in an impromptu date, and then we crashed on the couch to watch movies and have long talks. As for Sister Sue...she curled up with the ONE Christmas decoration I had out. She likes to get her hairy touch on everything.

* Thursday was Thanksgiving, and ours did not go quite as planned. We had hoped to get to my family's gathering and then Ryan's dad's side of the family as well, but at the last minute, part of my family couldn't make it because of bad weather. So our already small clan was even smaller, and everybody was sad. So we ended up staying at my family's gathering longer than planned to try to spread some Thanksgiving cheer, and we didn't make it to his dad's side. But the change in plans in no way changed the food - my goodness was there ever a lot of food!!! We're still stuffed.

* Friday, Ryan had to work all day, so while he was gone, I treated myself to something for the first time in five months - a cut and color. It was so heavenly!!! {I even took my laptop and scrapbooked while she worked. It was like the perfect day!} When Ryan got home, we started decorating our house for Christmas, and we got most of it done. I think that was the fastest I'd ever decorated - and none of it looks the same as last year!

* Ryan wasn't originally scheduled to work yesterday, but he went in to help out or a while, so while he was gone, I worked on some chores around the house. When he came home, we finished all the decorating and then got to spend the evening sitting and enjoying the work we did! So happy with the way the house looks. Peaceful and serene!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* GREAT church service last Sunday. Loved the sermon and the time with our Sunday School class. After church,we realized we hadn't filled the provide-Thanksiving-dinner-for-a-needy-family box that we committed to do, so we hurried and did that so we could drop it off at the church. Then we went home and watched as the first snow of the season {at our house} began. And so begins measuring the snow in the bird bath! That night, while Ryan watched the Colts game, I signed a new round of books some people have ordered for the Advent season!

* The snow that fell on Sunday meant that Monday morning kicked off a new season of crazy early commute times. It was a white-knuckle drive, but I was thankful I made it safely! Work was good - and then that evening, we enjoyed quesadillas and naps by the fire. {Is it bad when you have to take a nap on MONDAY???} And Braeya helped me with the second half of my workout...I encouraged HER to work out as well, but she walked off at that suggestion. Can't say as I blame her.

* Tuesday was not as bad as Monday, weather-wise, but people got a little overconfident on the roads on the commute home, and I was a whisper away from being hit by a fishtailing truck. {Tip: don't cut off drivers on icy bridges when you're hauling a trailer. It doesn't end well. Sincerely, the cut-off driver.} Ryan and I had a blast that night at Starbucks, meeting up with my friend, Olivia and her little girl. She kept us so entertained!! We hardly ever get to see them, since they live out of state, so this was a treat!

 * Wednesday was my second turn working at Habitat for Humanity for the station. BEYOND thankful that the weather held {snowstorms and bad wind were the forecast} and thankful for some tasks I was actually capable of doing! I got to help with some office work and cleaning! It was a c.o.l.d. day, though, so I was equally glad to come home and snuggle under the covers!!!

* Thursday, after work, all the WBCL ladies gathered to celebrate one of our own, the lovely Dana. {If you ever call in to Mid-Morning, you've talked to her, because she answers our phones for us! She and her husband are expecting a baby, so we had a shower for her! It was a lot of fun - and then I scurried home to make it to a Mary Kay Christmas open house before I finally got home! Ryan took time to help out some friends at their house - and to deliver books for me. He's a good author-husband!

* Friday, Lynne worked at the Habitat site, so I had the office to myself and knocked out a WHOLE BUNCH of work that day. That night, Ryan and I had grand plans of getting all kinds of responsible-adult chores done - like grocery shopping and list making. OR...make tacos and curl up on the couch to watch movies!!! There's something about a Friday night at home with candles burning, the fireplace on, and movies playing. Can't beat it!

* Yesterday was SO FUN! we were looking forward to it! We spent the whole day together and did 90% of our Christmas shopping! We were shopping MACHINES!! We had a blast - and we even squeezed in a movie in the afternoon, which is something we rarely do, but it was fun. The weather was pretty decent, and we enjoyed having fun together!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday started out as the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day, when Ryan and I locked ourselves out of our house on our way to church. My parents came to the rescue and brought us  a key!! Thanks, Mom! But despite the debacle that was the start to Sunday, we did manage to pull off a yummy breakfast for our Sunday School class (cream cheese Danish and crock pot breakfast casserole) so that was good. We rested up the rest of the day, and that night, Ryan even gave me a back massage complete with cocoa butter! {I'm longing for the post-house-sale-day when I can go get a massage, so he was helping me get to that day!}

* Monday I came home from work early because I was feeling super sick {anxiety - boo!!} so I made sure to curl up by the fireplace and get extra rest! Ryan did another night of work at the Greentown house...hoping this can be the LAST one of those {PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!}. Actually, it has to be! He returned the borrowed mower to my parents! Then he came home to take care of me. He's good like that. We did have the MOST stunning sunset that night. The only time I hate living in town is when my sunset view is obstructed!!

* Tuesday was Veteran's Day, but neither of us get that day off, so we went to work, and that night we went to the gym. The track was closed, and all the machines were full, so I had to wait in line for a bike. I do like a bike workout, though, so the wait was worth it. As was the apple pie we baked when we got home! HA!!! : ) {Serving of fruit, right?}

* Wednesday at work, I did one of my LEAST favorite chores {ready for how dumb this is??}...I dealt with all the little boxes that had to be broken down. Why I hate that so much, I do not know. But I wait until the stack of boxes is about waist high before I deal with them. And since Ryan and I hit the mid-week missing each other slump, I sent him silly selfies to cheer up his day. By the time we got home, we were ready to work out, eat, and CRASH, which we did. Jammies, fireplace, blankets, YES PLEASE!!!!

* Fort Wayne got some snow on Thursday morning...I was kind of hoping this little ring around the tree outside our office window would reflect the sum of the winter snowfall, but I have a feeling I'm SO WRONG about that. The snow was actually beautiful as it fell...all snow-globey. {And so thankful it wasn't the 6-12 inch dump other parts of the state received!!} Lynne went out for lunch and I ordered some BBQ from Shigs in Pit, which is probably my most favorite BBQ place ever. I ordered extra so we could have some for dinner that night. Pretty sure I got wife of the year for that.

* Friday was our IT guy, Marion's, last day at work. I hate goodbyes. I just hate them. Marion has been a treasure to work with for the past 3 years {he came to WBCL right after I did}, and we will miss him so much. After work, I came home {no thanks to the world's longest train that backed up traffic for stinking ever} - and finished cooking dinner to take to Ryan's mom's house for dinner. We made beef, broccoli and rice and dessert and had dinner with her and Allen. Ryan hooked up some electronics for them and I just enjoyed their lovely home, which could {and should} be in a magazine!!

* Yesterday, Ryan had a long day planned - had to work in the morning and then had to help some friends replace a water heater in the afternoon, so I got up early and went to work with him. I set up a little office in the dining room of the hospital and did some writing while he worked. And then I did some shopping while he did the water heater repair. We had date night at Hacienda and came home in time to watch a movie! :)

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday was our 23 monthiversary, and the return to real time, with its blessed extra hour of sleep. So yeah. It was pretty much our favorite day. EXCEPTIONAL sermon at church...one of our favorite at-home lunches, football, long nap, scrapbooking {that part was just me}, fresh guacamole at dinner, a movie with popcorn, and Nik Wallenda's latest tightrope adventure. These things comprised a lovely Sunday!

* Monday was a Colts game day, but I sort of dressed up for work, so I compromised by hiding Colts socks under my jeans with my dress shoes. Ryan felt a bit more of a cuffed jeans look was in order...lol!! I loved having some daylight in the sky on my way to work again. Really picks up a morning. And that night, Ryan and I went to the gym and had a good workout - before heading home for the Colts game, where we got to sit and watch the guys work out. LOL!!

* Tuesday was our going away party for our IT guy at the station. So sad to see him go...he and I hired in right around the same time! But it was a fun party - good to tell stories and of course, eat A Cheesecake Named Desire from Cold Stone Creamery. After work, I voted {another name change debacle!!!!} and scurried past Starbucks to get coffee for Ryan, who was helping his sister work on some house projects. Then I spent the rest of the evening enjoying a dinner out with two friends from high school - but I already told you about that!

* Wednesday, believe it or not, I started scheduling shows for JANUARY!!! What in THE world!?!?!? After work, Ryan and I ran around like CRAZY trying to get leaves raked up before it got dark. We got a LOT done! And later that night, we got a call from my friend Marie asking if we wanted to come to her impromptu birthday party! Well...sure! So we got to enjoy cake and fun all in the spur of the moment! A fun evening!!

* Thursday morning, I met up with Lynne and Cindy {from work} to have an impromptu surprise birthday coffee date with our Mid-Morning phones girl, Dana. It was a fun way to start a work morning! Then my parents came to the station to watch Mid-Morning. They hadn't been to visit since the station was remodeled, so they wanted to see my new digs! It was fun to have them visit! Ryan and I were EXHAUSTED by Thursday night, so we pretty much didn't leave the couch. I loved my view from in front of the fireplace...my two sleeping loves.

* Friday, Amy and I went to lunch with Marion {our IT guys} since he is our lunch buddy most days of the week. It was his birthday, so we all went out to eat. He tried a lime phosphate with his lunch. {I'm not sure I would ever try something that sounds like a chemistry experiment, but he's brave and did it.} It was not the most natural color in the world...kind of looked like he was drinking Christmas. Friday night, Ryan and I did our grocery shopping and some other fun shopping...where we found a very cool coffee maker. We were strong and didn't buy it!! :)

* Yesterday morning, Ryan and I volunteered to pack meals with Feed My Starving Children {more about this coming your way soon} and after we did that, we went out to eat with some of our friends in a project I liked to call Feed My Starving Bekah! And then we went to our nephew's first birthday party! Football theme and tons of food! Really enjoyed it! {Sorry no cute pictures of the cake smashing; he's blognonymous.}