Happy B-Day sis!

Even though she never looks at my blog, thought I'd throw a birthday shout-out to my sis, B.

Happy Happy Birthday B!

Hope you have the best birthday ever today!

Love you!

While I'm at it...

Thought I'd post my mom's awesome banana bread recipe.

I'm waiting for a new loaf to bake right now, so that's pretty much all I can smell. Yummy.

Preheat oven at 350 degrees

Mix:
1/3 cup shortening (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 mashed bananas (make sure you really mash 'em!)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (totally optional)

Spray bread pan. Heat for 55 minutes and voila!

Enjoy!

Til Next Time

Had a wonderful time in Disney. Unfortunately, I have already used my alotted space on flicker for the month of December, so I will post pics in the new year.

Highlights of the trip:
- It's A Small World
- Pirates ride
- Tower of Terror
- Epcot (specifically the countries)
- Cotton candy
- Rockin' Roller Coaster (although a bit on the short side)
- free XM radio on the plane
- Getting a call from M that she and C are engaged(!)
- Fantasmic at MGM
- Being with the fam

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!!!

Christmas at Disney

I'm not going to lie. I'm super excited to visit the happiest place on earth. Our flight leaves tomorrow morning and we don't get back until Christmas Day.

Things I'm pumped to see/do?
- Ride "It's a Small World." I know it's probably one of the oldest and least exciting rides, but I could never get enough as a little girl. I was all about the dolls.
- Ride "Pirates of the Caribbean." I hear Captain Jack now makes an appearance. I may have to ride this one several times...
- Ride the monorail.
- See Cinderella's Castle.
- Ride Space Mountain.
- Ride the Tower of Terror. We're also visiting MGM.
- Ride the Haunted Mansion ride. It's where I first held hands with my boyfriend back on my inaugural marching band trip to Disney. I know. How cool was I?!
- Ride as many rides as possible with my nephew, B.

Things I'm not looking forward to?
- Seeing a thousand "Chip and Dale" (the Chipmunks, mind you!) characters all around the park. Seriously, can a girl get a Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Donald every now and then?

Will be sure to post many pictures upon our return!

Happy Birthday C!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful bro, C!

Hope you and the 'rents are having a wonderful time out there in sunny Cali.

Hope this is your best year yet!

(I can't wait to meet Alejandro!)

Love you.

Sibling love

C, I don't know how often you read this 'ol blog of mine, but I just wanted to send a big thank you.

I REALLY appreciate being able to talk to you.

Love you so much and can't wait to see you for Christmas!

Understanding

I'm so blessed to still have three of my four grandparents in my life. At 27 years old, I know it's quite rare. I love them all so much and get a kick out of seeing them whenever I hit Mayberry.

My Grandma T., though, continues to get more senile everytime I see her. On Thanksgiving, it seemed even worse. From not hearing a word that was said to making up her own versions of stories to going on racist tirades, I found it very difficult to remain in my seat.

Frankly, it scared me. Both in the way that she's changing every day and in the way that I couldn't be more understanding. I don't want to remember feeling this way around her. She deserves more from me.

She is, after all, Granny Goodrich. :)

* She ALWAYS has lifesavers in her purse for us. ALWAYS.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy (early) Thanksgiving to all of my devoted blog readers.

I am so thankful for you, my friends and family, and feel so lucky to have you in my life.


Have a wonderful day celebrating all things that make you thankful.