7:10 AM
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Whose feet are these you ask? Well, I'll give you a couple of clues and see if you can guess...
1. She's a crazy Momma
2. She LOVES flip flops-proof positive right here in pink and white!
3. When she showed up on my doorstep wearing her cute little toed socks with flip-flops to go to a local pool...if I had been drinking milk, it would've coming flying out my nose! I still giggle every time I look at this picture!
and I think that's enough...I'll update at the end of the day ;0)
Update: They are none other than my fabulous and festive flip-flop friend's feet...Momma K! Any excuse to wear them ;0) Thanks for playing!
9:00 AM
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I'm relaxed. We had a most wonderful Christmas...home alone...just the four of us for the first time in ...well ever. Last year there were 25 people here not including our 4. Years prior were spent switching holidays between my family and the hubs, but since his mom passed away a couple of years ago, his sister and her husband spend their Christmas feeding the hungry and elderly people in their community. We will celebrate with them the weekend after New Year's.
My brother and his daughter are close by and my sister and her family are in CO so we coordinate accordingly. This year everyone stayed home or went to visit their significant other's families. Next year we'll all be together again.
Our day was spent opening presents in shifts..after the J-Team came in at 6:45 and announced "It's almost light out! Get up!" We came down to remote control heaven (or hell as some might say!) We had gone to church the evening before so no need to get dressed. We played games, watched Christmas movies, made a fire, and munched all day. So much so that we didn't eat our Christmas dinner until yesterday because we weren't hungry!
Neighbors spent the day coming by sharing well wishes and food! Cookies mostly..yummy! We gave out bottles of wine this year. Usually I make some kind of signage or ornament with each families name on it..but no time this year. Next year on Christmas Eve I would like our family to exchange homemade gifts. I think it foster's creativity and really brings out the true meaning of Christmas, giving something of yourself that may not always be so easy.
We try not to hype up the present thing too much, and listen to our kids. They really only asked "Santa" for one thing each. We gave them four. I set a limit for each child moneywise this year and did not go over it. They cleaned out all of their "gently used" toys and gave them to the homeless shelter and their broken one were either fixed or thrown away. They each bought a toy for "Toys for Tots" and put it in the box at the local post office. And I think they both had a great Christmas. The pressure is off to be "good" for Santa and they have angels ever since.
Hope you all had a very peaceful and happy day. What was your favorite memory of the day?
10:03 AM
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Home again, home again jiggity-jig. Well, you ready for my lengthy description? Of course you are!!! This was my week...long...cause it's a whole week in one post...read on if you care to ;0)
Monday7:30...leave house with little J and head to school to get the Parent breakfast set up...Hot Cider was a hit by the way and very simple1/2 cup brown sugar6 cinnamon sticks1 tsp whole cloves1 tsp allspice1 gallon apple juiceMix in a crockpot and leave it on low. Done.The Parish hall was a mess so we had to clean it all up first then set up our own stuff. 9:10 Kids start to come in. Get them ready with halos and shepards costumes for our Christmas pageant.10-10:30 Pageant...worked out beautifully considering a bunch of 2,3, 4 and 5 year olds were involved and they only practiced once, without costumes because of the ice storm last week.10:30-10:45 parents bring in wonderful gifts, kids give them theirs ...everyone goes home!11:00 run off to J-man's school to do the Holiday Shoppe that was scheduled and cancelled the previous TH and F because of the ice storm and try to figure out how to send 700 kids through in a 7 hour period in a room that about 20x20. 2:45 With the help of some amazing people we actually did it!! We got all the kids through...they had a blast and left with surprise gifts for all of their family members. *Note to self...do this waaaayyyy earlier next year and allow at least 2 days...whewww!! At this point I'm a little warm and my back is killing me. I felt a bit queasy but attributed it to PMS. I blame everything on that.....works for me!By 3:30 I'm packing up what's leftover from the sale and not feeling the least bit happy. My friend Cheri offers to come over and help me count everything, tally and add invoices and box it up for shipment the next day. Great! I head to the principal's office ...I'm literally feeling delirious at this point and can't focus. Very strange...she give's me 3 advil and I head home with my boxes.Cheri shows up at about 8 and we count and box everything...by the time she leaves I"m shivering so hard I can barely walk. I'm certain I have a fever at this point. Drag out the thermometer...real live glass one at that...nothing. Completely normal.I take some Cold meds..attribute my shakes to doing waaaay too much in too little time and my body just telling me to stop...sounds reasonable enough right?Nope.Spent the WHOLE night shivering in and out of delirium...took my temp at about 3 in the morning and about bit the end off the thermometer...103. Took 4 Advil...went back to bed.TUESDAYWoke up and felt like a truck had run over me.Drug myself to school loaded with Advil. Put the boxes in the office for UPS pickup...took Little J back home and fell asleep on the couch for 4 hours...well as much sleep as you can get with a 3 year old driving trucks up and down your head and legs and "tucking you in" and bring you a drink, and playing dr. and asking if you're still sick....Mom and Dad came over around 2 to show me their new truck...very nice fully loaded Chevy 1500 with extended cab. I want to retire...Stated feeling much better...fever was gone. I felt normal, but a little tired. I decided to keep my plans to go to my Christmas party that night..had a great time came home about 10 went to bed.WEDNESDAYWoke up in a panic because today I had 15 kids and their moms coming over for a cookie decorating party and I had NO COOKIES made. J-man's Holiday Choral Concert, that was yet again, cancelled due the ice storm, had been rescheduled to 10 a.m. THIS MORNING...we found out YESTERDAY at 3:00! One more monkey wrench...Guess how many roll-out-cut-out sugar cookies you can make in one hour? Go on guess??? 4 dozen! Rolled, cut, baked, cooled and covered. Am I good or what?? AND I managed to clean my house in between timers...(picked everything up and threw it in a room upstairs and closed the door) vaccuumed, mopped the floor, cleaned the bathroom. Made it to school by 9:30 picked up the check to mail for the Holiday Shoppe, saw my son sing proudly "Bah Humbug, The Christmas Grump" and kept a quivering smile the whole time! He was beautiful ...if I can figure out how to get a bit of video posted I'll show you a little bit next week.Left school, went to Food Lion to get drinks and glue. Ran back home, finished cleaning, and started setting up tables and food. Friends and kids started arriving about 12:30 and boys headed straight for the Playstation...Oh well, the girls had a great time making ornaments and decoration cookies. Everyone left about 3-4 pm and Momma K graciously stayed to help me clean up. I'm really glad, because we didn't really have a chance to catch up in 4 hours she was there. By the end of the evening, I was tired, but fine and hadn't taken any advil all day...no fever...although my glands were a little swollen. Ahhh...no biggie. I snuggled with the boys on the couch and watched The Grinch. Hubs worked late because of the show earlier. Nice day.ThursdayWoke up feeling not so nice. Took more Advil. Better. Ran all kinds of errands and by 2 p.m. my throat felt like I had swallowed razor blades. Is this what Strep feels like? I don't know ...never had it...that's right folks...I have never in my life had Strep...I was told as a kid that I can carry the bacteria, but for whatever reason it doesn't affect me. I was certain that that wasn't the case. But, it's definately something. Called the hubs and asked if he would call the DR. and see if I could piggy back on his appt. just in case. Last thing I wanted was to give the kids something like that for Christmas.FRIDAYMy Brother comes over to drop his dog off because he's going out of town...he informs me that he and his daughter (whom we spent last Sunday with ) have been sick with Strep all week. Hmmmmm.....maybe...nope ...I'm 38 years old...never had it ...can't get it....went to the Dr. Drum roll please.....I HAVE FREAKIN: STREP THROAT!!!!! Arghhh...antibiotics are my friend.And ya know what? I can get strep..obviously. I feel horrible being around everyone all week and pray that no one else gets it. Bleh... Anyway...feeling much better now and I have...OFFICIALLY finished all my Christmas cards. This is the absolute closest I've ever come to Christmas before getting them out. Lots of firsts for me this week.Thanks for reading...mmmmwahhhh! Merry Christmas Eve everyone ;0)
6:38 PM
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I have a fever again from Monday...103. Will post more when I can hold my eyes open long enough. Dr. appt. tomorrow.
Peace.
10:10 AM
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Ain't it the truth? Actually, the hubs asked me last night what I wanted for Christmas...Ummmm...uhhh...my kids to stop fighting?...a date with the hubby...a Nikkon D70s with wide angle and zoom lens??? I dunno ;0) I like giving more than getting. I would much rather get a note from a friend I haven't heard from in a long time or "time" to spend with someone special. I can 'buy" my own things...and usually it involves chocolate!
But I found this while looking through my baby book with my kids. I was the same age as my oldest son is now and apparently Mom sent my letter into the newspaper. I thought I'd share ... Happy Last Minute Shopping! We're off to celebrate with my parents and brother this weekend...so I'll see you all on Monday!
"Dear Santa,
I WIll Leave some COOKIES.
and MIlk for you. and some
carrots for the reineerders.
Iv,e ben a good girl This
weaK."
Works for me....
4:54 PM
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to the mall to visit Santa??? ME!! We went to the festival of lights called Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland and Santa was there!! Yay! The kids got to visit, we were able to enjoy the lights and a chilly walk after a HUGE dinner with the 'rents and it really
was a "Winter Wonderland" because of the snow from a couple of days ago!There were houses decorated with all kinds of chatch in the yard and on their houses directly across from the park...it may seem gaudy but I loved it. I can't imagine their electric bill!
We ended the evening with J-man saying:
"Mom...even if Santa wasn't there...I would definately sit on Mrs. Clauses' lap!"
Hooo doggies...I'm in trouble!
1:20 PM
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For me, shopping for Christmas gifts is all in the spirit of the season. I spend months attempting (agonizing) to find the perfect gift for each family member and/or friend. I don't want lists. I don't make lists. I'm not a lister (nor a list maker) you get the point. I pay attention throughout the year and aim to buy (within reason) what someone would like and wouldn't necessarily buy themselves. Socks and underwear are not gifts people! They are neccessities! Unless, of course, you are my brother who actually ASKS for socks...but that's neither here nor there.
I would hope that, this would in turn, be reciprocated. I put my tree up day after Thanksgiving and don't take it down until the snow melts which usually is sometime in January...or when I'm tired of it. I decorate for "winter" for the most part and the Christmas related stuff comes down with the tree so the rest is seasonal.
I enjoy "the hustle and the bustle" of the season. BUT there are those who don't. And there are TIMES I don't, and that's why I think Christmas carols were invented. EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear a Christmas song, I feel better. I am reminded why everyone and their mother is cussing and swearing and frustrated and driving like a maniac ...
...and I slow down. It's not my problem (unless of course they crash into me) and I'm not going to take it personally. My favorite Christmas song of all time is Carol of the Bells. Christmas music makes me happy. It brings back childhood memories of shopping all day with my mom and dad and then getting special treats or going out to eat. Then we'd come home and have marathon wrapping session the next day. Dad always made eggnog and we eat cookies til we were sick. Then we'd sit around and watch movies like AChristmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, The Grinch.
I think Christmas Carol's were invented to make people happy, to remember what Christmas was all about.
That's why what follows is so funny. We were listening to a homemade CD from a friend. It had Shrek's Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas, All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, I Want a Hippopotomus for Christmas and everyone's favorite....
Yogi Bear's Christmas...It goes a little something like this...
I know a bear that you wont know, Yogi, Yogi,
I know a bear that you wont know, Yogi Yogi bear.
Yogi Yogi bear!! Yogi Yogi bear!!
I know a bear that you wont know, Yogi Yogi bear.
Yogi's got a girlfriend bear, Suzie, Suzie,
Yogi's got a girlfriend bear, Suzie Suzie bear.
Suzie Suzie bear!! Suzie Suzie bear!!
Yogi's got a girlfriend bear, Suzie Suzie bear.
Suzie she likes whips and chains, kinky, kinky,
Suzie she likes whips and chains, she's kinky bear.
Shes's kinky bear!! she's kinky bear!!
Suzie likes whips and chains, she's kinky bear.
Suzie shaves her pubic hairs, grizzly, grizzly,
Suzie shaves her pubic hairs, she's a grizzly bear.
She's a grizzly bear!! She's a grizzly bear!!
Suzie shaves her pubic hairs, she's a grizzly bear.
Oops! It only get raunchier from there... I think someone didn't quite listen to all of the dowloaded songs closely. Thank God we caught it in time before the kids realized what was going on. Ha! Yogi has had an interesting Christmas.
10:10 AM
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First decent snow fall of the year and me with out my camera! I left it at school..ooops! The kids have been outside since 8 a.m. Perfect snow play day...warm in the sunshine but temperatures hovering around freezing so not a lot melting and me with a day off unexpectedly! I plan to get all this loverly decorating finished and clean my house...of course it's 10 a.m. and I'm sitting here on the computer waiting for the coffee to finish... not in a big hurry. I've had 3 phone calls from people already this morning asking me to watch their kids. I have a tendency not to answer when these folks call because they are of the group that only call or speak to us when they want something. Normally I am a generous person and would happily do what I can for my fellow neighbor, but if that's the
ONLY time you intend to speak to me and even worse don't even attempt to reciprocate...not gonna happen. Usually I don't even answer the phone when these certain someone's call, but I have a very capable six year old who fortunately and not so fortunately let me sleep in this morning, made himself and his brother breakfast, played games with his younger sibling and ...answers the phone. Oh well, can't have it all I 'spose. Guess I'd better not make a liar out of myself and try to get something done. Have a great day!
Word to the Wise: Don't eat yellow snow.
5:25 PM
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Well, the parades are finished, shopping is done. All in all the choas we call Christmas this time of the month was pretty bearable. I hit Walmart on a Saturday afternoon and came out in 15 mins unscathed! Walmart is the best invention on the planet... regardless of what you're looking for, if they have it, it's cheaper than anywhere else, toys, food, necessities...sometimes clothing, but I'm a little pickier in that dept. Hmmmm...how do I say this....I like to shop at Walmart but I don't want to look like I shop at Walmart. Get it?
I even got a primo spot right up front! Mom and I went to the outlet mall to look for a leather coat for me..I ended up with 2 for the price of one! The same coat was full price at the non-outlet sista and hour south of here. Whoda Thunk? I also bought the most beautiful purple leather purse and wallet and told the hubs he didn't have to buy me anything from the boys ;0) All in two hours time. Well worth it.
The parade yesterday was a bit more stressful...it was really cold and long but all in all a good time...at least until we saw the carriage carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus carreening down mainstreet while being pulled by four runaway Clydesdales.
Apparently all that came out of my mouth was "omigodomigodomygodgohelp!!" The Hubs jumped out of the van as the back left horse fell and skidded up underneath the carriage, all I could think of was that the carriage and all it's precious cargo were about to go flipping and flying down the road. My friend Erin was on the other side of the road calling 911 and yelled for me to drive over to the fire dept to get help...bunch of good ol' boys sitting around..."Well, why don't we go take a lookie and see what we got..."
Here let me light a fire under your ass to give you a jump start...price you pay for living in Podunkdom...I 'spose. Thank God none of the flipping and flying happened only skidding and stopping. The Clauses were fine...just a little freaked and the horse...was a bit scratched up but as far as we know fine as well.
Made for an exciting day.
Now I just have to wrap everything...bleh.
