My Christmas Update

Christmas was wonderful and exhausting.....

Not to sound *bah-humbugish* but, I'm glad it's over.  Still trying to get the kids back on some sort of schedule; and trying to climb out from underneath all the new toys and boxes.  Thankfully tomorrow is trash day.... It honestly looks like someone got evicted and the landlord threw their things out on the front lawn.  There is THAT much.  On Christmas day the boxes literally overtook my small house.  Not knowing what to do with them, I thought it would be a good idea to toss them out on the back deck until trash day.   Seemed like a good idea until a blizzard blew in on Sunday night covering them with a foot and a half of snow.  Incredible how heavy cardboard is when wet.  : )

Although Santa was good to everyone this year, Sammi was the amazing one to watch.  She was so excited she literally shook.  After opening a $5.00 princess wand, she went over and hugged her dad.  With tears in her eyes, she whispered, "I've always wanted one of these".... This year,  Christmas had enough sweet moments to last a lifetime.

On Sunday night snow began to fall...

                                                       ....and fall

                                                                       ....and fall.

By Monday we were in the midst of a blizzard.  The wind howled and gusts blew up to 60mph.  As I watched the  snow furiously swirl around outside,  I  had the surreal feeling that I was in the middle of a giant snowglobe.   When the blizzard finally stopped Monday night, Mike and I went out to stand on the deck.  No sounds of people, or cars, just silence.  The full moon cast a magical glow on the snow around us; I love the first snowfall of the winter.....  

Of course that magical feeling disappeared on Tuesday morning, when it took us 3 hours to shovel and snowblow ourselves out.  After the work was done and we had some coffee, we took the toddler's out to play.  Sammi, now a veteran of maneuvering in snow, effortlessly made snow angels and climbed to the top of the highest snow bank.  Mikey kept getting bogged down by the deep snow and whining "I'm stuck".... They had a blast & especially liked building a snowman.  The temps are supposed to hit near 50 on New Year's Eve day, so I'm thinking our Frosty is short-lived.   

Can't believe New Years is already upon us.... I'm working on New Year's Eve & New Years Day this year, so instead of passing out champagne, I'll be passing out milk of magnesia....  :::Cheers::: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?  Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne...."  ~~Happy New Years. 

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.  ~Author Unknown   

On The 7th Day Before Christmas

Yup, on the 7th day before Christmas, my true love made our computer crashhhhhhhhhhh. Would have preferred the *seven swans a-swimming.* ::smile:::

It crashed so bad that we couldn't even boot up at all.  When we turned the computer on, we got a blue screen with a warning saying, "shut down NOW".   The computer had been sluggish, so Mike decided to run spybot.  When he tried to delete some of the spyware that it detected, the computer crashed.  Apparently the spyware had attached itself to some system files.   $100.00 later, we have our computer back....  A bit pricey, but the guy was quick and I've got to admit it's running the nuts right now....  Feels great to be back. 

Because of the crash our Christmas cards have been delayed.  We couldn't access our photo's or the Christmas card list.  Hoping to get them in the mail tomorrow....  It's been so busy that I haven't missed the computer as much as I normally would.  Last minute shopping, (need to finish tomorrow) & lots of wrapping left to do.  I also made five new Christmas stockings that came out pretty cute, if I do say so myself.  Those sewing lessons paid off, lol.

Well, Mike is home from shopping and I suppose we should go do our elf-ly duties.  Anyone else HATE wrapping?  Argggggghhhhhhhhhhh....... 

 

Quote of the day:  Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.  ~Carol Nelson

Isn't It Ironic?

Isn't it ironic?

That the "Ho, Ho, Heyyyyy...." Santa doesn't appear to be that bad in photo's.  ~~Trust me he was....

And the stain on Mikey's shirt that I thought, "wasn't sooooo bad" looks absolutely awful in the picture.  Of course the drool down the front doesn't help matters.

Well, the Christmas tree is up and decorated.  It's quite beautiful in the dark and I was pretty good about resisting the urge to make the tree look perfect.  I think I only moved two decorations to another *safer* location.  I let the other decorations remain where the little ones hung them.  Spencer was bumming because he couldn't find his favorite ornament.  It's a 12-days of Christmas calendar ornament from Hallmark.  Anyone have one they want to sell?  Doubt I'll find another one in the store, it was about 14 years old.  Mikey has literally fallen into the tree twice.  The last time he landed in the tree; he got wrapped up in the lights, garland, had a branch stuck in his curls and a blue glass ball ornament hanging from the collar of his shirt.  Truly picture worthy, but I had to save the tree.... I mean, save Mikey.  :::smile:::

Christmas cards still need to be sent and lots of shopping to do.  I'm working the night shift all weekend, so I doubt we'll get back to the stores until Monday night.  I woke up early this morning and felt panic-stricken.   So much to do and so little time to do it.  Arggggggggghhhhh.... Such is the life of a procrastinator. 

Well, Mikey just walked up to me and said, "I'm hungry Mommy"....  Guess I should go feed him, because as he was saying that he was sucking on a tampax.  :::laughing too hard here:::   Oh, where IS that camera when ya need it?

 

Quote of the day:   There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.   --Erma Bombeck

 

  

"Sunrise, Sunset"

"Is this the little girl I carried?
 Is this the little boy at play?
 I don't remember growing older,
 When did they?"

Seventeen, today my first born son turns seventeen....

Spencer, seventeen years ago you entered this world six weeks early.  Although premature, you weighed in at a healthy 7lbs and 9oz's.   You had a head full of jet black hair that stood straight up, and your face was the sweetest face I had ever seen.  On December 23rd, after eight days in the hospital, we brought you home.  Yes, Christmas came early that year.  You, my most precious gift.... 

I remember your firsts.  The first time you walked, the first time you talked, your first day at school, the loss of your first tooth.  At seventeen, you are still experiencing *firsts*, but now I stand back and watch in awe and apprehension.  In awe of your confidence, as you spread your wings for your eventual flight from the nest; in apprehension, as you begin to fly solo out in the world.  Every fiber of my being wants to snatch you back, keep you safe from any harm.  Yet, I know that I must begin to let go, I cannot stop you.  Time marches on, ready or not.

Not.... not ready yet, and for that I'm thankful.  For now I wait for your return from solo flights, leaving the porch light on and not sleeping until I know you are home safe.  I cherish these days because I know that someday soon you'll leave the nest, and the porch light will remain off....

Off.... into the world you'll fly.  My first born son, my pride and joy.  Almost a man, no longer a boy.  Seventeen, today my first born son turns seventeen.  Happy birthday Spencer....

"Sunrise, Sunset...
 Sunrise, Sunset,
 Swiftly fly the years.
 One season following another,
 Laden with happiness and tears...." 

Christmas Shopping Has Begun...

            

Still dealing with exhaustion here, but the feeling does seem to have lifted a bit.  The tots have been well-behaved lately.  Their mischievousness has been at a minimum.  Not sure if it's because they sense my exhaustion or because of Santa's much anticipated visit, but it works for me... 

Lots going on, little time to write....

Spencer went to a formal dance Friday night.  Now that he drives, it was the first time he didn't need me to be his chauffeur to a school function.  Although not having to be his taxi undeniably makes my life easier, I do miss those precious times to connect and talk.  No TVs, phone calls.... just trapped in the car with me to talk to.

Friday night we finally began our Christmas shopping.  "Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laaaaaa...."  Although we still have more shopping to do, we were able to tackle a good portion of the Christmas list.  So far we have even managed to stick to our budget.  Thank you BIG LOTS, Targets, and The Christmas Tree Shoppe.  

Yesterday we dragged out the Christmas lights and decorations.  Admittedly, we were looking pretty *Grinchy* around here.  ...But no more.  When Sammi and Mikey saw the decorations, their eyes lit up brighter than the brightest Christmas light.  Watching them experience Christmas through brand new eyes, has somehow made the holiday seem almost new to me too.  Yes, the magic of Christmas is truly more than what one wraps up and puts under the tree.

Tomorrow night we're going to pick out a tree and wreath for the door.   This year when we decorate; I'll try to resist the urge to move the ornaments that the kids will no doubt  put in the wrong place.  I will try to ignore the bald spots that have no decorations and remember that in it's childish imperfection, the Christmas tree will be decorated perfectly....

Christmas Quote of the day:

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.   --Jay Leno

 

Santa Snafu

   

Every year the nursing home I work with has Santa Claus come to visit.  Employee's children are always encouraged to come, though I've never brought mine until this year.   I heard the Santa Claus (a co-worker's husband is a professional Santa, very authentic looking, no stuffing, or fake ho, ho, ho's needed) was volunteering to fill the role.  With Sammi so excited this year, I decided to bring them. My co-worker was dressing as Mrs. Claus....

When we arrived there was a dance school performing for the residents.  The room was over-packed, it seems that the performance was also being treated as a recital for their families.  Right before the dancer's finished, I heard an activity assistant say, "They'll be here in 10 minutes."  Cookies and cider was served and in walked Santa.  A scraggly, skinny Santa who upon entering the room exclaimed, "Ho, ho, hey. Hey ho, ho..."   This was NOT the Santa that the employees were all expecting.  With the exception of the Activity Director, who was also aware of the other Santa.  Apparently at the last minute, she decided that it would be cute if her boyfriend  played Santa because her 6 month old was there....  When told  by other concerned employee's that "You can't do this, they are coming".... Her response was, "Well stop them at the door, they can't come in here."

Shortly there-after, the real Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived with a sack full of toys and foil covered chocolates, looking like they stepped out of a fairy tale book.  Awesome.  No one stopped them until they were around the corner from the room...  They were stopped and told there was another Santa there and they couldn't go in.  What??? This event had been planned for over a month, so obviously they were stunned.  The real Santa,  putting a finger aside of his  nose said *!@?* @!* and out the front door Santa and Mrs. Claus flew.  No reindeer needed.  In their wake they left a trail of foil covered chocolates. 

Meanwhile, the Santa on crack continued with his lackluster performance, and only had enough gifts for the girls who performed, all their siblings and the employees children got nothing.  With the exception of Sammi, she got a mini pad and marker set.  Children were crying, one little boy (about 4 years old) was having a full-blown tantrum because he didn't get anything from Santa.  I heard the mother hiss to the father, "See?  That's why I don't like to come to these kind of things.  Something like this always happens."  Truly an embarrassment to the facility.  Though at this point the one's responsible for this fiasco seem oblivious.   I do not understand why the Director of Nurses let the Acitivites Director change the plans at the last minute for her own selfish reasons.  I've lost a lot of respect for her and if Santa truly did have a naughty list, I know of a few people who deserve to be at the top of the list.

Oh, and to top things off?  Not only did the Santa Claus suck, but he gave out non-washable markers.  Guess who's still trying to get marker off her kitchen table?   

 

Only 21 Shopping Days Left?

Christmas is coming,
I haven't bought a thing.
No time to hum along,
As Yule-tide caroler's sing.

Stockings not yet hung,
By the chimney with care.
Lights still in boxes,
The tree bough's sadly bare....

Poem in progress...Written by Michelle S. aka s0ngbird1962

I can't believe there are only 21 days left before Christmas.  Seems that the time that separates Thanksgiving and Christmas is becoming smaller and smaller.  My days between the two holidays are a blur....

Every year I tell myself that I will shop earlier, that I won't save all the wrapping until Christmas eve.  Yet, once again, it appears that my procrastination mode is on course.  I haven't even begun shopping yet.  Arghhhhhhh!  I want to be organized in my next life....

I just tossed my pumpkins, took down my scarecrow and put the remains of the Thanksgiving turkey out to the curb last night.  Need to deck the halls, the kids are so excited.  This is the first year that Sammi truly believes.... Oh, the magic of Christmas when experienced once again thru a child's eye.  Yesterday she asked me to help her write a letter to Santa Claus....

Dear Santa,
Happy Christmas!  I've been a good girl, so please come to visit.
I would like a magic talking kitchen, a talking vacuum, markers,
paints and a beautiful dress.  You can bring Mikey a spanking....

:::laughing::: Yes, that is what she said.  That's my girl, always thinking of her baby brother.  Hmmm, I bet that Mikey would probably prefer the customary lump of coal instead.  At least he would have fun, as he smeared black streaks around the house.

Well, it's off to mail that letter to the North Pole today.  Thinking we'll need to send it Fed-Ex so it'll reach Santa in time....