Minus 9 hours and counting

The last day of the year has arrived. 2007 started off pretty rocky, and continued that way for more than the first half of the year. It's a year I'm looking forward to putting behind me.

I won't be setting any new year's resolutions because quite frankly, I think I've done enough on my own doing without a new year being the reason why. I stopped biting my nails and that would have been a darn good resolution. The only thing remotely close to a resolution is the fact that I'm going to try my hardest to drop some more weight this new year. I refuse to say much more than that, because then it just sets me up for disappointment, and I don't want to be down on myself.

So, here's hoping that 2008 brings everyone much happiness, good health, lots of laughter, and love.

100 Things About Me - Part 2

11. I may just have a slight addiction to buying clothes for my kids. They have enough to potentially clothe the children of a small country. I can't help it. But in all seriousness - I don't pay anywhere near full price for the stuff. It's all bought at the end of the season for the next year. For instance - my kids each just got a bag full of summer clothes for Christmas. Add my shopping along with my mom's and anyone else that buys clothes and you have very stuffed closets.

12. I got pregnant before my husband and I were married. In fact, we had just started dating. I lost that pregnancy at 9 1/2 weeks and was devastated at the time. Now I look back and Thank God because I know my life would have been so much different (and this coming February, that child would have been 8).

13. I love capers. Chicken picatta is one of my favorite dishes. Yum!

14. My first 'behind the wheel' in driver's ed was humiliating. I didn't know how to turn the steering wheel back when making a turn and ended up on the front lawn of a house.

15. I have no living grandparents. I lost the last one, my Grams, over 2 years ago when I was just 25.

16. I was pregnant with my son at the time of my 21st birthday. I had no idea at the time, and I drank. Not heavily, but I did do a few shots that night. At times I feel really awful about that.

17. My cats are my furbabies. I get very, very attached to pets. I miss our family cats like crazy, even to this day. Right now I have 1 cat - Cosmo - he was given to me by my ex-boyfriend in 1996.

18. I don't cook. I can cook, just really don't have much time to do it, and I feel like I'm not very good at. Though, the several things I have made didn't make anyone go running away, so it must be not be too bad. I can bake, though. I'm pretty good at making dessert. :)

19. I don't know how to whistle. Okay, not entirely true - I can just barely make a whistling sound. I guess I just wasn't born with a very good whistler.

20. One memory I have of my paternal grandparents is being at their house, and always having Maurice Lenell pinwheel cookies and Frosted Flakes. I also remember this light-up gingerbread house that they put out at Christmastime on their kitchen counter. I found one on ebay this year, and bought it.

100 Things About Me - Part 1

"100 Things About Me" seems to be a popular thing around the blog world.

Since I just recently made my blog 'public' again, I figured this may be something nice to do for any new readers that may be lurking out there.

1. I have only held 3 jobs in my lifetime. I will celebrate 10 years with my company in November 2008.

2. I got married when I was 20. Yup, wasn't even legally able to drink at my own reception, but they made an exception. ;)

3. Some of my best friends are 8-13 years older than me.

4. Penguins are my favorite animal. Have been since I was a kid. I believe it all started off when I picked out a ceramic penguin statue souvenier while on vacation in Canada.

5. I have an extreme fear of tornados.

6. I used to bite my nails. All.The.Time. I gave it up on October 26, 2007. My nails look awesome.

7. I love music. Can't play it, write it, or even sing it - but I enjoy it. There's nothing like taking a drive on a beautiful day with the windows rolled down and the tunes cranked up.

8. Food is my downfall. I love it. All kinds. Junk food, fast food, Italian food, polish food; it doesn't matter. I love to eat.

9. Because of said food addiction, I'm overweight. Lost 35 pounds in 2006, basically maintained throughout 2007 and plan to lose more in 2008.

10. I love taking photographs. I'm not sure exactly when the passion started, but I launched a website in 2007 and hope to do a bit more with it in '08.

Penny Candy

I mentioned earlier that there were a few gifts I was pretty anxious about giving for Christmas this year.

One of them was a box of "Old Time" candy and a gift card to the movie theater for my folks.

A year or two ago, I had come across a website that sold nostalgic candy that they bought as kids. I never got a chance to order, and I remembered it this year.

They were so excited over their box of banana split chews, BB bat suckers, licorice pipes, zots and more.

It was just such a great, unique gift that brought a smile and I'm sure some pretty fond memories, too.

Black Currant Vanilla

For Christmas, I got this wonderful Bath & Body Works aromatherapy body wash and hand cream. It's "Sensuality" and the scent is Black Currant Vanilla. It is seriously almost to die for!

I'm fresh out of the shower, and smelling absolutely delicious I might add, sitting down to catch up on some blogs and have a cup of caramel cocoa.

And yes - the body is aching. Shoveling probably wasn't the best idea when I was already feeling run down, plus I'm pretty out of shape as it is. I'm looking at it like this, though -- that was an hour of probably some darn good cardio, and it's not even the first of the year (for my motto ... "Losin' Weight in 2008").

That's gonna hurt

I was just outside shoveling for an hour. I've already been feeling pretty darn worn down and yucky (I have a cold or something), so I am really gonna be aching later.

We're getting bombarded with snow. My boss called us at noon and told us we better head home. I won't complain! I managed to get home before the roads were really stinky (they were not so good but it still only took me an hour to get home), so I'm safe and warm.

I see hot cocoa and snuggly jammies in my future.

That's All Folks

In a flash, it's all over with. A month of planning, shopping, decorating, baking and preparing, and it's all over faster than you can blink.

Our festivities started off on a very sour note. My family gets together on Christmas Eve. First my Aunt (my mom's sister) calls and says she won't be coming (no good excuse - she always does this sort of thing). A bit later, my sister calls. My mom already feared she was going to back out when the day before she coughed 50 times on the phone and told my mom she hadn't been feeling good for a couple days. Supposedly she had a 103 degree fever. Out of 7 family events this year, she's had excuses for 5.

I was pissed and probably didn't do the right thing - but I was tired of seeing my mom upset for the second time on Christmas Eve over her loved ones backing out (and we were expecting catering -- as it was, we ended up with 2 guests when we normally have 7, plus the 6 of us here.) So, anyway ..... I called my sister (home phone was busy - she probably kept it off the hook after the phone conversation with my mom, so I tried her cell) and it went into voice mail. I left a not-so-nice message and pretty much said, you don't show up, I'm not speaking to you again.

Unfair? I don't know - but I'm tired of every event, she's got an excuse at the last minute. I'd almost like to ask for a doctor's note. (sigh)

At any rate .... we had a good time regardless. Santa came last night, and left all the perfect goodies under the tree. I was incredibly spoiled (I scored 3 different digital photo frame goodies -- keychain, photo cube, and photo frame -- a FM transmitter for my iPod, lots of Victoria's Secret goodies, clothes, a loving family necklace, Willow Tree family plaque; plus we've got a good $150 in gift cards for restaurants and a nice set of fleece sheets).

I'm pooped, though. I managed to snag 6 hours of sleep last night, but I feel like it was a lot less. Either I'm just tired - or I'm coming down with something. I've been a bit achy today as well. So, it's off to bed I go.....life returns to normal tomorrow and it's back to work I go.

Merry Christmas!

Well Blogger Friends, the time has come .... I hope you all have a very wonderful holiday - full of love, laughter and happiness. May Santa be good to you!

The Things Kids Say

It's a lazy day here; one of hanging out at home, watching tv and snuggling.

I'm on the couch under a fleece blanket, and the kids come over with their blankets and climb up and find spots to curl up. My daughter was laying on top of me, while my son was down near my feet. They were wiggly, unable to lay still and I commented about it.

Mike, who is snuggling by himself on the loveseat asks Braeden what the problem is.

B (as he's reaching down his jeans): My weiner is .....

Mike: What?

Me: Do you have to go peepee?

B: No...it's just my weiner. It's like .... a statue.

I look over at Mike, who pulls his fleece blanket up over his face.

B: Well, you know ... if you forget about it and walk around, then it goes back smooshy again.

At this point, I can barely contain myself and I throw the kids off me, and dash up the stairs because, that folks, is blog material!

Praise

Just four months ago I was nearly scared out of my wits as to how I would be able to handle the new position as general manager.

It was a nerve-wracking time, but I jumped in and I haven't sunk! I've had nearly everything that could be, thrown at me in these first few months.

Yesterday I received my Christmas bonus inside a card. The bonus itself was not a surprise, as I'm the one that does payroll and prints all the checks - but the message inside was nice:

"We are glad you stepped up as the new general manager - it's been going great. Thanks for all of your hard work & loyalty!"

If I can't get that to work.....

I might as well share some art.

I took this photo this past summer at a local arboretum. I got some pretty awesome shots that day, including one that my friend, Melissa bought poster size to have framed.

There's a lot you can do post-picture taking to improve or intensify your photo. Honestly, I don't like having this option. I mean - I do - but I also feel that if I can't get the shot and have it be exceptional without all the editing and photo shopping, then I just won't think the photo is right. This is just how it is in my mind - and there's nothing wrong with using photo editing software.

But, I found myself playing around tonight and made a photo look as if it's a piece of artwork that I painted.



Of course, looking at it in a smaller thumbnail image - it doesn't look like I did anything to it. But when clicked and viewed full, it's completely different.

Grrrrr!

I'm bored with the plain white background here, and I really haven't come across any skins out there that jump out at me.

So, I made a new title graphic and have a background that's ready to go, but I cannot get it to work for the life of me.

(sigh)

Let's see what else can go wrong

As if there isn't enough on my mind, or enough bills and things to do and pay for this time of year; my car is sick. There's something wrong, and I've kind of known for awhile, but I've been putting it off and - unlike people that can get better without any medicine or care at times - cars don't tend to do that.

I finally said enough already, and my car is headed in to the 'doctor'. I've got a suspicion that it's the transmission. I hope it's something as simple as needing a trans flush.....but the car is almost 7 years old, and has over 120,000 miles on (I think at this point, we're even closer to 130,000). And really, is it ever something that simple when it comes to car repairs?

All of a sudden, this last week, the closer we get to Christmas, the more depressed I get. I'm in a lonely, dark place. I'm feeling worn down, achy, and tired. I haven't even watched my favorite Christmas movie yet this year, which really says alot. I never skip out on watching Christmas Vacation every year. I'm stressing more, and my body is feeling it. I've got a monster headache, and the stress is settling in my neck, making that ache, and in turn, making the headache worse too.

I'm sure not going to be gaining any readers with my downer posts, but writing is somewhat therapeutic to the soul.

Wake me when it's over

I swear, I'm *really* trying to be in the spirit this year, and there are things I'm excited about, but for the most part -- this holiday season I'm just sort of bummed. Kind of ho-hum about the whole thing.

I'm actually looking more forward to it being over with. Totally odd for me, because usually after the last gift is opened and that the day comes to an end, I'm already feeling sad and depressed that it's over for the year.

I guess I am more unhappy with many aspects of my life than I thought. I wish things were different.

Kolachky, Kolacky, Kolaczki .... however it's spelled!

The most delicate, delicious Polish cookie on Earth .... and I think the real official spelling is Kolaczki ..... at any rate, this is how they turned out this year.



I made these for the first time last year, and while they were D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S, they gave me a hard time in the oven and popped open. This year they stayed pinched closed, and came out looking like something you'd buy at the bakery. I'm quite proud.

That's the way the cookie crumbles

We - seriously - must have 30 pounds of homemade cookies in this house. It's been a baking frenzy here the past two days.

Of the list of 17 different types of cookies, 13 are done. We may very well end up with near 1,000 cookies.

Yeah, we're nuts. Or maybe this is a form of Christmas Cookie OCD.

I'm absolutely exhausted. We did 2 second interviews today at work and have 3 potential new drivers. Now it's just a matter of taking the next step; running their MVR and making sure they are insurable and sending them out on a 'test run' with a driver to see if this floats their boat.

I'm hopeful, excited, anxious and nervous that one of these guys is going to make the final cut. I can't believe that with all the excess stress at work lately, I have still managed to not bite my nails (going on 9 weeks now), nor become a closet drinker.

And .... can you believe it; Santa comes in a week!

I'm dreaming of a .....

No, not a White Christmas. But at this point, it looks like we're going to have one. We're under a "Heavy Snow Warning" until noon tomorrow and we're getting dumped on pretty good.

Right now all I'm dreaming of is an escape. Except the roads are too crummy to drive on anyway, so I wouldn't get very far.

It's just been one of those days - you know the sort - the type that you'd rather walk barefoot in the snow, or pull your toenails out with pliers.

And no, it's not all the kids. It's the husband.

If he keeps this crap up, he's going to find a nice big, gift wrapped box of all his belongings on the front lawn.

Good riddance. The joys of marriage. For those unmarried folk - take this as a warning.

Flashback

I wanted to hear Fergie's song, Clumsy, so where do I go? Youtube of course! If you can't find it there, you may be S.O.L my friend.

I do some further searching and find that Fergie was on one of my all-time favorite kid's shows.

I grew up watching Today's Special, Mickey Mouse Club, and Kids Incorporated.



I end up finding that, oddly enough, my favorite Kids Inc. star, Stacy Ferguson, is the one and only, Fergie.

While we're at it .... here's the kids-crack I was on back in the day....

'Tis the Season

I love giving gifts, and this year there are several gifts that I'm anxiously awaiting their opening. You know when you find a gift that is just perfect and you know the recipient is going to love it? There's a few like that this year, and I can't wait.

However, getting presents is pretty darn fun, too.

I had already gotten a gift from the grab bag we did at the cookie exchange (I scored a gift card to Kohl's! Thanks again, Nanci!) and then this morning, I'm working away at my computer when my boss comes in and puts three presents on my desk.

We finished up the morning rush, and then she comes back into my office for me to open them. I ask if there's a particular order, and she slides one towards me.

I open it up and have a laugh. It's a stuffed cow to dust your computer monitor with. I had actually seen these and thought about buying one for in the office.



Then she slides the next one to me. I open that, and inside is a clear blue pencil case with penguins all over, complete with matching mechanic pencil, eraser and pen inside. (Score! I'm always "losing" my pens around the office - this will be easy to spot just which are mine)

And then there's the last box. She tells me that she's got the receipt at home, in case I've got it already, but that she hopes I don't because she thinks it just came out and I might not have seen them yet.

My eyes probably lit up at this point, and I say "Is it a Webkinz?!?" (Yeah, seriously ... I'm the general manager running this business and I'm asking her if it's a toy in the box!)

She says yes and by the point I'm ripping the paper off as fast as I can, lifting the lid on the box, pushing the tissue paper aside - and there it is!



I had just seen these on ebay, and was super excited to see they made a penguin! Being the penguin-fanatic that I am, I just had to have it. You see, I've already got all the penguin beanie babies that have been made, and I've got some other super cute penguin stuffed animals. As I wrote before, I do already have a black cat Webkinz, so this was a must!

I love it! Simple gifts that are nothing special to some, but totally special for me because it means she's looking for things she knows I will enjoy. And then, for me to be so excited over it, I'm sure it made her feel really good, too.

All wrapped out

I swear, if I have to wrap another gift, I'm going to scream. I have gotten to *that point* this holiday season where I'm entirely all wrapped out. Normally I enjoy wrapping gifts, and by the time I get about halfway done, it becomes much more of a job to get it done.

I was starting to feel the pressure, as the baking needs to be started this weekend - and - can you believe it - next week is the last week before Christmas! Where has the time gone?

So, I knew I still had plenty of wrapping left to do, and wanted to get it done so that I could focus my attention on cookies this coming week. I locked myself in the bedroom and got to it.

Finished all the wrapping aside from two gifts, which I'm going to make the husband do, because at this point I could bite his head off and spit down his neck. I've wrapped 81 gifts for this Christmas. The least he can do is 2. Well, let me be fair -- he does have to wrap the presents that he bought for me (not much of the surprise element when you have to wrap your own gifts).

I'm just a bit fed up. I do all of the Christmas shopping myself. Looking for good deals, going to 173 different stores a half a dozen times each, racking my brain trying to find the perfect gift for everyone. And yes, while we are giving some gift cards, 90% of our gift giving is actual presents. And then I have to break my back wrapping all the blasted things.

And now I can look forward to aching feet and back while I'm standing in the kitchen every evening for several days, baking.

Yes, I'm a bit miffed right now. Apparently playing computer games for 3 hours straight is a much higher priority than lending a hand to your wife.

Merry F-ing Christmas.....I'm just about ready for this to be over.

Happy Birthday My Boy!

Today was the big day.

On December 12, 2001 at 11:30pm, I became a mom.

My son entered this world and my life changed forever.

Happy Birthday Bubba! I love you with my entire being....

Got Driver?

The time has come that I dreaded the most when I took over the general manager position 4 months ago.......hiring a new driver.

I had just gotten some hiring experience when we were looking for someone new for the part-time office position.

So the time has come, and of course, I was nervous.

(Total sidenote: I've joked with my boss that I needed to keep a flask in my desk at work to get through the 'moments' that come along with the job. She tells me today that she was actually thinking about buying me one for Christmas! LOL I just had to laugh at her....I am totally not a drinker -- it's socially, and not in excess -- and I certainly would never be tossing one back at my desk -- but man would it have been a riot to open up a monogrammed flask)

Of course then I had the new face that I was growing on my cheek and had that to worry about.

Well, you tend to forget that your second head is actually conducting the interview when your interview-ee has leftovers all over his shirt. Have people forgotten that looking nice at an interview is a good thing? (This reminds me of another peeve: Wearing blue jeans to a wake/funeral)

So, a word to the wise - even if it is for a 3rd shift delivery driver position - looking your best really still does have an impact on your overall rating. I'm not talking a shirt and tie here -- but any sort of outfit without lunch all over it.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

We are getting slammed this winter. The kids have their first 'no school due to weather' day for this school year today, due to an ice storm. Plus we've already got a good 5 inches of snow on the ground.

Roads were not bad on my way into work, but I fear what is to come. Apparently these school closures weren't for what was out there already .... it was for what is expected.

I'm not happy about this. I am 35 miles from home, and I have some very important Christmas presents to deliver to a friend that must get there, and this is really my only chance.

I'm trying not to freak out about it, but I do not want to be stranded here at work and have to sleep here. Did that last year during a really bad snow storm.....it sucked so bad that in the middle of the night I braved the roads and went home anyway.

Give Me Chocolate!

While visiting my friend, Jess' blog, I saw that she wrote about the new Chocolate Cherry Dr. Pepper (very yummy, BTW!). It reminded me of the the BEST pop (yes, it's called pop here) in the world, which I can no longer find.



Canfield's Chocolate Fudge ..... it is liquid heaven.

I used to be able to find it at Woodman's. The last grocery store I knew stocked it. Now they don't even carry it anymore. It's odd, as it was distributed by a local company; seriously just a town over from us.

What I wouldn't do for a can right now. There's a Christmas wish for myself - I'd like a case (or two ..... or three ...... or a dozen) of Chocolate Fudge pop. Oh man, I'd be seriously indebted to whomever could delver that wish.

I miss that Chocolate Fudge. It's been at least a year since I've had it now.

Why me?

You'd think I was still 13 with the way my face looks around *that time*. By Friday I had quite a few spots, and a nice red spot on my left cheek that I knew would end up being a feisty one soon.

Sure enough, by Saturday afternoon it was protruding from my face, swollen and red, and warm to the touch. It's a little worse today, and it looked like it was starting to come to a head, but the dang thing will not die. Sterilized a needle and poked it, but nothing. I gave up when the pain was making me feel like I could pass out.

I did a quick online search and found that it's likely a boil, and that I should NOT be poking or squeezing or stabbing it with needles because then you run the risk of the bacteria entering your bloodstream. Niiiiiice.

Instead, you should use hot compresses and let it do it's own thing. Except the Lord only knows what it's own thing would be. That might include climbing off my face, hopping into it's space shuttle and rocketing off into space.

While I'm telling my daughter that I have an owie, she looks at it and tells me that it's big. Yes, I know. Then she proceeds to say:

"Maybe you are gonna have another face"

Ummm......great. She'll probably tell everyone she sees that her mommy has 2 heads. Of course we're interviewing at work for a new driver, and I've got 6 or 7 men that will be parading into the office throughout the afternoon tomorrow. I'm sure they will be jumping at the chance to work for the general manager that - by that time - may have 2 mouths to yell at them with.

So it's off to my warm compress to see if I can scare this alien life form away before it slithers out the front door and terrorizes the neighborhood.

Cookies and Candy and Groping, OH MY!

We hosted our 2nd annual cookie exchange last night, and of course, it was a blast.

What else would you expect from a house full of women, cookies, food, good conversation and plenty of laughter?

I honestly don't remember what time it was when the last guest left, but I do know that it was after 2am by the time I finally crawled into bed. And I think it was about 7:30am that my daughter came in, punched me in the back of the head and told me it was time to get up. Yeah, she's lucky she still has teeth.

So, there was joking and laughing and pervertedness aplenty last night. Even some groping! (The scary thing is, we weren't even drinking!)



I love these chics. Happy Holidays, friends!

When a conversation takes a turn for the worst

Tonight my mom and I are out grocery shopping and we stop to browse through the carts of reduced items.

There was a cart of health & beauty items, and I came across a box of condoms.

The following conversation progresses:

Me: Want some condoms? They're mint! (pause) Ick!

(I pick up a box of KY warming liquid)

Me: Want some of this? It's warming!

Mom: I've already got some.

Me (horrified): YUCK! Did you HAVE to tell me that?!?!

Mom: You asked.

Morph Yourself

Happy St Nicholas!

Today is St Nicholas Day, and we were up bright and early at 6am with the neighbor's car horn apparently going off by itself (think of laying your body against the horn for a constant, nonstop honk for a good 10 minutes straight).

But, we knew that St Nicholas had visited and filled the kids' stockings, and it was probably only a matter of time before they'd be waking.

When we all got downstairs, the kids found gifts from Grandma & Grandpa and their stockings stuffed with goodies. They were quite happy little children, even with receiving some new underwear in their stockings, too!

Then the fun was over, and it was time for Mike and I to head out to work. He had already started my car for me, so I climbed in and put my belt on. I notice a small, wrapped package in my cup holder, so I pull it out and on the tag, it says:

To: You
From: Me
Happy St Nick

By this time I'm already driving, so there I am, opening my gift while trying to remain on the road. (Okay, so not the best idea, but I had to get to work and I was anxious to find out what this gift was)

I get the paper off, and find a small, plain white box. Inside that box, is a blue box. I pop that one open to find a sterling silver diamond heart necklace. :)



If it wasn't for the rude awakening with the car horn this morning, and for the massive headache I've got right now, this would be a truly magical day!

Happy St Nick Day everyone!

I wanna be your ....

On my way into work this morning, a song came on that I haven't heard in ages, but I love it (I'm a sucker for 80's music).

Billy Ocean's "Loverboy"

I'm telling you, the video is scary, but I do love the song.

Snow Covered Chicken Pops

The 'pimples' never did change, and no more appeared, so we're breathing a sigh of relief that we don't have to deal with even a modified version of "chicken pops" (my daughter can't pronounce pox).

As if worrying about the potential of having a child down with chicken pox wasn't enough to deal with yesterday, we were under a winter storm advisory. Now, I love this time of year and fully expect to see white. After all, there's just nothing like a White Christmas.

But when it strikes while I'm at work, and I face a horrific drive home, I am not impressed. It started snowing in the afternoon, thankfully just flurries at first. By the time I was safe at home, the snow had picked up and we had a pretty nice ground covering within an hour.

Mike went out to shovel last night (per my instruction, since I was the only one in the house that needed to actually be somewhere today), and as his back is nearly breaking, he decides to get out the snowblower. I can hear it gobbling up the snow, even with the windows all tightly closed and I realize that it's late - already after 10pm. My apologies to any neighbor's that it may have disturbed, but thankfully we did it then. We still woke up to a large amount of snow on the ground, so back out he went this morning to clear it all again.

The roads were decent, though not great, but I did run into a road block and had to go an alternate way, as there must have been a bad accident from all the flashing lights I could see up ahead.

I made it safely, and now here it is 1pm and I'm ready to take a nap. I woke up at 1:30 this morning with the most God-awful stomach cramping ever......I didn't know if it was just IBS or if I was dying. My stomach is still not right, and I'm exhausted from being woken up such a nasty way.

Pimples, Pox and other bumps of life

This morning my son was brushing his teeth while Grandma started to comb his hair. I was just about to walk out the door to leave for work, when she commented about a pimple on his forehead. I look, and say "Really?!? A pimple already?!?"

It wasn't until my mom lifted up his shirt that I thought, OH CRAP! Maybe it's not a pimple.

We find 5 more little 'pimples' on his back. That was all we could find and there's no other symptoms of anything.

So I call the pediatrician who instructs us to watch him for the next 12 hours, and as a precaution, to keep him home from school. If it's chicken pox, the pox will start changing. Since he's had the vaccination, it would be a "modified" version.

Now it's just a wait and see. The report I'm getting from home is that they all look the same so far. It's been about 6 hours from our first discovery.

My husband suggested that maybe it's just a heat rash (he's a very warm, sweaty kid, even when sleeping) - which I could definitely see as a possibility on the back, but I'm not too sure about the one on the forehead (there's another one right along the hairline, which I could also see as your head sweats and your hair gets wet).

Now to just see how he looks the rest of the night.

The Christmas Rap

Or wrap.

I've starting my gift wrapping and I'm about halfway through by my estimation. I have already tackled 41 gifts and they are either under one of the two Christmas trees, or are in a separate pile in my bedroom.

Tonight I got 13 done. I felt like I was at it forever, and 13 seems like such a dismal number. I did watch the old Christmas favorites, like the Misfit Toys and all that, so at least there was some entertainment while I lost feeling in my feet from sitting, cross-legged, on the floor for so long.

And while we're talking about the Misfit Toys, have you all seen the Misfit Sex Toys?

If you are under 18, leave now.

We Survived!

Today we had B's birthday party for all of his friends. We decided on Pump It Up again this year since it was such a hit with his preschool class and because it was so easy.

They literally do it all - from supervising, to serving the food, to writing down the gift and gift-giver name for you .... I could just sit (or stand .... or bounce .... or slide) and enjoy.

This time the adults got in on the fun. Of course, when Melissa said she wanted to go down the big slide, I said if she did - I would. Well, she did. So I had to hold up my end of the bargain and go down, too. Even Nanci and my husband got in on the action and had some sliding fun (Nanci and Mike even hopped in another bouncer for some basketball, and another dad that was there was joining in the fun).

I think of the 80 photos I took, these are the best ..... 1) Because we all look quite goofy and 2) It was fun to blend in and be a 'party-goer' for a few minutes rather than the responsible adult. No comments from the peanut gallery .... Yes, I realize I look like an idiot, and No, I really don't care (well, I do, but I know if I put up my friend's photos, they'll be pissed if mine isn't up there with theirs). :)

You Are a Good Friend Because You're Loyal

You stick with your friends no matter what, even if you feel like they're doing the wrong thing. You believe in letting people figure out their own path in life. It's not your place to interfere. And part of your loyalty means that you'll do a lot for your friends. You definitely go the extra mile. You'll even do great things for friends without them asking. After all, that's what friendship is all about. You are truly a friend for life. And you have friends you've known since you were a kid. Your friends can count on you to do a favor, remember a birthday, or just be there to listen. Your friends need you most when: They can't turn to anyone else You really can't be friends with: Fickle people who change friends quickly Your friendship quote: "Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows."

What Makes You a Good Friend?

December 1st

Today was the start of the traditional advent calendars. As a kid, I got an advent calendar each year. I looked forward to that little piece of chocolate every night. We have continued with this tradition for our kids, and they were thrilled to have their candy tonight.

I've always loved them so much, that this year even *I* have my own calendar as well. Except, for the very first time ever, the chocolate leaves a lot to be desired. I'm quite disappointed.

My calendar is different than the kids', as we bought mine much later (just a few days ago, in fact), so the brands are different.

While the kids chocolate pictured a train, mine pictured a log, but oddly the candy bore a picture on it of a package (I'm kind of wondering if the candy itself isn't "generic" and that they will all be packages just with a different picture inside the calendar).

So, there it is .... tonight, I got a log.