Be of Good Cheer

... And I am, of good cheer that is. My wonderful brother, his beautiful wife and her two amazing parents tracked down the illusive iCoaster in a Toys R Us store in South Carolina. Santa has 4 helpers to whom I owe a big kiss.

No disappointment under my tree this year. Santa will once again 'come through'.

May I also add that we had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. We pigged out on T-day, rested on Friday, and then worked off all the goodies on Saturday scrubbing rugs. Sunday we pigged out again on cookies. In our defense, We baked about 14 dozen cookies - 9 of which are for a cookie swap and only consumed maybe a dozen. Not too bad.

Now if I could only finish off the Christmas list....

What I'm Thankful For...

With Thanksgiving only 2 days away (and knowing I won't post again till next week) I thought I'd list the things I'm thankful for.

I have a hardworking, loving husband who helps me to remember that it's good for me to 'play' sometimes.
I have 2 of the smartest most talented kids in the world (and I'm only bragging a little bit) who daily make me laugh till my belly hurts and tear up from pride.
I have parents (both mine and my hubby's) who help in so many ways I cannot begin to count them all. Suffice it to say that I would be lost without their love and support.
I have siblings (by birth, by marriage, and by wishful thinking) that are fun to hang out with and are there with a shoulder when needed.
I have friends who drag my butt out of the house every so often so I don't become a complete social inept and who keep my deepest darkest secrets.
I have an interesting, if stressful, job that keeps my brain occupied and co-workers that I genuinely enjoy.

All that and not one thing was purchased...guess I actually do have my priorities in the right place.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

The Goose is Getting Fat

Christmas is Coming the Goose is Getting Fat,
Please put a penny in the old man's hat...

Love that song but I always find myself thinking that I could use a few pennies in my hat too.

My yearly Christmas angst is starting. I'm always too short on money, time and sadly patience.
I have these grandiose ideas of how this Christmas I'll do something extra special (cover the roof in lights, or get every person on my list the absolute perfect gift, or make the perfect Christmas dinner). You get the idea. I set myself up for a very big fall.

Well, I started off this year with a fairly realistic plan. I kept the lists for Santa down to 5 choices figuring that would be doable and promised myself that I wouldn't go crazy on the decorating (which I have yet to attempt but I don't plan any roof scaling). The Christmas spread is Phil's domain this year so that leaves the gift buying.

So, list in hand I begin to venture out into the world of the consumer Christmas. I think I'm good to go, I'm hitting Toys R Us and Target and Amazon and then...I find out that Jacob's 'gotta have', number 1 on the list toy, the iCoaster, is THE toy to have this year. It is nowhere (at least a a reasonable price, not the drastically inflated price) to be found and it is not yet Thanksgiving. I've begun to panic and all I can think about is that Arnold Schwarzenegger film where he goes crazy trying to get his son the action figure he wants. If at some point you find I've been arrested for B&E of a toy store, you'll know I completely snapped.

*Sigh* I really do love Christmas...

My Fair Lady

I went to see My Fair Lady at the Hippodrome on Sunday with 'The Girls'. It was really wonderful. I've seen the musical many times...my best friend was in the chorus in a local production and I think I saw that at least 2 or 3 times. Then there is the Rex Harrison Audrey Hepburn movie, which I totally love. But nothing really compares to sitting in a darkened theatre and listening to these amazing talents sing those beloved songs. Add to that that the cast was all British (real accents and everything) and you have a great production.

The costumes were truly breathtaking! Especially the 'opening day at the Ascot' scenes. Just phenomenal. I sincerely recommend you see it if given the chance. And those of you who love period gowns (you know who you are) the hats alone will make you swoon. You will not be disappointed.

Day Off

I took the day off yesterday. I've been feeling really crummy (ear aches, sinus headaches, etc) and decided I needed a break. I called out of work, put Jake on the bus, dropped Hannah at my Mom's and then curled up on the living room sofa.

Mom had given me an Amanda Quick book to help pass the time so for the 1st time in 5 years, I did nothing but read all day. I had forgotten how great it is to completely immerse yourself in a book. I actually read the entire book in one day.

...do you think it's too soon to call out again?

Trick Or Treat

I'll start by sharing with you alittle ditty that Jacob has been singing around the house:

Trick or treat, Smell My feet

Give me something good to eat.

If you don't,I don't care

I'll stick it in your underwear.

Oh to be 5 again.

Halloween was a blast! The kids ended up with a horde of candy and Jacob pronounced it 'The best Halloween ever!' Jacob was Superman, Hannah was a Care Bear, Phil went as a Psycho Surgeon and I donned a Pirate's do rag and eye patch.

Update on the Jigglers: The first batch sucked. The poor cats and ghosts had missing arms and legs. For the second batch I enlisted Phil who had the super smart idea to dump the whole slab out on Sarran (sorry all you greenies) and then cut out the shapes. Finally success and Halloween was saved. Every kindergartener got a jiggler that was yummy and decipherable as a halloween shape. This time it was Super Dad to the rescue.