Well it's that time of year again. The holly that was hung with care now needs to be put up until next season. I have tried the Samantha Stevens technique but all the decorations are just where I left them. In college we did attempt to just change the tree decor to keep with the season- Hearts for Valentines and eggs for Easter but I am afraid that's not practical with 3 boys and a dog.
I find it hard to move as I suffer from the travel fatigue and lack of sleep due to sharing a trundle bed with boys who obviously practice martial arts in their sleep. I really must practice my defensive moves.
After much research on the topic of curing hangovers I have decided the best way to get over my hang over is a little hair of the dog.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is perhaps the best pseudo holiday.
A day when most of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday is over and anticipation is high. A day built on hopes of what the next day will bring. A time to reflect. The spirit is electric and energizes all those who are touched by the season. I am feeling the warmth of the season thanks to the spirit of Bailey's and Coffee. Yummm! The kids are nestled in front of their TV quoting Frosty the Snowman. The sounds of ancient and not so ancient traditions colliding to create a uniquely American holiday is cacophonous and sometimes difficult to make out the individual notes that make the season so sweet. This year we tried to take a page from Christmases past. The kids caroled in the neighborhood and delivered candied apples to their friends. I think the faces of the families we visited illustrated what the season has to offer.
As far as sharing our prosperity with those that are less fortunate I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a family who had a child while in high school and yet through their hardship the mother completed school and is trying to further her education. Their family unit is still intact. She won a refurbished car from a wonderful organization and I was the lucky the one that got to be there with the family as she unwrapped her car complete with insurance, a year of gas and a child seat already installed. It had not really donned on me what it meant to have reliable transportation and the doors it could open. We collected presents for children in the foster care system and it was amazing what some of them hoped for. Some of these children were 17 a getting ready to move out of the system. They wanted clothes to get a job.
I am truly blessed!
A day when most of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday is over and anticipation is high. A day built on hopes of what the next day will bring. A time to reflect. The spirit is electric and energizes all those who are touched by the season. I am feeling the warmth of the season thanks to the spirit of Bailey's and Coffee. Yummm! The kids are nestled in front of their TV quoting Frosty the Snowman. The sounds of ancient and not so ancient traditions colliding to create a uniquely American holiday is cacophonous and sometimes difficult to make out the individual notes that make the season so sweet. This year we tried to take a page from Christmases past. The kids caroled in the neighborhood and delivered candied apples to their friends. I think the faces of the families we visited illustrated what the season has to offer.
As far as sharing our prosperity with those that are less fortunate I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a family who had a child while in high school and yet through their hardship the mother completed school and is trying to further her education. Their family unit is still intact. She won a refurbished car from a wonderful organization and I was the lucky the one that got to be there with the family as she unwrapped her car complete with insurance, a year of gas and a child seat already installed. It had not really donned on me what it meant to have reliable transportation and the doors it could open. We collected presents for children in the foster care system and it was amazing what some of them hoped for. Some of these children were 17 a getting ready to move out of the system. They wanted clothes to get a job.
I am truly blessed!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saying Goodbye
Today we are giving our dog Zildjian his last rites. He has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. We have given him pot roast and let him lie on the coach. What more could he want? If he could only tell us. This now grumpy old dog has brought a lot of joy to our family over the last 9 years and it is hard to say goodbye. He has been our loyal protector. A job which sometimes he has taken to far just ask my aunt, the pool guy, the furniture delivery guy, the yard guy, and the bug guy. If my dogs had opposable thumbs maybe I wouldn't have needed any of these guys. I think we have known this was coming but didn't want to think too hard about it. If we kept it tucked away in a corner maybe it wouldn't be true. I wish him no pain and can only hope that he knows how much he has brought to our family. After all he was our test pet. You know the pet you get to see if you can really take on the responsibility of another living thing. He did much better than the plants I had before him. Now with 3 kids and a puppy we can only thank him for building our parental confidence.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
All Wrapped Up
Today was wrapping day.
That means you actually have to have the paper, tape, scissors and presents all in the same room. This room cannot have kids or dogs. I contemplated the bathroom but various water hazards ruled out that possibility. Once you have the space and time, you need math and crafting skills, to make masterpieces that will undoubtedly be ripped to shreds in a matter of minutes.
Do kids pay attention to the fact that the wrapping paper Santa uses looks a lot like what mom uses? and if the elves makes all the toys why do they have strange names like Mattel and Hasboro. I tell my kids they are from a foreign country.
As for our very own house elf we have "Jack". Jack's role in our home is very important as he reports to Santa every night our behavior and this helps determine if we are on the naughty or nice list. I had to tell Jack to get out of my bedroom.
Look Santa no paper cuts!
Well that about wraps up my first post.
That means you actually have to have the paper, tape, scissors and presents all in the same room. This room cannot have kids or dogs. I contemplated the bathroom but various water hazards ruled out that possibility. Once you have the space and time, you need math and crafting skills, to make masterpieces that will undoubtedly be ripped to shreds in a matter of minutes.
Do kids pay attention to the fact that the wrapping paper Santa uses looks a lot like what mom uses? and if the elves makes all the toys why do they have strange names like Mattel and Hasboro. I tell my kids they are from a foreign country.
As for our very own house elf we have "Jack". Jack's role in our home is very important as he reports to Santa every night our behavior and this helps determine if we are on the naughty or nice list. I had to tell Jack to get out of my bedroom.
Look Santa no paper cuts!
Well that about wraps up my first post.
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