Pictures

Wanna see a handsome kid? (Ignore the proud mama standing behind him) This was taken right before his first band concert. He did an excellent job!

Here's a question... can you get your tongue to do this?

Crazy kid.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas ornaments... you know you want to see 'em.

Many of you know my nickname is Mouse. It is what my Pawpaw called me when I was little - actually it was Mouse of the House - and to this day I collect mice. There are A LOT on my tree... isn't she adorable?


This little guy just makes me smile.


Tinkerbell is just beautiful. Wind her up and she twirls on the genie bottle.

My tree topper is a Santa... doesn't he look high and mighty perched up there?

Here is my whole tree. Sorry the picture is so dark... don't have excellent photography skillz -- yet.

Finally --- this is what my brain feels like right now...

Have NO idea how that picture happened... I was trying to take pictures of the tree and this came out... cool, no?

Merry Christmas

Jumbled thoughts

I'm sitting here strumming my fingers on my desk trying to think of something to write about. Nothing is really coming to mind. Or maybe there is a lot going on -- I just can't pick out one thing.

Let me brainstorm for a minute and see if anything interesting pops up:

• It is the kids last day of school. What am I going to do with them next week?
• Why am I at work? Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - is going on. My projects are on hold until after the holidays. No one is here; it is like a tomb.
• Well, there is one thing to do. My review. Think I can stretch that out over the next two days?
• I'm ready for vacation next week. Even though we aren't travelling anywhere it will be nice to be off!!
• My kids totally rock.
• J-man is passing all of his classes, and if he works really hard he could end this year with ALL As and Bs!!! He only has ONE C right now. How flippen awesome is that?
• I need to hire someone to clean my house. That is on my to-do list next year. Somehow, some way, I will find the extra cash to pay for that. I can't do it. I can't keep up with it along with working all day long and running around with the kiddos. We do the best we can, but it isn't good enough. I need help.
• I thought I had all my wrapping done. Not so much. Found a couple of items that still need it; I may just buy a bag or two and shove 'em in that instead.
• I do love wrapping presents though. It is fun to see the item disappear into the wrapping and then imagining the smile that will come on the recipient's face when it is open. Makes me happy.
• My puppers are awesome. They have been real snuggle bugs lately. Dozer especially. He doesn't like the cold weather so when he comes in from being outside, he will lay on your lap and shiver just to get some extra attention. Pitiful.
• We've been in counseling for about a month now, and Carl has really taken it to heart. I love him so much for that. I can see a change in him. I love how he loves us and is willing to listen and work to make our lives better. I married a great guy.
• Is it Christmas yet?
• I can't believe it is almost 2008! I wonder what next year holds for us?
• My car still isn't acting right. I know we are going to wind up plunking down some money for a new one... I just hope it can hold out until after our trip.
• Speaking of our trip... we have GOT to get our passports. That is what our Christmas money is going to buy this year. Exciting? I think it is.
• Once we get the passports we can go anywhere in the world we want to go! That gives us so many options!
• One thing I reeeaaalllyyy want to do is go back to Halifax and explore that town without a hurricane blowing through.
• The kids have been trying to talk me into getting a kitten. I'm on the fence. It is hard enough keeping up with two dogs and two guinea pigs. We are such an animal loving family, but when is it too much. (I can see my mom cringing now, shaking her head, and saying "NO!!" HA!)
• My Dunkin Donuts coffee is rockin' this morning!
• Just when I thought my family situation was disfunctional -- bump it up against the Spears' fiasco and we are all doing JUST fine. Sheesh!!!!!

OK -- that's enough.

I think - no, I know - there are more things running around up there, but I don't want to keep on. I've held back on some things... really, I have!

Off to read blogs, play games on my cell phone, look at a few websites... basically try to look busy. I've got to make this day go faster!

Mascots and lamps

I need to make a confession.

I've never watched A Christmas Carol or A Christmas Story. I know the plots of both, but have never actually plopped myself in front of the television to watch the stories unfold.

A sacriledge to Christmas -- I know!!!

So...

Last night I watched A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott as Scrooge. It was really, really good. The only thing that kind of creeped me out was the ghost of Christmas present. He looked like the Burger King mascot but with a nasty carpet of chest hair. Gave me the ICK big time.

Other than that, I enjoyed the movie.

Now I need to conquer A Christmas Story with Ralphie. Carl wants one of those leg lamps so bad -- but I refuse. Those things are soooo tacky!!!!

Early presents

Carl and I always get gifts for one another. Our problem, though, is we give them to each other WAY before Christmas.

Take this weekend for example.

We are out and about and decide "hey! Let's get each other bikes for Christmas! We've been talking about it for years. We both need to lose a few pounds. We could ride around with the kids!"

So we did.

And we rode them yesterday with the kids.

Now my fanny is so freakin' sore! Not muscle sore. More like butt bone sore because those bicycle seats are NOT comfortable. But we had a blast. It was cold outside, but the wind blowing against my face as I watched the kids race beside me was awesome. At one point we had the four of us PLUS the kids friends with us. We were one big ol' pack cruising through the neighborhood... so much fun!

Now to keep it up...