Peace Out

Isn't that sweet? A mother's heart should be warmed by this photo. And mine is. But...... Oh, you knew there would be a but, come on. It's Chrstmas morning and they are not wearing matching jammies- as I am sure you notice they don't even sort-of match. Dunk's have dogs on them, not Christmas-y dogs either. Milk Bone Dogs. Caroline is wearing last year's Christmas jammies, they have snowflakes on them. It's neurotic and probably a little 80's of me but I need matching jammies on Christmas. I need most things to match. Most of the time. Really, almost all of the time and almost all things. I realize it's weird. It is what it is.

Which I guess is the real reason they don't have matching jammies. This year is what it is. And what it is (or I guess was) is nuts. An inordinate amount of our time has been spent on the new house. For all practical purposes I have been a single parent for most of the year and Casey has had two full time jobs. And when suddenly faced with the very real prospect of 2 mortgage payments while already making 2 tax payments, 2 insurance payments and 2 electric bills- spending $100 on matching Christmas jammies loses some significance.

The kiddos sense all this weirdness. They are used to my neuroticism. So when I told them they could do what they want with the Christmas tree they were a little ....... taken aback. And they wanted to rush to do it before I changed my mind. When I didn't have specific instructions for what Caroline should wear to sleep in on Christmas Eve she looked at me suspicously, like I had something up my sleeve.

Their pics from Christmas morning are proof enough- look at them. Dunk has one sock on and one sock off with his Milk Bone pj's. At least they are red. Caroline looks like she just left the looney bin. She's holding that game like she has wanted it for her whole life. In reality, she had never even heard of it.



So, here's to 2008. May it be peaceful. I usually find wishes of Peace pretty corny but I long for it in this coming year. That and things that match. I need my matching jammies.

Double Dippin'

First of all, can you stand how good looking this kid is? It's no wonder that he charms his way into most anything he wants. Secondly, these were taken after church on Christmas Eve. He lost one of them a day or two before and the other had been hanging, crooked ever since. He looked like he should be wondering around barefoot, shirtless with some overalls on answering to a combined name such as Billy Earl.

So, I was afraid of what all the Christmas pictures would look like. I was also, coincidentally, afraid to admit that out loud. When I finally did, my husband quickly agreed with me. Whew! We were meant to be together after all. So, he pulled the second tooth out after church. The boy was in agreement. More out of greed than anything else but that worked for me.

So, he got the distinct honor of having Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy visit him in one night. I think the scant $2 that the Tooth Fairy left was a little overshadowed by this-

R-E-L-I-E-F

Ahhhhhh, the day after Christmas. This is a day I have come to appreciate. My house is completely trashed yet, could there possibly be a day when you have as good an excuse as you do today? No way. Santa came yesterday, of course the house is a mess.

Plus, there's the added bonus that all the shopping is done, the gifts have been given, the food has been cooked, no more wrapping to do. Today is the day you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Of course, if you are a mom then you work isn't quite done. There's the 487 piece battleship to put together. The new curling iron to figure out. The camera that needs to be programmed. Foosball tournaments to be played. Cars that need to be freed from their plastic prisons.

And on that subject, why is it that some environmental person can't figure out how to package toys with less packaging? Holy smokes! I don't think we had this much cardboard in our house the last time we moved. And don't get me started on the plastic. I just know that someday I will mortally injure myself trying to get into some stupid Cube World package with my dull scissors.

So sit back and enjoy today and try not to step on any Legos or go skating across the house on a Hot Wheel. And let the kids win the video game at least once.

Confused Carols

Last night we were out at the new house, well actually, we were walking out of the new house when Caroline began singing. She was singing some bizarre version of Joy To The World involving a skiing accident- really, just trust me on this, you don't want to know. We've already been hearing about Barney's head being flushed down the potty- again, don't ask- all week long.

So, we're walking down the sidewalk as she sings. Duncan and I are following her when he too begins to sing. His song? To the tune of All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth he sings- " All I want for Christmas is a roll of duct tape".

I almost fell off the sidewalk.

Santa? Santa? Where are you?

Well, we all survived the last week of school. I was beginning to wonder. There were plenty of festivities and the kids were really sweet. Lots of hugs and thank yous and one little girl even brought me a gift!

Now, how in the world I am supposed to shop, wrap, cook, clean, do laundry, etc. in 2 days?

Seems I am not alone. Everyone I have talked to this year is somewhat flustered at exactly how Christmas is going to happen this year. There are those with financial struggles, it seems more this year than in years past. Teachers didn't get paid until yesterday, I found out. I'm sure making it difficult to get finished with shopping before their own children are out of school. There's quite the time crunch this year as well. With school letting out only a couple days before the big day, there's no time to do the "last minute stuff".

I personally have had my Canon photo printer hummin' along since yesterday at about 2 P.M. I am afraid it's about to scream. Let's not talk about the ink cartridges I've gone through.

I am trying to focus on what this season is about. Not what everyone wants.

That is not easy.

So, I hope that you all have a moment to enjoy these last few days of the Holiday season and what they really mean to you. I think I'll go see if I can find Santa.

Reason # 4,397 to Have a Little Boy

Last night we were sitting at the table having some Lasagna (courtesy of Pioneer Woman Cooks!) and Duncan looks at me very seriously and says this-

"This is really good. Maybe you should be on Food Network."

The Galleria of Jewelry

Sometimes this time of year just gets to be too much. Actually, every time now that I think of it. I am tired and stressed and broke. Which would make me the same as, oh about 99% of the American population at this moment. I guess my point is, I like to whine a little but I have an appreciation for the fact that I will survive. And then it will be January. Uuuuhhh. Thank the good Lord above I got married in January because otherwise, it would be the most horrifyingly horrible month ever.

Anyway- there are little things that help me survive this time of year when I feel as though I could literally fall asleep standing somewhere, anywhere. Just lean me up against a corner somewhere and I'm good. So, the little things. Good liquor always helps. My new Frango Mint Diet Lipgloss (don't ask so many questions just go get you some!!!!)http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=frango-mint-diet-lip-shine&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&top_category=&childId=77777 And the humor my children provide, they are funny little dudes. Did I mention the liquor?

Anyway, today has been a bit of a rough day and as we were wrapping things up I asked the kids for a list of teachers and aides and such that we need gifts for. My son is extremely generous. This is not a new thing. He is thoughtful and refuses to leave anyone out. Thank goodness I am creative. Otherwise, we'd be up a creek.

His list includes cafeteria workers (Dunk takes his lunch every day. As in he has never once eaten a cafeteria meal- not just this year but in his entire school career) Librarians, nurses, clerical staff, etc. One lady he doesn't know her name, the direct quote was "Write down Marcus's mom and I'll know who you're talking about" We're buying gifts for people who we don't know well enough to actually know their name. Get the picture?

As I finish making the list and realizing that I do not have enough supplies for the Martha-Would-So-Not-Even-Come-Close-To-Approving-Craft-Project (which I'll show you tomorrow!) Duncan begins hinting around.

He's got a new woman. Shhhhhh, don't tell his wife. He and "his wife" have been together since they were 2, oh how hurt she would be! He loves her still, and I suspect he always will love her. But, she's all the way in the other building these days and a man needs someone to keep him company. You know how it is.

Tess. That's the new love. She's precious, Momma approves. They were caught holding hands during story time the other day. Dunk asked "what? Is that innappropriate?" He also pointed out when I told him he could not kiss Tess at school that they would actually not be at school when his class took a field trip to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Gotta give him points for creativity.

Back to tonight. He thinks he needs to go to Justice this weekend to look for a gift. He wants to know if they have rings for girls. I suggest a necklace. "Ummmm, that's too casual. Too everyday." Not even kidding you. I recall that Caroline and I spotted some cute, oversized faux gem rings at the Dollar Spot at Target. We suggest these would be a fun thing for my son's 7 year old girlfriend. He's not convinced.

So he says, "Do you think I would have any luck at Jared?" Sure. Let's drop a couple grand for your 2nd classmate a ring. You only live once, right?

Man. Talk about champagne taste. I simply told him it was a gesture, not a lifetime commitment. Of course, that was after I had a much needed laugh.

Buy This Popcorn- NOW!

http://www.daleandthomaspopcorn.com/vzgrandparents.aspx

This link should take you to a sign-up page for a free gift card to Dale & Thomas popcorn. Go order some- right now! It's super yummy! Especially the Cinnamon Drizzle Something & Something Etc.

House Updates

Some updated house pics for today-



This is the family room. The door you see is the back door that goes out to the outdoor kitchen.

This is the indoor kitchen- can you believe how dirty it is? It's making me crazy- all this brand new stuff and it's filthy!

This is looking into the kitchen from the other side- far left is family room, rock bar is in the great room.

Another view of kitchen- this one from the dining room- archway at the back goes into the pantry.

This is in the great room looking at the front door.

This is the dining room.

The fireplace, my favorite thing. It has the WOW! factor. We're big on that. You know, the WOW! factor.

And here's a chandelier and a useful tip. It's stupid to try and take a picture of a light fixture when the light is on. But when your children begin yelling at you and each other you tend to forget seemingly simple facts like that. Hmmm.

I Know, I Know.......

I have been a terrible blogger. Life, it seems, gets insane during the holidays. And while I actually enjoy blogging very much, there has been no time for things I enjoy. There's been no time for anything, really. But let's try to play catch up.

We thought we sold our house but we didn't. The $%^#&@(^! people decided to back out. I am deriving great joy out of envisioning them search for a place to live for the next six months. I realize I am bitter and angry. I'm okay with it. Seriously, they really did not play nice and they wasted a great deal of my time and I don't appreciate it.

Both kids particpated in the district or regional UIL competitions last week. Caroline in Oral Reading and Duncan in Creative Writing. Such a huge thing for Duncan to make the team (they select three people from each grade level to make up the team---- that's right, 3 out of the entire grade) and then go on to participate. His coaches and Casey and I tried to explain to him what a big deal it was for him to open doors like that for other kids with disabilities. I am not sure if he grasps that concept or if he is just being himself. But his courage and the creativity of his coaches was inspiring to me. The courage he shows on a daily basis is inspiring. He did not place in the competition but we were certainly proud of his efforts. Caroline competed on Tuesday with her brother but with her competition there are two rounds. We had to wait Tuesday night to hear the finalists read- and in that instance I learned things about myself I would have rather not known. They announced "Okay people, let's get quiet we've got the 4th grade Oral Reading Finalists...." I thought I was going to vomit. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I wanted her to be something she wasn't. But she's good. At this, she is very good. And the thoughts rolled through my mind of what I would want to do should she not be a finalist. These were not good thoughts. First finalist is Caroline's good friend who is on her team. Good. Next finalist is Carolyn Cumby from Stephenville. My heart jumped a bit. Wait. I looked at Caroline . "They said your name, right?" She's screaming and jumping. I assume they did, in fact, mean Caroline. And they did. She returned to compete on Thursday night and she placed 6th. Not quite as good as 2nd place, which is what she did last year. But she wasn't feeling well and she immediately felt as though she hadn't done her best. We are, of course, immensely proud. It is thrilling to see your children succeed. It is a little less thrilling to realize that you are a petty, jealous, competitive stage mother.

The new house is almost complete when we will live there, I just don't know. I am trying to get through one day at time for now. Things are happening a little faster than I can deal. Between all the UIL last week Duncan and I both got a 24 hour virus which was pretty nasty. We have Christmas parties and outings with friend's etc. to tend to this week. Oh and of course, the search for a non-clip on tie for Duncan. He wants a real tie, clip on ties are tacky don't you know? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a decnt looking real tie for a 7 year old? It's hard.

Hope you all are having a "most wonderful time of the year". Ours is more like "where in the heck did all our money go time of the year" but whatever.