First -- I am happy to report that our Thanksgiving dinner turned out really well. The only problem was that the gravy didn't thicken as much as I wanted it to, but it could be the recipe I used (sorry Mom -- I went with a Food Network recipe that went with the turkey recipe...guess I should have made it the way you told me to!). Lots of leftovers, which are always yummy!
Christmas season can now begin. We worked on cleaning some things up last night to make space for our Christmas tree, and of course I was out shopping bright and early on Black Friday. Got some good deals on a few things and made a good dent in my shopping list. I'm listening to the new Josh Groban Christmas CD right now (it's really good) and watched -- well, tried to watch -- White Christmas last night. The Christmas season isn't really officially underway until we've watched White Christmas...but I was so exhausted last night that I fell asleep shortly after they arrived in Vermont (must be beautiful this time of year...all that snow...LOL!). Oh well -- we'll have other chances to watch it between now and Christmas. Hopefully our outside lights will be put up sometime this week. I had hoped to make my Christmas cards this weekend, or at least get a good start on them, but that probably won't happen. I really need to get to work on those!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
What's Wrong with this Picture?
Here's a multiple choice quiz for you...what's wrong with this picture: I'm driving in my neighborhood on November 18. A woman in shorts and tank top is standing is in her front yard, setting up Christmas lights and inflatable yard displays while listening to Christmas music. The grass is brown and dead.
Is the answer: (A) She is wearing shorts and tank top in November. (B) The grass is brown and dead. (C) She is setting up Christmas lights and inflatable yard displays while listening to Christmas music.
The correct answer is not A -- after all, this is Georgia and it has been in the 70s for the last week and a half. The answer is not B -- after all, this is Georgia and we are in the worst drought on record. The answer is (C).
I am not a Scrooge and I absolutely LOVE Christmas -- I love everything about it, except that we push it so far forward on the calendar that it crowds out Thanksgiving. I'm sure she had good reasons for doing this all so early (and for actually having her lights and inflatables turned on the next night as I drove past her house...yes, that would be November 19). But please, people, can we just stop and celebrate Thanksgiving and take time (more than just on Thanksgiving Day) to appreciate and honor the wonderful holiday that it is, and everything it means, before we jump head-first into the Christmas festivities?
Please?
What I'm thankful for today:
Frivolous: Frozen side dishes at the grocery store. Since I'm the only one in my family who likes green bean casserole, we just bought a small frozen one at the grocery store. And since DH and I are the only ones who like sweet potatoes, we bought a small one of those also. Yea -- two dishes we don't have to fully prepare...just heat and serve!
Serious: The men and women who have served and who currently serve in our Nation's military. Whether you agree with the politics involved in the current situation and the role our military plays in that situation, the men and women who put their lives on the line for us, who wear their uniforms proudly and with honor, deserve our gratitude and our respect. I come from a family with a long, proud, and strong military heritage. I am grateful for that, and am proud that my father, uncle, and both grandfathers served honorably in the military.
Is the answer: (A) She is wearing shorts and tank top in November. (B) The grass is brown and dead. (C) She is setting up Christmas lights and inflatable yard displays while listening to Christmas music.
The correct answer is not A -- after all, this is Georgia and it has been in the 70s for the last week and a half. The answer is not B -- after all, this is Georgia and we are in the worst drought on record. The answer is (C).
I am not a Scrooge and I absolutely LOVE Christmas -- I love everything about it, except that we push it so far forward on the calendar that it crowds out Thanksgiving. I'm sure she had good reasons for doing this all so early (and for actually having her lights and inflatables turned on the next night as I drove past her house...yes, that would be November 19). But please, people, can we just stop and celebrate Thanksgiving and take time (more than just on Thanksgiving Day) to appreciate and honor the wonderful holiday that it is, and everything it means, before we jump head-first into the Christmas festivities?
Please?
What I'm thankful for today:
Frivolous: Frozen side dishes at the grocery store. Since I'm the only one in my family who likes green bean casserole, we just bought a small frozen one at the grocery store. And since DH and I are the only ones who like sweet potatoes, we bought a small one of those also. Yea -- two dishes we don't have to fully prepare...just heat and serve!
Serious: The men and women who have served and who currently serve in our Nation's military. Whether you agree with the politics involved in the current situation and the role our military plays in that situation, the men and women who put their lives on the line for us, who wear their uniforms proudly and with honor, deserve our gratitude and our respect. I come from a family with a long, proud, and strong military heritage. I am grateful for that, and am proud that my father, uncle, and both grandfathers served honorably in the military.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
FHE....the family activity that ends in sibling arguments...
Last night we were all home -- amazing! A had been asking if we could play a particular board game, so after dinner I announced that we were going to have Family Home Evening and would play the game. Poor DH -- he really doesn't care for board games but how can he say no to having Family Home Evening? (insert innocent smile and batting eyelashes here - LOL)
So we set up the game, divided into two teams, and played a game of Harry Potter Scene It that ended in the narrowest of wins for A and DH (DH really just ran the remote control, him not being as big a fan of all things HP as the rest of us are). B and I would have won but on our final question she said the answer was the "wand shop" and didn't use the proper name (Ollivander's), while A answered with the proper name. Fortunately B was a good sport about it.
After that, A and B played some music for us on the piano and saxophone, and then we decided to play one more game -- Blokus. Love this game! DH didn't want to play, but again -- how can you say no to Family Home Evening? (I really must remember this new ploy...um, I mean idea, to get him to play board games!). So we played a fun round of Blokus and I won...unfortunately at the end of the game, and our lovely, wonderful, fun-filled Family Home Evening, the girls started arguing and pretty much ended our evening on a not-so-pleasant note. Oh well...at least we had Family Home Evening, even if it ended on a sour note.
What am I grateful for today?
Frivolous -- Ink pens that write smoothly, without skipping and making a scratching noise...it's hard to find good pens and I tend to hoard them when I do.
Serious -- Family Home Evening. Even though we have been less than faithful in having Family Home Evening on a weekly basis (ok, even less than less than faithful) I have felt very strongly in the last few months that this is something we need to do. I'm grateful for this program that the church instituted decades ago...and I find it very interesting that in the last several years the toy/game industry has started promoting family game nights...it is so important for families to spend time together...not just playing games, but learning about the gospel, studying the scriptures, singing songs, and enjoying each other's company. I think this will be one of our goals for the new year.
So we set up the game, divided into two teams, and played a game of Harry Potter Scene It that ended in the narrowest of wins for A and DH (DH really just ran the remote control, him not being as big a fan of all things HP as the rest of us are). B and I would have won but on our final question she said the answer was the "wand shop" and didn't use the proper name (Ollivander's), while A answered with the proper name. Fortunately B was a good sport about it.
After that, A and B played some music for us on the piano and saxophone, and then we decided to play one more game -- Blokus. Love this game! DH didn't want to play, but again -- how can you say no to Family Home Evening? (I really must remember this new ploy...um, I mean idea, to get him to play board games!). So we played a fun round of Blokus and I won...unfortunately at the end of the game, and our lovely, wonderful, fun-filled Family Home Evening, the girls started arguing and pretty much ended our evening on a not-so-pleasant note. Oh well...at least we had Family Home Evening, even if it ended on a sour note.
What am I grateful for today?
Frivolous -- Ink pens that write smoothly, without skipping and making a scratching noise...it's hard to find good pens and I tend to hoard them when I do.
Serious -- Family Home Evening. Even though we have been less than faithful in having Family Home Evening on a weekly basis (ok, even less than less than faithful) I have felt very strongly in the last few months that this is something we need to do. I'm grateful for this program that the church instituted decades ago...and I find it very interesting that in the last several years the toy/game industry has started promoting family game nights...it is so important for families to spend time together...not just playing games, but learning about the gospel, studying the scriptures, singing songs, and enjoying each other's company. I think this will be one of our goals for the new year.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Invasion of the Body Snatchers...
Something strange has happened in my home. I'm not going to complain about it, because it's a wonderful thing. But I'm pretty sure our home has been visited by aliens who, somehow, swapped bodies with my children (or whatever it is that body snatchers do) during the night.
Last night, the girls had a huge argument that resulted in one of my children trying to "run away"...and not wanting to speak to anyone for most of the evening. It was not pleasant.
But today they're enjoying each other's company and spending quality time together...A voluntarily got our her saxophone this morning so she and B could work on a Christmas duet. They played some board games after church...are playing together now in the living room, which they have converted into a medical office. Right now they're playing "doctor appointment" -- somehow, all of their injuries seem to be head and foot injuries...things like headaches, messed up ligaments and tendons in ankles, bad knees, etc. Hmmm....I wonder where they came up with all of those maladies. Certainly not from their injury-prone mother. No, certainly not.
B, who is currently the "doctor", just diagnosed A with having "part of your skull bone jammed in and the other part broken," along with torn ligaments, sprains, and bad bruises to her bones (B knows how bad bruised bones hurt!). Ouch. Sounds painful. I'm glad I'm not the patient! Oh, the medical bills are sure to be astronomical!
I am afaid to walk into the living room, lest I somehow disturb the aliens currently inhabiting my children's bodies and unleash an argument or sibling disturbance the magnitude of which surely has never been seen on earth before. So for now I'll enjoy the peace and happiness blanketing our home and try to stay out of the room so I don't disrupt the harmonic convergence that has brought such peace and happiness.
What am I thankful for today?
Frivolous: Shoes. You knew that would come up sooner or later!
Serious: That my girls are currently getting along beautifully.
Last night, the girls had a huge argument that resulted in one of my children trying to "run away"...and not wanting to speak to anyone for most of the evening. It was not pleasant.
But today they're enjoying each other's company and spending quality time together...A voluntarily got our her saxophone this morning so she and B could work on a Christmas duet. They played some board games after church...are playing together now in the living room, which they have converted into a medical office. Right now they're playing "doctor appointment" -- somehow, all of their injuries seem to be head and foot injuries...things like headaches, messed up ligaments and tendons in ankles, bad knees, etc. Hmmm....I wonder where they came up with all of those maladies. Certainly not from their injury-prone mother. No, certainly not.
B, who is currently the "doctor", just diagnosed A with having "part of your skull bone jammed in and the other part broken," along with torn ligaments, sprains, and bad bruises to her bones (B knows how bad bruised bones hurt!). Ouch. Sounds painful. I'm glad I'm not the patient! Oh, the medical bills are sure to be astronomical!
I am afaid to walk into the living room, lest I somehow disturb the aliens currently inhabiting my children's bodies and unleash an argument or sibling disturbance the magnitude of which surely has never been seen on earth before. So for now I'll enjoy the peace and happiness blanketing our home and try to stay out of the room so I don't disrupt the harmonic convergence that has brought such peace and happiness.
What am I thankful for today?
Frivolous: Shoes. You knew that would come up sooner or later!
Serious: That my girls are currently getting along beautifully.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Doesn't it Just Figure?
Yesterday I ordered the materials to make our Christmas cards. I started planning out the design and came to terms with the fact that the unusual design meant it would probably be more work. OK, I can deal with that.
Then, last night, I found my December issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine (don't know who hid it from me...LOL!) and found a fabulous, relatively fast, easy to make card in the magazine. So now I'm wondering if I can just cancel my order for the materials for the other card and make this one...
*Sigh* Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Gratitudes for today:
Frivolous: Hot chocolate from Starbucks...although the toffee nut syrup is good in it, they need to hurry and restock their peppermint syrup because peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream is heaven in a cup!!
Serious: That we have been blessed with *enough*. While I can always compile a list of "wants" much longer than it should be, we have truly been blessed with the things we need. So many in this world have not.
Then, last night, I found my December issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine (don't know who hid it from me...LOL!) and found a fabulous, relatively fast, easy to make card in the magazine. So now I'm wondering if I can just cancel my order for the materials for the other card and make this one...
*Sigh* Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Gratitudes for today:
Frivolous: Hot chocolate from Starbucks...although the toffee nut syrup is good in it, they need to hurry and restock their peppermint syrup because peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream is heaven in a cup!!
Serious: That we have been blessed with *enough*. While I can always compile a list of "wants" much longer than it should be, we have truly been blessed with the things we need. So many in this world have not.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Today....
I thought I was handling life pretty well...and you know, as soon as you think that, something happens to send you into a tailspin. That just happened. Not something I really feel like divulging to the world, so I'll just say that I'm spinning again, just when I felt like I had finally gotten my feet back under me. *Sigh*
What am I thankful for today...
My frivolous thing...cheap aerosol hairspray. The dog chewed up an ink pen last night and I was sure our carpet was ruined...but thanks to some cheap aerosol hairspray, the ink spot is gone (although the carpet is quite crunchy and stiff this morning!).
My serious thing...friends. I have some amazing, wonderful friends. Although I don't see most of them often (and not nearly enough), they are wonderful and I can always count on them.
What am I thankful for today...
My frivolous thing...cheap aerosol hairspray. The dog chewed up an ink pen last night and I was sure our carpet was ruined...but thanks to some cheap aerosol hairspray, the ink spot is gone (although the carpet is quite crunchy and stiff this morning!).
My serious thing...friends. I have some amazing, wonderful friends. Although I don't see most of them often (and not nearly enough), they are wonderful and I can always count on them.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thankful thoughts...
One of the bloggers that I read on a regular basis posts "gratitudes" in all of her posts. I think that's a neat idea...so I'm going to borrow it, at least for November. Not that I don't have things to be grateful for year round...but let's just see how well I can stick with this for one month to start!
So I'll be posting things I'm grateful for...each time I will post one "frivolous" and one serious. At least that's my goal!
So, for today, my frivolous "gratitude" -- I'm thankful for hair styling products. Without them, my hair would be a nasty, frizzy mess every day. Love my blow dryer, straightening iron, mousse, styling creme, and hairspray!
My serious gratitude for today -- I'm thankful for my family. A has been gone for a couple of days on a school field trip and the house is so quiet without her. I'll be glad when she gets home. But at the same time, it has been nice to have a little more time one-on-one with B. She and I did a Christmas craft project Monday night and it was really fun. I have a wonderful family and I'm very thankful for them.
What are you grateful for?
So I'll be posting things I'm grateful for...each time I will post one "frivolous" and one serious. At least that's my goal!
So, for today, my frivolous "gratitude" -- I'm thankful for hair styling products. Without them, my hair would be a nasty, frizzy mess every day. Love my blow dryer, straightening iron, mousse, styling creme, and hairspray!
My serious gratitude for today -- I'm thankful for my family. A has been gone for a couple of days on a school field trip and the house is so quiet without her. I'll be glad when she gets home. But at the same time, it has been nice to have a little more time one-on-one with B. She and I did a Christmas craft project Monday night and it was really fun. I have a wonderful family and I'm very thankful for them.
What are you grateful for?
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