Break time...

Not that I will have any "official" break time, so I'm just gonna make some of my own...this week I'm taking a break from meal planning Monday and pretending to exercise. This will also be my last entry until 2009. There will be plenty of time for organization and exercise in the new year! Merry Christmas everyone and a blessed new year.

Triple Grrrrr...

Today was day one of Christmas break for the girls. I always manage to have grand plans for my days that never quite end up grand. First item on the agenda was grocery shopping which went off without a hitch, except dd3 begging for candy at the checkout, as usual. Then there was a stop at preschool, and two stops for final gifts to pick up. The kids were all patient and helpful and got cheeseburgers and apple slices for lunch! They were happy with their treat and bonus for me, easy cleanup. I'm glad that happened as the groceries are still not put away at 10:30 pm. Ds decided his 20 minute nap in the van was plenty for the day so he came outside when the girls played and I shoveled. I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to figure out year end insurance spending and calling back to try to find a customer service rep who had a clue. It worked and she helped me with my problem. Dh "requested" pictures emailed from deer hunting, "if I had time". To his credit, each item he asked me to do today he prefaced with "if you have time, I know you're busy". I guess he can just hear it in my voice! Dd2 is still not able to keep things in her belly for any length of time but doesn't seem sick otherwise. At 3:00 I figured out that I forgot to return our movies that were due at 5:00. Grrr.... So everyone loaded back into the van and I managed to get stuck in our driveway. Double grrr.... we abandoned ship and any chance of ditching a late fee, headed back to the house and Ds and I both had 1/2 hour naps that we greatly needed! We made it through supper and baths, now it's time to make food and organize presents for the next 4 days. It will be a late night, but I hope to find some fun time with the kids tomorrow(and the next 12 days), since I didn't manage it today...triple grrrr.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Yesterday Paperman was reading a take home page from preschool to DD3. It was talking about the Savior being born. DD3 listened intently during the story then commented "Mrs. S has a Savior in her class." I had to think for a bit, then it hit me, (one of those "turn around and your shoulders shake trying to be quiet" incidents) the boy's name.....Xavier.

Cost Cutter...

That's my Mom. She's our resident cost cutter. (my estimate is that she saves us nearly $1000 a year) Today was haircut day as everyone was getting tangles and heads full of static. A beautician (cosmetologist...) for over 40 years she cuts the hair of everyone at our house, except me. Funny huh? Only the daughter of a beautician could understand. Who wants to blame their mother for their bad hair day! It's much healthier to blame a perfect stranger. . Well, now that I'm an adult, with a husband who is capable of paying for my haircuts, I make someone else, besides my Mother, responsible for the way my day goes. It's just too much to ask....birth me, watch my children, trim my hedges AND be held responsible for my bad hair days...No, I'll pay for my haircut, it's the least I can do.

You don't have to laugh, but I did!

On Sunday evening, I had sat the overflowing family hamper in the hallway to start laundry after everyone was in bed. As our laundry is in the basement I also tend to stick other things (toys, books, etc) in the hamper to take down at the same time. DD1 needed a drink so she got up and stopped to talk to me in the hall. As she casually put her hand on the laundry mountain, it began playing "if you're happy and you know it...." in a sing song fisher price tone. I showed her the culprit, a little people car buried beneath a pair of jeans. Her response ... "Freaky..." and rolled her eyes. Then she went back to bed.

Meal Planning Monday, on Tuesday

Better late than never right? I am seriously lacking in creativity and energy right now so here's the exciting meals we'll be eating this week-

Monday Ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans (Cupcakes at dd3's Christmas program)
Tuesday Veggie stir fry, egg rolls, brown rice, clementines
Wednesday Oven friend chicken, acorn squash
Thursday Potato soup, fruit salad (or leftovers)
Friday Christmas get together (morel mushrooms and spaghetti)
Saturday ??
Sunday Christmas #2, weather permitting!

Who knows, with the weather forecast that it is, we could be having some cinnamon rolls or fresh bread...I have this weird yeast/bad weather connection in my brain.

Like a chance at free stuff??

Here's your chance. Just take a survey and you're in for a $100 Lands End gift card. My winter boots that I wear 5 out of 7 snowy days are on their 3rd season. They're still doing ok, but they have new styles and colors now and I could do a lot with $100. The survey is short and painless. Can't win if you don't try!!
Here's a link-
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=v1XWko6pU98QYbCX2rp9hw_3d_3d

Girls for my Girls...

Julie


Kaya

Mia

Today the girls received their first American Girl dolls. There had never been much of an interest before a few weeks ago when the catalog arrived. They had checked it out before, saying they liked them, but never the response they (ALL!) had this time. "Mom...I love MIA!!!" "If I were to get one, I'd pick KAYA!" "JULIE is so pretty." It's not very often, unless we're talking about ice cream, that the girls are all interested in the same thing, at the same time (pretty much to be expected at their ages and interests). Papa and Paula completely surprised them with their own little girl to love. They're still not as lucky as I am, since I have 3, but I'd have to say...they're still lucky.

I will do better....

Ahhh... back to reality. We've had house guests (my FIL and his wife) from Mississippi for the last 8 days. (I was told by a perfect stranger today that I had an accent...guess they rub off on me!) The times goes so fast during their visits as Paperman and his Dad are hunting (deer in the fall, mushrooms in the spring). The week is filled with family gatherings, fun and food. Guess that's why tomorrow, it's time for me to dig out the treadmill we pushed against the wall to make room for Christmas #1 today. There are plenty of fruits and veggies in the fridge, now I just need to figure out the menu for next week. Paperman goes back to work the next two weeks and I'm just not sure how to deal with that! We all get so spoiled having him around in the fall, when it's time to go back to the real world ...it's a bummer. I'm done with that complaining, as he has a job to go back to and for that I am truly thankful.

See ya later Luann-

Today I attended the most difficult funeral I have yet to experience. I have lived a very sheltered life in regards to death as it has been limited to great aunts and uncles, people over the age of 75 and my grandparents over the age of 80. Not that it's not hard to lose someone who is older, but they have lived a full life and are usually tired and ready to go. Not so with Luann. She was 41 with a loving husband, a 6 year old and a 4 year old. She was living her life to the fullest when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. Then again about a year ago. She had finished chemo for the 2nd time and was beginning to start radiation again when her headaches started. She knew from the beginning that it was not good even though her dr's told her it was nothing. That was only 6 weeks ago, home, hospital then hospice. She was a happy and outgoing woman with a warm smile for everyone. She loved her household of boys and yearned for a baby girl (she told me each time I had another one!). The service today was one she had planned- a purple celebration as she was a purple loving person. I'm not being irreverant by saying See ya later- as goodbye is forever, but I plan to see Luann again when I fly away. Godspeed my friend. Your boys will be ok, but we'll all miss you here.

Contest link

RT @iatraveler Giving away a copy of The Paper Bag Christmas! Must read! http://tinyurl.com/67st8p (And don't forget to follow me on Twitter!)

Click on the above link to enter the contest. The book sounds intriguing. If I don't win it I hope to get my hands on it somewhere.

Meal Planning Monday

This is going to be even more unorganized than last week....but let's see what I can do. We're having carpets cleaned, doing Jr. Achievement at school, a funeral to attend, and dance (2 times) tomorrow so our house (and my mind) is a bit out of sorts. I couldn't do all that but Paperman is home. Thanks sweetie! Friday Paperman's Dad and wife will be here for 8 days. It's an enjoyable time, but I'm not ready...as usual.
We spent $220 at Target today and it seems all we got was pop (sale, and Paperman was with me so he stocked up), cereal, ingredients for truffles and milk. That could add up to some interesting meals! I think we'll try to use up some freezer stash.
Monday- Spaghetti/green beans
Tuesday- Roast chicken- it's a big one and she's thawing in the fridge right now.
Wednesday- Something with chicken...pot pie maybe.
Thursday-fish/salmon, baked potato, broccoli
Friday- Cabbage and ham
Saturday- Paperman's birthday, maybe crab legs and shrimp. yum. The girls love it too.
Sunday- Roast, potatoes, carrots, onions
That's it for now. Have a great week.

Advent Bags

I am trying something new this year. Once again, this is not an original idea, but I'm kind of throwing it together at the last minute, or hour. I guess it is December 1st, but I don't think the kids will mind if I'm a bit behind the 8 ball on this one.
The purpose of the advent bags is two fold. 1. To give us time to focus on others and Jesus' birth during the month. 2. A fun family activity.
I still need to get some bags to organize all the goodies and just did some ordering tonight, so those things will be put later in the month. We may have to do two bags some days depending on our schedule, and how creative I am. Here is what I have so far for activities and treats to include in the bags-

1. Make truffles. DD3 saw a recipe (picture) of some last week and has been begging to make them ever since!
2. Make sugar cookies. We do this every year...it's a mess, but it's a tradition. And thanks to Molly we have an awesome recipe! (I'll try to post it soon)
3. Make Christmas ornaments and deliver to the nearby care center.
4. Read Christmas books.
5. New ornaments dated 2008 for them to put their picture in and hang on the tree.
6. Christmas suckers!
7. Walk to see the neighborhood lights.
8. Kids pick supper (I'll have to be careful when I put this one in the schedule)
9. Jingle bell bracelets
10. Christmas songs on the piano by dd1 and dd2 and sing along.
11. Christmas coloring page
12. Nativity Challenge activity page
13. Read the Christmas Story.
14. Share at a salvation army kettle.
15. Nativity sticker pages.

I plan to put together decorated brown paper bags with directions/ingredients or supplies for each day. I'm hopeful that this can be a fun and meaningful experience for all of us.