Oh, I seeee... people are getting weary of the Questionnaire. Think they don't NEED that old antiquated MEME any more, now that the Internet's all grown up and we can do it our own selves. Well. Back in MY day...
You know, I agree. I guess I'm a little tired of the format, too, but how else do we start?
Overall, I would say that 2011 has been a great year -- I can't complain, truly. We did have a broken arm situation, and some financial stuff that was annoying in our immediate vicinity, but other than that no major troubles! Woo hoo!
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
The aforementioned broken arm was new! I never broke a bone and had no idea how that all works. In fact I had previously worried, as one might when one's never gone into labor before, "How will we KNOW if it's bad enough to go to the hospital?" Now I know. I also helped throw a surprise 70th birthday party for my Dad -- never done that before. :) I took the week of Spring Break off work to spend with AJ. I want to do that every year now!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I was feeling smug and forlorn at the same time, and so I made very simple resolutions which I mostly kept. I said then, flossing more than 'hardly ever' will be EASY. Heh. I did floss a little bit more than the previous year, so I WIN. I ate a bit more yogurt in 2011, yes, but I still don't love it. Eh. Who really cares. And my 2 dinner parties, I think, happened. One of them was very early in the year, and the other was Christmas dinner which barely counts, since it was hosting my parents... but I say Win.
Funnily enough, although I REFUSED to make a health-kick "Resolution" last year, I did do better overall in 2011 than ever before. I know I have mentioned that I signed up for Sparkpeople.com, and it did help me in many ways, stick to my routine. I was quite faithful February through May, then the hot months came along and it was harder, but I used the treadmill and didn't really backslide until September/October/November. I started the Couch to 5K in the end of November and I'm still trying to do that. So perhaps the answer is DON'T RESOLVE, JUST DO.
(Good grief, this is just the 2nd question! I may skip several of them.)
No one close to me gave birth, or died, and I visited no countries.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I always say "Lottery winnings" but I will also include Solid Nights' Sleep more often than not. This year was a tough sleep year.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
This sounds ridiculous, but Feb 21st is my "Sparkiversary" (haha, embarrassed glancing as I use nerdy insider terminology) and I'm trying to have made some real progress/success by 2/21/12;
June 10 - the weekend of, because we were all together with my parents and sister/brother-in-law, and that rarely happens;
Sept. 11 -- the 10th anniversary was quite a Thing, wasn't it? Our community did a big display of 3,500 US flags in a huge park, and it was breathtaking. We drove by it every day for a week.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I hate to say this but there was a work project that took a huge majority of my time, but it was/is successful and made me look good to my peers. I am proud of it, although I wasn't the only one on the committee. I also have to cite our PAINTING project at home, because it was so long in the making and changed the look of that room so pleasantly/dramatically.
9. What was your biggest failure?
This doesn't keep me up at night, but we did fail to save as much money as we would have liked this year, and also failed to get our wills written. That is going to be a HUGE goal for 2012 -- the wills, I mean. We've been meaning to do it for (gulp) 7 years at least, since AJ was born.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Boring question, and no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
We bought DH a new car in January, and it's been so good for him to drive something cool and not my old beat-up '97 Corolla. I think he feels like a real man again. Ha. We also bought a new refrigerator (awesome), a new water heater (unexpected) and a new water main line (lame)! So I've now answered the next question.
12. Where did most of your money go?
13. What did you get really excited about?
Seeing Guys and Dolls in August. I love the theater and especially that show. We were so excited to watch AJ's car win the Pinewood Derby in February! And I was on pins and needles when my sister came in THIRD in her first triathlon of the year! We were watching her times online and it was almost as exciting as being there! So awesome. I got really excited/emotional about that, for sure.
14. What song will always remind you of 2010?
The soundtrack of "Tangled,"which is great, and the Good Luck Charlie theme song, which is not that great. KT plays those two shows on Forever Repeat every chance she gets.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or Sadder: Happier. I think the kids are getting to the age where DH and I are getting some of our old life back. I mean, a little bit... As much as you can when one of them's still under 5... but still. It's something.
Thinner or Fatter: Same I think.
Richer or Poorer: Poorer, probably. Cost of groceries really seems to be increasing significantly. Or is that just me?
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Fun activities with the kids. Taking more pictures and videos. (I might have to do the "One photo a day" thing this year. Days off just for me (I did take one, and it was HEAVENLY.)
17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Gawd, bulk shopping at Costco. I was conned into my volunteer job for the school and I will NOT be doing it again next school year.
19. What was your favorite TV program?I fell in love with Parks and Rec this year. Especially the theme song.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
I didn't read too many, but The Hunger Games series wins, hands-down.
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
I'm certain I don't listen to any current music.
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
No idea. We loved Inception (was that new in 2011?), The Help, The King's Speech (2011?) Deathly Hallows 2 (2011?)... I can't remember any others.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Sometimes you're just going to have to sweat a little.
Cookies are allowed, you're not a bad person for eating them.
Musicals make me happy.
Keep putting money in the savings account because you never know.
Thursday, December 29
Wednesday, December 28
And now for a dash of...
Last night I was making banana bread. This is something I do frequently, and I learned as I worked that my Darling Husband sometimes leaves the last 2 bananas hanging on the banana-hanger ON PURPOSE, so that I'll make it! Ha! Sneaky of you, Mister el-e-e!
My mom was sitting at the kitchen table while I measured and mixed, and my dad came up behind me right when I needed the vanilla extract. I said, "Let me just get the vah-neee-yuh..." to him, and Mom cracked up. Evidently that is the very same way she always says "vanilla" (french pronunciation, of course) when she is baking. I never even knew I did that, but we laughed and laughed over shared genes and funny habits.
I love moments like that. Like when my sister and I respond to something with the same phrase, at the same time, with the exact same tone and inflection.
My mom was sitting at the kitchen table while I measured and mixed, and my dad came up behind me right when I needed the vanilla extract. I said, "Let me just get the vah-neee-yuh..." to him, and Mom cracked up. Evidently that is the very same way she always says "vanilla" (french pronunciation, of course) when she is baking. I never even knew I did that, but we laughed and laughed over shared genes and funny habits.
I love moments like that. Like when my sister and I respond to something with the same phrase, at the same time, with the exact same tone and inflection.
First a snotty comment, and then a Christmas recap
Dudes: There is a woman in my office wearing a JINGLE BELL NECKLACE and jingling her way around the halls this week. It is driving me absolutely BATTY. The fact that I'm IN the office this week is bad enough (never mind that I had all of last week off) -- well, the fact that OTHER PEOPLE are here, too -- I was hoping, at least, for silence and productive work-time. I am not getting the silence part of the deal. !!!ARRRGH. Jingle jingle jingle!!!
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Whoosh, and it's over. That's the main reason I wish the commercial world didn't spend so much time, starting the very moment the Thanksgiving turkey is packed in its Ziploc bags, counting down until Christmas. It's definitely out of balance with the ONE DAY that is Christmas, itself.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas Day was wonderful. And... well, back up: December 23rd was lovely before that. First, Mom, KT and I shopped for one additional set of gifts, just us girls out on the town looking at cheap jewelry. What fun! We met the boys for lunch that day at my favorite Mexican place which could only have been better with margaritas -- but I didn't want to get too sleepy/useless before 1:00 pm! That night we celebrated with a nice, lonnnnng dinner party at my cousin's home. Plenty of wine, good stories, good music, Brie and crackers (what could be better than that??) and lots of little 2nd cousins running around in the basement, playing happily together. THAT felt like Christmas. Don't you just crave holiday time spent with family like that? Even if it's a hassle, or lasts a little too far into the night. It's just part of the holiday and if we don't have it, I don't feel quite right.
December 24th we made our dressing to get ahead for Christmas Day dinner, and baked some more cookies, as we had somehow run out already! (How, I wonder...?) I can't remember the other details -- except I did take a NAP, in my BED (heaven!) -- but I know by 9:00 p.m. we were watching Christmas Vacation (the kids, too), and I was getting dressed to go to Midmight Mass and the choral extravaganzaaaa! Just kidding. It wasn't extravagant. The choral prelude to Midnight Mass was good... I do hope we moved someone's heart who might have been looking for a little spiritual, musical uplift. We didn't have to sing any schlock like we did last year (choral version of an Amy Grant song, gag, and I love A.G., just not like that), so I was pleased. By the end of the night... er, morning... I had nearly lost my voice, which might indicate to you that I sing incorrectly on my chords, rather than in the focal place in my head... but that is not true. And by the way, why is it that I always seem to get sick on Christmas Eve?? I am so over that and may tell Santa next year that is my one and only wish.
Anyway, FINALLY, let me tell you about Christmas Day being wonderful: We were awoken with the PERFECT excited whispering of a 3-year-old: "MOMMY! WAKE UP!! SANTA CAME!!!" I hope I never forget it. She had an exclamation point in her throat! The kids were so good and patient, waiting for all of us SLOW adults to get our pants on and go to the potty before stumbling down the stairs together. They loved their gifts. We unwrapped in a frenzy. We got the big garbage bag out to keep the mess to a minimum. We had ham and egg casserole and apple muffins for breakfast. Then we went to a not-crowded 10:45 am Mass together, I really DID lose my voice before the last hymn, and we spent the rest of the day putting together the perfect meal, in perfectly timed choreography (somehow!) -- and I just loved it all, even the hand-washing and drying of the Lenox Holiday plates afterwards.
(Here's what we ate: Cajun-fried turkey, sausage dressing, cranberry jelly, sweet potato casserole, these biscuits from Pinterest!, and steamed broccoli with red peppers. We had White Zin to drink and the kids had applesauce on the side because I wanted to be sure they ate something. (Darn kids don't even like sweet potato casserole w/marshmallows?!) For dessert a couple of hours later, we had Cherries Jubiliee over coffee ice cream... or just ice cream for those who don't DO cherries. I also had two STRONG hot toddies that my Dad made me, and they CURED my throat, by golly! I love hearing other people's holiday menus - what did you have?)
We have played and played. So far the favorites have been AJ's Lego sets and Megazords, KT's Lite Brite, and her new Rapunzel dolls and Barbie clothes. She and I have spent lots of time doing fashion shows, spread out on the new sleeping bag in the living room, changing Barbies' clothes and combing and combing and combing Rapunzel's hair.
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Whoosh, and it's over. That's the main reason I wish the commercial world didn't spend so much time, starting the very moment the Thanksgiving turkey is packed in its Ziploc bags, counting down until Christmas. It's definitely out of balance with the ONE DAY that is Christmas, itself.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas Day was wonderful. And... well, back up: December 23rd was lovely before that. First, Mom, KT and I shopped for one additional set of gifts, just us girls out on the town looking at cheap jewelry. What fun! We met the boys for lunch that day at my favorite Mexican place which could only have been better with margaritas -- but I didn't want to get too sleepy/useless before 1:00 pm! That night we celebrated with a nice, lonnnnng dinner party at my cousin's home. Plenty of wine, good stories, good music, Brie and crackers (what could be better than that??) and lots of little 2nd cousins running around in the basement, playing happily together. THAT felt like Christmas. Don't you just crave holiday time spent with family like that? Even if it's a hassle, or lasts a little too far into the night. It's just part of the holiday and if we don't have it, I don't feel quite right.
December 24th we made our dressing to get ahead for Christmas Day dinner, and baked some more cookies, as we had somehow run out already! (How, I wonder...?) I can't remember the other details -- except I did take a NAP, in my BED (heaven!) -- but I know by 9:00 p.m. we were watching Christmas Vacation (the kids, too), and I was getting dressed to go to Midmight Mass and the choral extravaganzaaaa! Just kidding. It wasn't extravagant. The choral prelude to Midnight Mass was good... I do hope we moved someone's heart who might have been looking for a little spiritual, musical uplift. We didn't have to sing any schlock like we did last year (choral version of an Amy Grant song, gag, and I love A.G., just not like that), so I was pleased. By the end of the night... er, morning... I had nearly lost my voice, which might indicate to you that I sing incorrectly on my chords, rather than in the focal place in my head... but that is not true. And by the way, why is it that I always seem to get sick on Christmas Eve?? I am so over that and may tell Santa next year that is my one and only wish.
Anyway, FINALLY, let me tell you about Christmas Day being wonderful: We were awoken with the PERFECT excited whispering of a 3-year-old: "MOMMY! WAKE UP!! SANTA CAME!!!" I hope I never forget it. She had an exclamation point in her throat! The kids were so good and patient, waiting for all of us SLOW adults to get our pants on and go to the potty before stumbling down the stairs together. They loved their gifts. We unwrapped in a frenzy. We got the big garbage bag out to keep the mess to a minimum. We had ham and egg casserole and apple muffins for breakfast. Then we went to a not-crowded 10:45 am Mass together, I really DID lose my voice before the last hymn, and we spent the rest of the day putting together the perfect meal, in perfectly timed choreography (somehow!) -- and I just loved it all, even the hand-washing and drying of the Lenox Holiday plates afterwards.
(Here's what we ate: Cajun-fried turkey, sausage dressing, cranberry jelly, sweet potato casserole, these biscuits from Pinterest!, and steamed broccoli with red peppers. We had White Zin to drink and the kids had applesauce on the side because I wanted to be sure they ate something. (Darn kids don't even like sweet potato casserole w/marshmallows?!) For dessert a couple of hours later, we had Cherries Jubiliee over coffee ice cream... or just ice cream for those who don't DO cherries. I also had two STRONG hot toddies that my Dad made me, and they CURED my throat, by golly! I love hearing other people's holiday menus - what did you have?)
We have played and played. So far the favorites have been AJ's Lego sets and Megazords, KT's Lite Brite, and her new Rapunzel dolls and Barbie clothes. She and I have spent lots of time doing fashion shows, spread out on the new sleeping bag in the living room, changing Barbies' clothes and combing and combing and combing Rapunzel's hair.
Thursday, December 22
Just what I wanted
December 21st was my day with the kids, just us. I actually asked my parents not to come until Thursday (today), so I could have a day together. Selfish? Maybe. But I loved it, and the kids were GOOD, and we had a great time. Here's what we did:
• Leisurely breakfast/Christmas cartoons (Dora, unfortunately, which we're also watching again today)
• Colored wooden Christmas ornaments with markers. And listened to Christmas music, OBVS. We could have done this with paint, but washable Crayola markers satisfied AJ and KT just FINE, so why stress myself out?!
• Went out to get AJ's hair cut
• Came home for lunch, ate it and cleaned up, then
• Made Reindeer Sugar cookies with M&M noses and pretzel antlers -- so fun!
• Watched The Polar Express again; it has been the movie of the year at our house, and the other day I learned AJ wants the book for Xmas... Well guess what? Santa already thought of that! Feeling smug.
• played I guess...and I started hand-washing my crystal wine glasses, which is one of my favorite things to do. I know at one point AJ got bored, and I suggested activity books or reading, to which he probably rolled his eyes, but finally it was time to go to his jiu jitsu class.
Then we came home and had dinner (DH was home) and ...the end. There was no fighting, and very little whining, and I wasn't restless, either. It was so nice to be with my sweeties and enjoy some of the magic and quiet and fun of the days before The Big Day.
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• Leisurely breakfast/Christmas cartoons (Dora, unfortunately, which we're also watching again today)
• Colored wooden Christmas ornaments with markers. And listened to Christmas music, OBVS. We could have done this with paint, but washable Crayola markers satisfied AJ and KT just FINE, so why stress myself out?!
• Went out to get AJ's hair cut
• Came home for lunch, ate it and cleaned up, then
• Made Reindeer Sugar cookies with M&M noses and pretzel antlers -- so fun!
• Watched The Polar Express again; it has been the movie of the year at our house, and the other day I learned AJ wants the book for Xmas... Well guess what? Santa already thought of that! Feeling smug.
• played I guess...and I started hand-washing my crystal wine glasses, which is one of my favorite things to do. I know at one point AJ got bored, and I suggested activity books or reading, to which he probably rolled his eyes, but finally it was time to go to his jiu jitsu class.
Then we came home and had dinner (DH was home) and ...the end. There was no fighting, and very little whining, and I wasn't restless, either. It was so nice to be with my sweeties and enjoy some of the magic and quiet and fun of the days before The Big Day.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 20
Pre-planning for Christmas 2011
Yesterday I went to the mall to get the last of our presents and search out Christmas Mass outfits for the kids. I found great deals at a department store and came home feeling very satisfied. Then I got to wrap presents out in the open, in a large space (as opposed to the corner of the floor after the kids' bedtime, that has somehow been my uncomfortable SOP this season). I did my C25K run, in 63-degree sunshine. I did dishes. I checked the basement stash to make sure Santa is treating each kid evenly this year (he is, pretty amazingly). After the kids went to bed I made Swistle's Mint-Chocolate cookies, as has become my tradition (thank you, Swistle!), for their teachers' gifts.
I was on my feet all day but it was good.
Today I have cleaned the kitchen even though it's not nearly the end of the Christmas production cycle, made a special, traditional snack to surprise my parents with, when they arrive Thursday, and planned my dinner menu. I listened to Christmas music -- Sugarland's Gold and Green album, which I didn't realize is SO GOOD! I love you, Kristian Bush; and Harry Connick Jr, of course -- and talked to my parents on the phone. Hope we haven't used up all the topics so we have plenty to chat about when they get here!
I'm headed out in a little while to get a haircut, take some things to the cleaners (I hope they'll be done before Thursday or Friday), and drop off a wayward toy to Toys for Tots. Apparently they're low on the turnout this year so I feel good about donating it, even thought it was a duplicate for which I could get back my $35... but some boy somewhere will enjoy it.
The kids are at school today. One of them is having his class party, and the other will miss hers, but I think she's still young enough that she won't notice or care. I miss them, but I'm SO glad I've had this time to get our house, and myself, ready for the wonderful week ahead. I love Christmas, and I love having it at my house. (When I'm not feeling stressed about having it at my house, that is.) I'm not stressed at this moment.
I'm grateful, and happy. The stockings are hung. The Santa picture is framed (our first year with both kids unafraid of him). I think I'm about ready.
I was on my feet all day but it was good.
Today I have cleaned the kitchen even though it's not nearly the end of the Christmas production cycle, made a special, traditional snack to surprise my parents with, when they arrive Thursday, and planned my dinner menu. I listened to Christmas music -- Sugarland's Gold and Green album, which I didn't realize is SO GOOD! I love you, Kristian Bush; and Harry Connick Jr, of course -- and talked to my parents on the phone. Hope we haven't used up all the topics so we have plenty to chat about when they get here!
I'm headed out in a little while to get a haircut, take some things to the cleaners (I hope they'll be done before Thursday or Friday), and drop off a wayward toy to Toys for Tots. Apparently they're low on the turnout this year so I feel good about donating it, even thought it was a duplicate for which I could get back my $35... but some boy somewhere will enjoy it.
The kids are at school today. One of them is having his class party, and the other will miss hers, but I think she's still young enough that she won't notice or care. I miss them, but I'm SO glad I've had this time to get our house, and myself, ready for the wonderful week ahead. I love Christmas, and I love having it at my house. (When I'm not feeling stressed about having it at my house, that is.) I'm not stressed at this moment.
I'm grateful, and happy. The stockings are hung. The Santa picture is framed (our first year with both kids unafraid of him). I think I'm about ready.
Tuesday, December 13
Sinking Spell
The 3:00 sinking spell comes at 1:00 on my early days. (For those of you just joining us, those are the days I get to my office at 6:30 in the ay-em.) And so, at the moment I am yawning and hoping that this cold bottle of water will help jolt me back to Alert... but I'm very aware that this is a high hope. What I could really use is an iced latte.
As a general rule I am NOT on board with the iced drinks at S'bux -- at least not in the morning. If I see the arm of the barista shoot out the drive-thru window toward the car in front of me, during the morning commute/pit stop, and if that arm is holding something frothy with a straw in a CLEAR cup, I get very eye-roll-y. I don't believe that's legitimate "morning coffee."
But during an afternoon shopping trip? Or after school? Or during a sinking spell? Yes, please. It Especially in the South, where it's too hot for hot coffee, anyway. It harkens those days I mentioned to my high school friend on FB, when Barnie's at the mall was the only coffee option -- they were cool before coffee wascool ubiquitous. Anyway, I am thinking that perhaps AJ and I will make a stop at the local caffeinating hole this very day, after carpool. He likes their cake pops.
I will also need the boost tonight, because I am planning a 9:00 pm gift-buying trip to Target, which is open until midnight in my location, woot woot! I think it will wrap everything up (har har!) that I need for the kiddos, and most of my other relatives, as well. (Everytime I mention Target by name, I think about the very first time I ever went to one, in Dallas, I believe, to buy either a trash can or a new kitty litter box with my Mom. It must have been when we were in transit, moving to Florida, and spending the night with my grandparents in Dallas. No idea why I remember this, ever so vaguely; I don't even remember last week.)
As a general rule I am NOT on board with the iced drinks at S'bux -- at least not in the morning. If I see the arm of the barista shoot out the drive-thru window toward the car in front of me, during the morning commute/pit stop, and if that arm is holding something frothy with a straw in a CLEAR cup, I get very eye-roll-y. I don't believe that's legitimate "morning coffee."
But during an afternoon shopping trip? Or after school? Or during a sinking spell? Yes, please. It Especially in the South, where it's too hot for hot coffee, anyway. It harkens those days I mentioned to my high school friend on FB, when Barnie's at the mall was the only coffee option -- they were cool before coffee was
I will also need the boost tonight, because I am planning a 9:00 pm gift-buying trip to Target, which is open until midnight in my location, woot woot! I think it will wrap everything up (har har!) that I need for the kiddos, and most of my other relatives, as well. (Everytime I mention Target by name, I think about the very first time I ever went to one, in Dallas, I believe, to buy either a trash can or a new kitty litter box with my Mom. It must have been when we were in transit, moving to Florida, and spending the night with my grandparents in Dallas. No idea why I remember this, ever so vaguely; I don't even remember last week.)
Wednesday, December 7
Positive Mental Attitude...
I haven't gotten stressed out about the holidays... yet. I've felt like I have enough time. I have 8 lunch-hours left, and I work close to a Target, an Old Navy, a Costco, a Toys R Us, a post office, a UPS Store, and a mall! I should be able to get things done, right?
But then I remembered planning the MEAL. And the days leading up to it! Oh, hey, I am hosting Christmas! It's JUST my parents and us, no big deal... but it IS a big deal because I want there to be nice meals (or at least put-together meals and not KFC takeout!), and memmmmories. Then I remembered teacher gifts for KT's teachers (what are their names, again?). I need to get my baking started and give those gifts out EARLY -- to neighbors, coworkers, etc.
Still, I don't want to feel the stress. I banish it! Away, stress! So I'm trying my best to workout. I started the Couch to 5K program and I completed Week 1. I did my first run for Week 2 today. It's going really well and man, does exercise ever help in keeping mental stress at bay! It really does, I've been amazed by that. (Biology/chemistry... it works!) I was all sweaty and winded an hour ago after running (haha, I mistyped "funning!"), but I felt GREAT! Happy! I might even say Awesome!
PLUS, I have two full days all to myself on the 19th and 20th, before the kids (AJ) is off for vacation or my guests arrive, and I am so thrilled about those two days! I will make them extra productive. (And I will workout during them, too!) Positive, positive, positive.
The one sad situation is that I canNOT find a babysitter for December the tenth. My DH's company is having a small holiday soiree at a friend's home -- a friend I used to also work with daily, and dearly love -- and there is also a party for Le Choir that night, so it'd be really super nice to be able to go to both of those events. Even though I have nothing to wear (well, I have a dress but no BOOTS). Sad state of affairs. See, most of my church friends with teenage daughters -- backup babysitters when the main one is unavailable -- are from Le Choir, and so they and possibly their teens will be at the choir party -- or babysitting their siblings. I have about one other person I could ask. And I shall.
Anyway, yesterday I got a good chunk of Santa stuff finished, TONIGHT I am ordering my cards, and all will be well. All will be well.
But then I remembered planning the MEAL. And the days leading up to it! Oh, hey, I am hosting Christmas! It's JUST my parents and us, no big deal... but it IS a big deal because I want there to be nice meals (or at least put-together meals and not KFC takeout!), and memmmmories. Then I remembered teacher gifts for KT's teachers (what are their names, again?). I need to get my baking started and give those gifts out EARLY -- to neighbors, coworkers, etc.
Still, I don't want to feel the stress. I banish it! Away, stress! So I'm trying my best to workout. I started the Couch to 5K program and I completed Week 1. I did my first run for Week 2 today. It's going really well and man, does exercise ever help in keeping mental stress at bay! It really does, I've been amazed by that. (Biology/chemistry... it works!) I was all sweaty and winded an hour ago after running (haha, I mistyped "funning!"), but I felt GREAT! Happy! I might even say Awesome!
PLUS, I have two full days all to myself on the 19th and 20th, before the kids (AJ) is off for vacation or my guests arrive, and I am so thrilled about those two days! I will make them extra productive. (And I will workout during them, too!) Positive, positive, positive.
The one sad situation is that I canNOT find a babysitter for December the tenth. My DH's company is having a small holiday soiree at a friend's home -- a friend I used to also work with daily, and dearly love -- and there is also a party for Le Choir that night, so it'd be really super nice to be able to go to both of those events. Even though I have nothing to wear (well, I have a dress but no BOOTS). Sad state of affairs. See, most of my church friends with teenage daughters -- backup babysitters when the main one is unavailable -- are from Le Choir, and so they and possibly their teens will be at the choir party -- or babysitting their siblings. I have about one other person I could ask. And I shall.
Anyway, yesterday I got a good chunk of Santa stuff finished, TONIGHT I am ordering my cards, and all will be well. All will be well.
Tuesday, December 6
Playing Santa, KT edition
(these posts are really for posterity, I know they're kinda boring.)
KT's wish list includes:
"Big Rapunzel doll"
"Mommy's Baby," she calls it, and AJ clarifies she means "My Very Real Baby." After looking it up, I'm torn because she already has a doll that looks very similar to this one, and the thing costs $70! I'm thinking no.
"Rapunzel Castle with all the princesses."
I love 3-year-olds.
I had planned these things for her:
*Tangled Reusable Sticker Book
*Tangled Soundtrack CD
*Tangled playset (Rapunzel, Flynn, horse)
*Tangled/Rapunzel Barbie
Sleeping bag -- she's been using AJ's Spiderman one all this time and she likes Spiderman, but I thought it'd be nice for her to have one of her very own
Necklace (not expensive, but "real" jewelry)
Doll cradle
Amelia Bedelia books? -- there is a series of "younger" Amelia Bedelia books now (since she's still just a little too young to get the jokes in the original books)
Hair bows/headbands
Barbie clothes
Rapunzel princess (dress-up) dress
"Big Rapunzel" doll
*already purchased
For her stocking, I got her a "shimmer" lotion at Bath & Body Works, and I think I'm going to stick a bottle of "No More Tangles" in there, too. Heh. More for me than for her! What else? Besides gum, of course - I have to give my KT some gum!
It's so much fun to play Santa! Except that Santa better get ON IT; He has a lot left to do! I might try to go to TRU today at lunchtime.
KT's wish list includes:
"Big Rapunzel doll"
"Mommy's Baby," she calls it, and AJ clarifies she means "My Very Real Baby." After looking it up, I'm torn because she already has a doll that looks very similar to this one, and the thing costs $70! I'm thinking no.
"Rapunzel Castle with all the princesses."
I love 3-year-olds.
I had planned these things for her:
*Tangled Reusable Sticker Book
*Tangled Soundtrack CD
*Tangled playset (Rapunzel, Flynn, horse)
*Tangled/Rapunzel Barbie
Sleeping bag -- she's been using AJ's Spiderman one all this time and she likes Spiderman, but I thought it'd be nice for her to have one of her very own
Necklace (not expensive, but "real" jewelry)
Doll cradle
Amelia Bedelia books? -- there is a series of "younger" Amelia Bedelia books now (since she's still just a little too young to get the jokes in the original books)
Hair bows/headbands
Barbie clothes
Rapunzel princess (dress-up) dress
"Big Rapunzel" doll
*already purchased
For her stocking, I got her a "shimmer" lotion at Bath & Body Works, and I think I'm going to stick a bottle of "No More Tangles" in there, too. Heh. More for me than for her! What else? Besides gum, of course - I have to give my KT some gum!
It's so much fun to play Santa! Except that Santa better get ON IT; He has a lot left to do! I might try to go to TRU today at lunchtime.
Monday, December 5
Off-topic
Edited to remove some stuff... my blog could be so much more interesting if I weren't afraid of the wrong people finding it.
A task of comparing the Christmas list *I* had made for 7yo AJ, with the list he, himself, wrote out for Santa last week:
MY LIST
*Thundercats Action Figures (Tygra, WilyKit, Panthro, Cheetara, Lino-O, Mumra) 4"
*Thundercats Thunder Tank
*Captain Underpants book series
*new (Shaun White) wallet
Sleeping bag
Camera?
Lemonade Mouth CD?
Claw megazord
Pokemon binder
Mindflex Duel game
(he's mentioned a couple of DS games but I can't remember which ones now)
For both:
A puzzle to share (maybe a 100-piece? To work on as a family or something?)
Ice cream maker (for the family?)
*are already purchased
HIS LIST
Nintendo 3DS (he is not getting this no matter how much he begs)
Pokemon Rumble Blast game for the the 3DS (or maybe the regular DS? Which he has?)
Power Rangers Samruai Claw magazord (WOO! A match!!)
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Victini box (what?)
Kirby: Return to Dream Land (for the Wii)
Kirby: Mass attack for the DS
MarioKart 7 for the 3DS
Radakai: Championship Tin (seriously, MORE trading cards??)
Pokemon: Unova Region Playset
Pokemon: Catch, Launch, Battle (no idea what this means)
Yahtzee Flash game
So. Sort of a bummer that we already BOUGHT all the Thundercats action figures. We went through a family surge of watching the new version of that cartoon on Friday nights back in August. And then in October, his interest disappeared into the ether and the DVR'd episodes sit there in our list of recordings, uselss.
Some of the things I've got on my list can easily be stocking stuffers (the CD, the wallet). I still think I want to get him the (non-character) sleeping bag and the camera. Those are things I suspect will be enjoyed and appreciated long-term. And the trading card tins aren't expensive. But I don't know; they don't seem that exciting, to come from SANTA. Do they? Then again, I'm not a 7yo boy. But man, if I add that wish list up, it's more than Santa's elves make in tips, I can tell you that. ;)
And, haha, aren't I quaint (delusional), thinking a 100-pice PUZZLE would be fun for everyone?
A task of comparing the Christmas list *I* had made for 7yo AJ, with the list he, himself, wrote out for Santa last week:
MY LIST
*Thundercats Action Figures (Tygra, WilyKit, Panthro, Cheetara, Lino-O, Mumra) 4"
*Thundercats Thunder Tank
*Captain Underpants book series
*new (Shaun White) wallet
Sleeping bag
Camera?
Lemonade Mouth CD?
Claw megazord
Pokemon binder
Mindflex Duel game
(he's mentioned a couple of DS games but I can't remember which ones now)
For both:
A puzzle to share (maybe a 100-piece? To work on as a family or something?)
Ice cream maker (for the family?)
*are already purchased
HIS LIST
Nintendo 3DS (he is not getting this no matter how much he begs)
Pokemon Rumble Blast game for the the 3DS (or maybe the regular DS? Which he has?)
Power Rangers Samruai Claw magazord (WOO! A match!!)
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Victini box (what?)
Kirby: Return to Dream Land (for the Wii)
Kirby: Mass attack for the DS
MarioKart 7 for the 3DS
Radakai: Championship Tin (seriously, MORE trading cards??)
Pokemon: Unova Region Playset
Pokemon: Catch, Launch, Battle (no idea what this means)
Yahtzee Flash game
So. Sort of a bummer that we already BOUGHT all the Thundercats action figures. We went through a family surge of watching the new version of that cartoon on Friday nights back in August. And then in October, his interest disappeared into the ether and the DVR'd episodes sit there in our list of recordings, uselss.
Some of the things I've got on my list can easily be stocking stuffers (the CD, the wallet). I still think I want to get him the (non-character) sleeping bag and the camera. Those are things I suspect will be enjoyed and appreciated long-term. And the trading card tins aren't expensive. But I don't know; they don't seem that exciting, to come from SANTA. Do they? Then again, I'm not a 7yo boy. But man, if I add that wish list up, it's more than Santa's elves make in tips, I can tell you that. ;)
And, haha, aren't I quaint (delusional), thinking a 100-pice PUZZLE would be fun for everyone?
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