Julaver

A Little Holiday Cred

2012-02-02T07:47:00.002-06:00

Ah, Groundhog Day again. Time to celebrate.

Last year, I mentioned a commemorative poem written by a friend some years ago, and in the ensuing 12 months, I managed to locate a copy. Please enjoy.

I’ve decided to send this note to spread some holiday cheer,
To help you celebrate a day that comes but once a year.
Oh, venerable groundhog, I just wanted to say,
Please send that mean ol’ Jack Frost away.
It’s not that this crazy weirdo doesn’t like the cold,
But after awhile it begins to get a little old.
I hope that your shadow doesn’t give you a start,
Because such an occurrence wouldn’t be good for your heart.

A woodchuck or South African anteater is how you’re defined,
But it is a chance for good weather that brings you to mind.
Even though I can’t remember the correct rhyme scheme to use,
And there are probably some rules I’ve taken liberty to abuse,
I don’t care if it’s not in the correct form for a sonnet,
I mean, it’s got fourteen lines, ain’t that enough, gosh darn it?

- Chris Kochenower, Date Redacted Because It’s Just Too Darn Painful

When I unearthed this literary morsel, I found along with it 2 more odes to this joyous day. I think I'll save those for the future. Thanks, Friend.

Almost

2012-01-30T21:13:00.001-06:00

Today was Sabrina’s almost birthday. Four years ago, I’d been shivering my way through a week of weird spiky fevers that I could only combat with Tylenol since I was pregnant, and finally, enough was enough. I had to call Chris to come home from work to drive me to the OB to figure out what in the world was going on. It didn’t take long from there before I was ushered into a hospital room, quizzed by who know how many doctors, taken for X-rays that hopefully wouldn’t harm the baby (!!), and administered the sweet nectar of Demerol. This team of (well-paid) (by me) medical professionals came to the conclusion that I had one heckuva kidney infection and blockage, the origin of which they couldn’t quite ascertain because to the baby. I rolled with everything they told me, including the surgery that I’d need to relieve some of the problem and the minimal-to-complete-lack-of anesthesia I’d have due to said gestational status, until they mentioned that all of this intervention could cause my child to be born that night. Ten weeks early. And then I lost it.

But only for a little bit, because the control freak in me took over and decided that there was no way that was going to happen, not on my watch, and I’d hold that baby inside for the next 2 ½ months if I had to MacGyver some truss mechanism out of kitchen twine and chewing gum (not really, but remember the Demerol). And so I went into that operating room, and let them insert instruments into my kidney with just a local numbing shot. I gritted my teeth and prayed. (So did a LOT of people.) And my baby was not born that night. And not for the next 65 nights. Not until the originally agreed upon by my OB and myself date.

While I’m sure my village and I could have taken care of a preemie Sabrina, I am so glad that that is one challenge we didn’t have to take on. Sabrina is our wonderful, crazy tornado of freaky cleverness and supreme adorableness because she arrived when she needed to arrive, and not because some wayward internal organ tried to change her schedule. But I will never forget what almost happened. Thank you Goa, thank you doctors, thank you family, thank you army of pray-ers and thought senders. You all made this day an almost instead of an is.

(By the way, that kidney blockage they couldn’t indentify because of the baby WAS the baby. Little stink. Shoulda known.)

Neither Can Turkeys

2012-01-12T21:04:00.000-06:00

“Mommy, what can penguins do?”

“They can waddle, swim, and –“

“What can’t penguins do?”

“Fly.”

“Why can’t they fly?”

“They weren’t designed to fly. Ask God.”

“I can’t, Mommy. He’s too high.”

Who's on First?

2012-01-11T20:47:00.001-06:00

“Mommy, why are we getting a pet?”

“We’re not getting a pet right now, Sweetie.”

”Why aren’t we getting a pet?”

“We’ll get one someday.”

“No, I don’t want a pet!”

“OK, we won’t get a pet.”

Post Holiday Comedown

2012-01-03T17:32:00.000-06:00

All the Christmas decorations are packed and put away for next year, and the kids are back in school. And yet, I’m still listening to Christmas music, hanging onto the last few vestiges of the holiday like a squirrel hoarding nuts. I just don’t want it to end.

I’ve been this way all my life. It has always bothered me that we put all this preparation into Christmas, and then boom, one day and it’s over. I’m jealous of other countries that just get started on Christmas Eve, celebrating well into the new year. It pains me to see trees chunked out to the curb on December 26, or worse, the night of the 25^th. I want to savor it, revel in it, keep those sparkly feelings of peace and love and good will toward men all glittery and warm in my heart. I know the world must go on, and we have to get back to work and our lives and all, but I miss Christmas when it’s over. And so I fall into a January funk every year.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the holiday lead up. I did; in fact, I feel like I made more of the season this year that ever. I’m happy I got things done early, even if it meant throwing Christmas up quickly over Thanksgiving weekend, because we got to appreciate that work far longer than usual. I got most of the shopping done early as well, or at least in smaller bites with the help of the internet, so it never got too overwhelming. I even spread out the baking instead of forcing myself to bake all the cookies in the world on 1 given day. I hope I learned from this year and can carry that over into the next, striking a nice balance between preparation and enjoyment.

But the glum has come, and I look around what now looks like a bare house (that I still need to clean, because Christmas makes things dirty, y’all) and feel a little sad. I even miss the kids. I know, I’m not normal.

As the month goes on, and the holidays get the soft focus of memory, I’ll get back to appreciating the routine of everyday life. But for a little while, I’ll look back wistfully and drink the remainder of my eggnog. I can keep Christmas going just a bit longer.

(Note to my mother: please note my first sentence that the decorations are put away. I am no longer leaving them up until Valentine’s Day. Nor am I planning to follow in the footsteps of my friend’s mom, who decided to leave her tree up for 5 years, changing out seasonal ornaments. But I give her props.)

2011: Checkpoint

2011-12-29T20:34:00.001-06:00

Here we go again.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Went on a road trip without my family. Had laser surgery. Enrolled my baby in preschool.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t make any specific resolutions last year. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have kept them very well. I did manage to exercise every day I wasn’t sick or on vacation like I’ve been doing in recent year, so let’s call that a yes.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister had her second daughter, Holly, a month early, when the rest of us were on vacation so we’d be home later when she was actually due to give birth. My niece-in-laws also had babies, 1 boy (Kevin), and 1 girl (Savannah), so I’m a great aunt all over again. Also, various new friends that I’m just getting to know, so yay, new babies to cuddle.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thank heavens, no. I did attend 1 funeral, as a proxy for my grandmother, who was out of town.

5. What places did you visit?

Yet another cross country caravan to visit the fam. Also, Austin to meet a bunch of fantastic ladies at the Blathering.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Lots and lots of tax-free money. That’s a pipe dream, but still, I’d like to have it. More patience.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 7, the day my sister had her baby early when we were 1200 miles away. October 19, the day I left for the Blathering. November 26, the day I hosted Thanksgiving for Chris’s side of the family for the second time, making it a tradition whether I like it or not.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I made new, in person friends. For a shy gal like me, this is a huge accomplishment.

9. What was your biggest failure?

It bears repeating: not having enough wisdom in the moment, and losing my temper spectacularly as a result. Not having the words to communicate properly, and losing my temper spectacularly as a result. Bottling up my feelings, and losing my temper spectacularly as a result. I really need to learn a a new trick.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I found out I had kidney stones that I will blame squarely on my last pregnancy. I let my doctor play Asteroids on my backside with a big laser, and thus far, have had no repercussions or further problems. Whew!

I truly hope next year’s answer is nope, nada, nuthin’.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I am still eyeing a new camera, but that may or may not be purchased by the end of the year. I’ll say a pair of flattering yet comfortable jeans that I can wear and not feel squished like a sausage by the end of the day.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Sammy really likes going to school every day, despite the challenges he faces. The doctors helping him improve his communication so much this year. My parents, for all the help they give us in so many ways. Chris, especially for tackling the giant task of bathroom remodeling, among other things.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

A certain wireless company for advertising service they were never going to provide and committing blatant fraud.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills. Taxes. The new roof (thanks, hail storm). Doctors.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to the Blathering. I really hope I can work it out to go in 2012.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Anything by Adele. It was her year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Mostly the same, but for different reasons.
b) thinner or fatter? Also about the same.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. Time for some belt tightening.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Maintaining my cool over the little things.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

As always, worrying. Procrastinating. Spending without a good reason.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?

Much like years, past, we spent time with family. We celebrated with the Hub’s family out in the country the weekend before Christmas, went to my grandma’s church on Christmas Eve, and went through the shock and awe of Santa Christmas morning before heading over to my parents’ house. I made a concerted effort to enjoy the season leading up to the big day more, and I think I did that.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

It continues to be true: more with my kids every single day. And I simply adore the new friends I’ve made, both in my neighborhood, and through the powers of the internet.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I’m so sad to say goodbye to All My Children and One Life to Live. I grew up on soaps, and TV will never be the same. I never fail to laugh with my Hub at Big Bang Theory and Community. And I’ll admit, I’m digging Hart of Dixie and Once Upon a Time. My inner 13 year old is very happy this season.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?

Oh man, no clue. Since Sabrina’s birthday is so close to mine, it overshadows everything near it on the calendar.

24. What was the best book you read?

Oh, I thought of another thing I’ve never done before – I joined a book club! And I managed to read almost all of the books! That said, I think I liked Water for Elephants and the Help the best.

25. What did you want and get?

Healthy kids. The trip to the Blathering. A tablet computer.

26. What did you want and not get?

Some things stay the same - a really good method to help Sammy focus in school, and a huge pile of money. Third time’s the charm?

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

I was really surprised by Moneyball, because I think I’m the only woman on earth that doesn’t swoon for Brad Pitt, but he was remarkable. And I like that the Help stayed as true to the original text as it did.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yessir. The friends I made last year (Jennie, Kristie, Natalie, and Erica) led me to the Blathering, where I met a whole bunch more wonderful ladies, and I now spend way too much time on Twitter because of them. I got to know the mom of one of Sammy’s classmates better, enough to ask her to watch Sammy after school one day. I initiated playdates with a family we see at church every week, and we’re getting to know each other. And just this week, my down-the-street neighbor came over with her son so our boys could play and we could talk. It was lovely, and I can’t wait to do all of it again.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Being able to take surprises in stride more easily. I really need to work on my pessimistic hair trigger.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Non-existent, and we’ll leave it at that.

31. What kept you sane?

Twitter. Diet Dr. Pepper. Running.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I would like the Kardashians to go away. That’s probably not the answer this question was looking for.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

This hasn’t changes a bit since last year, except only to get worse, so I’ll say it again: I’d love for someday that a visit to the doctor won’t blow my budget out of the water, and for someday to be soon.

34. Who did you miss?

Anybody farther away than a 60 minute drive.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

You will never regret one minute spent dancing with your kids.

I Hope It Doesn’t Look Like Santa Exploded in My House

2011-12-23T20:10:00.004-06:00

Some lovely ladies have given holiday tours of their homes this year, and they inspired me to follow suit. This post might be more for me, though, so I can remember where I put things for next year. Aging stinks.

I love decorating for Christmas, and have collected decorations of all sorts for years and years, even when all I was decking was my bedroom. I can’t even put out everything I have because I just don’t have the surface area. Also, I had questionable taste in the past, so some of the stuff is better off staying in the shed. My house will never grace the pages of a magazine, and Martha Stewart certainly has nothing to worry about, but it’s festive and fun and (mostly) kid friendly.

This is the entertainment center in the living room that I filled with some of my favorite decorations. The three wisemen (slightly hidden in between the nativity and Santa) are made out of bottles and were a gift from my piano teacher when I was in elementary school. It seems our elf, Pepper, decided to hang out here for the day. (Please ignore the junk my kids stuffed behind the TV that I didn’t notice until after I’d taken the picture.)

On the mantle is my holiday bear, also made by and given to e by my piano teacher. He changes attire based on the approaching holiday, and my kids adore him, so he gets a place of honor. I also like the little initial pins I got for our stockings last year.

On one of the walls, I’ve hung up some other inherited items, mostly from a dear friend who passed away, so this is a nice way to remember her.

Here’s my dining room table with a little North Pole village. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had to rearrange the building after the kids have messed around with them.

In the corner of the dining room, I put this wreath that I got from my senior winter formal in high school. I can’t believe that it hasn’t fallen apart yet. Also picture, my tribute to A Christmas Story, a replica of the Major Award delivery.

Of course, this is the tree. Every ornament has some meaning, some history associated, and I love trimming it each year, remembering.

And in an absolutely abysmal photo, we lit up the front of the house as well. You can’t see the toy train that quit working this year, or the inflatable ornaments, but you might notice that Snoopy joined us this year (I say might because I can barely make him out on the right side of the picture, and I know he's there). I’m not a big fan of inflatable decorations, but my husband likes them, so that’s for him. When we moved in, we learned that the whole street lined their property with candy cane poles and white lights, and we joined in immediately (making our own before we found an abandoned set in the attic), but sadly, over the year, this tradition has slowly eroded, and there are maybe 6 house participating this year. It’s sad, but we hold out hope that maybe next year, it’ll be better.

But I can’t hold a candle to my mom, who busted out the Christmas village this year. Actually, village is not an accurate term. It’s a Christmas metropolis. It takes 3 days to assemble. It takes up an entire room, and is still growing. And it is gorgeous. Like my tree, every piece represents something, down to the tiny UPS man that is my husband. It’s amazing, and I will happily show it off to you if you’d like to visit.

I truly hope that your holiday meals are scrumptious, every gift is met with joy and appreciation, everything is the right size, and your families are a constant delight to you and each other. Have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas.

Harried Holidays

2011-12-21T19:57:00.003-06:00

Holy Cow, has it been a crazy time. But that’s practically the definition of the holidays, right? But I’m doing my best to enjoy every happy holiday moment (and chuckle at the not-so-happy ones), and it’s been a blast. I think I’ve finished the shopping, although I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself wandering around a store over the next few days searching out the gift I forgot or wasn’t up to snuff ultimately, or just sniffing out discounted Christmas decorations. But I hope not, because I’m broke. I totally overdid it this year. No points for me.

Last weekend was the pinnacle in insanity. We had 2 birthday parties and a Christmas party, and that was all Saturday afternoon. I managed to ferry myself and the kids to each one and soak up all the festivity we could. And so we wish a very happy birthday to our friend Brandon and to the twins, Maddie and Izzie. We’re so glad we could celebrate with you.

And then Sunday, we schlepped out to north of nowhere, where Chris’s sister has a camphouse seemingly built to host parties, and so Hub’s side of the family converged to make merry. My sister-in-law brought the marshmallows guns she brought to my house on Thanksgiving for the kids, and this time, I could appreciate the ruckus they spawned, since it wasn’t my property they were desecrating. So much better. We ate entirely too much (sausage cheese puufs, I think I love you) and got really goofy during the annual Christmas swap (Yankee swap, dirty Santa, Chinese Christmas, what do you call it?), and even though some people got a little lazy and just wrapped up cash, I can’t say I minded taking that gift home (thank you, family). I came up with this idea a few years back for us adults so we wouldn’t empty our bank accounts trying to buy presents for everyone, and it’s been a success as far as I can tell. However, no one (except me) seems to be able to remember the rules, the price limit, or even that we’re going to have it, so I came up with a plan. At next year’s Thanksgiving (which I’m sure I’m now obligated to host), I will pass out a festive little explanation sheet with all the information they will need so everyone will be playing the same game. Hopefully, that way, no one will forget (oh sure, they’ll still forget, but that’s not my fault) and no one will spend $50 and going home with a $5 gift (and if they do, again, not my fault, follow the rules, People).

In and about all this activity, I managed to get some holiday baking done, as my stomach compels me. I even had a little Cookie Day with the kids, who hung in there a lot longer than ever before. But I always forget what a giant pain cut out cookies are, and how much more so they are when the short people insist on participating. Oh my lands, I lost count how many times I had to roll out more dough after someone made exactly 2 cookies. We made gingerbread one and chocolate ones, and I had designs on making some more straight up sugar ones (since we ate all the ones they made with Grandma), but at that point, I was done.

I think it’s obvious from this completely disjointed post that the crazy is in full swing and not letting up any time soon. So I’ll just leave you with the evidence of good times and sugar overload.

The amount of icing on their clothes and bodies was astounding.

I promise they taste really good.

Monkey Wrench

2011-12-10T20:25:00.001-06:00

Well, today didn’t turn out exactly like I planned.

Sammy was invited to a birthday party for the girl down the street; our families have known each other since our kids were born, and Sammy and Naomi are both in 1^st grade at the school across the street. Now, my mama raised a traditional girl who follows all the rules she can, so when I saw that this was a bowling party and the evite was addressed to Sammy, I didn’t really think it was appropriate to show up with a rambunctious 3 year old in tow (whose name was not on the evite). So we decided Chris would take Sammy and I would distract Sabrina. (I told her they boys were making deliveries, which is technically true because they delivered the birthday gift to the birthday girl). But half an hour later, here’s a phone from Chris saying please come, Sabrina is included and more than welcome.

Have I mentioned I had not yet showered after my 5 mile run this morning? Classy.

But being the mom who wants to see her kids happy, I took her. And she had a blast, of course (although I was right that the bowling was not up her alley, ha ha). But then I noticed Sammy rubbing his eye. And rubbing. And rubbing. And rubbing. And then it started to swell. And turn pink. And ooze. Great.

After a bite of cake, I scurried him home where I gave him eye drops and Benadryl and let him lay about watching movies with his one good eye. But I couldn’t deny it any longer, and the eye wasn’t looking any better, so I took him to the clinic where they said, yup, pink eye, here are your meds. This effectively cancelled our plans to take the kids to a Polar Express pajama party tonight, but before I could tell Sammy that, he said he just wanted to go home and that Sabrina shouldn’t miss the movie. How awesome is my little guy?

And so Chris and Sabrina, in brand new jammies for the occasion, went off to see the movie and drink cocoa with a hundred other kids, while I stayed home and watched the same movie and drank cocoa with one kid, also in new jammies for the occasion. All in all, a good night anyway.

But tomorrow at the holiday pancake breakfast we’ll be hitting up, Santa Sammy might be visiting Santa wearing an eyepatch. Festive.

Cake or Death

2011-12-03T21:57:00.001-06:00

Allow me to make a belated internet wish of happy birthday to my mom, who celebrated the official anniversary of being her yesterday. I love you more than I can express, Mom, but Sabrina would simply say, ‘I love you fabulous.”

In an effort to convey my heartfelt admiration, I set about making her a birthday cake. This is no small feat since my mom is diabetic, and takes that very seriously. So I sussed out a way to make a sugar free raspberry cake with sugar free icing. Such a good daughter am I. And then I decorated it. With colored sugar crystals.

I didn’t realize my idiocy until this afternoon, as I gazed upon my glorious baked success, right before we sang “Happy Birthday.” Yes, I inadvertently tried to kill my mother with her own cake. Winner child.

(Bonus points to you if you recognize the title.)

Thirty Thirty

2011-11-30T19:18:00.001-06:00

That’s it. 30 posts in 30 days.

I didn’t pledge to do NaBloPoMo at the beginning of November because I didn’t really think I’d make it. I hadn’t exactly been prolific of late, and which the rush of Thanksgiving looming, I was fairly sure I’d miss a bunch of days in the middle. But so many others, several of whom I was lucky enough to meet in person this year, made the time, so I decided I could, too. Thank you for the inspiration.

Reorg

2011-11-29T20:29:00.002-06:00

The other day, I noticed my husband had rearranged some things in our closet, and those things included some of my things. Those of you who know me are bracing for the explosion. Well, I didn’t explode (I did some deep breathing and thought about how much time I’d spend in prison for beating him up), but I wasn’t happy. And that is what we call an understatement.

In any case, me being the control freak that I am, decided I’d have to do my own rearranging. That way I could walk in and see things where I decided they should go and that would make me feel better. But there was one thing in the way of my feeling better, and that was the massive pile of work it would take to clean out that closet. Ugh, what had I gotten myself into?

I started with Hub’s side on one day before tackling the much more daunting task of my side. Chris, as is true of a lot of men, just doesn’t have as much stuff as I do. Also, all the Christmas gifts I’d bought were hidden in and among my things. So dove into all that today while both kids were (finally) back in school. I organized all the gifts, and discovered that I’d double-bought for several relatives and that I apparently have purchased enough toys for Santa to bring to my children and every other child on our street. I blame the closet.

So now the gifts are properly sorted and accounted, and I’ve sifted through everything in there, filling up a giant trash can (goodbye, Caruso curlers that I will never use to give me 80s hair ever again), and amassing quite the pile of items to donate (probably not as much as Chris would like to see me remove, but baby steps). It feels good. In fact, I can’t wait to hit the kids’ closets, and, more immediately, the playroom. This will require more stealth and ingenuity to minimize child drama, but it can and will be done.

Now if I can only get this going before we’re inundated with new Christmas booty.

Thanksgiving Recap

2011-11-28T20:07:00.003-06:00

Just a few more looks at Thanksgiving:

I am thankful that this turkey turned out nicely.

But not that I burned the heck out of my arm in the process.

I am thankful for the bounty that we could share as a family.

But not for the mountains of cleanup I got to do.

I am thankful for the fun and joy the day brought to the children.

But not for the aftermath in my backyard. (Those would be marshmallows. Did you know they turn into glue after exposure to nature and humidity?)

Seriously though, it was a wonderful weekend, despite and because of the work involved, and the rewards of it all were immeasurable. My sister in law told me that it was so nice of us to have everyone over every year, neatly implying that, as I suspected, I’d inadvertently started a family tradition. But it’s one I’m glad to do if it makes everyone so happy. So here’s to next year. I just ask that everyone bring more wine.

Not Sure What to Make of All This

2011-11-27T20:14:00.001-06:00

I fed 26 people yesterday, entertained them for 4 ½ hours, and spent untold amounts of time cleaning up after the fact. But you want to know what makes me a saint?

Allowing a passel of kids to shoot marshmallow guns at each other on my property. My backyard looks like Candyland Armageddon. The squirrels keep running around bewildered, and I swear I can read their little minds: “I just want 1 blessed acorn. For the love of Mike, an acorn!”

And I followed all that up by shopping for a new toilet today.

What a weird holiday.

A Moment Before Crazy

2011-11-26T11:57:00.003-06:00

The turkey is in the oven, and I have a couple of minutes to breathe before I have to baste again.

Sounds like I’m saying this 2 days too late? Well, yes. And no. I did help my mom do this 2 days ago, and now it’s my turn to do it for Chris’s family. There are a lot of people to coordinate there, and, to put it delicately, people coordination is the strong suit of none of them. So if I want to have the happy holiday I want, I decided I’d have them come over here. This way everybody is happy, including me, because I love Thanksgiving, and I think it gets the short end of the stick between Halloween and Christmas, so this stretches things out a little bit. Also, I don’t have to host Christmas.

And speaking of Christmas, part of the marathon preparation yesterday included putting up the lights outside and trimming the tree. I know I just said I like to give Thanksgiving its due, but I had a husband with a day off and he was willing to do it, so we got it done. There are all sorts of holiday decorations going on in here, so maybe it’s Chrisgiving?

After all that work yesterday, once the kids were in bed (not asleep, oh no, they were super wired), I felt I earned this:

That would be Cupcake Winery’s Red Velvet wine, which I picked up upon the recommendation of Kate and several other lovely ladies of The Blathering. I miss you and you have great taste.

OK, enough for now. That turkey isn’t going to baste itself (well, if would if I’d bought a Butterball, but I didn’t, so). Have a great rest of the weekend giving thanks, getting ready, and everything in between.

Frazzled

2011-11-25T10:42:00.001-06:00

No, I'm not out shopping. The sales, the savings, they call to me, but I have too much to do and I value the little sleep I do get too much to get up in the middle of the night to shop with hoards of other crazy people.

Yesterday was a wonderful tornado of eating and laughing and enjoying and realizing how thankful I am for every minute, and I'd love to talk more in depth about it all, but I'm just to darned busy. Why do you ask (as if I haven't mentioned it before, just go along with me, OK)? Well, since you asked, I am having 19 of Chris's side of the family over tomorrow for ANOTHER Thanksgiving dinner because that was the best way to get them all together and not wreak havoc with everybody's Thursday overbooking. So that's 23 people in my house on Saturday. Have I also mentioned that I have yet to clean up the dust from the Great Sanding of 2011? So there's that, too. And I think Chris also agreed for all of us to have dinner with some friends tomorrow night, so while that eliminates the need to cook another meal, it cuts into my prep and panic time. Can you tell I'm starting to freak out just a little?

Please send good vibes that I can keep all the balls in the air and get it all done without ruining my marriage, making my children hate me, or poisoning my in-laws. Back to work.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T09:48:00.000-06:00

Today I take a look around and see some many things for which I am grateful. I think back over the past year, and remember so much for which I am thankful. I am blessed. I am lucky. I am amazed by it all.

I wish the same feelings for you today. And I am thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Genius

2011-11-23T13:36:00.000-06:00

For better or worse, we have an electric stove with coil burners. It’s not the fancy gas range you might see on the Food Network, but it gets the job done. However, it isn’t the prettiest thing in the world, so I try to mitigate the ugly by topping the burners with covers that match the style of the room.

Last week, I guess I wasn’t paying quite enough attention (gee, with 2 feral squirrel monkeys running around my feet, whoda thunk?) and turned on the wrong burner. And I discovered this when the tea kettle, sitting atop the cover atop the burner I heated, started whistling. Uh oh.

Luckily, I didn’t burn the house down. The metal cladding on the inside of the cover scorched enough that it started to separate from the metal core, which led to random pops and tiny blue shards flying up into the air. This is both cool from the perspective of the science geek inside me, and bizarre, as it has kept happening for days now. Just when I think it’s done, I’ll here a little Pop! followed by a tinkle as the flakes hit the counter. Weird. I should get the Mythbusters on this one.

I am super glad that this didn’t happen on Thanksgiving. (This means I got the holiday screw up over with, right? Please?)