Random

At some point in the middle of the night, the snow turned to rain. That made for a couple inches of back breaking slop according to hubby who was only mildly disappointed that he had to break out the old shovel instead of breaking in the new snow blower. It wasn't enough to warrant the snow day the kids were coveting, but they are already of the mindset...there's always tomorrow. You see, it's snowing again and we may get another 3 to 5 inches.

I tried hard not to let on that I was relieved there was school today because I have 101 things to do to get ready for Christmas and a little party we are hosting Saturday. I'm really excited for the Soup and Sip. I stocked up on the wine and other libations yesterday, and now I have to make some soups and bake some cookies. It will be the perfect day to crank the Christmas tunes and watch the snow falling from inside my house. It really is beautiful. I suppose I'll hold off on cleaning the house though as T. Bone has not 1, but 3 friends coming over after school to play snow ball. That surely will last only long enough to get them drenched and covered in droves of dingle berries that I will find everywhere.

Fast Freddy is still earning his keep: keeping the kids in line and providing not only excitement, but also comic relief. Last night T. Bone came upstairs to ask me if it was OK to use the bathroom downstairs. I was puzzled. He doesn't need permission to use the bathroom and he passed 2 on his way to get it. He said sort of clandestinely, "Well, you know Freddy is in there!" Priceless! He was worried about stinking out the elf. I reassured him that Freddy had chosen to hole up in the half bath, but that didn't mean we couldn't use it and off he went. I honestly think I'm having more fun stretching the limits of his imagination than Miss Bit's.

She was delighted when she came home from school and saw that I added even more beautiful treasures to her tree. Yes, it is HER tree, but I know what she likes so enough already. Lil Bit was particularly plussed about the white furry garland I wrapped around the branches. I would never have considered buying pink and purple ornaments before, and now I am literally drawn to them. I think we're...I mean she's...going to need a bigger tree!

We are nearing the end of this session of swimming lessons and we already know that she is moving on up. She is going to be grandfathered into the next tier which one must normally be 6 or older to enter. She is real modest about this let me tell you. Last night in the locker room, in the shower, in her swimsuit (about nudity she is a bit modest), she was carrying on into her bottle of Johnson's No More Tears like this, "Oh yeah...oh yeah...oh yeah...I'm like going from level to level to level cuz' I'm such a good swimmer...oh yeah...oh yeah...oh YEAH!" It's true that she has passed through 2 levels this fall, but I blamed her prowess in the pool on the fact that her grandparents have one, and I blamed her poor sportsmanship on the fact that she has a brother who excels at all sports so she's finally so happy to be good at something. I think they bought it cuz' the other moms were still talking to me, and the other girls were gloating about what they were good at.

Let it Snow

Let it Snow
It was snowing when I went to bed last night, and it's still snowing this morning. There has been little accumulation, but T. Bone, Lil Bit and Miss O. are all beyond convinced that they will wake up tomorrow only be told to go back to bed: SNOW DAY! I remember when I was school age and the winter weather would throw my Mom a curve ball. She would get up extra early and listen painstakingly to the never ending list of school closings as reported on the radio. As a single, working Mom, unexpected days off of school were a challenge no doubt. Now we receive a mass generated computer call in addition to an email blast and often we get notification the night before. How things have changed!

I had a dream about my Mom this morning. In many ways it was the same old same old...she was on her death bed and I was helpless. This time though I saw her healthy and happy and vibrant again as she transitioned, and I felt...I feel...light like the snow falling from the sky today.

Now since I've got lots of places to go...I better go before we get even more snow.

Fast Friends With Fast Freddy

Before I tucked Miss Bit in last night, we said good night to Fast Freddy. Although we had moved the pink tree to her room earlier in the day, our new friend Fred hadn't so much as budged from its tippy top and she seemed rather relieved by that. The thought of him coming to life in the middle of the night and in the middle of her room was just a little out of her comfort zone.

T. Bone asked me if I really thought the elf would be roaming around and as far as the north pole once we turned in. I said I didn't really think so...thinking he needed a healthy dose of pragmatism and a sheer moment of suspended belief. I don't want to push it. Frankly, I cannot believe that he still believes. To that he quipped, "Yeah, I kinda don't think so either," and I detected a hint of sadness as I kissed him good night.

When Miss Bit woke up and took inventory of her room, she noticed that a picture frame on her dresser was overturned (Even I cannot explain that one. I was sure it was hubby, but he swears not.) T. Bone was quick to join our investigation and we quickly agreed that Fast Freddy was the culprit as he hurried about his business last night. This morning the kids raced to get dressed and ready and downstairs. (I'm in search of a ploy to have elves watching us year round because I am that fond of punctuality.) Miss Bit prevailed and she was fast to find Fast Freddy.

Miss O. arrived and the kids were up in arms when I came downstairs because she handled Freddy. The book clearly says that we are not to paw and pet our little elf. She kind of smirked as if to say...'ok, I can play this game, but really?' Oh yeah...really. Fast Freddy is very real as far as T Bone and Miss Bit are concerned, and I'm not sure if it's more fun for them or me and hubby. Who isn't game for a little mischievous magic?

Just Call Me Santa Claus

I just returned from the W's where I was filling stockings. I was filling the stockings (and sampling the candy to make sure it was good, as in safe, you know?) so that when they arrive home this morning from their weekend away, Miss O will be surprised that St. Nick stopped by. Here's the thing...I felt like a jolly little elf as I stuffed their stockings. I took care to put the little presents in just the right way and I imagined Miss O as she discovered the treasures and pictured St. Nick sneaking around her house whilst she was away. Time and time again we are reminded that it IS the little things in life that bring BIG joy. It made me wish that I had conjured up a special surprise to sneak in all their stockings as even we big kids revel in the unexpected. We are never too old for a little magic...we rarely outgrow that childlike wonder, we only forget what it feels like.

I drove away with a smile on my face because that little act of kindness warmed my heart. Also because I realized that I looked like a prowler. I'm dressed in black from head (hat) to toe (boots)! It's a good thing I have the garage code and didn't have to come down the chimney. That might have had the neighbors wondering, or dialing 911, which would have most certainly blown my cover.

T. Bone was up first this morning. He came into our room at 7:30 chompin' at the bit. After a short snuggle, we let him wake up Miss Bit. We entered the family room to find two very groovy, fat and happy orange tabbies displaying chummy Cheshire grins. They had helped themselves to the contents of their stockings in the wee hours. The snacks were opened and sampled, and the cat nip...GONE! I guess they were manifesting their destiny...just this week I started calling them Shaggy and Scooby.

The pink tree (that I stayed up until 2:00 putting together and decorating) delivered all the dazzle I was dreaming of. An extra bonus was the gingerbread house ornament that the whole family helped decorate last night. After we were through the woods last night and almost over the river, we told Miss Bit we forgot it at Grandma and Grandpa's. When it appeared on the tree this morning, the consensus was that Santa's far reaching network of elves were hard at work while we slept. St. Nick brought us our very own little Elf who was perched atop Miss Bit's tree. He is now lovingly referred to as Fast Fred. The lava lamp was totally awesomely received too followed closely by the latest Wimpy Kid and these hilarious aliens. Miss Bit has plans to come right home from Sunday school and play school with her new supply of 14 (yes 1, 4!) dry erase markers in all colors of the rainbow. Oh, life is good!

I would call our first time cutting down our own tree a success. We were all in agreement that it will be our new tradition. The hardest part was that there were just so many to chose from. We narrowed it down, and then my Dad went back to his truck to get his chain saw. Let me tell you...there were lots of families in search of the perfect tree, but not one other family had a chain saw. My Dad could have started a little lucrative side business. He reved up the saw, hubby yelled timber, T. Bone transported the trees to the lot, Miss Bit played hide and seek amongst the rows of trees, and my step-mom and I took the photographs.

The sun was setting as we got back on the country road, and it was dark by the time we made it to our pit stop for bloody Mary's, kiddie cocktails and so many fried snacks that we were not hungry for the delicious pot pie my Dad made earlier in the day. (I know it's good cuz' I had some for breakfast.) We played some darts and a little pool. Miss Bit grabbed a cue and started chalking it like she had spent every one of her five years in a pool hall. Seriously, I have no clue how she knew thing 1 about the cue! Go figure!

It was a fun, family and Fraser Fir filled afternoon.

O’ Tannenbaum...I'm off to decorate our Christmas tree.

Happy St. Nick Saturday

After a night filled with crazy dreams, I was abruptly awoken only minutes ago by the ringing of the phone. It was our neighbors, P and A, calling to say that they would be over in 5 minutes. Ok then. Hubby and I were still in bed, T Bone and Miss Bit were still in their pjs watching the rest of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and had not yet had breakfast, but they were all anxious to pick up where they left off when P and A left at 8:30 last night. I remember those days! And I want to remember this conversation I just overheard between P (almost 10) and T Bone (almost 9) as they were Wiin' it:

P: St. Nick comes tonight. He rocks!

T: Yeah, but Santa is sweeter because he brings more expensive stuff.

P (with a chuckle): Expensive DUDE? The elves make it.

T: Yeah I know, but it's up to Santa DUDE. Santa reads the lists and brings it! Mom...did you send Santa my list...I mean letter...yet?

Believe in miracles. Believe in love. Believe in Santa. Believe in yourself. Believe in something.

Grateful Friday...

Today I am grateful for…

Snow flurries. They make this almost winter world feel more festive.

I Believe in Father Christmas
I love the sentiment: I wish you a hopeful Christmas. I wish you a brave new year. All anguish, pain and sadness leave your heart and let your road be clear.

We have plans to get our Christmas tree with my Dad and Step-mom tomorrow. It is our tradition to traipse through the lot together in search of the perfect tree every year. Then we head to a local pub for snacks, spirits and the first sighting of the season. Billy the Brownie can be spied by the adults only as he keeps an ever watchful eye on the kids for the big guy up north. In our neck of the woods, Peak the Sneak and Larry the Looker (trust me...they only sound lewd and lascivious) keep elfin tabs. This year we are starting a new tradition…we are going to a farm to cut down our own trees. Stay tuned on whether it elicits a family feud or feelings of familial bliss.

St. Nick comes to fill stockings tomorrow night. I love this more than Santa because the kids are not overwhelmed with too many gifts so they truly appreciate even the smallest things. Some things, of course, are not small enough to fit in their stockings like cool lava lamps or sweet pink Christmas trees.

And speaking of pink…J and I were invited by my Aunt L. to a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club last night that was in an expo center, but you would never have known it because it was all decked out in pink Christmas lights. They were auctioning off trees that were wrapped in the most pretty pink lights. I would have bought one if I had the energy to get it home. Dozens of local restaurants had samples of signature dishes. My favorite was a bratwurst on a pretzel bun. J and I split the last one. We tried many different wines too.

My kids are off today and spending the day with Aunt L. She is taking them shopping so she can get an idea of what they want for Christmas. All 3 of them are very excited. I hope she can share some ideas with me. The only thing that made Miss Bit’s list thus far is the Barbie house. T. Bone basically wants video games: games for the ds, games for PS2 and games for Wii. I was at Toys R Us this week and was at my wits end trying to remember which game he wanted for which system. The clerk looked at me like I was crazy.

New windows just as the temperatures dropped. They finished the installation faster than they anticipated and didn’t hit a single snafu. I never thought I would be, could be so stinkin’ excited about windows.

Cashmere. I love…really love…my new sweater set, and I am, in fact, wearing it today.

People who go over and above. Miss Bit got on the wrong bus yesterday…she thought it was Friday since there is no school today. She didn’t realize that T. Bone and Miss O. weren’t with her. Our favorite bus driver, Miss Theresa, simply finished the route and took Lil Bit where she needed to be without a second thought.

Recently when Father Tim went to give T. Bone knocks (their version of a hand shake) as we were leaving church, T. Bone gave him the sign of PEACE and said, "Peace out man." I was speechless, but incredibly thankful that Father Tim wasn't. He chuckled and said, "Peace out T Bone...I like that."

Feelings. Miss Bit brought home a little book she made in kindergarten about them. It sweetly read like this:
I feel happy when it's Christmas.
I feel sad when I don't have a play date.
I feel mad when my brother bothers me.
I feel scared when I'm in the dark.

What's Up?

Me...I dare say I am back to my snarky, spirited self and I have just a few things to say. You listening?

1. Why and how do children wake up talking loudly and incessantly? I tell ya as soon as T. Bone crawls out of bed the noise begins and it doesn't stop ALL DAY LONG! I had a serious Calgon moment this morning when he was watching You Tube videos of other people playing Rock Band, while Miss Bit was watching Curious George in the same room and the family room television was tuned in to the news, which I couldn't follow if I wanted to.
2. I didn't really want to though because the story was once again about Tiger Woods and his fender bender. Seriously? Leave the "perfect" family alone to recover from his indiscretion, her outburst and wait for the chickie la la to write her tell all. As soon as I heard she lawyered up with Gloria Allred, I made my mind up. I cannot get over the irony though that the weapon was his very own golf club! That's poetic justice. Who doesn't love a strong, sassy viking woman who doesn't take any sh#!?
3. It's December 1st and I have to attend my first Christmas party of the season. Really? It's supposed to be a balmy 50 degrees today and it's a Tuesday people! I'm not thinking about yuletide or hot toddies or decking any halls! The problem is that I hemmed and hawed for the last few weeks trying to come up with a believable exuse, and now that I actually have one I'm so not believable, and so I HAVE TO GO. Then I HAVE TO come home and take down all the window treatments in our house in preparation for the new windows that are being installed tomorrow.
4. Why oh why did I agree to this major home project just weeks before Christmas? I basically have to spend the day housebound when I have like a million things to do! I really wish that I would have thought of that when I was sulking around here the whole of last weekend. I laughed out loud like a toothless, crazy person when I heard that it may snow on Thursday. Does Mother Nature not know who she is dealing with here?
5. Can you tell me why people whom you have chosen not to "befriend" on Facebook, humiliate themselves time and time again by sending additional "friend" requests? I was not a mean girl in high school, and I refuse to be one now, yet some people leave me no choice.
6. Isn't it false advertising to say "Biggest Sale of the Season" multiple times in the same season? Why can't retailers just charge reasonable, fair prices all the time so as to keep consumers from behaving like looters, brutes or rabid dogs? I am almost thinking about boycotting Toys R Us for putting that crappy plastic Barbie Townhouse on the cover of this weekend's flyer for Miss Bit to see. I tried explaining to her that the thing practically costs as much as a monthly mortgage, and yet it's not made of brick, wood or even straw. she just looked at me with a salacious twinkle in her eye and said, "Well, I just know Santa's going to bring it for me and I am so excited!" What?! If she gets it, she is so going to be playing with Barbies until she leaves for college!
7. My heart is warmed by Miss Bit's compassion and empathy for others, but I'm a little at my wits end. I was watching the beginning of this season's Biggest Loser while I was on the treadmill yesterday and she got sucked in. It came to the weigh in and she starts bawling uncontrollably. I was worried that she didn't understand what was going on. That this contestant was going home to her family not to prison, or a work camp. Then she stopped sobbing long enough to ask, "But how's she gonna get healthy if she has to go home?" The light bulb went on in my head. I can use this people. I served her pasta with a side salad and steamed brocoli for dinner last night and she wondered, "Why 2 vegetables?" All I had to say was, "Remember Biggest Loser?" It was a beautiful teachable moment!