Fairytales and Margaritas

Bah Humbug or Warm and Cozy- How do you feel?

I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays.  While I love the spirit of the holidays and love the food and family and decorations.  But, I also hate the planning and spending money and cooking and cooking and cleaning and did I mention cooking? And the STRESS!

I know I always bite off more than I can chew during the holidays, but that’s part of the allure for me.  I can’t just sit there!  I’ve got to be in control!  And organizing!  (I really never take a break.)

First, we’ve got Halloween.  It’s a pretty big deal in our house.  Every year the WHOLE family dresses up in a theme.  Remember this one:

So, finding something that everyone agrees on is really hard.  But, we’ve found a theme for this year.  But, then I have to find the costumes, etc., etc.  And my husband’s cousin always has a big ole bash, plus the school’s party, plus the trick or treating and trunk or treating, etc.

Plus the decorations.  We usually go all out with our decorations.  My husband LOVES Halloween.  We have lots of skulls and skeletons and spooky stuff.  I love to put it up, but HATE to take it down and pack it all back up.

Then there’s a bit of a lull.  And when I say lull, I mean back to our normal chaos- Cub Scouts, soccer, Girl Scouts, babysitting, work, etc.  This is the time that I usually try to take a family picture for Christmas cards.  Oh what fun it was last year!

Then there’s Thanksgiving.  I ALWAYS cook for Thanksgiving.  I do love to cook, but it seems like it’s all I do during the holidays.  Sometimes it’s just our immediate family for Thanksgiving; sometimes the IL’s or my parents come.  I’m not even sure who will show up this year!  I know some will say I should have everyone bring a dish to pass, but this really isn’t a good idea.  My mother in law doesn’t really cook, so whatever she brings is usually something warmed up after being taken out of the freezer.  And my parents are so dang unreliable that they probably wouldn’t show up and major portions of dinner would be missing.

Then there’s BLACK FRIDAY!  My favorite day of the year.  I could go on and on about my love of Black Friday, but I’ll save that for closer to the date.

Then, the Christmas decorations.  Once again, I go WAY overboard.  I will admit that I have four trees!  And those are regular sized trees!  I have smaller ones throughout the house.  Every single surface gets decorated for Christmas, inside and out!

Then, we’ve got Carissa’s birthday.  I’m always trying to come up with cool birthday ideas since she’s past the age of just having a little party with friends.  This year I’m trying to win four tickets to a cool concert that’s being played on her birthday.  I thought I could score major points if I took her and two friends to a concert!

Then, we have the Polar Express- our trek across the state up to the cold for our two days in snow.  And the train ride.  It’s a family tradition that I truly cherish.  Although I could do without the car ride up and back!

Then we have the actual holiday of Christmas.  And figuring out when and where we’re going to celebrate with both sides of the family.  And who’s feelings will be hurt more and what in the hell do I buy my drug addicted 23 year old brother.  You know, all those good times!  Plus, I usually kill myself and make about 200 DOZEN cookies!  Although, I have vowed to cut back this year.  I just cannot physically do it.  I don’t have enough hours in the day or arms and eyes enough to keep the kids occupied while I open the oven door every 10 minutes for the next 2342345 hours!  Maybe I’ll only make 50 dozen this year.

And the gifts.  Teachers, newspaper deliverer, bus driver, coaches, coworkers, family, kids, etc. etc.  It’s overwhelming and expensive.  Last year I started making the kids MAKE each others gifts.  It works out really well, expect only one of them could do their projects on their own.  I had to help/supervise the others.  So, while it was a great idea, it cost me more than if I just let them pick out a present in the store.

And super smart me has decided this year that many of my relatives will be getting homemade scrapbooks from Heritage Makers.  Call me a glutton for punishment!  I will get those books made before the holidays!

So, yes, while I really do love it all, by January I need a nice relaxing beach and some strong liquor.  Unfortunately, in January I have to take down the Christmas decorations and we have another birthday.

Oh lord, someone hold me while I have a breakdown just thinking about it!

Spring Break

Remember those days when you couldn't wait for Spring Break?  The trips to Mexico and/or the beach?  The drinking, the partying?  All the crazy stuff that goes on?

No, yeah, me neither.  I never did the whole Spring Break scene.  Although my family always went to Florida for Spring Break.  So, I saw plenty of beach, but no partying.  We stayed with my grandmother in the "old people" part of Florida.  But, I still remember loving that week off.  It was lots of fun.  And I loved to hear everyone else's stories of the partying, etc.

Now that I'm a mom, Spring Break has a whole different meaning.  For one, my kids go to year round school, so they get TWO weeks off.  It's nice for planning vacations and such, but they start getting bored.

And, Carissa is 13, going on 16.  Pretty soon, we're going to have to be the bad guys and tell her that SHE can't go party.  I'm sure that's going to be quite a battle!

So, for the next two weeks, I'll be trying the entertain my kiddos.  We've already gone miniature golfing and tomorrow we're going to Phoenix.  Hopefully, I will keep my sanity and they won't kill each other.  Say a prayer for me!

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By the way, I passed the test!  I got an 89.  So, now I have to submit my resume and transcripts and then play the waiting game.  In the meantime, I might have to go full time at my current job as my job share partner applied for another job and it looks like she might get it.  I'll keep you updated!

I fell off the wagon

Pretty much any wagon I could fall of, I did. Except the one that Lindsay Lohan fell off. I'm good on that.

I've fallen off of the blogging wagon. I took my time off and now I'm having a hard time getting back on. Part of it is my blogging guilt. I feel bad posting something new when I haven't read all the entries that my friends have posted over the last few weeks. I have to admit that I'm trying to get caught up, but it's overwhelming. I subscribe to 85 blogs. That's a lot of reading! For some reason I feel guilty pressing "mark all as read" or writing a new post that I know will solicit comments when I haven't commented in weeks. But, I'm just going to push on. I'm sorry that I missed your recent posts. If you have one that I should definitely read, like say, you named a child after me or you declared a special day just for me, then let me know. I'll definitely look it up. I have scanned some posts from previous days, but didn't take time to leave a comment. For that I'm sorry. If I try to start from scratch, I think I'll do better.

I've fallen off the weight loss/control wagon. Although, I jumped back on on Monday. I started a new 12 week Body for Life challenge. I worked out on Monday, and I'm still feeling it! I am so sore. I've been doing well on my eating too. No sweets and limiting carbs. I'm not following the eating part as much this time as I went four months without watching my eating or exercising and only gained back two pounds. My goal is to lose eight more pounds, but really, I just need to tone up and feel better. I really noticed a difference when I ate crap all the time. I just didn't feel very good.

I've fallen off of the savings wagon big time. I really went overboard this Christmas. I got a lot of good deals, but I still bought way too much. And I went out the day after Christmas and bought a TON of new stuff for next year. Including my white tree. I'm so excited. It will now mean that we have three full size trees and numerous smaller trees. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. But, I'm getting back on that wagon too. Starting with not eating out and not buying anything online. I know I can do it. I'm thinking about putting a deposit down on a cruise for next year. That way I'll be forced to curb my spending and have something to look forward to.

But, there is good that's come from my break too.

I've become addicted to the Wii. Seriously. We have such a good time as a family playing it. It's just so fun. We play a lot of board games as a family, but this is so much more interactive. It's tons of fun. We just got two more remotes for a total of four so that we can all play at the same time.

I spent a lot of quality time with my kiddos. I was off for almost their whole break. We had fun playing with their toys and reading their new books. We went to Chuck E Cheese and had a "fancy" dinner on New Year's Eve. We visited a lot of family and had a lot of fun.

I started a new family website. I don't give my family the link to my blog because sometimes I need a place to vent about them. And I don't want to feel the need to censor myself. So I started a family page for pictures and videos and journal entries. My family is all on the East coast, besides my parents, so I think it'll be fun for them to be able to check in.

So, I'm getting back on my wagons. And going to go better than ever. Thanks for sticking around!

I have not dropped dead

maybe from exhaustion, but I'm still here. But, I haven't been on the computer in ages. When I'm home I try to stay off as much as possible. And I actually have already had 12 days off, and I'm working today, then 6 more days off. So, not much computer time

We had a wondeful Christmas. I have found places for most of the toys! Yay me! My parents came down yesterday for dinner and some Wii competition. Let me tell you, that thing is addictive! And so fun for the whole family. Even Xander gets in on the action. We love Mario Party 8, Rayman Raving Rabbids (thanks Bubblewench!) and Wii Sports. The first night my arm was SO sore from playing tennis. And Carissa and Daddy like to box. But, they get all sweaty and out of breath!

We had some portraits taken the day after Christmas. I haven't seen all of them, but you can get a sneak peek here. If you live in the Tucson area, I highly recommend Leah. She is just wonderful. And a lot of fun too!

On the 6th, I'll be back in action. Look for lots of meaningless posts!

A little holiday cheer

Quick update: My mom e-mailed me back feeling really badly. She said she thinks she's going through a depression or menopause because she's not just like this with us, but in life in general. She's trying to get some help.

Get out the Kleenex!

What is it about this time of year?

It makes me all sappy and weepy. Even though I'm not hormonally pregnant this year (imagine that)! Maybe that's why this year is even worse than normal.

I am trying to cherish every holiday with my kids while they are little. I swear, I get panic attacks just thinking about how they will get older and move out. And what if they move far away and we don't spend the holidays together? That causes me some serious heart palpitations! I know my parents are having a hard time with this. All the kids are grown and out of the house. We now have to coordinate with our small immediate family, plus in laws, plus extended families. We'll probably do Christmas with my parents the Saturday before Christmas. This leaves them all alone for the actual holiday. I invite them to come to our house (as we don't like to make the kids travel on Christmas day), but I know they won't. I makes me sad to think that someday that might be us (although I'm pretty sure I'd rather drive two hours to my child's house than spend the day alone).

This year is the first year that Jocelyn can appreciate Christmas decorations. Seeing her eyes light up the first time she saw the Christmas tree brought tears to my eyes. Pretty soon it'll just be routine to her and not awe inspiring . And that makes me sad.

Xander is just starting to understand the whole "Santa thing". It's so funny to hear him ask his questions about Santa and how he gets here and gets the presents here. He doesn't understand why he didn't get a "Diego camera" the other day, right after he sat on Santa's lap. It's so cute to see his innocence. In a few weeks we'll go on our yearly trip to The Polar Express. I can't wait to see his reaction this year. I'm sure that'll make me all teary too.

And then every day our radio station grants "Christmas wishes". People write in about people they know that are going through hard times and that might not be able to provide a Christmas for their children. Then the radio station grants the wish. They give the family clothes, toys, gift certificates to the grocery store, a Christmas tree and usually they help with their utilities and rent. It gets me every time. Every single time. I drive to work bawling like a baby. It's amazing what people can do for each other.

And then the commercials. How about the commercial when the son (he's in his early 20's) buys and suit and shows up unexpectedly at his mom's house for the holidays? Sobbing like a baby here! They tug at my heartstrings!

I guess I'm just turning into an old sap. I'm happy with my current life and I get all weepy when I think about how it has to change. I wish I could just freeze the kids in time. I don't want them to grow older. I want Christmas to be special and cool for them forever. I always want them to spend it with me. I want everyone to get everything they want for Christmas. I want to believe in the good of people everywhere.

So, pass the tissue please.

I am thankful...

-for the fact that I got to come to work today. Peace and quiet, amen! Just me and my computer. No one to cook for, no one to yell at for removing all the Christmas tree ornaments.

- for the cow that gave me my lovely hamburger for lunch. I am SO sick of turkey. It was nice to eat some MEAT!

-for my boss not giving me too much to do today so I could finish my online shopping and start catching up on blogs.

-for my van that held all of my Black Friday purchases. It was a tight fit, but they all got in there.

-for my friends and daughter who got up at 3:00 a.m. to shop with me. We even made the news!

-for my husband, who braved the attic and got down all 2384798754 boxes of Christmas decorations so that I could put them up yesterday.

-for my credit card company not denying any of my purchases this weekend.

Happy Holidays!

Let the Countdown Begin

No, not the countdown for Christmas. The OTHER countdown. The BIG one.

Seven days until Black Friday!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

I really am a fanatic. I think it's because I'm such a bargain shopper. I am obsessed with saving money. Most of my purchases are very well thought out and researched. I'm the queen of cheap travel (but nice travel), grocery coupons and the clearance racks. I LOVE to get a good buy. I rarely buy anything full price, from food to clothes to toys.

That's why Black Friday is my favorite day. I can get TONS of good deals all in one day. Enough deals to last me through all of the birthdays for the whole year! I have a closet stocked full of things that I buy on BF for every birthday party we might be invited to for a whole year.

I love the thrill of it too. And the crowds. I love the crowds. It marks the beginning of the holiday season for me. The beginning of the holiday season, starts at 3:00 a.m. on November 23rd this year!

I have a whole strategy. I read the ads for weeks ahead of time, plan what I'm buying, plan the whole day- Kohls, Circuit City, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Sears and Target. My friend and I take turns waiting in the hellish checkout lines while the other goes and stacks their arms as high as possible. Carts are not an option.

This year, my friend is going out of town for Thanksgiving, so I'm on my own. I might have found someone else to go with me, but it's not the same. We have a tradition! We've done it for years now. When I was about to pop with Xander (and subsequently almost passed out in Toys R Us), the next year when I was pregnant with Jocelyn (luckily I did better that time) and the year after.

So, be thinking of me when you're still wrapped up in your warm blankets. I'll be camped out with my coffee, chatting up strangers in the line! I'll have to take a picture of my loot and post it next week. After my nap!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

So, when I put out the call for questions, the great mielikki asked:

Christmas tree, live or fake?

I have to admit that I'm a Christmas tree snob. I like the tree to be uniform and matchy and beautiful. I LOVE the trees on display where all the ornaments are gold and red or blue and silver, etc.

So, I have to have a fake tree. They are uniform. And they come pre-lit, which is the BEST. And they hold the ornaments much better than a real tree. I think we only had a real tree twice when I was growing up. And I remember being frustrated that the ornaments wouldn't stay. And my dad took freakin' FOREVER to string the lights.

I have to admit that I put up two trees. And if I had room I'd have even more. I have a "family tree". It's 7 feet tall (we have vaulted ceilings) and it's pre-lit. This is the one that the kids decorate (and I redistribute the ornaments when they're in bed). All the "normal" ornaments go on this tree.

I also have "my" tree. It's only 5 1/2 feet tall. It's my fairy and snowflake tree. All the ornaments are blue and silver. And I string it with blue lights. I just love it.

How many trees do you have? Real or fake?

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In other news, I've been super busy around here. Cleaning closets and garages. Donating toys and clothes. And general organizing.
Corey- I plan to answer your question in four parts, when I get a minute.
Jo- Thanks for the award. I'll post it soon!
I have figured out the Truth or Dare meme, just need time to post it all.
I'm slowly catching up, but this weekend is busy. Soccer, football party, Christmas pictures, Veteran's Day, etc.