sometimes

sometimes i wait and i don't care for waiting.

You can get Another Day, Another Story for your eReader, Palm, Pocket PC, or iPhone/iPod Touch right here: http://stores.lulu.com/cbright123

a day lost in time

I keep loosing days....aaaaaahhhhh...

Big Kid: "is tomorrow the 24th?"
Me: "No, tomorrow is the 23rd."
Big Kid: "Are you sure tomorrow's not Christmas eve?"
Me: "Yes. Yesterday was Mamaw's birthday on the 22nd, and so today is the 23rd....oh, tomorrow is the 24th! you are right."

OK. so I've lost a day somewhere in there again. Better get a move on and let Big Kid have the computer.

blah, blah, blah...

yap, yap, yap.

i already know my present

Well, my mom called and told me what she got me for Christmas already...the BIG basket of hickory-farms-like sausage and cheeses and crackers and mustards and strawberry candies!!! OH YES!!! I love it all. I love them! They are the best. I will even munch on the straweberry candies at this time of year, and as you probably know, I am not fond of fruit in my candy or dessert.

i digress into a mini conversation typed out loud...

In case you aren't aware, fruit is good on it's own. Fruit is not good in anything else. Fruit can be mixed with other fruit, but not dessert, candy, bread, meat, or whatever you've cooked up. It's just not as good as plain fruit as far as I'm concerned. And since this universe revolves around me...what? this universe revolves around the sun, which is just another star, and there are many universes out there with their own suns, which are stars to you and me...you mean people actually mix fruit with things other than fruit...well, i'll be dogged...hence strawberry candies in sausage baskets.

why is it?

Why is it that on a Saturday morning with nothing planned, I wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual and can't go back to sleep? (yes, that means I've been up since 6 a.m.)

rats. i might as well go to the grocery store. unless...you would like to go to the store for me?...rats. i'm going to the store.

ramblings because i know everyone appreciates ramblings

Well, it's Friday night and I feel alright. yes, it's friday night, oh yeah. My man and son are off to the local Kroger to pick up the stuff to make homemade pizzas for supper. We debated going out, but were in agreeance that really all things seemed to have the similar suckage sound to it. So, homemade pizzas and tiny drinks are on tap for the night. Perhaps we will watch a movie, too.

OK. I must tell you, it is mighty strange that every time I sit at my computer that my cat comes and sits in the "his smoking chair" beside me and gives himself a bath. I really don't care to listen to a cat lick himself, I must say. It's just, well, creepy and odd.

Speaking of creepy and odd...Elvis has been visiting me lately. M noted it the other day. I have chimes with fake misltoe and a fairy over the sink. He was in the kitchen with me and the bells tolled on their own. M was like, whoa what just happened. I didn't have the heart to tell him strange other things have been happenin'. So, I just blamed it on Elvis, like usual. eeeeeeeee...

Oh, I hear the dryer buzzer. I guess I should go fold some clothes. I live for laundry. ha! OK. maybe drinks. ;)

Well, I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season. I am.

Miss you all.
later-cb

yesterday

yesterday, i got flowers. and yes, i'm bragging.

aaaaaahhhhh where is my list

It's time for me to check it once and check it twice, but I can't find that stupid list this morning.

Where have you gone little list of all things important to my day today? I will not need you tomorrow for tomorrow I will need a new list. I need you today! Come out, come out wherever you are!!!

BEST Christmas gift EVER

Last night, the kids "shopped" from the Christmas gifts that I had purchased for gifts for each other and for their dad. I lay all the gifts out on the bed and they have an amount of fake money they get to spend. I group the presents in categories like $25, $10, $5, and $1 gifts. Then they select whatever they want to buy with their fake money. This has worked great the past couple of years. They feel ownership of the presents, without the overspending and complaining of taking them out to purchase gifts. A win/win situation in our house. As London Tipton would say, "yea me!"
____________

Well, last night after the "shopping" everyone went to bed. Then around 9:30, Big Kid gets up and comes downstairs asking for some paper.

Me: "What do you need paper for?"
Big Kid: "Because I want to make you and dad an early present and give it to you."
He sounds really sincere and so I told him to go ahead and left him in the office to work on his personal project. He probably worked around 15 to 30 minutes on this and then he ran up stairs for about another 5 minutes.

He came downstairs and gave M and I both a card each and then another card to share. He even made another card for his sister.

My card read: " Merry Christmas from: Big Kid to: mom" on the outside with a big heart around it. On the inside was another picture of a heart with two stick figures, one labeled mom and the other labeled big kid. And inside was this note: "Dear mom, thank you for being my mom and talking to me when I needed you to and for having me. hope you like my gift. Love: Big Kid to: Mom" Each note that he wrote was personal and wonderfully caring. And he gave me his reading pillow. He picked gifts from things he owns in his room. Big Kid picked things he thought we would enjoy. He knows I like to sit in my bed and read or do paperwork stuff. He gave M the book Treasure Island, because they read together. And he gave his little sister Little Bit, the music cd Sky High that she borrows from him all the time. It's his favorite cd.

Well, I have to tell you I boo-hoo'ed. And I'm a little misty eyed right now. I am soooo proud to have such a wonderful boy with such a caring personality.

I love you, Big Kid. Thank you for making my Christmas perfect.

language skillz

Me: "Did you get all your crap for school?"
Little Bit: "Momma, you shouldn't say the c-word. That's not nice. You should say something like, 'stuff' or 'junk', not the c-word."
Me: "You're right. I shouldn't say the c-word." but really, i'm thinking of many words that start with c and other letters. and i shouldn't say any of them. but sometimes i do. oops.

jolly ole saint nicholas

5th grade band concert...Big kid is 3rd from left of red sweater.

5th grade band concert

Can you see Big Kid's head? From the red sweater, count 3 to the left.



I got a few pics of Big Kid and even more pics of this lady with the red sweater who prefered talking to her man than listening to the concert.



Before the big concert pic.

At home before the show. He looked great and sounded great!

And they were GOOD! I was amazed that all these children learned so much in just 3 months. And they actually sounded good together. This was only their 2nd time to play all together.

december happinininin

The 3rd grade Parent Involvement party. Little Bit and her friends making snowflakes for the tree.

Little Bit and I working on a Christmas card.

I went to a soup lunch on the snow day. Here's some who were there. Thanks, Shannon!

Little Bit dressed warm in her big pink jacket and Christmas present boots that she opened early because of the snow day.

too late too early

well, i had a post on here last night about my dog, but i decided it was too gross to leave. in summation of the last deleted post. My dog is bad. I think he needs to straighten up or find a new home. I think neither will be happening anytime soon. i think i'm stuck with a BAD dog.

Anyone interested in a BAD dog?

more santa stories

So, tonight we went to see Santa. Some conversations prior to seeing the Big Guy.

Me: "I think we're going to see Santa tonight, so you can tell him what you want for Christmas and all."
Big Kid: "Well, I'M PRETTY SURE that 'Santa' knows what I want for Christmas."
Me: "Well, that might be true, but I would like for YOU to have a PICTURE with Santa. Don't you want to make your mother happy?!?"
Big Kid: "Sure. But I think Santa KNOWS what I want for Christmas."
Me: "Yes, I think so."

In the car, on the way to see Santa.

Little Bit: "Are you gonna tell Santa that you want a 3 box for Christmas, Big Kid?"
Big Kid: "It's a X Box 360."
Little Bit: "Yeah, I know, a 3 Box 6."
Big Kid: "An X Box 360."
Little Bit, sighs: "A Box 3 60."
M: "Yeah, Big Kid, I think Santa's bringing you 3 boxes." hee hee.

The picture turned out really cute.

Little Bit gave Santa a letter she wrote. She read it to him. "What is my tooth fairy's name? Does she/he have a pet? Is the place the tooth fairy lives called Fairy Land? Love, Daisy" Well, Santa told Daisy the tooth fairy's real name. But, he made her promise not to tell. She promised. Thus, she has clammed up and not told anyone, no matter how much we beg and plead. I guess she really wants those gifts this year.

many belated replies

i must get better at replying, and many other things...

Mommy Magee said...
Hey! WOW! When you cook you go all out!!!!!! This is probably the amount of cooking I can get done in a week. I'd like some chocolate cupcakes too. :) That sounds very yummy. I'll have to settle for my oreo's and frozen dinner today. lol

Dear Mommy Magee: Yes, yes i do go all out. But, i usually try to just go out, to Sonic, or Taipai or somewhere out of the house. :) later-cb

10:24 AM
Mommy Magee said...
Hey! Heard the blue parka guy from the Weather Channel was in town! Is there a blizzard?!

Dear Mommy Magee: No blizzard, but pretty snow all day, until the kids got out of school. It quit just when the last school bell rung. boo! later-cb

Anonymous said...
"Not anymore" I LOVE IT!PL

Dear PL: M thinks he's funny. He is. And yet, somehow I'm no less quite. ha ahahhahahahaha. later-cb

7:36 AM
Mommy Magee said...
Oh sister. You maka me laugh. Merry Christmas!

Dear Mommy Magee: you maka me laugh too. miss ya! later-cb

tales_from_the_crib said...
as a matter of fact, i can't think of one single person without a birthday.really strange, isn't it?

Dear tales from the crib: I know, strange! And people just keep having them. I guess it beats the alternative. later-cb

Mommy Magee said...
thaaaatttt's true!

Dear mommy magee: you sound just like Tony the Tiger! Are you related? later-cb

9:12 AM
tales_from_the_crib said...
they're just mediocre...but at least they're coated in sugar!!!

Dear tales from the crib: is there really any point in eating cereal, unless its coated in sugar? later-cb

12:46 PM
Mommy Magee said...
Oh, yes, that was a superb movie. Val Kilmer is an acting genious, genies, ok, well I'm not one of those but you get the picture! lol

Dear Mommy Magee: Val Kilmer, need i say more...ok, yes i do. Val Kilmer, val kilmer, val kilmer. Hey, whatever happened to our poems we wrote on his poetry website. i saw mine pop up on there. did you win? They never contacted me, so i figure you must have won if i didn't. btw did i mention, Val Kilmer? :) later-cb

Chris Edens said...
I just got home from thanksgiving travels and am hoping to get myself into the Christmas mood by reading your cherry holiday blogs...put me in the mood, girl. right now, i don't even want to put up a tree. i'm seriously considering just putting up the nativity and the stockings and being done with it!

Dear Chris: Seriously, if that's all you feel like putting up, then that's all you should do and enjoy the season. It's all about having fun in my mind. We only go around once. So, forget decorating, and give me a call and let's go for coffee or lunch. "down with work, up with fun!" -my new t-shirt slogan. later-cb

8:07 AM
Mommy Magee said...
Whew! You wear me out. I'm hoping to bake some cookies sometime between now and Dec 23rd and put up the pencil tree. I did notice this morning going to the Y that all the neighbors had already taken down their pumpkins/thanksgivingy things and had wreaths and garland and lights and trees in windows. These people are on the ball!

Dear Mommy Magee: I repeat from Chris with a few modifications: Seriously, if that's all you feel like putting up, then that's all you should do and enjoy the season. It's all about having fun in my mind. We only go around once. So, forget decorating, and give me a call and we'll visit as we watch tv together drinking hot cocoa. "down with work, up with fun!" -my new t-shirt slogan. later-cb

santa conversations

Little Bit: "I think Santa goes to Holiday World for his summer spot."
Me: "Um-hm."
Little Bit: "Remeber we saw him there."
We did see him at Holiday World- a water park in Illinois- in the summer a two summer's ago.

Little Bit: "When does Santa come where we can go see him?"
Me: "I think he's there now at Market Street. We can go see him and get your picture taken."

Little Bit: "He must park his raindeer behind the building."
Me: "What?"
Little Bit: "So we can't see them, the raindeer. I bet they like to be pettedd. I bet Rudolph likes it the most. He probably goes like this."
She smiles big and make a chopping sound, pretending to be Rudolph.

Little Bit: "I don't like the Santa at the mall. I like the one at Market Street."
Me: "Don't worry. We'll go to Market Street."

A pause of thought.
Little Bit: "Is that the REAL Santa?"
Me, think quick!: "Well, Santa has Santa helpers because he has SO much to do at this time of year. They all get the information for Santa." Whew.
Little Bit: "Then then tell him?"
Me: "Or maybe Santa just sees it and know what you want. You know, 'he see ou when your good or bad."
Little Bit: "Yeah, he probably see in that big snow globe."
Me: "Yes, probably so."

Another pause of thought. Then she gulpped big!
Little Bit, shocked: "Oh, no! Do you think he just saw me in the shower?!?"
Me, shocked, too: "No! No. He doesn't see you in the shower."
Little Bit: "Only with my clothes on?"
Me: "Yes. Just with clothes."
Little Bit: "O.K."

Satisfied with the conversation, Little Bit went on to get her book to read.

cold weather talk

Baby, it's cold outside...to quote a familiar tune. And we is talkin' cold...in the 40's here in the H-town vacinity. Can you believe that? And everyone is talkin' SNOW this Friday.

Now, let me clarify. Snow around here means 3 to 4 spits of the white stuff, lasting anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. But, hey, I'll take it and play in it and try to catch the few flakes on my tounge and drag my children out in their pajamas to see it. Yes, i like snow. I say if it's going to be cold out, there might as well be snow.

This cold weather has gotten me into a hibernation phase. Ok, maybe it's not the cold weather. But, that is the "blame name" I'm going with today. Instead of finishing decorating the tree and winter wonderland, I instead went Christmas shopping and grocery shopping.

I also decided to cook supper tonight. What was that? The sucking in of the paper boy from his paper route out of the sheer shock of me cooking. I know. Amazing! Anywho, I made Stew for supper. (not my dad Stew, no the one with potatoes, carrots and steak. yum.) I also made Sister Shubert Rolls. The very best rolls in the frozen food section. And I boiled some eggs for this week. Cut up a bunch of fruit to have on hand for breakfast and such. Deboned 2 chickens, cut up carrots and celery for this soup luncheon I'm going to on Friday. I'm taking chicken noodle soup. Original, right?

AND I made chocolate cupcakes with white icing. I think I should make these more often, because all were excited and these were the comments I received:

M: "Who are these for? Us?!? Oh, wow!"
Big Kid: "You made CUPCAKES! Can WE have some?"
Little Bit: "Can I have a cupcake, too? I can have some extra icing, too! Oh, yes please!"

Notso Bright

Well, I am just not feeling so smart today. Last night's phone conversation with the cable company.

Me: "Hello. Yes, what I'm calling about is my Internet seems to be slow. I don't know if it's because it's cyber Monday or what and I'm calling to see if it's from your end or my end."
Nice Lady: "Did you check to see if your firewalls are set too high."
Me: "Firewalls? What? Wait a minute. M! Did we change our firewall settings?"
M, from other room: "No."
Me: "We haven't changed our firewall settings since last night and it was running fine last night. And today I checked the memory of the computer, ran a scan, unplugged everything, called and got a reset from you and I just can't figure it out."
Nice Lady: "Let me check."

All is quite.

Nice Lady: "Do you have a router?"
Me: "A router. No, but we do have a wireless modem."

DUH!

Nice Lady: "Um. That is a router."

DUH!

Me: "Oh. ok." Fantastic I'm so glad I have that major in computer science. DUH!
Nice Lady: "Could you reset your router?"
Me: "I did that earlier."

Nice Lady: "Could you do it for ME?"
Holy crap, i would hate putting up with people like me.
Me: "Ok." big sigh.

M: "Hey, my laptop is running much faster now."
Me: "Ok. That was it. Thank you."
Nice Lady: "Can I help you with anything else?"
Me: "No. That gets it."
Nice Lady: "Well, thank you for doing business with comcast..."
click.

It's horrid being notso bright.
________________

On a lighter note, I got my "Christmas gift" from M last night.

He came in last night with a big package. Big Kid and Little Bit come following him in the room all excited.

M says, "Here's your Christmas gift."

These thoughts run through my head:
Wow. We just had a conversation that morning about not getting any presents for each other and here he is with a nice size box. Oh, the box says, "Kohler."

I say out loud, "a new faucet?"

My thoughts are running wild now:
A new faucet? Oh, could he be thinking of redoing the bathroom. I didn't think we had enough money to redo anything right now. But here it is a faucet. Or MAYBE the kitchen. He's had all these pictures of kitchens this fall that he has sent me and printed out. Oh, my...

Big Kid with a huge smile: "I know what it is. It's got a picture on the side here." Big Kid covers it up with his hand. I push his hand away.

It's A...
toilet seat?

Really? A toilet seat. hmm...my thoughts are still upbeat and positive.
maybe it's a bathroom redo. or maybe...

Me: "Is this for the kid's bathroom? Because that is a good idea, something is wrong with their seat."
M: "No, it's for our bathroom. Look at this."

He pulls it out of the package and lifts the lid.

Me: "What?"
M: "Look when you put the lid down, it closes slowly and quietly."
Me, not so thrilled now, "So, what your saying is I'm too loud at night when I go to the bathroom."
M: "Not anymore."

Merry Christmas to me.

thought

It seems everyone I know has a birthday.

Ready!

I have...

• Changed my yahoo im avatar into my Christmas outfit with a Christmas lights and Santa filled background.
• Updated my status to, "Ho,ho, ho and all that good stuff!"
• Changed the desktop wallpaper to an old pic of my kids dressed as an angel and shepard from about 8 years ago.
• Created a super, fantastic slideshow of Christmas pictures past for my screen saver on the computer and digital photo frame in the kitchen.
• played the Christmas falling ornament game on the abcfamily site until my high score is 370.

I believe that I am virtually ready for Christmas. well, almost...

a thought

I think that Tony made a wise decision going with the phrase,

"They'rrrrreee GREAT!"

instead of, "They're pretty good."

i must learn to sepll my password correctly

Sometimes, it's difficult to log on whenever you have trobule spelling the password. Anywho...

The movie Real Genius is still one of my favorites. I really considered going for my masters in computer science, only with the notion to build a laser program for the 1/2 time of the Razorback basketball games that would involved many tiny mirrors, a fog machine, and some fun peppy muzak. Alas, I realized it involved more math and more money, both of which I had no vested interest.

I find it funny this movie made such a mark on me. I guess it was this movie that made me realize even I had a place in this world. I took it upon myself to learn to twirl pencils like Val Kilmer does coins. And I still laugh at the same places and daydream at the same moments and dance to the soundtrack at the same frames. What a great movie.

My man doesn't get my infatuation with this movie, but he should be thankful for it. As it was in this movie, that I realized that it was ok to find a person that was smart to be hot. And I do like smart...

reply

tales_from_the_crib said...
Mmmm...Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk cookies sound good for lunch, don't they?

Dear Tales from the Crib:
Yes, yes Peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies do sound good for lunch. And you know what sounds even better, me coming over to your house to eat those peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies for lunch. mmm...
later-cb

check, check

1. Decorate the staircase. Check.
2. Decorate the kids rooms. Check.
3. Help kids decorate their Christmas trees. Check.
4. Go grocery shopping at like 8 a.m. before the crowds get there. Check.
5. Buy self peppermint mocha as a pat on the back. Check.
6. Decorate the dining room, kitchen, office, bathrooms, and our bedroom. Check.
7. Throw out old dead mums that make the outside look like Hallowing instead of Christmas. Check.
8. Ride bike to gym. Exercise at gym. Ride bike home. Checkers.
9. Buy advent calendars with chocolate. Check.
10. Buy and wrap the beginning advent presents for kids and Rudy. Check.
11. Buy and wrap a few gifts already. Not even December 23rd, what's up with that? Check.
12. Christmas music blarring in the car. Check.
13. Ready to get this Thanksgiving over, so I'm not the only crazy one! Check.

Things left to do:

1. Finish Christmas shopping. *that can wait till Dec. 23rd at Walmart.
2. Decorate the Winter Wonderland in the game room. *doing that within this week is the plan.
3. Decorate the mantel for Christmas. *currently decorated for Thanksgiving due to children's insistance that it is a holiday that we should celebrate. Will do the 30 minute change out on Friday.
4. Finish decorating the patio. * Will take all of 5 minutes, so I'm sure to put that off until after Christmas and be pisssed at myself for never getting around to it.
5. Go get and decorate the big tree. *Patience, Young Grasshopper, patience. We must dine on turkey first.
6. Throw a few parties and go to a few parties. Can't wait!!! I have managed to crash myself on the invite list to a few already this year. By the way, when is your party? I am invited, right?
7. Just pass along general merriment and good will toward all man, woman, child, and animal (stuffed and real).
8. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

i am starving

All this talk about Turkey and cookies lately has gotten me to thinking I'm really hungry...bread pudding, chocolate pies, deviled eggs, stuffed celery, green beans, corn bread, Sister Shubert Rolls, indoor s'mores, Aunt Annie's Sugar cookies....ok. time for lunch.

pretty sure

I'm pretty sure it is me and not the world.

my mottos

Have bag, Will travel.

Have decorations, will celebrate.

My nemisis...The Laundry

Be warned: If you wash and dry your curtains in my washer/dryer, they will shrink, shrink, shrink.

found

I found a quiche in my oven this morning and NO I didn't put it in there this morning or yesterday morning or the morning before that...ok let's just stop there and just say it was a surprise.

replies

OK. It's taken me a while to reply. The blogger people took away my right click copy/paste funtion in my posting of new posts. But, don't worry. I figured a way around it.

I love loopholes. Things I don't love of late are: true stories of loved ones falling in the river and post-it notes of who gets what when they die. Other things that I do love are: tilting my head back in the rain, crafting that actually turns out to look storebought, and comments on my blog. Thanks for reading.

later-cb
_______________________

Anonymous said...
Thick layer of clouds here else you could have been laughing at me. PL

Dear PL:
OK. So the truth is I did stand at the window for a while and consider going out, but I couldn't see much. We all stand under the same sky, especially people like you and I. Which makes Earth a great place to be.
later-cb
________________

Chris Edens said...
That is an awesome story, my friend. Merry Christmas to you!

6:42 PM
Mommy Magee said...
Yahooo! Merry Christmas Sista! You are inspiring me to drag out my Christmas totes next week. :) I may even really bake the cookies I was thinking about baking. :)

Dear Chris & Mommy Magee:
Christmas is half out. But, now laundry got in the way. I think I need one of those cookies. :)
later-cb
________________

Mommy Magee said...
Bet you're wishing you hadn't have woken them afterall. LOL

Dear Mommy Magee:
Yes. Yes. You were correct.
later-cb
______________

Mommy Magee said...
What a cool cool birthday bash!!! Looks like Little Bit had lots of fun! NEAT!!!

3:26 AM
Chris Edens said...
Cassidy had an awesome time!!

Dear Mommy Magee & Chris:
It was good and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to do this for Little Bit. I love her very much.
later-cb

Leonid Meteor Shower and TV

Well, last night I got a phone message from my dad about the Leonid Meteor shower. I thought that it sounded totally cool, surfed on over to www.stardate.org to find the exact time I should be viewing this meteor shower and decided that "yes, i will be getting up at 2 A.M. to see this meteor shower."

That is until, I turned on the tv show Big Bang Theory that I had taped off (recorded for all you newbies) on my DVR. For those who don't watch BBT, it's a show about 4 nerds who live next to a hot girl. Well, I relate to the nerds way too much I realized last night when the opening statement of the show is how they are sitting outside in the cold waiting to see the Leonid shower. So, this made me rethink my nerdness, because they were too funny to laugh at, then i realized i was laughing at myself, which in reality is the best humor, yet sometimes spanks of truth.

Anywho, after the show which i still love and will always DVR it, so i can watch uninterupted. We headed off to dreamland. And I did wake up at 2 A.M. and look out the window. But, I was overcome with being tired and how stinkin' cold my feet felt on the wooden floors that I decided no matter how wonderful it would be to stand under the night sky and watch a miracle, my feet would still be even colder, so i went back to bed.

i just will have to be satisfied with looking up the pictures on the internet.

mental note to self

Mental Note to Self:

When driving, don't let BOTH the dog and cat ride in your lap. It can be difficult to drive.

beware

Beware the vicious attack dog and his gang.

the neighbor has their's up

Well, if the neighbor has their Christmas decorations up in front of their house, then I think we (I) can start decorating. When taking Little Bit to school today, I actually stopped the car, backed up and drove by slow to see the candy canes down along the driveway and the wicker deer in the front yard. It was beautiful and Little Bit said I have permission to go ahead and decorate. Let the glitter begin!

spelling test

Little Bit has to make up a spelling test today. I know she will get the word "putting" correct on the test as she enjoyed spelling it out loud:

"p-u-Tee-Tee-i-n-g. hee. hee. hee. hee. I said Tee Tee. "

What I love about Christmas...

I LOVE Christmas. I really do. I know, you know that I love Christmas, but, hey, I just like saying it.

You know what I secretly love about Christmas, that everyone else deep down loves it, too. It's celebrated everywhere. We're all out here celebrating Jesus's birthday. I know people say, "Why are all the decorations out in the stores in July?" I know it's for money, but I like to think of it as people out there loving this holiday so much that we're celebrating Christmas even in July. You know, this is the one time of the year that somehow our Christian holiday has crossed into everyone's lives.

I know many people who are not Christian's that celebrate Christmas. And I think that is great. You know why? Because maybe someday, they will stop and think and find the real meaning and let it sink deep within their hearts. Christmas gives people the opportunity. I love opportunities. I don't mind saying Happy Holidays because maybe then it can sneek into some other family that might not celebrate otherwise.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts came about 8 or so years ago. It was from a Hindu friend of mine. She was strict Hindu, keeping a prayer alter and all. Yet, for Christmas she put up a Christmas tree and gave gifts. The gift she gave to me was a beautiful spun glass set of Christmas ornaments which included a manger with baby Jesus. I love that ornament. I love Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Let's get decorating!

not for the squeemish

FYI...There just is nothing to say about starting the day out with your child puking in the pantry where you keep all the food. That is unless your sitting at the breakfast table eating scrambled eggs when it happens.

Thankfully, he just has a bad cold. I must say in all my life, I really never planned on certain things.

sometimes

Sometimes, it's just hard to wake everyone for school, especially when they are sleeping so peacefully. And the house is quite and all is good.

Little Bit's Birthday Bash cont.

Little Bit's Big Birthday Bash

Hallowing 2009

The neighborhood is spooky.

M loves his day before Hallowing birthday. Scary skull cupcakes were delish!

Michael is not dead. He was alive and handing out candy to little children on the cul-de-sac. I like how you can see Big Kid trying to jump into the pic.

I was GiGi, the dead Go-Go dancer. And the only adult that actually dressed up all the way.

My off-spring:

Little Bit the Vampire Monster Bride

Big Kid the Skeleton Swamp Monster

What happened to puppy dogs and fairy princesses?

spy novel wins

I will try to work it all in. Look for it to be on shelves in your local bookstores or at least on-line in 3 years. In the meantime, check out my book Another Day, Another Story on www.barnesandnoble.com or www.target.com or www.amazon.com or www.lulu.com

Italy

helpful hint #25

When you find an empty tube of Carmex, minty lip balm, in the dryer,

realize your jeans and underpants will give you a tingly sensation when you put them on.
__________

p.s. I think I am going to quit looking for a job and write a book, since the only job offer I have recieved is to babysit.

Which book should I write:

a reality fiction book of Daisy Blue who grew up in rural Arkansas, full of adventure, laughter and tears and boys with snakes behind their motorcycles and in their lockers

OR

a spy novel about 5 homemaker women who happen to like to blow up bridges and rob from the rich to give to the poor?

new year is rolling up to us: FAST!

OK. So here i sit on November 4, 2009 and I realized, "YIKES! the year is almost over." What were my New Year Resolutions for this year? Did I loose that 58 pounds? Did I climb Mount Everest? Did I go to the dog track at least 4 times this year and come out the big winner at least twice? What were those resolutions and did I live by them? Well, here they are with my results. I still have a month and a half to go, because let's face it the time between Christmas and New Years I'm not thinking about any resolutions other than how much i can stuff into my body.


New Years Resolutions 2009

As Mrs. Slocum would say, "And I am unanimous in this."

1. To be more entertaining in 2009. Check. Definately, more entertaining, and did more entertaining. When I asked M what I'm good at he basicly said throwing a party. So, I believe I've checked this one off.
2. To learn more and share my knowledge with my children more in 2009. Check. I'm sure I've shared all I ever learned in school with my children and now they will just have to rely on their own smarts for their homework, as I'm not smart enough to answer most of the questions anymore. As Jeff Foxworthy would have me say, "No. I am not Smarter than a Fifth Grader, nor a Third grader, for that matter."
3. To not think that playing the pull my finger joke as being entertaining. No Check. Will never be able to say that pull my finger is not entertaining. Alas.
4. Also, not to think that teaching my children how to Saran wrap the toilet seat as being both entertaining and educational, thus checking two items off my list at once. No check. I still find these type items entertaining and educational. And I feel I have not yet fulfilled my children's educational requirements and should share more of my wisdom on these educational type persuits. one month to go.
5. To attend a tent revival. No check. I just didn't see one to attend this year. maybe next year, as it's the winter and they are usually in the spring or fall.
6. To dance to music like Madonna more often. BIG CHECK. Went and saw her in concert and danced with her. Ok. Danced with her from my seat on the floor. but hey, we danced together in the same building. I'm counting it. One dream goal checked.
7. To close the shades on the windows when shaking my groove thing, even if it would count towards being more entertaining. Check. I think no statement needed here.
8. To spend more time doing important things on the computer than facebook, myspace, emailing jokes and just surfing around looking at things I don't really plan to buy. I would say check, if i thought you would believe me. hee.
9. To figure out what "doing more important things" means. No check. Still not sure what important things are.
10. Accept that if being me is cool with me, then I shouldn't be concerned so much if it's not cool for everyone else. Check. Self esteem meter up 100%.
11. Listen more to my children. Check. They are growing and becoming some of my favorite people to hang out with. Love you, Big Kid & Little Bit!
12. Stop and smell all the flowers. O.K. more realistic...stop and smell the good smelling flowers like the roses. Let's face it marigolds stink. Check. I have smelled many flowers this year, literally, at all sorts of places...my yard, my neighbors Magnolia, the flowers by the grocery store, the flowers in the grocery store, the flowers out on the pathways when out bike riding and so forth. Flowers smelled, check. Plus, have the check on the metaphorical checked, too, for those who are interested.
13. Ride my bike for exercise more. Check. I'm still liking the bike ride. Almost a daily thing now. For sure during the week. :)
14. Not count riding my bike to the closest Starbucks for the Grande Mocha with Whip Cream as exercise. Check. I can now ride my bike with no destination in mind. Although, I do still destination ride on occasion to keep me motivated.
15. Finish getting my pilot's licence. No check. Maybe some other year. Still on the dream goal list.
16. Take M up for a ride. No check. refer to 15.
17. Hold hands with M more. Check. Hand holding up 99%.
18. Be nice to people more. Check. Still working on it to be better.
19. Not count saying nice things, but thinking mean things as being nice. Check. Attitude adjustment made.
20. Play with my children more. Check. I'm playing more with children.
21. Play things that my children want to play, not just want I want to play. Check.
22. Relax. Trying to check. Not so interested in the relax thing.
23. Try to just be better. Check.

3rd grade program and brownies

3rd Grade program

Big Kid & Kitty

Doing the Charlie Brown

haunted house

Here's my mini- haunted house. Enjoy!

3 weeks

3 weeks of not feeling so well. i've spent more time in bed these three weeks than i have all of the last 10 years and I'm still tired. boo. not the hallowing boo either. poor me, wah wah wah, sympathy time. ha.

question for the day

Why do we hate the stomach crampy feeling from the flu, but pay for the stomach crampy feeling to ride a roller coaster? i don't know.

slow to reply, but better late than never

Mommy Magee said...
WOW! You are having some great stuff happening! OK... if I buy a lotto ticket with you hold onto it and we'll split the jackpot. LOLHope you have lots of fun in Italy... remember the Duomo and gelato if you get a chance!
11:42 AM

Dear Mommy Magee:
I am always happy to hold anyone's lotto ticket, but you do realize if you win I want a big screen tv...one that works. I promise to remember the Duomo and gelato. My plan is to do it all! Thanks for the info! later-cb

Chris Edens said...
girl - i wanna be you!

Dear Chris:
I'm pretty sure you don't. As with ups, there are downs. Care to go to the doctor for me today? I'm starting on week 3 of some kind of something that makes me tired and achy in strange places and now with a cold. I'm looking for some intervention and have broken down and made an appointment. So, I won't be decorating a stage today, as I'm afraid to share the wealth. later-cb

Mommy Magee said...
Oh toys of any kinds that make noise cheer me and Baby Magee too! FUN! AND WOW! 3 miles, plus ellipitical and 3 miles... WOOOOOOOO! I think just one 3 mile ride alone is very impressive!

Dear Mommy Magee:
Thanks for the impressiveness. I have to say it is somewhat frustrating to get to going so well, then not be able to keep it up. Yet as Arnold would say, "I'll be bac." And I'm glad to hear toys with noise, noise, noise cheer you and my nephew up. We must be related and from the town of Whoville! btw I'm ready to watch that cartoon! May have to pull it out sometime this week. later-cb

Mommy Magee said...
WOW! You sound busy!!! What are you up to this week? :)

Dear Mommy Magee:
Yep. Been busy lately. This week I get to go see U2!!! I'm quite excited. This is M's birthday present to himself. I'm so glad!!! I'm sure there is lots of other things happening, but I'm not focusing on much else. ha! later-cb

Raining Good Fortune

It's been raining good fortune for me the last week. I am going to really milk this good time! Let's review shall we (yes, I'm bragging, sorry):

• Last weekend, we got to go the the house that Jerry built (Dallas Cowboy Stadium) aka the Death Star, and watch the Razorbacks stomp A & M. Sorry, A & M, but you do have a great band!
• Also last weekend, we had a the BEST time spending the night at Aunt Chelle & Uncle Saint's new home.
• And finally last weekend, I won $200 on a scratch off. What! A scratch-off you say! YES! I've never won anything off a scratch off. Then I had one more that weekend and won another $5. I've cashed it all in and already spent it on tutoring, guitar lessons, drive through dinner and good stuff like that.
• This week I found out we get to go to Italy and take the kids with us. Hot dog! or should I say Hot Pizza!
• Also, this week I got to go with M to eat lunch with his clients that I just love! And we got to go to eat at the Meat on a Stick place: Fogo De Chao. YUM!
• And that same night we went out with our friends Abs and Louis and went to the Movie Grill. Let me say first, this is much nicer than the Movie Tavern on 1960. Fresh and pretty. The food was good, but hard to munch on while watching....dun, dun, dun dddduuunnnnn....Zombie Land! OK. This was a GREAT movie. Very B feeling, but done in an A way. Lots of gore and humor. I even found myself going, "Awwwww" feeling sorry for the characters in the movie. I really now want a t-shirt that says Double Tap.
• Yesterday, I had a black cat show up on my door step. No, not a real cat, a sparkly Hallowing Cat with arching back. It is sooo cute. My next door neighbor got that for me and gave it to me as a suprise. I was just sooo excited!!!
• And I won some boots yesterday on some online website that I look at a bit called www.woodlandsmommy.com I sent in a picture of me in my closet with my neon green vinyl shoes and they said I won. So, I sent them my snail mail address and shoe size. I cannot wait to see them.

Ahhhh, good fortune all around. What good things are happening with you?

Things i have learned

Things I have learned recently:

• i can chop up a baby snake with a hoe in less than 30 seconds.
• i can ride my bike 3 miles, exercise on the ellipitical for 30 minutes and ride my bike 3 miles home without passing out.
• the trumpet sounds louder in the morning than in the afternoon.
• vampire teeth equals good grades, as do other bribes.
• i love meat on a stick, any meat...lamb, chicken, steak, pork...
• life is like a roller coaster, when you hit the down valley, slowly you will climb up and hit a peak of wonderment, followed by a wild ride of crooks and turns.
• children of all ages love to push buttons on Hallowing toys, instantly cheering them up.
• if i don't cook breakfast soon, there may be a revolt in the house.

update on life

Well, here's what we've managed to cram into the last 5 days.

• Big Kid's 11th birthday complete with 12 boys and Little Bit and family at Main Event for bowling, laser tag, pizza, cake and arcade games. Who knew boys liked shopping so much for little plastic toys?
• Mamaw, Papaw, Aunt Chelle & Uncle Saint came to visit for the weekend to help celebrate Big Kid's birthday! It was fun!
• Big Kid's soccer game in Conroe. His team won.
• M, Big Kid, Little Bit and I went to the Houston Texans game and had SUPER seats. Let's say just about 5 rows up from the field on the end zone. Tailgating is always good at the Texans games, too.
• Pulled my back ouch. but, let's not whine about it. ok, too late.
• Went to see Brian Greene last night! Super GREAt! Who is Brian Green you might ask? http://www.columbia.edu/cu/physics/fac-bios/Greene/faculty.htmlJust a super cool physicist. We even had meet the guy tickets, yet he was under the weather with a fever so he just gave the lecture. Which was cool, because I'm not really interested in shaking anybody's hand that has a fever. And we enjoyed the lecture, yet we (m and I) both would have liked to hear more of the math. Yet, he was an excellent orator and good to share a bunch of information in a short amount of time to a wide group of people. But, that just encourages me to read more. hmmm...sneaky.

vampire teeth goes up in stock

We will be buying vampire teeth in bulk.

AR test taken with 100%. And she was talking about taking another by tomorrow.

If I had only known sooner that all it took was some vampire teeth.

morning times

Morning times:

• Yesterday morning, I asked the kids to rip down all of Big Kid's streamers and balloons from his birthday. They loved it. Then I asked them to pop all of the balloons. They said they had never popped balloons by sitting on the balloon before. I felt that I had deprived them. They were at first afraid of it hurting, but after the first balloon busted with no sting, they went to town and had a great time. Little Bit also asked me what Ding Dongs were. I described the chocolatey goodness filled with cream and covered in chocolate icing. How could I possibly have kept this from my children? I will be buying some from the store on the next grocery trip.
• This morning, I found a note that read: Remember Vampire Teeth Place. I asked Little Bit what this note was about. She told me her daddy said he would buy her vampire teeth if she would take an AR test at school. She said she is going to take two tests today. I find it odd that my child is bribed with vampire teeth.

aaaaggghhhhhh

Mmmmmuuuusssttt leeeaaavveeee hooouuuuussseee!

finds today

I find today better than all of last week for one reason:

I have decided to put Negative Nancy down to rest. RIP. :0

uh, hello Mr. Principal

Well, this morning the cat ears were worn again. She bounced down the stairs with them and seemed just plain peppy with them on. So, I let her wear them to school.

I do have to say I was quite nervous, when the person who opened our door in car line was the principal. He just looked and let her go on into school. Whew!

snapshots of the day

Today was Character parade at school.

Little Bit was an Aristocat.

She loved the cat ears and has worn them all day. She's reading her nighttime stories with them on.

Big Kid was practicing his trumpet when his dad called.

I shoulda figured

OK. I have had a very busy day and yet don't know if there is much where you can tell. In fact, as soon as I finish this it's off to beddy-bye.

So anyway...I could go through my day to day doll-drum, yet it's even boring to me at this point. Even thought I did have a few way out there Shocker type things happen that do not lend to to somewhat pg/pg13 blog.

Anywho. I should have realized where this day was going when my whole cram reading the bible down my kid's throat in the morning plan backfired on me. So, here is this verse in Proverbs about Kids you should listen to your parents and so forth. Well, of course I feel the need to have discussion time following the 3 verses read.

Me: "So, what were those verses about?"
Big Kid: "I dunno."
Little Bit: "Wwwhat?"
Me: "Who are you supposed to listen to?"
Big Kid: "God."
Me: "Ok. Yes, God...but who else?"
Pause.
Me: "Ok Do I need to read it again?"
Both kids: "your parennts."
Me: "Yes. But, you did bring up a good point, Big Kid. We do need to listen to God, too. In fact, if I tell you to do something and God tells you to do something else, who should you listen to?"
Both Kids: "God."
Me: "That's right."
Big Kid: "God's telling me not to go to school today."
Me: sigh. "What?"
Big Kid: "Yep. God doesn't want me to go to school." hee hee.
Me: "you know what I mean."
Big Kid: "Yep. I'm staying home. God doesn't want me to go."
Me: "you are going."

He went to school. And I went about my day. And now it's over and I'm going to bed. And tomorrow I start over. I'm not sure if I'm ready for another theological discussion. Say a prayer.

the irony of it all

The irony of it all: I hate doing laundry, but I like wearing clean underwear.

Good idea gone bad.

The idea:

• Up the sit ups from 40 to 50
• Up the knee push ups from 20 to 25
• Ride bike from my house to 24 hour fitness on Kurkendall
• Do the elliptical for 20 minutes.
• Ride the bike back home.

You know when you wake up and have this great idea. You seem really enthusiastic about it. You put it into motion.

• Sit ups/Knee Push Ups: I'm thinking, hey this really was a good idea. Look at me go. I'm impressed with myself. Go me!
• Ride bike to 24 hour fitness on Kurkendall: At first I'm thinking ahhhh...fresh air. It feels good out. Then as I ride I'm thinking...Gosh it's muggy out. I don't sweat well in muggy air and i get really hot. hmm...Oh, I realize. I've just added on almost another 1/2 mile to my bike ride to get to this place. Will I be able to make it home?
• Elliptical for 20 minutes: Turns into elliptical for 30 minutes, as I don't know how to work this machine. But, it doesn't seem too bad. I like my music, it's keeping me going. Even the super workout girl beside me only lasts for 20 minutes. ha. That is until I get off that silly machine. All I could think to myself was hang in there Cherie, just walk out the door to the bike...don't fall inside. i made it to the bike. whew.
• Bike ride home: I didn't realize my bike could gear down so low. I slowly weaved back to Lake Woodlands Drive. Then it was as if my bike took over. It was going much faster than my legs were interested. Finally my legs gave in and took off, with my mind screaming...what! What! slow down! how will you make it home?! slow down!... Why do they make these bike helmets weigh so much. I think the force of my neck holding up my head is loosing to the gravity that is pushing that hat down. Will my head just snap off?... At one point i remember thinking...thank goodness I brought my cell phone. maybe I should call someone and ask them to pick up Little Bit from school and watch the kids till M gets home. Maybe someone will find me, laying on the side of the sidewalk. Will their dog sniff at my remains? Will they stop to help me? But, no my legs got me home. it was miraculous.

Let's see if I do it again tomorrow. ha.

my dog

My dog is loving this weather. Everytime it rains (even sprinkles), he thinks he is supposed to come inside. Well, this weekend he has spent more time inside than out. I think he's getting used to it. Rats.

He better not snore too loud tonight.

A normal Sunday morning

Over breakfast, Big Kid and Little Bit argue over the last yogurt crush cup. Who are these children that argue over yogurt? They were satisfied when I divided the yogurt in two little bowls and promised them we would buy more today. Of course, then they got picky..."I want the Danimals drinkable yogurt." "I want more crush cup yogurts!" Picky about yogurt...not my children.

Another conversation at the breakfast table.

Little Bit: "Mom, what is sausage made of?"
Big Kid: "Pig Butts!"
Me: "Ahem! Well, sausage can made of many types of meat, but usually it is made from Pigs. Remember we've had deer sausage that your Daddy brought home before."
Little Bit: "Ok. I like sausage."
Big Kid: "Oh, I was right pig butts."

He looked so proud and mischievous.

Big Kid: "Or maybe these are pig wieners."
I gave him a mean mommy look, as we were eating link sausage and that was just too much of a mental picture for my breakfast.


Earlier this morning Little Bit was sitting in the dark with her sunglasses on just working away on a Sponge Bob drawing. She also drew a fantastic picture of LadyBug, my grandmother's old dog that I told her about. But, I think she imagined it differently, as the picture is of a dog with a ladybug body.

not what i planned

OK. So, I thought tonight was NFL football night, as it turns out it's everyone go play golf except me and I go to meet the teacher night at school. humph.

Are you ready for some football?

These hog pics are from last year. Go, Hogs, Go. 1st game 48-10, but i never heard of the team we played. hmmm...
M: "Tonight is the start of Football."
Me: "Really?"
M: "Well, NFL."
Me: "oh."

I'm also ready for some Hallowing. How much longer until i can set out some witching spells?

Me: "What are y'all going to be for Hallowing this year"

Little Bit: "I'm going to be a vampire or I decided last night for sure that I will be the pink panther."

Big Kid: "Hey, I'm going to be the pink panther. I'm going to be the inspector. You can't be the pink panther."

Little Bit: "But I'm going to be the actual pink panther. I'm going to be the cat."

Big Kid: "But I don't like dressing the same."

So, we're not sure what everyone is going to be yet. I'm sure it will change a few times even on Oct. 31.

We had a visitor the yesterday. He was skinny and weak. I hope he had plenty to eat. He didn't seem too interested in us saying "shoo" so we could move the car.

Things I learned while campin @ Toledo Bend Labor Day wkend 2009

1. It is cooler to make your pancakes in the air-conditioned pop-up camper.


2. The smoke alarm works in the camper.


3. If you say "watch out for the poop" that is on the ground. Your child will definitely sit his toy down on it.


4. A playground cures a horrible cough.


5. Toy fist terrier dogs are really just a Dalmatian/ chichichua mix.


6. You can jump rope with seaweed.


7. Don't rock the canoe.


8. At Bass Haven, 12 bags of ice equals two small coolers.


9. Gummy Eyeballs pop real loud under car tires


10. A parachute makes for great shade and the best looking campsite.

camping Labor day

The Geico Eyes...later they got ran over in the road. That song is stuck in my head.

We swam a lot in the weeds. Until we took out the canoes to a fantastic spot...weed free. I didn't get any pictures of our new canoe. I was afraid we'd tump over. :)

We really enjoyed the sandy beach swimming hole. It was a good weekend.