What a Difference a Year Makes!

Merry Christmas!!! I hope you had a great day with friends and family!

This time last year (literally folks) I started having contractions. We’d had a wonderful Christmas – good gifts, good food, good times! I’d cooked much of that good food – I have no idea why, really. I mean, I was REALLY pregnant and big as a stinkin’ house. But, I was in the mood so … I cooked.

I’d been having contractions on and off for most of December and I’d basically just decided that BK was coming on the 28th as planned. On Christmas day, just in case,  I told her to stay put. I didn’t want to have to explain to Little Man that Santa doesn’t usually bring babies. I didn’t want his Christmas to be interrupted because I knew his next year would be for sure!

So, at around 10 PM, when the contractions started up? I didn’t think too much about it … until I couldn’t sleep through them. Then, I thought, “Hmmm … I think these might be real.”

I woke Husband up around midnight and we talked and timed until about 2. Then we woke the neighbors who’d agreed to watch Little Man, and went to the hospital.

BK stayed put on Christmas. She arrived the next morning at about 9:45 or so. It was not a long labor, really. In fact, I slept through most of it. It was a very peaceful event. Very calm, cool, and collected.

Fast forward to tonight.

BK has had her first Christmas. She ate a lot of wrapping paper. [We tried to keep her from actually eating it, but she's fast and wrapping paper gets mushy pretty quickly.] She played with her big brother. She took a nap. She creeped around and basically got into everything. It was the total opposite of how she came into the world. Not much was calm, cool, or collected.

And now? She’s finally asleep. [I think.]

I could never have guessed, a year ago, how much she would change our lives and I can’t really put my finger on where this year has gone. It’s flown and she’s grown. Last year she wasn’t here and now I can’t imagine life without her.

So, where does that leave us tonight? Well, Husband has gone to bed and will probably get to sleep though the night. Little Man is snuggled up, tired and content. Me? Well, I’m definitely NOT having contractions.

Tomorrow, this little family will wake up and enjoy the day together – just hanging out and playing. [My guess is that there will be some cake involved!]

What a difference a year makes!

Christmas Eve

I drove to work today while the rest of my little family was snug in their beds. I’ve got no idea what they had visions of … I’m guessing Skittles and paper given current trends!

I was crusing  (at the speed limit, thank you) through a rather barren place when the sun rose over the mountains – it was stunning. It made me smile and look forward to the day.

Christmas Eve may just be my favorite day of the year. It’s so full of anticipation and a sort of harnessed, yet unrestrained, joy. You can feel the energy of this day – a day where almost anything seems possible. A day where we wait for great things – and don’t really mind the wait.

As I think about the evening ahead, I remember the sunrise this morning. That clear, spectacular sunrise in a place that otherwise seems barren strikes me as something not-so-dissimilar to the event we celebrate tomorrow.

That thought stopped me in my tracks for a minute. How many other daily reminders do we have? How many go unseen?

So tonight, my prayer is that in the joy of celebration, we don’t forget the simple gifts … stunning beauty in unexpected places, the quiet breathing of a little one sleeping, the fellowship of friends … as we celebrate a gift beyond measure – a very small child who came to save a very big world.

Merry Christmas to all!

Missile Toe Kiss B Low

Tonight I thought I’d share a Christmas story with you. It’s probably more of a Christmas “overheard”, but story sounds so much better!

Um … I digress … OK.

Little Man, Husband, BK, and I were sitting on the couch watching a very cool story about how they make plastic bottles (Nothin’ says Christmas quite like a Science Channel piece on plastic bottles.). It was one of those few-and-far-between times when everyone was sort of still and together.

One of the examples they were showing was the making of an apple juice bottle and Little Man is very much liking apple juice right now. So, of course, this triggers an almost immediate request.

OK … bad mommy admission coming up.

I was tired and didn’t want to get up and get him some apple juice. So, I tried to divert him. It went something like this.

Little Man; Mom, I want some apple juice right now.

Me: I want a kiss on my nose right now.

Little Man: There’s no mistletoe.

And then there was silence. He and I have never talked about mistletoe and that whole tradition. The whole comment came out of the blue (which happens a lot with Little Man).

I recovered. The conversation continued.

Me: How do you know about mistletoe?

Little Man: Clifford. (… the Big Red Dog)

Me: OK, so tell me about it. What’s mistletoe?

Little Man: Mistletoe has 3 sides (I think he meant leaves) and if there is some you have to get kissed.

Me: Hmmm. OK. So if we had some….

Little Man: Then I would have to kiss you, and Daddy, and BK.

Me: What if you were under it?

Little Man: Then I would have to get kissed.

Me: I see. What do you think about that? Should we get some mistletoe?

Little Man: No.

I think I’m going to wake him up on Christmas morning by holding a big sprig of mistletoe over his head and becoming the kissy monster.

When he’s asleep at night and I check on him before I go to bed, I give him a kiss – and there’s not a hint of mistletoe in sight. Just sweet sleepy head. I wonder what he’d have to say about that????

Shhh … don’t tell him!!!!

Merry Christmas!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

There have been quite a few weekends in my life where I’ve ending them in wonder. When I’m lucky, it’s the type of wonder that is synonymous with awe. Most of the time, I’m just plain wondering where the heck the whole thing went and who was driving!

I considered writing about a whole bunch of things today, but I think I’ll just stick with three biggies.

The Good

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat…

…and that means Christmas decorations! (You are wondering if I’ve forgotten Thanksgiving, I know. I  haven’t. I’m just very thankful for Christmas!)

I think that this is going to be my favorite Christmas decoration this year. My mom made it and it will NOT be showing up on Craftastrophe!

Anyway, I just think this is stunning (even with the packing peanut that I didn’t see until I cropped the pic) and I want about three more just like it so I can decorate my bar counter with them! Thanks, Mom!

… and family pictures!

We got dressed up in our best Christmas duds – which I went out and bought for everyone – and headed to our favorite photog’s studio. I am so excited because I think that we got some really good shots. I’m scared because I know how much I’m going to want to buy! Meh, it’s all good!

Oh, and to close out the good section for today? A little tidbit I learned from Bob the Builder. Cashmere is made from goat hair. I must say I did not know that.

The Bad

Saturday started with a very lethargic baby and ended with a temper tantrum of ginormous proportions! The baby is fine. Little Man is still alive and has learned a valuable lesson. One he practiced today!

The Ugly

New wireless routers that replace currently working wireless routers should take no more than 10 minutes to set up. The fact that this was not the case for me is not the ugly of which I speak, however.

Ugly by another name is horrible technical support!

So, quick bit of unsolicited advice from me to the technical support folks of the world.

• If I’m calling you, I’ve tried all of the helpful troubleshooting techniques offered in any number of places. I realize not all customers troubleshoot before they call and I understand that not all customers are technically savvy, but when I tell you what I’ve done and why I’ve done it at the top of the call … take my word for it, listen to how I’m explaining my issue, and don’t repeat what I’ve just read and done!
• There is nothing more frustrating than not being listened to when you are having technical stress. I don’t mean do a crossword while I vent, I mean listen to me and attempt to follow what I’m saying! Oh, and if we happen to be in different countries, ask me if you don’t understand what I’ve just said, Because we need to understand each other.
• To extend this … if I don’t understand you, I’m  going to ask you to repeat yourself. If that makes you mad, you may need to reconsider your job choice. We need to understand each other.
• If you are having a crappy day, get over it (fake it if you have to). You are getting paid. I’m the one paying you and I will take my business elsewhere.
• To extend this … don’t speak sharply to me. It’s not OK. Ever.

You know what? I get that the customer isn’t always right and, in fact, they are sometimes dead wrong. However, a company lost by business forever today and it had nothing to do with their product. I went to a competitor for one reason only … horrible technical support. I am but one humble consumer, but I bet I’m not alone. The call may have been recorded for training, you know. I do hope it was!

All I Want for Christmas is… (Little Man’s Version)

Wait! Before you keep reading, it’s important that you insert the tune of this song into your cranium!

 

These kids are really cute and, by all means, feel free to thank me for the ear worm later!

Here, for your consideration, is Little Man’s current version of All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.

 

I am almost 5 just so you know.
My tastes are getting costly as I grow.
I don’t know just what to do to stop catastrophe!
But my wish list for Christmastime is as long as it can be!

All I want for Christmas
is a blue iPod,
a blue iPod,
yep, a blue iPod!

Gee, if I could only
have a blue iPod,
then I could listen
just like Daddy.

It seems so long since my last haul,
I simply can’t decide what I should ask for.
Catalogs come most every day
If I could only get more! (More! More!)

 

[Spoken interlude not in the original:

Me: Little Man,  you are going to have to choose. You can't ask for everything. Let's think about what you need or will actually play with. And, while we are at it, let's think about what toys can be donated to kids who aren't as blessed as you are to have so many toys.

Little Man: What does that mean? Are we going to throw away my toys? I don't have one of these ... or one of these ... or one of these. I really think I need one.

Me: Well there are some kids that don't have toys like you do. Don't you think that they would like to play with construction trucks and cars and blocks? I think you would be sad if you didn't have toys to play with and you have so many that I think we could make another little boy very happy.

Little Man: OK, I'll give someone this truck because I don't play with it anymore.

Me: Sounds good! Are there others you think we could add?

Little Man: Nope.

Me to Husband: OK, we're going to need to keep working on this!

Little Man: Mom! Look at what I found in this catalog!]

 

All I want for Christmas
is a motorized boat,
a motorized boat,
yep, a motorized boat.

Gee, if I could only
have a motorized boat,
then I could drive it
in the bathtub!

 

I will spare you the approximately 100 additional verses that I could add to the song. I’m not kidding, there are at least 100.

I love Little Man’s excitement at this time of the year – even if we need to work on the idea of giving a bit more. He’s just enjoying being almost 5 at almost Christmas – in his very active and very honest way!

Instead, I think that I’ll enjoy listening to my guys put up the Christmas tree as I watch BK sleeping peacefully to Josh Groban’s Christmas music.

There will be time for lists later – right now, I think I’m having a bit o’ Heavenly peace!

All I Want for Christmas Is…

It’s time to make a list, I guess. Husband is expecting one and Little Man is way ahead of the game. I think he keeps a perpetual list just in case anyone is willing to buy him something. He doesn’t want to be unprepared! But, this post isn’t about that. More about that later.

I’m a fairly simple person to buy for, really. My wants (yes, I sometimes inaccurately categorize them as needs) are typically fairly consistent and predictable. Having said that, living with Husband has taught me that creating specific gift lists is a good idea!

So, without further ado, here is my list for this Christmas. (There will be a disclaimer later, you can bet on it!)

1. A Hairband
   Not just any hairband, mind you. I want one that fits like a pair of sunglasses. I love the way a good pair of sunglasses holds back hair without flattening it.  They also tend to save you from an aching head at the end of the day! Right now, I’m forced to wear my sunglasses at night (and at all other times of the day) because they are truely the most perfect hairband. If I was a more paranoid person, I’d be worried about people talking. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they are … I’m just not worrying about it!
2. Automatically Flushing Toilets
   I am currently sharing bathrooms with an almost 5 year old who has (hopefully temporarily) decided he’s got better things to do than flush (unless he’s reminded, of course). I think that the folks at the airport have something on this one. Oh, and I’d like someone to invent an automatic cleaning system for these too, please!

Pretty simple really. Nothing too dramatic or exotic. Practical and pragmatic … that’s me!

OK … I may or may not decide that I’ve oversimplified a bit and it’s possible that my list will get longer (and frankly, not include either one of these items). I’m not fickle, just a bit on the immediate gratification side this time of year! I mean, it’s not Thanksgiving yet for goodness sake! It’s too early to make a definitive list. It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, right?

In the Mood

It’s Christmas time and time for a carol. Time to sing about the little King. To fill the hall and roll out the barrel, have ourselves a fling.

Ahhh … The Carpenters. Gotta love ‘em.

For several weeks now, I’ve been thinking that I want to have a Christmas party. (If Husband is lurking, that statement should get him to crawl out and come to life!) I can picture it in my head and it all seems like a grand idea.

The house will be decorated for the holidays and will smell like gingerbread (from candles, I’ve got my limits and a very good candle distributor) or perhaps evergreen (I’ve got a good REAL TREE connection as well). The lights will be dim allowing the Christmas lighting do most of the heavy lifting. A fire will be burning outside in the fireplace. The night will be crisp and comfortable so – either out or in – everyone will be comfortable.

I’ve got a great new recipe book for dips that I’m dying to try so, I think I’ll go all out and set up an appetizer bar (which is, by the way, where you’ll be able to find me) and a buffet. On the buffet? Hmmm … let’s do a nice beef entree … something that melts in your mouth. We’ll go with a salad and a couple of simple veggies to round out the meal. Hot cider and chocolate and a good wine might be excellent choices to wet the whistle.

In the background, you’ll hear a soft mixture of Christmas favorites – I’ve got some amazing instrumental tracks that would be wonderful background music for this little soiree.

The guest list will include friends, old and new, who will talk easily as they moved through the evening. No stress. Just time to talk with friends, catch up on family happenings, and tell great stories about years past.

There, all planned. Well, except for a few fairly important things. You know, things like

• What date will work?
• Who’s going to clean this house?
• Where are we going to put all of the toys?
• Who’s going to cook? (I can eat with the best of them. Cooking for more than a few … yeh, not going to end well, I think.)
• Where are the kids going to be while all of this sophisticated adult stuff is going on?

I’ll stop with those because they are the ones keeping me from sending out invitations at this point.

Here’s what is cool about this whole thing. Ready?

We are lucky enough to have a lot of friends who would attend this party that I’ve described. But those same friends would be just as likely to come join us for hamburgers and brats or pizza – in a house full of toys and kids.

See, the thing is, when you get right down to it? This Martha Stewart vision I’ve got is about all of the things from my childhood that scream, “It’s Christmas.” None of it, however, IS Christmas.

So, I’ll see y’all at … hmmm … (insert eating establishment here) and we’ll connect.  I’ll catch some of you on Facebook. Others, I’ll call. Of course, I’ll meet you all here!

However we connect … we’ll connect. Welcome to the party!

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut!

The holiday season is officially here. Know how I know? I’m craving buckeyes. No, I’m not having fantasies about Ohio State football or planning to become an arborist. I simply can’t get enough of the candy. It’s part of the most wonderful time of the year!

Here’s where I launch into my explanation of what a buckeye is. If you’re not from what I’ll call “the Ohio Midwest” you probably have no idea what I’m rambling on about! Usually, I’m ranting in person and I have to remember a lot from my childhood (when all I really want folks to do is eat a piece of this lovely stuff).

Thanks to the Internet … ahhhh … we can get right to the good stuff!

Here are a few links for those who are interested in the whole buckeye thing!

• Aesclus Glabra – from Wikipedia
• The Buckeye Tree Site – who knew there was such a thing?
• The Ohio State Buckeyes – and don’t you dare forget the “THE” at the front of that thank you very much. (Did you read sarcasm there?)

Now … here is what I want you all to do. Stop reading and make a grocery list. There is no reason that we shouldn’t all gain weight together!

Make a batch of these right away.

2 sticks of a butter/margarine product (1 stick butter and 1 stick margarine works nicely)
2 cups of cheap peanut butter (crunchy or smooth – your call)
4 cups confectioners sugar

Mix all that together and chill for 2 hours. Roll into buckeye-sized balls (eh, about 3/4 inch in diameter). Stick a toothpick into each buckeye so that you’ll have a handle for dipping!

Melt 1 1/2 large packages of chocolate chips with a sliver of paraffin (paraffin isn’t absolutely necessary, but it makes the chocolate smoother).

Dip the newly formed, almost done buckeyes into this gooey mess leaving a small bit of peanut butter showing on top (it’ll look like a buckeye).

Place the newly dipped buckeyes on waxed paper so that the chocolate can harden.

Eat. Freeze some. Eat. Share some. Eat!

There are probably hundreds of recipes for buckeyes floating around out there, but this one came straight from the lady who introduced me to them some 30 years ago (ack, really?) so it’s the one I go with! She doesn’t even measure anymore!

Enjoy!!! Got milk?