I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your diary. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either.
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To love Yankee Candles. I currently have the buttercream one lit and it smells fabulous.
To have survived on four hours of sleep on Friday since I went out shopping at 2 AM.
To hate having to lug out all the Christmas decorations but love the outcome when everything is all out.
To love the cheeseballs from Hickory Farms. I’m buying one this week.
To be annoyed that girly magazines are still telling women to not forget the man’s balls during sex. I’m sorry, but I AM going to forget about them for the last time. And stop telling me to mess around with the anus. No. Just no.
To already have some ornament fatalities since Natalie doesn’t understand that you don’t sleep with ornament Rudolph.
To think it’s amusing that The Today Show had a segment on how to dress like Kate Middleton. I mean, really? I’d rather NOT wear those silly hats that she puts on. If I did, my cat would surely try to attack it, because he’d assume that I was wearing a toy on my head.
To be bummed that Leslie Nielsen died. He was a funny actor.
To be irritated that The Event is on fall hiatus. I guess viewers have been dropping and NBC wanted to see if this helped ratings. I am not amused.
To wish someone would order me some cookies from Cheryls.com. The cookies and brownies are amazing.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle - Yummm Yummmm!
Kat and Brian were not with me for Thanksgiving Day....nope they came up on Tuesday night, we ate at T.J. Rockers in Roanoke and then we went home and visited until time for bed. On Wednesday we got up and began some preparations for Thursdays lunch. Kat wanted to be part of the meal even though she would not be there personally....so she made her famous dressing (and it was delish)....and she, Brian and I put together the greatest dessert of all time. We were going to do a pumpkin cheesecake...but changed our mind and did a Paula Deen Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle....and I just had to share this recipe with you....not only is it easy....it is a pretty dish too. Even for the non-pumpkin eaters in the world....this dish is wonderful. It is not pumpkiny tasting...due to the gingerbread. Ok...enough said...here is the recipe and I hope you try it and enjoy it. It is definitely a keeper at my house.
Ingredients
2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix
1 (5.1-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional
Directions
Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cinnamon into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Refrigerate overnight....and right before serving....add some mounds of Readiwhip and then sprinkle the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl or any tall bowl.
This is delish I promise you. I loved it so much that I am making a strawberry punchbowl cake, a death by chocolate punchbowl cake and this for my parsonage Open House on Dec. the 12th. Once I get my decorations all done and the table ready I will make some pictures and let you see how it looks. I have been a busy bee since Thanksgiving Friday getting ready. Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Coldest Black Friday
I was cold.
The coldest that I had probably ever been. My fingers were going numb and I could barely feel my toes.
Oh my God. What if I got Frost Bite and lost my toes? Would Tom still love me without my big toe? Or would he gag and beg me to keep my socks on at all times?
Was this worth it? Was standing in a line outside of Kohls at 2:02 in the morning on Black Friday worth it? Did I really need to find deals? I peeked inside the window and saw the sale signs up and my heart raced with excitement. Yes. The deals were worth it. So what if I lost a big toe?
A gust of wind brushed against my face. It felt like a slap and I recoiled. Why didn’t I live in a warm state?
“The wind makes it worse,” I said to my friend Amanda as the people behind us bumped into our backs. Again. I think it was because one of them was all, “If we all stand together, we won’t be as cold.” I thought she just meant the family members she was with. But no, I think she intended us to join her circle and get friendly, real fast. It seemed like they kept inching closer and closer to us to the point where I wanted to turn around and snap, “Hey! Personal bubble, people. You’re in my personal bubble.”
I stomped my feet, one after the other. I probably looked like I had to pee, but I didn’t care. It kept them warm.
“It’s cold,” I whined, stating the obvious. This was my first time ever standing in line outside a store. Usually I go to Black Friday around 7, when the doors are already open. But this time I had the opportunity to go first thing. The kids were with Amanda’s husband (fast asleep) so I decided to see what it was like being out extremely early.
I was finding out that it was very, very cold.
And that perfect strangers were trying to bring me into their circle to keep warm.
And that parents sent their teenagers out to save a spot in line for them, which sort of irritated me. That’s called CUTTING, people. You can’t just slip in line even if someone is holding your spot. It’s rude. It was on the tip of my tongue to shout that. “It’s RUDE, ma’am, you get in the back of the line. I don’t care if you had your son save a spot for you. You haven’t been out here freezing your ass off and having a stranger grope at you for warmth.”
I didn’t though. Because I heard stories from when people snapped on Black Friday. Suppose I said something and was beat up? It was too early to fight; I’d probably just stand there stupidly and take it. And that’s even if I felt it. My entire body felt numb.
Time seemed to pass by slowly. I would think that ten minutes had passed and it would turn out that only two had.
Was this WORTH it?
I stomped my feet even harder and tried to shift away from the woman in back of me who attempted to rest against my arm.
“Now I know what the people on the Titanic felt like,” I said to Amanda. “When it sank, I mean. Freezing like this. And being tossed in the water, no less. If I had been Kate Winslet, I’d have gone, “Sorry Jack, I don’t care what I promised, I’m just going to die on this door. I’m too cold to care.”
I sipped some hot chocolate that we brought with us. It wasn’t really hot anymore though.
Finally, FINALLY, we had five minutes left. And that’s when I saw them. People, who had been sitting in their warm, toasty cars, standing at the end of the parking lot, waiting to rush inside as soon as the doors opened.
Um.
Some other people in line noticed this too. Evil looks were exchanged. I narrowed my eyes towards a woman who looked like she was going to race inside Kohls as soon as the doors were unlocked. I silently told her, “Don’t you dare. You haven’t been standing outside for an hour like I have, freezing.”
Seriously, what is WRONG with people? You can’t just CUT in line. And if you’re reading this, and have cut before, shame on you. There are no excuses.
A Kohls worker approached the door. Murmurings rumbled through the crowd. It’s opening, the doors are opening, we can finally get warm!
Once the doors were clicked open, those people waiting at the ends of the parking lot did try to get in front of us. But thankfully, a Kohls worker kept them back. And a couple people in line seemed like they’d fight the people who tried to cut. One guy shouted, “GET IN LINE LIKE THE REST OF US!” My hero.
I found a cart, which is a rarity for Kohls on Black Friday. And then I started shopping. I didn’t have a set plan, like some people. I noticed other people had a list written out. I did not. I’m not organized. I try to be, really, but it doesn’t work out. My mother, she’s the queen of lists.
“Let’s go to the toys first,” I said to Amanda. I figured that would be the best place to start.
By the time we were done shopping, the line was stretched all around the store. It took an hour to get through it.
Then we went to Target. It was busy, yes, but not as bad as Kohls. I managed to find this Princess set for Natalie:
And this Toy Story set for Tommy:
Both on sale.
I found a couple of other things too. The line was long, but it moved quicker than Kohls.
And then that was it. Black Friday. Was it worth it? I’d like to think so. I did find some good deals. Would I ever do it again? Probably not. I’d probably stick to going at 7 AM.
But was it exhilarating? Oh yeah.
The coldest that I had probably ever been. My fingers were going numb and I could barely feel my toes.
Oh my God. What if I got Frost Bite and lost my toes? Would Tom still love me without my big toe? Or would he gag and beg me to keep my socks on at all times?
Was this worth it? Was standing in a line outside of Kohls at 2:02 in the morning on Black Friday worth it? Did I really need to find deals? I peeked inside the window and saw the sale signs up and my heart raced with excitement. Yes. The deals were worth it. So what if I lost a big toe?
A gust of wind brushed against my face. It felt like a slap and I recoiled. Why didn’t I live in a warm state?
“The wind makes it worse,” I said to my friend Amanda as the people behind us bumped into our backs. Again. I think it was because one of them was all, “If we all stand together, we won’t be as cold.” I thought she just meant the family members she was with. But no, I think she intended us to join her circle and get friendly, real fast. It seemed like they kept inching closer and closer to us to the point where I wanted to turn around and snap, “Hey! Personal bubble, people. You’re in my personal bubble.”
I stomped my feet, one after the other. I probably looked like I had to pee, but I didn’t care. It kept them warm.
“It’s cold,” I whined, stating the obvious. This was my first time ever standing in line outside a store. Usually I go to Black Friday around 7, when the doors are already open. But this time I had the opportunity to go first thing. The kids were with Amanda’s husband (fast asleep) so I decided to see what it was like being out extremely early.
I was finding out that it was very, very cold.
And that perfect strangers were trying to bring me into their circle to keep warm.
And that parents sent their teenagers out to save a spot in line for them, which sort of irritated me. That’s called CUTTING, people. You can’t just slip in line even if someone is holding your spot. It’s rude. It was on the tip of my tongue to shout that. “It’s RUDE, ma’am, you get in the back of the line. I don’t care if you had your son save a spot for you. You haven’t been out here freezing your ass off and having a stranger grope at you for warmth.”
I didn’t though. Because I heard stories from when people snapped on Black Friday. Suppose I said something and was beat up? It was too early to fight; I’d probably just stand there stupidly and take it. And that’s even if I felt it. My entire body felt numb.
Time seemed to pass by slowly. I would think that ten minutes had passed and it would turn out that only two had.
Was this WORTH it?
I stomped my feet even harder and tried to shift away from the woman in back of me who attempted to rest against my arm.
“Now I know what the people on the Titanic felt like,” I said to Amanda. “When it sank, I mean. Freezing like this. And being tossed in the water, no less. If I had been Kate Winslet, I’d have gone, “Sorry Jack, I don’t care what I promised, I’m just going to die on this door. I’m too cold to care.”
I sipped some hot chocolate that we brought with us. It wasn’t really hot anymore though.
Finally, FINALLY, we had five minutes left. And that’s when I saw them. People, who had been sitting in their warm, toasty cars, standing at the end of the parking lot, waiting to rush inside as soon as the doors opened.
Um.
Some other people in line noticed this too. Evil looks were exchanged. I narrowed my eyes towards a woman who looked like she was going to race inside Kohls as soon as the doors were unlocked. I silently told her, “Don’t you dare. You haven’t been standing outside for an hour like I have, freezing.”
Seriously, what is WRONG with people? You can’t just CUT in line. And if you’re reading this, and have cut before, shame on you. There are no excuses.
A Kohls worker approached the door. Murmurings rumbled through the crowd. It’s opening, the doors are opening, we can finally get warm!
Once the doors were clicked open, those people waiting at the ends of the parking lot did try to get in front of us. But thankfully, a Kohls worker kept them back. And a couple people in line seemed like they’d fight the people who tried to cut. One guy shouted, “GET IN LINE LIKE THE REST OF US!” My hero.
I found a cart, which is a rarity for Kohls on Black Friday. And then I started shopping. I didn’t have a set plan, like some people. I noticed other people had a list written out. I did not. I’m not organized. I try to be, really, but it doesn’t work out. My mother, she’s the queen of lists.
“Let’s go to the toys first,” I said to Amanda. I figured that would be the best place to start.
By the time we were done shopping, the line was stretched all around the store. It took an hour to get through it.
Then we went to Target. It was busy, yes, but not as bad as Kohls. I managed to find this Princess set for Natalie:
And this Toy Story set for Tommy:
Both on sale.
I found a couple of other things too. The line was long, but it moved quicker than Kohls.
And then that was it. Black Friday. Was it worth it? I’d like to think so. I did find some good deals. Would I ever do it again? Probably not. I’d probably stick to going at 7 AM.
But was it exhilarating? Oh yeah.
The Littlest Angel
Let me give you a brief summary of The Littlest Angel Story....you see The Littlest Angel is a story of the youngest angel in heaven--a little boy who doesn't know how to act angelic. In fact, he acts just like the little boy he was on earth. But in Tazewell's perfectly ordered heaven, the littlest angel struggles to find his place. His heart yearns for earth, where his boyish treasures lie. The littlest angel is messy, clumsy, always late, and he sings terribly off key. The other perfect angels in heaven don't quite know what to do with him. "However, owing to the regrettable fact that he always forgot to move his wings, the Littlest Angel always fell head over halo!" Finally the littlest angel is sent to be "disciplined" by the Understanding Angel. The Littlest Angel sits on the lap of the Understanding Angel, and unburdens his troubled little heart, revealing just how homesick he is for earth. The Understanding Angel agrees to retrieve the boy's box of earthly treasures, which contains things that only a little boy could love...I don't want to give the ending away....so get up and go get to finding it....what are you doing still sitting there...this is a must read for the season! The really cool thing is that Charles Tazewell wrote the Littlest Angel in an era that pre-dated television, fast food, and video games. It was the era of radio, and Tazewell's sumptuous use of descriptive words and his smooth storytelling style make this an easy read-aloud story.....trust me. You can mesmerize children with this one....and a sweet voice. Tazewell was 46 years old at the time the book was first published, and the second World War was coming to an end. It isn't all that surprising that a story like The Littlest Angel emerged at the end of the second world war. The world was grieving for the souls of its lost sons and daughters. This story lays bare the collective grief of an era, and indirectly pays tribute to the many lives that were taken before their time. The Little Angel was about my brother....it was about anybody's brother, son, child....taken at a young age.
The Littlest Angel has sold over 1 million copies during the last 60 plus years. During this time, the author has passed away, and the story has been republished using a number of different illustrators. Most of the versions of the story have stayed true to the original text of the story. Because so many versions of the book are in print, you can buy an earlier version illustrated by Katherine Evans for almost the same price as a newly illustrated version of the story. The rarest version of the Littlest Angel is the Silver Star edition published by Grosset and Dunlap. I don't have this one...and to be honest have never seen it....it is really hard to find. The 1946 Grossett and Dunlap published the first edition of The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell and it is illustrated by Katherine Evans. The Silver Star, or the 1947 version was published through Grossett and Dunlap. I don't even know what makes it so special. I just know it is. My version of the book is the 1960 one. The Littlest Angel was republished with a new cover, by Wonder Books with illustrations by Katherine Evans. This cover is green and depicts the littlest angel falling head over halo from a cloud. This is the nose dive edition. 1962 Grossett and Dunlap published a new version of The Littlest Angel with illustrations by Sergio Leone. This version of the book depicts the littlest angel as a little blond boy wearing blue "footie" pajamas. It is cute....but my littlest angel brother....was not blonde...he had brown hair. In 1969 The Littlest Angel was produced into a movie starring Johnny Whitaker(who reminds me of my brother). In this version of the story, the littlest angel is named Michael and is an 8-year old shepherd. This movie version became a Hallmark Hall of Fame DVD selection. In 1972 Tazewell died....but in 1982 Ideals Publications published a keepsake edition of The Littlest Angel with illustrations by Rick Reinert. There was a Leaflet Missal, a publisher and distributor of Catholic children's books and tracts who published a version illustrated by Rebecca Thornburgh. In 1990s Ideals Publishers reprinted the book illustrated by Sergio Leone in a large format version. In 2004 Guy Porfirio illustrated a new version of the book with the original text through Ideals Publications. This book rivals the other children's art books marketed for Christmas sales, that had high-quality realistic pictures, and gave the book a modern look. The illustrations depicted the littlest angel with a touch of mischief. As late as 2007 Paul Micich created another set of illustrations for this well-loved book. The pictures in this version had a more brooding quality and use rich, dark colors, with less emphasis on realism. Whichever copy you get....read it to yourself, then read it to your kids and grandkids....if you don't have any...read it to the neighbors kids....or nieces and nephews. This book will touch your heart forever. I guarantee! Happy Monday.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
My Most Favoritest Thing About Christmas....Ok...One of Them.
•1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
•2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)
•3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)
•4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angels announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
•5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29) This one is lit on Christmas Day...or the First Sunday after Christmas Day. I have found many interesting facts about Christmas the last few days. I was actually looking for information on La Posada for my Spanish classes....and found a wealth of Christmas information instead. I can't wait to share some of these facts with you. God bless you and yours now and forever. XOXO K
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Christmas Preps in Full Swing
Friday, November 26, 2010
What is Black Friday?
It is after 4....but not much.....and I am one of the few of the millions who is not braving the elements to get that just right bargain this morning. You will not find me crashing through the doors of any store today....I woke up with a cold....but even if I hadn't...I would not be camping out at Best Buy or beating up other women at Walmart....actually....I am pretty much through with my Christmas shopping. I buy all year long....because I like to pick out just the perfect gift for the people I buy for. I have a gift closet....where all the gifts are stored after I buy them. BUT...I am only one....for millions of people Black Friday is the time to do some serious Christmas shopping --even before the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone! We all know that it is the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it's one of the most major shopping days of the year in the United States. It can fall anywhere between November 23 and 29. This year it is right in the middle on the 26th. While it's not recognized as an official US holiday, many employees have the day off -except of course those working in retail. So I decided this morning I would look up the origin of Black Friday and found that there is actually an official Black Friday web site. According to them the term "“Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. In the 1960's, police in Philadelphia griped about the congested streets, clogged with motorists and pedestrians, calling it “Black Friday.” In a non-retail sense, it also describes a financial crisis of 1869: a stock market catastrophe set off by gold spectators who tried and failed to corner the gold market, causing the market to collapse and stocks to plummet. As retailers began to realize they could draw big crowds by discounting prices, Black Friday became the day to shop, even better than those last minute Christmas sales. Some retailers put their items up for sale on the morning of Thanksgiving, or email online specials to consumers days or weeks before the actual event. The most shopped for items are electronics and popular toys, as these may be the most drastically discounted. However, prices are slashed on everything from home furnishings to apparel." I don't know about you.....but I don't want home furnishings for Christmas....it is all about ME! "Black Friday is a long day, with many retailers opening up at predawn in the a.m. or even earlier to hordes of people waiting anxiously outside the windows." That would scare me.....to be ready to open the doors of a business and see thousands of faces staring at my every move....waiting to get in.....quickly. That would cause me to go running from the building in the opposite direction. "There are numerous doorbuster deals and loss leaders – prices so low the store may not make a profit - to entice shoppers. Today, most large retailers post their Black Friday ad scans, coupons and offers online beforehand to give consumers time to find out about sales and plan their purchases. or strategies of attack. Other companies take a different approach, waiting until the last possible moment to release their Black Friday ads, hoping to create a buzz and keep customers eagerly checking back for an announcement. More and more, consumers are choosing to shop online, not wanting to wait outside in the early morning chill with a crush of other shoppers or battle over the last most-wanted item. Often, many people show up for a small number of limited-time "door-buster" deals, such as large flat-screen televisions or laptops for a few hundred dollars. Since these coveted items sell out quickly, quite a few shoppers leave the store empty handed. The benefit of online shopping is that you will know right away if the MP3 player you want is out of stock, and can easily find another one without having to travel from store to store. Also, many online retailers have pre-Black Friday or special Thanksgiving sales, so you may not even have to wait until the big day to save. So, there you have it - the Black Friday history behind the best shopping day of the year! If you are one of the Black Friday shoppers...then good luck. If you are like me and will NOT be out and about this morning....then have a Happy Friday. The Iron Bowl is today....Auburn vs. Alabama....I know whatever we do...we won't be far from a television.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
It's Turkey Day! (Gobble, Gobble)
Happy Thanksgiving
I decided to make a list of what I’m thankful for.
Tom—for defending his country and being proud to stand up for it. And yeah, he still doesn’t seem to grasp the point of a laundry basket, but I am thankful that he speaks car so he can take care of mine when he gets back.
Tommy—for being an all around cool kid and not letting having Aspergers hold him back. And yeah, he may talk about his butt and ask inappropriate questions about his boy bits, but I am thankful that he hasn’t asked me about the hair ‘down there’ for two weeks now.
Natalie—for not being afraid to speak her mind. If she’s pissed, well, she’s going to say something. And yeah, maybe the fact that she has to see the bathroom of every place we go gets old but I’m thankful that at least she’s out of diapers.
John Krasinksi—for being nice to look at. And for having a sense of humor. Many of the Hollywood types do not. And yeah, he might be married, but then again, so am I. Plus, Tom practically drowns himself with his drool when he spots Megan Fox, so it’s all good.
Chocolate—for being my friend when I’m overly stressed. And yeah, Dr. Phil would say that I shouldn’t medicate myself with food but frankly, Dr. Phil can kiss my pale ass.
Nick Jr—for giving me a few minutes of peace. And yeah, a lot of the shows drive me crazy (what is up with those Yo Gabba Gabba thingies, really?) but I’ll take the crazy for five minutes of quiet.
Cranberry Sauce—wait, oops, I’m not thankful for this at all. It makes me gag, which is odd, seeing as I love cranberry juice.
Black Friday--I've always shopped it BUT not at 3 AM. I'm doing that tomorrow. So wish me luck, pray that I don't get trampled on or my glasses tossed off, because if that happens, I'll be nearly blind. I mean, I'll still be shopping, but I'll be in the corner and not know it...(and no, the kids won't be with me, they will be at Amanda's house with her husband while we battle the crowds..)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
And if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving today, have a wonderful Thursday then.
I decided to make a list of what I’m thankful for.
Tom—for defending his country and being proud to stand up for it. And yeah, he still doesn’t seem to grasp the point of a laundry basket, but I am thankful that he speaks car so he can take care of mine when he gets back.
Tommy—for being an all around cool kid and not letting having Aspergers hold him back. And yeah, he may talk about his butt and ask inappropriate questions about his boy bits, but I am thankful that he hasn’t asked me about the hair ‘down there’ for two weeks now.
Natalie—for not being afraid to speak her mind. If she’s pissed, well, she’s going to say something. And yeah, maybe the fact that she has to see the bathroom of every place we go gets old but I’m thankful that at least she’s out of diapers.
John Krasinksi—for being nice to look at. And for having a sense of humor. Many of the Hollywood types do not. And yeah, he might be married, but then again, so am I. Plus, Tom practically drowns himself with his drool when he spots Megan Fox, so it’s all good.
Chocolate—for being my friend when I’m overly stressed. And yeah, Dr. Phil would say that I shouldn’t medicate myself with food but frankly, Dr. Phil can kiss my pale ass.
Nick Jr—for giving me a few minutes of peace. And yeah, a lot of the shows drive me crazy (what is up with those Yo Gabba Gabba thingies, really?) but I’ll take the crazy for five minutes of quiet.
Cranberry Sauce—wait, oops, I’m not thankful for this at all. It makes me gag, which is odd, seeing as I love cranberry juice.
Black Friday--I've always shopped it BUT not at 3 AM. I'm doing that tomorrow. So wish me luck, pray that I don't get trampled on or my glasses tossed off, because if that happens, I'll be nearly blind. I mean, I'll still be shopping, but I'll be in the corner and not know it...(and no, the kids won't be with me, they will be at Amanda's house with her husband while we battle the crowds..)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
And if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving today, have a wonderful Thursday then.
The Lost & Found Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
.
The original Thanksgiving Proclamation document was penned by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and only signed by George Washington. The declaration was announced in newspapers and then the original was lost, probably on the move of the US capitol from New York to Washington, D.C. The original manuscript returned to its home in the capitol in 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress, purchased the proclamation for $300 at auction from an art gallery in New York City. It was the 1st official presidential proclamation issued in the United States of America.
1790s Christian Gullager 1759-1826 George Washington.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
New York, 3 October 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. Go: Washington
Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon, Histoire naturelle générale et particulière (Oiseaux), 1799-1808
.
The original Thanksgiving Proclamation document was penned by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and only signed by George Washington. The declaration was announced in newspapers and then the original was lost, probably on the move of the US capitol from New York to Washington, D.C. The original manuscript returned to its home in the capitol in 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress, purchased the proclamation for $300 at auction from an art gallery in New York City. It was the 1st official presidential proclamation issued in the United States of America.
1790s Christian Gullager 1759-1826 George Washington.Thanksgiving Proclamation
New York, 3 October 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. Go: Washington
Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon, Histoire naturelle générale et particulière (Oiseaux), 1799-1808.
Thanksgiving....What Am I Thankful for?
I am thankful for Kat and Brian. She is my ray of sunshine and hope. She makes my darkest days bright again and always has. I love spending time with them....they are so much fun. I am thankful for their hearts and their love of God.
I am thankful for Eric and his family and Jenifer and hers. I am glad that I was allowed to walk in their life paths while I was married to their father. I hope they know I will always love them. I am thankful for my mom. Sometimes I am not sure who she is....heck sometimes I am not sure she knows who I am....but she is still there.....and she is my momma....and I am thankful for her.
2. I am thankful for a wonderful house to call home. I am thankful to have food on my table (shoes sometimes), clothes on my back...and of course shoes on my feet(lots and lots of those).
3. I am thankful for Rock Mills and a wonderful congregation who loves us. Somedays I feel as if I have lived here forever. I am thankful that they allowed me to become a porch person. I am loving sitting on porches visiting and watching cars pass. Believe me....it does not get much better than this.
4. I am thankful that both Frank and I have jobs that we love. In this unsteady time it is a good thing to have a job. When I moved to Rock Mills in June people did not understand why I did not transfer to Randolph Co.....believe me....with proration....you DON"T give up a job you already have for one you may not keep...especially when you are as close to retirement as I am.
5. I am thankful for my friends...all of them. I am thankful for the ones I have had since I was a child. I am thankful for the ones I have at work(they keep me sane). I am thankful for the ones I have made since I moved to Alabama. I am thankful for old friends, new friends, and friends I have yet to make. I am thankful for my bloggie buddy's. I am thankful for my Rock Mills friends.
6. I am thankful that I live somewhere safe. I do not have to worry about North Koreans bombing me tonight. I can worship my God where I want to on Sunday. I don't live somewhere where military presence(with big guns) is a way of life. Today, I am thankful to be an American and I am thankful to the military personel who keep these things readily available for me.
7. I am thankful for a God who has given me such great bounty.
Happy Thanksgiving to All! Have a great day with your families! XOXO Karen
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving Hodgepodge
1. If you had known what they knew then, would you have boarded the Mayflower?
I doubt it seriously. I don't think I could have survived the boat ride. I am not big on boats and strong storms at sea.
2. How far have you traveled on a boat and how do you feel about boats in general?
I've done most of the Caribbean. I have done Jamaica, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Cozumel and Cancun. I was terrified when I went to the Bahamas because of the Bermuda Triangle. I never have liked flying or sailing over the Atlantic waters off of Florida. I've also been on several dinner cruises which usually take a couple of hours. And I've been on the lake in friends' boats. Boats - I can take 'em or leave 'em.
3. What traditions have you kept, acquired thru marriage, and/or tossed? If you're single what are some of your family's favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
Momma always did the cooking...my job was to help clean the beaters. We always had turkey at Thanksgiving and Ham at Easter. My dad hated casseroles so we had green beans instead of green bean casserole, we always had stuffing, the only casserole my dad actually ate was a sweet potato one my mom made with brown sugar and nuts on top. I have pretty much kept those traditions....with the exception of stuffing...I live in the south....they eat dressing here. The Macy's Parade has always been a must...although in the past few years I have not been such a big fan....could it be because I was cooking? We usually have Thanksgiving with Amanda and family and then go to Amy's in Florida for Thursday night dinner...and Amy always has the best food assortment...but this year things are different and I am cooking for my cousin Linda and her family and have been having a ball...and we are having HAM! I have spent the morning in Rock Mills with my daughter Kat and her husband Brian making dressing and a Paula Dean gingerbread/pumpkin trifle. They are never with me on Thanksgiving...that is Brian's parents holiday...and I am ok with that....Brian's grandparents are still around and it is important to spend time with them. Kat just has my mom and she is in the nursing home. So I get a day or so before the holiday...or after....and you know...it is just a day...so when I get to spend time with my kids is fine with me.
4. What time is dinner and how many will be round your table? And what is the one side dish you cannot do without on Thanksgiving day?
Dinner will be between 12:30 - 1:00. Cranberry sauce (with the berries) is the one thing I cannot do without.
5. Have you ever used a fire extinguisher? Do tell....
No...but Frank is a volunteer fire fighter...so I have connections if I need them.
6. Tell about a situation that caused you dreadful trepidation and feet dragging, only to realize later it was a true blessing.
I have had several moments like that in my life and to draw on one...I can't. I have found though...that usually whatever I dread the most...blesses me the most.
7. Baked, sweet, mashed, hash browned or french fried...which one's your favorite? Yes to all but sweet. I loath them....but now a white potato....I will eat anyway.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Griefus....75 degrees on Thanksgiving Day....to 50 on Friday. What a difference. Happy Thanksgiving to all....be thankful you have family to share the day with...and love them deeply!
Things That Make Me Go Huh?
The world can be a strange place.
The following things have made me pause and think, “Huh?!”
Kirk’s chest. Kirk is a character on one of my favorite shows Gilmore Girls and whenever he bares his chest, I think, “The eff is going on with it?”
Why Natalie feels the need to get into my chocolate. And then LEAVE said chocolate just sitting there. I didn’t waste it, don’t worry, though I still have no clue where she put that Santa Claus. I don’t think she ate it, so several months from now, I’ll probably find an old Santa behind the couch or something.
The woman with the tape on her fingers. I get that she’s teaching kids sign language, which is awesome, but she irritates the ever loving crap out of me.
Magazines that claim to have recipes for an “easy” Thanksgiving and then ramble on about herb and ricotta seasoning. I’m sorry, but no. Easy means just putting butter on the turkey, as I do, and then putting it in the oven. And then the magazine continued to suggest ways to allow your child to help out. Um, no. I want my child as far away from the kitchen as possible.
Angelina Jolie. Shiloh asked for a dead pet, so Angelina got her one.
The fact that Natalie felt the need to mess up my living room and then take a nap—on a cushion that she took from MY couch. And to think I only left her alone for 10 minutes. Imagine if I had left her alone for 20. (And yes, that is a bag of shredded lettuce. I’m just as baffled as you are..)
The following things have made me pause and think, “Huh?!”
Kirk’s chest. Kirk is a character on one of my favorite shows Gilmore Girls and whenever he bares his chest, I think, “The eff is going on with it?”
Why Natalie feels the need to get into my chocolate. And then LEAVE said chocolate just sitting there. I didn’t waste it, don’t worry, though I still have no clue where she put that Santa Claus. I don’t think she ate it, so several months from now, I’ll probably find an old Santa behind the couch or something.
The woman with the tape on her fingers. I get that she’s teaching kids sign language, which is awesome, but she irritates the ever loving crap out of me.
Magazines that claim to have recipes for an “easy” Thanksgiving and then ramble on about herb and ricotta seasoning. I’m sorry, but no. Easy means just putting butter on the turkey, as I do, and then putting it in the oven. And then the magazine continued to suggest ways to allow your child to help out. Um, no. I want my child as far away from the kitchen as possible.
Angelina Jolie. Shiloh asked for a dead pet, so Angelina got her one.
The fact that Natalie felt the need to mess up my living room and then take a nap—on a cushion that she took from MY couch. And to think I only left her alone for 10 minutes. Imagine if I had left her alone for 20. (And yes, that is a bag of shredded lettuce. I’m just as baffled as you are..)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!
I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your diary. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either.
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To feel sorry for Eva Longoria since she just filed for a divorce from her husband. It’s been alleged that he was exchanging inappropriate texts to a female friend or something.
To be all ready for Black Friday this week! I’m not going nuts or anything, I just stick to Target and Kohls. I’m not brave enough for Wal-Mart.
To love the show Cougar Town. It’s hilarious. PENNY CAN!
To be ready for Thanksgiving. I’m going to a friend’s house so this means I’m not in charge of the turkey this year. Whoop whoop!
To still be working on getting my novel published. Chick lit, I’m continued to be told, is hard to sell. *Le sigh* But come on, surely people want something light and breezy, something that will make them laugh.....
To think it’s awesome that Oprah gives away so much cool stuff on her Oprah’s Favorite Things show but get annoyed with the audience screaming over everything little thing. Yay! It’s a sweater! Yay! It’s a bejeweled toilet cleaner! Maybe that’s why I don’t watch Oprah anymore. The audience....hmmm....
To have not watched the American Music Awards. This is mainly because I’m not a huge fan of a lot of the popular music that is played today. I like some artists (Train, to name one) but a lot of them just make my head ache.
To love those sour candy strip things. Probably more than my kids. I still get excited going into those candy stores in the mall.
To be a little jealous that Kate Middleton is marrying Prince William. Not that I wanted to be Queen, it’s just, she probably has access to cool Henry VIII stuff since she’ll be royalty. So if she’s all, “I’d like to have Hampton Court to myself,” they’d be all, “Of course!” Lucky duck.
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To feel sorry for Eva Longoria since she just filed for a divorce from her husband. It’s been alleged that he was exchanging inappropriate texts to a female friend or something.
To be all ready for Black Friday this week! I’m not going nuts or anything, I just stick to Target and Kohls. I’m not brave enough for Wal-Mart.
To love the show Cougar Town. It’s hilarious. PENNY CAN!
To be ready for Thanksgiving. I’m going to a friend’s house so this means I’m not in charge of the turkey this year. Whoop whoop!
To still be working on getting my novel published. Chick lit, I’m continued to be told, is hard to sell. *Le sigh* But come on, surely people want something light and breezy, something that will make them laugh.....
To think it’s awesome that Oprah gives away so much cool stuff on her Oprah’s Favorite Things show but get annoyed with the audience screaming over everything little thing. Yay! It’s a sweater! Yay! It’s a bejeweled toilet cleaner! Maybe that’s why I don’t watch Oprah anymore. The audience....hmmm....
To have not watched the American Music Awards. This is mainly because I’m not a huge fan of a lot of the popular music that is played today. I like some artists (Train, to name one) but a lot of them just make my head ache.
To love those sour candy strip things. Probably more than my kids. I still get excited going into those candy stores in the mall.
To be a little jealous that Kate Middleton is marrying Prince William. Not that I wanted to be Queen, it’s just, she probably has access to cool Henry VIII stuff since she’ll be royalty. So if she’s all, “I’d like to have Hampton Court to myself,” they’d be all, “Of course!” Lucky duck.
Have You Seen My Daughter?
Monday, November 22, 2010
But I Love Her!
I gripped the coupons in my hand excitedly as we headed inside Target. I was all set to score some good deals. Finding good deals is like a high for me. And it turns out, Target was having a pre-Black Friday sale, complete with awesome coupons that were found in the Sunday paper. One of the coupons was 50% off any Disney princess toy—and Natalie loves Disney princess toys so I knew that would make a good Christmas present. Another coupon was money off a Lego set—which is perfect, because Tommy adores Legos.
The only problem was, would anything be left? I didn’t stand outside waiting for the Target to open at 8 like some people said they were going to do. No way. I move slowly on Sundays. So by the time we got there, it was a little after 9.
The parking lot wasn’t full so that gave me hope. But…but…a woman walked out of the store with two gigantic bags. Did she take all the deals? What if she took all the deals and there was nothing left? What if there was nothing left?
“Come on kids, we have to hurry,” I said dramatically. I had Natalie on my hip and hurried and stuck her into the cart. I started to head for the toy section.
“Mommy,” Natalie said. “I have to pee.”
Oh no. Seriously? Remember how I wrote how Natalie had to pee everywhere we went? Well, she still does that.
“We need to get to the toy section or they might be nothing left,” I said seriously. “No princess stuff. Nothing.”
Natalie didn’t care. “I have to pee.”
Tommy groaned. “Oh, Natalie.”
Off to the bathroom we went. My heart was thumping with anticipation. Would there be any toys left? I mean, if there weren’t, who cares right? Natalie wouldn’t die if she didn’t get a Disney Princess toy for 50% off. But it was FIFTY PERCENT off. That was an excellent deal!
“This is disgusting,” Tommy complained. “I’m not going in the girl bathroom.”
“You have to. Someone could swipe you,” I said.
“I’m not going in the girl bathroom!” Tommy crossed his arms over his chest.
I sighed. “Fine. Don’t move and if someone tries to take you, scream. If someone asks if you want to see a puppy in his car, you scream. If someone asks if you want to become an actor and tries to hand you their card, you scream.”
Tommy rolled his eyes, resembling a teenager. “I know not to go off with a stranger.”
So I went in with Natalie. I told her she had to hurry, so her brother didn’t get kidnapped.
She didn’t care. She took her time, sitting on the toilet that was probably covered in germs.
“Hurry up, Natalie. I don’t want your brother to get kidnapped,” I said frantically.
“I’m peeing,” Natalie answered even though she wasn’t.
Ten minutes later she was done. I hurried out and Tommy was where we had left him, slumped against the wall, irritated.
“That took forever,” he said.
Tell me about it, son.
Back in the cart Natalie went. I rushed into the toy section and…
….there was a lot of stuff left!
I showed Natalie a Rapunzel doll from that movie Tangled and Natalie started to reach for it...but then she spotted a My Size Rapunzel doll and grabbed for that.
“I want this,” she said.
I frowned. “That’s too big. This doll is the perfect size. She fits in your toy chest and everything!”
Natalie hugged the My Size Rapunzel box. “I want this. I love her.”
“Natalie, you don’t understand, that My Size doll will scare Mommy at night. It’ll be standing there in the corner, I’ll think it’s a ghost and I’ll scream.”
“I LOVE HER!” Natalie didn’t care that her doll could give me a potential heart attack. Rude.
“Can we look at Legos now?” Tommy asked, shuffling his feet impatiently. “This is all girl stuff.”
“Are you sure you don’t want the perfect size Rapunzel?” I tried one last time.
“I.LOVE.HER!” Natalie said, nodding at the My Size Rapunzel box.
So fine. She got the My Size Rapunzel doll (ended up being only $25 with the coupon), Tommy picked out a Lego set, and I also got the Nintendo DSi since it was on sale for $119, the lowest I had seen it. Tommy has a DS now, and the kids fight over it to the point where I want to hurl it out the window and scream, “You see? Now NO ONE has a DS. Are you happy?”
It was a successful trip. But as we stepped out of Target, my stomach growled. I checked the time. Nearly 10, most places weren’t open yet. IHOP was though. Granted, IHOP on Sundays is a scary place indeed. Still…pancakes sounded good. So I brought it up to the kids, who clapped and said that yes, pancakes sounded good to them too.
The second we stepped into IHOP Natalie went, “I have to see IHOP’s bathroom. I have to pee.”
Of course.
“Oh my God, Natalie,” Tommy snapped.
“Tommy. Don’t say that,” I lectured.
“She JUST went in TARGET!” Tommy fumed.
Actually, I wanted to basically say the same thing. “Natalie, you JUST went in TARGET!” But I knew there was no point in arguing. Natalie has to see the bathroom and that’s that.
Into IHOP’s bathroom we went. Tommy waited outside the door again.
“I can’t believe you, Natalie,” he said before we went in.
“I can’t believe YOU, brother,” she answered sweetly.
It took awhile, but the good news was, after we were done with the bathroom a table was ready for us. I ordered the blueberry pancakes.
“Now Tommy,” I said after the waitress walked away. “Since I got you the DSi for Christmas, you probably won’t be getting any other big gifts.”
Tommy frowned. “The DSi isn’t big.”
Oh, right. The literal thing. “No, I mean, you probably won’t get any other expensive things.”
“That’s fine,” Tommy shrugged.
Natalie handed me a Sweet N Low packet. “I think I need to pee again.”
“No, the bathroom is closed,” I said. If she peed all over the booth, I’d deal with it. But I highly doubted she really had to go.
Natalie handed me some Splenda. “I want my Rapunzel when we get home.”
“No, Rapunzel is going away until Christmas.”
“But I want her,” Natalie whined.
“I’m sorry, she’s for Christmas.” I stuck the packets back.
“But I WANT her,” Natalie cried.
“And like I told you before, Veruca Salt, you can’t have her now,” I replied.
I held my ground too. When we home, I took the box from Natalie and said that Rapunzel was going away for awhile.
“But I LOVEEEE HER!” Natalie crumpled to the ground. “I JUST LOVE HER SO MUCH!”
She was behaving like I behaved as a young teenager when I had a crush on Macaulay Culkin.
“She’ll come back next month,” I promised.
“I loveeeee her!” Natalie carried on for about a half hour before admitting defeat. She got herself off the floor, brushed off her legs, and went to sit on the couch, acting as though she hadn’t just been acting like a complete lunatic.
It’s a good thing I also bought a thing of chocolate at Target.
The only problem was, would anything be left? I didn’t stand outside waiting for the Target to open at 8 like some people said they were going to do. No way. I move slowly on Sundays. So by the time we got there, it was a little after 9.
The parking lot wasn’t full so that gave me hope. But…but…a woman walked out of the store with two gigantic bags. Did she take all the deals? What if she took all the deals and there was nothing left? What if there was nothing left?
“Come on kids, we have to hurry,” I said dramatically. I had Natalie on my hip and hurried and stuck her into the cart. I started to head for the toy section.
“Mommy,” Natalie said. “I have to pee.”
Oh no. Seriously? Remember how I wrote how Natalie had to pee everywhere we went? Well, she still does that.
“We need to get to the toy section or they might be nothing left,” I said seriously. “No princess stuff. Nothing.”
Natalie didn’t care. “I have to pee.”
Tommy groaned. “Oh, Natalie.”
Off to the bathroom we went. My heart was thumping with anticipation. Would there be any toys left? I mean, if there weren’t, who cares right? Natalie wouldn’t die if she didn’t get a Disney Princess toy for 50% off. But it was FIFTY PERCENT off. That was an excellent deal!
“This is disgusting,” Tommy complained. “I’m not going in the girl bathroom.”
“You have to. Someone could swipe you,” I said.
“I’m not going in the girl bathroom!” Tommy crossed his arms over his chest.
I sighed. “Fine. Don’t move and if someone tries to take you, scream. If someone asks if you want to see a puppy in his car, you scream. If someone asks if you want to become an actor and tries to hand you their card, you scream.”
Tommy rolled his eyes, resembling a teenager. “I know not to go off with a stranger.”
So I went in with Natalie. I told her she had to hurry, so her brother didn’t get kidnapped.
She didn’t care. She took her time, sitting on the toilet that was probably covered in germs.
“Hurry up, Natalie. I don’t want your brother to get kidnapped,” I said frantically.
“I’m peeing,” Natalie answered even though she wasn’t.
Ten minutes later she was done. I hurried out and Tommy was where we had left him, slumped against the wall, irritated.
“That took forever,” he said.
Tell me about it, son.
Back in the cart Natalie went. I rushed into the toy section and…
….there was a lot of stuff left!
I showed Natalie a Rapunzel doll from that movie Tangled and Natalie started to reach for it...but then she spotted a My Size Rapunzel doll and grabbed for that.
“I want this,” she said.
I frowned. “That’s too big. This doll is the perfect size. She fits in your toy chest and everything!”
Natalie hugged the My Size Rapunzel box. “I want this. I love her.”
“Natalie, you don’t understand, that My Size doll will scare Mommy at night. It’ll be standing there in the corner, I’ll think it’s a ghost and I’ll scream.”
“I LOVE HER!” Natalie didn’t care that her doll could give me a potential heart attack. Rude.
“Can we look at Legos now?” Tommy asked, shuffling his feet impatiently. “This is all girl stuff.”
“Are you sure you don’t want the perfect size Rapunzel?” I tried one last time.
“I.LOVE.HER!” Natalie said, nodding at the My Size Rapunzel box.
So fine. She got the My Size Rapunzel doll (ended up being only $25 with the coupon), Tommy picked out a Lego set, and I also got the Nintendo DSi since it was on sale for $119, the lowest I had seen it. Tommy has a DS now, and the kids fight over it to the point where I want to hurl it out the window and scream, “You see? Now NO ONE has a DS. Are you happy?”
It was a successful trip. But as we stepped out of Target, my stomach growled. I checked the time. Nearly 10, most places weren’t open yet. IHOP was though. Granted, IHOP on Sundays is a scary place indeed. Still…pancakes sounded good. So I brought it up to the kids, who clapped and said that yes, pancakes sounded good to them too.
The second we stepped into IHOP Natalie went, “I have to see IHOP’s bathroom. I have to pee.”
Of course.
“Oh my God, Natalie,” Tommy snapped.
“Tommy. Don’t say that,” I lectured.
“She JUST went in TARGET!” Tommy fumed.
Actually, I wanted to basically say the same thing. “Natalie, you JUST went in TARGET!” But I knew there was no point in arguing. Natalie has to see the bathroom and that’s that.
Into IHOP’s bathroom we went. Tommy waited outside the door again.
“I can’t believe you, Natalie,” he said before we went in.
“I can’t believe YOU, brother,” she answered sweetly.
It took awhile, but the good news was, after we were done with the bathroom a table was ready for us. I ordered the blueberry pancakes.
“Now Tommy,” I said after the waitress walked away. “Since I got you the DSi for Christmas, you probably won’t be getting any other big gifts.”
Tommy frowned. “The DSi isn’t big.”
Oh, right. The literal thing. “No, I mean, you probably won’t get any other expensive things.”
“That’s fine,” Tommy shrugged.
Natalie handed me a Sweet N Low packet. “I think I need to pee again.”
“No, the bathroom is closed,” I said. If she peed all over the booth, I’d deal with it. But I highly doubted she really had to go.
Natalie handed me some Splenda. “I want my Rapunzel when we get home.”
“No, Rapunzel is going away until Christmas.”
“But I want her,” Natalie whined.
“I’m sorry, she’s for Christmas.” I stuck the packets back.
“But I WANT her,” Natalie cried.
“And like I told you before, Veruca Salt, you can’t have her now,” I replied.
I held my ground too. When we home, I took the box from Natalie and said that Rapunzel was going away for awhile.
“But I LOVEEEE HER!” Natalie crumpled to the ground. “I JUST LOVE HER SO MUCH!”
She was behaving like I behaved as a young teenager when I had a crush on Macaulay Culkin.
“She’ll come back next month,” I promised.
“I loveeeee her!” Natalie carried on for about a half hour before admitting defeat. She got herself off the floor, brushed off her legs, and went to sit on the couch, acting as though she hadn’t just been acting like a complete lunatic.
It’s a good thing I also bought a thing of chocolate at Target.
Oh What a Night...and Day
While the world looks upon me as I struggle along
And they say I have nothing but they are so wrong
In my heart I'm rejoicing how I wish they could see
Thank you Lord for Your blessings on me
Verse 2
There's a roof up above me I've a good place to sleep
And there's food on my table and shoes on my feet
You gave me Your love Lord and a fine family
Thank you Lord for Your blessings on me
Verse 3
I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes they're not new
And I don't have much money but Lord I have you
And that's all that matters though the world may not see
Thank you Lord for Your blessings on me
Repeat #2
Great words huh? Well...I was singing my heart out...with my eyes closed, playing my guitar...and I went to repeat #2 when it happened. I did something that all singers dread....I dropped a lyric.....so the verse that should have been "there is food on my table"...came out..."there's shoes on my table".....and I could not do anything but finish the line...."and shoes on my feet......gross huh? I almost laughed out loud...and smiled a huge smile...and there were some giggles from the congregation....so I knew...yep... they were listening....the only person who wasn't....was Frank....he missed the whole faux paux. I told him what I had done...and when he took the pulpit he commented that it was a really a statement made by me about his cooking....that almost brought the house down. I took a lot of ribbing the rest of today about the shoes on my table line...sigh...that is what I get for singing with my eyes closed. The day progressed from shoes on the table....to eating "sole" food. I love it when I can laugh at myself. We went to lunch at Gedney's(our favorite lunch hangout on Sunday's) with the gang, then at 2:30 did the Williamsburg Manor I nursing home service and had church at 5....it was a full day.....a typical day in the life of a preacher.....I have to admit when I headed to bed last night I was still chuckling about my shoes...griefus girl! Hope you have a wonderful Monday...we only have two days this week and then we are out for the holidays.....thank goodness! I am so ready for a break!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Spontaneous Epiphany
Have you ever had an epiphany? Do you even know what one is? There are a couple of definitions for an ephipany....the first one is a holiday and not what I am referring to....the second one is where I want to focus....According to Mirriam-Websters dictionary and epiphany is: January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ 2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being 3a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b : a revealing scene or moment. Have you ever had that moment....you know...the one where everything becomes so crystal clear and you know....this is it. One of my favorite picces of music is Handel's Messiah, especially the Hallelujah Chorus. Several months ago I was fortunate enough to sing it at a funeral of a very special lady. I am telling you....as the choir and congregation sang....the whole church truly lit up...light came streaming in the stained glass windows of the church to the point that the pictures in the glass where unclear....I truly believe that we were in the presence of God, Mrs. Frances, and all her new angel buddies. It was amazing. This has happened to me several times in my life.....when I was singing or speaking in a church and the room lit up with over zealous lights....it is an amazing feeling. My music buddy, Steve, sent me an email this week and it is an epiphany that I wish I could have been part of.
"At exactly 12:00 o'clock noon on the final Saturday of October 2010, Macy's shoppers in Philadelphia's Central City Mall experienced what I consider a foretaste of the appearance of Christ when he comes for his people on the last day. Everything appeared normal until the Wanamaker Organ—the world’s largest pipe organ--struck the first notes of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." Suddenly more than 650 "shoppers" scattered throughout the area burst into this inspired heavenly praise. These shoppers were actually singers from 28 participating groups, brought together by The Opera Company of Philadelphia. Watch it and weep for joy at
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/11/11/hallelujah-chorus-from-handels-messiah-macys/
Truly THIS is an epiphany and all I can say is a very humble....AMEN!
"At exactly 12:00 o'clock noon on the final Saturday of October 2010, Macy's shoppers in Philadelphia's Central City Mall experienced what I consider a foretaste of the appearance of Christ when he comes for his people on the last day. Everything appeared normal until the Wanamaker Organ—the world’s largest pipe organ--struck the first notes of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." Suddenly more than 650 "shoppers" scattered throughout the area burst into this inspired heavenly praise. These shoppers were actually singers from 28 participating groups, brought together by The Opera Company of Philadelphia. Watch it and weep for joy at
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/11/11/hallelujah-chorus-from-handels-messiah-macys/
Truly THIS is an epiphany and all I can say is a very humble....AMEN!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Pre-Thanksgiving Funny
Friday, November 19, 2010
Do You Have To Go?
“Are you almost done?” I asked Natalie.
She grinned up at me, her legs swinging as she sat on the toilet. “In a minute,” she lied. She wouldn’t be done in a minute. It would be more like ten minutes.
I drummed my fingers on the silver stall door. We were in the Wal-Mart bathrooms, a place that I’d prefer to avoid. But the second we stepped in the store, Natalie had claimed that she had to use the potty. So here we were.
You see, Natalie has become serious about potty training in the past two weeks. She knew how to go before that, don’t get me wrong, but she went when she felt like it. Meaning she probably went in the toilet about once per day. The rest went in her Pull Up. I figured, fine, I wasn’t going to press her even though the experts all suggested keeping her in underwear and just letting her go in them until she understood that she had to use the potty.
I’m sorry, but no. My husband is in Korea, therefore I had no patience to follow her around with a paper towel and Resolve.
So I just waited until the flip was switched, the flip that told her that it was time to use the potty. All the time.
And then it happened.
I made the mistake of telling her that all stores have a bathroom. Natalie made a point of wanting to see all these bathrooms. She had gasped and went, “Wal-Mart has a bathroom?” and I had hesitated before admitting that yes, it did.
Now we have to see the bathrooms wherever we go. We’ve seen Wal-Mart bathrooms, Target bathrooms, commissary bathrooms, Petco bathrooms....
And like I said, she rarely even goes in them. She just walks in, gazes around in awe as though she’s never seen a toilet before in her life, plops down and just SITS.
“Natalie,” I groaned, in the Wal-Mart bathroom. “Are you almost done?”
“Not yet,” she answered.
“Look, five more minutes, and then we’re going,” I said firmly.
Natalie shook her head. “Nope.”
I gritted my teeth. Was this how it would be from now on? And ew, I spotted a brown stain and hoped to God it was mud. How could Natalie find public bathrooms thrilling?
“Okay, all done.” I tried to lift Natalie off the toilet but she gripped the sides.
“I.AM.NOT.DONE!” she screamed. Her voice echoed around the bathroom. I overheard a person mumble, “Someone is mad.”
“Natalie, I just want to get this over with. It stinks in here.”
“It smells nice,” Natalie insisted.
In the end, it took another ten minutes before Natalie reluctantly admitted that she didn’t have to go. (“The pee is not coming now,” she informed me seriously. No crap, Natalie.)
The other day we went to Target. I held my breath as we walked through the doors. Please, don’t let Natalie want to see the bathrooms…
Actually, she didn’t say a word about them and I thought, hooray, maybe her infatuation with public toilets was waning. I headed over to my section where I was admiring some sweaters. I was in the middle of deciding whether or not to get one when Natalie said,
“I have to pee.”
I pretended I didn’t hear her. You have to understand, she LIES when she says that half the time. I didn’t WANT to stand in a stall again. So I just lifted up a sweater and held it against me.
“What do you think?” I asked Natalie.
She frowned. “I have to pee. I HAVE TO PEEEEE!”
An old woman walking by tossed me a mean look as if to say, “Why are you shopping when your precious daughter is informing you that she needs to urinate?”
“She’s lying!” I wanted to shout back. “She’s most likely LYING through her baby teeth, I assure you!”
“Do you really have to pee?” I said to Natalie, putting the sweater back.
Natalie nodded.
So into the dreaded stall we went.
“Five minutes,” I said.
Natalie arranged herself on the toilet, her little arms clasped in her lap. She looked as though she could stay there all day. She probably could, if I let her. Those creepy Yo Gabba Gabba characters should do a show on the germs found in public restrooms.
“Natalie, are you done? I’d like to shop. We’re in Target, the land of awesome-ness.”
Natalie didn’t seem moved. “I’m peeing,” she said seriously.
Only she wasn’t.
“Don’t you want to look at some cool stuff? We’ll even look at the toys,” I bribed.
“After I pee.”
Five minutes later, Natalie was all, “I peed!”
When I peeked in the bowl, I saw nothing. “Are you sure?”
“I PEED!”
“Fine, great, you peed. Whatever gets us out of here,” I agreed, bringing her to the sinks where we’d spend another five minutes since she thinks public sinks are fascinating too.
Tomorrow we have to go to the grocery store.
And I can almost bet we’ll be making a trip to the restrooms.
She grinned up at me, her legs swinging as she sat on the toilet. “In a minute,” she lied. She wouldn’t be done in a minute. It would be more like ten minutes.
I drummed my fingers on the silver stall door. We were in the Wal-Mart bathrooms, a place that I’d prefer to avoid. But the second we stepped in the store, Natalie had claimed that she had to use the potty. So here we were.
You see, Natalie has become serious about potty training in the past two weeks. She knew how to go before that, don’t get me wrong, but she went when she felt like it. Meaning she probably went in the toilet about once per day. The rest went in her Pull Up. I figured, fine, I wasn’t going to press her even though the experts all suggested keeping her in underwear and just letting her go in them until she understood that she had to use the potty.
I’m sorry, but no. My husband is in Korea, therefore I had no patience to follow her around with a paper towel and Resolve.
So I just waited until the flip was switched, the flip that told her that it was time to use the potty. All the time.
And then it happened.
I made the mistake of telling her that all stores have a bathroom. Natalie made a point of wanting to see all these bathrooms. She had gasped and went, “Wal-Mart has a bathroom?” and I had hesitated before admitting that yes, it did.
Now we have to see the bathrooms wherever we go. We’ve seen Wal-Mart bathrooms, Target bathrooms, commissary bathrooms, Petco bathrooms....
And like I said, she rarely even goes in them. She just walks in, gazes around in awe as though she’s never seen a toilet before in her life, plops down and just SITS.
“Natalie,” I groaned, in the Wal-Mart bathroom. “Are you almost done?”
“Not yet,” she answered.
“Look, five more minutes, and then we’re going,” I said firmly.
Natalie shook her head. “Nope.”
I gritted my teeth. Was this how it would be from now on? And ew, I spotted a brown stain and hoped to God it was mud. How could Natalie find public bathrooms thrilling?
“Okay, all done.” I tried to lift Natalie off the toilet but she gripped the sides.
“I.AM.NOT.DONE!” she screamed. Her voice echoed around the bathroom. I overheard a person mumble, “Someone is mad.”
“Natalie, I just want to get this over with. It stinks in here.”
“It smells nice,” Natalie insisted.
In the end, it took another ten minutes before Natalie reluctantly admitted that she didn’t have to go. (“The pee is not coming now,” she informed me seriously. No crap, Natalie.)
The other day we went to Target. I held my breath as we walked through the doors. Please, don’t let Natalie want to see the bathrooms…
Actually, she didn’t say a word about them and I thought, hooray, maybe her infatuation with public toilets was waning. I headed over to my section where I was admiring some sweaters. I was in the middle of deciding whether or not to get one when Natalie said,
“I have to pee.”
I pretended I didn’t hear her. You have to understand, she LIES when she says that half the time. I didn’t WANT to stand in a stall again. So I just lifted up a sweater and held it against me.
“What do you think?” I asked Natalie.
She frowned. “I have to pee. I HAVE TO PEEEEE!”
An old woman walking by tossed me a mean look as if to say, “Why are you shopping when your precious daughter is informing you that she needs to urinate?”
“She’s lying!” I wanted to shout back. “She’s most likely LYING through her baby teeth, I assure you!”
“Do you really have to pee?” I said to Natalie, putting the sweater back.
Natalie nodded.
So into the dreaded stall we went.
“Five minutes,” I said.
Natalie arranged herself on the toilet, her little arms clasped in her lap. She looked as though she could stay there all day. She probably could, if I let her. Those creepy Yo Gabba Gabba characters should do a show on the germs found in public restrooms.
“Natalie, are you done? I’d like to shop. We’re in Target, the land of awesome-ness.”
Natalie didn’t seem moved. “I’m peeing,” she said seriously.
Only she wasn’t.
“Don’t you want to look at some cool stuff? We’ll even look at the toys,” I bribed.
“After I pee.”
Five minutes later, Natalie was all, “I peed!”
When I peeked in the bowl, I saw nothing. “Are you sure?”
“I PEED!”
“Fine, great, you peed. Whatever gets us out of here,” I agreed, bringing her to the sinks where we’d spend another five minutes since she thinks public sinks are fascinating too.
Tomorrow we have to go to the grocery store.
And I can almost bet we’ll be making a trip to the restrooms.
Memories of Thanksgivings Past
Just like Linda of Mocha With Linda Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays too. Some of my own earliest memories are of smelling the turkey cooking while I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my dad and brother. Our typical meal when I was little was turkey stuffing (inside the bird and the extra baked in a casserole dish), homemade cranberry sauce with berries,green beans or English peas, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato souffle (which I hated), and a dessert. I loved to eat my cranberry sauce on top of the stuffing. My mom also made giblet gravy (with eggs and innards and without). I am a huge fan of turkey. The first Thanksgiving after my brother died there was only three of us so my mom cooked a large chicken. Now I have to admit that I have never liked baked chicken as much as turkey...there is just something about a turkey that I love. We only did that once....my dad complained about there being no turkey for sandwiches later in the week and there was no good turkey noodle soup the next week either....so we went back to turkey after that. Thank goodness. When my grandmother Sasser was in Florida for Thanksgiving we would add coconut cake (yuck) and ambrosia (fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and some kind of white dressing) to the mix. I detest both....mainly because I am not a huge fan of coconut. When it was just us and the neighbors who came to eat...we would have chocolate and lemon pie, pumpkin pie, and sometimes banana pudding. Desserts in our house were heavenly! Lunch was always at 1:00. The parade would be over and football would not have started yet. All the kids knew that in the afternoons, the TV belonged to the men and was always on some college football game. It did not matter who played....it was football.
We had a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the school usually on Monday or Tuesday. Parents did not come and sometime during the week we would do a Thanksgiving program with Mrs. Murphy. I guess parents came to that....I don't remember. When I was younger we would make a construction paper turkey from a handprint and the teacher would put it on the board or wall. As I got older we would usually write a story of some kind. We also did games where everyone would have to see how many words could be found in the phrase "Happy Thanksgiving." I too was a word geek even way back then, and my competitive streak made it that much more fun...btw....I usually won! Thanksgiving was always a time of family and friends and still is today. When I married and moved to Alabama I was introduced to dressing....and to be honest it is not one of my favorite dishes. I eat it...because most of my family and friends here make it and serve it....but it is NOT stuffing. I love the smell and taste of sage and celery and onions sauteeing. My mom would make butter nut squash stuffing, oyster stuffing, walnut stuffing...and it was all good. Frank's family's traditions for Thanksgiving were much the same as mine so we merged well. He loves big gatherings with lots of food....and laughs at me because even though I do not eat sweet potatoes...I make a great souffe. One year I cheated and made a carrot souffle for me....in a small dish....there was none left when I got to the dish...everyone else loved it. Sigh! Must have been good. One other funny memory....in my family...some like the sweet potato casserole with nuts and brown sugar on top....others like marshmallows melted....so one year I made it with both....brown sugar and nuts as layer two and marshmallows on top....it was a gloppy mess...but so good everyone said. I never attended a Macy's parade...always wanted to....Frank on the other hand played in the Choctahatchee Style Marchers band and he has marched in the Macy's, Rose Bowl, and Orange Bowl parades...how cool is that? Thanksgiving is special to me because it is just about food and fellowship......there is no commercialism built in. It is the holiday that Walmart forgot....and you know...I am kind of glad. It is one of those special days....that is special just because it is....not because someone is going to give you a present. It is a time to be thankful for all you have, for family, for friends, for everything...it is a blessed day! Can I get an Amen?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Telling On Myself
I was sitting here this morning trying to decide what I was going to write about today. It is Thursday and I am brain dead. I have one more full day this week and two next week and then I am out for Thanksgiving....Whoooo Hoooo! As I sat here today I thought about prompts...and nothing came....so I put it aside and took care of planning my school day. A few minutes ago...it hit me.....I knew what I would post about...several years ago....possibly 10+....Kat and I went on a Pacific Northwest trip with some good friends. There were 6 of us in a Suburban and in a period of 15 days we covered 9600 miles. It was awesome! One of the others could not stay with us the whole time and so they were going to fly back from Missoula, Montana.....problem arrived when the ticket did not get to us before we left.....no problem....a neighbor was going to get it and send it on to us....to a town where there was only one zip code.....baddah bing....Gillette, WY would be our place. This was a cheap trip. We slept six in one room....two on each bed...and two on sleeping bags on the floor. Everyone slept on the floor every third night. What fun! In Gillette, WY....which by the way is near Devil's rock from Close Encounters of a Third Kind....we went to get a motel.....and there were none....because it was the annual cattle drive....at least none of the nice ones....the kind I like to stay in....heck there was not even a Motel 6 available.....Tom Bodette was not leaving the light on for us that night. We finally found a room.....at the Mustang Motel. The registration guy asked if we wanted to look at it first.....WARNING!...then he asked if we wanted it for an hour?....or for the night? WARNING AGAIN!!!!!! Our room was a suite (can you hear me snickering?) There were bullet holes in the walls....BULLET HOLES! I was not sleeping on the floor....the fact that it was a suite meant it had three beds in it.....whew....we pulled all the bedding off and brought in sleeping bags which we laid on the bed....to sleep on. The tub and sink were rusted through....the trains behind the motel loaded cattle on all night long. We got up the next morning....checked out....while Randy took care of that....we sat in the rain with the car running....when....out of the blue....someone passed gas. I am not talking about a little gas....I am talking about light up New York City gas....and I....the drama queen with a weak stomach....began to gag....I gagged so much I got out of the car and heaved at the side of the car. When I got back in the car and we drove to Hardee's to brush our teeth and eat breakfast......Kat took me aside and told me she was ashamed of my hystrionics. She went on to inform me that I needed to apologize for my extreme behavior. I stood there shocked...I could not believe it! When we got ready to head to Missoula's airport...I told the group I was sorry for my behavior......secretly....I wanted Kat to experience the discomfort first hand....and my wish was granted later in the day. Moral of the story.....if you are traveling....and something like this happens to you.....roll the window down....or give a warning. We had a great trip....all 9600 miles of it. I would do it again if I could. I have been many places since then....but that will always be one of my most favorite moments.....even if I was a drama queen brat!
Inside Natalie's Closet
It's no secret that I love to buy clothes for my kids. So I'll occasionally post fashion shows of them in their latest outfits.
Today Natalie is in Gymboree's Tres Fabulous line.
Hey, Natalie, want to take some pictures?
Um.
You might want to remove that finger first. Ew.
She’s all, “What do you mean? I wasn’t picking my nose.”
“Natalie. I have some bad news. It turns out you won’t be Queen of England after all. Prince William has proposed to Kate Middleton.”
“But it’s okay. You still have a small chance with Prince Harry.”
“Or, you know, Tony Parker just became available since Eva Longoria just filed for divorce. However, I hear that it was because he was sending inappropriate texts to another woman. And that, my dear, is a no no.”
After the matchmaking talk, Natalie insisted on having a photo with a rock.
Then I had to run into the side of the house.
“No, Natalie, you can’t have DJ Lance Rock for Christmas. Sorry.”
**Shirt change**
“So how is life going for you?”
“I like coloring.”
“Awesome, Natalie.”
“I like pizza but I don’t like peppers.”
“What? Then you surely can’t be related to me!”
I ran into the house again.
Natalie is probably thinking, “My Mom is crazy but at least she doesn’t throw a fit if someone wants to bring in cupcakes to school. Vegetables are NOT the proper way to celebrate ones birthday, sorry.”
“Love you, Natalie. Even though you do make my ears ring on a daily basis.”
And then she saw a bird and ran off....
Today Natalie is in Gymboree's Tres Fabulous line.
Hey, Natalie, want to take some pictures?
Um.
You might want to remove that finger first. Ew.
She’s all, “What do you mean? I wasn’t picking my nose.”
“Natalie. I have some bad news. It turns out you won’t be Queen of England after all. Prince William has proposed to Kate Middleton.”
“But it’s okay. You still have a small chance with Prince Harry.”
“Or, you know, Tony Parker just became available since Eva Longoria just filed for divorce. However, I hear that it was because he was sending inappropriate texts to another woman. And that, my dear, is a no no.”
After the matchmaking talk, Natalie insisted on having a photo with a rock.
Then I had to run into the side of the house.
“No, Natalie, you can’t have DJ Lance Rock for Christmas. Sorry.”
**Shirt change**
“So how is life going for you?”
“I like coloring.”
“Awesome, Natalie.”
“I like pizza but I don’t like peppers.”
“What? Then you surely can’t be related to me!”
I ran into the house again.
Natalie is probably thinking, “My Mom is crazy but at least she doesn’t throw a fit if someone wants to bring in cupcakes to school. Vegetables are NOT the proper way to celebrate ones birthday, sorry.”
“Love you, Natalie. Even though you do make my ears ring on a daily basis.”
And then she saw a bird and ran off....
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Jewelry Box
It was hidden in a small white box that I picked up and examined closely.
“What is it?” I asked Tom over Skype.
“You have to wait until Christmas,” he answered.
“But,” I complained. “I’m not sure I can.” I am not a patient person when it comes to presents.
“You can wait,” Tom said. “Put the box down and just forget about it until Christmas.”
I shot him a Look. How did he expect me to forget about a present? Was he insane? Did he know me at all?!
“Oh fine,” Tom relented. “You can open it.”
Did I hear him right? Did he say I could—I immediately started opening the box before he changed his mind.
I found this.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, running my hand over the smooth service.
It took me a few minutes to figure out how to open the thing.
“Where’s the hole?” I grumbled, but then I brightened. “That what he said!”
Tom rolled his eyes. “You’re a nerd.” He explained how to open it and when I did, I found this:
“You wrote me a letter,” I said, surprised. I picked up the piece of paper. It wasn’t just a short letter either. Tom’s familiar penmanship stared back up at me and I started to read.
“So do you like—” Tom began.
I lifted up a finger. “Shh. I’m reading what you wrote.”
A few minutes later I looked at Tom, with tears in my eyes. “It was very sweet. Thank you. I love when you show your sweet side. Doesn’t it feel great?”
Tom made a face and scratched an inappropriate part of his body.
Here’s part of the letter...
I love you more than any words could ever describe…..you are my beautiful wife. It has been 9 years now that we have been married…and I have loved you every day for those 9 years. I can never thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made in support of my job…the two birds on the boxes are you and me, always faithful and together. I love you forever....
“Thank you, so much Tom. Really,” I told him.
Only now Natalie keeps trying to steal my box. She hugs it to her chest and goes, “This is mine.” I explain that no, actually it’s not and then she huffs off and gives me dirty looks for like an hour.
So Tom thinks it might be wise to get Natalie her first jewelry box. They make smaller ones.
And as for the letter? I think I’ll always have it in the box. So I’ll always remember.
And also, because if he royally pisses me off when he’s back from Korea, I can maybe read it and think, “He’s not an ass after all.”
“What is it?” I asked Tom over Skype.
“You have to wait until Christmas,” he answered.
“But,” I complained. “I’m not sure I can.” I am not a patient person when it comes to presents.
“You can wait,” Tom said. “Put the box down and just forget about it until Christmas.”
I shot him a Look. How did he expect me to forget about a present? Was he insane? Did he know me at all?!
“Oh fine,” Tom relented. “You can open it.”
Did I hear him right? Did he say I could—I immediately started opening the box before he changed his mind.
I found this.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, running my hand over the smooth service.
It took me a few minutes to figure out how to open the thing.
“Where’s the hole?” I grumbled, but then I brightened. “That what he said!”
Tom rolled his eyes. “You’re a nerd.” He explained how to open it and when I did, I found this:
“You wrote me a letter,” I said, surprised. I picked up the piece of paper. It wasn’t just a short letter either. Tom’s familiar penmanship stared back up at me and I started to read.
“So do you like—” Tom began.
I lifted up a finger. “Shh. I’m reading what you wrote.”
A few minutes later I looked at Tom, with tears in my eyes. “It was very sweet. Thank you. I love when you show your sweet side. Doesn’t it feel great?”
Tom made a face and scratched an inappropriate part of his body.
Here’s part of the letter...
I love you more than any words could ever describe…..you are my beautiful wife. It has been 9 years now that we have been married…and I have loved you every day for those 9 years. I can never thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made in support of my job…the two birds on the boxes are you and me, always faithful and together. I love you forever....
“Thank you, so much Tom. Really,” I told him.
Only now Natalie keeps trying to steal my box. She hugs it to her chest and goes, “This is mine.” I explain that no, actually it’s not and then she huffs off and gives me dirty looks for like an hour.
So Tom thinks it might be wise to get Natalie her first jewelry box. They make smaller ones.
And as for the letter? I think I’ll always have it in the box. So I’ll always remember.
And also, because if he royally pisses me off when he’s back from Korea, I can maybe read it and think, “He’s not an ass after all.”
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