Last Day of the Year.

A time to reflect... And make plans for the future. To consider where we have been and where we are going. To take stock of our lives, goals and relationships....

NOT

Ha!! That sounds like waaaaaay too much work. Not to mention the hideous level of navel gazing involved. Screw that.

Papa and WxMan made a surprise decision last night to take the girls up to the Kalahari Indoor Waterpark today. I just got them all packed up and out the door - they should come home nothing short of exhausted. And that's fine by me....

Otherwise, my plan is to watch Harry Potter 5 this afternoon. (Again, I know - but a friend of mine hasn't seen it. And that's a cryin' shame...)

And tonight will be a quiet evening with some yummy snacks thrown in. Yay!

I am going to make Wontons ala Christina, Mom's making bacon wrapped water chestnuts that are just heavenly... And we are steaming some artichokes and Jonah crab claws to serve with drawn butter. Mmmmmm.... And maybe a Tiramisu. The rest of the menu will sort itself out, I am sure.

So on to this years resolutions! Whoohoo! In addition to me resolving to visit a tropical paradise, here's what we got this year....

Your New Year's Resolutions

1) Get a pet monkey 2) Eat less tuna 3) Travel to Spain 4) Study animal behavior 5) Get in shape with bowling

What Should Your New Year's Resoluton Be?

Alrighty then. I think the monkey thing might take some work, or at least a permit. And the poo flinging is a definite turn off. Maybe a stuffed monkey would suffice.

As for traveling to Spain - I think I could visit another Spanish speaking country and that would count. Right??

Get in shape with bowling?? Well, okay - living in Wisconsin means that there is a bowling alley on every corner. And they serve adult beverages there - so that sounds like a win-win exercise program to me!

So, while I try to locate my bowling bag [What bowling bag?? -Ed.] I will simply wish you a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. With fewer poo flinging monkeys!

2008 - here we come... Brace yourselves...

Good sign?? Bad sign??

When you choose what you are wearing for the day in anticipation of getting to put on the fuzziest, snuggliest, warmest jammie pants EVER* that evening.

(Meaning - I want my shirt to match.)

I can't decide if I am overly prepared or if I have just plain lost my everlovin' mind...

*Thanks Mom! : )

Sounds likejust the thing...

To take the edge off a chilly winters day. (Hat tip to Tammi)

The Recipe For Richmond

3 parts Flair 2 parts Rebellion 1 part Aspiration Splash of Class Chug!

What's the recipe for your personality?

(Just don't waste your time taking the "Free personality test" at the top of the page. It's *not* free - and as the blogthing only needs your name, so it's a waste of your time... )

Either way, I think I'll have one of these fine beverages later today. The more olives, the better!

It's a good day...

To just stay our happy butts home. Look...



Six inches plus, they say. Not a good day to be out and about but an EXCELLENT day to stay in. And home we are... WxMan is enjoying a much needed day off, we have plenty of food and beverage, my folks are in no hurry to get on the road home to Wyoming, did I mention that there is plenty of food and beverage??, and we have critters to entertain us...



I know there is a ton of stuff going on in the world - but to be honest I just can't get all worked up. I think I need to remain unplugged for a while....

I have hot soup and a good book and as Tammi pointed out, it *is* the last Friday of 2007. A healthy dose of R & R sounds like the best plan. For today, anyway...

Christmassed Out

The doggies got new toys and many treats, as did we all...

And I think we are all about that tired.

The true meaning of Christmas...

As told by Linus... (Hat tip to AWTM)



May God's Peace be with us all... Merry Christmas!

Trees....

Remember the Feather Trees from last year?? Oh yeah - they are enjoying another season of popularity. I saw this one the other day at Pier 1. Now with the ever attractive festive glitter!
Oh yeah - and they wanted $60 for it... I *still* don't get the trend...

For me, however, I should "think pink" apparently.

You Should Have a Pink Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of friendship and sharing. You're happy as long as you're spending time with the people you care about. You are passionate about the holidays, and that start of the holiday season makes you very excited. You sometimes go a bit overboard in your celebrations. You just can't help it! Passionate, easily excited, sweet, giving, love, friendship, sensitive, caring. Your pink tree would look great with: More pink! You should spend Christmas Eve watching: The Muppet Christmas Carol. What you should bake for Santa: Rice krispie treats with red and green food coloring

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

You know, when I was a kid we always left Santa a sandwich and a beer... I still think that sounds better.

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about celebration. You enjoy all the fun and fellowship that the holidays bring. You celebrate the holidays in a minimalist style. You are likely to only give one great present and decorate your house with a few special items. During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in. You think the holidays should be energetic and packed with activities. You'll double up on caffeine and sugar if that's what it takes to get you through them. Your best holiday memories are of childhood foods and traditions. You secretly still wish you believed in Santa Claus.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

And finally - Make a flake!


C'mon, you know you want to...

Pretty!

Tip of the hat for all three of these to Leslie. : ) Just a few days to go - y'all have fun out there!

Burned out??

Me???

You Are 63% Burned Out

You are very burned out. You need a huge break from your responsibilities, starting as soon as possible. And you need this time to reevaluate what you really want out of your life. Because you're working hard and going no where... and that would burn anyone out!

Are You Burned Out?

Dang that's too bad... Too bad because there is *still* a ton of stuff to get done.

::waits a moment for someone else to volunteer::

I'm getting back at it. Happy Friday!

The irony of my life...

All y'all know I like to cook. Puttering in the kitchen and feeding people are some of my favorite things to do! The irony of my life is that the people that I live with?? Well - they could care less...

Really.

Given the choice between Sauteed Chicken and garlic in a marsala wine reduction with roasted vegetables and twice baked potatoes VS. chef boyardee beef ravioli out of the can?? The chef would win EVERY time. Hands down.

And it's not just the girls (though Sporta is usually pretty good about trying things...) - it's WxMan too. He likes food to be simple. Tacos, pizza, steak, spaghetti, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, chicken fried anything... You get the picture. Oh, and green beans - he'll eat green beans. And peas.

With a few exceptions like my Chicken Tortilla Soup or Chicken Enchiladas - variations are not all that welcome. For example, he loves spaghetti but would make a face if I served lasagna.
Kilbasa but no Brats... Mashed potatoes but not scalloped... He loves chicken and smoked sausage but won't eat gumbo... Likes artichokes okay but won't try the Hot artichoke dip... You get the picture.

So last night he gets home and asks what's for dinner! As I indicated the crock pot full of yummy Potato Soup - he made the "but, what about me??" face.

"Oh, get a grip and fix a bowl. Everybody who has had this soup loves it and you LIKE potatoes ferGod's sake. Just try it."

So being hungry, and presented with no alternatives he reluctantly fixed himself a bowl. Two minutes later as he is topping off his bowl of soup - he turns to me and says,

"Hey - you know what?? This is GOOD!"

And these people wonder why I roll my eyes...

School Daze...

Christmas vacation is right around the corner. And to be honest, I think we could *all* use a break from school. The "Tween" years are an interesting animal. (And not a fun playful animal either. More of a moody, sharp clawed, sharper tongued, sarcastic, shrieky animal...)

Daily the girls come home with tales of angst and betrayal. Of friendships won, lost and ignored. And then there's homework. Oh joy...

You know?? I didn't enjoy 4th grade... 5th either. 6th, 7th, 8th?? Not so much....

High School?? Gimmee a break - I would rather be on fire than go through those years again.

Seriously.

But with Sporta and Computa, I am destined to relive *all* of those "Wonder Years."

Shit.

The rumors.

The girl drama.

The Oooooohhhh you *like* HIM?? - I'm gonna tell!! Or - Ohhhhh.... you *don't* like him?? You're GAY!!

All of that B.S.

One would think that they would have come up with some new material by now...

What *I* remember (least favorably)...

• Denying "new" clothes - because God forbid, you got something "new" that the popular girls didn't have... "Oh no, I have had this for months!"
  
• The behind the back friendships - drama - and what not - girls are MEAN!!
• Teachers and homework... Gah...
• Having nobody in your "posse" to hang out with at lunch and/or at recess because you screwed up (somehow) and nobody will tell you what's what or how to make things right. Oh the dreaded recess...
• Not having the *right* clothes/brands/accessories.
• Being into something dubbed "weird" by the masses... ("I like to read! Oh - that's not cool then?? Shit...")
• You're too fat.
• You're too thin!
• You're too smart!
• Dumbass!
• Teacher's pet!
• You said Ashley's cousin's brothers sister's friend had bad hair - you're not my friend anymore!
• You looked at me funny - I don't like you!
• People with blue eyes are not my friend this week...
• I hate you.
  

And God forbid you are gangly and awkward, smart, artistic, or have a mouth full of orthodontics to talk around... It's grade/middle/high school and you're a girl and you're f*cked.

Here we go again...

But this time I am the MOM! The ever so powerful MOM!!

Can I tell them that everything will be okay??

Well, I can TRY. But my attempts fall on deaf, unreceptive ears. I am the "Mom" - I don't "get it".

Can I tell them that in 5 / 10 / 15 years, none of this will matter?? Even a little teeny bit??

No.

Because I am the "Mom" - and I couldn't possibly understand or know what it is like...

Will I try to tell them anyway??

Yes.

Because I remember the HELL that is going to school and not measuring up to what your peers/teachers/parents expect of you. And how freeking mean those peers can be. AND I know that being an adult is soooooooo much better. (With the exception of having to pay taxes.)

Damn though - I wish I could relieve them of all of the DRAMA and ANGST. Without having to relive it myself of course.

I had to grow up once - wasn't that enough???

Oh no, Frosty!

Say it isn't so! ::snicker::

Chillin'...

And offering photographic proof to my mother that her dog (while missing her a TON) is fine... Also - she is really really cute...

And playin'...




My yard looks like there have been mutant games of Duck Duck Goose played. Heh... And these two have made fast friends...

Now if I could just teach them to let themselves in and out.

Got Balls??

I do. Lots of them...



Milk chocolate covered peanut butter balls, in fact. Nothing says Friday like chocolate covered balls, eh? ; )

Happy Friday, y'all...

Gray and dreary....

Making it a perfect day to watch Harry Potter and putter in the kitchen. I have a bunch of baking and candy making to catch up on! Whoohoo!!

So meanwhile, how about a Christmas Meme!

---------------------------------

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate / EGG NOG IS JUST WRONG! (Unless Christina is making it into cakes - then it's yummy for sure!!)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? This is the first year that Santa is wrapping (and some are under the tree already...) I still believe in the Big Guy, though. You never know when magic is going to happen!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? In the past *always* colored (but never blinking) WxMan wanted a solid color this year - so we have white lights on the trees and the house. It's pretty...

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope - wouldn't even know where to get any!

5. When do you put up your decorations? ASAP after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Oooohhhh.... I love everything. Traditional turkey dinner, Spiral sliced ham with homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Prime Rib... Mmmmm....

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Phone calls from Santa on Christmas Eve - My Grandpa John would go to the pay phone near our house (hell, it may have been one of the only ones in town!) and call my brother and I. My dad carries on the tradition to this day - though it is a might easier with cell phones. : )

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was young - 5?? 6?? I mourned the loss terribly - and then decided to believe in him anyway. Like I said - you never know when magic is going to happen... As for the girls, my policy is that if you deny the Big Guy exists - he doesn't bring you presents. Their choice!

9. What does your stocking look like? My childhood stocking, my mother made - it is an Angel with JOY...

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Red beads, and Ornaments that we have been gifted through the years. I have the ornament that I made in Kindergarten!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!! Until January 15th... Then it is no longer festive and I am ready for spring - three months early...

12. Can you ice skate? Yes - but I have discovered that gravity (and it's effects) are much harsher now than when I was a kid... yowch!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Every gift is a favorite. Recently though, WxMan surprised me with an anniversary band that I wear constantly.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Enjoying time with family and friends. Eat Drink and Make Merry!!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Toffee is *always* good.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Presents Christmas Morning - and we always watch a movie as a family Christmas Eve...

17. What tops your tree? Angels for days...

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving is the best.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love the classics... and can whistle/sing along to them all.

20. Candy Canes? To eat? Nahhh... But I keep a Santa Boot on hand filled with them. It's tradition! And the girls loooove the continuous access to candy.



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Alrighty then - that was fun. I am headed back to the kitchen. Snickerdoodles are up next!

Update: I think I need a bigger spatula... This is one of those times I wish blogger had a "insert smell" option.

For Oddy ....

Because she is dealing with these nimrods too... (click to embiggen)

With the ice storms today, it should be really interesting. I think I will just stay home...

Covered up...

But I do hope to see the light of day sooner than later... In the mean time, here are a few things that made *me* giggle. I may be relating a bit too much...







Oh yeah...

Flocked by nature...

I took these this morning of our tree in front. Pretty, huh? And also farooking cold... Definitely a day to stay in and *look* at the pretty outside. Brrrrrr....

For a different kind of "flocking" I suggest you check out Christina's place - yummy stuff over there. And some hot cocoa might be just the trick today with a few of those confections.

Want to know what I did today?

Well, it looked a LOT like this...

Since we got SEVEN inches of the white stuff, however, it was more shoveling and less "scraping." I do own one of those honkin' 30 inch snow plow thingys. They work great when there is just a bit of snow - and it's good to take care of the part of the driveway that you discovered has re-drifted over again during the day. Grrrrrr.....

Whatever. My folks are on the road to get here as I type, I just hope the Dakota's are kind and gentle to them and they arrive before the NEXT five inches comes down tomorrow night.

I am going to go play in the kitchen now. At least it's warm in there... Oh! And take an Advil...

Dressing for the holidays...

...not necessarily myself - but the house. I am having the most fun...

Company is coming and I am hosting a party on Sunday so, along with finishing the hearth...


I am working on the home. At least the Nativity is up (gifted to us by WxMan's grandmother)...


But seriously, every year I wonder what the Shepherd Boy is ON...


Dude... Long days and cold nights will do something to a guy (surrounded by sheep)...

You think? Hmmm...

Next up, cookies and candies!! I am soooo taking a page out of Christina's Book. It's kitchen time!

Oh... the weather outside is frightful...

But the fire... is soooo... delightful...


Needless to say, I am going to snuggle up INSIDE today... Nothing gets you more in the mood to bake cookies than weather like this... Add in some warm fuzzy socks, and I am in heaven. : )