Why parts of today weren't my most favorite...

So, as usual, I have a pretty happy, sunny outlook - right?Also, I usually don't realize that the day sucked until the end of the day when something ELSE happens, and then I review the day (looking for a "it wasn't all bad" thought and can only find one or two) and then realize parts of it really sucked.

This morning was alright - Mamu and Bebe ate breakfast and played. Around 11, I made an early lunch (pancakes, which Bebe had requested) and got Mamu into bed early since I knew I'd have to get him up early to go to my Aunt Bea's house (who we haven't seen in a long time).

He Did.Not.Sleep.At.All. He peed twice - in his bed. I don't know if that was on purpose or he just did on accident. But pee, and pee he did. And change him, change him I did. Bebe rested and read for me during the 'nap' time so she wouldn't be cranky or irritable during our Aunt Bea visit. She also assembled the toy bags for each of them so they would have things to do at Aunt Bea's house, along with snacks.

So we get to Aunt Bea's house and we have a good time visiting and catching up (even if I forgot to tell her the time we'd be there).

Dinner, stocking opening, and baths at MG and Grandaddy's was a lot of fun. Mamu really enjoyed taking a bath in Grandaddy's tub and the kids enjoyed our time there -- even if it wasn't as long as we usually stay.

The drive home sucked. Not only do I not like driving at night; I don't like getting gas at night. Which is part of the reason I sorta forgot to get gas until I (must have been divine intervention) looked at the gas gauge and saw that I would not make it home without a stop at the gas station.

(I also believe I was getting a big dose of gas Karma. Last night Jason asked -- or indicated his car needed gas, so when I went to the gym could I get gas in it ok? Well I didn't for three reasons. One, I was sweaty and I hate getting gas at night. Two, my jaw hurt because of getting bumped in my chin and hurt my jaw -- so bad it hurt to chew. Three, it was raining. So I didn't get gas. I'll get it next time now that gas karma has gotten me.)

I knew one was coming up, so I exited and turned into the gas station. Or what I thought was the gas station. I pulled into the damn semi-parking lot. I went ahead and drove through thinking that it would connect on the other side; I was wrong. I know that the truckers were thinking "Look at that crazy white lady driving through our parking lot. She apparently thinks her big white van is big enough to come through our parking lot." Luckily I made it into the gas station (you know, after turning around and doing a loop) and got gas. I didn't get a full tank, just enough to get me home to a cheaper gas station. That I can also get during the day time. When I lifted the nozzle, I hit the blippedy blip gas cap and it flew off of the gas door holder thingy and it rolled UNDER the van. Not just a smidge, but all the way in the middle.

So, I laid FLAT down on the nasty ground and reached the gas cap. After I put it on, I got in the van, reassured Mamu (Bebe was asleep) that we really were going home and that this wasn't our house. Only then, when I was in the van that I thought about driving forward a bit to get it. (Yea, Jason asked me why I didn't do that too.) Then I almost missed the exit for my town. Like I haven't been driving this highway for over 10 years and been taking this exit for over 3 years, it still sneaks up on me. At least the search light for the airport is on and it reminded me. (There's a small airstrip right near my exit). Luckily, I made it home with no more fodder for the blog (thankfully).

So there you have it - I'll let you figure out what I would like to not repeat from today.

And here's some picture lovin' for you:

"Bebe? You think Momma's crazy?"

"Yes, Mamu, she is...but we still love her anyways."

Why I'll never be a cougar...

So, last week, Auntie, Jason, and myself were playing a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture edition when the subject of cougars came up.

Well, it didn't exactly come up; I mean somehow, we got on the subject after I won the game.

Here are some of the reasons we came up with why I can never be a cougar:
a) I'm married.
b) I apparently am not old enough. (but I've also been told when I am old enough that I still won't qualify
c) Apparently, I don't have a good enough 'rawr'
d) You're not supposed to make a claw motion when you 'rawr'
e) You're not supposed to go after older guys....like Patrick Stewart.
and....
f) I don't dress slutty enough. Even if I tried.

So, I guess I'll have to find another past time when I hit "cougar age" -- whenever that is...

(BTW - When we were talking about this we were laughing so hard that we were crying. Or at least Auntie and I were -- I'm pretty sure Jason laughed but also rolled his eyes... a lot.)

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

and a Happy New Year!

Twisted Sister - Oh Come All Ye Faithful

So, have you been looking for the perfect Christmas carol to ring in the holiday?

Have you been wanting something *different*?

Well, my friend, do I have something for you!

Again, this would not have been brought to my attention if my dear friend Eric hadn't put it in one of his Christmas CDs. I will say it again - he's awesome.



Because who doesn't want something they can head bang to on Christmas morning?

Don't you want a great guitar riff to bust a move to?

I do like that they put a little bit of "We're Not Gonna Take It" in there as well ... mostly because that's my newest pooping song for Mamu.

What doesn't say "Christmas" like a man with better make-up skills than I will ever dream of?

When searching YouTube (which is still pretty awesome) I also found out they did a variety of Christmas songs. If there is a CD out there somewhere, I definitely need to own it.

(Guess who rocked out to this yesterday when I was sewing the Christmas pajamas for the kids.)

When does this come out for Rock Band?

A Year in Review...

So, a few weeks ago, this facebook thing came up to do "Your Year in Statuses" and of course I jumped on that bandwagon and got to remembering about this year. Then when I was done reminiscing (and deciding that I probably share way too much on Facebook -- but probably won't stop anytime soon) I thought that I should share my year here. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be bombarded with our year!

January:

My laptop died. It was a sad, sad time. I had to do everything on a 'big' computer for 3 weeks. It stunk. I also lost some pictures that I hadn't backed up on the other computer at our house. That may account for the reason that I now have only 28 pictures left on my CF card in my camera (it holds about 5,000). We had our usual January cold, but no snow or ice or anything like that. I also have no pictures from January either. Sigh.

February:

We had snow. Not the ice stuff we Texans like to call snow because we just wish for it, but real, flakey snow! Enough to cancel school for two days and make us go an extra day in June. We built snowmen, walked in the snow, and drank hot chocolate (well, Bebe and I did; Mamu just had a marshmallow). We also had the usual Valentine's day fun at both schools and enjoyed each other's little Cars and Tinkerbell valentines.

March:

Mamu turned 2! Wow, that little man is growing up fast. We had a party at the house that was just family (and Aunt Didi skyped in) with Ernie and presents. His most favorite present was the train that Jason and I got him (on sale right after Christmas) and his sock monkey. He had an Ernie cake and loved his Ernie shirt that I made him. We also had Easter! We went to our church's annual Easter egg hunt and sported cutesy new shirts I made each of them. Squeezed into March as well was Spring Break! My craftiness blossomed (wow, I even amazed myself with that- spring break; blossomed?! Wow.) and I went on a 4 day craft binge making everything under the sun and more. I think my sewing machine appreciated when I went back to work just so it would get a break!

April:

Bebe turned 7! I can't believe it's been this long (I know everybody says that) since she was just 'borned' (as she would say). She's turned into quite a little girl, but I still see glimpses of her when she was younger (in a good way; not the crying, screaming part). She had her party at Build a Bear and loved it. She also sported a cutesy new birthday outfit I made her and I taught her that the bigger the bow, the better. :) I also started this blog, so if you need to, go back to the archives and see what else was on my mind then...

May:
Bebe had her 3rd recital and got to tap this time! She was super cute and did a great job! We celebrated Mother's Day with MG AND Aunt Didi (and KK too). Aunt Didi flew in on Mother's Day and we had a luau - complete with an overcast 65 degree day. We hulaed anyway until the rain started. We also spent a lot of time with Aunt Didi, KK, and Uncle Mark while they were here. (I also took Aunt Didi on a 3 hour tour too...)

June:
We FINALLY got out of school! It's horrible going two weeks into June. The kids are done. We're done. It's not a good combo. We also went to the Harris family reunion in East Texas for the first time in I don't know how many years. We went to see Grandma and Grandpa up in Illinois and Bebe flew out (with Grandma) before we arrived! She spent a few days up there by herself and got some great grandparent time in before we got there. Auntie came up for a visit and we (of course) had a great time! June was busy, busy, busy! I had a birthday and Jason had one too! (Aunt Didi did as well if you want to keep track!)

July:
We enjoyed our Fourth of July fireworks, as well as a barbecue at our house. We made it through the heat of the summer mostly by going swimming and playing in the water in the backyard. Bebe went to Craftcamp and made keychains and popup cards. We (MG, Bebe, Mamu, and myself) drove down to see Aunt Didi's, Uncle Mark's, and KK's new house. We also stopped at the East Texas Oil Museum and learned (and remembered for us old folks) about the oil boom.

August:
Well, I had to actually go earn my paycheck (you know - it'd be great if I could get paid to stay at home!), so back to teaching I went! Bebe started 2nd grade and Mamu went to the Early Preschool class. Bebe loves her teacher and Mamu loves his too! Mamu got to start going to Build and Grow (which he calls Hammer, Hammer) and built his first project - a school bus! Bebe continued going as well. She won't let me call it Build and Squish. (I always say I'm going to squish them and not let them grow-- so they'll stay little; not like squishing a bug!) Bebe put on shows (which she does all the time) and actually started having a order to her show--complete with costume changes and everything! Auntie moved here and we were super excited! (We still are super excited she's here!)

September:

We celebrated Grandaddy's and KK's birthday (which are on the same day), along with MG's birthday (which is not on the same day). A guy also decided to pull out in front of me and hit Bessie (the van). Which lead to me driving a rental for most of September. (Don't worry - Bessie's all better.) I also worked really hard with Mamu on his potty training and made several top 40 hits into pooping songs.

October:

We went to the zoo with Auntie and really helped expand her knowledge of animals. (We love you Auntie!) We learned that Mamu loves the wolf at the zoo! We visited the fire station and had a great Halloween with Mamu as Woody the Cowboy and Bebe as Jessie the Cowgirl. We had a great Trunk or Treat with Grandpa giving us a surprise visit and MG & Grandaddy doing a fabulous trunk! Jason also performed in Drood and I got to see him sing a solo! We went to the pumpkin patch and rode the fun (albeit dusty) train. Bebe actually got to carve a pumpkin this year and passed down the light brite pumpkin to Mamu (which he LOVED because it involved a hammer).

November:

Wow. Jason and I have been married for 9 years this past November. How he still puts up with Crazy (i.e. Me) I don't know (I think he REALLY likes that Auntie is here because she gets to hear the crazy too! and that deflects from him hearing it!), but I'm happy he still puts up with me! We had a great Thanksgiving at MG and Grandaddy's house, as well as a great Black (sleepless) Friday. We watched the Texas Rangers make history becoming the American League Champions. We also helped MG and Grandaddy get their Christmas tree. Jason and I also began the Play Fort project.

December:
Well, as December usually does, it started out fast and hasn't really slowed down! We breakfasted with Santa, built a train at Build and Grow (over 3 weekends), were in the Christmas parade, had class parties, worked more on the play fort, and enjoyed several Christmas movies. Shopping is done (well, I don't know if Jason's done ...) and presents are wrapped. I've made the Christmas pajamas (matching of course) for the kids, as well as a couple of other gifts (but this in no way matches the Spring Break Craftiness). We're planning on going to TubaChristmas either tomorrow or Friday (depends on what the weather decides to do) and then onto Christmas Eve and Christmas.

All in all, it's been a great year. The kids are doing great and really entertaining each other (like right now, while I've been writing this, Bebe has been reading to Mamu -- the whole time) although they do have their moments (like right now when I just heard Bebe tell Mamu "Ow! That hurts!"). The most important thing is that we love each other and 'as far as anybody knows, we're a nice, normal family' - but for those of you who really know us -- we're a nice, Crazy family!

The Face

So, many of you know (and probably many of you don't) that in my family we have a tendency to get 'choked up' during random acts or events --or even commericals. It's so bad that we joked at my wedding that we needed cards that said "I'm having a heart attack, please call 911." to give out in case we really were having a heart attack and people we just so used to seeing that face and dismissing it. We really credit my Dad with having these faces, but I'm just as bad. There's a picture of me walking down the aisle with my Dad and BOTH of us have these chokey faces on. Once he starts, I'm not too far behind. (I would put a picture of that here, but since I don't have a flatbed scanner and my wedding photos are sealed into the album from the photographer, you'll just have to use your imagination.)



This especially happens to me at random times during the Christmas season, so I thought that I'd chronicle them for you and you can see how truly crazy I am... like you needed any more proof.



Top Five Things that make me cry during the Christmas season:

5 - Stupid 'coming home' commericals - you know, the kid that just walks through the door from some far away place and the parents are so overjoyed that they've forgotten he just got released from the psych ward or something.

4- The Christmas parade. Really? Yes. The Christmas parade. Especially when Santa comes down the road.

3- TubaChristmas. This is an event I'll write about later, but every year anyone who plays the tuba or baritone can get together and play Christmas carols. Gets me every year.

2- Toys for Tots. I mean - Marines + Toys + Deserving Kids= Tears.

1- Visiting Santa with the kids - really the first time that I say "Look! It's Santa!" Honestly, anything to do with Santa.



AND... anytime I'm with my Dad and he starts up.

I guess I'll have to go find the heart attack cards to avoid confusion this holiday season.

Memories

So, as I sit wrapping, and wrapping, and wrapping, and wrapping, I think. I usually have the TV on with something mindless I don't have to pay attention to (read: any of the Real Housewives shows) or I watch Holiday Inn (my super favorite Christmas movie). I talk to myself (usually in my head, but sometimes it comes out loud) and I take walks down memory lane.

(My sister has instructed me that I need to put kleenex warnings on my sappy posts. So here's your warning Didi. Grab the tissues now. Here's a photo for you to look at while you wait for DiDi and her tissues.)

Most of the time (and I've pretty much bored anyone who is around me while I wrap with this story) I think about my Murmur. She was my Dad's mom, and an amazing woman. I am the oldest (I know!) grandchild and I am considerably older (7 years --- ok, really 6 years and 360 days) than the next grandchild, so I had a lot of time to make memories with her.

One of my most favorites are during Christmas. I would always help her Christmas shop. We always would go to Stripling and Cox department store and buy for everyone. In one day. I would bring Christmas tapes (yes tapes, I'm old) and one year made a mixed tape for us to listen to. I usually used the KVIL CD that we had because I (thought) I could sing just like them. Then we'd go out to lunch. And depending on how tired she was, we'd wrap presents afterwards. We always bought enough to qualify for free wrapping, but usually they'd be backed up and we'd just get the free boxes. I'd sit on her kitchen floor and spread out the wrapping paper and add ribbons and bows while she wrapped at her table. I'd enjoy an icy cold Coca Cola (she always had them) and we'd chat. We'd laugh and come up with some phrase that would keep reoccurring during our conversations that would make us laugh even harder.

When I got old enough to drive her, I'd be her chauffeur and whisk her around places.

When she got to the point that she was more comfortable in a wheelchair for the long duration, I'd whip the wheelchair out of the back of the car or suburban and lift her in and out of it (she was small) and we'd go for rides. I probably scared her sometimes, and she probably prayed A LOT when we were doing that, but we had fun.

I also warned my mom and sister to be nice to me when it got close to those shopping trips because I had the power to help pick out something very lovely, or something, very... not. :) I used my power for good, not evil...

One time, Jason accompanied me and my sister on said shopping trip. I'm pretty sure we had just gotten married and I still wanted to come down for our annual trip. Since we usually ate at Cheddar's and it was in the same shopping strip (just across the parking lot), I had the idea of my sister pushing Murmur across the parking lot in her wheelchair, since it was so hard for Murmur to get in and out of it. It was the best idea ever! Again, a lot of praying probably went on, but they raced us and I think won! I know that there was running at some point on my sister's part. I took pictures and everything, but that was before digital and I'm not hooked up to the scanner at this computer.

That was the last time that I went with her on her shopping trips. Work got in the way, life happened, illnesses occurred etc. I'll always have those fabulous memories and will make sure to try and make some of those fabulous memories for my Mamu and Bebe. And maybe a mixed tape too....

Black Friday

So, I mentioned awhile back that MG and I always go black Friday shopping. Usually we sleep for a few hours, wake up at around 2:30 and are in line at 3 or so (depending on what store we want to go to first and when they open). We make lists, print out store maps, divide and conquer - everything except coordinating outfits (we have standards you know; unlike the people we saw pushing grandma in her wheelchair with a laundry basket zip tied to the back of the wheelchair in their matching pajama pants and shirts).

Well, this year, we didn't go to bed.

We were at Walgreens at midnight and met some VERY drunk people. Very drunk. I mean, we almost got drunk off their fumes!

Then we went home for awhile and then left to go to Target at 3 am.

We didn't wait in the 32 degree line.

We waited in the nice, warm Suburban until they opened at 4. Then we still waited in the nice, warm Suburban, until the line was almost through the doors. That took 10 minutes (wow).

Then we went to JCPenneys (not super impressed with their checkout speed), Office Max, Kohls, PetSmart, Lifeway, Half-Price Books and I might have missed another store.

We did stop at some point at a Whataburger and get MG a coffee and me some OJ - and met a very disgruntled Whataburger person. Apparently, she was either upset she wasn't out partaking in the shopping goodness or she's just bitter. She didn't dampen our spirit though!

Here's a picture of the line at Target at 12:30 (we drove by after Walgreens to scout out how crazy it was going to be).

There was a sign on one of the tents, but it was too cold for me to get out and go read it.

I also thought that I might be attacked since if I did go look at the sign, it would look like I was trying to cut in line.

You don't mess with the people in tents.

You just don't.

We're looking forward to next year!

Yes, I'm the Crazy One...

So, I'm a crazy cleaning woman both yesterday and today.

For those of you who are familiar with the "Closet of Doom" will be glad to know it's been renamed the "Closet of Utopia". Last night I had to look for my address book (in the 'closet of doom') and I've been planning on cleaning it out this weekend, but I couldn't stand it any more!

So at 8 pm last night, I began to clean it out.

Around 8:45, I decided I needed more plastic storage (who doesn't?).

Luckily, I have a very understanding husband that realizes enough to get away from me when I'm in the cleaning mode and 'understood' that I needed to go to Target. Right then.

So I went to target. Now, I had planned on going to the gym before the cleaning of the closet of doom, so I was in yoga pants, a long sleeved paint smeared shirt, a hoodie jacket and I'm pretty sure my hair was quite wild. I don't know about you, but I mutter and talk to myself when I'm shopping. It might be because I'm usually never alone, so I constantly am talking to the kids, Jason, whomever, or it might be because I'm crazy. Either way, I sure looked like escaped from an asylum last night as I wandered the Target aisles, partly in shock since it was so quiet and not busy, and partly crazy because I was muttering to myself.
Things like:
--Hmm... I think that the kids would like this...
--Wow, that's a good deal.
--This is a little freaky. (It was this weird toy)
--Umm, that's a good idea for Jason.
--Oh. I don't want a box that's ripped.
--I need that.
--Oh! That matches Didi's stuff.

And more. Much more.
Anyways, I made it through there and mostly finished my Christmas shopping as well. I came home and finished cleaning out the closet. I moved a storage piece out of there --ok, really, Jason moved it for me-- and couldn't decide where to put it. Thus started the chain reaction.
I went to bed around midnight (yes, I had to work this morning). I came home tonight and moved some more things around. I still need to go through my fabric stash and get that organized, but after that, I think I'll be happy with the changes! I just need to clean out the playroom and figure out what toys need to stay and what toys can go on vacation.

I Shoulda Been Born Cajun

So, I have this odd facsination with the Cajun people.

Now, not actually having met any Cajun people (that I am aware of - I might have stumbled upon a few when we went to Louisiana this summer, but they weren't wearing any Hello, My Name is Cajun Person name tags) I really only know what I've seen on movies and TV and what I've read in books.

I picture them as Louisiana's verison of the Texas Redneck, only cooler 'cause they have their own musical style. And I do love that musical style. Like, really love it.

I wrote about my friend who made the CDs for Christmas and this is by FAR my FAVORITE ever! I seriously listen to it a.l.l. the time during the Christmas season and then mourn it when I have to put the Christmas music away.

So I will share this with you. Don't watch it for the video. Seriously not sure what's going on with that, but just listen and enjoy.

Pet Shop Boys - It doesn't often snow at christmas

So, I've been grooving to Christmas music (as I bet you have been too) lately and I have a friend who a couple of years ago, who made CDs (not like mix-tape burn it yourself ones, but actual published ones and everything) and sent them as gifts. Due to several factors, he doesn't do it now, but it's something I hope he does again! He has a great way of finding fun, exciting, and obscure songs. I LOVE all of them, but a few of them really help me get moving when I'm feeling slow and make me laugh most of the time too.

The Pet Shop Boys one I really just love for the beat and their sound... I really didn't even know the title until I looked it up. Enjoy.





Enjoy!

We're back!

No, we didn't go anywhere - except to MG and Grandaddy's which is an hour away - we've just been busy. Here's a quick update, with more to come soon, I promise!

So, the week of Thanksgiving, Jason had most of the week off and we began working on the play fort. I burned 5 million calories shoveling dirt out and trying to help him make the ground level for the fort and it's mostly done. We worked on it like crazy people and still like each other. That's good.

We also took some time to have family time (we weren't slaves to the play fort - it just felt like it) and we went to the zoo. Mamu (if you remember) loves the wolf at the zoo. We visited the wolf 5 times (maybe more) and were very excited when the wolf walked around! Bebe enjoyed all of the animals and was a great sport about visiting the wolf so much. She really liked it when we saw the owls - 2 were awake! I think they were confused...

We also got our family portraits taken -- that was fun. Here's a glimpse, but I can't show them all since they are presents too!

I got to go to the eye doctor, which is not my favorite thing to do. Some people put off the dentist; I put off the eye doctor. Well, I went in and got new contacts. I've been wearing glasses since dinosaurs roamed the Earth (ok - 5th grade, but if you ask my Kindergarteners, that's an accurate time frame) and after the Ice Age (9th grade) I got contacts. I've been in contacts ever since. It was very rare to see me in my glasses outside of the house. Well, my eye doctor found some problems with my eyes back in April, and he took my contacts away. 7 months of no contacts has taught me a lot (in the fact that I can survive working out and going to the pool in my glasses) and now I'm alternating wearing contacts and glasses. Which really messes with my Kindergarteners minds!

We went to MGs and Grandaddy's house for Thanksgiving. We had a great time and took several pictures. However, we used Grandaddy's camera, and I haven't gotten them from him. We visited with some great family and made some great memories!

MG and I have a tradition of going Black Friday shopping. Usually we catch a couple hours of sleep before we head out, but this year, we started at midnight. We did come home after our midnight stop, since Target didn't open until 4. I took about a 20 minute nap and MG snoozed in the car. I always type up and print out the different items that we're after and pair them with the ads (you never know when you'll need to point at the picture!). Well, we grabbed those and sat in the car for an hour at Target. We didn't want to wait in line this year because A) it was super cold and B) we weren't after the big electronic items. It took the line 10 minutes to get in the door! We're polite shoppers, so we didn't try to cut in line, but others sure did. The nice police officer helped them see the wrong of their ways. :) We did 7 or 8 stores and were home by 9:30 am!

Then it was off to cut down MG and Grandaddy's Christmas tree! They always have a live tree and since I can't remember when (sometime, maybe 8th grade?) we've gone to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree. We went to a great farm and had a great time. I cut the tree down this year! I've done it a couple of times before, so it's not that big a deal, but it sure does build your confidence (and make your arm very tired). We played on the different activities and again, took great pictures - on Grandaddy's camera.

We traditionally stop at a Dairy Queen on the way home for lunch and this year was no exception! We enjoyed our Blizzards and I told the same story I tell every year - When my sister was little, she couldn't eat all of her blizzard, so I would get to eat the rest of hers! Ahh... the memories. She now eats all of her blizzards, so no bonus for me now.

Then we helped MG and Grandaddy put it up in their house and get all of the Christmas tubs down out of the attic before we headed home.

Guess what we did the next Saturday?! If you guessed work on the play fort - you are the winner! We knocked a lot of it out last Saturday and were going to work on it on Sunday, but we had CRAZY wind and couldn't.

We got our Salvation Army angels this past Sunday and are working hard on finding their treasures (and on teaching the kids how to give back and be grateful too!).

We went to Breakfast with Santa today at church - more on that later (I have to save something for you, right?!) and again, worked on the play fort. I think one more day and it'll be done! That'll definitely be a post of it's own.

Well, now that the house is decorated, the fort is (almost) built, and the angels are getting presents, I hope that we can slow down and enjoy the season!