Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Dear Mom, Jason, Sue, etc....

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated since our flight. I was under the impression that since I am currently sitting across the room from you (okay, down the freeway from Sue) and one of you actually travelled with me, you would know that we made it safely and had a wonderful Christmas. But since I'm getting told repeatedly that none of you know what we're up to, this update's for you!

So, we made it!

What? You want more? Okay, fine. The night before we travelled, we stayed with friends in D.C. It was wonderful to see them, but George wasn't real interested in sleeping, so we only managed to get about three hours before we had to get back up and head to the airport. The plane that was supposed to have power outlets? Didn't. BUT, George did amazingly well. We didn't know how long the DVD battery would last, so we didn't turn it on until we had less than two hours to go. For the first three, both kids played quietly, drew pictures, and read books with us. They were great, we were exhausted!

Other than a slight delay in San Francisco, both flights when very smoothly. We were very lucky in our destinations, as many other Western airports were cancelling all their flights due to snow.

To be honest, I don't remember much from the following couple of days. We were all very jet lagged and trying to finish our Christmas preparations. We recovered in time to enjoy two wonderful holiday gatherings with family. I am so very happy to be here with them!

Christmas itself was so fun! We did the present opening in stages to accomodate children's attention spans and the arrival of more family. Other than the yummy food, hilarious conversation and family jokes, and lounging in my new pajamas all day, my newest favorite Christmas memory is, of course, my children. They did so great, playing quietly with new toys while the adults chatted, showing such joy in those new toys, and being complete angels all day. And at the end of the day, when everyone had gone home, they sat quietly, enjoying their new art supplies.

Peace, quiet, happiness, and a glass of wine....what more do you need? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, as well!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Getting ready to go!

Today I called our travel agent with a question and, as she's looking up our reservation, I hear, "Oh gosh, I'm glad you called." Um, WHAT???? No big deal, except that our already early morning flight has been made even earlier by about 20 minutes. Since we always go for overkill, we would have been plenty early anyway, but can you imagine the adrenaline overload if I had found that out while we were checking in?? Ya think maybe airlines should be required to TELL their paying passengers when they change the flight schedule?

But, on a better note, I found out that our 5 plus hour flight is on a B757. Why do we care? Because B757's that are traveling across the country have power outlets at every seat. Can I get a big YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!? The portable DVD player will be plugged in the minute they allow it and the Wiggles will sing us across the country!! Normally, five hours of nonstop TV is a bit more than I allow. But with George being "that kid" that tends to scream a lot on airplanes, and the fact that music filled videos calm him, we'll be making an exception. I can't tell you how much stress drained out of my body when I found that out. Life is good.

It will be even better Thursday, when I wake up in Oregon. Yippee!!!!

Friday, December 15, 2006

Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Um, one of those has the word "chocolate" in it, right? That pretty much trumps all other choices. Though, Jason does make a yummy egg nog for us every Christmas Eve.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa leaves one present unwrapped for each child. Usually the big, hard-to-wrap ones!

3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house? I love icicle lights on houses, but on the tree I can go either way.

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Normally, the day after Thanksgiving. This year, we're just looking forward to Gramma & Papa's decorations!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Excluding dessert? Do people eat anything other than dessert from Thanksgiving to Christmas? Seriously?

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Going out into the woods (okay, a Christmas tree farm, but I thought it was the forest) to pick out a tree. We always got cold and sappy and bickered about which tree to get, but I loved it!

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We've started opening one gift, new pajamas for everyone. That way our Xmas morning pictures are that much prettier!

9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember not knowing the truth, though I'm sure I believed at some point.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Lots of family ornaments, handed down from parents and grandparents, and lights. No tinsel or garlands to clutter it up, I like to see the pine needles!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!!!

12. Can you ice skate? I haven't in years, but I used to manage getting around the rink without falling.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember getting a leather bomber jacket when I was about 13. I was sooooo cool.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Making it magical for my children.

15. What tops your tree? A glittery gold star with pearl-type thingies in the points. Sounds kind of strange when I try to describe it.

16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Leaving cookies for Santa. Or, as Emma has made this her duty, leaving cookies and milk for Santa, and a salad for the reindeer!

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Oh heck, both! I love, love, love choosing just the right gifts for each person and watching them open them. But I love seeing what other people choose for me, too!

18. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Thank you! A normal holiday food question! Fudge. Yum. And decorated sugar cookies. And 24 hour salad (see my Thanksgiving entry). And Mom's apple pie.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Any of the classics, O Holy Night, Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Joy to the World, etc.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Bleh.

21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie? A Christmas Story. Have to watch it every year.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Friday, December 08, 2006

Do I feel lucky?

My blog pals are talking about luck today. And when I posted that prompt this morning I had all sorts of ideas and, well, energy. But you see, we spent most of the afternoon banished from our home (with the dog, during George's normal nap time, and we forgot hats and mittens so we couldn't go to the park), so Realtors could preview our house. And now, now I'm tired and have no idea as to what I was planning on regaling you with.

So I'll leave you with the most recent moment in my life when I truly felt lucky.

Day: Today

Time: 6:30 am

Setting: Living room, leaning over the couch trying to convince Emma that she wanted to eat breakfast.

Costume: Slippers, bath robe, no make-up, hair clipped out of my face

The words that came out of my dear daughter's mouth: "Mommy, you are so beautiful."

I am the luckiest woman in the world.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAck!

Let's just say that I woke up at 4 am this morning, realizing that I only have 2 1/2 weeks left in this house. Let's just say that I spent the next hour stressing about the satellite receiver and DSL modem and how my husband would have to remember to pack them up and send them to their respective companies and how the boxes for them are behind one of the shelving units in the garage and they need to be gathered up before the movers come (which, granted, won't be until at least late January, but still) and how I need to write these things down on our list so we wouldn't forget and they wouldn't keep me awake at night!!!

Okay, I needed to get that out. Since that early morning heart attack, I've pretty much been a zombie all day. Jason just laughed at me, because he had his stress attack about a week ago. It took me a while to catch up, I guess. Tomorrow, we're back to our chores: packing up closets, getting rid of clutter, cleaning, etc. Wednesday, our realtors will come to the house to sign papers and take a look around. Then, it will be back to packing so that we have what we need for the five months or so that we'll be living with relatives.

I'm exhausted. I'll try to be a bit more coherent tomorrow!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Christmas 2005 Memories


I created this for my latest Art Journal Challenge at DSP, Creating a Holiday Journal. Check it out if you want to join in!
Credits:
Blue Christmas by Elizabeth Weaver, Because I Love You page kit by Rene Bross, Paint It! Element Pack by Stacey Jewell Stahl, Floral Traditions Add On Pack by Rene Bross, Altered Journey by Beth Nixon, DSP Basics Set by Valeri Brumfield, Flossie kit by Fee Jardine, Simple Pleasures kit by Michelle Coleman, Journal from Stock Exchange, Fonts: Susie's Hand, Typewriter