Monday, January 17, 2011

When a Christmas Gift Bites Back


Christmas shopping for me begins in late August. Yes, it's true. I'm a bit insane. However, nothing pleases me more than to know when the Christmas season finally arrives, I am more than half way done my shopping. Not to mention, the gifts are even wrapped.


For the most part, the kids are still easy to shop for. They tell you everything they want. It's just up to us to cut the list in half (once or twice), then hope Santa figures out the rest.


But when it comes to Husbands...I'm totally stumped. We are at a point in our lives where we have everything we need. Accumulating more just means throwing out what we already have. Occasionally I'm thrown a bone though.


My husband loves to watch the Food Channel. I find it entertaining myself (sometimes). I'm always amazed that even in the tiniest of kitchens; they seem to have everything they need to make a meal for a party of twelve. I have a hard time cooking for four.


Despite this, Hubby insist on having gadgets. So when he mentioned he wanted a mandolin- I was only a little surprised. First because I thought he was referring to the musical instrument. (This coming from a man that is perplexed by a kazoo). I finally realized he was referring to a vegetable slicer.


I hesitated slightly at his request based simply on luck. Yes, I said luck. Let's just say, Hubby didn't exactly pass "Safety Class" with flying colors. Here are a few examples: During driving school he plowed right into the back of another car (with the instructor in the passenger seat); while installing a patio in our back yard, he put the utility knife right through his knee (Stitches!), While taking down Christmas decorations he fell off a ladder (Broken Arm), While searching under a perfectly still sink, he came up and hit his head (Huge Knot).


So like the loving woman I am...I bought him a sharp object. And like the brave man he is; he decided to use it for the first time while I was out of the house. And if you're hoping for a happy ending; well you should have read a fairytale instead.


The call kind of went like this: "Do you remember that Christmas gift you bought me Babe?"


And I already knew. Luckily, all of his digits were still attached. However, based on the amount of band aids and paper towels missing; the loss of blood was significant.


Well, tomorrow is trash day. Needless to say, there will be a mandolin curbside.


I can hardly wait to find out what he wants next Christmas. I'm thinking a padded room will suffice.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Another Snow Storm


Sledding and Snow Angels today in PA. Happy Children.....No School!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Prayers for Tuscon


Only thoughts and prayers today for those in Tuscon AZ. Life is precious. It should not be so easily taken.

Join in the moment of silence today at 11am Eastern Time.
"There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit." -Napolean Bonaparte

Friday, January 7, 2011

It Pays to Shop!


With the holidays finally over; who couldn't use a little extra cash?

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Think about how many times you made a purchase online during the holidays. At InboxDollars, you can actually get paid to shop online. It's just that easy.

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Monday, January 3, 2011

The 12 Days of Christmas Vacation


It's hard to believe that the Christmas season is finally done. Two months of preparation for one day, and it's over in the blink of an eye.

I sit here savoring the final minutes of peace before I have to wake the kids up for their first day back to school.

"What is school?" I'm sure they will ask. Their last week has been filled with a shocking amount of toy play, junk food, television and day trips. What kid would want to return to school?

I'm finding myself asking: "What is routine?" I lost all sense of routine these past 10 days. I was even able to get a cold and relax. Imagine That. Although I felt like poo at times, it was real nice watching my husband do wash.

Sad how we have to depend on vacation to get caught up on life... but that's exactly what we did. And I enjoyed every minute of it.

How was your vacations?

Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Years!


I'm not a big believer in resolutions. By January 30th, most people who have made a resolution have already broken it or forgotten exactly what they were shooting for in the first place. This includes myself Folks.

So instead of focusing on 365 days; I've decided to take it one day at a time. My key word this year is "Good."

"Good friends, good times, good health, and good choices."

I've come to realize that focusing on good health is alot easier than focusing on that 15 pounds that refuses to leave my side (or my butt for that matter).

Good friends are hard to come by. But I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by good acquaintances. This is a great time to take a good look at the company you keep. Have they been as great of a friend to you as you have been to them? If not, then ask just one question: "Why are you keeping them?"

It really comes down to good choices. Will we regret tomorrow the decisions we make today? I'm hoping not.

2010 was a tough year. It brought about alot of change for me and those around me. And while I look forward to change; I realize that it will take more than a change of date to bring about some real change.

So let's raise our glasses Ladies. Here's to 2012. May all your dreams come true!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

If Only I Asked for a Shovel


I usually wouldn't think about writing during a holiday. But after my husband decided to view Despicable Me with the family; I called it a night. And although it's only 6:30 Eastern Time, I'm winding down at the speed of light.

The children decided to check if Santa arrived at 6:20 am. And while the excitement of Christmas is overwhelming, I have hit the age where I finally understand why coffee is considered a remarkable drug.

The first 2 hours of the morning were spent unwrapping presents, catching that perfect picture on a camera that refuses to flash until our child has already left the room, sipping cold coffee, and reading directions in 4 different languages and hoping one will help you get that toy together. Ahhh, Christmas!!!

All in all, things were perfect. And nothing beats a day together with the family. Unless of course you find out from the National Weather Station that a snow blizzard is heading your way tomorrow. Now that's fantastic!

Actually, you got to love it when the weather station tells you you're going to get anywhere between 7 and 12 inches of snow with 30 mile an hour winds. You look around and realize that Santa remembered everything but snow boots for the kids. Talk about practical. Not to worry. I'm sure we can dig out with the new Nintendo DS's. Or shall I say: "We'll be digging out while the kids play their Nintendo DS'S. Can't Wait.

Well, I hope everyone out there had a wonderful Christmas. And if you live in PA.......Happy Digging!