Christmas was sooo special to me considering my roll over. I tried to just approach it normally, but I couldn't! I loved looking at all the christmas packages the are so pretty with all their colors. My sister did bags this year...she said it is actually a good idea for recycling...hmmm I guess so but I still like paper too. I miss when my dad would burn them in the fireplace & you would get all these cool colors. Now we don't do that but maybe one day...God only knows what it was letting in the air that we inhaled & will die of later though! HA!
Ok, stockings! Hee Hee..I love stockings! I got some nice bath things, a cute purple bell ornament that was decorated...my sis got at a craft show. Socks! I got Socks! I love warm socks! I didn't think I'd like the ones with the sticky patterns on the bottom thinking I would stick to the floor & jar my knee or back etc from it stopping me & then my body still moving forward but so far ok. I got some of those hand warmers that last for 10 hours. A painted little AZ sun to hang up. My sis got me some clothes...a jean jacket but didn't work too good. Sweater...didn't like but she tried & brown pants which I liked but way too big...YA! :-) My brother got me these light purple gloves, hat & scarf I picked out with him at Jewel! HA! I saw it & he was with me & I thought...helps him & I don't have to pay for it! HA! I love them! My mom wanted to steal them. He did also get me Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Town CD! :-) And yes I will admit Barry Manilow's Hallmark Christmas CD...I'm old...he was out when I grew up & I like him! HA! That & ELO & Boston etc when I was a teen...I know odd but...My folks gave us cards with money...which one can always use! HA!
My bro & I got my dad this huge weather station that also has caller ID on it for their home in AZ. It is from Sharper Image. We saw it there on sale when we picked up my bro's Ipod Alarm Clock I got him there for his Christmas & Birthday. His birthday is in about a week & he will be 40 so we are going to have a big party for him. Snuck a Ipod book in his stocking, some Bulls pj pants, which I might add he saw ahead of time bring in bags from the car! Ugh! Then I also got him this Bears snowman ornament. Shhhh got Chris a Cubs one too. I have to get my mom some art supplies from downtown next week. The store is right where I come up to the street from the Metra train. I didn't get to the week before because of my roll over so she got an IOU. She didn't mind though. I had gotten my sis a snowman fondue & then a cute condiment snowman with hats around it but she didn't like them or rather thought she would not use it much. I figured snowman, not santa, can use from like Nov to Feb but that is what I would do so...She loves snowman but...got her a salsa cookbook & then this box of cookie recipe cards. She wanted the Deceptively Delicious cookbook too so I got her that. Found her some snowman coasters for her stocking. She also liked the sister snowman ornament I got her that plays 3 christmas songs. I got my niece one that sings "You are My Sunshine" I use to sing that to her when she was a baby.
My mom & dad went nuts over the Sombrero ornament I got them in Geneva! I hope it can get to AZ without breaking! I got them a cactus & a pinata one last year. Mom also loved the long sleeve shirt I got her with roses on it. It looked like one she stole from me many years ago that is really time to throw out but she just loves it. Oh I forgot I got my little niece zebra pjs too..she loved them. I snuck a small box of Whoopers in my dad's stocking...he loves them & then some photo magnets for the fridge. Chris had found this Chicago Polish book and when I looked in it there were so many places I knew & then I freaked because someone we have known our whole life is in there with a recipe spread. I was so excited to give it to my folks. My dad wouldn't go on opening presents...just like the books on old time cars I got him for fathers day! :-) I also got my dad some glass piece tiles for stain glass stuff he wants to do & put them in his stocking. Oh & I got 3 of those Cognitive books that you look at the two pictures & try to find the differences.
I found the ornament...this is the one I got myfolks!
I found some tablets with snowman on them for my sis. I kept one! :-) My sis made a roast which was real good for dinner. We never had roast on Christmas...usually Lasgna...and left overs from Christmas Eve for lunch. Maybe I can make Lasgna for New Years Day? Not sure what I'm doing yet? I watch A Christmas Story a few times during the day! :-) Parts kept coming on. Oh that & Miracle on 34th Street...both versions! Oh...and my dad came in the room & started to watch the old one with us. He watched it like he had never seen it before. I thought really? Was he that busy when we were kids? He had a so much of a blast with it when the newer version was coming on he came back to watch it also! :-) I told him there were a few twists that were different. I loved him watching with us & will never forget it. I stayed the night & feel asleep looking at my grandpa's porcelain Christmas Tree. I had my contacts out & the colors blurred & looked so cool! Made me miss him. My little niece & my dad now put the little lights in now. It looks like the one below but ours is bigger & much nicer!
Well, I think that is about it? I probably forgot some things...add later...watching "Because I Said So" now...OMG...it is 4:30am! Ha! I just looked...well I was falling asleep at 7:30pm even though I think I slept 8 hours last night. I laid down setting my alarm for an hour but it didn't go off? Slept until 10:30 so...I got my jammies on now though & I'm going to lay down & watch tv. It is New Years Eve...I have no idea what I'm doing? Don't ask! I'll let you know how it goes though!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Santa Makes a 2nd Stop!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Santa Arrives!
Hi!
Well, Santa came early at my folks for my nieces since they celebrate with their mom on Christmas day. My little niece was so excited when she woke up to open up her stocking & presents. It was hard to get her to wait until we woke up everyone...just like me! :-) Santa brought her a little stuffed Cheetah (Cheetah Girls craze!), candy of course, Enchanted Soundtrack & Kelly Clarkson CD...which she did not remember asking Santa for...ugh! Good thing...it wasn't the new one & I thought it was, though I don't think she specified which to Santa so ok on a technicality. She also loved the Rockettes book Santa brought her! Santa brought her auntie & her :-) The Sound of Music Companion Book!
Then she got Ratatoullie PS2 game which her uncle let her open early so she could play with it. She went nuts when she opened the High School Musical Dance Mat I got her! :-) Grandma & Pappa got her a NEW BIKE...which Pappa could not wait to give to her & she also went nuts over though she went picking some out the day before. It was purple & a 16 speed I think. It was a good thing I had that CX7 rental to put the bike into or I don't know how we would have gotten it home? She was so excited to show everyone as they came over during the day. Pappa & Grandma had also surprised her when she came over with a new bedroom set, which was not a christmas present but just something she needed so she has had quite a weekend. 
When my older niece came she right away went to Pappa & said Happy Birthday! Yep, it was his b-day! Oh boy, I was soooo surprised and I KNOW he was sooo thrilled. She was so excited about it. She opened her stocking first & found the teddy bear I got her with the green tosselled hat. She loved it & wanted the hat to be in her size. It meant so much to me that she loved it since that was the last present I bought just before my accident & I had to have Chris get it out of my SUV before I left. She then found the Long hand knit socks I had shipped from Geneva. I saw them & didn't get them & then when I found the bear I knew they would match. They came in on Fri and she loved them also! My heart felt sooo warm when she loved them. My brother & I had gotten her a lime green IHome alarm clock. She loved it! I was sooo happy. It is a part of her b-day gift also. Her other Auntie got her clothes. I think Pappa & Grandma gave her some clothese from Aeropostle - Monkey stuff & a gift card. Teenagers seem to love that too! HA!
Later there daddy came over & he got my little niece a digital camera with rhinestones on it...she went nuts! "I can't believe I got a digital camera!" :-) I'm so glad she loved that so much since it was from her daddy. Oh her uncle did get her a holiday barbie and a set of like 6 other dolls she liked. My older niece I think got a gift card for her Ipod. My bro got me a Pink Cancer Better Homes & Garden Cookbook with a free subscription to the magazine & then a Bad Cat Daily Calendar. Cute! I got him some clothes & a watch. His girlfriend seemed to like the v-sweat shirt & Victoria Secret body stuff my brother & I got her. She really loved the Heavenly stuff in a purse my folks got her. Her daughter called the next day thanking us for her items also.
Before dinner we do our traditional Oplatki custom. It is a wafer that you break off from each other & wish them good fortunes the coming year. Then we had our traditional Polish Christmas dinner of Pierogi (Cheese, Sauerkrat, and Potato), which I realized I could call "Hot Pockets" for my nieces...I mean really...and Borsch with potatos & onions. Mom made some Polish sausage & there were tons of veggies. Somehow Mac & Cheese got on the table too...I think my older niece made it! HA! We also had some warm Christmas wine from Geneva...it is a German wine...very good.
Dad's birthday is today & traditionally we would have tons of peole over when I was a kid! I don't know but over 50! My dad turned 69 this year. Igot him this really cool brown wool hat not a cowboy hat but big brim...which my mom immediately said he could not wear around the neighborhood in AZ because there were too many woman already calling him to help them out....apparently she thinks he looks hot in it. I love it! I got Chris one too! I got him some brown shirts too that will look awesome on him I think. I'm hoping my dad likes them all. It always takes him like 2 weeks before he tries things on, but they have to leave on the 12th so I'm hoping he does try them on soon.
The girls & my brother left about 9pm. Oh...my niece had told us she slide on ice last week also & hit a tree! She had her side front panel in the back seat! Ugh! She was ok. We relaxed a bit & cleaned up & then we headed to Midnight Mass...which I was sooooo happy. I LOVE going to Midnight Mass! We use to as a kid & it is just so beautiful to me. My heart loves it. Our church has like 28 Christmas Trees up! I am waiting for my bro to email me pictures so I can post them. I really liked the homily this year. The priest was talking about a little girl that was at a mass earlier in the day & she was up in front dancing & twirling etc. He watched her so much he said & realized that is how we should be dancing & celebrating God & life. I totally agree. Hard sometimes but as much as we can! I remember one year when I was probably early 20s they were chanting the years at the beginning of the mass leading up to Christ's birth & these guys were standing next to me & I think were nipping at some holiday eggnog & one said, "Wake me up when they get to my birthday!" OMG...I could not stop laughing. And they kept cracking jokes the whole service.
Well, when we got home Santa had to get busy with the stockings & then he collapsed until like 10:30 in the morning! HA! Well next post will be Santa Makes a 2nd Stop...Christmas morning for the rest of us! :-)
Thursday, December 27, 2007
We Still Believe!
Hi Everyone!
I returned home yesterday from being at the folks since last Sat. Sat. my cousin's son got married & perhaps I'll post on that later, but I quickly wanted to tell you a bit about Christmas. I have 2 nieces, 1 is 10 1/2 yrs old & the other will be 17 very soon. The 10 1/2 yr old (my little niece) stayed with us from Fri through Christmas Eve evening. I was thrilled to know she still believed in Santa. I keep hoping to get one more year. My guess is this may be the last & if it is, it was one to remember! :-)
My niece had read these two books in the bookstore 2 weeks ago & so I surprised her with them to read the night before Santa came. (Check out some of the pages!) Santa comes at my folks for Christmas Eve morning and comes to her mommy's house on Christmas morning! Well, preparing for Santa's arrival was really something this year. She put out 4 soft batch cookies and chocolate milk on a snowman tray with a matching snowman plate & glass. Then very alarmingly my little niece said she had to have carrots for the reindeer. I shook my head & said "Ok, that is fine". She then proceeded to yell down to Pappa, who was on the computer, and ask "Pappa, how many reindeer are there?" Pappa, who knows all things Santa, quickly said 9 finding the question very interesting! :-) She then got out the big bag of mini carrots & counted out 9 carefully. She then had to make sure & count them again. Then she told me we had to have a small baggie for Santa to take them up the Chimney with him to feed them along the way. :-) I'm just loving all this logic she is using! :-) She wrote a note to Santa about the carrots.
We then proceeded to get into bed & read some more of the Santa book. I learned sooooo much! Santa has Stealth abilities & a skid silencer! :-) He uses fairy dust & magic feathers to make sure children are sleeping. Well...that helps! So I got my mom's Victoria Secret shimmer brush & made sure she had fairy dust on her in the morning! :-) Santa apparently eats one cookie but then brings the rest back for the Elve's party! Hmmm! He also apparently likes Cheese Sandwiches! Well! So next year Santa has to have a cheese sandwich she said! :-) The book is really very lovely, talking about how his suit was made...we found out that it keeps him warm in the cold countries but cool in the hot countries...I never even thought about that before I read it...how pathetic! HA!
Well, Santa ate one cookie, making a bit of crumb mess since he wears mittens! He did take the rest of the cookies for the Elves Party. (Yes, just emailed my dad in what cabinet to find the 3 left cookies so no mice come! HA!) Then he did feed the reindeer the carrots and as you can imagine flying & eating carrots in the wind etc is a bit messy so they got all kinds of carrot crumbs on the deck! :-) Santa loved the chocolate milk! Santa didn't get to bed though until 5am as "he" was trying to stuff stockings, wrap presents & get a letter typed up and the printer was being a pain!
Next post..."Santa Was Here!"
~ More Info on Book ~
Friday, December 21, 2007
Ho Ho Ho
IF YOU SEE A FAT MAN
Who's jolly and cute,
Wearing a beard and a red flannel suit,
And if he is chuckling and laughing away,
While flying around in a miniature sleigh,
With eight tiny reindeer to pull him along,
Then let's face it...
Your eggnog's too strong!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
A bit Better...
Hi Everyone!
Well, last night I had a mini meltdown with my sister on the phone! I mentioned that on yesterday's post about telling people how they should feel etc. Then I talked with the boyfriend...sigh...got some things out in the open how I have been feeling lately with us. We'll see if it changes?! At least he knows now. I'm really pooped because I only slept about 2 hours last night & I think 4 the night before. Seeing my car for the first time since the accident yesterday was really hard. I was in a lot of shock that day so I don't think it really absorbed until yesterday. I was very scared that day & felt odd until yesterday...like what did actually happen etc and yesterday I think reality smacked me in the face and I'm not sure how to totally process it yet. My mom had said if I was flipping airborne then Angels were holding me in the air & set me down gentle enough to not cause me to have injuries. You know mom's are always right! HA! I don't doubt it though...it certainly could be.
I got my St. Christopher medal out of my car today & as we were cleaning it up I found in the back pocket of my seat a flyer on our family friend Fr. Richie who died almost 3 yrs ago. There were pictures on it of him & still in there? He was in there with me & I have no doubt he was helping me out also! I think I will make sure to place in back in a new vehicle I get! :-) They gave me a Mazda CX7 because that is all they had so I only had to pay $2.88 extra a day beyond the $25 a day I have from my car insurance. I wanted to upgrade to a large size but this is a SUV category which should be like $40. I was happy, though I'm not sure I like this one. It has 4 wheel drive all the time & has dual exhaust..16+ tank...$50 to fill it! YIPES! I had my dad try to start my car. He couldn't at first but then did get it to go...I wanted to know how much gas I had in my tank that now would be wasted...very little...YA! Ha!
I think Chris & I are going to take more pictures tomorrow. I was much better today with my dad when I went to clean it out. That surprised me. My dad made me drive, which was hard & I was tired so I didn't want to because if something happened to him...but I wasn't too bad. I know there were times he was talking to me & I realized I was not listening because I was paying attention so much to driving & a few times I didn't realize until I was done but I did some deep sighs...so...but not too bad. After he left I did go grocery shopping and got something to eat on the way home. It was pouring when I finished getting my groceries which I was not thrilled about.
I'm not sure yet if I'll go up north to see Dr. Z. for my foot. I can't remember when my apt was so I'll have to go to sleep & get up earlier...we'll see. Maybe I can change it for later or right after Christmas instead. Both my ankles are bothering me a bit. My inside right wrist kinda feels odd this evening. When I bend my hand back toward the outside of my arm this cord thing sticks out & is sore? That arm I had on the wheel as I was flipping & the other up on the ceiling...maybe I irritated it a bit. Just today it is bothering me though? My knee a bit still...may go to the orthoped to check out both & make sure.
Well, I'll keep you posted. I'm really not even thrilled about going to look for a new car. I was telling my baby I am sooo sorry it got hurt & thank you for protecting me. I know I'm pathetic but...oh when I talked to the commander for our county patrol about how to go about getting a police report...he was so lovely with me. He asked how I was doing and said he has seen so many & it is very frightening & it is normal to feel this way & I will for awhile etc...he just like talked to me" for a while. I kept thanking him for his time & said I didn't want to take up his time & he is like you aren't etc... ha!He said when I get the officers names off the report to call him back & he'll give me their phone numbers to contact them. Just a sweet guy! I'll have to add him to the thank you list.
Well, I think I'll go get in my pjs & lay down. I know if I do I'll fall asleep. I was dozing when my mom was talking to me on the phone so...more later! (I initially did not repeat myself...copying & pasting thing! Ha! I fixed though!)
Caution Pix of Car
Hi Everyone!
If you don't want to look then that is ok. And please excuse errors...I'm rereading but I may not catch everything. My brain is not my "usual" and that isn't that great anyway!
Yesterday was a difficult day for me. They finally got me a rental, a Mazda CX7 and I asked if I could drive back to the branch with the guy so I would have someone with me the first time I drove. I wasn't too bad driving. I then went to get my hair colored in the town I had to go for my car. Then had some lunch & went to get some totes to clean my car. I then headed down the road to the Tow place & this thick fog was rolling in. I was not about to challenge that so I went & told the guy maybe I could just do a bit, 10-15 min. I got by my car, took some pictures & then realized it was very muddy & lots of snow that I needed boots. Then I realized there wasn't any room to open the doors with other vehicles & then it was backed up next to the fence so I couldn't get the back hatch open. I opened my door & saw all the glass & forgot I didn't have any gloves.
I asked the guy if I came back tomorrow if he could pull it out so I could work around it & he said they could do that. Then I just lightly mentioned I still can't understand how I ended up facing the way I did & how far I was down the road from where I left the road. I was told that day that I probably slid on my roof but he thinks I went airborne & was flipping. I don't know but for some reason I just have to know to process it & put some closure on it. Well, when he told me this it really shocked me. I'm going to see if I can contact the officer & see if the other officer who was going by & helped me & the other two guys witnessed it & saw what happened.
I then made the mistake of telling my mom & sister & they are just like "don't think about it" etc...right! I lost it & yelled at my sister! My cousin had called in the morning & simply said, I can only imagine, you must have been very scared & just listened! PERFECT! I don't need someone telling me that I shouldn't feel something & how to feel or judge me on how I'm feeling. They were not flipping and thinking they were going to die! You have no idea unless you have gone through that. Boyfriend is not being the best right now either, but part of that is due to some issues I have with him before this happened. We talked a bit tonight but I'm not sure how that is going to turn out.
My dad is coming down tomorrow to help me. Chris MAY in the afternoon also. I told him I just wanted him to hold me tight & tell me it would all be ok & ask me if I was alright. He was upset because I didn't go to the ER in the Ambulance but the paramedica talked me out of it. They brought it up! They said do you want us to take you because you look fine & aren't complaining of pain. Said if they got me out I would be collared & boarded & have no choice but since I got out myself etc. I wrote on the form based on what they told me...Chris took me later because I was getting a muscle tension headache & the insurance said I should in 24 hrs. He thinks I didn't listen to him but I was in shock & listening to the professionals. They made me feel like I didn't need to & I did feel fine but how do I know. They said they had another roll over to go to also.
I started to shake again tonight and got stressed that my... well...outside of my chest was tight...but not inside...hard to explain. I know that it is a traumatic thing & I should not be hard on myself but others seem to not be patient with me. I know I jumped twice to a noise so that is a sign...nothing like say 9/11 and probably take less to get over certainly but none the less still traumatic. I think if I lost consciousness it may have been better because I would not remember but I do remember the whole thing. I thought I was going to die! Though I didn't see my life flash before my eyes...ha! I just can't believe I can't find a bruise on me. I do have one spot on my hairline still sore but I'm not sure if glass got in there. I had about 3 other hotspots & they said they work their ways out & they don't seem to hurt, but not raised I don't think or bruised, just a bit red & hurts when I rub on it. My hairdresser got a piece of glass today & that is after 4 showers I've taken. I found a piece on my jeans last night...maybe on my chair & stuck to it when I got up.
I didn't sleep good last night & still up now. I know I should sleep but I'll lay down in just a bit. I know I just have to take it one step or breath at a time. I remember thinking tonight...you are so bad, God saves your life & then you get emotionally upset & going to give yourself a heart attack...that isn't very nice to say thank you to God! HA! So I'm going to try to not get so upset but it is hard not to...you just feel or all of a sudden the image & feeling comes in your head again. I know that is typical of traumatic events but it doesn't make it any less even though you know why.
We'll see how tomorrow goes. Thankfully I have one extra week off this break than usual. I could use it. I still have shopping to do & ugh....
Well here are the pictures...
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Secrets for Santa
This was just adorable! It was on Mary Louise's again...wanted to share it with all of you though!
My little niece told Santa what she wanted this year but would not tell me what she wanted...had to have an elf tell me! ;-) Now I have to go out & get it.
I think I'm getting her this Rockette's Book too from him. Chris got it for me & had it wrapped when I got to his house after my roll over on Sat. He gave it to me. I asked him if that was my Christmas present because I didn't want to open it & he said, "Just open it!". It did make me smile. He did it all on his own...I had no idea there was a book on them. It was sooo sweet. He ordered another for her thinking I might want to give it to her. :-)
Monday, December 17, 2007
Caroling in J-Land
Hi Everyone!
This is how it works. You leave the link to your journal here and then do an entry on your favorite holiday song.
Visit at least 5 journals who you believe will play along. When you visit, leave your journal link in the comment section inviting them to play along and come see the song you chose.
I love sooo many Christmas songs but one of my favorite songs is Carol of the Bells & this one is song by the Celtic Women who are on PBS lately...catch them they are just phenomenal. I would love to see them in concert!
Another is O Holy Night...here is Celine's beautiful version. I wish I could hold a note that long. It is like you can feel it in your spirit but just can't do it...frustrating!
I also just LOVE BELIEVE by Josh Groban!
Well I'll see if I can find some more this week. I do hope you all have a lovely holiday. Don't get too stressed out with preparing & family..;remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season! :-)
Tags: Caroling in J-Land
Sunday, December 16, 2007
I'm Ok but...
Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to let you all know I'm ok & I may not post for a bit. I rolled over my SUV yesterday. Not sure how many times I flipped though? I'll explain later but everyone is kinda amazed...I ended up upside down but I got my seatbelt off & was opening my passenger door & then some guys came & pulled it open more & I got out. The first SUV going the opposite direction when it started was an officer going to work. Maybe he saw it more in his rearview mirror & made a report & I can get it later. The county sherrif was wonderful & said he thought I just hit some ice. I told him I didn't brake hard, or overcorrect in stirring...at least I don't think so. I remembered at the time it was happening not to do that...I could hear my dad telling me ha! They are saying my SUV is totaled and I did later go to the ER because I thought better to make sure than later be sorry...yes the ambulance checked me out there...and because I was starting to get a muscle tension headache & I wanted to zap it out before it got bad. They CTd my head & neck & only found degenerative changes in my neck...well it matches the back...and xray on my knee that is a bit bothering me is ok. They sent me home with a muscle relaxant, Darvocet & 800 mg of Motrin. I'm just taking the Motrin so far. Everyone says today I will really feel sore? Hopefully not. Chris is not very religious but mention liked 3 times about I really have an amazing guardian angel & I should go to church to thank him. BELIEVE ME, I've been thanking God like crazy & it is a weird feeling like I am obviously suppose to still be here for a reason but what is it? I hope I hear the message God is sending me? My bp was back to normal later last night but I think the shock still has not worn off totally. So, one week before Christmas...no car & still some shopping to do??? I know I got my gift from God yesterday. I was over 1/2 way home & it was about 3pm & it really was not bad at all. We got socked with the snow in the evening. I haven't heard my town but south is worse & a town about 30 min north of me got 9 inches. I have huge drifts outsidemy place now.
I have to get my St. Christopher medal out of my car that my best friend got me many years ago. It has protected me from some near misses from other cars before & I know it did its job this time. I hope it has not used up all its protection though.
Well, I'll post more later but if you can just say a prayer of thanks & then just one that I have minimal after effects & nothing serious I would appreciate it. Also, a short one for my folks as they were planning on flying home from AZ for the Holiday today. We'll see if flights are ok. I'll try to read my alerts as soon as I can also.
Artsy Essay Contest...Santa's Trinkets
Since I was a little girl I have always been the first to awaken on Christmas morning, despite getting home late from Midnight Mass. Still to this day, I guess I am like a little kid who can't wait to see "the big load" Santa has brought. I take pictures of it before we start opening. The anticipation is just so awesome! Makes me all tingly! All the odd shaped boxes, to think what might be in them? What love did someone take picking each item out. Each Christmas morning I'm trying to wake my siblings to see what Santa has brought. This is still not an easy task now that we are much older! Ugh! I remember one Christmas we did not open presents until later in the day & it almost killed me! HA!
I think my favorite part is the Christmas Stockings. Christmas Stockings are just soooo much fun. There are always a few things sticking out that you can recognize who the stocking is for. Then the bulges on the sides...I wonder what that might be? Christmas stockings are always filled with little fun trinkets. Still to this day my mom makes them so special. She'll find little things that seem to really speak to each of her children's spirit to make us feel special. You can really tell she really does know you with the items she finds. She is the best Santa of all! Fun Christmas socks, hair clips, earings, bath oil balls, ornaments, make-up, etc. Oh well not for the boys....ha...they get socks, and some cologne, probably match box cars when they were younger etc. Then all the tiny holes inbetween everything is filled up with Christmas Candy...and oh always a big solid Chocolate Christmas Santa! If she can find white chocolate for me she is even more thrilled. (White chocolate bunnies at Easter are easier!) We still have the stockings today we had as kids! As I get further down into my stocking I try to guess what something is before I pull it out to see it. At times, a puzzling look, and a very tired mom saying..."Give that to your sister or brother...Santa was very tired last night & didn't have his glasses on!" HA! Other times a note for an I OWE YOU because Santa's elves could not get it done in time or was sick or would not be in production for a few more weeks. :-)
One year my folks bought us each these HUGE peppermint sticks. I want to say they were like 5 or 10 lbs. They were each in a big box and we could not even lift them. My dad was chipping them throughout the whole year for all of us to eat. I looked online now for them but only find 3 lb ones. Now mind you my dad just retired a few yrs ago from Dentistry! HA! That was over 29 yrs ago & I still remember them! I think my favorite stocking items is the little ornaments my mom finds me. One year my mom got me a orange porcelain doll bell. The legs jingle under her dress. I turned the doll around & it had a date printed with gold glittery ink. I took a second look & realized it was the previous year! I asked mom & she said she hid it so well last year she forgot where she hid it. I had such a laugh...it was just the FUNNIEST present I think I've received! Then she said she almost didn't find it again for that year. My Santa is a hoot! Last year I gave everyone the beanie bear below in their stockings...isn't he just too cute! Every Walgreens I saw I was grabbing what I could. I still have a few! :-) This year Elves! ;-)
About 6 yrs ago my dad (secret big Santa in him!) decided to get my nieces 6 ft stockings...WOW...did that change things! HA! We were stuffing wrapped presents in them even! These days we all seem to play Santa & fill stockings for each other. I have been collecting little things all year round. Last year Santa left my little niece a square Santa Box and a bell on a red ribbon, just like in The Polar Express! (I had fun doing that!) I just found it for my niece in her closet last week & she was so thrilled to have it to put out for Santa this year by her cookies & milk.
I'll make a post on what we all get this year! I'm sure though it will be filled with FUN!
Visit Judith's Artsy Essay Contest and tell us about the Funniest Gift you have ever received or given.
Tags: Artsy Essay Contest, Santa's Trinkets
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Santa Duty
I got this from Mary Louise & just had to share it with all of you! Isn't it just the most adorable. She didn't know who it was but man if that was my kid I'd have it enlarged majorly & framed in my home! Now that is a Santa for me! ;-)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Ahhhh...I'm in Heaven!
This is soooooo perfect! I went to my local Kroger, which is a new one & awesome, and they had Watermelon for .49 lbs! Cost me $3 but it is soooo worth it! Now, I'm waiting for this major ice storm we are suppose to get, in Dec & eating a small half of sweet, yes SWEET Watermelon! I've been dying of watermelon. Boy...for awesome strawberries & watermelon I hate to think what someone might be able to get me to do. HA!
I'm hoping classes will be canceled tomorrow even though it is finals week & they will screw some things up a bit. but I really don't want to drive in the ice. It would be nice to just stay in my jammies all toastie with my new super thick wool hand made socks that go up to my knees! :-) Got them in Geneva this weekend at the Christmas festivities they have. I had a slight migraine this morning & this afternoon but it is probably from lack of sleep lately. I woke up earlier with it so I didn't get much sleep last night either. I came home & layed down about about 5:30 & woke up at 6pm, layed down again at 6:30...thinking until 7:30 & I don't remember my alarm going off? Woke up at 9:30pm. Now I'll be up again...ugh! Well, even if I have to go in tomorrow I don't have to be there until 12:30 so that helps.
This post is going to take a long time...keep taking bites of my watermelon in between! HA! Here comes the ice...we are on the very edge of it, any time now. Let you know what happens tomorrow! :-)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Probably in some Tabloid! HA!
REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag an overweight man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost !!!
Which then really makes me think about their names...well at least Prancer isn't a guy! HA! But Donner...hmmm...Vixen is good then too! HA! And lets see...not letting Rudolph play Reindeer games? Ya, women are more caddy..guys would let anyone play probably! HA!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What Would Jesus Buy?
I just finished watching a Nightline segment on "What Would Jesus Buy" which is a movie that just came out & I'm very interested in seeing it now! It is of this guy who is part evangelist & part performist artists (aren't those really the same thing???) who goes around in malls etc preaching how we should buy less & that we are missing the meaning of what Christmas is really about.
It does make one think. I hear what parents spend on their children & I'm just shocked. They talked about how parents feel pressured & they are paying off their credit cards from Christmas for 6 months out of the year. I makes me wonder what children are learning?! Do you know my dad is a retired dentist (2 yrs ago) and us kids STILL only get $50 for Christmas! Now I know they spend a bit more on their 2 granddaughters but we NEVER got the equivalent amounts of today spent when we were kids. I know I have even thought, 'God, $50...do they know how much things cost today? That doesn't get much!" Which when I think about it I feel kinda bad now because it really isn't about what you spend. I mean do I need to watch the Grinch again? HA! Seriously, as this guy preaches we totally miss what Christmas is really suppose to be about. What would Jesus think about all this? It is a wonderful feeling when I give to others & I just love being surprised with gifts from others,but I think of the people struggling asking for money on Michigan Avenue as I go to PT, while I'm buying on that same street! Very odd when you think about it...oh shame on me to think! I know! But that is the point, we don't always really think about it. Am I saying, don't buy wrapping paper now, make your own cards etc. Well, perhaps but I'm not saying to go through withdrawal symptoms from going cold turkey HA! Just maybe thinking about this might help a bit. If you buy gifts for your kids would they really notice if you spent $50 less? Ok, I would...ha...but...or if you didn't get them 1 gift that one on their list what would happen? What lessons would they learn? Which also makes me think, do we learn to value ourselves, and I'm saying KIDS!...by how much our parents buy us? (Shakes head) Sad! We really need to get away from this, from our children learning that they are not loved as much or as good of a child etc because they didn't get something they wanted. Another point is teaching chidren the difference between "Want" and "Need"! I know my niece says "I NEEEEED X" and I say no "You Want X" and try to get her to explainw why she needs it & the difference.
Well, I hope this makes you think and perhaps make a small difference. Christmas should not be something we say "Oh God, I'm so glad it is all over!" You know! You might want to see the movie. The guy who did "SuperSize Me" produced this one & he raised the money to get it distributed because of course many got nervous about showing this anti-consumerism film.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
I LOVE "The Chubby Guy From OK!"
Hey Everybody...
GAC channel has the Garth Brooks Concert I saw in the theaters a few weeks ago broadcasting on their station. Check out the schedule of dates. Now, before you think I am calling him "The Chubby Guy from OK" take a look at his newest video (scroll down!) and then the short videos after where he explains the inspiration for it etc. He is the one who called himself this & I'm like baby...JUST MORE TO LOVE! HA! I nearly died when I saw him with his shirt off near the closet. HA! I know I'm pathetic. That video is great for my class...so many are! Only someone who has lost someone they loved understands that video in every cell of their body. If he didn't already have a wonderful wife I'd ask Santa for him...well hell my mom asked & got my dad! No kidding! Well, not on Christmas but she did get him & considering it will be 45 years in July I'd say Santa picked a good one for her. Hmmm...maybe I should have a talk with Santa...speaking of loveable chubby guys! HA!
I also love in the Think Pink video when Garth says "I think you know you are around good people when they keep wanting you to be a better person". I SOOOO believe that. It isn't to say you are not a good person to start off with...in fact, they see you are & that is why they push you to be even better, they see the potential in you...heck that is probably why they want to be around you so much. To inspire each other...my quote on my emails professionally is "Aspire to Inspire before you Expire" I just love it! It really is what my spirit feels & tries to do I think since I was little. Of course inherent in that is the idea or rather the BELIEF that people can change...including yourself! If you live each day trying to be a better person that is all anyone can be expected to do. And if you really think about it, you should be grateful for what seems to be "failures", though I don't believe they necessarily are, because they are just leading you to something better. It is like when Ann-Margart says that great line by Edward Albee from the Zoo Story in Grumpy Old Men, "Sometimes you have to go a long way out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly." Almost sounds like an excuse why men never stop & ask for directions! HA! But it is true...the long scenic way can be much more interesting and you get so much more strength out of it. Doing things the easy way in life just does not benefit as much. I know I know it doesn't have to be so hard sometimes but...Ok, I'm going to go dream about Garth...shhhh...if I can with these 40mph winds man!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
A Christmas MEME
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Love this company's - Ron & Franks!
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Hang in a few places!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
All the women in the family use to make them
when I was a kid.
people at our house! Santa would visit.
I sat on Santa's lap & Santa had the same
glasses as Tom next door!
I looked at his eyes & listened to his
voice & the light bulb went off.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Santa came in the morning & my folks
gifts were then too. Now my nieces
get them on Christmas Eve. We still do
get my siblings up! Ugh!
have a 15-16ft tree! Took a long time! This
was for 28 yrs! My dad would put the lights
up, chasing Dusty off the ladder at times! Ha!
He'd do the ornaments & tinsel on the top &
I'd do the rest. They were mostly old
ornaments from my grandparents & then
some new ones. We had a separate kids
tree with the ones we made as kids or just
kids type. My nieces would help with that one.
I decorate mine with with a combination of
woodsy ones, some glass and use bows on the
end. I'll take pix!
Lots of trees so it looked like a ice castle!
I love to walk in it with the hush talking & the
crunch a bit of your boots in it. Light fluffly flakes
falling. It is sooo beautiful. The ice & slush you can have!
12. Can you ice skate?
Not really!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
She has them dated & then hides them so well
that she can't remember where
& so I get them a yr or two later! HA!
Buying gifts for people from my heart...
I like the memories, the Christmas Lights,
smells of holiday food...it is all LOVE!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
When our relatives use to come over!
my bedroom tree has silver
twisted things coming up!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Carol of the Bells!
20. Candy Canes?
My folks got us those like 10lb ones
when we were kids once! HA!
Posts
