Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. Tonight is the night that Santa comes to visit all the children of the world. How exciting.

As I think back on the many Christmas memories I have as a child I remember one very well. Ie as probably 8-9 years old and was starting to doubt that Santa was real. In fact that night I had heard my parents in the hall after we had gone to bed moving things around that were no doubt our presents. Anyway, I remember my heart breaking because to me the magic was over. I waited until all was quite out side because I wanted to see what we had gotten for Christmas. I snuck out to the living room and saw him....Santa was standing in my living room. I was so shocked that I just stood there and hid behind the divider wall in our kitchen. I was sure that if he saw me he would not leave me any presents so I snuck back to my room and went to sleep. After that year, I have always believed in Santa. Even now, when I see my kids starting to doubt the image of Santa I know that he is real.

For some he is the person that brings them unexpected gifts, food or other needs. For others, he is a warm place to sleep on a cold night. For me, Santa is hope. He is hope for all the good things that are still alive in the world that many people have forgotten about. Santa is all of the laughs and tears that are shared during this season.

I hope you all still believe in Santa and he is able to grant your Christmas wish. Whatever that maybe....

Blessings and

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Off Today

Off today

I am off today. I’m taking the day to rest, relax and get things in order for the holiday weekend. I am so ready for my girls to be here and see their gifts. They are with their Dad from now until Monday morning. This is the hardest part about divorce…..sharing.

I was up late last night. I just couldn’t sleep. I got up and worked on a knitting project while I watched Million Dollar Baby. I had never seen that movie, but it just made me realize (once again) why I love Clint Eastwood. I am not as big of a fan of Hillary Swank, but she did a good job. Morgan Freeman is a great supporting actor. Another movie I would recommend seeing if you haven’t yet is An Unfinished Life. Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez. Now I am also not a big Jennifer Lopez fan, but Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman make the movie watch able. Needless to say I was up until about 2 am. I hate nights like that….makes me just crazy.

Well, now I’m up so I need to figure out how my day is going to go.

Hope you are all doing well and I will write more soon

How well do you know me?

Create your own friendquiz here

A stolen Christmas MeMe

I stole this from Annabel....thanks for the neat post


1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Yes

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Prefer colored, but I have white because I’m too lazy to go buy new ones….maybe when they are ½ off after Christmas

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I did for the first time this year because my daughter begged me to.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I love traditionla turkey and stuffing

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: The year I asked for a ton of shoes and my Mom and Dad wrapped each shoe individually…took me a while to find all the pairs…LOL


8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was probably about 8-9…I don’t really remember how, but I wish I had never learned…LOL

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I used to and my girls do now…but my DH and I don’t…we just buy for each other so we wait…

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Traditional ornaments that we have collected over the years. This year we went with an all silver theme…I don’t know why

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I don’t like driving in snow, but I love playing in it and sking…when I get the chance…

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? To remember that Jesus is the reason for the season….and spending time with family

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Pumpkin Pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? turkey dinner with all the trimmings

17. What tops your tree? an angel holding candles..

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving….

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Mary did you know

20. Candy canes: Only for the tree…I don’t eat them…Yuck

21. Favorite Christmas movie? I have a few…but I will say A Christmas Story and Elf….and Christmas Vacation….and …….

Naughty or Nice?

You Were Nice This Year!

You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list. You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

Christmas is almost here….

I am so happy. I love this time of year. I can’t believe Christmas is only about a week away. I am completely done with my shopping. I just have tons of wrapping to do. Thankfully this next week there are no big events to go to. I am worn out from all of the different activates we have had going on the last week.

Last night my oldest was in a Christmas play for our church. She did so well. She now has the acting bug and I’m sure one day will tell me that she is going away to NY and is going to be a Broadway star!!! After her play we met a friend at the symphony hall to see the Nutcracker. I had never seen it before and neither had my daughter. This was a new arrangement and it was really good. While we were getting ready to see the show people were coming and going to their seats. About 5 minutes before the show started some people were walking down our aisle and I was like please don’t need to go in front of us. I look up and it is a friend of mine that I haven’t seen in months. Her and her fiancé were there and their seats were right next to ours. It was so amazing in a crowd of 1000+ that she and I would have seats next to each other. My daughter was so taking aback by the ballet. She bought a pic with The Sugar Plum fairy and also bought a nutcracker. She says she wants to start collecting them. Needless to say it was a long night and I was glad to get home and get into bed.

Today we will hit the late service at church and probably just chill at the house. My house and yard are all ready for my parents to show up next week. My laundry is almost completely done. The house doesn’t smell like dogs or cats. I am very happy with the way things are right now in my home. Granted it took a couple of weeks to get there, but it is totally worth it. Now just keeping it that way is going to be the challenge.

I have some baking to do today and need to do some grocery shopping. I think my cupboards are bare, but I don’t want to buy too much because I will have to make more room this next week when it is time to buy for the Christmas dinner.

It really is the “most wonderful time of the year”

Blessings,
Lisa

Which Christmas Orament are you?

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Which Reindeer are you?

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

From Cabbage Patch to iPod

It’s funny how much of a difference a year can make in what a child wants for Christmas. Last year I was browsing the Barbie and Cabbage Patch aisles looking for two of everything. This year I’m mostly ordering from the Apple iPod store for my oldest. Last year she wanted all things Cabbage Patch. She had asked for a new crib, a high chair and stroller. This year she wants CD’s, iPod gadgets and things that I can’t even find. It makes me a little sad that she is getting to the point that Santa is no longer real. Her friends have pretty much told her the “secret” and I just can’t fathom how I will be able to handle Christmas once she no longer believes.

I am thankful that my youngest still believes, but she is a pretty smart cookie and it won’t be too long before she is over the whole Santa idea also. I’m sure the divorce has not helped in this regard. Having Santa come to two different homes and bring two different sets of “Santa” presents is probably hard to understand. I just pray that when they get older they are able to find great Christmas memories that will be fun for them to share with their family and friends.

I am happy to say that I have completed all of my Christmas shopping. I finally finished yesterday. I guess I’m not really done because I still have a few small things to buy, but for the most part all of the big stuff is done. I am so happy that I don’t have to fight the crowds any longer.

Well, I need to go and get my day started. Loads to do today.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Lisa

New Post...long overdue

Wow it has been a while since I updated. I really don’t have a good excuse other than we were gone a majority of November and December has just started and I feel overwhelmed. I am still not done with my Christmas shopping. I plan on getting the final leg of it done this weekend, but I may have to do some more next week. My daughter has had several activities/plays/music things since the beginning of November and I am tired.

I still have to get presents for my husband, finish up the girls and figure out how I am going to get my house in order before the family gets here. To top it all of, I think my refrigerator is getting ready to go on the fritz. I hope not, but the way it has been acting lately it is probably on its way to the refrigerator graveyard.

I have to take a moment and have a proud mama moment here. My daughter got runner up in the school spelling bee today. She is headed to district finals as an alternate. I am so excited and proud of her. To no ability of mine she got this accomplished on her own. I am so proud of her. I want to write her a little something and save it for when she is older, but just haven’t decided how I am going to do that.

Another happy note….mediation with my ex is completed. I can’t really go into details, but I think we reached a fair agreement. In addition, my youngest has had a couple of good weeks at his house. I am praying that this is all turning around, but knocking on wood….just in case.

I have changed my blogger layout again. I am really enjoying this change. I really had fun finding and tweaking this design. It is funny how you can spend more time tweaking your blog layout than you do actually blogging…LOL.

I am so ready for Christmas to be here. I just can’t wait to see my folks and see the girls open their presents.

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the holiday season.

Thanksgiving

It is almost time to have that big Thanksgiving Feast again. I love Thanksgiving. It is probably my favorite holiday after Christmas. Don’t get me wrong I love Easter, I love Halloween and I even love the 4th of July, but Thanksgiving is just a great holiday to me. I mean you have the opportunity to get together with family, friends and loved ones and eat until you are full the gills….is there anything better than that?

This year I will be spending Thanksgiving with my DH at my parents’ house. It is a 10 hour drive and we are leaving tomorrow afternoon to get there at a decent hour. I am really looking forward to this trip. It is really the first time we will be with my parents for any length of time without kids. The kids will be with their Dad this year and even though I know that it will be hard on him because they really don’t want to be there, I really feel like he needs this holiday to try and reconnect with his children. Whether he chooses to do that or not is his choice, but I pray that he is able to reconnect and establish a better bond with them than he has right now.

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving Day because we will be going to my aunts home. Her two daughter will be there with their children that we rarely get to see. In addition, my youngest cousin will be there and she just got married this last summer and is already expecting her first child in April/May. I am so excited to see her and meet her husband. It should be a great time of laughter and thanksgiving. My grandparents will be there and my Papa is getting older and I always think that this is the last year we will be able to spend with him. I pray that he is able to live to the ripe old age of 100+, but I know that when his time comes he will be ready to go. He is such a gentle sprit and I love him so much.

Take a moment over the next few days and tell those around you that you love just how thankful you are that they are in your life. Tell them how much you appreciate all that they do for you. Take the time to Thank God for all of the blessings he has placed in your life and even all the struggles you have endured over the past year. Ask him to continue to bless your family and remember that even in struggles He is there carrying you on and holding you up.

Blessings,
Lisa

Movies/TV/Other Entertainment

I am not one to sit around and watch a ton of TV. I usually get home, start some sort of dinner or house cleaning, help kids with their homework and by the time they are getting ready for bed I am pooped out. This usually does not include walking the dog or sorting though the mail. On the rare occasion that I take the time to watch TV during the week it is most assuredly going to be a movie of some sort. Last count we had about 350 DVD titles in our collection. Needless to say I can usually find something to watch. In addition to this we have Netflix rental service. We get 5 movies at a time (2 for him, 2 for me and one for our kids).

The last couple that I have gotten from Netflix has actually gotten me to the point where I want to get home at night and want to watch TV. The last set of DVD’s that I got from Netflix was the HBO Original series Big Love. It is about a polygamist in UT that has three wives. It is really good and not at all like I thought it was going to be. I am glad that I am watching it because I know it may not be truthful on how life like that is really like, but it is a good drama. Plus it has two of my favorite actresses (Ginnfer Goodwin and Jeanee Tripplehorn).

My other vice when it comes to TV is Project Runway on Bravo. The final episode aired several weeks ago and I am dying for a new season. I know that we probably won’t get a new season until middle of next year, but I really want to see some new footage now. I know…whine away. I have been trying to keep up with Top Chef (produced and created by the same people as Project Runway), but just can’t seem to get into it this season. I don’t know why, but it really stinks that I can’t get emotionally attached to any of these people.

Oh well, better things to spend my time on….like teaching myself how to knit. Yes, I have joined the knitting world. I don’t know why. I really am not that good at it, but it is a lot of fun.

Well, I’m off to see my DH and get some yummy fondue.

Some Christmas Shopping Done…..

Well, I am no longer a slacker…at least not in regards to Christmas shopping. Yesterday I went online and purchase a few gifts for my children, my family and a couple for my DH.

My oldest daughter wants to re-vamp her bedroom. We were thinking of trying to move into a new home soon, but it is looking like we will stay where we are and just re-vamp what we have. My oldest wants to do brighter colors in her room and polka dots on the walls. I am fine with that, but she has a loft bed and I really want to make sure it is all done right to fit with that motif. I think that I can get something together before Christmas, but maybe not.

My youngest now wants her room to be purple. I don’t know what color of purple yet, but needless to say she wants a change also. She too has a loft bed, which I love because it gives them tons more space, but I hate at the same time.

This next year is going to focus on getting my house in the shape/order I really want it to be in. It is going to mean major yard work, painting and new flooring. I know my DH will have a fit, but I am tired of living in the place we have. I want organization, beautification, and masterfully decorated rooms. I am not good at getting that….but with some help I could be.

This year for Christmas he and I are taking the easy route. I don’t want to fight the crowds and he doesn’t either. Therefore, most of the shopping will be done online, from the girls big “Santa” gifts to the necklace I bought for my mother. My grandparents will get baskets of nuts and dried fruits (what do you get for someone who has everything under the sun). My brother and I agreed to just buy for the kids, which is fine by me. I got his little girl to new books for her sit and play laptop and a sit and spin zebra from Playskol (I think).

I am so glad that I am almost done. I even got myself a little early present……The POSTSECRET book….if you don’t have it you should.

A Friday

Here it is Friday afternoon and I am sitting here with nothing to do this afternoon at work. I would really like to take the rest of the day off, but I can’t do that as I will be taking most of next week off. I am once again heading out of time, hopefully for the last time this year. This last month has been a series of trips and I am thankful that this weekend is going to be spent at home. We do have a wedding to attend on Saturday and church on Sunday, but other than that, things should be pretty quiet here.

This next week we are going to be going to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. I have to say that next to Christmas, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I am looking forward to getting to see my family. My children will be with their Dad, but my DH and I will be headed back. I’ll get to see family that I haven’t seen in a while. My cousin, who just got married in July, will be there with her new spouse. She is expecting her first baby in April/May and I am so excited to see her pregnant.

This next week is also that same time that we have our second mediation scheduled. Continue to pray for me and my ex….I bet you never thought that I would ask for prayers for him. I just pray that we can work together for the betterment of our children. Sometimes I wonder how much hurt we are trying to cause each other by putting the kids in the middle.

This next Thursday is my fourth wedding anniversary. Yes, Ladies and Gents we survived four years of marriage. Sometimes I wonder how, but we did. It kind of stinks that it falls on Thanksgiving this year, but you know it is OK because we will be together with family and friends. He and I are going out to celebrate tonight with fondue and drinks. I am so excited, but I am also still full from lunch. Not sure how I am going to stuff all the extra food in me. I’m sure I’ll find room somewhere…LOL.

Other than that…things are going well here. I am happy in my job, my family life is good, marriage is rocking and everyone is pretty well and happy.

Talk soon!

Lisa

Christmas Shopping...I haven't even started

I swore to myself this year that I would get started on Christmas early. I didn't want to be one of those that waited until the last minute to get my Christmas shopping done...AGAIN. However, I am going to be one of those again. I just can't seem to get my butt in gear and to start buying what I know we really need to get done.

I have exactly one present bought....BOO to ME!

Once again...out of Town this Weekend....

Man...the month of November is a travel month for me. Last weekend I was out of town in Vegas with a couple of girlfriends. We all had a blast. We discovered that there are four Fat Tuesday bars on the strip and they are placed so that if you start out at one end and end up at the other you can refill your glass three times....we will remember that for next time. Needless to say we were a little loopy after that first trip down the strip.

This weekend we are headed to NM to see my brother and his family. My neice will be one soon and they are having a birthday party for her this weekend. I miss that little girl so much. She is such a doll. I never thought my brother would have kids, but this one just seems to be the bee's knees for him.

Next weekend we are in town...Thank Goodness. Although we do have a wedding to attend that I still need to get a gift for the lovely couple.

The next weekend is Turkey weekend. We will once again travel to NM to see my folks and the rest of my family. I love NM this time of year. The air is crisp, the sky is clear and it is always a cooler atmosphere than here. AZ never really gets a true winter. Last year we were colder than we have ever been in the 11 years I have lived here, but you don't get a true fall/winter season.

Well, I am signing off for now. Hope all is well. Thanks for those of you who update your blogs so frequently. It keeps me busy when work is slow.

Blessings,
Lisa

Vegas is the best

I’m back.

My trip to Vegas was just what the doctor ordered. I had a blast. I will post about the trip later this week.

I had mediation with the ex today and it went as well as could be expected. I can’t really elaborate, but just keep praying….it is working.

Work is work.

Family life is pretty good.

Hope all is well.

Lisa

Road Trip

Well there has not been a lot going on here this last week. Halloween was fun. We ended up taking the kids to their Dad’s neighborhood for about an hour and then headed home and let them do the candy hunting here. Overall, it was a good Halloween. The only downer is that I got a bug and am not feeling just great.

I am due for a road trip today with a couple of girlfriends. WE are headed the VEGAS to celebrate the birthday of one of them. It should be fun and it will be nice to get away.

On Monday, I have mediation for visitation/custody issues with my ex. Pray for me!

Blessings,
Lisa

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

Beta Blogger

Well, I did it. I updated to Beta Blogger. I’m not sure what is supposed to be different about this, but I do know that signing in sometimes is a pain. I hope that if I have any readers left that you can all read this OK. If not, I’m sorry. I would say email me and tell me, but if you have trouble reading this then you couldn’t see that anyway.

Lisa