2 weeks 'till Christmas

Ahhh - I love Christmas. Even if my house is a disaster, and I have no idea what we've gotten the kids.

I was going to steal this list from my boss, but then I received it from my cousin as well, so I guess it's community property now :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper - I love it, and it's so much more exciting tearing open a gift then taking it out of a bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I have an artificial one - I couldn't bear to think of the babies stepping on one of those sharp neeldles, but I really miss the smell and look of a real tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as possible after T-day.

4. When do you take the tree down? mid January

5. Do you like egg nog? Yunny yes - especially a McDs egg nog milkshake.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Unknown - I've received so many good ones. I'm sure it revolves around video games though.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I think we have 17 nativity scenes up right now. I think it's the only thing that John and I had in common before we met.

8. Hardest person to buy for? People at work - you know, you would like to get them something cool, but you know that you are strapped for cash, and you could be spending that money on your kids or spouse, so you end up straining your brain trying to find something cool and cheap.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Gracie J.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail of course - that's how I send the family photos.

11 .Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't recall this one either, but I'm sure it had to be something from an old boyfriend's parents.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Of course - especially with the kids - they don't care, as long as they get something to unwrap.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Molasses cookies

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear twinkly lights on the inside of the tree, and colored ones on the outer edge.

17. Favorite Christmas song? classic= Silent Night. modern= the spin version of jingle bells. Kids= Dominick the Donkey

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Nope - I suck at that. I start making up names and Gracie gets mad

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One present from mom and dad on Eve, and then the rest in the morning after Santa comes.

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crabby people who act all pissy because they have to buy presents. Chill out people - you could stay home in your house all season long if you want - don't make me slap you!

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My 3 favorite ornaments are the kids "first christmas" balls from Bronners. Gracie's is cracked and battered 12 years later, and i love it. Hers is blue, Rudy's is purple, and Doni's is Red.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey usually, but this year we are going with ham - we've gone a bit overboard with turkey lately :)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A happy home.

Snow, Glasses, and Missiles!

What a December this has been!

Let's start with "snow". It snowed last week - the first time it's snowed in December since I've lived here. I was so happy - it only lasted a few days, but it was nice. Maybe we'll get a white Christmas (although it's 65 degrees this week).

Now on to "glasses". Gracie got her first pair of glasses this month. She looks so mature in them, and she is exstatic to be able to read things from a distance. It's pretty funny to see her exclaim in excitement things like "Chip Clip!! I can read it!!!".

Now on to "missiles". I know you were curious. Actually, it should read "kitty missiles" which I'm sure would have caught your eye even more. So, I'm driving to work on Friday, going North on 29, as I do every day, and Boleyn was on my shoulders, resting, waiting for another fun day at work. Then, for as far as the eye can see, the road turned to ice. It was a pretty amazing sight. Every car for the 2 miles that I could see, wrecked all at once. The truck in front of me started spinning in circles, and I tried to brake (what a waste- we were on ICE), but it didn't matter because the truck behind me took out the back of my minivan. Sadly for John, the phone was on the front seat, as I was talking to him, saying "my windshield just turned to ice, the weather has gotten worse", when the car in front of me spun out, so he heard crunching metal and my screaming before I was able to get back on the phone to ask him to come help. Poor guy.

But anyway, the accident could have defintiely been worse - Rte 29 was closed for 4 hours on Friday due to the intensity of all the accidents. My van stayed upright, and I only had minor injuries (tore my trapezius muscle in my back and cracked the T1 vertebrae in my neck, and spained my shoulders/neck). So, I'm in pain, but it could have been SO much worse. The guy who hit me was even ok - poor Bubba - he came over after about an hour and was crying saying "I apologize ma'am - I'm so sorry ma'am".

Oh yes- remember Boleyn? Well, he was on my shoulders when I was hit, and he flew into the windshield going 30 miles an hour. I shouldn't laugh, but he was PISSED :)