Christmas Cookies

We made some cookies this year. I probably wouldn't have done it if Carl didn't suggest it. I'm glad we did though because they were delicious.

Oh I'm so far behind!!!

Carl's mom came to our neck of the woods earlier this month. Oh, I mean, last month. She was able to be here for Tyrza's baptism. She also did some Christmas celebrating with us. This year we got a wonderful book called "The Quiltmaker's Gift." Our ornament was a handcrafted little square quilt with a heart and our first initial on it. I really enjoyed this book. I even more enjoyed the ornament. It's something that I will be able to look back on and tell Brady "Your grandma made that special for you."

Carl has collected quite a few ornaments over the years as this has been a tradition in his family. Some of them are fancy and store bought; some of them are clever; others are handcrafted and unique; some are memories of a little boy who made the ornament himself, like an old fashioned clothes pin painted blue (or red?) with wire around the top for a hook. I've also made a contribution from my childhood. Well, I think my mom made them. I have little pillows with teddy bears printed on the fabric to put on the tree.

I don't think our Christmas tree will ever be co-ordinated or themed. I like the hodge-podge look of various ornaments. It's a tree full of memories, a tree of love. It will never look the same year after year. The ornaments get put in new spots and new ones are added each year. I hope my kids learn to enjoy this type of tree. If not, I will probably indulge their fancies to an extent until the tree is under parental control again.

I had a picture in mind when I started this post:

Brady and Grandma took some time to stop and smell the flowers.

While we were at the library Santa stopped by for a visit.

What just happened?

Scene: 9:05 p.m. on a Wenesday night. Brady has been in bed for 1/2 an hour. Carl is watching TV and Stephanie is chatting on the computer.

Brady's Door: Creeeek

Carl and Stephanie look at each other to make sure they both heard the door. They await the emergence of a short-little bobble headed child. Stephanie goes to see what is happening. She and Brady meet in the hall. Brady holds up a lotion bottle emptied earlier that evening.

Brady: "Say Thank you, you're welcome." Signs "thank you" then heads back to bed. Looking back as he gets in.

Stephanie: Look flabbergasted at what has just happened.

Carl: "Has he been awake this whole time? Or is he sleep-walking?"

Stephanie: Still look flabbergasted as she tries to process the whole thing.

OOOoooh That's how you use those....

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What I REALLY want for Christmas

This isn't going to be some heartfelt sentimental blog. If that's what you're looking for, try another blog (might I suggest Emily R-K's?)

What I would really like for Christmas is a new wardrobe. One that has nothing I look at and think "uggh..." One in which every item fits me properly, doesn't have mysterious bleach marks, and nasty underarms are forbidden. I'd like to be stylish, yet comfey. I don't want to look like a "mom" but I don't want to look like a fashionista. My friend April is very good at dressing herself. She's got a job as my personal wardrober/house decorator when I'm good and rich. But what to do until then?

Heck, I don't even know WHERE to get good, quality clothes. I'm pretty sure Wal-Mart is out of the picture, and probably Target too. JCPenney has old lady clothes (I tried some velour lounge pants on there and I had hip wings!! My hips do not need to fly.) The GAP used to be appealing but all that flannel scares me.

Then there is the budget issue. And the ever changing body issue. I need 4 sets of clothes: "fit-runner size", maternity, post-baby "I'm sick of my maternity" clothes, and "I can't quite fit into my fit-runner size" clothes. Oh, and the seasons have to co-ordinate. You can't wear skinny capris in the winter. No, not even in Arkansas.

Do you think I'd get away with it if I told Carl a tornado came and blew all my clothes away and I had to go out and buy new ones? Does insurance cover that? Anyone have suggestions? Anyone?

Moving to the Big House

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Carl has accepted a new accounts position at the main branch of Regions. It's a move 1/4 mile to the Southeast of his current branch. We are greatful to hear this news. This means we don't have to worry about Carl finding a new job at a new place.
Also, we'll have insurance coverage. I have learned that even if you don't think you'll be with a company in the new year, you STILL need to enroll for the insurance plan. Can you imagine if we figured we were outta luck and didn't care to do that? EEEK!! Can you say up a creek with out a paddle? When we were prepping to leave Utah we thought it silly to choose an insurance plan. We did chose one anyway. It's a good thing too! Even though the COBRA payments were an arm and a leg we had pretty much seemless coverage during the last part of my pregnancy. So always, ALWAYS enroll for insurance even if you don't plan on sticking around. You never know what might happen.
Oh, my point to this blog....ah yes, Carl maintains his employed status. As Martha says, "It's a good thing."

To the #1 man in my life

I want to say "thank you" to my hubby, Carl. He's been so good to me. He picks up my slack after a long day at work with no complaining. He's been very understanding of my tiredness, even more than I have been. He's a very good guy. I'm glad to have him. Thanks dear, for all your service to me.