Child Friendly Decorating

Well, my house is just not going to look the way it usually does at Christmas. I tend to redecorate the whole house with all my holiday decorations. But, I now have a 2.5 year old redecorator. So, I just kept it minimal to reduce stress and reduce the amount of broken items. I did put up my ceramic tree and porcalin village. Rebecca immediately rearranged the pieces. So, the nativity is way up high on the entertainment center. I can't wait to see what she does with the Christmas tree on Sunday.

We made a foam board gingerbread house last night. These foam craft kits are so cool. Thanks Ang for the idea. Ang sent us a haunted house kit for our exchange and we had so much fun with it. So, Joann's had them on sale this week for the Christmas ones. We did a Gingerbread house and a tree kit. The tree kit was a little harder. The glue didn't want to stick. So, while she was preoccupied I hot glued the pom poms in place. I also built the basic house structure ahead of time with tacky glue, that was another lesson learned with the Halloween one. But, the decoration pieces are pre-glued. You just peel the paper and stick.

Here's our house and trees and kid friendly display for Rebecca to play with (that nativity has no moveable pieces, I hope it survives!!):

This IS My Day Job

And you all wondered what I did all day!!!!

Actually, today was our annual City-wide Holiday Lunch. The theme was "Under the Big Top". I've been on the doorprize committe, I think, 10 years now. It was a lot of fun.

Daddy's Dream Come True

She loves motorcycles

My Black Friday

I have to say my Black Friday was successful. I started my day at 4:00 a.m. standing in line at Sears. I got my coveted 10.00 gift card and the set of wrenches Tony wanted. While at Sears, I picked up a cool sleeping bag/instant bed for Rebecca. Its princess theme. I think it will work great when we go camping.

On to Best Buy, where I purchased David's TV for Christmas. That was the only really long line I encountered. I stood in line for 1 hour to check out. But, its worth it for the price I paid for the TV. I also picked up gift certificates for all the nieces and nephews. They are done. I was out of the store by 6:30 a.m. Stopped at Burger King for breakfast and was home by 7:00 a.m. to feed everyong and pick up Rebecca for the next leg of my adventure.

I dropped Rebecca with my mother-in-law, who is so sweet to watch her every Black Friday and picked up my Mother. We head to the Orlando Fashion Square Mall. Its an older, smaller mall. I didn't see the crowding that bad as I had in previous years. When i drove past the Florida Mall, the cars were parked out to the nether regions. So, I'll stick with my old familiar mall. We hit J.C.Penney's first. That store was a little swamped. I was proud that I didn't succumb to the little girl clothing department. I did pick up some new pj's for me. So cute, black with little pink cats all over the legs. The shirt has a pink cat too. I love new pj's.

From there we headed down the mall to Macy's. They had a great coupon 10.00 off a 25.00 purchase. The girls department called me. I knew they had Doug and Melissa puzzles up there and I've been eyeing this wooden clock puzzle for a litte while. But, you know, you have to spend 25.00. So, I ended up with a new outfit for Rebecca to make up the difference in price.

Our next stop was The Children's Place. The have nice blanket sleepers and they were on sale for 8.00 with an extra 15% off. There was a little line, maybe 20 minutes. But, her room gets so cold in the winter, I like her to wear the blanket sleepers. It was a good deal.

I made a little detour in Claires and picked up some Christmas pony tail holders for Rebecca. They had a cool deal for 4.00 with any purchase you get a little bag filled with stuff for your desk, like nice pens, mechanical pencil, highlighter, stapler. Really cute.

We left the mall and headed across the street to Target for some of their specials. I got games for 3.88 for Rebecca. I got Cooties and the Fishing Game. The fishing game same 4 and over, but for the life of my I don't know why. David loved it when he was little. So, I think as long as we supervise her, she'll be ok. Maybe I'll hold it till her birthday? I don't know, I keep bouncing it back and forth. I think I'll ask Tony what he thinks. I also picked up some stocking stuffers. They had individual little people bagged. I got a doctor and a fireman to put in her stocking. They also had a Thomas the Train, and she likes him too. So, I got one of those. I think that was about it for Target, except for a birthday card for today's party.

Finally, it was lunch time. We hooked up with my sister-in-law, Lori, at Too Jays. A yummy jewish deli style restaurant. The 3 of us plotted our attack on Linens N Things. I wasn't planning and getting anything, but I found a nice blanket for our bed. The one we have is so ratty and old.

I browsed briefly at Old Navy, but didn't buy anything. Our day was over. I headed home. Tire and exhausted. But, my shopping is pretty much done. I did alot of shopping ahead of time and I did some online shopping at Best Buy on Thanksgiving day. I just need to wrap and get a some stocking stuffers for David and Tony. I'm done!!!!!

In bed at 8:00 p.m. last night, sound asleep.

Thanksgiving!!!

We have so much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for a wonderful family and a beautiful day. I'm thankful for my friends. Most days I feel so blessed.

Here's some snapshots from the day. We were trying hard to get a Christmas shot for our cards. I think we have one. But here are a few with Rebecca, my nephews and my Dad.

SNOW!!!!

We had snow!!! I didn't see, but I woke up and read about it. And you all laugh when I say its cold right now.

Snow

Temper Tantrum????

Rebecca had a temper tantrum last night. Very unusual. She never has total meltdowns. She made up for it last night. I couldn't help myself. I was dying laughing the whole time. I could tell that she was tired and I just wanted to give her a quick bath and put her jammies on. OMG, you would have thought the world was going to end. I literally wrestled her out of her sweater, as she was hanging on for dear life so it wouldn't come off. Unfortunately, I laughed the whole time. It was quite comical. I'm so bad. But, it was funny.

She did take her bath (cried the whole way through) and she did put on her pj's (that seemed to help) and we rocked for a good 20 minutes. She then was out like a light.

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come!!!

Verdict

Ugh - everything is fine with the biopsy. Great. The kicker - I paid 15.00 copay for her to tell me its fine and that . . . . .. . .. .

She doesn't do surgery anymore and gave me a referral. UGH!!!!! Couldn't she have called and saved me the time and money. Please!!!

Here's the Dirt on the Weekend

Ummm, Saturday I was Miss Suzie Homemaker!!! I cooked, cleaned and shopped. I made a turkey for the Annual Turkey Dinner that was on Sunday. Then, I cooked the carcass down to make soup. I made lasagna. I cleaned bathrooms. I got my haircut. I mopped floors. I went shopping (grocery and fun shopping). Buddy I did it all.

So, Sunday, I get up and go to the Turkey Dinner to help out. I'm in charge of sweet potatoes. I made enough for 300. We had a very successful year. I left there about 10 a.m. to take Rebecca to a birthday party across town. Totally cool party. They hired an event company to come in and put it on. They had a bounce house, an attendant making cotton candy, games and goodie bags. Totally cool. I think Rebecca was a little intimidated by all the kids though. She was totally happy playing with toys on her own. We really need to work on sharing. She really doesn't have to, so when she's around other kids, she doesn't understand that all the toys aren't hers.

After, about 1pm, loaded up and headed back to the turkey dinner were my sweet husband was slaving away. Had a little drama with a guy there that is stringing along a few girlfriends. Dinner ends about 3pm. Cleaned up and went home.

Get home, my poor turkey soup that I left in the crockpot was terrible. The noodles cooked too long and were all puffed up and mushy. Poor soup went down the disposal. We had leftover lasagna for dinner.

Miss Rebecca was exhausted from her travels and was sound asleep by 7pm. Put on my jammies and crawled into bed with my beloved laptop and chatted with my online friend. 9pm'ish, out like a light.

Thats it. There's the scoop!!!

Rebecca's Baby

Rebecca loves her baby

Elements of My Life

Hate, lies, alcoholism, deceit, depression, mental illness, happiness, fullfilment, sucess, triumph . ..

These are just a few of the things that have touched my life in the last 24 hours. Most not directly. But, on the periphial they lurk. I try to influence the best I can. But I really think its fruitless.

Guess I will take the advice of my wise friend, Judy. Just wake each day and make it the best you can. Don't sweat the small stuff. Only you have control of what is negative in your mind. She is so right. So, today is going to be great. All the crazy people that really want to touch my life can just go away.

What a Dismal Day

Its dreary. Cloudy, rainy, and getting cooler. I looked at things I shouldn't. Once again, it upsets me. I don't understand it. Don't know how to end it. I wish some people would just go away.

SIGH . . . . . . . . . .

Happy Anniversary Baby!!!!

Today is our 3rd Anniversary!!! Seems like we've been together so much longer. When you think of it, we have. We lived together close to 3 years. I love you Baby!!!

Tony was so sweet. He brought me a card and roses last night. Perfect gift for me. I'm excited that we've decided to forgo gifts for Anniversary and Christmas and take a trip instead. He wants to try skiing. I want hot chocolate in the ski lodge. I think it will be fun. Still in the planning stages, so we'll wee.

Yaaaaawwwwnnnnn

Yay for not having to go anywhere tonight!!!

I don't get it. You think I'm this horrible person. You profess it to the whole world. But, you bother to send me birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc. Talk about phsyco. Make up your mind. Unfortunately, it had Tony's name on the envelope too. Otherwise, it would be right back in the mail to you. But, my husband, the ever opportunist. Screw it, we'll go to dinner on it. You want us to spend your money. No problem. Done deal. Ok, glad I got that out of my system.

Mission bathroom tonight. My goal is to have clean bathrooms. If I accomplish that, I will be very, very happy.

Hey I'm Not Drunk Anymore

What a Saturday!!! Started off with my garage sale. Rebecca was not happy about selling the things she's outgrown. She would tell people who came to look, "Get Out!!" or "Go Away!!" It was too funny.

Last night was the party at Laura's. It was nice to see people we haven't seen in awhile. Yep, I was trashed. And, no I didn't come home and blog drunk, did I? Not feeling so hot today. I have a tea to attend and I really didn't want to put on these pantyhose and dress. I really wanted to stay in pj's and lay on the couch all day. Ugh, I don't want to go. But, I'm obligated. So, I'm off to the tea.

TTFN

Dancing The Dance

We all have a dance to dance. Some are more complicated than others. Takes two to Tango. Really, you don't need a third. So please leave me out. I prefer not to take the steps.

On to more pleasant things. Rebecca loves her ballet classes. They are so cute. I officially registered her yesterday. Paid for her recital costume too. Geesh, I hope she sticks with it. Recital isn't till May. But, she loves her dance.

I'll be dancing Saturday night though. Trust me when I say I have two left feet. My with enough alcohol consumption, I will think I'm the belle of the ball. I can't wait to cut loose. Should be lots of fun.

Macaroni Grill - Review Requested

The food was delish. The company was questionable!!!

We ordered a sampler appetizer of bruschetta, fried mozarella and calamari. I loved the calamari. You can tell quality calamari by how tender it is. If cooked improperly it will be chewy and tough. This calamari melted in my mouth.

For my entree, I had a sampler of lasagna, chicken parmagian and a chicken cannoli. The chicken parm was so good. That flattened the breast really thin. It was very tender. I didn't care for the lasagna. It was just too tomato'ee for me. The cannoli was ok. But, the parm was outstanding. I tried a taste of Tony's steak. That was very good too.

The company was irritating. One person in particular, who I'm not finished with yet. Plain and simple, he's a prick.

Dinner Out!!!

We're going out to dinner tonight. Sans, kids. With real grown ups (or at least I hope they are). I'm excited. Very rare occurence for us to go out to dinner lately. Its going to be an interesting mix of people too. I can't wait to see what happens. I hope its a pleasant evening!!!

Here's the Scoop

So, I saw my GYN yesterday. The ultrasound showed that I have a thickened uterus wall and polyps. So, they took a biopsy yesterday. If that is all clear, they are going to do a procedure called ablation. So that's the scoop. I'll find out more on the 20th. The upside is that I hopefully won't bleed at all anymore.

Monday Already!!!

Heck, I really didn't do a whole lot this weekend. Never left Clermont. Kind of nice. Took naps, watched TV, went bike riding. That's the sum of my weekend. Guess I need it after running all week long. This week coming up isn't much better. I think I have one free night.

But, I'm looking forward to this weekend. Garage sale to make some extra money and a party on Saturday night. I need a party. Haven't had a cut loose kind of night in a while. Its about time. Thanks Laura for providing me an opportunity!!!

YAY for Bike Weather!!!

Its finally cool enough to resume our bike riding. We rode the South Lake Trail this morning. Its a pretty ride all along Lake Minneola. We go to the City of Minneola's park. Very nice playground there. Its a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.

I've been working on organizing stuff for a garage sale next week. Rebecca has so many clothes that she's outgrown. I haven't even touched the spare bedroom downstairs. I hope we do well with the sale.

Dance, dance, dance

Rebecca started dance last night. It was so cute. She really loved it.

The hitch: When I called they said 2.5 and potty-trained. I get there and they are like 3. So, they let her try last night and she did really well. She listened and followed instruction. So, they said come back next week and if she wasn't a fluke last night, she can register. I'm not too worried. If it doesn't work out I found a dance place about 5 minutes from the house on Weds evenings. Its a little more money. But, I might actually meet people in the town we live. Have to see.

Not much going on this weekend. I have to get ready for our garage sale next Saturday. I will empty out the spare room. Tony will dejunk a little. Yeah, right. We'll see.

Yaaaawwwwnnnn

I need a nap. We have dance this afternoon. Then, I'm hoping to go straight home and relax. That's the plan. Ya hear that. Nothing, I don't want to do anything. I am looking forward to dance class though. I hope Rebecca likes it.

Ok, ok, ok

I switched back. But, If I see signs of evilness, I'll have to switch again.

What a Great Time!!!

Trick-or-Treat was fun. Rebecca loved collecting candy. She did so well. Wasn't scared of anythings. She loved hanging with her little friend, Emmie too. Here's a couple pics.