Smiling's my Favorite!

There are so many great Christmas movies out there ~
Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation
The Polar Express
How the Grinch stole Christmas
and who can forget A Christmas Story?  How may of you watched this movie as a child and still got their tongue stuck to a piece of metal in the cold wintery outdoors?  I didn't, but my older brother did!

My favorite Christmas movie, at the moment, must be Elf.  It's one of those dumb, funny movies.  You don't have to think too hard to watch this one!

And this scene:



is my absolute favorite!  I laugh every.single.time.  My family laughs when this part comes on as well, but I think they may just be laughing at me ~ oh well, I like to see people smile and if I have any part of their happiness, I'll take it!

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Mother's Day ~ Something to Think About

Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May. It complements Father's Day, a similar celebration honoring fathers.
Via ~ Wikipedia

I'm certain most of you realize Mother's day is this Sunday, only a few days away.  
I also know that many of you who read my blog are mothers.  And for you I have a question......

You see, a friend of mine posted a link to this blog post on Facebook entitled "Ten Things I Really F'ing Want for Mother's Day"

Seriously?

Go ahead and read it, or skim it.  I'll wait.................
.................................................................................
.................................................................................

Well?

Numbers's 4, 5, 9 and 10 have my jaw on the floor.

Here are my comments, I'll go in order....

1.  Yep, I'm tired of wiping butts ~ Smiley is on the verge of independence on that one, but can not quite be trusted :)

2.  I like brunch ~ and as long as I'm with people I care about, I'm happy

3.  Sleeping in......anything past 4:40am is sleeping in for me

4.  I would love a card ~ one created by Hallmark and meticulously chosen by someone I love, or one made using any or all of the following: paint, markers, glitter, crayons, tape, glue and or macaroni and no sauce and wine necessary.

5.  Jewelry ~ Sure.  Beads and Macaroni noodles more than welcome.  And this year, it was a shrinky dink pendant with a beautiful drawing of me on it.  Thanks to Smiley ~ who HAD to give it to me TODAY because she was so excited and proud and that is what makes the gift so unbelievably special!

6.  I'm ok with this one, but absolutely use our kitchen.  And honestly, cereal and fruit or yogurt is just fine with me.  Actually, a cup of coffee that someone else brewed (and in our own coffee pot is just fine) would be perfect!

7.  Yes, it would be nice to use the bathroom just once without someone trying to come in. 

8.  Chocolate is good.  I don't need any, but if you must, I prefer milk chocolate.

9.  What?  If a present is given, it is the thought that counts.  Just because I may not love it, doesn't make your effort and thoughtfulness any less valued!

10.  ARE YOU KIDDING?  Why are you a mother?


I'm sure, at least I hope that this blog post was written in humor (and no offense to my friend!).  

I just don't see it.  

Maybe it's because as I look around me, those little ones whose tiny diapers I used to change are not so little anymore.  They are 12, 9 and 4.  They are becoming more and more independent every.single.day.  The middle of the night (newborn/baby) and morning snuggles that use to be an everyday occurrence are already becoming few and far between.  And there will come a day when I long to hear them pitter pattering around in the mornings, when the house is too quiet, and I crave a knock on the bathroom door, just because it means they are home and there is something so unbelievably important that a 2 minute trip to the bathroom must be interrupted.  And yes, presents are always nice ~ whether they are something I truly love, or something I love because someone important to me had me in mind when they picked it out.  Handmade cards and gifts ~ bring them on!  Not because I love to accessorize with macaroni, but because the look on the face and the excitement in the heart of the giver is an absolute gift in and of itself.  

There are so many women who LONG to be mothers........

And I am lucky, I have three beautiful children and the smiles on their faces are what fill my soul.  I am a mother.  And I would never want that to change.  So please don't EVER give me "Leave me the Fuck Alone" coupons that never expire as that lovely blogger so eloquently expressed.   Yes, there are occasions I need to take a breather and times I need to go out with "the girls".  There are moments I wish my children would stop bickering and whining, but I would take those noises over the sounds of an empty home any day.  

So this Mother's day, I will wear my Shrinky Dink necklace, carefully created and designed by my 4 year old with pride.  And I will savor the day.... with an early start I'm certain, bickering, butt wiping included, but with my family and that my friends is the only present I need.  (ok, they can clean their respective rooms without me asking.... that would be a most wonderful gift!)

And now the question(s)...
What did you think of this blog post, and what do you really want for Mother's day?

2012 Christmas Quiz

Last Christmas (kind of like this Christmas season), I took a blogging break.  It wasn't really planned on, it just sort of happened.  I was busy. Busy enjoying my family.

Anyway, when I finally logged back on, and began visiting blogs again, I came across this fun
Christmas quiz.  But since Christmas was over, I couldn't bring myself to fill it out and post it. So what did I do?  I saved it, for this year!  Lucky you :)

Ready?

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Given the choice of these two, I'd choose hot chocolate, but really, I'd choose a piping hot Tom and Jerry!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them ~ I sure hope the elves help!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Tree ~ colored (I try every year to convince the kids to let me put white lights on the tree.....so far, they are holding out!), House ~ white

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.  Not sure why, just don't.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Typically the week following Thanksgiving, however this year it was 2 weeks after since hubby went on a week long hunting trip with his dad.  Couldn't do it without him ~ it's a family affair.  That and I can't carry the tree by myself :)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (not including dessert)? Hmm.... I don't really have one, they are all so good.  I hardly ever make mashed potatoes or gravy, so I always look forward to that... and green bean casserole.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?  Talking with my brother through our vents and him sneaking up to my room (from his room in the basement) and us playing cards all night because we couldn't sleep.

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yep, we are always with hubby's family and we exchange gifts with them. 

9. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Colored lights, sheer red ribbon and lots of ornaments.  Some are from my childhood, ones I made or received. Some are random ones I've purchased as gifts for the kids or hubby, or just because I liked them.  And, my mom purchases the kids each an ornament each year, the kids love looking for their special ones!

10. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it!  Last Christmas there was none and it felt a little wrong!

11. Can you ice skate? I can skate forward ~ not backwards very well.

12. Do you remember your favorite gift?  A purple bike with a sparkly white banana seat.

13. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Relaxing and spending time with my family 

14. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Probably my mom's cherry pie ~ I have the same recipe, but it just tastes better when someone else makes it :)

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Growing up we would always go to mass on Christmas Eve, come home, eat pizza, clean up, then open up gifts from each other.  Now we are constantly going from house to house trying to see all of our family, but I still carve out an evening with just Hubby and the kids to eat pizza and open up gifts from each other.

16. What tops your tree? A grapevine star

17. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Giving.  I love searching for just the perfect gift for each person on my list.  

18. Candy canes: yuck or yummy? I'm indifferent.

19. Favorite Christmas show? I like the Polar Express

20. Saddest Christmas song? Christmas Shoes

21. What is your favorite Christmas song?  There is no way, I can choose just one.  I love Christmas music and play it constantly from the day after Thanksgiving until just after Christmas.

22.  And finally, what is your favorite Christmas cookie or candy?  Toffee.... I love toffee!

I'd love to hear some of your answers!  Leave them in a comment, or if you blog about it, be sure to let me know!

$6000 Question

Hey friends!


I need your help, experience and expertise.

You see, I am trying to decide between:

These:

Invisalign

and 

These:

Traditional braces
(if I chose this option, I would go with the ceramic ones on the left)

The cost difference is minimal.  Both would be treatment for about 15 months.

So I am asking you, since next Tuesday is decision day......

Have you had either?

What did you like?

What didn't you like?

What I found

I went thrifting the other day and found some goodies.

Take a look for yourselves:

I love these quotes 

and 

these babies.....

brand new and in their sealed boxes

Love these!  

Spider webs and all :)

And I think these are book ends, but not for long ☺

and Frames of course

which are already in the process of being repurposed

A new scarf ~ again new with tags on

and a few practical things 

Poker night invites (don't be fooled by the price tag on these)

and 

a Protractor for Sassy

The best part ~ I paid under $20 for EVERYTHING

YAY!!!

What have you thrifted lately?

Do you Believe ~ Part 2

In ghosts ~ that is.

So it's time for another ghost story (you can read my first one here ~ and Lynn left a ghost story in the comments section).

Picture it ~

A big old house in a small college town.

5 bedrooms

Drafty

big and old ~ did I already say that part?

Hardwood floors, cute little built ins  ~ lots of character that I didn't appreciate while I lived there my junior year of college with 4 other lovely ladies!

Anyway, the main floor housed the kitchen, dining room, living room, sitting room, 1 bedroom, and the bathroom.  Upstairs ~ the rest of the bedrooms.

It was a Sunday afternoon ~ a rare weekend actually, that I didn't drive "home" (an hour away) to work.  I was sitting in the living room, all alone, in our big, old house.  Probably watching some lifetime movie or something. :)

All of a sudden I heard creaking upstairs in one of the bedrooms.  It was a rhythmic creaking, in one localized area. Not the sound of someone walking around.  But a back and forth creaking sound.  Like the sound of someone rocking in my roommates rocking chair...... upstairs. It continued for at least 3 minutes ~ continuously ~ creek..creek...creek...creek... ~ back and forth. 

NO ONE WAS HOME BUT ME!!!!

After listening to it for awhile ~ I locked myself in my bedroom, with my headphones on and my head in a book!

I get goosebumps just thinking about it! 

So do you believe?  Do you have a story to tell?

I've got one more for you that I'll tell you on Sunday ~ and on Sunday I'll host a linky party ~ I want to hear your ghost stories!  Come on, get ready to freak me out :)

Something to Think about Sunday

A question was posed to me last week.

It made me think.

So now I ask you,

"When was the last time you gave one thing your 100% undivided attention?"

Something to think about Sunday

Who are you raising up today?

Blessings to you.

Since it's my Birthday

I have a few things I would like you to do today:

1.  Tell someone you love them.

2.  perform a random act of kindness.
3.  Relax ~ if only for a moment.
4.  Look for an ordinary miracle.
5.  Do something YOU want to do.

AND..... leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite dessert  is...

Mmmmmm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Abandoned?

This Morning my blog was YELLING to me:

"I'M HERE!"

"HEY, OVER HERE!"

"Remember ME, your BLOG?"

"Please DON'T abandon me..........."


So here I sit ~ shopping...... I MEAN blogging (lots of back to school deals ~ Sassy she wears a woman's 9 1/2 in Puma shoes.... right?  No?  hmmmm,   AND yes, you are correct, I DO have big feet!).

I'm ready to type and tell you about all of the exciting adventures we've been on in the last few days, like.....
umm, well........

Ok, I'll tell you about the fabulous projects I've finished like:

well, my embellished..... nope, not done.

my chalkboa..... hmmm, not done either.

I know, how about the holder for......  UGH, never mind!!!

Yep, it's all sitting unfinished in my messy "scrapbook" room , which by the way hasn't been worked on either (scrap booking, that is).

Here is really what has been going on.

Smiley got sick.
Action got sick.

We had a great night out with 3 other couples and their kids on Friday night.  We went to a great restaurant that has a "back yard" with play equipment, sand pit, and horseshoes.  MEANING... the kids played, while us adults hung out.   Life was grand until Action started not feeling so hot again ~ he was having these horrible headaches....

Saturday.  Relaxing, shopping (found some ADORABLE dresses for Sassy and Smiley when it comes time to finally get some family pics taken ~ this fall... so we don't all melt when we are outside).
Church.
 A movie.  Yep, Hubby and I actually rented a movie.

Shutter Island ~ Have you seen it?  What did you think?  Talk about mind games!!!!  It wasn't quite what I expected and I'm not sure I liked it.

Sunday ~ Sassy's turn to get sick.
I went shopping with a friend.  We were on a mission.  We are leading our church Parent's group this year and we needed to purchase items for a silent auction basket for our church's upcoming festival. 
Mission accomplished:


That's it ~
We are all healthy!
Sassy starts fall fast pitch softball tonight.
It's suppose to be another hot, humid, potentially stormy day (ie, the spray paint will stay on the shelf for another day).
Spin class starts in 1hour and 15 mins ~ so I should maybe get the kids up.
Embrace the camera is tomorrow.
I'm meeting up with college roommates this weekend for a MUCH NEEDED GIRLS WEEKEND!!!!

and

Lastly, I need your help!

I am on a mission to find a coffee maker that doesn't drip or leak when you pour.

What kind of coffee maker do you have?
Do you like it?

Something to think about Sunday ~ Medals and Trophies ~ Opinions WANTED!

I don't usually ask many questions of my readers, but today I have one for you.

It seems our country has evolved into an "everyone's a winner" society. 

I'm talking mainly about kid sports. 

See, I have a friend who was a coach for a 1st and 2nd graders soccer team.  They DIDN'T win one game during the season, yet at the end she had trophies to hand out to each of her kids.

And Sassy's softball league.  Well, they decided to split the 8U division into A and B groups ~ 6 teams in A, 6 teams in B.  Why?  So there would be double the amount of Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists and of course, EVERYONE would receive a medal just for participation. 

Really?

Is this necessary. 

Do our kids REALLY NEED these medals and trophies? 

Do they need to be rewarded just for signing up?

Or, would NOT receiving them make them want it more the next year.  Perhaps a little goal setting and a little extra effort put forth (you know, maybe wanting to play catch or kick the ball with someone instead of sitting in front of the TV or some sort of video game). 

What do you think? 

Should kids always get medals and trophies regardless of the season outcome or are we just promoting a "we are all winners and there are no losers" mentality?  Is this a bad mentality?

Help me out,

WHAT DO YOU THINK?