Recap 2010: October to December

Go link with Shortmama, Mimi, Emilisq, Emmymom, CAGirl, and Sami  after you post your own recap.





So we have reached the last three months of 2010.  These months were the best of 2010 and in some ways the worst.  Read on to see what I mean.


October:
Nick went hunting in Kemmerer, a town across the state from us.  Bruiser frustrated us with the lack of intelligible words, Turbo did well in school.  Nick also got to bring home an elk, so we got to put meat in the freezer.
I also got the news I would be going full time at work.  With a raise too.
I wrote a post about how I see myself.  Then we had Halloween.  Turbo was a viking a la How to Train Your Dragon.  Bruiser was a duck.  


November
November was a momentous month for me.  I made it one whole year for blogging.  I served up a bit of mom guilt about Bruiser.  And the really big news was Turbo went to New York City for Thanksgiving.


December:
Of course December is all about Christmas.  The tree, the list--both Turbo's and mine.  Nick and I took a four wheeler safety class, we went Christmas shopping, and had a meeting with Turbo's teacher.
We also had to let go of one of our cats.  Tinkerbell had a very good life.
I also did some recaps like this one and went officially full time at my job.  
Overall 2010 had it's ups and downs, like any year.  Looking back on it, the ups were good enough to out-weigh the downs, mostly.  How was 2010 to you?

Christmas Hangover or Something like that

Christmas was good to us.  Really good.  Santa was even better to the boys.  Gotta love a good Santa.
Bruiser got a lot of really good toys.  And he was all about opening presents.  As long as there was a bit of paper for him to grab.  He got a stuffed Scooby, a rocking horse and lots of little people toys.  He has played with all of them.  And he has worn his new hat and he kept it on--win for Mom and Dad.
Turbo, well he got a bit spoiled this year.  He got lots of K'nex, Legos, and a couple of video games.  He also got a toy Toothless with Hiccup fo Santa.  He has already put together all his new Legos and still has some K'nex to play with but we have a week for him to really get into those--Bruiser has to be otherwise occupied, he like Turbo's toys.
Nick and I did pretty well too.  Nick got me a very pretty cat necklace that sort of commemorates Tinkerbell, a couple of new cutting boards, a picture frame to fill with pictures for my office, a new comforter for the bed, and a small coffee pot for my office.  I was very happy with my Christmas.  Nick got a new wallet, a hunting knife, a Wii game,  new fleece vest, and a new coffee cup.  We also got a gift card to a great restaurant and babysitting to go with it so we can go out without the kids.  Score one for us!  Love the grandparents.
We had an unexpected bonus for Christmas--we had heavy fog and got a frosty white Christmas.  It was beautiful.
I have yet to get to downloading pictures.  I'll get some posted soon.  I'm lucky to get to posting anything.  Vacation is wonderful, but busy what with chasing two little boys around.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Random Tuesday--a bit late

Tuesday, wow almost missed it.  Vacations will do that to you.
Random time though.  So here are a few of our random happenings.

• Bruiser has decided that talking is a good thing.  We are getting more understandable words from him.  Makes figuring out what he wants much easier.
• there are days I really wish I could bottle Turbo's energy.  I'd make millions.
• insomnia sucks.  Waking up when you are supposed to be asleep is no fun.  If I have this problem now, menopause is going to kick my butt.
• My back hates me again.
• Nick has been overachieving again.  He is growing extra bone in his heels.  The left one has a spur about 3/8 of an inch long.  He has been hobbling around like he is 80 the last couple of days.  I tell you we are quite the pair.

Ok that's about it for the Random this week.  Go see Keely for more.

Recap 2010: July to September

Go link with Shortmama, Mimi, Emilisq, Emmymom, CAGirl, and Sami  after you post your own recap.


Well after the bad luck for the previous three months, the summer came and was much kinder to us.
July:
We started off the month with a long camping weekend for the Fourth of July.  WE headed across the state to join up with some good friends and had a blast.  You can read about it here . I also participated in Brittany's Blog Bash.  It was a fun way to meet new bloggers.  We had lots more summer fun and then Nick bought a four wheeler.  We had a few more lazy days but mostly they just went by way to fast.  I also reminisced about the first apartment Nick and I lived in together. 


August:
August is a great month--we got married in August and my birthday is in August.  Also this August was back to school time for Turbo. 
About our anniversary.  As of August 8 we have been married for 12 years.  We got to get away, and I wrote about Nick for a Pour Your Heart Out post.
Turbo went back to school and loves his class and teacher.  Oh and I got older.  And a netbook. 
September:
September started out a lot more exciting than we expected it too.  Our friends in Kemmerer(across the state from us--the ones we spent the 4th of July with) found us a pop up camper.  It was a deal we couldn't turn down, so off we went to get a camper.  I was so excited to upgrade our camping arrangements. Nick then spent the rest of the month archery hunting for deer and elk.  He did not get one while archery hunting, but he did get an antelope.
And at the end of September I hit 100 followers.  So amazing--Nick still owes me dinner for that one.  I have so enjoyed the blogging community I have found.  Thanks again to all who follow me.


Well that was the third quarter of 2010.  Much, much better than the second quarter.  And the fourth quarter had more good things in store for me.  Let you know more about that next week.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
I have been quite good this year.  No really!  There are just a few things I would really like to get this year.  If you have them in your bag, I'll gladly take them off your hands.

1. More patience.  I have two little boys and one big one.  A bit more patience would be appreciated by both them and me.
2. The ability to yell less.  I think the first request will help with this one.  I would like to yell less at my boys.
3. Time.  More time to spend making cookies, playing in the snow, just playing would be nice to have.
4. A maid to make the time for playing easier to come by.
5. And if those things are too hard to get under the tree, just send something sparkly.  That makes up for a lot.

So there you have it Santa.  Do you think you can help me out here?  See you in a few days.

Merry Christmas to the guy who never gets Christmas eve off.

VandyJ

Image from google imaages

Wednesday Hodgepodge--A Look Back at 2010

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.  We spend Christmas Eve with my husband's parents.  We open the presents they have gotten us and the boys and eat snacky foods.  It's relaxed and then we go check out the Christmas lights around town.  Then it's home to leave out cookies, milk and carrots(for the reindeer).  (Sometimes we get talked into letting the boys open a present early)  Then we shuttle little boys to bed and Santa wraps presents for under the tree and then Santa and Mrs. Santa go to bed to await the ungodly early wake up call that "Santa came!!!!".

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include The Bible here)  I have not gotten to read very much this year.  I have read romances--Lyndsay Sands, Nora Roberts and Amanda Quick, but no other real books.  We didn't get out camping o I could read, at least not the kind of camping I can spend reading.

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?  We have a cat and a dog.  There is no keeping the cat off the furniture, but the dog usually waits for an invite before he gets up on the couch.

4. What event from 2010 are you most thankful for?  My new job.  Or rather my job going full time.  I was part time with no benefits and 19 hours a week before December.  Now I am full time with benefits--sick leave, vacation, insurance and retirement.  This is just wonderful!

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before.  Rode a four wheeler.  Crashed a four wheeler.  Took a class on riding a four wheeler.  In that order.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?  Oh friend.  Jan at Jan's Sushi Bar has the best recipe for making Brussel sprouts--try it it's fabulous!

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?  This one is a hard one but I'd have to go kind of cheesy and nominate my husband Nick.  He puts up with me and has more patience with the boys and does so much for all of us, he really is my hero.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  After bemoaning the fact that we were having crazy warm weather last week, mother nature sent us snow.  12 inches of snow to be exact.  Turbo is in heaven, he loves to play in the snow.  Nick is excited too.  He and Turbo will be going skiing this afternoon.  I'm just happy to have snow on the ground again.  Cold temps are easier for me to deal with when the ground is white not brown or gray.

RTT: Christmas is just too close.

 
 Random it up people.
Keely is hosting, go check out the other random cause it's Tuesday you know.

• Our weather has been a bit nutty.  Last week we were warm(for us--40's people, not normal) then the temps hit the basement--like single digits.  I'm lucky no one is sick in our house--knock on wood.  And this morning we got up to snow.  Like seven inches of the stuff.  Hah--the weather said 1-3 inches, but what do they know?  It's still snowing but we only have a 60% chance for another 1-3 inches today.  I think they need a window at the weather station.
• Are you ready for Christmas?  I think I'm ready.  But then I remember I have Santa cookies to make, a gift for my mom to get still and there are only three and half more days to shop and bake.  Shoot me now.  At least Nick is in town.  His trip got canceled postponed until January.  Crazy weather again.
• Turbo is looking forward to watching Santa's progress on Christmas eve on the NORAD Santa Tracker site.  It gets cooler every year.
• And Nick's mom put us onto this site--Portable North Pole or PNP.  You can set up a free video for your kids from Santa.  Turbo thought it was pretty cool that Santa knew what he was for Halloween and that he skied too.  Go check it out, it is pretty neat.
• Now I just have to figure out what cookies we are making for Santa and if I have all the ingredients.  Chocolate chip may be in order, they're Santa's favorite, I know.
• Bruiser has been exercising his use of the word NO!  Even when he means yes.  Anyone want an almost two year old--he comes with toys? (I can be reasonably sure no one will take me up on this one--Nick has been offering Turbo for the same deal for years and no one has bitten yet.)
• ANd in more weather realted news--I biffed it in slow motion this morning.  It's what comes from ice under snow.  I'm sure I looked totally graceful as my butt hit the ground.

Now go see Keely, She'd like cookies. So if you have some to spare, share and check out the other random on this Tuesday before the madness that is Christmas.

Quiet Weekend--Calm Before the Storm.

Well, last weekend was a bit dull.  Which is a good thing since next weekend will be beyond busy and activity filled.  I think the majority of the shopping is done--except for my mom.  Still not sure what to get her exactly.  The thing she asked for is really hard to find here in our small town and I'm not even sure where to find it online.  So I will keep thinking about that one.   And we get to go to the chocolate shop Christmas eve day and get the candy we need for the stockings.  And for me.
I got to go to a grown up Christmas party for my work.  It was a great party and I had a better time than I expected.  I got to wear my new red heels and I looked pretty good.  Nick cleaned up well and we got an evening out without the kiddos.  Good food too.
I baked this weekend, but not to much, just a couple of loaves of pumpkin spice bread.  Tonight we will be making rice crispy treats again.  Nick is going out of town for field work Tuesday through Thursday, so I'm sending some goodies with him.  He gets to go stay in a condo and snowmobile to the sample sight.  Poor guy, tough to have those work requirements.  He's gonna freeze his butt off, but he'll have fun doing it.
And now for some cute little boys:

A rare moment of stillness from Turbo.

I like chocolate cookies!  Can you tell?

Mom and the boys.

April to June 2010: When Lady Luck Frowns

Go link with Shortmama, Mimi, Emilisq, Emmymom, CAGirl, and Sami  after you post your own recap.
So the recap continues.
April
April brought us slightly warmer temperatures, then snow--lots of snow and then warmer weather again.  We had issues with Turbo's teeth, Moments of craziness with my mom, And I participated in my first swap with Shortmama.  My partner was Jen from My Crazy Life.  I got some great stuff and had a lot of fun picking out stuff for her.


May.
May was a bit more settled in the weather department.  Bruiser hit 15 months and broke a family record.   I had a great Mother's day. Turbo had more dentist visits to deal with the teeth, Nick broke his ankle, and then Turbo had a Birthday.  Then over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, to be exact, the water heater decided to become a waterfall.  Literally.  Water was coming out of the top of the silly thing.  Fabulous way to spend a Sunday.  Water heater shopping.  As an added bonus my back went out and hated me for the next few weeks. Great end to a less than stellar May.


June
June started with a lot warmer temps and a reminder that summer vacation is an awesome thing for a kid.  Then the refrigerator died.  And there was flooding in our little town.  Nick had a good Father's day and a pretty good birthday too.  The mosquitoes came in droves, Nick's truck had a electrical issue that got resolved and June sailed along without to much more drama.


There you have it.  the second quarter of 2010.  See I told you it was not nice to us.  Teeth, foreheads, ankles and backs, water heaters, refrigerators and trucks.  The bad luck just had a ball with us.  Thankfully the rest of the year was better.  We'll get into that next time.

Good bye Tinkerbell

Our oldest animal--Tinkerbell the cat--was put to sleep on Monday.  She would have been seventeen next April.  I think it was time to let her go.  She has been fading for the last few months and I think it was just time.
She had a good life--she used to play fetch better than any dog I knew.  She loved her treat of canned food in the morning.  Hated when we moved from apartment to apartment to house.  She would freak out if we moved the furniture around because she hated moving.  She never really forgave us for moving out of the first apartment Nick and I lived in.
Nick and I got her after we had been together a year.  I wanted a cat and so we went to the animal shelter and got a kitten that had been found abandoned in the country.  She was a tuxedo cat--always looked like she was wearing a black coat with a white chest and toes.  She had white whiskers but only a couple above her eyes and sometimes they would fall out and she would look a bit lopsided. 
She taught me to play fetch with her by bringing me her toy one night in bed.  I just wanted to sleep and so I tossed her toy across the room.  She promptly chased it and brought it back.  Thus beginning a game she loved.  I can still hear her yowling with her toy in her mouth at night wanting to play.
Later in life she gained the reputation of Mean Kitty.  She would come and sit on anyone's lap, but don't touch her while she was there.  WE had big foot ball player type friends in college and they would ask me to come and get the cat off their laps rather than touch this small black cat to move her.  She also enjoyed sitting on Nick's shin and "boxing" with Nick.  She was the most playful cat when she was younger. 
Letting go will be sad but I think letting her go will be kinder to her than trying to hang on to prolong the inevitable.
So, so long Tinkerbell, a.k.a. Mean Kitty.  You have ruled our roost for years.  Thank you for sharing your time with us.  Sorry about moving so many times but we would be a tad cramped if we had stayed in the first place we lived with you.  I hope you are happier now and no longer in pain.  We love you and miss you very much.

Tinkerbell as a young cat.

She was never one for the great outdoors, she wouldn't go far from the door.

Tink ruled the roost, but hated that the fascinating fish were beyond her reach.

Goodbye Tinkerbell.

Wednesday Hodgepodge--That Christmas Feeling

 Hodgepodge time again.  Answer the questions and link up with Joyce.


1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?  There are all sorts of ways this one could go.  For our family it's pretty much what Turbo said last night while watching A Charlie Brown Christmas--The Christmas feeling is giving and getting and spending time with family.  Pretty good for a seven year old to remember the giving too.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?  We have a foil covered star that Turbo and Nick made a few years ago.  Nick was tired of the angel on the tree so he and Turbo spent an afternoon making a star.  I went and got them stick on sparkles and there you have it.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?  I do this every morning on the way to work when I get the dishes done, kids fed, husband up, my self up and ready for work and sometimes the crockpot going or any number of other chores that seem to get done better in the morning than at night.

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?  My sense of smell.  Christmas smells are wonderful and I think about the wax figures my mom brought out every year that smelled so wonderful.  A also love burning candles with the scents of apple, cinnamon, and other Christmas smells.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?  Counter clutter.  But putting away lots of it in the cupboards doesn't work real well because Bruiser can get into those cupboards and pulls stuff out all the time.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it? We usually have Christmas Eve with Nick's folks, ham, the fixin's and everything and open presents.  Christmas morning we do breakfast/brunch with Nick's folks and my mom at our house.  Then we get to be lazy bums for the rest of the day and let Turbo and Bruiser play with their new toys and stuff.

7. What is the best thing about winter?  I love the snow.  I like getting out in it and cross country skiing, or really just walking in a deep snow is sort of relaxing for me.  I also love snuggling up at home and watching it snow--makes me feel all safe and cozy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Nothing makes time go slower than waiting for a vacation.  Turbo was sure today was Thursday and tomorrow was Friday.  He was a bit disappointed that today was only Wednesday.  I would have been only too happy for today to be Thursday--one closer day to my vacation too.

RTT:December's Slipping Away.

Time to throw out all those thoughts that flutter randomly around in your head all week. This will leave room for more random thoughts for next week.  Anyway, grab the button (it's all pretty and purple up there) and go link with Keely.

• The wind has been trying to blow us away here in good old Wyoming.  Gusts as high as 40 MPH and chilly too.  We also have ice, lots of ice.  I don't like either the wind or the ice.
• Wow, it's the middle of December.  I'm not ready.  OK, I'm mostly ready for Christmas, but not ready for 2010 to be over yet--where has the time gone?  I really have been blinking to much lately.  I'm missing whole chunks of time--it just goes by so fast, and yet so abysmally slowly too.
• We had a meeting with Turbo's school yesterday.  His reading abilities are lower than the benchmarks for second grade.  He is improving, so that's good news.  It helps that he likes his teacher this year, much better than last year's teacher.  He's growing up too.  Now if we can just improve the reading some more and get him to stay on task and not daydream.  The kid can space out in a heart beat.  We are working on it.  Is it a good thing when the teacher and the principal know your son as a social butterfly?
• I need to figure out what I'm baking for Santa Claus to have Christmas Eve.  And Turbo volunteered to take Rice Crispy treats to school on Thursday.  Good thing Nick knows how to make them, cause I don't do so good with them.
• Sunday evening Nick was siting on the couch and being a guy, he farted.  Bruiser was walking by and heard it.  He immediately made a raspberry sound very similar to the fart.  They really are parrots at that age.

That covers the random for me.  Check back next week for more. Next week should be filled with Christmas craziness.

A Shopping We Will Go

So Nick and I went Christmas shopping this weekend.  We braved the crowds(although only Toys R Us was jammed) and added to the economy.  We didn't do too bad really. 
The hardest one to shop for, oddly enough, was Bruiser.  The kid just doesn't have much toy preference yet.  He isn't into Thomas yet, does not watch lots of the standard kiddie TV, so no Dora or Diego.  No Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, or Handy Manny.  And he's a bit young for Duplo blocks.  So what do you get an almost two year old--and we have the added fun of remembering he has a birthday a month after Christmas.  We settled on a tool box with a hammer and screwdriver and several wooden bolts and nuts, a Fisher Price Little People set, a new hat and mittens, and we will be getting a rocking horse for him.  And we also have to give ideas to the grandparents.  Fun.
Turbo on the other hand is way easy to shop for.  Legos and some video games and the kid will be content.  We have gotten him some other stuff, but Santa is bringing the Lego stuff.  About the only thing I still want to get him is one of the new lego board games--like Minotaur or Creationary. 
My shopping for Nick is done, but since he reads my blog (Hi Hon!) I won't list what I got him.  Suffice to say he will love what I got him--even if he inadvertently tried to look for something I already got him.  Just goes to show great minds think alike.

Bruiser loves boxes--maybe that could be his Christmas present.  It is cheaper.

Turbo did this this weekend--almost three miles.  AND next to no complaints--awesome!

Well that about covers our weekend.  Christmas is looming closer, I have a week and a half before my Christmas break and Turbo is done with school the end of this week.  Wow, where has December gone?

2010 Recap--Jan-March

"It is your chance to write up some posts and recap what happened during the year. You can put your favorite pictures, tell your favorite stories, link back to your favorite posts, however you want to do it. Just in case you had some slow months, we will be reviewing three months at a time."   
Go link with Shortmama, Mimi, Emilisq, Emmymom, CAGirl, and Sami  after you post your own recap.



January
Last year, lots happened in January.  Turbo lost a tooth, Bruiser walked, and learned to sleep better at night.  Turbo worked on being less affectionate--we are still working on this one--and struggled in school a bit--teacher issues.  We cross country skied lots and had a couple of great crashes--both Turbo and I.

But the big news for January was Bruiser turned one. 

February
It was cold and icy here in our neck of the woods.  Nick and I celebrated our seventeenth unofficial anniversary.  Bruiser decided that sleeping was for the birds and not him--again.  And both boys grew and grew. February was consumed with watching the winter Olympics, some skiing of our own, and the underwhelming Superbowl.  We had some craziness from the neighbors and from family but made it out OK.

March
March was quiet for us.  We had spring break, some sickness and a time change.  All of which made getting through the day just a bit harder.  I also got a button, you can still see it on my sidebar--over to the left, I think it's awesome still.

Looking back on the first part of last year, it was relatively uneventful.  Actually life was just lulling us with a sense of peace because the next three months were much less kind to us.  But that's for next week's post.

Christmas is Nothing Without the Tree

Linda at Second Cup of Coffee is hosting a get together to show off our Christmas Tree and special ornament.  I don't have a picture of my special ornament but I do have a picture of the tree.

There is our tree in all it's glory.  We use colored lights when we have a real tree but this little prelit tree is working out alright since time and weather conspired against us in the real tree department.  At least I don't have to remember to water this one.
I'll try to add a picture of a special ornament later.

Wednesday Hodgepodge--Sleigh bells and stuff

 

1. Have you ever been on a real sleigh ride? How about the warm weather version - a carriage ride?  No sleigh rides, just hay rides when I was younger--and most of those were pulled by a truck--not horses.

2. What's your policy on 'chain mail'...you know, the emails you receive that are often some sort of poem/blessing/good wish that ask you to send it on to 10 or 12 friends? Do you delete without opening, read and trash, read and trash and then worry you won't be blessed/lucky/protected? Do you delete the sender from your contacts or just go ahead and send the love onward?  I usually read and trash.  I'm not one to pass much on unless it's funny or interesting.  I don't like those chain emails and didn't like their precursors chain snail mail.  Also, I'd have a hard time finding the number of people to send them on to--I just don't know that many people.

3. Who is your favorite character in any of the Christmas movies and why?  I have always loved Santa Clause is Coming to Town.  I like Jessica.  She becomes Mrs. Claus and I like how she bucks the status quo in the burg where she lives.

4. Share a favorite quote.  I've shared this one before but it always rings true:  "The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead." ~Robert Brault

5. What's your favorite holiday scent?  Apple cider.  I love the cinnamon and apple scents--together or separate.

6. Does the Christmas season stress you out? In what way?  Not really.  I don't set my expectations too high.  As long as we all have fun, that's what matters.

7. What's the best thing about your life right now?  I have a wonderful job, a fantastic husband and beautiful kids, what more could I ask for?

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Why are household chores so unending?  You get one thing done and another needs doing or what you just finished needs doing all over again.  There are times when it all seems like an effort in futility.  Then again, I like the satisfaction of a job well done too.  An empty sink, neatly folded clothes, clean bathrooms... Then little boys and big boys come through and it looks like I did nothing--see futile efforts.  The definition of Mom I guess.

Now go answer the hodgepodge and link up with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.

RTT: Christmas Lists and Laundry

So it's Tuesday and according to Keely it's a yuleicious Tuesday.  One of only four this month.  How lucky are we?
Now for the random:

• When a small boy does not watch a lot of kiddie television, he has fewer things to ask Santa for.  Last night Turbo and I sat down to talk about what he wanted from Santa.  Mostly Legos.  Of one sort or another.  Turbo really didn't have a lot of wants.  The list may grow but since Santa is shopping this weekend he may not get more than what is on the list now.
• Still having trouble coming up with Christmas present ideas for Bruiser.  A rocking horse, a Magna Doodle, and well, maybe something in the toddler aisle at Toys R Us will jump up and say take me home to Bruiser, cause otherwise, I got no ideas.
• The tree is decorated.  Doesn't look too bad--pictures on Thursday.  
• Now I just have to get motivated to decorate in the rest of the house.  And possibly lights outside.  But I'm not holding my breath.  We leave most of that kind of decorating to Grandpa.
• And the laundry got done--all except the towels.  I'm calling it done.  All the clothes are even folded and put away--well there are a few pants for Turbo left in a basket, but they're easy to put away.  So I'm saying the laundry did not win.  Shut up towels.
• We are going shopping this weekend.  Mostly for the boys, but if Nick decides to shop for me, I won't get nosy, promise.
• So does anyone else wake up out of a sound sleep and remember to do stuff that has to be done--like pay bills, do certain errands, or make appointments?  Cause I woke up at 5:45 am and remembered that the bills needed to go out this morning.  So I got up and wrote out the checks--yes I'm still sending snail mail checks--and got the bills ready to send.  What a way to start the morning.
• Bruiser is talking more and he is really trying to say what we say--mostly.  He doesn't say g sounds or k sounds in the middle of words.  Eggo comes out sounding like ehh-ohh.  I am reminded of the hip hop song that had eh-oh as part of the chorus when ever Bruiser asks for an eggo.   Makes me smile.

Well that covers the random around here.  Go see Keely to link up your own random--go on, she doesn't bite I promise.

What a Weekend

So we had an interesting weekend.
First, Nick and I can be known as certifiably nuts.  We signed up for a four-wheeler safety course.  In December, in Wyoming.  The temperature outside was a balmy 24 degrees when we arrived at the course location.  Even with multiple layers, I was frozen before we even got on the machines.  Then we went in circles, a lot.  But I learned some useful tips and was able to do everything to pass, so both Nick and I are certified safe riders of four wheelers.  We have a card to prove it.
It took about three or four hours to really feel warm after we finished 5 hours in the cold.  Then we went home and made a fire in the wood stove and snuggled in the basement and hung out with the boys.  A lazy end to a busy day.
Sunday we were going to go to the mountains and get a tree.  But the weather kept us in town, so we went with a tree from Nick's folks.  The kind that is prelit and you put together out of the box.  Somehow I feel we are cheating, but I didn't want to wait until next weekend to get a tree.  It is standing, lit but not decorated in out living room.  Tonight we will decorate. 
Last night we watched some christmas movies to get more in the spirit.  We watched Rudolph and The Santa Clause.  Both good movies.  I need to get out the kid movies we have for Turbo and Bruiser--although Bruiser is not that interested yet.  Turbo requested The Santa Clause.  He loves Christmas movies and would watch them all year if he could.  Nick just thinks it's odd the watch Christmas movies in April.  So I put them away and haul them out for the Christmas season. 
Next weekend we are going Christmas shopping for the boys with friends.  It should be a good time.  Now I just have to get Turbo to write his Christmas list for Santa.  I have stuff for him, but I need to know what he wants so Santa can bring him at least some of what he wants.
Yesterday at Walmart they had an area set up for pictures with Santa.  Turbo wanted to do it but neither boy was dressed for a trip to Santa's lap.  Sweats do not make for a good picture.  Maybe next time.
Well that was our weekend--how was your's?

Friday Confessions

Time to confess all, Glamazon style.

• I am dreading the whole Christmas card thing. 
• And procrastinating doing them.  New Year's cards anyone?
• We're hoping to get a Christmas tree this weekend.  If the weather permits.  We will all troop to the mountians and cut one down.  It's a tradition.
• Last year we had a pre-lit fake tree.  I felt like I was cheating.
• I have discovered a new drink I like very much.  Coke and Vanilla Vodka.  Yum.
• They could be dangerous.  
• I have to do laundry this weekend.  Have I mentioned before how I hate laundry.
• The alternative is too expensive though.  They have yet to create decent disposable clothes.
• Therefore I must squeeze in laundry this weekend.  
• THe towels will probably still be waiting on Monday--laughing at me from the basket.  
• Shut up towels.
• I'm looking forward to Christmas this year.
• I get a week and a half off paid for winter break.  Working at a University has it's perks.
• Of course that means lots of togetherness with the boys.  I may be really happy for the 3rd of January.
• Actually there will be no may about it, I will be very happy on that day.

Well that about covers my confessions this week.  Go see Glamazon for more confessions.

Writer's Workshop--Reliving a Moment

 

The Prompts:

1.) Have you ever had a fight with a long time best friend and never made up? Do you think about her from time to time and think about contacting her? What would you say? What if it didn’t work out? What if it did?
(inspired by Elizabeth from Mama Sick)
2.) The perfect fall photo…share a picture that defines fall for you in your neck of the woods.
3.) CONTROVERSY! Are the new security measures performed by the TSA really that bad? Take a stance!
4.) What inspires you to write?
5.) “If you could relive any moment in your life, what moment would you choose?  Write about it.”
(inspired by writingfix.com)

I'm choosing Number 5.
“If you could relive any moment in your life, what moment would you choose?  Write about it.”
I have really had to think about this one. There have been so many wonderful moments--the births of my boys, the great trips we have taken, Christmases, camping trips, and things like that, but if I had any moment to relive it would have to be the first Christmas I spent with my husband. 
We had moved in together in September and had only been going out for about 10 months.  I had spent Thanksgiving here because the plan was that I would go home for Christmas and Nick would come join me the day after.  We would head back down to our town for New Year's Eve with friends.
All those plans derailed when three days before I was supposed to go home--four days before Christmas--my car broke an axle and would not be able to be fixed until after Christmas.  I called home and told my mom and my step dad wouldn't let her come down and get me so I could be home for Christmas.  I was dropped unexpectedly on Nick's family for Christmas.  We would go up to see mine the day after Christmas.
So surprise!  There would be one more for Christmas.
I was so touched and kind of surprised myself when Nick's family took me right in.  We went to the family Christmas party, and they had presents under the tree for me to open Christmas morning--and not just last minute cheap and chintzy things.  It was then that I knew Nick and his family were one of a kind.
So, If I got to relive anything, I'd go back and relive that Christmas.  There was so much hope and love that it would be fun to experience it all over again.

Now go write up your own prompt and link up at Mama Kat's place.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 Time once again for the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  I like doing these question/answer time things.  They make me think about different stuff. 

1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?  Interesting?  Hmmm...Probably learn how to drive a four wheeler.  Over the Fourth of July we went to visit friends and They tour the mountains on four wheelers.  It was fun and a great way to see the mountains.

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?  Probably the picture ans mementos I ahve of my father.  He committed suicide when I was three months old, so I never knew him.  All I have are pictures and things my mom and aunt (his sister) were able to tell me.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.  I'd like to attend any foreign food festival to experience food from other places.  Where I live we have a very limited exposure to ethnic foods.  Chinese, Mexican, and Thai about cover our options.

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?  I like the snow.  If it is going to be freezing cold, I at least want the ground to be white.  It's way easier to take the cold when the ground is white than dead brown.  Then too, we like to cross country ski and you can't do that without snow.

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?  Cross country only.  I tried downhill when I was a teenager and it did not go well.  No broken bones but I never really got the technique.  Cross country is cheaper to do anyway.  All you need is the equipment and a trail system.  No lift pass or anything like that.  It's nice.

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?  Nick is very supportive and proud of what I do--both raising the boys and with work.  It's great to have that backing me.  The fact that he can cook is awesome too.

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.  We have a family room in the basement that has a sectional and the flat screen TV.  It also has a wood stove.  It can be very cozy for an evening.  I don't really like to spend all day there, I get just a bit of cave feeling--I like to see out the windows, but for an evening watching movies, it's great.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Our family is once again all together.  Turbo got back last night from New York.  He had a fabulous time and got home without a hitch.  He's still our crazy kid.  He's just a bit better traveled now.

Go visit Joyce to get your own Hodgepodge questions and link up.