Thanks, Grandma Jeanne!

Frustration

Our DSL has been a bit tempermental lately. Grr! Hopefully things will get to running smoothly sometime soon.

Three for Thursday

Things Happen in 3s. Here are mine.

Here is a list of the 3 best things about Christmas being over:

1. No more pine needles in the house. I love a live tree. I love the smell. I hate stepping on fallen needles.

2. Furniture goes back to its home. We had to move our love seat from the living room in the dining room and the end table to the other side of the couch. I keep tripping on them.

3. No more cookies. Goodbye temptation, hello weight loss.

Green Eyed Monster

The green eyed monsters has reared its ugly head again, but this time striking a different member of the family. Let me explain. Last night, Curly and I had our last gig of the year for the Towne Singers. We were scheduled to sing as part of the Candlelit Houses of Worship tour. We were outside, and it was cold. Flower had been with her mom for the afternoon. She was going to be dropped off during our 30 minute break, and then her mom would leave. The time came for her to be dropped off and Curly invited the Ex (I really have no clever name for her other than Ex) to join us while we sat in a little cafe to warm up. Then he asked if she wanted to stay while we sang. I thought she would say no, but she said yes. So, while we sang, she entertained the kids. It was actually not as uncomfortable as I would have thought. Anyway, Mini-me was tired, hungry, and cold, and wanted a little extra attention. Ex put her on her lap and was really sweet with her. That's when the monster swooped in. Flower got angry. She said she wanted Mini-me to stop talking to her mom, and that she didn't want to share a room with her anymore. Yikes. Ex is pregnant again, and I think this jealousy has more to do with that than with Mini-me, but I could be wrong. By the end of dinner, the kids were friends again.

The Next Day...

I took a trip to the "Elf Repair Shop" this morning. It seems the much anticipated Backyardigans radio didn't function to its full capacity. Two buttons were broken. It got very annoying to hear Pablo, Natasha, and Uniqua sing their songs over and over and over again. "I'm a soccer monster and I love a soccer ball. I would rather play soccer than do anything at all. SOCCER! 1, 2, 3, 4 SOCCER! Pass, shoot, score!" The Christmas miracle of today was that I found the reciept I thought I had lost. I got to the first "repair shop," turned in the broken radio, went to the toy section to get the replacement, and they were out. Completely. Not a radio to be found. Panic set in. This was the only thing Mini-me had asked every Santa she saw for. On a wing and a prayer (is that the right cliche here?) I got in the car and drove to another large discount store, hoping they would have it in stock and that it would be functioning. The next Christmas miracle was that they had 3, and it was 2 cents cheaper than at the other place. So, I saved money as well.

I got home, the kids were none the wiser when I told them I had fixed the radio. They still only pushed "SOCCER! 1,2,3,4 SOCCER!" but at least I know the other buttons work. Then Mini-me pooped her pants. Oh well.

Merry Christmas!

The hat I made for Mini-me rarely left her head, Flower just wanted to curl up in her quilt, and Patch was the cutest Christmas boy there ever was. It really was the hap-hap-happiest holiday since Bing Crosby danced with Danny Kaye!

Did You Miss Me??

I know my14 readers are worried sick about where I've been. Our DSL was out for several days. I felt so isolated, not being able to send or recieve email. And, I had no public outlet for my thoughts and feelings :) Hopefully the problem is fixed.

It's been a fun weekend. Mini-me turned 3 on Saturday. We celebrated with a party at Way off Broadway, seeing Frosty the Snowman with several of her friends. A good time was had by all. And now it's Christmas. I've been so good -- I hope Santa remembers!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Three for Thursday

Things happen in 3s. Here are mine.

Here are my 3 favorite holiday songs:

1. Snow (or anything from White Christmas). Our singing group has added this to our repertoire. Love it love it love it.

2. God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin. It has a groovy beat that you can dance to.

3. River. I know a lot of people don't care for this song, but I think it captures the melancholy that can come with the holidays.


Sorry for the lack of posts! Our DSL has decided not to function lately...Humbug.

Sick Again!

Mini-me just can't seem to shake it. It's driving me beyond crazy. Her temperature is 99.3 at the current moment, which I know isn't considered a "fever," but I think anything above normal is sick. She also has a delightful rash, which could be roseola, but it could also be ringworm. Don't click these links while eating or thinking of eating. But, I digress...Personally, I am hoping and praying for roseola. It's much quicker and less contagious to the rest of the house. All this to say she'll miss the preschool party today. It's a bummer to miss that, but she doesn't know because I haven't told her.

I am also missing my Jenny today. I don't really want to take that rash anywhere right now. Except, it did go to dinner with the grandparents last night. So sorry.

My question for today is this: would you like to recieve carolers Christmas Eve, or is that too disruptive? Please comment.

One Week to Go

Christmas is a week away, and even with all my planning and budgeting, I still feel a little unprepared. The stockings are done, Mini-me's hat is done (I will post a picture after she opens it), Flower's quilt is done (again, photo pending opening), Patch isn't getting much, so he's done. I have a little work to do on my ornaments for my family. Our new tradition (goes back about 4 years now) is to give an ornament that represents our year. I have chosen to stitch mine this year, and have one left to do. Then I need to sew them up. The sewing part won't take long. Hopefully I can do it tonight so I can get them in the mail. I haven't wrapped anything yet, but that's okay. We can't put things under the tree because Gracie will eat the wrapping paper. Mini-me has already opened something and had to sit in time out. Oh, the holidays.

Photo Friday

Three for Thursday

Things happen in 3s. Here are mine.

Here is a list of my 3 favorite modern holiday classics.

3. A Christmas Story. This was also my acting debut in Frederick, as I played Mother last Christmas. You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

2. Christmas Vacation. Watching this movie makes it the hap, hap, happiest holiday since Bing Crosby danced with Danny Kaye. It's a little irreverant, but who can't relate to the statement "It's the holidays and we're all miserable." Where's the tylenol?

3. Elf. One of the greatest movies by comic genius Will Farrell. This movie reminds us of three things: Treat every day like Christmas. There's room for everyone on the nice list. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. Oh, and if you see gum on the street, don't eat it. It's not free candy.

How do you Spell "Success?"

Today, Mini-me went peepee in the potty. I put the potty in the kitchen, put my laptop on a bin, and turned on Cars. She has gone several times. But here's my question -- is it normal for her to pee 3 times in an hour? I thought at this stage she should be able to hold it a little longer. I don't want to send her to preschool in the morning in panties if she's just going to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes. By the same token, I don't want to put her back in a diaper and ruin the progress we've made. Suggestions would be appreciated!

Example

This morning was a successful Jenny day. I am down another pound and a half. I am 1.2 pounds away from 25 pounds total. I am happy with the results, because it is a lot of work to lose weight. It's definitely a lot more fun to put it on than take it off.

I've often wondered at the example I'm setting for my kids. What are they picking up from my actions? I hope that from my weight loss and Jenny Craig membership, they don't see a mom who lacks self control and gets herself into trouble. Instead, I hope they see that even when you make a mistake, you can make it right. I hope they see that if they don't like something about themselves, or a situation they are in, hard work can change anything. And, I hope they know that my weight is not what's important. How I look is not what's important. The important thing is being healthy and happy on the inside.

Yummy Recipe

Crispix Mix

1 stick butter
6 oz chocolate chips
6 oz peanut butter chips
12 oz crunchy peanut butter
1 pound powdered sugar
largest box of Crispix cereal (or 1 1/2 12 oz boxes)

Melt first 4 ingredients in sauce pan over low heat. Pour cereal in large, covered container. Pour melted ingredients over the cereal and mix well. Add powdered sugar, seal container, and shake until well coated.

Don't make the mistake I made in trying to double the recipe. You end up smooshing the cereal and not all the pieces get stuff on them. This makes a great gift for neighbors -- just put it in a festive Chinese take-out box (you can get them at Michael's), and a ribbon, and viola!

I Stink at Potty-Training and Birthday Monsters

It seems that I am a bit potty-training challenged. Mini-me refuses to go. We can sit her on the potty all day long, and she still wouldn't go. At first, I thought maybe she just lacked the control necessary to use a toilet. Now, I realize that she has control. In fact, she has so much control that she actually looked at Curly and said "I don't want to pee-pee in the potty. You just change my diaper, okay?" So, we are still changing her diaper. We don't want her to need therapy just because we forced her to go in the toilet at the tender age of 2.

Gracie, the puppy, also refuses to go where she needs to go. She will not go down to the grass unless she is physically carried. It's like she's looking at us and saying "I don't wan to go pee-pee in the grass. You just change my piddle pad, okay?" Not okay. You really can't treat puppies and kids the same. For example, they would call Child Protective Services on you if you rubbed your kids face in her puddle of pee on the floor, spanked her on the nose, and put her outside to go on the grass.

Mini-me is two weeks away from her 3rd birthday. She is so excited. My grandma sent her presents a couple of days ago, and Mini-me keeps walking around with them saying "This is my present. It's a cake!" Her party is going to be at Way Off Broadway for the children's theater production of Frosty the Snowman. Last night as I was putting her to bed, she said in her most excited voice, "Mommy! The monsters are coming to my birthday party!" I really hope not -- we only reserved 20 seats!

Being a Bear

My friend Carol gave me this at our Towne Singers rehearsal this week. Enjoy:

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!

I thought that was very funny. Anyway, random question here. If your baby pees in the bath water, do you take him out and change the water before continuing?

Photo Friday

This is the ornament I made for the ornament exchange at the Primitive Sampler. I think it turned out pretty cute. Mini-me wanted to carry it on the way to the store. By the time we walked from the front door to the car, she had pulled the nose off. Luckily, Wendy, the shop owner, had some glue to reattach it.

Three for Thursday

Things happen in 3s. Here are mine.

Here are my 3 favorite holiday classics. Each allows for ample stithing time.

3. Miracle on 34th Street -- this is a new favorite of mine. I watched it last year for the first time with my mother in law who never cries at anything. She cried at this movie. She then clarified that she never cries at anything important.

2. Holiday Inn -- even though this movie is non-discriminating, it's still a Christmas movie to me. Is yo's names Mamie?

1. White Christmas -- was there any doubt? Danny, Bing, Vera, and Rosemary dance and sing their way to save a certain general's Vermont inn. Vermont must be beautiful this time of year, all that snow.

No Gymnastics???

Mini-me didn't want to go to gymnastics this morning. Normally she can't wait for Miss Susan's class and asks everyday if it's time to go. She cries when it's not. It's kind of strange that she doesn't want to go, but it is very cold outside and she was sick all last week, so maybe she just needs time to recoup.

Patch had his doctors appointment yesterday and did great. The little chunker weighs 14 lbs 4 oz. If he's so small, why is he so heavy??? Mini-me and Flower didn't weigh that much until they were about 6 months. I can start him on rice cereal today which means I am no longer tied to feeding every 2 hours. FREEDOM!

On the project front, today I need to turn in my ornament to the cross stitch shop for the exchange. The catch is, I'm not quite done. Yikes! I've been focusing a lot on the gifts for the kids and forgot to work on it. Since we are not at Miss Susan's class, I should be able to get it done by about 4:30 and get it over there before Wendy closes.

Jenny Update

My Jenny appointment was great this morning - scale wise. Time wise, it was terrible. But first, the good news. I am down another 1 1/2 pounds. Yea! My normal consultant, Virginia, was out today. So I saw someone else whose name I do not know. She's very nice and a little too accomidating. When I got there, she was with another client. It was a walk in, meaning no appointment. I have a standing 8:20 appointment that lasts 20 minutes. I am home by 8:45 to finish getting Mini-me ready for school and walk her over there by 9. Well, at 8:30, I was still sitting and waiting for the walk-in (who walked in 2 minutes before my appointment) to be done. It was close getting Mini-me to school on time.

I have a stacked day today. In a few minutes, we need to leave to take our puppy, Gracie, to the vet. Then Mini-me gets picked up at 11:30. My friend Angie is coming over today and we are doing an AtHome America party for her (she is a new rep for them). At 3, I am taking Patch to the doctor for his 4 month well child visit. Curly has a seminary meeting tonight and I have play selection committee. However, if I can't find a sitter, I can't go to my meeting. It's a very busy day. Better get crackin!

The Stockings Were Hung

More Projects Than...

If you finished that phrase with "you can shake a stick at," we might be related.

I finished my hats last night. Muchas gracias to Debbie for the help on those (I would link to her blog, but my links button has disappeared!!!). I did one for all three kids. They were so easy that the nieces and nephews are getting the same thing. The only time I can work on them is when kids and animals are asleep.

Last night I also finished the stockings. I added the ribbon to the girls stockings (had to go to the ribbon outlet for that. What an AMAZING place), and then added thicker ribbon to the inside to hide the seams. Then, I hung them on the 97 year old bannister, as we have no fireplace. They look great. I will post a picture as soon as picture posting capabilities return. What's up blogger??

I think I am ahead of schedule as far as projects go. I wanted to make ribbon belts for the girls, and I still need to pick up the hardware for that. I need to knit up the princess hat for Mini-me, which I have all the stuff for. I can even work on that in front of her. She never notices what I'm doing.

If I haven't said it before, this is a "Homemade Christmas." Santa will be bringing toys, but Mommy and Daddy are making everything else. Well, I say Daddy, but Mommy will make it and Daddy gets to put his name on the card. All joking aside, I am grateful that Curly is on board with this lofty dream of a homemade holiday and he gives me the time and help required to do all of it. Plus, his tips from Way off Broadway are paying for supplies.

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year. I have changed countless poopy diapers, cleaned up after sick kids, made more meals than you could shake a stick at, and tried to do it all with a smile on my face. My Christmas list is not long. I would like a roasting pan for my Sunday dinners, an immersion blender, a waffle iron that you can flip so that all the nooks and cranies get filled, a few new cookbooks, peace on earth, tens and twenties. Not much. Oh, I also want my kids to feel the magic of Christmas, especially Flower, who may not believe anymore. I want them to remember Jesus amidst all the wrapping paper and toys. I want them to learn all the words to our favorite Christmas songs and sing them loud for all to hear. That is, after all, the best way to spread holiday cheer. And, most of all, I want to remember that there's room for everyone on the nice list, even the guy who cut me off and took my parking spot on a cold and windy day when I have my kids with me. That's all.

Sincerely,
Jana

Photo Finish Friday