We Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!

Christmas 2009 has come and gone.  I'm a little sad it's over already.  At the same time, it's nice to slow things down.  Our Christmas was nothing short of wonderful.  With Christmas being on a Friday, the gatherings were spread out over 4 days -- giving us ample time at each place to visit with family.  Family is by far the best part of Christmas.  It was nice to catch up with everyone. 

I have so much to share of our Christmas
so I'll sum it up in a list. 

• The food - oh the food!  Each gathering had decadent food spreads.  Made me feel so blessed as I remembered those less fortunate that didn't have a warm meal this holiday season. 
• Grandma and Grandpa joined us for Christmas Eve mass at Bishop. 
• It's my favorite mass of the year, but always brings tears to my eyes as I remember my friend Holly.  She is still very missed by friends and family. 
• Everyone over did it on the gifts. 
• I'm not sure what Calvin didn't get! 
• He's super excited about everything.  Like he'll get all excited about Rocky the Robot Truck... then minutes later he'll see his train set and get excited about it, too! 
• Mom got us a Wii.  Thank-you.  We love it! 
• Chris got me the Wii Fit Plus.  Love it! 
• I video taped Chris doing the hula hoop!!! 
• Tom and Sue loaded us up with lots of Wii games! 
• Santa brought Cabela's Big Game Hunger 2010 - complete with the gun. 
• I think my brother Levi likes this best! 
• We've bowled, played baseball, and so much more. 
• We're a family of Mii's.  :-) 
• An old family at that! 
• The Wii Fit gave both Chris and I the Wii age of 40! 
• Calvin's 23! 
• I thought we were all in decent shape!  
• Chris and Calvin surprised me with an iPod! 
• Chris always gets me great gifts! 
• I always think my gifts to him are lame, but he's a guy and likes things like a 4 ton floor jack for Christmas! 
• Chris helped me make homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. 
• They didn't turn out quite as fluffy as Mom's... but, we'll do better next year! 
• Today is December 28th.  Calvin and I are enjoying a restful day at home.  Later, I'll bundle him up to play in the snow. 

I hope each of you had a Very Merry Christmas!  Wishing you good blessings in 2010!  As Calvin has already told me, "Santa is already watching for next year!  So, you better be good!" 

Incase you're wondering...

Wal-Mart is out of practically everything. 
Regular (non-light) sour cream, bacon bits, ranch dips packets, regular sausage, and on and on.  I was there tonight.  Some shelves are bare! 

The Date

Last week Chris asked me out on a date.  The rest of the week I felt giddy like I did when we first started dating as I prepared for our big date. Friday night we had a date... a real date.  First we dined at Ruth's Chris Kitchen in Saint Louis.  Then, we headed to the Fabulous Fox Theatre for A White Christmas.  It was sweet and romantic - things you rarely hear me say.  

We found our seats, ooh'd and awe'd over the beautiful theatre, and then he asked the question.  "Do you have my wallet?"  I searched my purse - nothing.  I had it in the car as I put the cash back in after we left the parking garage after dinner.  What had I done with it???  It must be in the car. 

A White Christmas was fabulous.  I loved it!  Would watch it a dozen more times if I could.  Chris even enjoyed the musical.  What a date.  What a date! 

After the show, we walked to the car.  Searched it high and low.  Got out the flashlight and looked all around the outside of the car.  Nothing.  I can only assume his wallet was on my lap and it fell out of the car when I got out.

Chris called Discover to put a hold on his card.  Turns out someone had been out charging on it while we were in the show.  Same with our MasterCard and our debit card.  Just our luck!  He had to call the Saint Louis police department to make a police report.  What drama.  Luckily, the credit card companies and our bank were easy to work with and we feel reassured that they've taken care of everything. 

Christmas List

I got this from Steph at Watching Airplanes.  If you wanna play, copy and paste these questions into your own blog post. 


1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yes.  And I'm finished!  Woo-hoo!  It seems to take me entirely too long to get all of my shopping done, but finally - this morning the last gift arrived. 

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
So many traditions.  Mom's Christmas Eve morning.  Grandma's Christmas afternoon.  I guess you could also say another tradition is for me to over buy! 

3. When do you put up your Tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving. 

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
Yes.  I actually enjoy the hustle and bustle of the stores! 

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
Last year we traveled to Disney World over Christmas - to escape Christmas here.  But all of the other years, including this one, we go to nearly a dozen different Christmas parties within 30 miles of our house. 

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
My brother Jake making vomit noises/guestures at Mom's Christmas breakfast.  It's a long story, or rather a rude one towards a particular person... so all I can say is that it was freaking hilarious! 

7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
All of them!  Rudolph, Frosty, Polar Express, and The Grinch are my favies! 

8. Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
YES, with the help of friends! 

9. Fake or Real Tree?
Both.  Our official Christmas tree is real, courtesy of Althoff Tree Farm.  They're so good to us.  The other tree I put up with pretty ornaments is fake.  I better not forget to mention Calvin's itty-bitty fake tree in his room. 

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
I'm a planner.  With thorough planning, there will be no need for panic.  :)

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Nope.  Most are already wrapped.  All of the presents (except the ones Santa will bring) are under the tree already.  Of course wrapped in coordinating wrapping paper.  :)

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? 
Christmas morning when it's just us and we get to soak up all of Calvin's excitement. 

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
Other than Christmas candy - none. 

14. Christmas music? Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?
Baby It's Cold Outside is a favorite.  :) 
I'll Be Home For Christmas brings a tear to my eye when I think of our troops and myself when I was overseas during Christmas. 

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Like last week! 


Now it's your turn to copy and paste these questions into your own blog post. 
Merry Christmas!!! 

What Keeps You Stress Free

Today my therapist asked me what I do for me that keeps me stress free. 

My immediate answer was:  Cut & Color ever 6-8 weeks. 

Clearly, that wasn't what she was asking for.  She wanted to know of something I enjoy doing daily to get my mind off things.  Without any thought, I blurted out:  Iron and Fold towels. 

How lame am I? 

What do you on a daily basis to keep your stress levels down? 

Santa Drives A Semi

Yes, you read it right:  Santa drives a semi!  I saw him with my very own eyes! 

Yesterday, on our way to Grandma's we drove by Siemer's.  I could hardly believe it when I saw Santa in a red shirt and a Santa hat - with of course a fluffy white beard sitting in a semi talking on his cell phone.  I begged Chris to turn around so we could see him again.  Santa waved at us!  OMG!  We had to turn around one more time to get to Grandma's.  And sure enough, he waved at us again! 

I don't know who was more excited:  Calvin or me!  It was the highlight of my day that's for sure! 

I hope you weren't naught yesterday, just nice because Santa was in the area checking on boys and girls.  I hope we made the nice list! 

Merry Christmas!   

Morning Chat With Calvin

While laying in my bed with Calvin this morning we had the following conversations: 

Calvin:  Aaron Dad doesn't know everything like you. 
Me:  Neither do you. 
Calvin:  But I'm learning it! 


Calvin:  Mom, when I get older I want to be an astronaut. 
Me:  That sounds great!  Will you fly me to the moon? 
Calvin:  I can't tell you.  It's top secret! 

Dear So and So...

Dear Calvin and Cooper,
I love you guys.  You know that.  But I do not love that you dumped packing peanuts all over my clean living room floor and proceeded to stomp on them.  What were you thinking??? 

Love,
The house cleaner


Dear McD's Sandwich Maker,
When someone asks for a cheeseburger with only ketchup, that does not mean you need to soggify the bun with loads of ketchup.  If you think you were doing us a favor, you didn't.  You caused a mess.  If you thought you were being funny, you weren't.  I cussed you all the way to Newton. 

With no thanks at all,
Frequent McD's drive-thru customer


Dear Wise Men,
I know it's windy outside, but could you be big and strong and quit blowing over? 

Respectfully,
The lawn decoration picker-upper

Christmas Wishes From Our Family To Yours

Ramblings... On and on and on...

• Calvin was ecstatic to see the snow this morning!  His expression was priceless! 
• The snow was pretty... now it's just a bunch of useless mud. 
• St. Nick came Saturday night.  Calvin's boots were filled with goodies! 
• This is my last full week of school.  :-) 
• Next week is finals.  Boo! 
• The flip side is I'll have a couple weeks off! 
• I'm just about finished Christmas shopping! 
• Last night Calvin asked if God will give us a brown baby.   
• I had to explain that if a Mommy and a Daddy are both white, it's almost definite that the baby will also be white...  otherwise, Mommy will have some explaining to do! 
• He still didn't get it and I didn't want to get into the birds and the bees, so I explained how his friend Daelyn has a white Mommy and a brown Daddy.  He's starting to understand. 
• Dawn and Tiffany are coming over Friday night and Saturday to make Christmas candy!  I cannot wait to have all that good food to eat! 
• Fudge, truffles, rock candy... Mmmm! 
• Karen with Foot Locker's customer service is on my shit list!  If I could have reached through the phone to slap her, I would have!  How hard is it to change someone's shipping address?  And ever heard that the customer is always right?!?  It is not my fault that THEIR customer service department lacks the sufficient resources to act on emails from customers in a timely manner.  However, Karen repeatedly told me it was my fault.  I don't like Karen.  Karma will catch up with her... I just know it. 
• Needless to say, I will probably never buy from Foot Locker online again. 
• Chris pointed out that I should just be happy I got to talk to an American with customer service!  Way to look on the bright side, sweetie! 

I.C. Class... And on a mission to find a MAN!

Big shout out to my first time readers from our I.C. class!  Enjoy the blog.  Feel free to leave comments as anonymous, just please put your name w/in the comment.  :-) 

Those in my I.C. class know our fellow classmate, Miss K. needs a man.  We're on a man hunt!  Miss K. please email me at Christina@SugarSweetDesigns.net with full criteria.  :-) 

Miss K. is young, smart, witty, and attractive.  But somehow, she remains single.  Somebody take this girl out and show her a good time!  She deserves it!  If you or someone you know is interested, email me at Christina@SugarSweetDesigns.net. 

The. Gift.

Yesterday was Mom's birthday.  I'm pretty sure she turned 29, but maybe I'm wrong... 28???  ;-)  Tis the season to kiss some butt!  Hehehee! 

Anyway, I think Mom had a pretty terrific birthday.  Calvin and I took her out for lunch at the Hilton.  It was the perfect place to celebrate Mom's big day.  We gave her cards and a very appreciative gift.  We walked the Convention Center hall to look at the gorgeous Christmas decorations.  After she left us, she met up w/ Poppy for more birthday fun.  She went home with a fire place!  What a gift!!!  :-) 

At lunch, Mom presented Calvin with a new Christmas book and had a bag for me.  She said it would make me cry, and wanted me to wait til I got home to open it.  It was touching.  So special.  Mom's Betty Crocker cook book!  It is a part of our family.  See, we moved a lot.  But one thing always stayed the same:  That cook book in our kitchen. 

Inside she had a very touching card and a special letter to me, telling me the story of my original family:  Mom, Dad, and Me.  The letter was full of love, kindness, and fond memories of their time together.  Things I'd never heard, because we were never allowed, or rather avoided ever talking about.  This special cook book was a gift at Mom's wedding shower back in 1981, before she married my Dad.  The cook book was a part of the home they shared.  And I will treasure it every single day. 

Thank-you, Mom.  Olive Juice. 

For You, Mr. Underwear Sniffer...

This post is to comically call out the two guys in one of my classes that openly admitted that they don't do laundry often.  According to them, throwing dirty clothes in a dryer with a dryer sheet will get the stinch out.  One said all of his clothes are on his bedroom floor.  He sifts through to find the clean from the dirty.  All of the girls cringed. 

It gets worse...

I asked how he knows which underwear are clean. 

He doesn't.  He said it's okay to wear underwear more than once before washing them.  He said it's obvious when a pair is dirty.  Skid marks???  We all got a good chuckle out of this.