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12.31.2008

no vet

The vet cannot see Jax until Saturday morning. I hope its nothing serious.

12.30.2008

Home again

We are back from Mom's house. I love going...but I hate leaving.

Our poor cat pulled out chunks of his own fur while we were gone. He's going to the vet tomorrow.

12.25.2008

Happy Birthday Jesus!

It's Christmas, folks! That is simultaneously happy and sad. I am happy to celebrate Christmas and all it's joys. I am happy to see people I care about.

But...after today, there is little good left in winter. Just 3 more freezing cold months of grayness. (There is a brief respite of joy in February, with my anniversary, Valentine's Day and my birthday...but then more cold grayness.)

The trees come down, the lights come down, the brightness of December drains away.

But, for today, I choose to ignore what happens on the other side of Christmas. I choose to celebrate Jesus. I choose to spend time with loved ones. I choose to get off the computer and make the dessert for dinner tonight!

12.24.2008

Quiet Christmas Eve

Today has been on the quiet side. I slept in, then made waffles and sausage for Donald and I. We went and bought one gift (for the Potter children) and some butter for my apple pie crust. We hung out here for a bit (Donald enjoying video games and me finishing up my Grandma's Christmas cross-stitch present). We attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Second. Now, I am making a fancy-ish dinner for us to enjoy (bacon wrapped steak filets with a creamy gorgonzola sauce over whole grain pasta, with green beans). Then we are going to watch a movie.

That's all. No rushing around, trying to do a billion things. It's been quite nice.

12.23.2008

BREAK!!!!

It is officially Christmas break!!!!!!!

12 days of no students.

12 days of no lesson planning.

12 days of no disciplinary reports.

12 days of no waking up at 6 am.

12 days of not dealing with parent calls.

Yes, people, these are the true "12 Days of Christmas" for teachers.

12.22.2008

tires

The guy at the shop says the entire problem is our tires being "out of round." He says it usually happens from hitting potholes or curbs. I've definately been guilty of curb checks on occasion...

He says you notice it more in the colder weather because the tires get harder and do not flex to the road like they do when they are warm, so it feels like driving on a square.

He says replacing the tires will fix the problem.

4 tires, diagnostic fee, valve stems, installation and recycling fee is nearly $300. Merry Christmas to us.

12.21.2008

Thanks Murphy. P.S. I hate you.

Well, our lives being what they are at the moment, naturally our car has broken down. Again. 1 month and 18 days after the fuel pump quit. I month and 15 days after the battery died.

I had it towed today, but the shop isn't open, hopefully I will know something tomorrow.

We went to Gabbie's birthday party yesterday and when we left the car made the exact same sound and feeling it does if you have a flat.

Only, our tires are not at all flat. The last week or so, Donald felt a "pulling" and I felt a little "wobble." But everytime I felt it, I wasn't sure if I was making it up in my head. Apparently, it was something.

Pray it's cheap. Otherwise, we can't really afford to fix it. And more than likely, I can't go home for Christmas.

I hate cars.

12.20.2008

Gabbie

Gabbie is 6 today. (In real life, in my head she hasn't even turned one yet.) The little, sweet, angel doll baby is growing up so fast. She's in school now. She can dress herself and write her name. She can express her opinions (and drive her mother crazy in the process). She holds entire conversations that make total sense.

She still makes me smile, just like she did as a baby. But now, she can also make me laugh! She is unintentionally hilarious. She cheers me up and makes a bad day better, just by her sheer Gabbieness.

I feel sorry for people who don't have a Gabbie in their life.

Gabbie is 6. 6 years old. Where does 6 years go?

Happy birthday, Gabbie! I can't wait to see where the next 6 years takes you. (Although...I am certainly not ready to think of you as a teenager...) You'll always be that special, beautiful, porcelain baby I met on a cold december night 6 years ago. I am so glad you came into my life. Thanks for being you.

12.18.2008

I probably shouldn't, but...

I am going to anyway. I know the situation is a tragedy and many people are very upset. So it may be inappropriate to ask about it so soon. But I have to.

There is a person who died (either last night or today) during a Nativity Play. The person was playing one of the magi. He died when his cable that was suspending him from the ceiling snapped.

So...why was the Magi suspended from the ceiling? Could the Magi fly?

This whole situation confuses me.

12.14.2008

A husband at home???

My husband just got put on a DAY SHIFT! That's not happened in many many moons. I will see him EVERYDAY. That has not happened in years! We will get to see friends together, eat dinner together, go to bed together.

This is so exciting!

12.13.2008

Ugly Tree!

Our annual, beloved, joyous Ugly Tree Party occurs tonight. This is the fifth year we've held this event and it keeps getting bigger. This year, we've invited a record 26 people! (If you've seen Hanna and Chris's house, you'll understand the magnitude of a gathering that large.)

This party, for me, is a true highlight of December. I just love being in the midst of people I love, who are having a good time with each other.

Not to mention, we have THE COOLEST theme of any holiday party, anywhere. I am positive of that.

I go to Hanna's to do prep in 3 hours. Guests arrive in 5 and a half. We'll crash, exhausted, full and happy, into our beds in about 13.

Great day.

12.10.2008

Narnia at The Little Theatre

Today I took my class on a community outing to see The Little Theatre's production of Narnia at The Landers Theatre.

It was awesome, and I say that as someone who dislikes the book and feels lukewarm toward the movie. I highly recommend it, it is playing through Sunday evening and seats are still available for something like $11. It is musical and magical and really well done.

Our kids LOVED it. We worried about taking them to a play. None of them have ever been to one, and it is a long time to sit quietly. We had no reason to worry. They sat, mesmerized and still, for the entire hour and a half. Only one child got antsy, and really, for her, she was extremely well behaved. One little girl kept looking over at me and saying, "I like that." The boys were enthralled by the wolves, Aslan the Lion and the sword fighting.

We had such a great experience, we are already considering attending in April when they put on Mulan, Jr., despite the fact that we will need to spend another $80 out of our funds. (Although, truthfully, $80 for 20 tickets is a steal.)

Next week we are cooking for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House. We felt we needed to do a service project.

12.07.2008

Week 14, really?

Where did football season go? Is it really almost playoff time? I could swear I've only had like 6 weeks of sundays with my boys.

Football season always ends too early. And it always makes me sad.

On a happier note, I am putting up my tree today!

12.03.2008

in shock

Sometimes people say things that just utterly shock me. Like to the point where I do not know if I should slap them or just laugh at their baffling lack of a filter.

Today was one of those moments. And what was said hurt me, for obvious reasons, but I am not totally sure it was intended to sting. She may have been kidding, or thinking she was just being sarcastic. Or she may have been being mean, I don't know this lady well enough to judge that.


She looked at me and said, "I don't know why you are complaining, your husband works nights and it's not like you have kids or anything important to get home to like some of us do."

Excuse me? My life is unimportant because I don't have kids? Gee, thanks.

12.02.2008

Where does time go?

This year is almost over. I find that extremely hard to comprehend. The school year is nearly half gone. Babies are growing up too fast.

All your childhood, you hear that years fly by as you get older. I've found that to be true. But it worries me a bit.

If years are going this fast now and I am not even 30, how will I get anything accomplished in a year when I am in my 50's and beyond?