Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Tag. You're It!

What was your favorite movie in 2006?
Probably Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Man's Chest. It was a funny entertaining movie that doesn't make you think. Plus it stars Johnny Depp & Orlando Bloom! Who wouldn't love it?

What was your favorite book in 2006?
I am ashamed to say that I didn't really read much this year. Certainly not anything that was "new". I want to read Teri Hatcher's book Burnt Toast, simply because I think I'll be able to relate to it a lot. The book I did read this year that really got to me was What Remains by Carole Radziwill.

Are you richer or poorer?
financially poorer
emotionally richer

Thinner or fatter?
pretty much the same as last year

What kept you sane this past year?
Who said I was sane?

Which personal accomplishment in 2006 are you most pleased with?
Finally getting our new home.
And, personally, that my nightmare came true (twice) and I'm still here.

What resolutions have you made for '07?
I'm not big on the whole resolutions thing. I think that most people just say things this time of year and then forget them in the new year. Having said that, .....I guess it's to be calm.

Which bad habit are you most motivated to break?
Probably to kick the Pepsi habit (again). It seems to be back for a visit.

Which do you expect to keep?
Probably all of them. LOL

What are you most looking forward to in 2007?
Spending our first Summer in our new home.


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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Jason spent last night having a drink and playing cards in the old trailer.

His brother Rodney and his family is home for the holidays. They surprised everyone and landed home on Saturday night - a week early. Rodney's father-in-law is the man who bought our trailer. So..... last night Jason found himself playing poker in our old home. Weird. Very weird.

I think of the trailer often. Yesterday was the first time I drove by since it was taken away. It just doesn't seem right that someone else is living in it. Yet I'm glad that it has life again and is not just sitting vacant in our yard. But last night, I was almost jealous that they were getting to live in it and we weren't. How crazy am I? I've finally gotten the new home that I have always dreamed of, and what am I doing? But getting lonesome for my old one. Crazy. It's just that so much happened there. So many memories.

What I don't miss at all is the frosted up windows, the draft, the thin walls, the oil bill in the winter time, the kids crammed in tiny rooms, etc... It still amazes me that our windows remain crystal clear. Having a basement is pretty freaking awesome. And I'm still waiting to discover that I have no room. No, having a house sure beats living in a mobile home. For sure.

But sometimes I still miss it, crazy as that sounds.

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Wednesday, December 06, 2006

The Happy Elf

Jules made her stage debut last night. The whole family went to see her sing at the school. Just Mom and I are going tonight. I think she's totally bitten by the acting bug. Or..... let's face it- she's been into the arts since she was born! She said that she wants to join drama every year. I think she's anxious to get a speaking role, which they didn't give to the grade ones.

Jules was an elf. I put sparkles on her cheeks, which I don't think you can really tell in this picture. Her hat came complete with elf ears.




And here she is pretending to be working on a toy in Santa's workshop. She came up with this idea, and didn't want to leave until we took it.




A picture of the whole cast. As you can see, it consisted of many elves and mice.


This weekend was also the Santa Clause Parade in Blackville. Some of you may recognize this elf and her Jack-In-The-Box friend.

On Sunday was Jason's work family Christmas party. It was at Empire Theatres. We left a little early because I needed to run into the dollar store to buy a couple of things. It was one of those days where you can look back and say "Man, that was a great day!". The kids(or me either for that matter) had never really been in the mall since it was decorated for Christmas. And since we were just running into the dollarstore, we didn't have that stressed feeling that you can sometimes get in a mall during the holidays. We walked in the Bargain Giant entrance, which I haven't done in years, and walked up through the whole mall. There's like new stores there! Who knew? Anyway, the Christmas music was playing and the kids were looking around at all the decorations, when who did we see?.......but the big man himself. He was posing for pictures in the center of the mall. And as luck would have it, there was no line! So Samuel and Jules sat on his knee and got their picture taken. Abby, opted not to again this year. She's still wary of him. The other two, however, were giving him hugs and everything. It was to the point where I wanted to say, "Ok kids. Get away from the strange man!". But I resisted.

Then it was off to the theatre. The way it worked was that you simply went up to the concession stand and told them you were with the company party. The kids each got a kids combo and Jason and I both got nachos. Free of charge! All we had to pay for was a pop for Jason and me. You didn't need tickets or anything, they just pointed us toward where Happy Feet was playing. We treated the girls combos as supper and just gave them insulin in their arm during the movie. It was nice that it didn't really have to disrupt their fun much. The only thing we did was give them crystal light instead of Kool-Aid or one of the other juices. One less thing to try to count carb-wise.

The movie was wonderful. I definitely recommend going to see it. It was quite different than any other kids movie I've seen. After the movie was over, we all filed out of the theatre. And standing outside the theatre entrances? Mr. C. again! This time he was giving out treat bags that contained a bag of chips, some candy(damn!) and $5 worth of movie money. Not a bad party at all!

On the way home we listened to 103.9FM. For those of you who don't know, they are playing continuous Christmas music. We looked at everyone's lights. At one point I looked back at Abby, who was sitting in the middle. We were at a stop light, it combined with the lit up houses, had her face completely aglow with color. And on her face was the biggest smile you would ever see. It was one of those smiles where you mouth is still completely shut, showing no teeth. She looked so content, like all was well with her world. Like she couldn't have been happier.

And neither could I.

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