It Is What It Is

Merry, Merry, Joy, Joy

I'm about to embark on a day long cooking journey, preparing for tonight's after Christmas Eve Mass festivities.  My parents should be pulling into the driveway in a few hours to spend the day/evening with our family.  I've got lots of year end follow up to share with you- and I will, but just not until after Christmas.  I hosted my annual Christmas Cookie/Ornament exchange this past weekend- and I'll tell you all about it- but suffice it to say for now- It pushed me into the Christmas spirit like nothing I've ever experienced.

So- for now I wish you the Merriest of Merries.  What's done is done...(and by the way- I'm totally wrapped and that was finished before the 24th of December-mark it down my friends, a first!)

Enjoy this time with loved ones- remembering the real joy of the season.  I wish you all the Happiness the Christmas holidays can bring. 

Love You All-

Deb

 

Might as well shop & Happy Birthday Mom!

I'm leaving for the week to go the ATL- for a sales meeting.  Let me tell you- it won't be fun and games.  While I'm gone, I thought I'd give everyone the opportunity to pick up another adorable little stocking stuffer-

Aren't these clever?  This is another design of Jewels by Jules.  She selling them for $5 a pair.  How great is that?!  If you're interested, contact her at julieturi@aol.com  If you're in my local area, I know she'll deliver them to you, otherwise shipping is just $3.  The presentation is extra special- this is a gift that makes a statement.

 I'll miss you all more than my luggage next week - but I'll be saving up all kinds of good stuff to report back to you.  Take Care friends- get lots of holiday happenings stuff done- so you can help me when I return.  (Did I mention- I haven't really started yet?)  We did have Christmas with Beloved's side last night-(but there just isn't enough time to talk about that right now)..so at least 30% of my to do list is completed.

Bon Voyage!

P.S.  Today is my mom's 66th Birthday! 

 
This is Mom along with her posse' from a recent cruise.  These gals are all living the good life in Florida.  They  live in the same neighborhood, they golf together, they shop together, they party together- aren't they lucky?   I asked Mom if this was the cover shot for their retirement village ladies calendar- she wasn't amused.  (Mom's the one who looks like she's being pushed into and crushing the gal who's laying on her stomach.)  They actually had to figure out who could get in those positions and still get up- it's hell getting old!  But I think they all look beautiful and they had a great time!  Happy Birthday, Mom!  Love you..xoxox

Worldless Wednesday

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Embrace Your Inner Bird

While I was talking to my good friend, B the other day, I discovered that she was embarking on a journey of the Virgin Bird territory.  It was hard to believe that after almost 20 years of marriage she had never prepared a Thanksgiving turkey.  She's an accomplished cook and fabulous baker, so I just assumed that cooking a turkey for her was old hat.  Truth be told, she's never had to prepare the Thanksgiving bird.  She's always gone to a relatives or friends for Thanksgiving dinner.

  When I thought about it, I realized that I just started cooking the "Bird" a few years ago.  I too, was in the family Thanksgiving boat.  (And I don't mean gravy..) we would alternate our Thanksgiving dinners at either parent's homes.  It wasn't until about six years ago that I decided I wanted to attempt the bird thing on my own.  I then started my day after Thanksgiving turkey dinner tradition.  Regardless of where we celebrated Thanksgiving, I would prepare another, (albeit smaller version) of Thanksgiving dinner on the Friday after.  Last year was my first ever (after 19 years of marriage) of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner.  

The reason for this gluttony?  Basically to prove to myself that I could master the task.  Cook the turkey, make the gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, etc...on my own, all homemade without the help of Mom or others.  It was my own challenge.  I wanted to be able to create my Thanksgiving memories for my kids and future grandkids.  I didn't want to be 50 years old and never having mastered this Holiday meal. 

Jump ahead several years, and I feel pretty good that I've got this meal down.  I've fine tuned  different side dishes, so we have our regular must haves- and not just the ones from the grandmothers.  It's nice to have these traditions.  This of course can be spilled over into the Christmas holidays. 

Thinking about the upcoming holiday season right now- is enough to give me a stomach ache.  I have so much stuff going on right now, I can't even begin to process how in all that's holy am I going to get everything done for Christmas?  We celebrate Christmas with Beloved's side one week from this Saturday!  It's making me cranky and want to take a permanent union break and not do anything.  Part of me wants to introduce "Christmas Light" this year.  Thinking that way goes against my previous paragraphs, me wanting to create these perfect memories for my family.  So in honor of Thanksgiving- I'm going to allow myself a change in thinking. 

I'm going to get a grip and realize what's important- my family and friend's health and well being.  It's not about creating the perfect memory- but about creating the memories as they happen.  It doesn't have to be about setting the perfect holiday scene- but about making sure those you surround yourself with are comfortable.  The food and drink don't have to be award winning- just fulfilling and nourishing.  The gifts I give don't have to be the best- just thoughtful and heartfelt. 

Ok- that's my mantra for the next 4 weeks.  I wish that for all of you too- enjoy what's meant to be enjoyed and don't sweat the small stuff.

That being said- I'm still preparing a turkey on Friday- and I'm brining that bird, baby!  IMO- the best way to cook a turkey!  Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

The Shame that Is My Life....plus

I kinda had a crappy, stressful week. I have A LOT going on with my job.  Not that I'm complaining, because Lord knows, I'm grateful for having a job in the pharmaceutical industry right now, as so many companies have downsized.  So, because of that, the attitude that pretty permeates all things is "Bend over and take it..." if you know what I mean.  This week was the official kick-off of the bending over part and will cumulate in a 5 day frenzy of bending over in a few weeks.  (i.e. National Sales Meeting.)

That all being said, I needed to cut loose last night.  Have some fun- and guess what I did?  I drove to two different theaters with Youngest to try to get tickets to see "New Moon."  Yes- I was one of those moms- in line with all the other moms (very few dads- I must say...)  and teenagers galore!  I will also say- there were lots of other women in my age category out with their friends minus the kids part....

Now, I don't go to many opening night premieres of movies so this was a treat to have so much audience participation.  When the trailers ended and the opening of the film was starting- the entire audience gasped and applauded.  Throughout different parts in the movie- (primarily when one of the lead male characters was on screen- especially without a shirt..) the audience would erupt in cheer, followed by "shush" because no one wanted to miss a word of the dialog. 

My opinion of the film?  I thought they did a fine job of telling the story of New Moon- but as a reader- I feel you can never the do the book the justice it truly deserves.  That being said- I do think the casting of these characters is spot on- and they bring the characters to life.

Youngest and I had a great time and it was just the stress reliever I needed to forget about my crappy week....can't ask for more than that.

Oh- and the winners of the Jewels by Jules contest-

Beth and Terese!  Congrats and thanks for your comments. 

p.s.  Management reserves the right to not photograph the official contest winner being chosen- because if you waited for that to happen you would have to wait until next Christmas to wear the winning items...(see above for explanation.) Thank you.

Say A Little Prayer

The point of this post is to ask you to say a little prayer of peace, comfort and love for a family that you don't know, that I don't really know but have been acquainted with through my job.  They are about to lose their 19 old daughter to leukemia.  It has been a short (February 2009) and valiant fight.  The true definition of grace and dignity.  Thank you for taking the time.  xoxo Hug the ones you love tight-not just today but everyday. 

UPDATE- Emily passed away this past Wednesday, ending a very courageous fight.  Please keep her family and friends in your prayers if you can.  The next few days will be spent celebrating her life- her slogan throughout this ordeal was -"Live to Love."  I can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate as we enter into this week of Thanksgiving. 

"To all the Blogs I've Loved Before.."

First, I want to set the mood for your reading pleasure.  Close your eyes, and think of the Willie Nelson song, "To all the girls I've loved before.."  Can you hear it?  That's the kind of mood I'm in folks.  I'm trying not to be a hater.  Hater of myself and the procrastinating that has invaded my life.  But first before I write about that, I must go watch" Curb Your Enthusiasm"....I'll be right back, I promise.

I'm back...seriously, I have the worse case of procrastination EVER!  I've been able to accomplish only those things that need taken care in the most immediate of ways.  For instance, today was a beautiful day.  I didn't have any place to be- so I could in theory get caught up.  I did take care of a few things that I needed to-BUT the things that have been hanging over my head for way too long- didn't get touched.  So because of that, I'm going to tell you about all the blogs I wish I would have written in the last few weeks in hopes of actually getting them written-

1.  Desk Redo Bloggy Style- UPDATE - In this post, I show all the progress I've made on my desk- actually showing the finished product.

2.  Volleyball- A Love Story to replace A Love Story- Football

3.  A Season of Cheer- In this post I tell all about my adventures in cheerleading coaching 19 ten year old girls- (I can almost hear you laughing as you read this...)

4.  DIPS- Revisited- This is my cooking mini-tutorial where I photograph and make the dips submitted by  two of my faithful commenter's.

5.  DIPS- for Book clubs- this had to be postponed because the dip party was postponed- so I guess I'm not procrastinating on this one...

6.  Decorating for fall- Because I actually did so little it wasn't worth the effort.

7.  How to Parent an 18 Year Old- If anyone has any advice on this- I could use your help.

8.  My new favorite author- Jen Lancaster!

9.  "Twilight"- I'm behind the curve...

10.  My New fall Favorite TV Must Watches...

11.  I have a New Boss- Oh mY!

Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  I know I've peaked mine.  Lets hope I can kick this procrastinating cloud that has been hanging over my head and get to writing!  Are you procrastinating anything?  Tell me what it is so I can feel better about myself!  Thanks for sharing!

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Today is my one and only Baby Sister's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Kelly!  I love you!

Labor Day means WORK and Happy Birthday Middle One

Alright friends, I've been a laboring this Labor Day Weekend.  I hope you've been enjoying the last bit of the official summer. 

 Remember when I mentioned that when you remove every roof ever put on your 82 year old house it spells- MESS any way you slice it?  Well, this mess has started an avalanche of other messes- it's like attack of the messes.  I've been digging out of messes all freaking weekend. 

Shall I recap? 

1.  ROOF-

 

Don't let the blue sky fool you- this was after all three previous roofs were removed and we're moving toward the installation of new roof.

 

See the dumpster that has been blocking my driveway and back entrance for the last seven days?  See blackness on the driveway- that is the remnants of old shingles and is taking over  everything?

 

Ah, ha- this is a better illustration of the mess that is now completely covering my attic- chunks and dust and junk covering everything!  Did I mention that the attic is my primary area of storage for all things in my household?  Dear Beloved made it up the stairs and cleaned that portion- it's just so completely overwhelming.  Trying to clean it all right now is just impossible.  Plus it's been about 500 degrees up there making the job even harder.

2.  Refer to first photo for a look at chimney that is now crumbling and needs to be repaired.  We know we needed to have the plaster on the chimney and front facade of the house taken care of- just not right after replacing the entire roof.  We optimistically thought we could make do with a fix on the chimney until the spring- but alas, the chimney is in even worse disrepair than originally thought.  We could actually have large chunks of plaster falling off the chimney and hurting people or worse damaging my new roof (I kid..) But I'm not kidding when I say- goodbye $2,000 more dollars. 

I might also add here, that I"m not opposed to fixing my house or spending the money to do so, it's just that the timing so sucks. Not that house repairs ever have good timing, but I would love to spend money on fun things- like a new kitchen or bath.   I could have had my new kitchen about five times over by now.  Oh well, time to get over it....

3.  Eldest moved into the basement into her new super cool faux dorm room.  This left her old room open and available.  We have moved Youngest into that room thus leaving her old room which is attached to our bedroom open and available to become a master bedroom sitting room.  We're  moving Beloved's Mancave out of the basement and allowing this to become more of the Lounge area of Eldest's Dorm and the hang out area for the other kids.  Leaving the family room the gated off shrine of family rooms.  (Remember the new carpet.)  Even the dogs are banned from this room.  So all of these changes have involved lots of moving, organizing and cleaning and ya da, ya da, ya da....

It really felt like we would never get any one thing finished completely.  I am happy to report- that both girl's rooms are pretty darn near close to being completed.  Odds and ends, mostly.  We are actually able to walk in the rooms and the upstairs hallway without climbing over things, finally.  

4.  Middle One turned 15 years old today!

 

In the midst of all this laboring, I actually made him his favorite Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting- all homemade I might add!

 

It's hard to believe that in six months he'll be eligible to take his driver's test.  Oh, my...

5.  Football has started- actually, it started in June and has been going full steam since then.  We've had a couple of scrimmages and two games.  You know I love all things football- so let me share a couple of shots, of my Middle Boy in his high school uniform!

 

He's #78! 

 

 

Last one, in formation, ready to snap the ball. 

Alright- that's all for now- gotta go do some work for the start of a new work and school week.  Enjoy the start of all things Fall!

Riddle Me This

Q- What do you get when you have 3 previous roofs removed off of your house built in 1927?

A- A big, fat, f %*&%$#@#$% mess! 

If I open the door to my attic I can see the sky peeking through-please Lord, don't let it rain!  I'm afraid to go up to check out the damage- since I can pick up large chunks of roofing materials on the steps leading up to the attic.  All I can say, it isn't pretty. 

I'll take photos and share later, when I've stopped crying.