Out With the Old, In With the New and Improved

Last year, I bid 2010 goodbye with a finger gesture and a swift quick in the pants. 

Apparently that was fuel for the fire as 2011 turned out to be nastier than its predecessor. I  have a few choice words for the things that have happened over the last 364 days, but frankly I'd rather just move on and hope for the best. As Big Daddy says, "It can only go up from here."

He is the eternal optimist. I, on the other hand, being the eternal pessimist, beg to differ. It could get a whole lot worse. At least, that's what I used to say...

Before I wrote this post on perspective, I would have written out a long list of woe-is-me or had some snarky commentary as to the happenings of the past year. It's time to turn over a new leaf. Despite all of the things that happened, all the times we were down to less than a buck in the checking account days before payday, and all the tears that were shed, we survived. In the moment, it felt like crap. If I were being completely honest, there are a few things that still feel crappy, but we will survive.

For all that 2011 offered, the least I can do is look back one last time, be thankful for the good times and for the lessons on how to deal with the bad.

2012, I am ready.


From my family to yours, I'd like to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy New Year.



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Post Wrap Wrap-Up: 2011

Another holiday worried and fretted over has come to a close.

Lows:

• Nicholas, who wakes up at ungodly hours on Christmas morning, came down stairs and saw nothing [extra] under tree. Opened a rolled paper tucked in stocking thinking it could be a note from Santa. It wasn't. I may have cemented any lingering doubts of Santa's existence. 
• Fibromyalgia flair brought on by lack of sleep and stress. 
• Realized after-the-fact that a present was still in wrapping paper box, which had already been put in attic. 
• Dinner was over an hour late.
  
  
  
  
  Highs:

• We were together.
• By wrapping XBox, Kinect, all games, and controllers into one box with both boys' names, no one has argued on who owns what. [Yet]
• Dinner was delicious even though I forgot the baked apples.
• Jessica is home.

How was your holiday?

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Christmas Wishes

Not unlike millions of other people, this time of year is especially difficult for me. Add a pinch of financial trouble, a dash of family angst, and sprinkle in some repressed emotions and you'll have my recipe that is almost every holiday.

This year, not that I shouldn't have been surprised, I learned that the boys didn't necessarily believe in Santa Clause anymore. There hasn't been a positive confirmation of this fact, but all signs lead me to that assumption. I found myself saddened at this news rather than relieved. Last year, I clearly remember thinking it would be easier to wrap it all up, stick it under the tree and be done until Christmas Day.

Be careful for what you wish for. 

When the boys were little, I can't remember what age, I started this tradition that they would buy a gift (with my money, of course) for the other. Something they truly thought the other would like.

This year, on the day that I was going to take them out, I realized that they didn't understand the sentiment behind it and were using the opportunity (and again, my money) to get another gift off ye -olde-wishlist. Being that I don't pay them an allowance, I couldn't exactly change the rules in hopes of teaching the lesson. I declared that buying for the other was canceled.

Last night we were leaving to pick up the last minute essentials.  He says to me, "There is something N wants to get you at Target."

Knowing how he finagles to find a loophole to buy me something, I say, "You have to be kidding. He wouldn't have said that."

He swears up and down it's the honest truth.

At a stop at another store, I stay in the car whilst the men folks go in. The youngest comes back, and I ask him what he is doing. He says, "I bought Daddy and N a present. I had to come back before they saw me."

He had brought his money and used what resources he had available to buy gifts for his family. Two candy bars for his daddy and something out of the quarter machine for his brother.

We get home and N has a shoe box and is wrapping some sort of CD. I asked him what he was doing. "I am giving D this playstation game. I have no need for it anymore and he is always stealing it. He might as well have it."

All that sweetness of my boys nearly caused my heart to burst out of my chest.

I've been dreading Christmas Day for a number of reasons, two of which happen to be 12- and 11-years-old. Every year, they both happen to do or say something that totally puts another runner on an already delicate tapestry of what is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Every single gift I purchased had to go through a rigorous thought process to test for the potential of fighting, arguing, or otherwise annoying the other.

Maybe this year is the one that will turn it all around.





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Picaboo, I See You: Holiday Edition

If you are like me, thinking about Christmas well before we've passed out candy to mini-versions of Angry Birds,  Luke Skywalker, and Cpt. Jack Sparrow is a bit premature.

But, again, if you are like me, you like to keep it old school when it comes to certain things. Electronic versions are fine, but I still prefer the feel and sentiment when it comes to things like books and cards. Especially holiday cards. The month of December is the only time I don't dread the varied stacked of envelopes placed inside each day. To get the best cards, it has to be done early.

And while we're on the subject of how similar we all are, I know you'd love get something for nothing. Literally. I've got the hook-up, people.

Picaboo has just released its Holiday collection of cards.  And you can get yours, customized by you, for free.

Whether you need Christmas cards, simple Season's Greetings, or Hanukkah messages, Picaboo's got you covered.

Oh, what's that you say? You just need some cute, yet creative-looking holiday invitations. They've got those, too.


The fun is built in:

1. Click the Get Started button on the home page. (Does require Adobe Air; free to download if you don't currently have it.)

2. Open Picaboo X on your desktop.

3. Choose:

Free shipping on $50. Use code WITCH. Ends 10/23

4. Choose design. [Word of caution, the sheer amount of cuteness will make rendering a decision  to just one to near impossible.]

5. Click next to upload your photos from your computer file:

6. Add. Play. Swap. Generally have a good time.

Note: Not my card order. You didn't think I'd ruin the surprise did you?

Have fun, but don't use Comic Sans.
Trust me. 

Don't like the stock caption? No worries. You can chose your own in freeform mode. Click on the caption area fill it in.

Really, it couldn't be any easier to make cards for the holidays (or any occasion for that matter).

What do you want to say?

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7. Click the Order Card button on the lower right hand corner to, well, order. It will upload, automatically, to the website for ease of ordering.


8. Picaboo is so awesome, you are given paper choices:

9. Add to cart.

10. Purchase and tic off the first item off your holiday to-do list.


Remember how I mentioned that you could literally get free cards? When you place your order, use the code GREAT-HC. That will get you 25 for F.R.E.E. But if you happen to buy 50? You'll get 50 free.

Oh, and a little bonus...you can use that code, twice.

Don't thank me. Thank Picaboo.


Disclosure: I received a stipend and a code to get my own cards in exchange for this post and my honest opinion. Spreading the love that is Picaboo's 2011 Holiday Card collection I have done for free and on my own. I will receive no other compensation. 

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Here Comes Peter Cottontail...But Only If You Were Good

The twelve-year-old says:

"I can't wait until tomorrow morning!"

Me: Really? Why?

"Because I'll get my Easter basket!"

Me: (thinking) Oops. I didn't get a basket, per se. And how long do I HAVE to keep up this facade? 

Me: "Hmm. I don't know. I guess we'll have to wait and see." 

"The Easter Bunny doesn't care if I was good."
"Yes, he does."

(long pause)

"Oh. Well. That's news to me."

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For the Love of One Day

I don't really understand all the hoopla behind this day: February 14th.

Sure, some call it Valentine's Day. Stores are draped in red and pink crape, with cases of candies, stuffed animals, and long racks of cards ready for purchase to tell that special someone how much you love them.

But have you noticed that most of the stores have the same things that fall into the Valentine theme? So, where is the surprise in that?

It's not that I am bitter about this holiday, although I used to be back in my younger days. I have also seen the stress this day causes people. I used to work as a merchandiser for a major greeting card company. I was required to work on Valentine's Day. And Target was one of my accounts.....

Let's just say I have seen more civilized people on Black Friday at Walmart.

My husband and I have been together for fourteen years. We have never celebrated Valentine's Day, per se. We may have eaten out a time or two and said, "This is for Valentine's Day." After all of our time together, it isn't this day's proclamation of love that I remember, it's the other days.

• When he brings me a Route 44 Sonic Diet Coke without me asking. 
• When he picks up the Sunday paper so that I don't have to go out. 
• When he sneaks out of bed and gets the boys ready for school so I can sleep for an extra hour.
• When he brings me three tea rose plants and a Christmas cactus because they went on clearance and he knows I like them. 
• When he brings me coupons that are only found in the store. 

And the list could go on.

Through the years, we have went through three moves, two births, five store re-locations, the brink of foreclosure, mental illness, three hospital stays (beyond giving birth), and three major surgeries.I quit working full-time to go back to college. We are in debt up to our ears. We haven't had a vacation in four years with none in sight for the future. But, we have a roof over our head, two vehicles that run and are paid for, generally good health, and plenty of laughs.

If even after all that (and it's been candy-coated for the faint of heart) and  we still want to be together, then I can't think of any bouquet of flowers, heart-shaped box of candy, or red and pink stuffed bear that is going to define his love for me any better. And vice-versa.

Our "Valentine's Day" happen on random days throughout the year.  We believe that the surprise and small token of love is more meaningful when it isn't expected.

If you happen to love the idea of Valentine's Day, by all means, don't let us ruin your party. Go ahead and have fun! Tonight, while you all are waiting for a table, or trying to grab a card and box of candy at the last minute, we'll have supper at home and then go and get our taxes done.

Because nothing says love better than dishpan hands and a federal tax refund. 



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The Winds of Change

Clearly I have fallen off the bloggy wagon.

I must have fallen off the front side, because there have been some days that I felt like it ran me over, backed up, and hit me again.

There may be a hundred and one reasons why I haven't made a blog entry, but they sound like excuses. I real writer will get the words typed regardless, right?

Here are a few highlights over the past couple of weeks (in no certain order):

• Big Daddy was on vacation. Again.
  
• Big Daddy's daddy was here for almost a week.
  
• I was forced tricked paid handsomely asked nicely to volunteer my services as secretary of the Band Boosters at Nick's school.
• I have read several books. I just can't get enough. It's my escapism. I would literally read from daylight til dark. Examples include: Water for Elephants, The Other Mother, Secrets of a Former Fat Girl, and another whose title escapes me at the moment.
  
• I did manage to do some writing in-between. You know, to prove to Big Daddy that it is a J.O.B.
• Getting caught up with season 2 of "Teen Mom."
  

I would like to say that the posting will get more consistent. I am sure that it will, because as of tomorrow morning, I am tied (not literally) to my computer from daylight until dark. Not only is tomorrow the start of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I have GOT to get more copy written and start bringin' in the cheddar.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. Big Daddy and I will be passing out candy and mourning the loss of dress up and the like.

This is the first year the boys are choosing not to go trick-or-treating. They are going to church with the neighbor boys instead because, "It's way more cooler than dressing up."

Boo-ya.

:::Breaking News:::

I am sitting here waiting on the washer to finish,

(don't ask)

working on my essay that is due tomorrow,

(read: looking at google images)

and realized that I didn't take ONE.PICTURE.TODAY.

Not so much as a snappy with the cell phone.

One of two things I predict will come of this scenario:

a) I have lots of years and previous (and future!) Easters to make- up a super fabulous one, or

b) Nicholas will use this and this against me in the therapist's chair on how I totally messed his life up.

"I remember this Easter when I was 10 I told her I was going to wake her up when I got up. I always get up early. I went in her room at 6:38 and said, 'Mommy. I am up. It's Easter.' She said, 'It's early,' and didn't get up. But you know when Darrin went in at 7:00 she hopped right up out of bed. She always does everything for him, and I get nothing."

I think I go work on my Mother of the Year speech.

And for the record, I really meant to get up. I was teasing him and acting like I wasn't going to get up. So, his lack of response and having only been asleep since 1:30 worked against me.

So, what should I wear to the ceremony?

To all my peeps...

Out with the old

Dern.

Ten posts shy of one-hundred. Oh well.

Truth be known, once the in-law and wannabe left on Saturday afternoon, I sort of shut down. Not really sure what that was all about, but it put me behind all things bloggy.

Christmas was awesome, though; don't get me wrong.

Here were my favorite quotes:

Nicholas, "I didn't get many presents. I must not have been as good as I thought. I'll have to work on that."

Jessica, after opening yet another envelope of money, "Oh yay! I have made back what I spent."

Darrin...well. He is a man of few words. But he is lovin' his Mp3 player he got.

Notice the lack of photos? Yeah. For some reason I used my regular camera. Mostly because my digital blows and by the time the photo is taken, the moment has passed. I will probably get the film developed by next Christmas, if I am motivated.

Here is is the last day of 2008. I wish it wasn't Wednesday. A new year should start on Monday, if you ask me.

Queen B had an awesome post today. She got the idea from another blogger...posting our top 10 favorite photos of the year.

I just uploaded something like 600 photos. You know, so I would have an empty memory card for Christmas.

Without further ado...





(no comment needed.)


Jessica and her boyfriend off to the Military Ball. I think this was in May.


Never has this little boy been more excited about something. Here he poses with his webkins pal, Shep, now referred to as "Doggie."


Tom and Huck painting the fence.


Juicy gets a car.


Ms. March. Part of the Hooters Girl Calendar shoot.


Big Daddy and I. A rare sighting.


Technically, Nicholas took this with his SpyGear secret camera at one of the never-ending weenie wagon weekends. I smile whenever I see it.


He was built in January/February. We didn't even miss school the next day (slight miracle.) He was about 12 inches tall and lasted all of 12 hours. Welcome to winter in Tennessee.



Monroe redefines lazy.

2008 wasn't one of our best years, but it wasn't the worst. Here's to the friends I have made along the way...

::raises glass of preferred beverage::

Bring the change.

Put the lime in the coconut...and pass one my way

Hey y'all...

Things are a bit hectic around the Mans.

My father-in-law and his 'friend' are coming for Christmas. They were due to arrive Thursday morning-ish. My husband wasn't holding his breath because spontaneity runs deep on his side of the family, and the main culprit is his father. You never know where that man is going to land.

I had a strong feeling that they would arrive Christmas Eve. So strong that when I did my Christmas dinner shopping on Sunday, I bought to make a large meal tonight as well.

My husband decides to call them today and ask about their plan.

THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY. THEY ARE IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA AS OF THIS WRITING.

:::slow, steady breathing:::

That is only about, oh, nine hours away.

But the way my truck driving, speed demon FIL drives, they'll be here in time for the early bird supper.

As I let the events that just unfolded sink in fully, I checked my email. First one on the list, "Three steps to surviving your in-laws."

Oh, the irony.

I opened it and oddly there was no mention of tequila, limes, or crushed ice.

Feliz Navidad, y'all.

Black Friday leftovers

Thanksgiving went off without a hitch. Had it not been for my sweet, sweet husband, we may still be waiting on something. For twelve people to have eaten, when we finished eating, it looked like I had just sat the table.

Sad, in a way.

I wish I had known some other people to invite, but then again, I am not sure where they would have sat.

My mom and I went out this morning as our yearly tradition dictates. We walked into Kohl's at 4 am. This year may be a record. While there were lots of people out, I didn't see anything like in the past.

I did yell at a guy in Cracker Barrel. It was a "you had to be there moment" but he was unnecessarily rude. I have NO patience for that. I did tell him oh-so-sweetly to have a Happy Holiday.

Only 27 days until Christmas.

Fa-la-la-la.

Oh Brother

Forgive me dear readers, for I am about to....

Well, I'll let you decide what to call it.

Earlier this evening, the phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but it was a cell phone, so I picked up. It was my brother.

Now, my more astute readers will immediately point out the two obvious details of that last statement.

A)Didn't recongize the number and,

B) It was my brother.

Friends that have known me pre-Blogger know about the relationship, or lack of one, that I have with my brother.

I have never really liked him. There may have been a year in the 80s.

Don't get me wrong. I love him-he is my brother. I just don't like him. If truth be told, my parents feel the same way. He has just taken advantage of them too many times. I am talking theft, lies, and pawning a few of their things that he "borrowed."

My brother and I are polar opposites. Literally. For example, he thinks it's ok to abuse the welfare system. He gets paid under the table at his job, and then brags about his kids getting free/reduced at school; he says it's owed to him because,"I've paid my taxes."

But my brother has three of the sweetest kids. Ian (6), Kassie(4) and Trinity(1). I lOVE them to pieces. I put up with his mouth so I can see them.

Tonight is a perfect example of how tacky my brother can be...

Back to the phone converstation:

Me: Hello?
Him: Hey.
Me: ::thinking who is this??:: Hey.

Lightbulb! I know who it is now..

Him: I was just calling to see what I need to bring Thursday.
Me: ::thinking what is Thursday??!?:: Um...I am not sure what is going on, but I am not going to be home, and Big Daddy has to work...
Him: Oh, I mean Thanksgiving. I am sure that I am invited. What do I need to bring?
Me: Um...
Him: (something dumb and self-centered--can't recall)
Me: Well, that is fine but I haven't really made the menu yet...I thought you were going to her grandmother's? (His wife's g-ma house)
Him: Since her grandpa died, grandma isn't going to cook. She [grandma] is going with her brother so we had to find somewhere else to go.

(Hand to heart, that is how he put it.)

Me: Ok. No problem. Let's see...well just bring what YOU all would like to drink.
Him: I could bring a dessert.
Me: No NO. Big Daddy is off and you know how he loves to bake. Just bring drinks. Really.
Him: Ok. See you Thursday.

*click*

I called my mom and the first thing out of her mouth was, "So he called you." Apparently, he called her first to see if she was cooking. And she hasn't done Thanksgiving in four years (I think). She told him that they were coming here and he was like, "Ok. We'll see you there." My mom said, "You know, you might want to let her know. That's five more people."

And Jessica's boyfriend makes it 13. I am looking for a fourteenth person. Of course, you may have to sit on the deck, but it's usually warm on Thanksgiving here.

Do you have someone/something you dread at the holidays?