Ice Day!

As Relient K would say, “Let It Snow, Baby. Let it Reindeer!” 

Books and Jax

Today it is rainy, therefore I am going to eat a donut. What are you doing to celebrate your weather? 

Merry December!

Ho, ho, ho!  Where did I go?  Thank you for asking about me and telling me that you missed my vague ramblings.  I have missed hearing of your lives, and perhaps I will be able to get back into the routine of reading and commenting on your wonderful entries. Also, many thanks for the kind birthday wishes. It was a great day, and you can read about it below. I decided to post a few long entries instead of one super-huge one. Now, you can read a lot, a little, or none at all. Aren’t you just so lucky?

Yesterday, the kids and I Christmased the house. I still have so much downstairs back in the boxes. I really need to purge things.  I say that every year, though, and I am just too lazy to do it.  Story of my life. Oh, to be content with little instead of being controlled by much!  The kitten is having a wonderful time with all the new toys–a tree, tinsel, lights, pine garland. It’s so much fun!

LibbyK, Gockle, and I went to see The Nutcracker last week. This was a special performance. It was A Central Pennsylvania Nutcracker and featured actual names from the history of Centre County (where I live) as participants. Instead of Clara/Marie, it was Anna Thompson, a mysterious daughter of local notables from 100 years ago. There was no Mother Ginger. Instead, a horse and buggy pulled up and a dozen Amish children piled out! There were several other changes, which made it special. 

Do you attend any special Christmas plays or concerts?

 

Thankful for Those Fuzzy Jammies

My mom, PapaJohn, and Grammy Norris joined us for our lunchtime meal. The kids worked hard cleaning, baking, and generally being useful, so Thursday was quite stress and mess free.  I was really happy that we had carried up all my beautiful Christmas china to use. Many Christmases ago, my mom got me a full set of 12 dishes plus all the accessories. They have been sitting in my basement, virtually unused since. But, no longer! We moved my wedding china (used zero times since we moved to PA eight years ago) from the china cabinet to the basement and moved the Christmas china in!

After gorging ourselves and drinking sparkling cider out of fruit cups (which do look an awful lot like miniature goblets), my mom pulled out a beautifully-wrapped box–my birthday presents! (The fun just never stops around here.)  She gave me a cute, miniature nativity set (another thing I collect) and the most wonderful fuzzy pajamas and robe!  I love them.

Do you have some magic clothes, too?

Birthday Girl

It’s not every day a girl turns 39. As a matter of fact, I’d never done it before, and I bet I’ll never do it again.

Instead of spending the auspicious day basking in the attention of my family. Instead, LibbyK, LittleMiss, and I loaded the van and headed to southern Ohio. We got a much later start than we had planned owing to the fact I needed to pick Hunter up from school and take him to work and to the fact that my battery died in the driveway. (This took about 40 minutes to get jumped started as I had to track down a neighbor, wait for children to get off the bus, and then figure out exactly which one was the battery in the unfamiliar territory of a Saturn minivan.)

The weather was perfect–for staying home. Twenty-three degrees, snow flurries, bits of blinding snow, and the Hand of God to keep us safe the whole way. 

I wanted to wait until we were at least in Ohio to stop for supper, which meant we didn’t pull into the Bob Evans in Youngstown until almost 7:00. I didn’t think I was hungry at all. But, about six minutes after my chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes came and there were only about five bites left in the bowl, I revised my opinion. My girls were equally famished. I don’t think I’ve ever seen either one of them clean their plates in a restaurant before!

Then it was back on the road, U’s or Bust.  We pulled in before midnight, which was great, and enjoyed a warm welcome.  Plus, I got my own bed, heated with a water bottle. Such comfort!

Saturday was spent in fun and included a taco dinner with the H’s.  Sunday, my happy birthday, the girls and I went to Emmanuel Baptist in Xenia, our old church. It was a lot of fun to catch up with folks and gawk at the teens who were just kids when we left. My friend L gave me some wonderful birthday presents, including a first-edition of a Sara Teasdale poetry book! 

That’s a delicious Pear Custard posing as my birthday cake. YUM!

Sunday night, we loaded up and drove to the H’s. Thanks to my expert navigational skills, we went East instead of West and added 40 minutes to the trip. Ooops.  But, it all worked out well in the end.  My two dear friends and I left all the children (except the nursing baby) and went to Red Lobster for my birthday dinner. Surprisingly, I ordered shrimp, something I’ve not done since high school, I bet.  They were yummy little crustaceans. And, they were covered in crust!

Monday took me to an Amish bakery and an Amish store. My friend C lives in the Middle of Nowhere Amish-land. These weren’t the touristy Amish places but stores where Mennonite and German Baptists would buy their flour and cheese.  Later that night, we all played hide and seek in the dark in C’s huge, new house. Such fun!

Tuesday I got a much later start than I had planned. (I also think my battery was dead, but that’s happened so often lately, I’m not sure.)  It was another perfect day–to stay home. This time, I saw a number of cars of the road, some quite smashed up.  We were safe and totally inhaled another tasty Bob Evan’s meal.  The seven hour trip wound up taking nine long hours and I missed Hunter’s choir concert, but we were home and safe.

You may think the fun was done, but you would be wrong!  Waiting for me was a big Happy Birthday sign with seven envelopes hanging around it and a dozen long-stemmed red roses, my presents from TGD.  There were either presents in the envelopes or clues to go searching for presents in the house.  What did my generous husband give to me?  A mug, a David Feldman book, a beautiful Christmas angel (which I collect), and gift certificates to Nittany Quill (stationery store), Bath and Body Works, Barnes and Noble, and Panera!  Wow. I was overwhelmed.

Happy, happy birthday to me!

Virtual Moocher

Now that you know exactly how ancient I am, you can give me a present.  The old adage states, “It’s the thought that counts.” And here, that is exactly how it goes. I love the thought of your presents! So, will you write down a present for me?  It’s almost as exciting as the real ones since I get many more of them and from all sorts of friends. 

Um, So Where Have You Been, Exactly?

Hello! Did you miss me? Probably not, but here I am again anyhow.  Since it’s been a bit, weeks even, I’ll give you the main bits in bold, and if you want to read more, feel free!

1.  The Dog is Gone

Yes, we finally came to the decision as a family that we really weren’t dog people. We didn’t enjoy the dog, and it was time to face that fact. So, a week ago today, I took her back to the shelter where we got her. (It was required to return her there in the adoption paperwork we signed.)  I have been rejoicing every day–seriously–that we no longer have a dog. AMEN!

2.  It’s Time for a Road Trip

Tomorrow (Friday) LibbyK, Little Miss, and I are going to head out to Ohio to visit two dear families, the U’s and the H’s. Between the three moms, we have 20 children and one on the way (not mine, H’s!)  The ladies are wonderful friends, and it will be such a treat to spend my special Sunday with them. (Why is this Sunday special? I’ll let you know in the next entry!)

3.  Did Someone Say “Drive”?

Did you ever hear the song Drive by The Cars? (Yes, stupid, ironic name.)  I always think it is one of the saddest songs that I really like. But, that has absolutely nothing to do with my #3.  If you were wondering what I’ve been up to, I’ve been driving around a lot.  I think it is my best skill, organizing schedules and ferrying people around.

Speaking of driving, Hunter got his license last Thursday.  Oooh, boy! Another driver in the house. So far, I don’t know that he’s done any solo driving. As he said, “It stinks when you get your license in the winter.” Stupid icy roads and paranoid parents. Sheesh.

4.  Um…

For all that I’ve been gone, I just don’t feel as if there is much more to say. Shall I tell you that I have rediscovered a love for Shake and Bake pork chops? That it has snowed a dusting a few times so far? That I’ve been reading a lot of books and wishing I would make/find the time to write a book of my own?  That I really love Archer Farms Organic Fruit Strips from Target? That they NO LONGER CARRY JAX cheese twists at any store in my area despite months of pleading with them to please please please please stock them?  That almost every time I eat sugar in the morning, I get queasy? (Unless the sugar is in the form of chocolate chip cookies. Then, I’m fine.)

As you know, I’ve not been around Xanga reading blogs and commenting. Can you let me know your highlights from the past two weeks?

Overheard

An infomercial was on TV, prompting TGD and Gockle to have this exchange.

TGD: (said in a dead-serious tone) I often slice pineapples in mid-air. That would be useful.

Gockle:  Did you know Obama made an infomercial? What could anyone say about Obama for 30 minutes?

 

Funyuns Have My Vote

I suppose I should say something about the election.  I mean, it is tomorrow and all. But, really… What will happen will happen. I’ll certainly cast my vote and encourage all my friends to vote, but I don’t think obsessing over it will do much good.  God is in control, no matter which candidate wins in whatever race. 

In happy news, there was no school today, so we took a road trip to my mom’s and spent a delightful overnight and day there.  She fed us like kings!  I am very spoiled.  I think I ate half a bag of Funyuns all by myself, not to mention the burgers, pizza, cookies, and more. And more.  It will have to be fruit tomorrow! (Except that I’m planning lunch with TGD)

What treats are you having after Halloween?  Any plans for Election Day returns?