New Year

 

New Years always finds me in a melancholy mood. I’ve never been able to figure out why. Maybe because for a few years I always wanted someone to spend it with, and it never seemed to work out, so now its in my system to just feel blue no matter what. I know, that sounds ridiculous. And honestly, I don’t think that’s the answer. Because I’ve felt this way even before I was old enough to care about being alone or not on New Years.

I think my mind just ends up focusing on it being the end of something, as opposed to a new beginning. I also think that after New Years, its my birthday, and then I feel like the holidays are really over. Now I can stretch it out a bit longer, since the Monkey’s birthday is on January 8th (he’ll be TWO!!). Still, the end of another holiday season is never fun. I hate taking down the Christmas decorations. I hate the end of fun, family, presents and tinsel. And when I lived in Montana, I hated that never ending winter that had somehow lost its white sparkly charm, and had traded that in for dingy old snow that made a mess of everything.

Still, I try to focus on the positive. This year, especially. I have so many things that are good in my life, and so many upcoming opportunities this year that are promising. I just need to remember to enjoy what I have now, and even though the future is not a guarantee, it is always something to hope for.

Happy 2010, all. See ya next year. ; )

Christmas Blog #22: Pack pack pack

 

I have never packed to go anywhere for Christmas before. It’s strange. I always watched “Home Alone” and wondered what it would be like to actually be crazy the night before a big trip with family.

Tonight, I finally get to find out.

We are flying out tomorrow alllllll the way to California, for Christmas. It’s exciting, really. And a little stressful. I want to make sure to pack everything, I want to make sure I have plenty of things to keep the Monkey entertained on the flight, we have to check in and print our boarding passes (the Hubs did that), we have to GO TO BED because the flight leaves pretty early and we need to be at the airport even earlier, because let’s face it, its going to be a madhouse…..ack! I really enjoy travel. I really do. It just doesn’t sound like I do.

I’m eager to get to California. I’m eager for everyone there to see Monkey- most of them haven’t seen him in at least a year, some more. I’m excited to watch everyone spoil and love him.

But before that, I suppose I better stop blogging…and get packing!

Christmas Blog #21: Big kid present?

 

Like I said yesterday, we got presents from my parents delivered.

I know you’re all dying to know what I got.

You are, aren’t you?

Well…

A dust buster. That’s right. A dust buster.

Honestly, its pretty much all I wanted. I’m jacked. I can’t wait to start following the Monkey around with it as he drops Cherrios, cheese, Goldfish, cookie crumbs…

However, I do think its kind of funny that I have actually made it to the point in my life where I WANT a dust buster as a present. If you’d have told my ten year old self I would end up here, I’d probably lose my mind.

But today, now, it suits me just fine.

Christmas Blog #20: Proof

…That kids will play with the box that any toy, no matter how impressive, came in.

Today, we got two big boxes from my parents in Montana. I unloaded one that was full of presents and let the Monkey play with it while I was occupied with something else. When I turned back to him, he had tossed his baseball in the box, and was diving in to get it.

Isn’t that another great thing about being a kid? Everything is something else to you. I remember my grandma having this bright magenta colored tissue paper that for the longest time I used to dance around with as if I were a prima ballerina. Even typing that now it makes me smile, because I know it sounds a bit ridiculous. At the time, that tissue paper was my life.

We all convince ourselves that we need all these grand fancy, shiny things. that we won’t survive without an Xbox 360, a Wii, the latest and greatest I-pod, etc. When, really, we can survive. Not only can we survive, but we’re probably just as happy- if not happier- without it. And seriously, that Wii thing really bothers me- everyone is always saying how its so great to stay fit, but can’t you just go outside and play instead?

I just miss the days of simplicity. Of days where we went outside to play, and used our imagination as opposed to sitting in front of the TV all day. I know I feel less intelligent by the day, and I don’t think its because I’m stupid, but by what I surround myself by. I know I surround myself with too much- there have been times that I’ve been on the computer, with music on, in front of the TV, which is also on. Why? What do I need all of that for? No wonder I have a headache much of the time.

This holiday season, I hope you remember to slow down, chill out, and enjoy the simplicity of the season. A snowflake in your eyelash. A starry night. A smile from a stranger. Enjoy it, and cherish it.

Christmas Blog #19: Thoughtful Presents

 

Of all the Christmas traditions, I gotta say present shopping is my least favorite. Not really because I’m cheap (well….I am, but that’s not my reason), but because it has become so stressful. I hate that feeling of wandering in a store aimlessly, trying to find something, anything, for someone, with that constant “What to get, what to get, what to get…” mantra going off in your mind, until finally, you are pressured by said mantra to buy something completely unnecessary and probably overly priced. Ugh.

The only time I like giving presents is when I know that I’ve got something that the person is going to love. Something that is going to make them either laugh or cry, something that is either going to touch their hearts or really make them realize that, wow, she really cares about me. I love that.

One of my better presents has been something I made. One year, I made a photo album filled with old pics for my dad. I decorated it with stickers and quotes. I remember how much he loved it, and how special it seemed to him. And that was one of the best feelings ever.

I just find it sad that the thought has gone out of presents. All it is now is stress, or impersonal. You can go to Wal-Mart and pick out a gift card for dozens of different places. You can order things online instantly and have them gift wrapped and shipped to whomever they are going to. Sure, its handy; but is that the best way to tell each other that we love them?

I love presents. Don’t we all? However, I would prefer a hug and kiss any day. It makes me sad that we all feel so pressured by present buying, and that we forget what this time of year is really about. Regardless of your beliefs, I like to think that we all consider this a time to be with family, friends, and those close to us.

I hope you are able to take a moment during the hustle and bustle of the season to remember what is important to you. : )

Christmas Blog #18: Football, baby!

 

Football is tradition to me. I grew up watching pro football on TV with my father, and have always loved it. I love the game, and I loved bonding with my father over it. Now that I’m married, its something my hubby and I bond over as well. : ) For the holidays, its even more of a tradition. Its right up there with turkey, pumpkin pie, and candy canes.

Because of my brief stint in college, I am a die-hard Montana Grizzlies fan. I bleed silver and maroon. And tonight, I am watching them on ESPN- one of the two times I really can in the year, assuming we make play offs all the way up to the championship. Since we are such a small school, we just don’t get the attention that some others do. Which…is alright. No, it sucks, because we’re good. We deserve attention and opportunities and credit. We on playing for a perfect season tonight. Most teams that play like that get fawned over. We get a pat on the head and sent back home to our frigid snow banks.

But I’m not bitter. Because all us MT folk know the truth. We are tough, and we can take any of your Gators, your Red Knights, your Crimson Tide, any day. ; )

Christmas Blog #17: Snooping

 

I have only snooped at Christmas presents once in my whole life. I don’t remember how old I was; maybe six or seven. I wanted this certain Barbie doll so impossibly bad. Remember how one little thing like a doll seemed like your whole life?

I found my mother’s stash of Christmas presents in one of the spare closets. I would sneak back on a daily basis and look at one certain gift with my name on it. I would stare at it until I heard my mother looking for me.

Finally, I couldn’t bear it anymore. Just a few days before Christmas, I peeled back the paper on the corner of my present, and saw that familiar bright Barbie pink. And I knew.

I knew.

Instead of feeling giddy for knowing that I would get that Barbie I’d longed for, I felt disappointed in myself. Now I knew that Christmas wouldn’t be as special. It wouldn’t be as fun, because the surprise was gone. Granted, I was spoiled and got more than one present; still, it felt like I had ruined the spirit somehow.

I never snooped after that. I don’t even think I ever told my mother (sorry, Mama). But no punishment could have taught a better lesson- a lesson I had taught myself already.

Christmas Blog #16: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

 

1. Hot Cocoa.

2. Pretty wrapping paper

3. Christmas carolers (does anyone do this anymore?)

4. Nativity scenes.

5. Cookies. About 300 different kinds.

6. Family time.

7. Twinkle lights.

8. Mittens. I know, I live in Florida and have no purpose for such things. But they are cute.

9. The smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree.

10. A surprise gift.

11. Hope.

12. Turning the radio on the day after Thanksgiving and hearing that first Christmas song of the season.

13. Big, fancy, beautiful ribbons.

14. Snow. (this goes along with mittens)

15. Love.

16. Glitter.

17. Movies. Classics and just going to the movies around Christmas time. It just seems more magical somehow.

18. Holiday season at Disney World. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it.

19. Bells.

20. Candy canes.

Christmas Blog #15: Christmas Cards, Take Two

We finally got our first Christmas cards today. One was from friends of the hubby’s, who I will probably meet while we’re out in CA for Christmas. The second…let’s see. The second was from one of my best friend’s parents, who also happen to be my ex-fiancee’s parents. My ex-almost-in-laws? Uh-huh. You can take the girl outta the country…

It always makes me bittersweet getting a Christmas card from them. Not because I regret where I am now, and not because I’m unhappy. I’m very happy. And I know that the path I took to bring me where I am now was the right one. Still…sometimes when you look back, instead of all the crazy drama and pain, all you see are the happy times. I suppose that is a good thing, but it almost hurts more.

Now, I am happily married, and he is not only dating again, but apparently pretty serious- they’ve moved in together. And that really, truly makes me happy for him. It is hard to let people go, especially when they are someone that you had “claim” to for so long. But he let me go when I began dating the Hubs; I can’t honestly say when I let him go. Maybe it was before I even moved away. Maybe it was when I had a baby; maybe it was when I got married. I’m not sure. But knowing that he is out in the world and happy is enough for this heart of mine.

Funny how all that can come from one little Christmas card. All its purpose was to bring a little holiday cheer. But every year that particular card brings a rush of feelings that flood my soul, if only for a moment. To know one’s self, I do believe that you must not only know where you’re going, but where you came from.

Christmas Blog #14: Its A Wonderful Life

 

Like “White Christmas”, I hadn’t seen “Its a Wonderful Life” before the hubby came along. I know, I’m lame. I’m not sure why I’d never seen it. It just never happened.

To the hubby, its a very special movie. He had a moment in his life when he was younger where he felt unnecessary, worthless, and not wanting to keep fighting the good fight, just like George. At that point his mother sat him down and had him watch “Its A Wonderful Life”. It was a really eye opening message for him. He realized that life was worth living, and that he was worth having around.

I think we all have those moments that we feel like we have no purpose. I know I have. When I was a sophomore in high school I had a time that was pretty dark and depressing. In the midst of that, I got in a nasty wreck that totaled my truck. I walked away with two black eyes and a few stitches. I have a scar on my face from it, and it reminds me to never give up on life, even if I feel at times that it has given up on me.

Now, our tradition is to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” every December 13th, just like the Hubs did on that first night that his mother sat him down to watch it years ago.

I like to think it keeps us both in check.

Christmas Blog #13: Breakfast with Santa

 

Today, the hubby had to go into work to play Santa for the golf club’s Breakfast with Santa. : ) We ended up meeting the Monkey with his grandparents for breakfast, and Monkey got to meet Santa. ; ) Actually, I was a little nervous that he would recognize his daddy, but I don’t think he did.

It was amazingly sweet to see all the kids light up when Santa walked into the room. A little boy in a dress shirt and tie started bouncing in his seat. A little girl’s eyes got wide. And…a little baby girl started crying. Ha. Oops. Still, it was nice to be around some innocence for awhile.

Isn’t the world a scary place? I try not to think about it, its too stressful. But being around kids, especially at Christmas time, really brings you back to a safer, happier mental state. The way they believe in all things magical is so inspiring.

I hope you can manage to believe in the magic this season, as well. : )

Christmas Blog #12: Stockings

Is it me, or are Christmas stockings one of the more bizarre traditions we have? Putting presents in socks, really? There are quite a few theories. The Dutch believe its from their history of putting hay in their shoes for the reindeer. Another story is of an English nobleman who’s wife died, leaving him with his three daughters. They ended up losing everything, including all their money. One Christmas night, Santa peeked into their house and saw the daughter’s clean stockings hanging up to dry, and he put gold coins in them.

I guess everyone has some version of the whole stocking thing. Children in Italy and France put their shoes by the fireplace for treats as well.

When I was a kid, Santa always stuffed my stocking with great treats. CDs, chapstick (which has been my best friend since the first time I saw my mother use it), candy…and usually an apple and orange. Santa wanted me to be healthy, apparently. ; ) Stockings were always the first thing we did in the morning. I was usually allowed to open my stocking while my mother showered and dressed, and my grandparents were still on their way over for presents.

Today, we have our three stockings up on the wall. We don’t really use them- yet. I figure when Monkey is a little older, we will start a stocking tradition of some sort. Right now, this is only his second Christmas, and I think its going to still be a little overwhelming. : )

Still, they are pretty, and a sweet reminder of tradition.

Christmas Blog #11: Cards

When I was a kid, my parents had friends that sent the most obnoxious Christmas cards, ones with an attached letter that went on and on about how perfect their kids were. The girl had a 4.0, spoke three languages, and spent her summer vacation helping orphans in Russia- or something like that. The boy played every sport under the sun, and was- of course- the best at all of them.

Their happy Brady Bunch family-ness always cracked me and my mother up. We always joked about how we should send one to them saying how I had dropped out of school to join the circus. We never did- probably a good thing!

All of that said, I love sending Christmas cards. My goal is to have my cards ready to send the day after Thanksgiving. I like my card to be the first one that everyone gets. I go to the store and pick out the prettiest cards I can find. Now that I’m married and have the Monkey, we get professional pictures taken, and I send those stuffed in my pretty cards. I refrain from writing a letter about every amazing detail about my kid (that’s what my blog is for, right? HA!).

Now, every year that I sit down and get my cards ready for all my loved ones, I think of our perfect-family friends and smile. I smile because now, I’m not so different. My family isn’t perfect- but they are something I am proud of, and can’t help but share with everyone. So I suppose, now I get it. : )

Christmas Blog #10: Feeling Blue?

Sometimes, even in the midst of a joyous season, the blues find you. Even me, the girl who loves Christmas so much that she struggles to not put her tree up before Thanksgiving. Those sad moments still sneak up on me.

It could be for a million different reasons: maybe you remember all the people that aren’t here to celebrate Christmas with us anymore. Maybe the stress of buying presents, getting party food ready, and making sure everything is perfect, gets to your head. And maybe you just don’t have a reason.

Yesterday, the blues got me. I got home before the boys, and the house was quiet,except for the sadness that suddenly overwhelmed me. I thought of my grandpa, who never liked Christmas to begin with, but he was always a part of mine, so of course I miss him now that he’s gone. I thought of one of my oldest friends who I’d known since kindergarten, who past away a year ago now. I thought of yet again not spending the holidays with my family back home.

So what do you do? How do you get rid of those nasty blues? I think we all have our own little ways of cheering ourselves up. My cure last night was watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and drinking hot cocoa with my hubby. I guess the best cure in general is to remember the good things in life.

But really, hot cocoa almost always does the trick. : )

Christmas Blog #9: S-N-O-W

 

It’s probably an easy assumption to make that since I moved to Florida, I hate snow. I don’t. I actually really love playing in the snow. For about fifteen minutes at a time. After that, I’m about tapped out. And by tapped out, I mean I don’t want to be in it, I don’t want to be cold, and I don’t want to drive in it.

If teleporting would just hurry up and get invented already, I’d be set. ; )

Growing up, we had really cold and really snowy winters in Montana. That typical, traditional White Christmas weather. And as a kid, it was freakin’ awesome. Because as a kid, you don’t have to worry about the responsibilities of cold weather. You don’t have to worry about dressing everyone in the family warmly, or paying for the heat, or making sure the car is going to run in the morning when its twenty below. All you care about is making snow angels and praying for a snow day so you don’t have to go to school. Believe me, I had no qualms about that! I remember times when the snow was drifted over our car garage doors, and once how my brother helped me make a tunnel through a huge snow drift in our back yard.

Today, even though I’m happy in my sunny Florida, it is still a little strange to my system having a seventy degree Christmas. This will be my fourth Christmas here, and I’ve decided that I will never quite adjust to a Christmas that doesn’t look like my first 21. And I also wonder how Monkey’s view of Christmas will be- since his first views of Christmas won’t be with snow.

What do you think? Do you need a White Christmas? Or do you prefer yours next to a palm tree?

Christmas Blog #8: Presents That Can’t Wait

 

My husband can’t wait until Christmas. Not to open his own presents, but to give presents. He also can’t keep secrets, but that’s another blog. ; )

December 2007 found me largely prego. I like to think of that time as one of the happiest times of my life- up to this point. : )

One night, while I was in the kitchen in my sweats and an oversized tee shirt to cover my baby bump, the hubs came in through the front door of our apartment in a rush. I could tell instantly that he had something up his sleeve, and I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I found out what it was.

Sure enough, he then asked me to go sit on the sofa. I did so. He then nervously got on a knee. I remember my breath catching a bit, but I tried not to read into it- he would often get on one knee when I was pregnant to put his head on my tummy.

But then he said it. That question that all us girls want to hear: “Will you marry me?” Actually, he started with, “I was supposed to wait until Christmas day, but I can’t…” I remember him looking up at me with those gorgeously hazel eyes, all expectant and hopeful, and just slightly tinged with uncertainty. As if he thought I would decline.

Obviously, we know the ended of this story. We got married and lived happily ever after! Well, mostly. : ) Life isn’t quite a fairy tale, is it? But ours is still very, very good. And every December, I remember the proposal, and the love that made me say yes.

Christmas Blog #7: Cookies

The Monkey and I woke up early this morning, so we decided to get our grocery shopping done early. I’m bizarre because I actually really enjoy going grocery shopping. I don’t know why. I think there’s some weirdly domestic part of me that gets a kick out of shopping with my kid in the cart. Either way, I always look forward to shopping every Saturday with Monkey.

We found oodles of deals today, too! Which is always great. Once in a blue moon the store seems to put everything you need on sale. Then it feels like its meant to be. : )

Our afternoon plan was to bake cookies- after naptime, of course. Since Monkey is almost two, he’s more and more interactive, and always wants to help, so I thought cookie decorating would be fun. And I *promised* myself that I wouldn’t flip out over the mess that would be made. : )

We had a blast! We made sugar and gingerbread cookies. I cut them out with our little cookie cutters, and then Monkey sprinkled them. He had a great time taking his sprinkle job very seriously, and was very upset when I said it was time to stop so we could put the cookies in the oven to bake. Oops!

Still, they turned out great. We are a good team- aside from the temper tantrums! It was a great way to spend a Christmassy afternoon.

Christmas Blog #6: Charlie Brown

 

Haven’t we all had a time where we’ve felt like Charlie Brown? Where we get rocks instead of candy for Halloween, picked the most shriveled Christmas tree, and never gets invited to parties (all metaphorically speaking, of course)? I think that’s why we all have a soft spot for him. We understand.

I love how Charlie Brown picks that sad little tree. How he wants to give it love, just like we all need. I personally think all Christmas trees are beautiful. I really do. Put twinkle lights on anything and I’m sold. : )

Monkey is still a bit young to really focus on anything on TV- unless its Blue’s Clues. ; ) But I hope someday we can have a tradition of watching Charlie Brown, and all of his holiday specials.

Whew…Real Moment

Boy, this whole month of holiday themed writing is already getting to me.

Probably not a good sign. But, I’m a woman who sticks to her guns. Which is another way of saying, I’M STUBBORN.

Shocker.

Anyway…TGIF, my dear readers! Thank goodness and God indeed. This week was insanity in my world. The hubs has a big golf tournament going on, its the end of the month work for us accounting people (joy), PLUS our resort is getting a new management company, and this of all weeks they decided needed to be orientation week. Sigh. Oh, and did I mention the BFF getting her tonsils removed? Yeah. Talk about crazy.

Needless to say, the weekend plans are very minimal. I hope. I’d like to make some cookies with the Monkey- I think he’d like decorating them. That could be another project like my Christmas blogging that drowns me, but…we’ll see. I’ll keep you posted- and I know you’ll all be breathless with anticipation! : )

Happy weekend, all!

Christmas Blog #5: Shopping

 

  It was a tradition I don’t remember the beginning of. One night before Christmas, my father and I would go Christmas shopping for my mom and the rest of the family, just him and me. We would first go have dinner, usually at the Chinese restaurant in town that we both loved, and then off to the mall.

  I know I’ve mentioned this before, but its something from my childhood that I cherish so much, that I have to write about it again.

  When I was little, I remember going to school and playing it off that “oh, I have to go shopping with my dad tonight…” but deep down, I knew that I was giddy. I loved my daddy, and I loved that one night that we bonded over Chinese food and shopping for our loved ones. I loved having that one on one time with him, where I was the one holding his attention, making him laugh, and hopefully making him love me even more. I know it sounds a little desperate; but always, deep down, I wanted my father’s respect and approval. He was a good man, and I just wanted to do good by him, even at a young age.

  After a successful night of shopping, we would somehow manage to sneak all our finds into the house, where I would stash them in my room, and eventually I would then wrap them all lovingly. We were a good team. And I knew that someday, I would want and have a husband just like my father, who bought pretty things for my mama out of love for her.

  This will be the fourth Christmas that I won’t spend with my parents. They live in Montana, while I’m in Florida. While it was my own choice to move so far away, and I can’t say I regret it because its brought me many good things in my life, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss my parents. And the holiday season only intensifies that twinge of sadness. The only comfort I have is that they know I am happy, safe, and living my life the way I want. As a parent now myself, I know that there is nothing more you can ask of your child. : )

  And the best part? I still have those awesome memories of Daddy and I, shopping, laughing, and eating fortune cookies.

 

** This entry is dedicated to my Daddy. Merry Christmas, Daddy- I love you, always. **

Christmas Blog #4: Joseph, the Carpenter

 

If there was ever one place I was completely comfortable in high school, it was in Youth Group at church. I had such an amazing support system, mostly with the friends that I had made through confirmation. It was basically three guys and me. I loved them like brothers. Well, more like friends of a brother, since I had crushes on all of them at some point. ; )

Every Christmas, the high school youth would conduct a service for the whole congregation. We usually ended up doing some sort of play/skit type of thing, complete with readings, songs, and reenactments of the traditional first Christmas scene.

One Christmas in particular called for a large speaking role from Joseph. Every scene began the same way, with Joseph going to the tax collector’s to register. Our leaders decided that it would be best for someone with a good, loud-projecting voice to play the part of Joseph, and they asked for volunteers. Only one hand went up.

Mine.

What? You think my acting abilities aren’t good enough to play a carpenter that just happened to raise the baby Jesus here on Earth? Please. ; )

Actually, I do think there were some people (Pastor?) who at first had a slight issue with it. But the Sunday after Christmas, when we performed, I don’t think anyone could deny that I was the best- and probably loudest- Joseph they had ever seen. Our congregation was an older one, and all the foggies loved me in my carpenter overalls with my long hair tucked into a cap. But they mostly liked me because they could hear every word I said.

I still look back on that and can’t help but smile. When I was little, I was so incredibly shy. I clung to my mother and never wanted to talk to anyone I didn’t know.

I’ve come a long way, baby. : )

Christmas Blog #3: Grinch

It was tradition, as many things are at Christmastime.

Every holiday season, my mom and I would watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. It had always been her favorite, and so by default, it was mine as well. We would laugh at Max, with that poor antler tied to his head, and sing the song in our “best” deep voices, and oooh and little Cindy-Lou Who, who was so tiny and cute.

When the live action version came out, with Jim Carrey, we saw it, but it wasn’t the same. Of course. Nothing compares to the OG, right?

When it comes on now, I still watch it. And I still laugh, and sing along, and think Cindy-Lou is adorable. But its not the same without my Mama.

This one’s for you, Ma. Merry Christmas. xoxo

Christmas Blog #2: Santa

I was afraid of Santa. I was in awe of him, I think, but I was also afraid of him. We only have two pictures of me and Santa from when I was a kid. I’m not sure if I somehow knew that the guy in the department store wasn’t the real Santa, or what. I honestly don’t even remember when I stopped believing.

I only remember one time that I was totally jacked about Santa. I was maybe six, and it was Christmas Eve. I woke up in the middle of the night (or at least, that is what I thought), to a quiet, dark house. I suddenly heard from the living room the sound of a coaster clicking on the table, where I had oh-so-carefully placed Santa’s milk and cookies. I was, at that moment, convinced.

I’m not sure what happened later on to make me change my mind. But a part of me is a little sad for that six year old I once was, for losing that magic. I just don’t know where it goes.

Christmas Blog #1: White Christmas

Well, here we go. 25 days of Christmas-themed blogs. Are we ready?

My first Christmas with my hubby was before we were married. I was about 8.5 months pregnant. I know, scandalous. We lived in a little apartment then, cozy but nice. For that point of my life, I was happier than I ever had been.

One evening before Christmas, Hubby put on “White Christmas”. I’d never seen it; in fact, I thought it was only a song. I’m thankful for a hubby that is man enough to love musicals.

That said, “White Christmas” is definitely one of those sappy, feel good musicals. It really takes you back to simpler, more romantic times. Its got great music, good dancing, and some funny lines as well. And Bing Cosby’s voice is incredible. Not to mention Rosemary Clooney.

More important, it is now a tradition. Its part of our family life. It is something that the hubby and I will have to share and be “ours” forever.

And I love that.

 

A Happy Sunday

Today was a nice day. A typical, relaxing Sunday.

Monkey and I went to Target early in the morning, and got a few things. We needed a few last touches for our Christmas lights and decor; I also got a blender. : )

After Monkey had his nap, we took a good long walk around the neighborhood. We hadn’t in awhile, and it was nice to get out again. It was a perfect day- clear blue skies filled with sunshine, and a warm 70 degrees. Monkey seemed newly aware of things- tree leaves on the ground, pinecones (he picked one up and had me carry it around), and when to hold my hand to cross the street. He seems to get smarter everyday- its simply amazing.

After that, we came back and had a little crafty time. We made coffee filter snowflakes! Monkey seemed quite impressed with my creative genius as I cut out shapes and hung them in our big window that faces the back yard. ; ) We also listened to Christmas music, to which Monkey would shake his head furiously when I sang along. Huh.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!!!

Tidbit

This morning, Monkey woke up just before 6. That’s usual. What was unusual was that he didn’t want to run around and play immediately. He wanted to cuddle.

His new thing that he’s picked up from me is “rock-a-bye'”. He has a glider chair in his room for us to rock him in on those few rough nights. And I always say, “Do you want to rock-a-bye?” So apparently he’s caught on. This morning, after I changed him, he pointed to the chair and said, “Bye? Bye?” So we rock-a-byed for a bit.

It was so wonderful. Its so good to have those few moments when a kid wants nothing in the world but you. Its magical and makes you feel like you are the most important person in the universe.

After a bit, he sat up and began to tickle my face with his little fingers (well, I had slowly begun to doze off! Rock-a-bye works on moms, too!). But those five minutes of quiet and just the feel of our hearts beating together were priceless.

Balmy

 

It is a chilly 48 degrees this morning in Orlando, FL. I know that doesn’t sound very chilly- my home town takes that as a nice high for the day this time of year. But to us, who are accustomed to spending the summer sweating our tushies off, it is definitely a bit nippy.

I gotta say, I do like it. As long as it doesn’t get any colder. ; ) But especially this time of year, its tough to celebrate Christmas when Santa is wearing a Hawaiian print shirt and flip flops. It just doesn’t have the same vibe for some reason…

Christmastime now is a LOT different from when I was a kid. Even back in MT, its just not as snowy/cold as it once was. I guess because of climate change, El Nino, whatever. I don’t keep track of what all we have done to screw that up! At any rate, its different.

The hubs and I watch football, a lot, obviously. Recently, he commented on how all the teams were so into wearing their old throwback jerseys- the ones from the 80s, 70s, and beyond. And he wondered why. I thought it was pretty simple: things were seemingly better then. Maybe we didn’t think so at the time, but they were. They were simpler in so many ways. We actually paid attention to one another. We didn’t use, say, Internet blogs to keep tabs on one another (not to dog this addiction of mine!!). I think we just miss what  used to be. We’ve gone too far; we didn’t know when to leave well enough alone. And we should have.

I’m not quite sure I got from the weather to throwback football jerseys…that might be a new record for world’s most random blog stretch. HA. I guess that’s what happens when you just let the thoughts type themselves out. Sometimes its good to do, even though you feel like you’re on something when you go back to read it.

Just like this entry. :  )

Black….Friday?

 

I do not shop on this day. It scares me. The people willing to get up at 4 am for a deal on a TV boggle me. I’ve never wanted anything that bad. Honestly.

However, I know there are some good deals out there. I understand that concept. I really am a shopping fan. Really. But I’m also a fan of sleep.

“Lucky” for me, my fate has previously been decided. I am working today. : ) Yippee! Oh, hopefully it won’t be so bad. And really hopefully, it will fly on by with out any pain at all. We’ll see.

Meanwhile….how was Thanksgiving for everyone? Ours was delightful. The Monkey has spent Thanksgiving Eve night at his grandma and grandpa’s, which is where we had dinner on Thanksgiving day. So he got a little much needed spoiling in. : ) I spent the morning alone (!), getting my PUMPKIN TIRAMISU ready. It turned out lovely, it was a hit. Yay! I also watched the parade, a bit of Home Alone, and listened to a little Christmas music. Hey, I told you I was in the spirit already. : )

Dinner was traditionally delightful. Turkey, stuffing, corn, potatoes. Now that I think of it, there were no cranberries. But that’s okay….there was plenty!!! And there are plenty of leftovers, too.

So that’s that. Now Thanksgiving’s over, and its totally acceptable to be a Christmas freak now. Yippee!!! This month is going to be sooo busy. So. Busy. I am still going to try to do my 25 days of Christmas blogs, however….I may be getting in over my head. We’ll see.

OH, ironically, I forgot my other exciting news. I am typing this on my NEW LAPTOP. Yeah, baby. Its so beautiful. I am kind of slightly obsessed with it. And, I gotta say, what I’ve messed with so far, I’m lovin’ Windows 7.

So, that’s that. At least now I have a way of blogging wherever I happen to be. I’ve always wanted to be one of those techies sitting in the Internet cafes. Now I can be! In….my…..spare….time. Sure. ; )

Happy Black Friday, readers……..if you are shopping today, be safe! Wear a helmet, maybe…….just in case? No?

The Thankful List

1. Family. Mom, Dad, the Hubby, Monkey,
the in-laws, the out-laws (haha), the BFF (who is really
just a sister born to another mother), aunts, uncles,
grandmas, grandpas, here and gone.

2. A job. I don't enjoy mine,
and I complain about it way more than I
know I have the liberty to. I know that is just
a slap in the face to many. I am grateful for it.

3. Blogging.

4. For Florida giving me a day that at least
LOOKS like my childhood Thanksgivings-
damp and dreary, but warm inside.

5. Fun socks.

6. Music.

7. Moments that remind me- and the hubs- that we
aren't just parents, that we're still people, and
that we're still in love.

8. Coffee. God Bless Coffee.

9. Health.

10. Dreams.

11. Flowers.

12. Hope.

13. Friends. The real, always there, knowing when something's
wrong by the look in your eye friends.

14. Dessert. Eh, food in general.

15. This early morning that I have all to myself. I hardly
even know what to do with it. : )

16. For who I am. I'm quirky, flighty, bigger than I should be,
funny, at times loud, at times quiet, sleepy, bubbly, crabby, smart,
ditzy, cute, funny looking, bright eyed. I drive myself nuts,
but love myself too.

17. The past.

18. The future.

19. Chocolate.

20. The world, and the hope of exploring it fully.


Happy Thanksgiving, readers. : ) : )

Out of Time!

Do you ever feel like you're behind even when you're really ahead? As if you need to hurry up and wait? That's kind of how I feel about the rest of the year. I have so much going on this next month or so, so much to do and get ready for and think about and be on time for. Thanksgiving, a Christmas party, a cocktail party for the hubby's work, packing for our Christmas trip to California, the actual trip itself, then home and work and my birthday (MY BIRTHDAY, BABY!), THEN my parents and grandma are visiting for the Monkey's birthday....good grief.

Its all a lot of wonderfulness, but I feel like my head is already spinning. Let's hope I can pull it all off. AND keep up with this blog, as well. Because I've already decided to do my 25 days of Christmas blog project.

I am woman, hear me blog!! : )

Just a Short Funny

Tonight, the hubby was setting up for dinner. He took two of our smaller plates out, and I said "May I please have a big plate so my food won't touch?"



His answer was looking at me as if I'd grown a horn out of my forehead. Then, slowly, turned back to the cabinet and got two big plates out instead.



What?

: )

A Magical Time

Last night, we went to the Disney-Hollywood Studios, for a little early Christmas cheer. It has become tradition to go and see the Dancing Lights on the Streets of America. They are incredible, and just magical and beautiful enough to make me teary eyed. I know, what DOESN'T make me teary eyed?? Seriously.



I was really eager for the Monkey to see them again this year. Last year he wasn't quite a year old yet, so he was still kind of....oblivious, I guess you could say. : ) But this year he's almost two, and he loves lights and music, so I thought this would be like a dream come true for him. Right???



Wellllll...kind of. He actually was a bit bratty. I think because we wouldn't let him run wild. We either held on to him, or kept him in his stroller. I could just see him running off to unplug all the lights...although that would make for a hilarious blog story. But...I digress. He didn't really get into it until Carol of the Bells by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra came on. Then he was hooked. He clapped, he bobbed his head, he was transfixed on watching the lights, and was completely in awe of the "snow" that fell. Success. : )




We also rode Star Tours, got pictures with Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story, and feasted on delicious Disney fast food (what??). The Monkey also got some treats: A new tee shirt, a stuffed Lightening McQueen, and a Mickey Pirate cup.

Its always kind of surreal going back to that park as a guest. It was where I worked when I was on the Disney College Program, and whenever I'm wandering through one of the stores I worked at, its just...a little errie. Last night, right before we left the park, the hubs and I hugged. We were standing right by Oscar's, where they rent the strollers and wheelchairs- another place I worked. It was strange to think that 5 years ago I was standing there as a dim-witted 20 year old, making eyes at someone who wouldn't end up being part of my future, no matter how badly I wanted him to be at that point in time.

Funny how life just seems to work out when you just sit back and let it do its thing.

Ohana

Yesterday, we went and got our family pictures taken.

This is probably my favorite of the Monkey:

I gotta say, I get a little stressed for pics. I run around the house like
a madwoman beforehand, while the hubby watches me with a
puzzled and slightly worried look on his face. I just want
everything to be perfect. And I don't want to forget
to suck my tummy in.

Still, they turned out pretty cute, for the most part! : )

And this little outtake was priceless...

...the poor photographer kept saying, "Can you SIT on the box??"
and all Monkey wanted to do was jump off of it. Oops.

All in all, it was a successful day. Now I can finish up my Christmas cards!! : )

Party Doll

Back in my wild child party days (circa 2005-2006ish), I met a girl that I worked with at a credit union. She was beautiful, one of those beachy looking hippy-Buddist types. Everything I wasn't, but for some reason we hit it off famously. We soon became attached at the hip. We did everything together. Our favorite things to do- aside from going out- was shop at Ross and go eat Chinese food.

It's kind of a long story, our falling out. One night, we were out as per usual our weekend routine, drinking and dancing and having a good ol' time. Kelly, my BFF, was holding onto this girl's phone- we'll call her D- since she didn't have any pockets. At closing time, I drove Kelly home, where she told me that D was getting text messages from a guy I had been seeing. Questionable texts. Texts that made her phone ring the song "Dirty Little Secret" from All-American Rejects. I'm not making this up. I wish I was.

Turns out, they had been..."seeing" each other behind my back. I'd never been that decieved by...anyone, ever, in my life. To this day, she takes the cake. Even now, years later, I have nightmares with her in them. I know it sounds pretty pathetic of me, to let someone affect me so. But this girl was someone that I thought was going to be a friend for life. So what if we were so different? Why was that so bad?

Soon after that, I moved to Florida. We hadn't spoken since. Then, yesterday, I got a message from her on Facebook. Funny how Facebook can bring back the past in an instant. I'm still not sure if that's a good or bad thing. She apologized. She said that she knew she was wrong, she knew she hurt me, and she hated that. She said all the things she needed to say to me three years ago.

What's a girl to do? I wrote back, accepting her apology. I told her that it wasn't HIM that was the problem- he was trash, and I quite honestly do not know why I was so hung up on him in the first place. But it was the fact that SHE betrayed me. She ruined a friendship that was important to me. She made me feel disposable. I said all the things I needed to say to her three years ago. It felt right. It felt good. I felt lighter and better and satisfied. The fact is, we are both different people now. We are both out of the party phase. While I don't regret a moment of it- I really do think its something I needed to go through, something to get out of my system in order to be a better person, wife, mother- I do think it should only be a phase. We're both married and are mothers. She's going to college. We've grown up. And, thankfully, we've both moved on from that useless boy. : )

I doubt things will ever be back the way they once were between us. Between the fact that we live so far away and things are just so different now, I don't see it happening. But...I'm not opposed to being friendly. My heart is smart enough to know when to accept an apology, even if it was a long time coming.

Maybe that was a lesson for both of us to learn.

Don't Lie...You Want To Know!

A little quiz time..............


1.What is your current obsession ?
The song "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga, and caramel apple spices from Starbucks.


2. What are you wearing today?
jeans and a dark teal top- and flip flops, of course


3. What’s for dinner?
Mac n cheese and hot dogs- classy!


4. What’s the last thing you bought?
breakfast this AM with the Monkey and the ladies


5. What are you listening to right now?
college football that the hubby is watching


6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
I wasn't tagged...I nabbed this from Nicole @ You Had Me At Hello, and she's a doll! : )


7. If you could have a house, totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Hmmmm.......Barbados, probably.


8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?

Flip flops....actually, that's all year 'round. Same thing with big sunglasses.


9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Montana- to see my mama and daddy.



10. Which language do you want to learn?

Italian


11. What’s your favorite quote?

Wayyyy too many for me to pick a favorite, but this one has been running through my head recently:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou



12. Who do you want to meet right now?

Right now? No one...I'm in my sweat pants. I'd make a horrible first impression.


13. What is your favorite colour?

Depends on the day. Anything happy. Red, yellow, blue, and pink are the usuals in rotation.



14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?

My party dress...its teal and makes me look HOT. ; )



15. What is your dream job?

Florist, novelist, and best mom ever



16. What’s your favorite magazine?
Real Simple


17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?

Christmas presents...or towards my new computer. : )


18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?

Many, many things. Skinny jeans for example. I'm sorry, they are just ridiculous.


19. Who according to you is the most over-rated style icon?

Paris Hilton. Really?


20. What kind of haircut do you prefer?

I really like short, pixie cuts...I wish I had better facial definition for them. I need long hair again.



21. What are you going to do after this?

Go shower and get ready for bed. : )


22. What are your favorite movies?

Beaches, When Harry Met Sally, Face/Off, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dirty Dancing, Double Jeopardy, My Best Friend's Wedding........etc. etc.......


23. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?

Mascara; deodorant (I hope we all list this!); chapstick


24. What inspires you ?

Blue skies, cloudy days, blank sheets of paper, new pens, a great song, dreams, the beach, a star filled sky, my family, laughter, glitter, jewelry, books, my friends, memories, fears, hope, fresh fallen snow, just baked cookies, new clothes................yeah, everything.



25. Give us three styling tips that always work for you?

Moisturize. ; ) And if you feel good, you look good. That's all I got.



26. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?

I hate this! I throw clothes on the floor and have a slight hissy fit. Seriously.



27. Coffee or tea?

Coffee! But I do like tea as well.



28. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?

Cry...watch sad movies, sometimes. Eat. Call my mother. Sometimes blog, but I gotta cry first- weird, right?



29. What is the meaning of your name?

Savannah: treeless grassland.


30. Which other blogs do you love visiting?

Dude, I follow over 60. There's too many good ones. Too many amazing people blogging in the world. Oh, that's also inspiring- add that to #24.


31. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?

Anything chocolate.


32. Favorite Season?

Fall!!!!



33. If I come to your house now, what would you cook for me?

If you clean up! ; ) I like to cook, but I sure do make a mess!



34. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you?

Punch them. HA- kidding. You gotta figure out who is good for you and who isn't- anyone who doesn't treat you right, doesn't deserve you, your love, or your friendship.
That said....I have to lecture myself like that all the time. Its tough.



35. How do you calm yourself down when you are agitated or angry?

Woo-sah. : ) Seriously, I take deep breaths, listen to Jimmy Buffett- sometimes I need to cry to get it out.




36.Who is the modern ideal girl: The one who knows how to shop, dress and enjoy, or the one who is simple but manages the house, kids and herself well?

Um....I am woman, hear me do BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )

Something Gross

Don't ask why I feel the need to write about this. I really have no idea. I'll try to be as undetailed as possible.

I do not like sickness. The upchuck kind. I mean, who does? There is nothing good about it, other than the fact that you almost always feel better once its done. I always worried about when I became a mother, and if- no when- my child would get sick, how I would react. If any of you have seen the movie version of The Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, remember that part where all the kids are sick, and Vivi just basically loses her mind? I've always been afraid that I would freak out like that. And yes, I realize I'm a little delusional and paranoid.

This morning, I woke up to the Monkey screaming. Not crying, not jabbering like he usually does when he wakes up, screaming. I dashed into his room and was welcomed by the scent of yuck. Poor Monkey had gotten sick, and of course it scared him half to death. I picked him up and he clung to me, covering me in the yuck.

I went into high-speed mommy mode. I striped him down and got him in the shower, cleaned him up, dried him off and got him in clean clothes. He was shaking the whole time, poor thing. Then I stripped his bedding and got it in the wash. I didn't think for one second how gross it was (well, okay, I did think it was gross, but not enough to distract me), or how horribly inconvenient it was that the Monkey had to get sick at a quarter to five in the morning. I didn't care. I just took care of it. Even when the hubby came in (he had to be at work EARLY this morning and was already awake) and saw the side of my face that Monkey had cuddled and gotten, um, yucky, I didn't flinch.

I'm not bragging. I'm not saying I'm Mother of the Year or anything like that. I'm saying that for a girl that doesn't like anything related to bodily fluids- I cringe whenever we watch CSI, and I can't even handle paper cuts- I can still take care of my kiddo in the midst of crisis. That makes me a little proud. And very thankful. The Monkey has gotten me to grow up in ways I probably never would have otherwise.

Thanks, Monkey Man.

When Life Gives You...

Today, I stopped at a store for something. When I came back to my car, I noticed that someone had spit their gum out onto my car door. I know- so gross. Not to mention rude. I manage to get it flicked off without any harm, and went along my way. It bothered me until I got to my next stop, the grocery store. As I was walking closer to the front door, I heard that first sign of the holiday season: a bell ringing, and a man standing next to a red bucket. And then I knew that, however strange, me giving a dollar would make me feel better about the gum situation.

Isn't that just a little crazy? How sometimes the best way for us to feel better about something that has happened to us is to just open our hearts a little more? It doesn't seem like it would be a logical solution. But I did feel lighter on my feet. As if, even though there was some jerk out in the world spitting gum onto cars, I was still doing my part to make the world a bit brighter.

And that is what really matters. : )

Free Play Day!!

It doesn't happen often when you're an adult. A day that everything just seems to fall into place, and by place I mean completely out of your way so you can have a free day. It's like some sort of weird karma that you aren't sure you should trust, but can't help but just running with it.

This morning, I drove the Monkey to daycare. On my way back to go to work, my boss called. She said the power was out at work and to not come in. Turns out our transformer, that powers pretty much everything, blew up in the middle of the night, and it would take almost all day to get it fixed. Um, yeah. I can't lie- there was only about 1.9% of me saying "oh work is going to pile up and it's not going to get done!" The rest of me was saying "SWEEEEEEEEET!" I know. Mature.

So, the BFF (who conveniently works in the office next to me) and I took the day and used it wisely. We did what any other mature set of best friends would do.

We went to Disney World. : )

in line for The Haunted Mansion; ooooh, spooky!

It was the best day to go. It was cool, about 60, and cloudy; when we first got to Magic Kingdom it was misting a little bit. There weren't many people there. We walked right on to everything. For lunch we went over to Disney-Hollywood Studios and ate at Mama Melrose- yummy Italian food! And we rode Tower of Terror twice. Then we both went home and took naps!

The Tower of Terror looming in the distance

So maybe it wasn't a very productive day. But it was certainly fun, and a nice little escape from reality- if only for a day.

Rain

Tonight, it is raining. Finally.

For the past two days, we've suffered a useless cloudy sky. It did nothing but look gray and keep the sun hidden, although it at times looked heavy with rain. But not until about an hour ago did it do anything except hang over our heads.

This is slight whiplash from Ida, I suppose. A storm that, even though I'm in Florida, hasn't cause much of a fuss. I guess she (He? What's an Ida, anyway?)isn't strong enough to do too much...hopefully. No one wants a messy storm, that's for sure.

Isn't the sound of rain lovely? It so pretty, and soothing to my ears. It helps me sleep somehow. Perhaps because if its raining outside, we should all theoretically be inside warm and cozy. When the hubby and I lived in our old apartment, we'd hear the frogs come out and play in the giant pool of rain water that would form behind our building. Knowing that the frogs were out playing in the rain, having a grand time, was also strangely comforting.

How does the rain make you feel, readers?

Just a Random and Quick Ramble

I am up early this morning to scoot the boys out the door to work and school...and then I sat down in front of the computer and don't want to get up to get ready for work!! BIG mistake! : )

Anyway...am I the ONLY one who is ready for the holidays?? I am just completely jacked up for them. I am one of those people who loves Christmas. I love everything about it. I love giving presents (unless I don't know what to give, then its just stressful and I hate that), I love getting presents (what?), I love baby Jesus (He is my favorite of the Jesus'...hahaha), I love trees and lights and hot cocoa and candy canes and cheesy Christmas music and all of it. And I'm totally ready for it. But I feel like this may be a bit premature...it is only the middle of November. So I'm trying to refrain from bursting into holiday cheer.

But it's pretty difficult. : )

Anyway, I'm trying to think of something clever to do here for the holidays. Maybe showcasing one particular thing I love about Christmas each day? Hmm...it's a lofty goal, but I think it would be a fun one. A little 25 Days of Christmas, Puddles of Sunshine style? Interesting. Stay tuned.

Journal-crazy

I am what some may call a journal ho. I have tons of them from over the years. And once I fill one up, even though its possibly useless, I cannot bring myself to throwing it out. It's like tossing out a chapter of my life. So I have them tucked away in all sorts of nooks and crannies of my house. From time to time I read over them again, reminding myself of the path I took to get me where I am today.



This journal, however, is different. Instead of my own random scribbles, it is filled with quotes. Famous quotes, funny quotes, serious and thoughtful and sad and happy and hopeful quotes. I started it in high school, and even though it probably sounds a little crazy, filling it up was a little bit theraputic for me. There were times that I would feel the need to write, but couldn't think of anything good to write about, so I would write out quotes that I loved to get the creative juices flowing.



And taped on the inside cover:














That's right. Fortune cookie fortunes. Obsessive? Possibly. : ) Also, a picture of Marilyn Monroe- which I have yet to blog about, for fear that people will also think that is obsessive.

A few of my favorite quotes from my journal:

* It's not the fall, it's the sudden stop. ~ Bazooka Gum Wrapper

* Faith is like electricity. You can't see it, but you can see the light. ~ Anonymous

* Keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~ Anonymous

* Nothing in life is absolute...except vodka. ~ Mick Jagger

* Know what's wrong with always looking before you leap? You hardly ever make the jump. ~ Nora Roberts, Key of Light

* It's life, Sidda. You just climb on the beast and ride. ~ Vivi Abbott, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood


Enjoy!

It's been a week!

Sorry I've been MIA, readers.

This last week was CRAZY!!!! I hardly had time to think, let alone sleep, eat, or do anything fun (like, hello, BLOG!). Sometimes life is just like that, I guess. I promise that soon I will have more time to blog. ; )

Needless to say, since the week was so busy, that I am grateful for the weekend. And its been nice so far- the Monkey and I have been hanging out. He's colored some great pics with new crayons and paints that his Grandma Montana (my mama) sent him. He's eaten about ten pounds of Cherrios (not really- but he's seriously in love with them all of the sudden!). He's woken up at the butt crack of dawn. We've read his Elmo's Twelve Days of Christmas book about a dozen times (most annoying book ever, by the way).

As for me.......Grandma Montana sent me a little something as well. It's Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, and it has totally inspired me. Last night I made tacos with pureed veggies in the taco meat...the hubs had no idea until after dinner when I told him. Ha! Success! And they were deceptively delicious. If you have issues with eating veggies like this family does, I would recommend picking up a copy. I haven't made much out of the book yet, but everything sounds yummy and I have high hopes for it. I'll keep you all posted!! My cooking adventures are always blog worthy (ha!).

Hope ya'll have a great weekend as well!!