A Spot of T

18 Bottles of Booze on the Wall...18 Bottles of....

 

....take one down pass it around 17 bottles of booze on the wallllllllll!

It was our son's 18th birthday yesterday.  Michael turned 18.  Good grief.  I look at that strapping young man and can't believe it.  6 feet and solid...well ok not exactly solid muscle....but he's a strapping guy like his father and solid as a horse like his father.  I can't believe he's 18.  Still as sweet natured as anything and can still make his mother laugh in a heartbeat.  Man that kid has a quick wit and a great sense of humor.  I'd put an adorable baby picture of him on here but my sweet natured young man would say "Awwww MOM!".  Oh.  And the 18 bottles of booze on the counter in the above picture?  His 18th birthday present from his oldest sister Kelsey.  Why I never!

I hope everyone has been having a great break over the Christmas holidays.  I've had very little computer time and....I haven't missed it much.  I know that makes me somehow a horrible person and I definitely wonder how my blog friends are doing, I really do, but the break has been great.  I'm actually excited to get on here in the next couple of days to catch up on everyone's blogs.  My luck EVERYONE will have been taking a break and I will have no reading material whatsoever.  Humph!  But this was like a mini vacay.  Plus Gregg is still home which means I just don't get on here much when he's home.  And still to this day, I can't figure out why??  It's not like he says anything when I'm on here, but when he's home I just don't go on here as much.  What a strange duck I am.

We kept going back and forth on our decision to drive all the way to Armstrong, BC for New Years.  If it wouldn't have been Michael's 18th birthday yesterday we probably would have maybe possibly gone.  Maybe.  Possibly.  It's so far though and we would have needed to be on our way yesterday.  But 18.  You can't get that one back and today I sit here happy and content we didn't miss our son's birthday.  There will be a million more New Year's parties but you only turn 18 once.  "Where do you want to go for your 18th birthday Michael.  Name it."  "I want to go to the Casino."  gulp  18 bottles of booze on the counter and our son wants to hit the casino his 18th year on this earth.  Don't look at me like that. "I" didn't raise him like that.  It must be his father's gene pool.

But we did go to the Casino with him and a friend of his.  We dropped Samantha off at Kelsey's and Kelsey stayed with her while Gregg and I went with Michael and his friend to the Casino.  See?  We didn't leave the little one sitting out in the vehicle.  We aren't total animals after all.  We weren't in there an hour and I lost $40 on the slot machines, Gregg lost $60 at cards, Michael's friend lost $20 on the slots and Michael lost $20 between playing cards and the slots.  He's more of a card man like his father I can see.  So we left in under an hour and met Kelsey and Samantha for supper. 

Not sure what Gregg and I will do with ourselves tonight.  Michael is having his big Birthday/New Year's party here at the house so we don't want to be here, thankfully Michael says.  We'll probably go out for supper, although if I look at another morsel of food I swear I'm going to explode!  Oh man the food I have enhaled this Christmas.  Very very naughty.  Maybe a movie after supper and then...well that's about it so far.  After that who knows.  We told Michael we'd be back by 2:00pm tomorrow so he has that amount of time to get the house back in order.  But it's Michael so I have a feeling I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.  Kelsey is having friends over to her apartment and then heading out for her own New Year's thing and Samantha....is most likely going to be here at the house tonight for Michael's party.  That's what happens when you and your brother are so close in age.  You share the same friends, you go out with someone who is in your brother's grade but is closer in age to you then your brother.

See we were one of those parents who didn't put Michael in school until he was 'older'.  Being a December baby we could have sent him to school early and he would have been one of the younger kids in the class, or we could have done what we did and sent him a year later so he was one of the older children in the class.  A decision I researched for months on and a decision we've never regretted.  Although now he can buy booze for all his underage friends and....well we won't get into that.  But then because we had our kids so close in age, a lot of Michael's friends are closer in age to Samantha than Michael.  Oh what a twisted web we weave.  Or something like that.  Thank goodness my kids are close or this could have caused all sorts of problems.  But what it comes down to is.....the kids have a life and have plans to bring in the New Year.  Gregg and I?  Have no friends and have no set plans to bring in the New Year because we were seriously considering going to Armstrong.  Ok ok we have friends.  But it's much too late to phone or plan anything now.

Plus Gregg hasn't been feeling good the last couple of days and I 'think' he has what I had right before Christmas.  Not sick as in a cold or even the flu, or maybe it is the flu who knows, but incredibly tired and headaches.  It was the weirdest thing but I didn't give it much thought because I was trying to put on Christmas Eve supper and get ready for Christmas.  I upped my vitamins and of course started taking my oscillo and I seemed to be fine and shook it off very quickly.  Gregg is much more stubborn and has been 'waiting it out'.  Sleeping a ton and getting sicker by the minute....but waiting it out.  Normally he would take cloves and cloves of garlic if he were getting a cold or flu but this is so different.  You're not sure what to take for it.  Hopefully he'll bounce back as quickly as I did and HOPEFULLY the kids don't get it.  Although with the kids.....they listen to me when I say "Here.  Take this."

Here's hoping your New Year's is grand and the coming year brings you everything you could hope for.  From the T Family to you....Happy New Year everyone!

Another Year Older...and Such

First and foremost a huge thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday.  Wow! It's enough to make the hard shell of a grumpy old gal soften into a big puddle of goo.  I really do appreciate it.  It was great sneaking on here very late last night and reading all the Happy Birthday's.  My son kept asking me if I felt any older yesterday.  The answer was always the same.  Not one bit.  Although all the food I hate during the holiday certainly has me feeling something.  Oiy!  Oh and Elleoz?  I'm a Capricorn, not a Sagittarius.  Can you tell I'm a big fan of the 'signs'.  If you click on the two signs you will see how very different each are.  But!  If I were ever to switch astrological signs, I am absolutely positive Sagittarius is where I would want to be.

I hope everyone had a great holiday.  Some are still not back to work and others started back yesterday or even Boxing Day.  Like my oldest daughter.  For the first time ever I ventured out on Boxing Day.  I drove all the way downtown, got a fantastic parking spot and I was in a store for exactly 15 minutes and then left.  The store?  Is the shoe store my oldest daughter works at part-time which meant I received extra special royalty treatment....which was nIII-iiice.  She even slapped my hand a couple of times.  See I'm used to going to a store, picking the shoe boxes out, unwrapping the shoes and doing everything myself.  Not in this store.  The girls are there to help the customer and we just sit back and enjoy the pampering a bit.  Ya.  I still can't get used to that.  "Mom?  Stop putting the shoes back, I can do it."  "Mom?  I mean it, stop picking up."  What I did pick up were two pairs of shoes and two purses though.  Actually three purses because my youngest daughter didn't care for a sweater I bought her from a craft sale I went to and my oldest scooped it up when she saw the look on Samantha's face.  So I wanted to get my youngest a purse to make up for the sweater....which I still think would look great on her if she only gave it a chance.  Little butthead.

But I was in the shoe store the minute it opened and out in like 15 minutes.  The crowds were getting too much even by that time so I left and went home.  I never need anything that bad to venture out on Boxing Day but I did try it this year and I'm glad I did....if only for 15 minutes.

So now we look forward to New Years.  Gregg and I are still debating on whether we're going to travel out of town to go to a New Year's party.  Armstrong, BC out of town so it's not just a hop, skip and a jump away.  It seems so ridiculous to travel all that way just to ring in the New Year, but what else are we doing.  Not a darn thing that's what.  So we'll see.  Maybe that age thing is actually catching up to me after all.  Either that, or our son Michael turns the big 18 on December 30th and we have the guilt of parents hanging over our head for maybe not being here for such a big event.  Michael says it would be a great birthday present if we weren't here.  We know he's planning a Birthday/New Year's party on the 31st so it's no secret.  But still.  "Hell ya, go out of town mom and dad.  I mean.  I'll miss you and everything, but you should go.  Do it for yourselves.  YOU?  Deserve it."  Little 'almost' 18 year old butthead.

Speaking of New Year's, I'm debating on whether or not to make any New Year's resolutions this year.  I never sit down and make an impossible list of things to change but I do like to pick one or two things and work on them throughout the year.  Last year?  Well last year I picked blogging.  I know right?  Blogging.  Who picks blogging to put on their New Year's list?  But I did and the story of why is too long to put on here today.  I will say though that I'm glad I stuck with it.  For someone like me who is known for being a vault (never saying anything about themselves or ever opening up to anyone) this has been an adventure I never thought would continue past the first two months.  I am hoping to make some changes to my blog in the coming year though and if I can figure out how to do it, I'm really looking forward to those changes.  I think one year of listening to Joy go on an on about her incredibly boring life is enough.  Time to focus on something else.  I can't help it.  Blame it on being a Capricorn.

I'm also thinking of adding 'listening more' to my list.  I really try and make an effort to listen to people, but I find I've gotten into a bad habit of interrupting or just plain zoning out.  I know right?  Not nice.  So I'm going to make more of a conscious effort of listening and focusing on the people who are talking to me.

I remember working with a guy one time and he had this incredible habit of focusing on no one but the person who was talking to him.  It didn't matter if there were twenty other people in the room and everyone was vyying for his attention, if he was talking to you, he was focused strictly on you.  No turning of the head to see if there was someone more interesting in the room, no looking elsewhere.  He would focus on you and no one else.  And do you know what I heard the most about that man?  How considerate he was, how important he made you feel, how he gave his time to you.....it went on and on.  He was a very successful business man but I think that kind of caring is something everyone could learn to do.  So I'm going to really try hard on that one.  And since I'm a huge creature of habit, it should take me about a year to get it right.

Happy Birthday....To Me

That's right.  Today is my birthday.  44 years ago today the earth tilted and the world's never been the same since...or that's what they tell me my father used to say anyway.  My mother had another name picked out for me but my father entered the room after I was born, took one look at me and said "Only the name 'Joy' will do for that little girl."  It wasn't a common name at all back then...that they knew anyhow...so it didn't seem right to my mother.

My father passed away many many years ago now and because of circumstances, I can't say I even remember him.  I only know the story because it's a story my mother used to tell me often when I was growing up.  And even though she would also remind me how much she hated my name and how my sick alcoholic father was the one who picked it out.....I wear my name with pride, as different as it is and all.  It did set a precedent though.  I heard these words over and over again growing up......"Why can't you be like all the 'normal' kids Joy?  Why do you have to be so 'different'?"

Now of course I thought I was normal and certainly didn't think I was different, but I always did make an extra effort to walk slightly outside the circle everyone else tries so desperately to fit into.  I never liked that circle everyone else rode in.  I still don't.  I blame it on my father.

It's been a helluva a ride but I can honestly say my 40's have truly been the best time in my life so far.  How can I not look forward to wanting more birthdays when they're this great.

So whereas most women cringe at the thought of another birthday and will take their age to their grave?  I will continue to walk slightly outside the circle of the norm and enjoy my birthday and shout my age loud and proud for all the world to hear.

Today's my birthday...and today I turn 44!

Tis The Night Before Christmas....

and all through the T home....well I'm not sure what's going on because I'm writing this at 1:54am on December 23rd.  Why am I writing this at 1:54am on December23rd?  Because we have Gregg's family over on Christmas Eve and the day is filled with me cleaning up last minute things, cooking, cleaning up last minute things, drinking Bailey's, cooking, cleaning up last minute things....and cooking....and drinking Bailey's.  So I'm kind of busy and because I've been putting Christmas Eve on for a few years now, I already know there will be no time to do this thing called blogging.  So I'm doing it now.  At 1:57am on December 23rd.

It's hard to believe another Christmas will soon be over.  Gregg and I were talking about this and we both agreed this has been the most memorable Christmas season where everyone we seem to meet is so full of the holiday spirit.  And since Gregg and I rarely agree on anything, you just know it's got to be true.

Every store I have gone in, every line-up I've been in, there are people patiently waiting, smiling and even starting up conversations with those in the same line.  People holding doors open for one another, buying coffee for the person behind them in the drive-thru, wishing each other a great holiday...a Merry Christmas even....and a happy new year.  I always walk around at this time of year with rose colored glasses on anyhow I think.  It truly is my favorite time of the year and even though I stress over putting on Christmas Eve at our home, I know it is only a few hours out of my life.  I can honestly say the vast majority of the days are spent enjoying every last second of this holiday.

The lights have got to be my favorite thing about this time of year.  I'm like a child who is seeing those lights for the very first time every year.  I've always been that way.  I could sit for fifteen hours in a cramped vehicle if it gave me one smidgen of a chance to ride along and look at Christmas lights throughout the City.

And then there's the music.  I'm already a huge music lover, but there's something about the songs at this time of year that make me go weak in the knees.  For instance?  My favorite Christmas song of all time and one that is 'normally' on our answering machine at this time of the year.....

Alan Jackson - Let it Be Christmas.  There I go.  Getting weak in the knees.  Oh mercy me how I love this song.

I won't be posting tomorrow.  It will be Christmas Day and I will be too full from all the food I ate and I probably won't be able to fit through the office doors.  So I will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas today.  I hope your day is filled with love and laughter and you are with the ones you love most on this special day.

From the entire T Family...and of course this includes Mushu as well....may you be blessed this holiday season and all the best to you in the New Year.

Link Love Sunday

Personal Blog Linky Love

Cute With Chris

I came across Cute With Chris and this video was the first video I saw.  Oh lordy!!  I'm here to tell you you will laugh until your head falls off if you go to Chris's blog.  Ok not really, but I have spent many an hour over there watching his hilarious videos and looking at all the adorable, funny, cute pictures he has there.  If you want to laugh until your head falls off too?  I suggest visiting Cute With Chris.  But maybe not over the Christmas holiday.  Unless Aunt Sally doesn't mind visiting you with your head rolling around on the floor.   

Craft Blog Linky Love

kwernerdesign blog

Now THIS is my kind of craft blog.  It has a lot of categories to choose from which means I get a little...or a lot....of everything I like to do in my own life or hope to learn to do in the future.  Photography, Recipes, Scrapbooking and something that made my heart leap into my throat....Tutorials.  Ohhh how I love tutorials!  And then because that isn't enough.  She has started a Make a Card Monday tutorials as well.  More tutorials!  Have I mentioned how much I lurve tutorials?  I do.  I really really do.   

Photography Blog Linky Love

Food Photography Portfolio:  Food Photography Blog

Food.  Photography.  I am in heaven.  Don't expect to find recipes at the Food Photography Blog though because you won't find any.  This is a blog about HOW to photograph food and I would love to start linking to all of them, but I think it best if you just went and took a browse around.  Lots of techniques to choose from and a lot of pictures to get ideas from as well.

 

I've had several people asking me about the Christmas Tour of Homes BooMama held on December 17th.  I talked about this tour on my blog and was indeed quite hyped up about participating in it.  But no I did not end up participating in the Tour of Homes because it was one of the things I had to 'cut out' of my schedule if I wanted to go to Gregg's Christmas party.  See because my decorations still weren't all up by the 17th.

I still wanted to go on the Tour of Homes though and I have been steadily working my way through the list.  What a great bunch of participants too!  If you are looking for something to do in your three spare seconds of down time, I highly suggest pouring a nice warm cup of tea, or hot chocolate, or apple cider or coffee with a smidge of Bailey's in it to give it that extra little kick and making your way to the list of participants...all 471 one of them.  That's right, 471 homes to tour.  You may want to make an extra cup of tea, or hot chocolate or apple cider or coffee with Bailey's in it, because it might take you more then one cup to get through the entire list in one sitting.  I tried but on my 5th cup of coffee with Bailey's in it....I fell asleep drooling on my keyboard.  And I would not suggest doing that. 

A Little Naughty and A Little Nice

I do believe I'm posting later and later in the day for some reason.  It couldn't be that Christmas is only 3 days away now could it?  So here's a relatively...for me...quick post.

A little naughty.....

Me:  Heyyyyyyy look what I found!!!!!

Gregg:  No way.  Get out of there!

Me...shaking....shaking....SHAKING the present:  What is it what is it??!

Gregg:  You never go in that drawer and the first time I put a present in there, you find it.  Put it back.

Me....squishing....shaking...rattling....SHAKING the present:  No I don't think so.

Gregg and Kelsey (who was out today):  Stop it and put it back mom/Joy!

Me....shaaaaaaaaaking the present some more:  Hey it wasn't rattling before and now it is.  I wonder why that is?

Gregg and Kelsey:  Way to go!

So the question would be.  Did Joy or didn't Joy open that present when Kelsey went home, Gregg was in the garage working on the dirt bike, Michael was playing Guitar Hero in his room and Samantha was out to a movie?  Only Mushu and I know for sure and we pinky swore promised we wouldn't tell anyone.

And a little nice......

"I" think it's nice and if not nice then pretty darn cool anyway.  I really wish I could remember where I first saw this at, but I can't.  I suck.  But when I saw it I sat here nodding my head up and down in total agreement.  See because "I" don't mind when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas.  As a matter of fact it brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart that I don't want to see taken away.  Ever!  Happy Holidays?  It's ok.  But it just doesn't....sit right with me.

So I went over to The Wish Me A Merry Christmas Campaign site to check things out.  I liked what I saw....and I ordered some buttons.  My only regret is I didn't find the site sooner because the buttons just came in the mail the other day.  They are fantastic.  Bright and cheery and say exactly what I would say if someone asked me...."It's OK, Wish Me A Merry Christmas".

If you want to get noticed while grocery shopping, walking down the mall, in a store, at the gas pump, getting your mail, etc., etc., etc.  Wear one of these buttons.  Oh lordy I am not a person who seeks attention and I finally ended up taking the button off my coat.  This hermit/loner had to take a break from all the people who saw this button and were interested in it.

The response was something else.  All positive.  People were talking and smiling and thinking this was the greatest thing they've ever seen.  Which we all know couldn't possibly be true unless they lead an extremely dull and boring life....but they definitely thought the button was pretty cool.  Some wrote down the web site.  Some thought it was sad a button had to be made in order to make a point.  I'm going to be honest and say I never really put THAT much thought into it.  I just 100% agree with what it says and it's my way of showing those who come here and deem it right to change things....well anyway.  It's Christmas.  Not a time for what I think on that subject.

So if you see me walking down the street?  It's OK.  Wish Me A Merry Christmas.  I like it and it will make me smile.

And if you would like a button, I have three extra freebie buttons sitting here not doing a thing that I would love to send to you.  First three people to email me can have one.  If you want.  It's just a button afterall.  But a pretty cool button.

 

It's Saturday It's Friday It's Saturday Gah!

Today is Friday.  Two posts in one day, but the first venty Typepad post doesn't count.  Honest.  My brain STILL can't seem to wrap around what day it is and if it doesn't smarten up soon, I'm going to be getting up on Sunday and I'm going to be cooking and getting ready for everyone to arrive for the annual Christmas Eve get together at our home.  But no one will be coming because it will be Sunday.  Not Monday.  Oh good grief.  I am now thinking of putting post-it notes all over the house that read...."JOY!  For the love of pete get your days straight, look at a calendar, get with the program!!"  I hope they make post-it's that big.

I was going to make up a t-shirt that said, "I went to West Edmonton Mall the friday before Christmas....and survived."  Because that's what it felt like by the time I left the mall today.  Survival of the fittest.  And I am in no way, shape or form fit.  So I get extra bonus points for getting out alive.

I did go in on a mission though and because my youngest no longer finds my blog stimulating or remotely exciting I can say the name of the store I was 'going in' for.  Lululalaleeleelimesomethingorother.  I might have that name wrong now that I'm thinking about it but it was something like that.  I do know I walked passed it about 14 times before finally admitting defeat and calling my oldest daughter and bothering her at work and slightly whimpering to her "Kelsey-Belle?  I need help.  Sniff.  I can't find lululalaleelee......whaaaaa!"  Turns out there is no name on the store....just a symbol.  Are you hearing me?  No name.  Just a symbol.  And for us very uncool moms who don't know a lululeeleelala symbol from a hole in the ground?  I now officially hate lululalaleeleelimesomethingorother.

The four stores I had to go, I completed in one hour thirty-two minutes and 28 seconds.  Not that I was counting or anything, it's just a mall I prefer not to go in.  Why?  Because I find it dirty.  Don't even ask me why, it's a retarded sickness I have, but I walk in that mall and it just feels....dirty.  Probably because of all the millions of people in there....and me....and people.....and most importantly.....germs.  Because me and germs?  We don't get along so well.

And here's something I never noticed before.  I rarely go to malls anymore but when I do go I notice they have certain little kiosks throughout the mall who sell things like, tupperware, toys, jewelery and things like that.  I'm not sure but I'm guessing they are owned by individuals who are not part of the mall.  What I've never noticed before is how aggressive they have become.  "Maam?  Maam?  Can I talk to you Maam?"  "Over here for a minute Maam, I have something to show you."  "Maam have you see our wrinkle remover, there is nothing else like it on the market.  Maam?  Maam?"  Now you want to yell "Piss off!" but if you're like me, you try and be polite and smile and try with every ounce of your being to remember they are trying to make a living just like everyone else in the world.  And so you say "No thank you."  But then they run after you and on and on it goes.  That?  Is when I get mad.  I still don't yell at them but one little Italian fellow certainly knew I meant business.

Little Italian Fellow:  "Maam?  Maam?  I have something to show you.  Maam?  Maam?  Can I talk to you Maam?"

Me:  "Excuse me?  Do you not see this phone up to my ear?  What is wrong with you?"

Little Italian Fellow:  "I just don't want you to miss out on this phenomenal deal.  Maam?  Maam? It's for your nails.  Most women don't look after their nails and have I got a product for you."

Me:  "Still talking on the phone here.  Which means you're being rude.  Now you go away before I get mad."

Little Italian Fellow laughing because he's just not sure if I'm mad or not:  "Aww now why would you get mad.  I'm just trying to sell you something that will make your nails look good."

Me...taking the phone away from my ear and putting my polished gel nails and softened Aveda hands up to the Little Italian Fellow's face:  "Look at these.  You see these?  I do not need your help with these.  My nails are spectacular.  Now.  Can I get back to my phone call?  Or do you have something else to say?

Little Italian Fellow laughing:  "You got me Maam.  You definitely do not need my help or my product."

Me:  "Excellent.  Now you go bother someone else will you?"

I've never seen them this aggressive before.  I usually walk by and they are talking on the phone, sitting with their feet up doing their nails and snapping their gum....but never chasing people down the mall.  These people today?  Reminded me of...I'm going to say it....telemarketers.  Because everybody knows how much I love telemarketers with every fibre of my being.  The jerkwads.

But all the shopping has been done.  Gregg came home Wednesday evening, the two of us left thursday morning together with lists in hand and within a few hours we were done with only a few things left to get...today.  Why do we leave our Christmas shopping so late some might ask?  Well that right there is another story for another day.

Moderately Highly Stressed

I found this over at Robocop's blog...I lurk there.....it's his birthday today and as a fellow December birthday celebrator it's a must to wish one and all Christmas babies a Happy Birthday.  Well for me anyway.  I've taken the below test 14 million times trying to get it to say my stress level is 'HIGH'.  Because you know.  I feel my stress level is sort of high right about now.  But no way will it say my holiday stress level is high.  So apparently I'm just moderately stressed.  Liar liar pants on fire test.

Your Holiday Stress Level is Moderate

The holidays sometimes stress you out, but mostly because they wear you down. Take it easy! You can have a fun holiday without running yourself ragged.

What's Your Holiday Stress Level?

Do you know what test I could take that would show stress levels off the chart?  A Typepad spam doodyhead word verification test.  Because right now.  Right this very minute.  My head's about to blow up with the frustration I'm feeling over TypeAsshatPad.  See because even though word verification has been turned off on my blog?  Typepad is doing everything in it's power to keep it on.  I feel like I'm arm wrestling and losing miserably.  I've ticketed them to death to find out what's wrong and they do answer.  And politely say it's being looked after.  Super duper.  Also?  Apparently I have a spam folder/thingy/whatever now I didn't know about and people are being tossed in there.  Ya.  Ask me how often I think to check on this spam thing?  My memory already sucks big time and now I need to remember to go to spam to see if anyone's in there who shouldn't be?  Oh lordy.  High stress level over Typepad.  What I'm hoping is that after I type this and rant and yell and make a fool out of myself.....all is well and people can comment without using word verification and no one else is tossed into spam and I just look like I've had one too many shots of Bailey's today.  Because it would be worth looking like a fool if everything was back to normal and fixed!

Bring Him Home Santa

I heard this song the other day on a list I belong to, so of course had to run over to YouTube to see what I could find.  A few videos but none with our Canadian Soldiers in them.  Bummer.  But then.  Does it really matter?  No it doesn't.  A soldier is a soldier in my books and I pray for each and every one of them all year long.  I do get an extra lump in my throat at this time of year though, thinking of all our brave men and women who are not able to hug their loved ones on Christmas morning.  Such a little thing the rest of us may take for granted.

Tis The Season For Babbling and Rambling

It's coming down to the crunch and like everyone else, things will be slowing down blog-wise.  Plus Gregg got home today which always means less time for me on the computer.

I missed Mushu's post today.  Why?  Because I got up thinking it was tuesday today and kept thinking it was tuesday until Michael told me he heard from Gregg and he was on his way home.  Which meant it had to be wednesday because Gregg wasn't leaving BC until wednesday.  And for the couple of people who asked?  BC stands for British Columbia.

And also for everyone who asked?  Yes the party was great.  So great in fact, we didn't get home until 6 in the morning.  I know right?  We haven't been out that late in a hundred years!  And the next day as I was laying on the couch relaxing with a very cold face cloth on my forehead and a gallon of water beside me on the coffee table, I was thinking how things change over the years.  See because there was a time in my life where I could go til six in the morning, come home, get showered, freshen up and then head out and go all day and night again.  Party party party.  Now?  I can go out for a late night once in a very blue moon, but it takes about two days to recover.  What the hell??  I know I know.  A little thing called age.  Or I'm out of practice.  Either one.

Some people have emailed and asked where Gregg works and the name of the company he works for.  Stop asking people.  That would be the equivalent of asking me for directions to my home.  Won't happen.  I'm confident in saying we live in Edmonton, Alberta but that's because Edmonton....and area...is very big.  I've been asked a number of times if I worry about anyone finding me and the answer continues to be no.  Good grief who in their right mind would want to find me???  Exaaactly.  Plus I say if someone can find me where I live, they get a prize.  And no that's not a challenge you sicko people you.  I just think it would be pretty hard to find me.

Speaking of that mystery guy Gregg, I've been getting a few emails about him.  I'm thinking I might do an interview type thing with him.  He's not always receptive to fun things like that, so we'll have to see.  Maybe I'll just sneak in a question here and there and do it that way.  And since he reads my blog faithfully, maybe this will give him a heads up.  Hi dear.  I'll be Lois Lane and you can be Superman.  Or.  Does Lois Lane interview people?  I'm never sure.  I was never a big Superman fan.  I'm more of a Spiderman kinda gal.  You know, because I can relate to the spidey senses and all.  I'm thinking it was maybe Clark Kent who did the interviewing.  Or maybe not.  Maybe he was just Superman, like that wasn't enough.  Wow, this should be fun.  I just know Gregg is looking forward to our little interview already!

Mushu missed me.  He really really missed me.  The kids missed me too, but more in a....yeaaaaaa that crazy mother who is here 24/7 is FINALLY gone and we have the whole house to ourselves and an extra yeaaaaaa when she called to say she's staying one more day but "we miss you mom".....sort of way.  No Mushu missed me a ton.  Samantha said he wandered around the house looking quite pathetic and kept going to my bedroom door and sniffing and pawing at it.  And when I walked in the door monday night?  That was one crazy excited pup who greeted me.....awwwww.  He hasn't left my side since I got home.  I swear, if you don't own a dog you should.  Nothing shows you the kind of lovin a dog shows you. 

I have been asked why I call Mushu 'pup'.  The answer?  I have absolutely no idea why.  I've called him pup since the day I brought him home.  "How's my pup today?"  "Hey pup, you want to go for a car ride?"  I also call him Mushu, but I definitely call him pup more.  Mushu?  Well Mushu will answer to 'pup', 'Mushu' or 'butthead' if it's said in the right tone.  He really doesn't care what I call him as long as I say it in a happy voice.

Had enough?  Because I could ramble on for hours.  I do that when I feel the walls closing in around me.  I also sweat a little from my left eyebrow and clean anything within a 20 mile radius.  Or?  I sit curled up in the corner rocking back saying la-la-la-la.  This too shall pass because I've had Christmas Eve here long enough to know it's just one evening and it will be fine and it can be done.  With one bottle of Bailey's snuggled tightly to my breast...it can be done.  This always happens this time of year when I'm getting ready for the gong show Christmas Eve.  What do I do to stay calm and focused?  I focus on Christmas day when it's just the five of us, I focus on Christmas day when it's just the five of us, I focus on Christmas day when......