Tomorrow morning we are off to Dallas to cheer on the Razorbacks in the Cotton Bowl.
I've taken down the Christmas decorations.
I've thought about packing.
I've some concerns that Oliver might destroy the house in our absence.
This morning, The King was working at his desk when he noticed Oliver was perched on the very back of a chair. He felt as if Oliver looked back at him as if to say, "Watch this". And then Oliver soared to the mantle.
Above the fireplace.
The mantle.
The King then dove for the floor to catch the beautiful decorative plate that was plummeting toward the cold hard floor.
Which he caught. (Props to The King. He did mention something about knowing that the cost of replacing the beautiful decorative plate and its companion would probably lead to a new clock and who-knows-what-else and he figured the broken bones he might suffer would pale in comparison to the cost of one broken plate at The Palace. Whatever.)
I came into the kitchen yesterday morning to find that Oliver was squeezed on top of the microwave which is encased in the top cabinets in my kitchen.
Apparently Oliver has just discovered that he can jump.
That just does not bode well for The Palace.
So, while we are rooting for the Hogs and welcoming the New Year, I will pretty much constantly be uneasy about the destruction and ruin concurrently taking place at The Palace.
Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.
Showing posts with label holidays and celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays and celebrations. Show all posts
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
30 Years in the Making
Big news.
Big.
Since I was 4 years old, I have wanted this for Christmas.
30 years of waiting.
This year, I finally got it.
Big.
Since I was 4 years old, I have wanted this for Christmas.
30 years of waiting.
This year, I finally got it.
Apparently, if you blog about some way in which you were neglected as a child, your mother feels guilty and tries to right her wrong.
Apparently.
Thanks, mom. The Princess appreciates the delay.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Reason
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
New King James Version
Isaiah 9:6-7
New King James Version
May God bless each of you throughout this joyous season!
Merry Christmas!!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Our Halls Are a Little Bit Decked
I feel unworthy of participating in BooMama's Jolly Holiday Tradition.
I especially enjoy the little touches added to our everyday things.
As a rule, The Palace is NOT a Christmas showplace. Far from it. The thought of putting it all out only to take it down a few weeks later has always overwhelmed me.
I love our home as it is.
A few years ago, I read a great book, Redeeming the Season, and it encouraged families to prioritize which Christmas traditions are most important to them. Decorating ranked way down on The King and my list. The Princess, of course, liked it...but at the time she was little and we overruled. Now, however, the guilt of raising a mini-grinch is getting to me, so...voila!! The Palace is making an effort. This is our first year in quite some time to have more than a tree and our stockings.
I must say, it is kind of nice.
This is our tree.
When we married (13 years ago today!!) I was given a wonderful Christmas shower. I received so many ornaments that we've enjoyed over the years. I still remember who gave most of them to us!! It was such a blessing to have a full tree that first Christmas.
Our mantle...
I especially enjoy the little touches added to our everyday things.
This is the table beside our sofa.
A few ornaments added to what was already there.
A shelf in our den with a few decorations placed here and there.
Our bathroom enjoys a little bit of cheer.
The eggs that are usually in this nest have been replaced with tiny ornaments.
The kitchen is a great spot for a Christmas plate.
One of our nativity sets sits in a big bowl on a coffee table. Sorry about the glare. And the Cool Whip bowl in the background.
This is my favorite chair during the holidays. We've got a basket of Christmas books sitting beside it making it the perfect spot for reading a sweet holiday story. You'll notice that Oliver is lurking. The tree may still go down....
This may come as a shock.....
The King has (gasp!) a DECORATION on his desk. It is Santa playing golf. Does that count?
Of course, The Princess has decked her playroom with the prettiest tree of all...
Thanks, BooMama, for a peek at everyone's festive Christmas fun!!
Now my question for each of you is this....when do you take your down your holiday decor?
Merry Christmas!! May God bless each of you!!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wrapping It Up
It is that time. Time to wrap the presents.
Wrapping is not one of my gifts. (Ok, that was kinda funny. Wrapping? Gifts? I need to lay off the cocoa.) I generally have one end of my wrapping that is 9 inches too long and one end that has a 3 inch gap. I do realize that if I would scoot the package to the center of the paper that problem would be eliminated. But I don't.
I have abolished all ribbons, bows and other adornments.
It is paper only for me. I only like the thick kind of paper that you have to get at the Hobby Lobby half price event or it is more expensive than the gifts. (I used to make a 5 hour drive to score some Container Store paper until I did the math.) I think the thick paper makes my packages look pretty.
I have tried the gift bags, but the tissue paper gives me fits. Fits. When it tears I almost go into convulsions.
The problem that I can never seem to resolve is how to make the most use of an area of wrapping paper. I stick the gift on the paper...kind of measure it...and cut. I am FOREVER left with an unusable amount of leftover. Unfortunately, I save all the unusable portions because I have spent a fortune on the thick paper. So I have a big pile of junk paper that clutters my wrap area (aka my kitchen table) which makes me itchy.
Eventually I will end up hunched over on the floor in front of the TV wrapping the presents. Until the extreme back pain kicks in and my legs go numb. I think it may send me straight to early onset osteoporosis. That and my lack of dairy.
Also, the reality that people are just going to RIP the thick paper right off of the gift causes me to be somewhat perplexed. Is the lack of sensation in my legs worth the effort? Do people really care? Have I ever been given accolades for my gift wrapping abilities? Well, no. And I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I only use paper with no embellishment. I want to offer a beautifully wrapped present, but not enough to actually do it.
I have a good friend who likes wrapping so much that she used to hire herself out to stores to wrap gifts during the holiday season. Maybe she needs to lay off the cocoa...
I think that the origin of my issue is this: I find the predicament of how to unwrap an exquisitely wrapped gift a little overwhelming. I am not really patient enough to carefully remove each piece of tape. Is it rude to shred it? Should I save the paper? I could add it to my leftover pile, I guess. See? I am just saving my recepients from such bewilderment.
Let's not even get into my struggles with opening taped boxes...
Wrapping is not one of my gifts. (Ok, that was kinda funny. Wrapping? Gifts? I need to lay off the cocoa.) I generally have one end of my wrapping that is 9 inches too long and one end that has a 3 inch gap. I do realize that if I would scoot the package to the center of the paper that problem would be eliminated. But I don't.
I have abolished all ribbons, bows and other adornments.
It is paper only for me. I only like the thick kind of paper that you have to get at the Hobby Lobby half price event or it is more expensive than the gifts. (I used to make a 5 hour drive to score some Container Store paper until I did the math.) I think the thick paper makes my packages look pretty.
I have tried the gift bags, but the tissue paper gives me fits. Fits. When it tears I almost go into convulsions.
The problem that I can never seem to resolve is how to make the most use of an area of wrapping paper. I stick the gift on the paper...kind of measure it...and cut. I am FOREVER left with an unusable amount of leftover. Unfortunately, I save all the unusable portions because I have spent a fortune on the thick paper. So I have a big pile of junk paper that clutters my wrap area (aka my kitchen table) which makes me itchy.
Eventually I will end up hunched over on the floor in front of the TV wrapping the presents. Until the extreme back pain kicks in and my legs go numb. I think it may send me straight to early onset osteoporosis. That and my lack of dairy.
Also, the reality that people are just going to RIP the thick paper right off of the gift causes me to be somewhat perplexed. Is the lack of sensation in my legs worth the effort? Do people really care? Have I ever been given accolades for my gift wrapping abilities? Well, no. And I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I only use paper with no embellishment. I want to offer a beautifully wrapped present, but not enough to actually do it.
I have a good friend who likes wrapping so much that she used to hire herself out to stores to wrap gifts during the holiday season. Maybe she needs to lay off the cocoa...
I think that the origin of my issue is this: I find the predicament of how to unwrap an exquisitely wrapped gift a little overwhelming. I am not really patient enough to carefully remove each piece of tape. Is it rude to shred it? Should I save the paper? I could add it to my leftover pile, I guess. See? I am just saving my recepients from such bewilderment.
Let's not even get into my struggles with opening taped boxes...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A Train Bound for Nowhere
The Princess had a field trip on Monday to The Polar Express Christmas Train Ride.
Our local train station offers a holiday train ride on an antique passenger train that boasts of hot cocoa and a reading of The Polar Express. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas. This particular train generally travels about 90 miles round trip.
Students that had signed up for the excursion were supposed to meet at the depot at 8:15 to board the train.
(The Princess attends a University Model School, which holds classes at their campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and students do their work at home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That is why we are meeting there. Her school is another post for another day.)
Let me add that it is freezing cold Monday morning and snow/sleet is falling. We board the train about 8:30. The train is absolutely beautiful. The seats are green velvet. It is so cool. However, due to the antiquity of the train, there is no heat.
So, we wait to get going. And wait. And...we wait. The conductor (?) comes over the intercom and says we will be hooking up to another car and there may be a loud bang. 50 kids immediately cover their ears in terror.
"Loud Bang" is probably not the best use of the language for the children.
We wait about 10 minutes for the "loud bang" which was not a loud bang--more like a startling jolt. And we wait. And...we wait. The conductor (?) comes over the intercom and says we will be hooking up to another car and there may be a loud bang. (This is not a brain rerun...it happend twice.)
At 9:45 we begin to hear the chuga chuga.
Let's review. We've been on a subzero train in pj's for one hour and fifteen minutes. With a lot of children. And their preschool aged siblings. For one hour and fifteen minutes. With no bathroom. For one hour and fifteen minutes. With the conductor's helper lady saying, "Kids, sit down we're about to leave" at least 37 times. For one hour and fifteen minutes. (One funny mom asked if maybe we should rename it The Lady Who Cried Wolf Christmas Train Ride.)
Is there a world record for how many times in one hour and fifteen minutes children can ask, "Moooommmmm, when are we gonna leave?"
Back to the chuga chuga.
My first clue to the length of the excursion should have been the fact that the hot (read: tepid) cocoa was passed out before we left the station. In cups that the school had to provide. One brave mom asked when we might be hearing The Polar Express story. The conductor's helper lady says, "Do you have the book?"
Um, no. We, um, paid for The Polar Express Christmas Train Ride. Crazy us. Expecting that they would have the book.
Instead, the conductor's helper lady asks if anyone would like to sing carols in the microphone. Well guess who volunteers?
The Princess. The Princess and her posse.
I've never heard The Twelve Days of Christmas sung quite like that. 17 times. (On the 15th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... Webkinz in santa suits...)
We ride for about 12 minutes. And stop. For a little while. And start going back the way we came. 12 minutes later we are within sight of the depot. Unfortunately, a grain hauling train has dibs on the track and we must stop and wait. Within sight of the depot.
We are in the car and headed home by 10:45.
Nothing express about that polar train.
Our local train station offers a holiday train ride on an antique passenger train that boasts of hot cocoa and a reading of The Polar Express. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas. This particular train generally travels about 90 miles round trip.
Students that had signed up for the excursion were supposed to meet at the depot at 8:15 to board the train.
(The Princess attends a University Model School, which holds classes at their campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and students do their work at home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That is why we are meeting there. Her school is another post for another day.)
Let me add that it is freezing cold Monday morning and snow/sleet is falling. We board the train about 8:30. The train is absolutely beautiful. The seats are green velvet. It is so cool. However, due to the antiquity of the train, there is no heat.
So, we wait to get going. And wait. And...we wait. The conductor (?) comes over the intercom and says we will be hooking up to another car and there may be a loud bang. 50 kids immediately cover their ears in terror.
"Loud Bang" is probably not the best use of the language for the children.
We wait about 10 minutes for the "loud bang" which was not a loud bang--more like a startling jolt. And we wait. And...we wait. The conductor (?) comes over the intercom and says we will be hooking up to another car and there may be a loud bang. (This is not a brain rerun...it happend twice.)
At 9:45 we begin to hear the chuga chuga.
Let's review. We've been on a subzero train in pj's for one hour and fifteen minutes. With a lot of children. And their preschool aged siblings. For one hour and fifteen minutes. With no bathroom. For one hour and fifteen minutes. With the conductor's helper lady saying, "Kids, sit down we're about to leave" at least 37 times. For one hour and fifteen minutes. (One funny mom asked if maybe we should rename it The Lady Who Cried Wolf Christmas Train Ride.)
Is there a world record for how many times in one hour and fifteen minutes children can ask, "Moooommmmm, when are we gonna leave?"
Back to the chuga chuga.
My first clue to the length of the excursion should have been the fact that the hot (read: tepid) cocoa was passed out before we left the station. In cups that the school had to provide. One brave mom asked when we might be hearing The Polar Express story. The conductor's helper lady says, "Do you have the book?"
Um, no. We, um, paid for The Polar Express Christmas Train Ride. Crazy us. Expecting that they would have the book.
Instead, the conductor's helper lady asks if anyone would like to sing carols in the microphone. Well guess who volunteers?
The Princess. The Princess and her posse.
I've never heard The Twelve Days of Christmas sung quite like that. 17 times. (On the 15th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... Webkinz in santa suits...)
We ride for about 12 minutes. And stop. For a little while. And start going back the way we came. 12 minutes later we are within sight of the depot. Unfortunately, a grain hauling train has dibs on the track and we must stop and wait. Within sight of the depot.
We are in the car and headed home by 10:45.
Nothing express about that polar train.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The Cost of Planning Ahead
I am a very organized Christmas shopper. I have a spreadsheet on my computer with my budget for each person. I keep up with what we gave them last year-- and the past 5 before that. I order ahead. I finish before the rush begins.
By and large, I am proud of it. (Except for when it is written. Then it seems especially dorky.) However, when all the work of my preparedness comes to its completion...I find the gifts that I have been hiding for weeks drop significantly in price.
I know it is going to happen. It happens each year. It has happened 4 times this year.
It really pushes my buttons.
I am just not sure what to do. If I pay more to be sure that I get the gifts that are requested --I am totally frustrated. If I wait for the bargains (and that term is way relative) and I miss the gift because the entire world decides it wants my gift -- I would be totally frustrated.
What is a dork to do?
By and large, I am proud of it. (Except for when it is written. Then it seems especially dorky.) However, when all the work of my preparedness comes to its completion...I find the gifts that I have been hiding for weeks drop significantly in price.
I know it is going to happen. It happens each year. It has happened 4 times this year.
It really pushes my buttons.
I am just not sure what to do. If I pay more to be sure that I get the gifts that are requested --I am totally frustrated. If I wait for the bargains (and that term is way relative) and I miss the gift because the entire world decides it wants my gift -- I would be totally frustrated.
What is a dork to do?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Proof
This just couldn't have come at a better time.
To prove The King's aversion to Christmas decor, I will copy a letter left by the wonderful lady who cleans my house on occasion. We'll just call her Angel, for reasons that surely don't need an explanation.
This is word for word (except for the king & queen stuff...we don't really make people call us that).
Dear New Resident:
I can only surmise by the Christmas decorations out that the former residents have moved. Self proclaimed Scrooge, The King (previous resident) and Queen B (wife of previous resident) were not into decorations for holidays or baking for holidays, etc..... The house looks gorgeous nonetheless!! I still am current housecleaner for this establishment and am in need of some cleaning supplies please.
1. Murphy's Oil Soap
Thank you,
Angel
P.S. I'm very proud of you Queen B. It looks great. I hope The King will get some "bah humbug" out of his system. Maybe he'll even put lights on the house this year!! (Maybe we ought not push it!)
Angel has no idea this blog exists. This is an honest, non-biased opinion of The King and his scrooge-ish-ness.
I don't have any idea where she got that idea about baking...
To prove The King's aversion to Christmas decor, I will copy a letter left by the wonderful lady who cleans my house on occasion. We'll just call her Angel, for reasons that surely don't need an explanation.
This is word for word (except for the king & queen stuff...we don't really make people call us that).
Dear New Resident:
I can only surmise by the Christmas decorations out that the former residents have moved. Self proclaimed Scrooge, The King (previous resident) and Queen B (wife of previous resident) were not into decorations for holidays or baking for holidays, etc..... The house looks gorgeous nonetheless!! I still am current housecleaner for this establishment and am in need of some cleaning supplies please.
1. Murphy's Oil Soap
Thank you,
Angel
P.S. I'm very proud of you Queen B. It looks great. I hope The King will get some "bah humbug" out of his system. Maybe he'll even put lights on the house this year!! (Maybe we ought not push it!)
Angel has no idea this blog exists. This is an honest, non-biased opinion of The King and his scrooge-ish-ness.
I don't have any idea where she got that idea about baking...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
This is Christmas
Oh Happy Day!
Though my love for The King grows stronger each day, his holiday spirit still reeks. He'll get there...on Christmas morning around 10.
But his lack of enthusiasm allowed me to do....
Just look at what The Queen Mother and PK whipped up yesterday. WOO HOO! The Palace is all about Christmas.
Anybody want to venture a guess on how long it will take him to be IN the tree? I shudder.
It totally feels like Christmas today!! I've got a candle burning. I've sprayed some good smellin' stuff in the air. My favorite Christmas CDs are playing.
I am always so excited to bring out the holiday tunes. My all-time favorites are Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey, Christmas by Jaci Velasquez, When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick, Jr. and Home for Christmas by Amy Grant.
I've just opened Michael W. Smith's new Christmas CD, It's a Wonderful Christmas. It is enjoyable. The first song, Christmas Angels, is great. There are several instrumental songs that are really pretty, too. It would be the perfect CD to have playing as background music during a Christmas party.
If I were so inclined as to have a Christmas party.
Which I am not.
But it would be nice for your party.
I will save the rest of the pictures for Boo Mama's Christmas Tour.
Unless Oliver has destroyed it all by then.
Though my love for The King grows stronger each day, his holiday spirit still reeks. He'll get there...on Christmas morning around 10.
But his lack of enthusiasm allowed me to do....
THIS!
Just look at what The Queen Mother and PK whipped up yesterday. WOO HOO! The Palace is all about Christmas.
Even Oliver is jazzed.
Anybody want to venture a guess on how long it will take him to be IN the tree? I shudder.
It totally feels like Christmas today!! I've got a candle burning. I've sprayed some good smellin' stuff in the air. My favorite Christmas CDs are playing.
I am always so excited to bring out the holiday tunes. My all-time favorites are Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey, Christmas by Jaci Velasquez, When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick, Jr. and Home for Christmas by Amy Grant.
I've just opened Michael W. Smith's new Christmas CD, It's a Wonderful Christmas. It is enjoyable. The first song, Christmas Angels, is great. There are several instrumental songs that are really pretty, too. It would be the perfect CD to have playing as background music during a Christmas party.
If I were so inclined as to have a Christmas party.
Which I am not.
But it would be nice for your party.
I will save the rest of the pictures for Boo Mama's Christmas Tour.
Unless Oliver has destroyed it all by then.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Grinch Who Could Have Possibly Stolen Christmas
My goodness. I am not sure if The King's parents beat him with Christmas tree branches as a small child or there was some other traumatic tinsel event, but he has some serious issues.
His dislike for all things that would adorn The Palace has been accelerating over the past few years.
He nixed the outside lights a few seasons ago. The festive glowing deer were history the next year. He actually questioned if the TREE were necessary last year.
Since, of course, it is...this year he declared that he would not participate in the bedazzling of the tree.
Thank you, Grinch. This is so much better.
His dislike for all things that would adorn The Palace has been accelerating over the past few years.
He nixed the outside lights a few seasons ago. The festive glowing deer were history the next year. He actually questioned if the TREE were necessary last year.
Since, of course, it is...this year he declared that he would not participate in the bedazzling of the tree.
He always puts the golf ornaments on the front anyway.
So, this year his only job was to bring down the goodie from the attic. The attic that has a full size door and stairs leading into it. (Imagine if he had to use a pull down ladder.)
That whole picture in my mind of the sweet family drinking cocoa, listening to carols and joyfully trimming the tree --ain't happenin'.
However, the picture of the Queen Mother and our friend, PK trimming my tree while I watch in awe and wonder is happening. Currently. While I watch.Thank you, Grinch. This is so much better.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thankfulness
Here's a cheery note: I've been dreading this holiday season just a bit.
My extended family has gone through some changes during the year, and the holidays are going to be a little different. I have kind of been stuck thinking about how things have been in the past. I know, I know...nothing stays the same.
I've just had a hard time accepting that.
Today, though, I am thankful for a loving God that knows all of our stuff. He knows our struggles. He knows our successes. Most of all, He knows our hearts.
I am so blessed. God has given me a wonderful husband and an incredible daughter. Our families are great. We are healthy. I am so humbled and so thankful.
God has used the events of this year to show me that times of change are inevitable. The trial is in dealing with the changes.
Will I remain mired in the gunk of the past or will I seek to find joy in what lies ahead?
He alone knows the paths that each of our lives will take. There will always be challenges that we must face. Mercifully, He prepares us for them along the way. God never promised that our lives will be uncomplicated. He assures us, however, that it will all work together for good. Even when it doesn't seem like it.
I am thankful for the fantastic experiences of our year, but I am also thankful for the tough ones. I know that both lead me closer to the person that God intends for me to be.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Count your blessings.
Eat lots of pie.
My extended family has gone through some changes during the year, and the holidays are going to be a little different. I have kind of been stuck thinking about how things have been in the past. I know, I know...nothing stays the same.
I've just had a hard time accepting that.
Today, though, I am thankful for a loving God that knows all of our stuff. He knows our struggles. He knows our successes. Most of all, He knows our hearts.
I am so blessed. God has given me a wonderful husband and an incredible daughter. Our families are great. We are healthy. I am so humbled and so thankful.
God has used the events of this year to show me that times of change are inevitable. The trial is in dealing with the changes.
Will I remain mired in the gunk of the past or will I seek to find joy in what lies ahead?
He alone knows the paths that each of our lives will take. There will always be challenges that we must face. Mercifully, He prepares us for them along the way. God never promised that our lives will be uncomplicated. He assures us, however, that it will all work together for good. Even when it doesn't seem like it.
I am thankful for the fantastic experiences of our year, but I am also thankful for the tough ones. I know that both lead me closer to the person that God intends for me to be.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Count your blessings.
Eat lots of pie.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
This Year I'm Thankful For Not Traveling to the Grand Canyon
Let me begin with a word to my in-laws: I am not dissing the concept of The Grand Canyon Adventure.
Our Thanksgiving celebrations have been like those of most everyone else in America. We generally gather at my in-laws for a meal. We watch football. We play cards. We nap. Occassionally, we go to the movie. Normal Thanksgiving Day fare. I like it. I know what to expect.
Not this year.
About, I don't know, three weeks ago, my in-laws decided to put a new spin on the holiday. Given that my sisters-in-law and their families were going to be elsewhere, my in-laws decided to do something bordering on a little bit crazy. They thought it would be fun for The King, Princess and me to join them in the RV for a trip to the Grand Canyon.
In theory, not a bad idea. In theory, however, is not reality. The tricky part of this expedition was the fact that we would leave on Wednesday - the day before Thanksgiving - and we would return on Sunday.
Seeing as how we live in Arkansas, it would take us two full days of driving to get to the GC (Wednesay and Thursday) and two full days to return home from the GC (Saturday and Sunday). If my familiarity with the days of the week holds true...we would have one day at the Grand Canyon.
Now, I've never been to the Grand Canyon. Perhaps one day is sufficient. Nevertheless, if you have spent any time whatsoever in an RV with five people, you understand that four days of relentless travel with a moving port-a-pot and marine-like shower conditions must be endured only for the most incredible vacation situations. One day of freedom from the RV to look at a canyon--grand or otherwise--does not qualify.
(When I recover from it, I will post about our last RV trip. And the one before that. Suffice it to say, The King has been known to let some maintenance issues slide. Until we're 600 miles from home. At night. With flames.)
There is also the consideration of the Thanksgiving meal. I don't have to have the ultimate Thanksgiving feast every year. I can handle some variation (you know, mashed sweet potatoes instead of the marshmallow casserole kind). The fact that Thursday would be spent cruising down the highway is almost asking too much. I am not sure that microwave mac and cheese would meet my criteria of Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe we could warm up some beenie weenie or grab a sausage roll when we pull in the truck stop to dump our waste.
Toward the end of last week, The King and his mother came to their senses and decided that we might postpone The Grand Canyon Adventure. Really? Great idea!! I can wait.
So, we are now back to the burning question of what might we do to acknowledge our thankfulness.
I'm really quite fond of the idea of a meal, some football, cards, a nap and maybe a movie.
Just in case they are reading.
For which I would be thankful.
Our Thanksgiving celebrations have been like those of most everyone else in America. We generally gather at my in-laws for a meal. We watch football. We play cards. We nap. Occassionally, we go to the movie. Normal Thanksgiving Day fare. I like it. I know what to expect.
Not this year.
About, I don't know, three weeks ago, my in-laws decided to put a new spin on the holiday. Given that my sisters-in-law and their families were going to be elsewhere, my in-laws decided to do something bordering on a little bit crazy. They thought it would be fun for The King, Princess and me to join them in the RV for a trip to the Grand Canyon.
In theory, not a bad idea. In theory, however, is not reality. The tricky part of this expedition was the fact that we would leave on Wednesday - the day before Thanksgiving - and we would return on Sunday.
Seeing as how we live in Arkansas, it would take us two full days of driving to get to the GC (Wednesay and Thursday) and two full days to return home from the GC (Saturday and Sunday). If my familiarity with the days of the week holds true...we would have one day at the Grand Canyon.
Now, I've never been to the Grand Canyon. Perhaps one day is sufficient. Nevertheless, if you have spent any time whatsoever in an RV with five people, you understand that four days of relentless travel with a moving port-a-pot and marine-like shower conditions must be endured only for the most incredible vacation situations. One day of freedom from the RV to look at a canyon--grand or otherwise--does not qualify.
(When I recover from it, I will post about our last RV trip. And the one before that. Suffice it to say, The King has been known to let some maintenance issues slide. Until we're 600 miles from home. At night. With flames.)
There is also the consideration of the Thanksgiving meal. I don't have to have the ultimate Thanksgiving feast every year. I can handle some variation (you know, mashed sweet potatoes instead of the marshmallow casserole kind). The fact that Thursday would be spent cruising down the highway is almost asking too much. I am not sure that microwave mac and cheese would meet my criteria of Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe we could warm up some beenie weenie or grab a sausage roll when we pull in the truck stop to dump our waste.
Toward the end of last week, The King and his mother came to their senses and decided that we might postpone The Grand Canyon Adventure. Really? Great idea!! I can wait.
So, we are now back to the burning question of what might we do to acknowledge our thankfulness.
I'm really quite fond of the idea of a meal, some football, cards, a nap and maybe a movie.
Just in case they are reading.
For which I would be thankful.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Shopping We Will Go
I am off to the Big City for the weekend. The Princess and I are taking my mother-in-law on a little trip for her birthday. We are all hoping to knock out our Christmas shopping while we are there.
That is not exactly true. My mother-in-law LOVES the morning after Thanksgiving. She is up and at 'em at 4 a.m. with Manhiem Steamroller blasting out of her car on her way to THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING.
A few years ago she was tackled by a lady in Wal-Mart going after a $39 DVD player. Serious shopping this is.
She spends a great majority of Thanksgiving Day perusing the sale papers and planning her attack, I mean, schedule. She will know exactly how many whoozits each store is receiving and what time they open. Her instinct is so keen that she will even know what time to be in line for each store.
Not only have I never been with her, I've never been invited. I think I might throw off her mojo or something. THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING cannot be hampered by disproportionate mojo.
So...she will buy a few presents this weekend, but I know she's really holding out for THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING.
I, on the other hand, will be physically ill if I cannot scratch 99% of the names off my list after this jaunt. The Palace has a much more enjoyable holiday season if the month of December is not about acquiring hard-to-find gifts. I know some of you thrive on being in the mall in the midst of such folly. I do not.
I will try to post updates of our successes and failures, however, my poor little hands may be too weary from hauling all the packages.
That is not exactly true. My mother-in-law LOVES the morning after Thanksgiving. She is up and at 'em at 4 a.m. with Manhiem Steamroller blasting out of her car on her way to THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING.
A few years ago she was tackled by a lady in Wal-Mart going after a $39 DVD player. Serious shopping this is.
She spends a great majority of Thanksgiving Day perusing the sale papers and planning her attack, I mean, schedule. She will know exactly how many whoozits each store is receiving and what time they open. Her instinct is so keen that she will even know what time to be in line for each store.
Not only have I never been with her, I've never been invited. I think I might throw off her mojo or something. THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING cannot be hampered by disproportionate mojo.
So...she will buy a few presents this weekend, but I know she's really holding out for THE ULTIMATE DAY OF SHOPPING.
I, on the other hand, will be physically ill if I cannot scratch 99% of the names off my list after this jaunt. The Palace has a much more enjoyable holiday season if the month of December is not about acquiring hard-to-find gifts. I know some of you thrive on being in the mall in the midst of such folly. I do not.
I will try to post updates of our successes and failures, however, my poor little hands may be too weary from hauling all the packages.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Land of Man Camp
The King and the male offspring of his family have a ritual on the first weekend of the hunting season. Let me correct myself...the male offspring plus Grandma.
They participate in Man Camp. They, of course, refer to it as Deer Camp. (I can truthfully call it Man Camp because Grandma goes home at night to sleep in her own bed. Smart lady.)
Man Camp appears to be a lot of eating, card-playing and story-telling. Without bathing. When The King returned home Monday night, he put one pair of pants, one pair of underroos, one pair of socks and one shirt in the laundry. He'd been gone since Friday morning. My mind can only stray so far. I tell myself he went to a laundromat while the others were gambling.
To quantify the amount of food consumed by these hunters, I can only give you this example. The King was responsible for breakfast foods. For 3 mornings. He spent $180 AT ALDI. (For those of you unfamiliar with Aldi, it would be comparable to spending $427 at the supermarket.)
Isn't there something slightly ironic about hunters taking out a mortgage for groceries?
I inquired as to how many deer were executed. None. Not one. Nada. No deer. On the one hand, I am thankful. I pray the deer run. On the other hand, WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
I know for a fact that The King held a gun. The silly thing recoiled and put a gash right between his eyes. Or maybe he ran into a door in the middle of the night when he was going to the bathroom and the gun story is a little more macho. Let's go with the gun.
It has been brought to my attention that Man Camp has added satellite tv this year. I would hate for the hunters to go without watching SportsCenter for a few nights. Also, they've added a DISHWASHER and WIRELESS INTERNET. I thought installing the central heat and air last year was nice. For men, these are the most luxurious accomodations in a 4 state radius.
Let's get back to Grandma. A few years ago Grandma motored around on a really nice four-wheeler. Two years ago she upgraded to a Rhino. This year...a pimped out Geo Tracker is her ride of choice.
They participate in Man Camp. They, of course, refer to it as Deer Camp. (I can truthfully call it Man Camp because Grandma goes home at night to sleep in her own bed. Smart lady.)
Man Camp appears to be a lot of eating, card-playing and story-telling. Without bathing. When The King returned home Monday night, he put one pair of pants, one pair of underroos, one pair of socks and one shirt in the laundry. He'd been gone since Friday morning. My mind can only stray so far. I tell myself he went to a laundromat while the others were gambling.
To quantify the amount of food consumed by these hunters, I can only give you this example. The King was responsible for breakfast foods. For 3 mornings. He spent $180 AT ALDI. (For those of you unfamiliar with Aldi, it would be comparable to spending $427 at the supermarket.)
Isn't there something slightly ironic about hunters taking out a mortgage for groceries?
I inquired as to how many deer were executed. None. Not one. Nada. No deer. On the one hand, I am thankful. I pray the deer run. On the other hand, WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
I know for a fact that The King held a gun. The silly thing recoiled and put a gash right between his eyes. Or maybe he ran into a door in the middle of the night when he was going to the bathroom and the gun story is a little more macho. Let's go with the gun.
It has been brought to my attention that Man Camp has added satellite tv this year. I would hate for the hunters to go without watching SportsCenter for a few nights. Also, they've added a DISHWASHER and WIRELESS INTERNET. I thought installing the central heat and air last year was nice. For men, these are the most luxurious accomodations in a 4 state radius.
Let's get back to Grandma. A few years ago Grandma motored around on a really nice four-wheeler. Two years ago she upgraded to a Rhino. This year...a pimped out Geo Tracker is her ride of choice.
The lady knows how to hunt.
I started thinking what might Girl Camp look like...let's dream for a moment, shall we? We might even convince Grandma to join us!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Here Comes Santa Claus
Don't Try This at Home is having a fun Holiday Shopping Carnival that should help each of us knock out some Christmas shopping for those hard-to-buy-for people on our lists. Or, it will help us find things to add to our own wish lists!!
(Note to friends and family: play dumb when you see this stuff again, in say, 6 weeks or so. Or, you could keep the surprise and stop reading. But I know none of you will do that because you are all so stinkin' nosy.)
I love great bath products, but only really great ones. I mentioned this product in a post last week. It is a great idea for any bath junkie on your list. It smells great, and the one that I have is in a plastic bottle that would transport or ship easily.
These tumblers make a great gift for anyone on your list. You can monogram them with a team logo, family name and lots of other fun ideas. They don't sweat and are dishwasher safe. I like these for the guys on my list. Plus, it looks like they are having a $.01 shipping sale!!
Racko is our family's all time favorite game. It is tons of fun for all ages over 8. We are talking serious competition. Each game is over in about 10 minutes, though!! (Our family tournaments can take hours.)
This book is a beautiful gift to give. It would make a great coffee table book or a book to spend some time looking through. It is filled with modern day pictures of the places where Jesus spent time while on earth.
These notebooks would be terrific gifts for any moms on your list. To-do lists, Grocery/Meal planning lists, babysitter information and permission slips...wonderful stocking stuffers!!
This journal is the perfect gift for girls age 8 and up. My daughter received one last year and spent DAYS filling it out. She asked for another one so she can do it again!
I must say, even though The King has put a ban on all things Webkinz, the Reindeer is pretty cute.
I think this book would be a great gift for my mother-in-law, or, you know, me.
This is all that The Princess wants. (I must tell you, that it frightens me a bit. The cost and the product.) Oh, she also wants this--in lime green, which seems much more reasonable. I am thinking that she should want this. How fun would that be? For her, of course. Never for her parents. That would just be wrong.
(Note to friends and family: play dumb when you see this stuff again, in say, 6 weeks or so. Or, you could keep the surprise and stop reading. But I know none of you will do that because you are all so stinkin' nosy.)
I love great bath products, but only really great ones. I mentioned this product in a post last week. It is a great idea for any bath junkie on your list. It smells great, and the one that I have is in a plastic bottle that would transport or ship easily.
These tumblers make a great gift for anyone on your list. You can monogram them with a team logo, family name and lots of other fun ideas. They don't sweat and are dishwasher safe. I like these for the guys on my list. Plus, it looks like they are having a $.01 shipping sale!!
Racko is our family's all time favorite game. It is tons of fun for all ages over 8. We are talking serious competition. Each game is over in about 10 minutes, though!! (Our family tournaments can take hours.)
This book is a beautiful gift to give. It would make a great coffee table book or a book to spend some time looking through. It is filled with modern day pictures of the places where Jesus spent time while on earth.
These notebooks would be terrific gifts for any moms on your list. To-do lists, Grocery/Meal planning lists, babysitter information and permission slips...wonderful stocking stuffers!!
This journal is the perfect gift for girls age 8 and up. My daughter received one last year and spent DAYS filling it out. She asked for another one so she can do it again!
I must say, even though The King has put a ban on all things Webkinz, the Reindeer is pretty cute.
I think this book would be a great gift for my mother-in-law, or, you know, me.
This is all that The Princess wants. (I must tell you, that it frightens me a bit. The cost and the product.) Oh, she also wants this--in lime green, which seems much more reasonable. I am thinking that she should want this. How fun would that be? For her, of course. Never for her parents. That would just be wrong.
Thanks, Shannon, for passing along the idea!
I hope these ideas have been helpful. I can't wait to read all of your suggestions! I think I am getting into the Christmas Shopping Spirit!!
I hope these ideas have been helpful. I can't wait to read all of your suggestions! I think I am getting into the Christmas Shopping Spirit!!
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