CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Getting ready to go to school was like getting ready for extended deep-sea diving."

Ralphie from A Christmas Story

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins."

Buddy from Elf

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Didn't I ever tell you about bumbles? Bumbles bounce."

Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Charlie, stay away from those things. They're reindeer, you don't know where they've been. They all look like they've got key lime disease."

Scott Calvin from The Santa Clause

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Do innkeeper's wives have naturally curly hair?"

Frieda from A Charlie Brown Christmas

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

Buddy from Elf

I "BORROWED" THIS

From my friend, Claudia. She is a great gal...go on over and see her.

Anyway, this is one of those things that just makes me laugh. You might not like it. At first, I just sat there, but about halfway through, I started to laugh.

Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I TRIPLE dog dare ya!"

Schwartz from A Christmas Story

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Observe the bumble's one weakness... The bumble sinks! Ha Ha!"

Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Book Give-away

Apparently, there is this really great book....like better than TWILIGHT!

Go here to see it. Enter for the give-away. But, don't beat me out of it. :)

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"You stink. You smell like beef and cheese! You don't smell like Santa."

Buddy from Elf

BEHIND AGAIN....OR STILL....

I don't multitask well. Don't get me wrong. I DO multitask. I have to. I'm a mom. But, I do not do it well. That is why I started staying home with my kids. I was not a good mommy AND teacher at the same time. That wasn't fair to ANY of my children.

I have read (parts) of a book on home organization.It is a great book...the parts I have read are good, anyway. The book has described my "clutter" style as "The Perfectionist."

Hmmmmm.....perfectionist. You wouldn't know it to look at me. But I know this is true because it basically states that I can easily be crippled by the fact that I can't do everything, correctly, NOW! That is the thing. NOW!

It starts something like this:

Tomorrow, I will clean house. (Keep in mind that my house isn't so large. It is quite possible to clean the entire house in one day, but my task breakdown looks something like this:)

Tomorrow, I will start on the kitchen first. I always feel so much better when my kitchen is cleaned. I start and my #4 needs (wants) a "biderman" (vitamin.) Because I don't want him digging through the cabinets, and because I don't mind him taking a vitamin C, I go to get him a chewable. The boys' bathroom STINKS! SO, after the vitamin dispersal, I decide to clean the bathroom real quick.

I go and get my favorite toxic cleaning supplies. As I start to wipe down floors and baseboards, I realize that the little boys' hamper is full and clean undies might be in need. I haul the hamper to the laundry area where I find a few baskets of clean clothes and some of dirty clothes. OK....might as well get laundry going because I don't have to stand there while the machines are washing.

I go to my bathroom to get my hamper, noting that the rugs could use some cleaning, so I pick those up, as well. As I open the wash, I see that my sweet hubby, now gone for another 7 days, has kindly started a load....I just hope he JUST started it. I start to transfer that laundry to the dryer.....which is full. I go to unload that but it would fill, to overflowing, one of the baskets already full of clean clothes. *sigh*

I hall the clothes into the living room to sit and "learn" at the hand of one of my favorite cooking celebrities. As I am about to fold clothes, I note that the floor is a bit too crumby for my liking. I leave the clothes, go to get the vacuum cleaner to vacuum the floor. The shoes that are in the way need to be picked up. They are mine, and they don't fit into my shoe area, so I take them to hubby's closet to hang on his rack.

I see there are a few clean clothes on my hope chest so I gather those to take to the laundry basket. I return to the closet to get some hangers for the hanging clothes. Seeing a hanger that has been shoved under the bed, I bend to retrieve it....seeing some dust that needs to be sucked from under the bed.....SOOOOO, off to get the vacuum (since abandoned in the living room, chord still tightly wound) and come to vacuum in the bedroom. Before I can do that, I need to pick up the 1 or 2 or 8 things that are scattered on the floor.

As I am picking these items up (and know that there is a 90% chance it is going to be on MY side of the bed and it is going to be a book) I decide to organize these books into stacks of when I will read them. (Yes.....stacks.) While I am stacking, I am checking due dates. I check out so many books that each late day, at a quarter a day, costs me 1/2 gallon of CFAST*.

Since I have 10 days before the due date, and am on book 2 of 8 I have checked out, I decide to read a chapter. I flop across the bed, only to feel "crunchies" that have been left by the aforementioned child. I go to strip the sheets....haul them to the wash, only to realize that the washer is still full because the dryer is full.....because the baskets are full.....because the laundry hasn't been folded....because the floor needs to be vacuumed....*sigh* YOU SEE?

SO....what do I do? We go to WM to look at Christmas stuff, by a CFAST*, pick up the kids, have frozen convenience foods for dinner, get them down, sleep under a comforter only and vow that TOMORROW, I will clean the house.

NOW.....here is the REAL problem.

THIS schedule ONLY works when DH is on a tour. When he is home, he jacks up the whole thing. Don't misunderstand. I love my hubby with a passion. I miss him every second he is gone. I don't sleep well when he is away. No, when he is home, NOTHING......and I mean NOTHING gets done.

What is a person to do?

Well, I will say that I'm about to eat some cheap burritos with ketchup, watch Ina Garten on The Network and contemplate my situation......I can't forget, though, that I have to return some movies to Blockbuster, go get a few items at the store, check out the Christmas section in WM, go get a CFAST*, pick up the kids, come home, eat corny dogs or something wonderful, do homework, study JBQ, get the kids bathed, put them down, vacuum the floor (finally), pull out a basket of laundry to fold, then, probably sit and work on my Holiday Notebook.

Life is sweet! Don't sweat the small stuff. I promise.... nobody is wearing dirty undies....today.

*Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea

ETA: In all fairness to my hubby, I need to clarify. NOTHING gets done by me. Meaning that my planned housework goes unaddressed when he is home. This was his response:

"BTW, what do you mean NOTHING gets done when I'm home. On Thursday, I took the AC apart and inspected it for mold (it was clean BTW), cleaned out all the attic vents around the entire house, poisoned ants and picked up outside trash. All while you were taking a nap."

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Scut Farkus! What a rotten name! There he stood between us and the alley. Scut Farkus staring out at us with his yellow eyes. He had yellow eyes! So, help me, God! Yellow eyes!

Ralphie from A Christmas Story

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.

Lucy Van Pelt on A Charlie Brown Christmas

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Well, you look about the kind of angel I'd get. Sort of a fallen angel, aren't you? What happened to your wings?"

George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Every Christmas it's the same. I always end up playing a shepherd."

Shermy on A Charlie Brown Christmas

***For the record, I DID do this earlier, but for some reason, it didn't stick.

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Have you seen these toilets? They're GINORMOUS!"

Buddy from ELF

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"IT'S JUST NICE TO MEET ANOTHER HUMAN THAT SHARES MY AFFINITY FOR ELF CULTURE."

Buddy on ELF

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Yukon Cornelius: "WE'LL HAVE TO OUTWIT THE FIEND WITH OUR SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE.

Rudolph: "HOW?"

Yukon Cornelius: "DOUSE YOUR NOSE AND RUN LIKE CRAZY!"

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

REPEAT

Many things I have in my mind to blog about, but as we just had Halloween, I figured I'd talk about that.

First off....we let our children dress up and we go trick or treating. Now, don't you go and hit your knees, bombarding heaven in an attempt to cast out any demons. There are none. We are God-fearing. We are not in a cult. We don't participate in any evil doings...nothing like that. We are like any other normal parent out there. We take our kids from house to house for one thing and one thing only: TO CONFISCATE THEIR CHOCOLATE!!!

No....really!

We dressed the kids up....2 were Superman, 1 was a pirate and the other was asleep in the van! I drove beside the kids and the dad with the back of the van open. The kidletts walked from one lit house to the next. They trotted up yelling "Tik-or-teat" (the words of my 3 year old) and before saying "thank you" gave a Charlie Brown-like report of what they had received; complete with #2 son's statement, "I have a rock in my shoe."

We spent about 1 hour going from house to house. We had to dump the collection buckets three times, in the front seat, in order to continue collecting. We probably hit about 20 houses....it doesn't seem like a lot, but as every lot is at least 1/2 acre....well, there is some distance between each house. After about 1 hour, we made it home: happy, hyper and fighting hypothermia. It was a bit chilly.

We all gathered in a little huddle on the floor and dumped our booty to admire and sort. Being the good parents, we got rid of all Now and Laters and jawbreakers. Then we separated into semi-like bunches. Lollipops and gum are big faves...so we put those in a bag. Then we put all candies like: smarties, nerds, tootsie rolls and the like into a bag. This is the bag that, by next Saturday, will probably be forgotten and/or thrown out. Finally, we have a bag that Daddy has labeled "the meltables." These are put together to "keep them fresh." It also makes for easy acccess.

So instead of praying for forgiveness for taking our children out on "All Hallows Eve," perhaps we should pray for forgiveness for stealing their candy.

*This is a post that I first put up WAY back in 2006. Most is still true....we go out. I have 2-Spider Men, 1 Optimus Prime and 1 Megatron. (I'm so glad to have 2 superheroes present as the transformer battle that has already begun could get a little out of hand.) We still steal the candy. (Heh....if you are from TX, it sounded like you said the same word twice: "still" & "steal.")

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

GREAT BOUNCING ICEBERGS!

Santa on Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Pig-Pen, you're the only person I know who can raise a cloud of dust in a snowstorm.

Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Francisco! That's fun to say! Francisco... Frannnnncisco... Franciscooooo....

Buddy in Elf

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

BUDDY THE ELF! WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?

BUDDY FROM ELF

CRAFTINESS

I have very little crafting ability.

I can admit it.

I can copy someone's work like nobody's business. And while this isn't an "original" as far as the how-to, it IS an original as far as the colors and fabric.

This is what my friend won at Pokeno the other night.

This concludes my crafting until I glitter my pumpkins.

OCTOBER GIVE AWAY

So I have this friend named Catey. She is awesome. She is one of the few who stuck with me in the MHHM. (And should it ever be revived, I trust she will join me again. (No pressure, love. ;) )

ANYWAY, she does this cool give away. I don't enter too many. Sometimes, I am just too lazy. Sometimes, what is required to enter is just too much for me to sit and do. THIS....well THIS is a great give away. It's this shirt thing called Blush. It's a topless shirt that you can used to extend the length of your tees. You know, it just ain't cool to show the love handles that, let's face it, NOBODY loves. This keeps things covered, tucked and hidden.

Go on over there. Just click on Catey's name and find out how YOU can enter!

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

WE ELVES TRY TO STICK TO THE FOUR MAIN FOOD GROUPS: CANDY, CANDY CANES, CANDY CORNS AND SYRUP.

Buddy from Elf

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! When I get home, I'm getting a CAT scan!

Scott Calvin The Santa Clause

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE

I really don't.

Is this blog thing a fad? Some people make money. Some people use it as more of an article...like in a newspaper. They scan the news and then comment on that.

Some blogs focus on religion.

Some on politics.

Some on housekeeping.

Some on cooking.

Many, many others. I really wanted to write and found an outlet and a small, yet quaint audience. Now? I got nothin'.

I don't know why. I can't really call it writer's block. Maybe more of a boredom....is it the readers? Me? Either way, I got nothin'.

I had a few funny posts over the last 3.5 years. I had some thought-provoking posts. I even had some that ticked people off.

I have read a lot of blogs. Some of my faves post less than I do....and that makes me sad. I am attached to some of these folk. I really don't want to find another blog to get attached to. There are a few reasons for this: 1) I don't want to invest the time in all the reading/commenting. I like my group. 2) I am comfortable with my little group.

I have found some blogs through some of "my" readers. I see their blog lists....some, I just sit in awe. There is like 40 or so blogs. I've got 21 in my "faves" and out of those, only 12 have updated in the last 2 months. Out of those, only about 5 update even weekly.

Maybe they are suffering in the same way I am. :-/

I had 2 that have totally removed their blogs. One, I know why. The other, I'm pretty sure I know why. There are a few that make me laugh. Some are just fun reads...we are friends IRL and I keep up with them. There is one that just ticks me off....but it is like a train wreck. I can't seem to turn away. UNTIL TODAY!!! I was reading it and was convicted....so that is being removed.

I guess my issue is that I wonder if people really want to read the boring, mundane, everyday crap that I do. Then I tell myself, "Well, I like THAT blog, and that's all they talk about." (No offense to anyone. ;) )

**Speaking of boring and mundane: My 3rd is pretending to go trick-or-treating, but he has to "ride" his younger brother who is actually a kitty cat who is being lured by CFA waffle fries. As they crawl/walk, they are saying, "Clap to the beat" a la Little Einsteins.**

I guess my blog, for now, is kind of in limbo. Hmmm...did you know that "limbo," according to Wikipedia, according to the Roman Catholic church is the edge of Hell? So....new word. I don't think I'm THERE. LOL! I guess the future of my blog is in question. I won't delete it. I just don't know when/how often I'll post.

I will certainly complete my Christmas quotes. That is easy. And though you probably don't care, I do.

Well, now I'm a bit depressed. Do you read? Are you there? Would you show me a bit of love? Just let me know if you read. By leaving a comment, I will know if more than 3 of you are reading. Just give me that validation, would ya? I promise, I won't hold you to commenting after every post.

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I don't think a football is a very good Christmas present."

Ralphie in A Christmas Story

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

The heavenly aroma still hung in the house. But it was gone, all gone! No turkey! No turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy! Turkey Hash! Turkey A La King! Or gallons of turkey soup! Gone, ALL GONE!

Ralphie in A Christmas Story

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

A Christmas Story

TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY

I have this friend, you see. Her name is Lisa. She and her twin host this blog carnival called, "TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY" or TMTT for short. I go through spells in posting. I was doing good for awhile. Then I ran out of ideas or time or something. Well....I'm back. And this is a keeper!

I did cup cakes (the recipe made 24, but I would think a tube or fluted pan would work well, too.)

Here are all the ingredients:

cake:

zest from 4 oranges
1/2 pound of butter (room temp)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup fresh OJ
6 oz buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups choc chunks (I used Baker's semisweet and cut into chunks....one 8-oz box was perfect)

syrup:

1 cup OJ
1 cup sugar

Ganache:

1 pound semisweet chips
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp instant coffee powder

Directions:

Cream 2 sticks of butter and sugar for about 5 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time.
Add zest of all oranges

In a separate bowl, sift/mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup OJ, buttermilk and vanilla.

Add the dry and wet ingredients to the sugar/butter mixture. Alternate: dry - wet - dry - wet - dry (do not overbeat.)

Toss the chocolate chunks with a dusting of flour. (This will keep the chocolate from sinking to the bottom of the pan.) Fold the chocolate into the batter with a spatula, being careful not to over mix.

Put into pan. Not sure of the time...maybe 350 for 45 minutes? The cupcakes were at 350 for 28 minutes.

While baking, make a syrup. Mix the OJ and the sugar. Heat to clear. (Bring to slight boil to dissolve.)

Ganache: over a double broiler (or even in a microwave) melt/mix the coffee granules, chocolate and cream. Stir until shiny and smooth. You want the chocolate to drizzle smoothly, not gloppily. (is that even a word?) So add more cream if you need.

When the cakes are done, remove from pan. Spoon or brush syrup over the top. You don't have to soak it in or use it all, but a nice amount. Do this over a warm cake so it will soak in more.

When cakes are cooled, either spoon ganache to sit on top and drip down sides or drizzle with spoon for a stringy look.

If you have any questions or want any other recipes, let me know. Tell me how they do!!!

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."

It's a Wonderful Life

CHRISTMAS QUOTE OF THE DAY

Eddie: "You surprised to see us, Clark?

Clark: "Oh Eddie... If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now."

Eddie and Clark from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Christmas Quote of the Day

Charlie: These are Santa's reindeer, aren't they?

Scott Calvin: I hope not. These are... A gift. Probably from the

cable company. We're getting the Disney Channel now. Merry Christmas.

From: The Santa Clause

Christmas Quote of the Day

"Nickels, Nickels, Nickels"

by Lucy from A Charlie Brown Christmas

(My youngest son says, "nipples, nipples nipples" I wonder if he gets that from his daddy.)

Christmas Quote of the Day

"Just send money."

by Sally from A Charlie Brown Christmas