Let The Festivities Begin

The Christmas Season officially begins for me when I see this commercial.  I saw it today during a football game.  Sorry, I don’t remember which one.  I’ve watched so many this weekend they’re all kind of blurring together.  But it’s official now . . . it’s time for Christmas.   

YouTube – Hershey’s Kisses Christmas Commercial
 

It’s been a wonderful weekend.  For time first time in ages, Hubby and I have sat on the couch and watched movies together.  Lots of movies.  Lots of football games.  Slept in.  Went to the Day Old Bakery.  Cleaned the house together.  I took the dogs for a walk and we checked out all the neighborhood holiday decorations.  Hubby mentioned that maybe next year we might put up some holiday decorations of our own.  I didn’t get around to my cross stitch, but I did get out the knitting.  I read the entire Sunday paper – with ads!  I’ve sat on the floor and snuggled with the doggies in my lap – something I haven’t done in a really long time.  I’m making a list of the holiday cookies that I want to make. 

It was a pretty boring weekend.  But considering the crazy pace of our lives the last year or so, it was a welcome change.  I feel almost guilty enjoying it. 

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Survival

Hubby and I survived hosting our first family Thanksgiving at our house.  The kids and grandkids were here.  We ate a lot of food.  We had fun.  But it was weird not having MIL here.  Hubby and I had no idea all the planning that goes into cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  She always made it look easy.  We just knew that she was laughing hysterically at us.  

 

We survived delivering the Black Friday ads on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.  We’re giving up the paper route on December 27, so I’ll never have to do that again. 

 

I need to clean my house. 

 

I need to go into work for a little bit.

 

Other than that, no real plans.  Maybe finally some cross-stitch or some knitting.   

Your Tire’s All Flat and Junk

 

Life has calmed down a bit and I’m getting to spend more time at home watching TV.  The doggies are loving it.  I sit on the floor and they snuggle on my lap.  I’m catching up on my reality shows. I’m catching up on my Soaps.  I’m seeing all kinds of new commericals.

 

 

 

 

This one is my new favorite.  I love the southern accent on the pot hole. 

 

You gotta love the simple things in life . . . .

I’m In Charge?!

Oh Dear.  I’m in Charge?!  Who put me in charge!?  I didn’t ask for this but sure as I’m sitting here, I’m in charge.  Crap!

 

It’s only been a month or so since MIL’s passing, but it’s pretty obvious who is going to be taking over the family tradition of Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners.  Yes, that’d be me.  (See me smiling and waving!)  Crap! 

 

I don’t want to be in charge.  I don’t want to cook Thanksgiving Dinner.  MIL never let me help with anything so I have no first hand experience with cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people.  I can barely get the timing down right to cook dinner for me and Hubby.  I have to plan dinner for 10 people.  The first dinner as the new Matriarch of the Family.  The one where everyone is going to be saying "it’s not like Mother’s/Grandma’s" . . . Crap!

 

Hubby and I talked about gathering the kids and grandkids and going out to eat.  I’m sure there’s a buffet place that we could go to for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner.  But then we wouldn’t have any leftovers.  What’s Thanksgiving without a ton of leftovers?  And this is Princess’ first Thanksgiving at home in over 15 years.  You can’t start a tradition at a buffet place.  Crap!

 

Mom invited Hubby and I and the kids to her house for Thanksgiving Dinner, but they really don’t have the room for 27 people in their little house. 

 

Just when I was starting to have a major panic attack . . . I read the Kr0g3r ad.  They have pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings all ready.  You just order the dinner and they do the rest.  Sooooo, I’m cheating.  I ordered a pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, pies.  All I have to do is the side dishes – easy enough. 

 

Since I know that my cooking will never live up to MIL’s – or to everyone’s memory of MIL’s cooking – it won’t sting so much when they say "It’s not like Mother’s/Grandma’s"  I know that no matter how hard we try, things are going to be different.  Not bad.  Just different.  We have to adjust.  Just when you think you’re adapting well to the adjustments, you get smacked between the eyes with something new.  

 

So, how many years will it be before I stop dreading holidays?   

 

 

Today’s The Day

The Game Starts at Noon!!

 

 

 

Go Bucks!!

 

UPDATE – FROM ESPN – "The Buckeyes clinch the outright Big Ten title for the third time in four years and will almost certainly be headed to the Rose Bowl. Michigan dropped its seventh consecutive Big Ten game to finish last in the league for the first time since 1962. The Wolverines will miss a bowl for the second straight season." 

 

Poor Michigan!  ROTFL

 

 

Happy Birthday, Rocky

I can hardly believe it.  My baby boy will be 1 year old tomorrow. 

 

On November 19, 2008, Rocky made his appearance.  The story we were told is that his mommy was left at the Animal Resuce Place.  She was very pregnant.  How could anybody just leave a very pregnant dog like that?  They took her in and got her all comfortable.  Good thing because the very next day Rocky and his 12 siblings appeared.

 

 

He spent 11 weeks at the Animal Rescue Place before we found him.

 

 

It was love at first sight for Hubby and Rocky.  I needed a little more convincing.  Losing Blacky so suddenly was rough and I wasn’t ready for a puppy.

 

 

It was love at first sight for Luci and Rocky, too.  I could see that I was outnumbered.

 

But how could you not love this face?

 

 

He’s a sweet boy.  Obedient.  Well behaved.  Did great in puppy training class.  He’s Mommy’s sweetie.  But then he gets to romping with Luci and he’s a holy terror.  We’ve already had more than a few trips to the vet for sprained legs.  He just never gives up when he’s playing with Luci and she doesn’t realize that she’s so much bigger than him.  He’s a joyful addition to the family. 

 

 

Happy birthday, Rocky.  Mommy can’t imagine life without you. 

 

The Whole State of Michigan

You know where this is going, right?  I can’t help it.  I’m a Buckeye girl.  It’s part of my DNA.  I’ve always enjoyed the hype around The Big Game but for some reason this year I’m really having a good time with this. 

I found this the other day and it’s been in my head ever since.  One of those songs that get stuck in your head and you can’t get rid of it no matter how hard you try . . .

 

YouTube – I Don’t Give A Damn For The Whole State of Michigan
 

Yea, I’m going straight to you-know-where.  But at least it’s not Michigan . . .