Admittedly, I'm not a blogger.

I will, however, attempt to Journal my Christmas again this year. Usually starts out great then ends with a thud. Hoping not this time.

Today was one of those days. I had a ton to do that I had put off til the last minute because I'm generally good under pressure. DH was off, which was great today (not so much other days). He was actually helpful and very pleasant. I had a put off wrapping the gifts for the Autism Christmas party and since I had thought someone was going to come by and pick up the gifts, I figured I'd better wrap a few. Some of the gifts were great, like for the girls (Barbies) but for the boys...some things were just not that good. I'd feel terribly if a little boy got the dud gift and looked at his sister's big gift with envy. Just not right. So my BFF & I went to Wal-mart and loaded up on cool gifts. Games, Transformers, Bakugan, Legos, R/C cars & light up robots...super cool boy toys!!

As far as the picutre for today, BFF called to tell me I should have had DH take a pic of me wrapping gifts like a mad woman. Hmmm...no. The Charlie Brown special got pre-empted by the Prez...first speech I didn't want to listen to...so DS1 and I settled in to watch Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, after I just missed 'A Year without a Santa Claus'....bummer. Had to do the homework! Which surprisingly, he did all of it without prompting. He's still in "J" level, but his teacher bumped him to the chapter books. He's getting better at re-telling the story, finally!! Hoping he will be 'K' level really really soon.

Back to the picture...well, its World AIDS day and for every cup of Starbucks, 5cents goes to research and funding. BFF and I had to go get coffees!! Peppermint Mocha for me, Decaf Eggnog Latte for her, and a cute little polar bear sugar cookie for DS (all out of his favorite chocolate chip ones! Shame!!) Starbucks is a holiday tradition for us, so this is my first potd for my journal. Now I'll have to go read the prompt Shimelle wrote for the day and add those comments here.

Later!

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I get asked all the time..."Do you Facebook?", "Twitter?", "blog?".  Simply, "no", "sometimes", "not enough". I "facebook" thru my BFF, she's usually at work, so browsing the site thru her is no biggie. I "tweet" all the time, lately. I like having Regis_and_Kelly, Brent Spiner, and Mark Consuelos on my "tweet" list. There's some great scrapbookers there, as well. I think the best part is having inside access to the Webkinz World thru the Webkinz Insider. LOL Have to know when a "rare" item will be sold in Arte's Curio Shop!! (Yep, I'm a big kid at heart!)

It's been a strange summer weather wise. Not hot & humid enough to swim, but pleasant, so long as the activity of the day doesn't revovle around the swimming pool. DH broke down and purchased one of those Intex blue pools for the boys- of course, I found it on sale and insisted we have one- and for the most part, my little guy was the happiest about the whole thing. Until the weather was cool...MOST of the summer. We did have our fun days and DH must have been pleasantly surprised that I'm a little OCD with the whole pool cleaning thing. In fact, if we play our cards right, the tax return will buy the boys a 'real' pool next year.

Big news: I got to go to Disney World, BY MYSELF. No husband, no kids. Ok, I did ask my other BFF to join me. She's a Disney junkie, just like me, and jumped at the chance to go- No husband, no kids. Did I mention NO husband and NO kids? Best vacation EVER!! While I love my boys to death, being kidless @ Disney, was just too much fun. Besides, they get to tag along in a couple months when we take our family vacation. Yep, another DISNEY vacation. Two in one year!! WAH-HOO!! I'm a lucky girl.

I'm participating in Shimelle's 'Learn Something New Everyday'. Yes, I remember how well my "Journal my Christmas" didn't turn out...so I'm hoping I learned something...I'll complete this task somehow. LOL

Ha- that's why I'm blogging. To keep track of the prompts, maybe tag a photo a day...I can dream, can't I???

So...what did I learn today? Don't expect someone else to know the value of something, if you don't tell them what to expect ahead of time. In other words, don't expect a lot of people...you won't be disappointed.

After thinking on it for sometime this morning, I think what I learned yesterday was how much I love sleeping in. With my little bundle beside me. Cuddling. I love having his little hand brush up against my hair or my face when he rolls over. He's just so content. I'll certainly miss this the most as he gets older. Yes, sometimes he's just a little 'heater' and I spend half the night moving to the other side of the bed- getting next to no sleep trying to get comfy- but, I honestly don't mind it because he's only little once. I also enjoy getting hugs from my oldest. He's always saying "hug, mom!" with his wirey little arms spread so wide. Just love it. He can be such an ornery little character (takes after his dad), but he's just a sweet kid. Wish he didn't take after his dad so much sometimes.

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I'm all about resolutions...so here are a few to work on in 2009.

1. Be a better person. Happier, satisfied.

2. Maintain my weight loss.

3. Become an organized and inspired scrapbooker.

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I was exhausted yesterday & didn't post. Tonight I can say...WAY TO GO CARDINALS!! They won their division for the first time in (I think this is correct?!) 33 years!! That means they are going to the playoffs...YAHOO!! Little man was so excited...he's been their biggest fan.

Guess I have 4 prompts to fill out now...oh, well.

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All week long, I've been wanting to finish up on projects for the store. Everyday (except Monday because they are closed) I've been thinking just go there for a few hours & get something done. This morning was no exception. I figured DH was going to lunch with a friend, I can run up to the store and finish something. ANYTHING...just get a project completed. For some reason, my cel phone is MIA. I really don't want to leave the house without it and I have NO IDEA where it is. I really just want it with me, in case there's an emergency...it's winter, anything can come up. In the shower, I decide I'll just go to the store & grab stuff I'll need- I can go back and crop later tonight. DH will be home with the boys- I can stop being such a worry wart. I got out of the shower and made a cup of coffee. I'll have a bit of breakfast, then I'll get dressed to go out...I just have a "feeling".

I sat on the couch to read my e-mail before I leave...I was looking for a printable J's coupon...when the phone rings. I look at the caller-ID on the TV and it reads "L S PUB". Okay, what's that about (?!) I'm thinking. It's Thing2's teacher about Thing2... the OT is in today and the parapro got distracted...Thing2 has Play-Doh in his ear. She goes on to tell me that they can see it lodged in his ear canal (its blue) but the school nurse doesn't want to try to extract it. Please call the pediatrician to advise. I'm thinking...UMMMM...good thing I know she is usually in on Fridays! And seriously, what'd you mean the school nurse doesn't want to go in there?? How far is it in his ear, exactly?? Just not sounding too good here...

I called the Peds office to be certain and the nurse was quite hesitant when I told her the school nurse didn't want to mess with it. She told me the ENT is in today and she'd have him on call, in case his assistance was needed. He has a gadget that could suck it out of his ear, if necessary. Yep, that didn't sound good to me either.

I arrived at Thing2's school lickety split and because his appt was at 11:15 and it was now 10:53, I was out of there fast. I did happen to look at his ear & saw the slightest small speck of blue play-doh just inside his ear canal. I'd have gone for it myself except I feared that I'd leave something behind and an infection would follow...so off to the dr we went.  I made every light on Hall Rd (odd, that never happens otherwise) and I was in the lot at 11: 14...whew! The nurse was ready for us and we went right in. Found out he weighs 44 pounds... yikes, his brother only weighs a little over 4 lbs. more. Anyways, Dr D came in checked his ear & said, I can get that..let's hold your head still. YEAH, right. After some squirming, he got the all clear. Whew! Glad that's over.  

I've got 2 days of prompts I need to make up for now...and still a bunch of projects for the store that need to be finished!! ARGH!!

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A few weeks ago, Oprah and Peter Walsh formed the "Clutter Crew". Seconds after the show started, my phone rang. It was a friend who wanted to turn me in to get "clutter busted". Only days before that, I had a revelation that I couldn't stand my kitchen table clutter any longer. No matter what it took, the table would be clean before I went to bed ( or at least, if there was an unfinished project there- it wouldn't take up the WHOLE table!). That lead to the cleaning frenzy in the living room. I love my living room. It has a nice comfy couch and a 47 inch flat screen TV. The walls are a beautiful shade of mocha brown- when the sunlight shines thru my Pella bay windows, the color on my walls remind me of a wonderful Starbucks frappaccino. YUM...  oh, anyways- I managed to sort and purge all the messes of clutter & now my living room is a much more tranquil place.

Today, I decided to unclutter the scraproom. Really, I was looking for the acrylic stamps I bought a few weeks ago. Three trash bags and one full recycle bin later, I can see some improvement in there. Still no stamps. Go figure.

I didn't get to read today's journal prompt...oops! Guess I'll have to check that out tomorrow.

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Managed to go to sleep much earlier last night...only bad thing about going to bed so early, my internal alarm clock woke me very early. Like 2 hours early. UGH. While Thing 1 was refreshed at having had so many hours asleep, his brother, on the other hand, would have preferred otherwise. He has never really been a sleephead anyways.

On the school front, it was a little hairy there with my 28 other kids. It was Scholastic Newsletter time, so basically I read it to them & the kids followed along. Name Bingo, with my cast of 12, was not productive, to say the very least. Thing1 thought that since Mom is running the show, he should win. Well, it didn't turn out his way and he wasn't very happy. He kept telling me "Mom, you didn't play right."  Sorry, kiddo.

I returned a couple of items today at JCP. I should have kept the jeans. I'll have to go back & see if I can find them again. "Chelsea jean", size 6, dark vintage wash. Hopefully that pair is in the catalog.

Got home & took a long look around. I love my Christmas tree. I can do without all the other chaztke things. Need to get those Christmas ornaments on Ebay. Unfortunately, the economy around here stinks- hoping I can get a couple sales here and there.

I think today's prompt was about Christmas cards. Last years cards are where I left them...in the basket on the rolling cart in the kitchen. They've been there all year. I keep wanting to go thru them and make a new Christmas card list. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. I came across the cards from 2006 in my scraproom yesterday. I'm still searching for the acrylic stamps I bought to make this year's card! I'll just have to make due with the ones I've got. Now, if I could only remember if my stamp pads are buried in my scraproom or did they get "borrowed"?!

Watched Rudolph with Thing2 cuddled on the couch. Couldn't get any better than that!

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I did it. I signed up for Shimelle's "Journal Your Christmas". I figure it will pay off in the end because eventually I'll get to working on this concept. LOL

Another run around town day with DH. Costco, grocery store...it's a day long process that wears me out, especially since I didn't get to bed til after 1am...wonder why that is??? he-he-he.

Really need to get my mojo working on these class projects for the store...UGH. I really have "zero" reading on the creativity scale right now.

Watched "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with Thing1 tonight. I realize I've been watching this one since I was his age. Wow- that's a revelation.

I believe my prompt for the day was to talk about the weather...what my perfect Christmas weather would be like? HMMM.... a light, fluffy coat of fresh fallen snow stuck to everything (except the driveway & streets). I like White Christmases, just not so much the slippery & slick stuff. I think I have a photo of the wisteria tree out front with just the look I want for Christmas...except the photo was taken EASTER SUNDAY. Seriously.

 I've been thinking about Christmas lists...I'll have to write those thoughts down before I forget! Cookie baking, friend's shopping, items I need to finish those never-ending class projects...

My cousin sent me this the other day...figure I'd share my answers...

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Something for fun!!!!

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?   Wrapping paper, I have so much from all the fundraisers & day after Christmas sales at TARGET & Hudson's.

2. Real tree or Artificial?   Artificial...I can hear the boys sneezing just thinking about balsams and evergreens...

3. When do you put up the tree?  Right before Thanksgiving, usually finish up by the day after.

4. When do you take the tree down? The first weekend DH is off in January.

5. Do you like eggnog? YUCK!! YUCK- YUCK!!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie's Airplane. I think the most memorable gift was the year I rec'd an EasyBake oven.

7. Hardest person to buy for?  ???

8. Easiest person to buy for? my kids (and myself!)

 9. Do you have a nativity scene?  Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but this year I'm not quite sure how that's going to happen!!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? don't recall getting one of those...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Holiday"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?  I generally try to buy throughout the year, but I love shopping on BLACK FRIDAY!!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  no

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? CHRISTMAS COOKIES!!!

16. Lights on the tree?  multicolor

17. Favorite Christmas song?  The Chipmunks Christmas song, Bing Crosby & David Bowie's "Little Drummer Boy"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?  stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?  star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?  Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the hustle & bustle, having to go here & there, just gotta say "no" sometimes.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?  Hallmark, Santa & Lighthouses...

24 What do you want for Christmas this year?  gift cards to ALL my favorite places...

25. Who is most likely to respond to this?  Kiley & Nancy

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I have good intentions of doing things and somehow they usually end up incompleted. "WHY is that?", you ask? Well, mostly it's because I'm majorly a procrastinator.

Take today, for example. I started the day ready for the "Journal Your Christmas" challenge & the whole Daily December album. What I have (now that it is almost 1am 12/2) is a few thoughts about what is now- YESTERDAY.

I'll never understand why my DH thinks that leaving a dirty sink overnight is ever okay. Same with the clothes left in the dryer. Ok- I admit, I do leave the clothes there overnight sometimes- but, at least, I KNOW that there's clothes in there. Makes me want to make a "empty/full" magnet for the dryer like the one I want to make for the dishwasher that says "dirty?/clean!".

I did fill the advent calendar box with Skittles & Starbursts for Thing1 today. He didn't get a chance to open the box because we went to see Madagascar 2 @ MJR. Loved the movie. Loved that we went as a family- the FOUR of us. Loved that my little guy laughed harder & louder than anyone in the theater. What a great moment. Just awesome.

Found the "scarce" Santa Wish List item at Target today. Whew!

Hoping to make this an everyday event for the month of December...we'll see how it goes.

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I took this album class at CKU last year. Since I did the week in the spring/winter last year (around Easter), I decided to do this challenge in the summer this year. This is it...this is the week I've chosen. It's an ordinary week, nothing special on the agenda...I think.

Still cleaning up for the LSS garage sale in a few weeks. I have lots & lots of goodies that need to find new homes. Hopefully, I can raise some cash to pay for cc bill coming up. OUCH...don't even want to think about that.

The NO-SPEND challenge is just that...a challenge. Yesterday, I went to FlowerFactory and spent close to $50 on scrap supplies, tags & bags for the LSS garage sale. I did get 2 cute, cute, cute 8x8 albums for projects. A Chatterbox baby boy album & a DaisyD's Christmas one. Maybe Thing2's baby album will be finished before Thing1's. Really need to work on that... not liking the CM album, but that's where this scrapbook addiction started- so, I'll finish it eventually.

Here are some pics from the past weeks...

Out & About Autism 3- We always have fun at this fundraiser for our local ASA chapter. Once again, little one walked the whole mile and this year, Thing1 walked and didn't ask to be carried at all. WHOO-HOO!!

Celebrating Friends- Birthdays are always a good time to express gratitude for friendships made. We celebrated in style with a Sunday crop at one of our favorite LSS's along with the most of our online scrap friends and ate dinner at Red Robin's.

WiiFit- Admittedly, DH bought this for me in hopes that I would forgo a gym membership. Turns out Thing1 is really good at yoga. Me...not so much. LOL

Success- After many attempts, Thing1 finally has the grasp of 'stick your head underwater'. Who knew all it took was a swim mask for him to master it?  

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