Slammed by Snow!

Wow, they weren't kidding about the weather this time. As of ten o'clock last night, there wasn't a flurry to be seen here in Pewaukee. I decided to go to the store just to get some basics, and they were completely sold out of milk. Not a gallon or a quart in sight. Apparently people were freaking out about the impending blizzard. Luckily I have about four gallons in the downstairs fridge, so I wasn't worried. I bought my stuff (including the last of two car window scrapers) and then I went home, and we went to bed.

We woke up this morning to this:

Naturally they've cancelled all the schools, and naturally, workaholic Hubby just left ten minutes ago to brave the drive Downtown, which they've dubbed with a BLIZZARD warning. I told him to call me the second he puts his big toe in the office.

I'm kind of laughing at my neighbors, though, they are out there, diligently shoveling their driveway, and in two hours it will be all snowed up again. But hey, they're bonding, I guess.

I had to call in to work, I have already tried the two babysitters I trust and they have both been snatched up already. I can't think of anyone to watch my kids, who doesn't live 40 miles away. Not a good sign. My kids are excited to go out and make snowmen and snow angels, but I told them not until the snow finished falling, around noon.

The only major stresser is our Church Christmas party (which I'm directing the music for and must be there) is tonight and I have to drive 40 miles there. I wonder if they will cancel it. So many people have to drive long distances to our little church, which is in Wales (a.k.a. BFE SIBERIA) Wisconsin. Should be pretty interesting.

If I don't blog tomorrow you'll know I'm in a ditch somewhere. Let's hope they get smart and cancel it.

Cross your fingers for me...

Introducing: The Gingerbread…HOVEL…

Okay, this is slightly embarrassing. We decorated our Gingerbread House last night. At least, it was supposed to be a house. Apparently the gingerbread kit I got was SO fresh, one side of the roof caved in after we decorated it. The weight of too many gumdrops I suppose.
Hence, we have more of a hovel, than a house. But it was fun putting it together and eating more gumdrops than we put on it.
It’s truly a mess, but the kids had a blast. And you can get the kits for $9.99 at Target. Fun!

And on a sour note, I'm experiencing my first pangs of of what we Retail People call Holiday Jeer. It’s all coming back to me now, as I’ve been working at this store.

I worked retail for years and years, and I remember HATING Christmas. Christmas to me was just tired feet and endless hours of bitchy customers and Floor moves and re-arranging floor displays when they sold out. Not to mention the endless stocking of merchandise and calls to deal with upset customers.

I am seeing such people at my work now. Tired, burned-out “over it” people, and they just want the Holidays to be over.
Since little pee-on me just works about four or five hours a day, I can afford to have a little Holiday cheer. But these poor souls who put in long days, all I can say is UGH. I remember those days, and may they always remain in my memory only. May I never have to re-live them. Luckily the store I’m working at is pretty well run. Not too much chaos.

Oh, and a note to shoppers…please, don’t be a piggy and leave all your clothes inside the fitting room—inside-out on the floor. We will curse your name and stick pins in Voodoo dolls that resemble you. You SUCK when you leave those kinds of messes for us Fitting Room people. Yeah, we may seem cheerful, and unperturbed by it all, but we really REALLY hate lazy people like you. While we’re smiling at you, we secretly want to run at you and push you over a very jagged cliff.
Just in case you wondered.

Time to get going! Just one question: Why is it that all my really comfy shoes are older than my kids, and out of style? Why is fashion so uncomfortable these days? We went and bought me some “comfy” shoes, and my feet are worse off than before. Maybe it's because my toes don't naturally go to a point, and DO NOT enjoy feeling like they're being pushed through the end of a ball-point pen.

Hmmmm…….

One Down, Two to Go...

Status: Feeling pregnant and a tad overwhelmed but happy because I found Applets and Cotlets in the Christmas candy section at Target.

I got the Main Tree up yesterday. The same artificial tree we, as newlyweds, spent way too much on at Dillards when I worked there. (I'll never forget that day, it was the day after Christmas, and people were CRAZY over the Christmas trees--luckily I grabbed mine up fast, but it was still $400 at half price...and one man, he was fighting over a tree with another man, and suddenly he pointed at the man and shouted (at the top of his lungs, mind you) :
"I CURSE YOU FOR YOUR SELFISHNESS!! I CURSE YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY! MAY YOU NEVER HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS WITH THIS TREE!!!"

And no, I'm NOT kiddding. It was that crazy. But anyway, we got the tree, and here we are, ten years later and it still looks fabulous. And I still have all the same decorations I bought ten years ago, including the ribbon. This tree has looked the same for a decade, and it's practically an antique. I lurve it.)

ANYWAY, it looks very nice in the Great Room.

So, one down, two to go. But sadly, I have to work today, tomorrow, and the next day (tis' Christmas time you know!) and I won't be able to get any more trees up until the weekend, at the earliest.

I found all the Christmas CD's, and I was listening to them as I trimmed the tree (I sort of ran out of lights at the top) and it was really nice. I just think it's funny because my kids LOVE Johnny Mathis. I grew up listening to him at Christmas, and so are they. Luckily Hubby likes him too. But even if he didn't, I'd still play my Johnny CD. ;-)

Ugh, the boys are running around in their underwear upstairs and whacking each other with their shirts. Time to intervene!

WOWZA.

I suspect this might be some sort of record for me...not blogging for an entire week is so...unlike me. I usually have something to say.
But then again, I usually have the TIME to say it.

This past week was busy, crazy, fun, and draining, all wrapped into one. Yesterday was not-so-fun because Hubby was home sick (we suspected flu but he's better and on his way to work today) and I had to work yesterday.

So, the highlights of last week: we convect-roasted our 20-pound turkey in half the normal time, and I have to say, it was delectable. I even took pictures. I'll spare the vegans among you and I won't post them, but let me say, the turkey was perfect.

Another highlight: can I just say that I'm a bit hoarse and I have shin splints from jumping around and screaming at the tail end of what was probably the BEST BYU/U of U Game ever? I was so stressed at the end, I was on the sofa, cowering under the blanket with one eye peeking out at that last play, and when it was over I was hitting the ceiling. (Can I just say I've never actually moshed with my In-Laws before? It was weird.)
But the game was Amazing. It reminded me of the "old days", when no matter what, it seemed BYU could pull it out. What a great game.

We got a lot of shopping done, spent insane amounts of money, and basically had a blast. I guess that's what you do this time of year. I am determined to get Christmas cards out this year...maybe not with a family picture this time because with Hubby's work there's about 500 to send out, but I want to let people know I care, you know?

I'm off work today (my only day off this week) and I want to get our main tree up. I'm only doing three trees this year. The BIG One, the "Front Show Window" one, and the upstairs "Hi Look At Me" one. That's it.

Oh, and Hubby and FIL did the Griswald Christmas light thing...our house is now covered in these huge snowflake icicle lights. It only took them two days. And I drew the line at doing the upper roof, because it was too high and too stressful. But it sure is pretty.

Time to run to Target! I need to see if they have any Gingerbread House Kits left. Man, I love the holidays!

EEEEEK!!!

No time to blog today! In the middle of CRAZINESS!!!!

Wish me luck!!!

It SUNNED!!!

Okay, yes, thank you-- I'm aware that "Sunned" is not a word. Thing Three coined that phrase this weekend. Why?
Sunday was GORGEOUS...the sun came out, and it shined all day, and the sky was blue with puffy white clouds.
(Thing One couldn't resist singing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" every five minutes until I had to threaten her with pain to get her to cease and desist)
It was freezing cold, but it was sunny. And today the sun is out too, it's streaming over my face as I type this. WOO HOO!

I fully expect Craziness to ensue this week...the In Laws decided to come for Thanksgiving last minute (as in YESTERDAY) and so I have roughly today and tomorrow before they Descend. Not that I'm stressed or wanting to yank my hair out in frustration or anything. I'm always up for a challenge. Luckily I have today off, so I can run around like a head with my chicken cut off for one day, and then pace myself tomorrow. And yes, that switch about the chicken was intentional.

We saw "Happy Feet" this weekend, and although the middle was a tad weird, it was a good movie. Hubby and I have to keep reminding ourselves that we are ADULTS watching a movie geared for LITTLE KIDS so there are going to be some "far-fetched" storylines.

The only freak-out for me was Elijah Wood as Mumble (I've always been freaked out by Elijah Wood, ever since LOTR, so watching his face come out as a talking fuzzy penguin didn't help much in the Freakish Department) but everything else was very cleverly done.

But the HARRY POTTER TRAILER was awesome! Granted, it went WAYYYY too fast for me and when it was over I was like "That's IT? I'VE BEEN ROBBED!!!" but other than that, it was pretty cool. A Teaser if you will. But it looks like it's shaping up to be a good movie. (Although all my harping on Dan Radcliffe to cut his hair has backfired, he finally did and now he looks TWELVE again. Careful what you wish for, right?)

Ooh, the clock is ticking. Time for Craziness! Wish me luck!

Where's the Sun?

Okay, I'm not typically one to whine, but WHERE IS THE SUN IN THIS PLACE LATELY??? Coming from Denver, where the sun was nearly ALWAYS out, and the sky was ALWAYS this bright pretty blue, I am now finding myself in Sun-less Purgatory.

AKA Wisconsin. Gray, flat, drab, gloomy, dark, and did I mention windy and cold? Granted, we haven't had a true snowfall yet, which is really strange (I read something about Global Warming affecting WI the other day) but this lack of sun is really affecting me lately. I prefer snow. Then at least you have light outside your windows. I am feeling really depressed lately. I wilt when there isn't sun.

I've heard of those lamps that mimic the sun's natural light. I think I need to invest in a couple of those, and put them in the house. Hubby says it's time to plan a vacation, in January or February, to someplace warm and tropical, and sunny. It would be nice if we sold our house in Denver first! UGH. I heard that after November 15th, the market goes dead and we won't have a chance to sell until after the new year.
A lot to be depressed about, but I'm still going to try and have faith. Otherwise I'll end up shuffling around in my bathrobe somewhere, which isn't what I want.

We are staying home for Thanksgiving, and for the first time in a long time, we aren't having houseguests. So we get to prepare all the food ourselves. I am actually looking forward to it. Hubby and I have great fun when we're in the kitchen cooking together, and he is really good at cleaning up after me. He has this little chant: "Lara messes it up, Hubby cleans it up..." and he always sings it when we cook. Sometimes I want to whack him, but it's all in fun.

I love the Holidays. I think next week will be the perfect week to get up all my Christmas stuff. Lights and trees and bows and Christmas music will be the perfect remedy for all this...depression. Nothing like Holiday Cheer!

Hopefully I can be "cheerful" during all the sales they have at work. People go CRAZY over sales here. I mean seriously mental. Which reminds, me, I have to work today! Time to go!

Have a good weekend, all, and be HAPPY!

A Sad but Obvious Truth...

I read an article in which Dan Radcliffe, the kid who plays Harry Potter in the movies, gave an interview about his thoughts on the end of Book Seven. Much of what he said makes sense, sadly:

"I'd like to think that I'll be playing a Death Scene at the end. I think, personally, that's the only way J.K. (Rowling) could ever halt any call for her to keep writing Potter books, because, I mean, if Harry survives, she'll just be getting plagued by requests to write an eighth book the rest of her life."

I hate to admit it, but it rings true. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the last Book. I mean, it IS the last book. It's THE END. Harry could very well die. But readers who have stayed with him through every adventure, every close call, will feel a sense of loss. We've all grown "rather fond" of the boy wizard (as evidenced by a poll conducted by the Leaky Cauldron in which people were asked to rate who they wanted to survive in Book Seven the most, and guess who the clear winner was).

I have the day off today, which is good because the kids have a half day at school. I am going to do about 12 loads of laundry that have piled up over the last two weeks. I have been bad and let it accumulate. I guess the Laundry Fairy decided to fly over my house and skip it. ;-)

Well, got to get the kids to the school bus stop! Why does it feel like Friday?

ps---It's Freezing!!!

Exhausted.

Being a current "baby-maker" I am seriously NO GOOD past ten o'clock at night. But when Hubby travels, I can't sleep.
So, last night, around ten pm, I went downstairs and picked a movie to watch to get me to sleep. Of course I picked a really cool one with snappy music: Sahara.
So, around Midnight just as it was ending, and I was concluding that Matthew McConaughey has suspisciously stubby arms, I started feeling sleepy.
Now, six hours later, I am dead. And my day is full. Dr.'s appt. at 9:30, work from 11-3, and then I have to run home and clean up the mess I left in the mud room with all the leftover junk and empty boxes.
I cleaned the guest room yesterday. Well, UNPACKED the guest room. It looks fabulous. But it took me four hours, from nine to noon. So, now, the only thing left is the basement. But the basement is the daunting part. Granted, my office in the basement is done (hey, I PRIORITIZED!) but now I have to do the family room, gameroom, Movie Theatre room, bathroom, 2nd kitchen, and the back area needs to be organized so I can have my little craft room.
Yeah, did I mention my basement is GINORMOUS? This project will take a month or so. But when I'm done, I'll be done with the whole house.

The age old question: How do you eat an elephant?

I've got to look at it that way. I'm almost there! We are having houseguests for Christmas so I have a deadline.

I was reading in the news that there is a new massage that was invented specifically for "Blackberry Thumb." I laughed and laughed. Hubby had a blackberry for his last job, and all he did was stand like a Greek statue and scroll with his thumb, all the time. He had to have that clean inbox. He was checking it constantly, in restaurants, at home, everywhere.Now he has a Treo and he's just as bad, but at least he doesn't have Blackberry (aka CRACKberry) Thumb.These poor Crackberry addicts! But I can joke about it because I don't have one. I can imagine it's highly addictive.

Time to make lunches and run. I am so dang tired, I think the kids can have hot lunch today. Yes, I'm a bad mommy. *Yawn*

Tuesday Toast Day II

The kids love today. Instead of cereal, they get toast, or english muffins, or bagels. Hubby thinks it's not the most nutritious breakfast, and he's right, but it's only one day a week and frankly, they're kids, they have to have SOME fun to break up the monotony of cold cereal.

Oooh, I was sooo mad about "Heroes" last night. We DVR it and watch it after the kids are in bed, and lately it's been running "over" time. Well, I keep forgetting to set the timer to tape a few minutes later, and for the SECOND week in a row, the ending has been cut off. I was livid. I mean, the ending is "kind of" important, right? All we saw was Hiro's friend sitting by himself in the cafe, and CUT! Would you like to erase this program now? flashed on the screen.

*GRRRR*

I have remedied the problem, and let me tell you it won't happen again. If anyone has any insight as to what happened at the end last night, please feel free to let me know!

Okay, to clarify about my boys singing songs from the musical "Annie" yesterday, it doesn't bug ME so much, but I know if HUBBY hears them, he'll freak out. It's just a man thing.

Today I'm off from work (had a close call yesterday when a lady asked me to cover her shift, I said no and I felt so bad but I need these days off) and I intend to fully work on the first floor Guest Room. We got lucky with this house. First floor Master, and First Floor Guest room, with it's own full bath. But unfortunately, it's currently full with about 50 boxes, all of which either go in there, or I just didn't want to unpack and moved in there. So, this will be a chore. And I have to change the curtains. They put these really nice draperies in there, but they are PINK and BLUE and YELLOW flowers and I have no idea what they were thinking. The rest of the house is so earth-toned and subdued and...dignified. So I bought some khaki-colored draperies and they should look good on the windows. I hate to change them out, because they really are nice, but they just don't match anything I have.

Okay, rambling. I'm off to Sendiks for the weeks' groceries (and I promised the kids they could have Sushi tonight (although Thing Two won't go near it and so he'll have a corn dog, how's that for dysfunction) and then it's KNOCK OUT THE GUEST ROOM time. And I will officially be done with the first floor.

Go me.