It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving was lovely! We have so much to be thankful for...

health.
happiness.
togetherness.
employment.
warm home.
food.
gas.
God.

I could keep going, that is how bountiful our lives are.

The weekend continued on in an equally lovely fashion. Black Friday began with my sister at the side of my bed, at 4:45 am, I might add, "Beth, Beth? Are you still going with me?" Holy cannoli!

(Jake forgot to lock the door.)

"Uh, yah, superfly, I'm still going!

The day yielded many fruits. Normally, $52 coats from Gymboree for the kids; $7. Memory cards, Barbies, and movies from Wal-mart; $7, $5, and $2. Jeans for Jake from Old Navy; $14.

I also had brunch with the girls on Friday @ Russell's, we had dinner with Jake's old college friend, and games and snacks with friends Friday night. Jakey spent the night with his grandparents' Saturday and made an awesome gingerbread house. (see above)

I finished most of the Christmas decorations inside. Snow and sleet will delay the outside decor until next weekend. I actually have the spirit this year. That is highly unusual.

And my daddy's 59th birthday was today.

It was a great weekend.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Just think, one more year and you'll be 60. Then you will officially be 'old', which is good for you, because everyone loves a cute, little, crabby, old man. You know, the kind that doesn't move their cart out of the way in the aisle at the grocery store, or the kind that chases kids out of their yards with a rake or broom. Like that. Aren't you excited?

ps more super fab grosgrain giveaways (see links below)

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! and
Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!
I have to have the camera strap for my new girl! It is too delicious for words!

CHIEF

A young man named John received a parrot named 'Chief ' as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite Words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, 'I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior. ' John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, 'May I ask what the turkey did?' HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ps thanks for the "Chief" story, Aunt Mary!

Shutter happy.

I want to take pictures...lots of pictures!

Pet pictures,

kid pictures,

all kinds of pictures.


I will even take your picture,
or your pet's, or your kid's.
Whatever.
I am not great, maybe not even good,
but my camera is!
Go buy a SD card, and let me know.
I will sacrifice a day of laundry to shoot you.
Seriously.

I saw 'Twilight', AGAIN! I am such a loser!

Is it wrong?

The husband and I eat cookie dough frequently in our house. I know, I know; it's gross, it contains raw ingredients, you could die, yadda, yadda, yadda. I guess I am just a masochist. Anyway, I was wondering if you think it' s wrong to deny the kids of this pleasurable past time by hiding to eat it or waiting until they go to bed? Or, is it wrong to blame the empty package of cookie dough on Big Jake (even though, in this case, it wasn't him) when Pete pleads to have some? "No, honey, I'm sorry, your daddy ate all of it last night." Tell me this isn't wrong!
Also, Jake II wants to run away, like, every other hour for various reasons. I don't know if this is just normal 7-year-old behavior or if he is truly that disappointed in the family he was born into and he is going to stuff his underoos in a duffel and catch the next midnight train to Georgia. Either way, is it wrong for me to not really care? I mean, I care that he is distressed, but come on, son, Italy is not the answer to ridding yourself of those frustrated feelings you have because your dad didn't start the movie at precisely the moment you wanted it on. And Brazil has a new law that does not grant young American boys visas because they didn't get to the tree swing fast enough at the bus stop in the morning. I love him more than my own life, but I think I will help him pack at the next threat. Is this wrong?
And, finally, we come to the holiday hustle bustle. Is it wrong to fell like you shouldn't have to go to 15 different places for Thanksgiving/Christmas? I mean, Jake and I adore our families, but something has got to give. Some years, I feel like telling everyone that we will be at our house all day in our pajamas, and if you want to grace us with your presence, more power to you. "Paper plates are on the counter, turkey and stuffing is on the stove!" All I'm saying is, it takes 15-20 freakin' minutes to get four kids in and out of the car just to go one way. Hello! That alone is enough to make me just want to pull the covers up over my head, and say, "Stuff this up your turkey!" Is that wrong?

...and, yes, I already know the answers;
no, no, & no...

Just joshin'!

Here's to sharin' a bird with family!

waiting on my doorstep (courtesy of USPS)

Jennifer at Child's Play Crochet cooked these up for me in her etsy shop. I think someone here may be getting them in their stocking this year. Shhhhh! Rosie loves her some "cu-cakes"!

Today's topic...

...HAS BEEN PICKED JUST 4 U...

BOOTS!

We love 'em!
A lotta, lot!

They come in all kinds; dressy, casual, brown, black, short, tall! You can wear them all kinds of ways; jeans tucked in, jeans folded up, jeans over the top, with skirts, with tights, with socks, and yes, even with leg warmers (this is my favorite way, but I warn you, I dance around and sing, "She's a maniac, maniac on the-e flo-o-o-o-o-or"). Rosie gets to wear hers in the house because she has never worn them outside...yet. (Most of you know about my "no shoes in the house" rule.) Which is why I want that cute little sign for our door. >>>

How cute is that!

Anyway, I am rambling, so, I will catch you on the flip-side.

ps My sister has a pimple that she doesn't want anyone to know about (it's really not that bad, really), but let's just say a certain Christmas song comes to mind about a certain reindeer. The only reason I'm telling you this is because she thinks the world is going to come crashing down around her, and I am trying to teach her a lesson in perspective and humility. She will thank me someday. Maybe. (Love 'ya, Jill. BFF!)

These boots were made for walkin',
and that's just what they'll do...

USDA Prime

We had a great weekend! I think it is because my family is so wicked awesome. All we did was..



sing to the Birthday Boy (we celebrated Sam's 6th birthday at his house Saturday), <<<






eat chocolatey good cake (nice choice, Sam),>>>








spend time with my divine daddy (home from Fort Bragg for a week, HOORAY!), <<<






enjoy fine head gear (if only that fedora had a featha' in it),>>>







<<< take a power-nap (thanks, Jake, I needed that),







and BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE (gotta love a Rody)!>>>





I also saw 'Twilight' with my sister, she kept Pete overnight on Saturday, AND her, her groom, and their off-spring, took both of the boys to see 'Bolt' on Sunday afternoon. Score! Now, I ask you, does that not a sha-weet family make?

ps I would like to apologize to God for not making it to church for the past FOUR Sundays! Am I the only one that this happens to periodically, the-Sunday-worship-slump? There is no real excuse (none that would matter anyway), but I made it back today. Just lil' Jake and I went, and it was lovely. Why do I ditch, when I feel so good when I go? Stupid, stupid, stupid...

INSANITY

It's gettin' all kinds of crazy up in here! In about 28.5 hours, I will be watching 'Twilight' wtih my fabulous date, Jill (my sister). If any of you have a secret obsession, share it with her. Chances are, she'll love it, too, because she is just as crazy nuts, as I am!

All of the sudden, I can't get Rosemary & Betty Clooney's sweet voices out of my head...

Sisters, sisters,
There were never such devoted sisters.
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir.
I'm there to keep an eye on her.
Caring, sharing,
Every little thing that we are wearing...

Have a super fab weekend!

ps If you're not going to see 'Twilight', I bet mine will be better!
pps Congrats are in order to my cousin Andrew & his wife
on the birth of their first kiddo, Vincent (super
great name, it's my daddy's & G-pa's name, too),
and Mrs. K, who landed a job in no time. And my cousin
Emily, who has already been released
to go back to work after breaking her back, YIKES!
(Ahh, how the young & fabulous heal sooo quickly.)
The heavens have been smiling
down on all of you.

It's a Happy Haircut sorta day!

My mom & I got our haircut this morning. Miss Deb is a master of the blade. Lil' Ro went with us too, and liked watching the traffic whiz by (kinda like a dog, huh?). She only wishes she had enough hair to cut. Maybe when she's, like, 13 or something?


I also cut Betsy's hair the other day, all on my very own. I think I did a nice job. I actually cut a ton off, and even stacked it in the back. Go ME!

ps About 20 minutes after I left Salon Fusion, I got a call on my cell. It went like this...

Debbie: Beth, did you leave the check you wrote me?
Me: Um, I don't know, let me check...
Yeah, I sure DID NOT! It is still in my checkbook, all written out.
Debbie: Okay, I was just making sure I wasn't crazy. Just drop it by whenever you get a chance, no biggie!

Thanks, Debbie, you're a peach!

Happy Haircut!

the Yin & the Yang

the yin: a sofa that not only is aesthetically pleasing, but is also comfortable<<<<<
This concept seems lost on most people, but I assure you that you can have your cake and eat it too. And if you still need to be horizontal to be happy while using your sofa, my suggestion would be to get a great ottoman. Pillows also add cushyness and cuteness.

the yang: poofy, reclining furniture>>>>>
I realize that most of us go out to buy something that is comfy when we invest in furniture. But you can have great form and function. You can, you really can!



the yin: cloth diapers<<<<<
They have come a looonnngggg way since the days of our parents. They are just as easy as disposables, and WAY more cost effective. I love the bum genius 3.0. They also give little ones a big ol' boona that is irresistable. And, bonus, they are great for the environment. I am sorry I didn't know about these sooner than Rosie!


the yang: disposable diapers>>>>>
Sure they are more convenient, but they cost a fortune, and why spend the dough when there is an alternative. I haven't found a cloth diaper that I LOVE yet for Miss Betsy (she needs a big size and isn't potty trained yet because of her disability), but I am trying. (I've bought a few, well made ones off of etsy, but need more). Once you learn to live without these earth killers, you'll never miss 'em. Trust me!


the yin: living with no debt (mortgage and car payments excluded, and even student loans, I guess)<<<<<
Sure, it is hard to do sometimes, we even got into a little debt when we first got married (wow, were we stupid). Lesson learned. Now we have to save for things or just live without them (fancy vacations, cars, clothes, etc.), but in the end, it will be well worth it. We will be ahead of many of our generational counterparts. Remember, good things come to those who wait. And I truly believe this. Jake and I have never even had a car payment until about 4 years ago. (I miss those days)

the yang: living beyond your means>>>>>
Buying whatever you want whenever you want sounds great, and there are times that I wish we could do that. However, it is the instant gratification seekers that will suffer in the end.


the yin: jeans that are the right length<<<<< Your jeans should, ideally, cover the back of your heel. Let me tell you, at 6', this is very difficult for me to achieve. It takes about a 36" inseam.

the yang: jeans that are too short>>>>>
I cringe when I see girls walking around like that in the photo at right. If you are of average height, there is nooooooo reason that should happen. NONE! If you are tall or just have a hard time finding the right length, I would be more than happy to let you know where to find long jeans. Cheap, too!

the yin: smaller is sometimes better<<<<<
We live in 1000 square feet, in addition to a finished basement. Our kids share rooms, and space is at a premium. I have to get creative (very creative) storing and organizing our stuff, and, right now, I wouldn't have it any other way. You get very resourceful living like this. And, it's quite comfortable; physically, mentally, and financially. Sure, we'll get a bigger place someday, but for now, our crib is kickin'.

the yang: mcmansions>>>>>
What is this phenomenon about exactly? Who has the biggest house they can't afford? I certainly don't get it. Maybe someone else can explain it to me. My parents worked their whole lives to get where they are today. What ever happened to good old fashioned hard work and saving? But, hey, if you can finance it, you can afford it, right? Am I right, people, am I right?

Well, I could go on and on, so, I will stop now. Aren't you relieved?

ps I hope I didn't offend anyone. If I did, that certainly wasn't my intention. My way of living certainly isn't the only way or the right way. For all that know me, my opinions flow like Niagara Falls. Loved or hated, but never ignored. (Wow, I think that is my husbands college fraternity's motto. I am losing it!)

Asta Lasagna, don't get any on ya'!

Introducing...

#1 My new favorite design blog, This Young House, featuring a 2o-something duo from Virginia and their oh-so-bootiful house. For two young chippies, they've got it together. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you. I highly recommend the house tour, here, and taking a peek at their wedding album, here. (It was in their freakin' back yard. HELLO!)
If you don't want to trust my recommendation alone, here is a sneak peak of their living room. Incredible, isn't it? They are thrifty, too. That is always something I can appreciate when decorating is concerned (or anything for that matter).

#2 My precious woolly mammoth. You may recognize it as a really old PC. I guess either is correct. I thought this would make you all laugh. This is where all the blogging magic happens. I know it is old and ginormous, but I gotta say, it holds a special place in my heart. It doesn't perform fancy functions, and it has Windows '98 (if that's even a version of Windows). What I'm trying to say is, it is older than dirt, but it was free. And when you stay-at-home with four kids, while your husband goes off to do his knuckle-grinding work; FREE is good, hell, it's GREAT! All good things come to those who wait.

#3 Speaking of good things, and waiting (I've waited a REALLY long time)...the third introduction is my fab new camera from my man. It was supposed to be our family Christmas present, but he gave it to me early, so I could take great holiday shots. He has been working hard and saving $ in the "mama don't know" fund for some time to get me the SLR of my dreams. Well, maybe, not my dreams, but one that we could afford. It is spectacular. No more broken shutter, no more blurry photos, no more pictures that look like we live on the face of the sun because the flippin' flash is messed up (who needs a flash anyway?), no more squeezing the battery door closed, basically, no more stupid old camera.

Word up!