Christmas list

I was tagged at the office!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wraps and leaves under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
We haven't had lights on our house since moving into a house that is too tall to safely decorate. DJ on a ladder 3 stories up is not a good idea. The tree has all white lights, but I go back and forth on this.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
The last couple of years it has been the week before Christmas. This year we STILL haven't even got the tree out of storage yet and it's Dec. 21! We usually end up keeping it up for a long time though - one year till April and last year till February.

6. What is your favorite Christmas dish (excluding dessert)?
No real favorite but I always like that there are rolls to eat at Christmas dinner - with either Turkey or Ham.

7. Favorite Christmas memory as a child?
I liked the magic feeling of going to bed on Christmas Eve and then coming out Christmas morning to see all the new packages that had appeared under the tree.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember when I learned the truth.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We let the kids open one gift that we know won't be a main one.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With all the ornaments we have collected over the years. I used to make a lot of them, so I like to see them and read the dates on the back. I need to make some more!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I think it's necessary to feel like Christmas, but in general, I could do without.

12. Can you ice skate?
I will say yes because I understand the process, and am a good rollerskater, but really, not so much. Too hard on the ankles.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
No, but one year I got my first telephone and makeup and thought I was really cool.

14. What's the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Time off from work (so I can just hang out with my family.)

15. What is your favorite Christmas Dessert?
The assortment of homemade cookies that our neighboors bring over!

16. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Letting the kids eat whatever they want all Christmas day. Candy and oranges? OK. Cookies and Candy Canes? OK. They've learned that too much of that and they eventually need some "real food."

17. What tops your tree?
As big a star as I can find. I love stars.

18. Giving or receiving?
Giving. I love to see that I got just the right thing for each person and they love it. But I also love getting gifts that are a complete surprise that showed someone has been paying attention all year :)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Children, Go Where I Send Thee

20. Candy Canes! Yuk or yum?
Yum! I love them!

What a great Christmas mini-album this would make!

Your turn!

Down and out

Attention: "Woe is me" post ahead.
DJ is out of town for the next 9 days, which always makes life a lot more hectic and complicated, as any single parent can attest (they have my utmost respect, I don't know how they do it!) But to add to this, I woke up Saturday morning with a case of Sciatica that has rapidly progressed so I have no feeling (other than the sparkly tingly feeling of your foot being asleep) in my right leg from the knee down. Also the pain in the lower back and hip that you normally feel with a pinched nerve. So that is one bad thing that, frankly, has me feeling panicky. I had it once before, about 5 years ago, and was finally only relieved by acupuncture. The soonest I can get into the acupuncturist is a week from now.

The second bad thing, the one that is really in my head right now, is tonight I found a mole on my left thigh that is really bothersome for several reasons (all on the "if you have this, get it checked immediately" list): 1) sudden appearance - I've never seen it before tonight 2) color - it's pitch black 3) borders - irregular 4) texture - it's slightly raised and scratchy. All of these raise a big ole red flag in my head so tomorrow I will be getting in somewhere, anywhere, to have it looked at. I will let you know the outcome (please let it be nothing!)
t

New stuff

New Winterland Collection and FabricAccent Embellishments (realistic chenille and burlap embellishments) are up in the store. I had fun with this set. It's called Winterland, but isn't in traditional red and green or blues. Fun, complex colors that remind me of the season. Cool enameled pin embellishments and a slew of realistic looking holiday "stamps". Can't wait to see what you do with them!

I need a new word for "cute"

My pal Steph's impish 2 yr old, Portia, sporting Tinkerbelle's dress - which she proudly, and insistantly, wore everywhere their entire week at Disneyland. I removed all color, returned the dress's color and then added a warm wash over the whole shebang. What a doll she is.

Thankful

Thankful for having a family to love and who loves me just as much. For a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, friends to talk to, hands to create, eyes to read, a nose to smell my fresh loaf of pumpkin cranberry bread. For the opportunities presented to me and the wisdom to choose wisely, reliable cars to take us down the road, the freedom that living in the United States affords us. Hot water when we need and A/C when its hot. So many things, both big and small that I could list forever.

Whatever it is that you are thankful for today and everyday, take comfort in all your blessings.

[ t ]