Yeah, I can't believe it's here already either. I haven't sent any cards out (I'm sure no one really actually will miss them) and I didn't take any treats to neighbors and friends this year, so I feel completely behind.  Alas, it will have to be that way. I did work about 35 hours last week though and helped many patrons find the "perfect" gift for their loved ones, so that counts, right? lol

Seriously, I hope you all have a great holiday and an even better 2011. Frankly, I am ready for 2010 to close, it's been a tough one for our family, so here's to new beginnings.

I had a real hard time getting in the Christmas spirit this holiday due to loss of family members and lack of money for presents (or anything), but it all worked out, as usual, and here are a few bright moments of the past few weeks:

*Standing in line for about 1/2 hour at the post office to send my Mom's gift and helping an older lady with the automated machine and her giving me a hug when we were done and saying "thank you so much, I couldn't have done that without you, Merry Christmas."

*My boss at work telling me "we keep having you do everything [and not just one position] because you can do anything, you are a rock star (lolol)."

But those are selfish, here is my favorite because it gives me hope for my oldest daughter:

*My mom asked her what her favorite Christmas memory was and she could have said "when I got a trampoline/bike/Barbie/misc gift" but, instead, she said, "watching Camille open gifts on her first Christmas". I was so proud of her.

Love you all and hopefully this holiday season you can find moments of peace and joy like I have.

XOXO
Chris

 
This gave me a small chuckle today:


I know I haven't posted in a billion years. Lots has happened and the Christmas crush is upon me as well. I feel overwhelmed at the moment.  It will be a pretty sad Christmas with Mike's family because his Dad just passed away from colon cancer about a month ago. He had been sick for about 2 years and of course we were all horribly sad to see him struggling at the end but did not want to see him go. He was the best part of that family, there is no other way to say it. He was the glue (just like my Dad was). Anyway, that has been occupying our thoughts and actions the last little while. We will certainly miss him, I am still wrapping my mind around the idea he won't be there when we go to L.A. to visit.

I have a part-time seasonal job at Bath and Body Works and so far I have bought more than I have made. Sigh. I wish I could say it is really fun, but I have forgotten in my retail job hiatus how repetitive it can become. I just try and find a nice customer to chat away with mostly. And eye the products I want to buy, but shouldn't (as usual).

Supernatural is disappointing lately and I am trying to ignore it's disapointingness. Is anyone watching any new shows that are worth checking out? Besides Hawaii Five-O (sorry Michelle)?

Thanksgiving was at my house which is always fun cramming a bunch of people in here. Besides soupy potatoes (that were eventually thickened up using various methods) it was really great. There were 3 casualties during the Turkey Bowl, including my old dog, and he is the only one who hasn't recovered. I hate to see him get old and decrepit. :( :(

I also have a new recipe I can't wait to try. Thanks Callie. *hug*

I just sold my last Harry Potter Lego set on eBay and was kind of sad about it. Those Lego sets are a great memory of Alex's childhood, us assembling them together. All in all I made about $1200 off them, though!

Happy hollerdays everyone.

XOXO 

 I just opened my email and got this lovely image from my niece. 

I will not put it behind a cut because everyone should see.




Zac Efron. In an avocado green tub full o' cats. Holding a remote? On second look, that is his phone, I suppose he is calling me to help "pet sit"?

Life is good.

 Yesterday there was a firetruck at a neighbor's house and then later, a couple of police cars. Soon after, a stream of cars parked outside and another steady stream of people going in. I knew it couldn't be a good situation over there. Sure enough, my other neighbor confirmed that the man that lived there died of a heart attack, he was maybe in his 50's. They still have a daughter in high school, and one college age.

This morning, Camille and I took over some cinnamon sugar muffins that we made. The daughter answered the door and saw me and burst out in tears. I hugged her and cried along with her and asked how her mom was and she just said "she's really upset, she was here alone when it happened." And they called her (the daughter)out of school to come home. I told her of course, I would do anything to help.

I feel horrible for these people, and I feel like a terrible person because I hardly knew them and they lived practically across the street from me. I had to have my other neighbor remind me of their first names! And we have lived in this house for like 7 years! And the daughter had no idea who I was (which makes it even more sad that she was crying and hugging me).

I need to get out my own life and look around me more. We are all busy, we all have problems, and I feel like I have missed the frickin boat here not knowing these grieving people better and knowing what to do to help.

I have discovered I am also terrible at situations where I feel helpless and frustrated, it makes me angry when I don't know how to help or solve a problem.

I just feel so horrible for them.

 I am not going to address the fact that I haven't posted in about 6 months or whatever. Really no reason except, I didn't feel like it.  Anyway, my children have all started school!!  Alex is in freakin high school, Abby in freakin Jr High and Camille started preschool this week. I think Camille is the only one happy and content with her plight. Alex's school is enormous and has 3000 kids so he is adjusting....Here are some pictures.

( Read more...Collapse )

 I read this book about a month ago--got to the end, turned right to the first page and read it again. How many books can you say you have done that with? Uh huh, thought so.

Read it:


It is part Harry Potter (shut up Michelle), Narnia, Oz, and a bit of Catcher in the Rye. It really isn't so much the story as this dude's writing that had me enthralled. He has a huge vocabulary, I even had to look some words up in the dictionary! I can't remember the last time I've done that while reading a book.  To describe it too much would be giving some key plot developments away, but let's just say it is exactly what  I would picture an above-average American young adult to experience (for the most part)if he finds out that he is *poof* a Magician! Read it.

And here are some pictures of Camille on her birthday:

  

 My baby turns 4 today. This time flying by must have happened while I was sleeping? She has a full day planned with her adoring fans/family and too bad it's pouring rain, otherwise we could have gone to the zoo. :(  I can't believe she is four already.

Poor Ollie, a.k.a. 'that &^%^$# mouse that keeps getting out of her cage, or Magical Mouse' passed away today.   She seemed ok only just yesterday, but just wasn't the same after she escaped her cage a few months ago and eluded us so long that she nearly starved by the time we caught her.

She was a lively addition to the family. We will miss her, and I know her sister, Squeak, will probably never be the same.



RIP Ollie.

((I couldn't find a picture of her, so I googled one, and she looked just like this))

Services will be held tomorrow midday, if anyone wishes to attend and offer condolences. :)

Since I won't try and recreate the massive entry that got lost a couple of days ago, and I should be doing about a dozen other things right now, I decided to post random stuff!

*I am becoming obsessed with red pandas...they are God's perfect creature. Thanks to Bethy for posting a pic of one today that I can't stop looking at. wth is wrong with me.


*I am sick of plumbing issues with our toilets and also my mom's condo. The devil is in charge of plumbing, I just know it, creating random clogs and and pipes that won't budge them along.

*I have fallen in love with awkwardfamilyphotos.com all over again. I was up way too late last night just laughing me arse off.  Here are some choice ones for ya'll:


Captioned "Hello, my Pretty"...seriously can whoever bought that costume not see it has demon eyes???? Poor little kids.


Apparently sisters...opting for the greenery prop/feature in the studio...hiding???


What the???? There are no words for this.


So all of that was appropos of nothing, and I didn't use a cut because I am not in the mood to finagle (sp?) with livejournal and it's skulduggery today.

I am reading a fabulous book called The Magicians, but that deserves it's own entry, it's so good.

Anyway, hope you all have a fabulous Thursday.