Getting to Know Me - Christmas Version

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
He always just sat them under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Sometime in December. They're still not up yet this year.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
My dressing with cranberry sauce.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
The year Santa came and delivered our gifts in person.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember but since I was the oldest, I knew long before my brothers.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
When the kids were all at home we did.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
It's always been ornaments the kids made as well as a few I stitched and things I've been given or from exchanges. The kids always put their own ornaments on the tree each year. It just wasn't the same as they all began leaving home. This year I bought red, silver and blue balls for a patriotic tree but I'm really sad that we're leaving the other ornaments behind us. I'll keep the ornaments though because I love them and they hold so many memories for me.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it! If I lived where it snowed, I'd probably hate it after awhile though.
12. Can you ice skate?
Never have.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I loved the orange suitcases I got one year. My favorite though is the year I got my ring. I'm really sad that I've gained so much weight that I can't wear it.
14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
That's difficult. Probably Praline Cheesecake.
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching "It's a Wonderful Life".
16. What tops your tree?
Nothing right now. :) It's been an angel for awhile but I'm going to get a star this year.
17. Which do you prefer, giving or Receiving?
Giving. I really wish I was better at knowing what people want or like so my giving was more appropriate. Somehow, I seem to be missing that attribute.
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Amy Grant's version of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing".
19. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
They're OK.

A Couple of Funnies

Becky and Chris:

I had called Chris several times and was apologizing for calling so often. He said he was enjoying it because Johnny Cash was his ringtone. I asked which song and he said Ring of Fire. I laughed because Ring of Fire is my all time favorite song. I *love* it. The rest of the evening I would just look at Steven and burst out laughing. I guess this was just a location thing because it's really not funhy once I type it out. Part of the funniness is that Chris (to my knowledge) doesn't like country music, his tastes are much more, shall we say, loud.

Bailey and Jennifer:

Bailey asked Jenny if she had a baby brother or sister growing in her tummy because he wanted a baby brother and he would call him Buddy. That boy is the smartest thing around IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion). :)

More Dog Adventures

I went to bed at 9:00 last night after reminding Rachael to let the dogs out before she went to bed. All is well, right? Not exactly.

It took me about an hour to fall asleep (I don't sleep well when Steven is gone). Sometime later I heard dogs barking. With earplugs in, it didn't sound like Paco and Mollie but it still woke me up. They continued to bark so I decided to get up and see if it was our darling dogs. Of course it was and it was midnight!. I let them in and told Rachael that it was not real cool to leave the dogs outside barking. She said she didn't hear them so now we have to have a discussion about not leaving them outside at midnight.

I took me awhile to fall back asleep but I finally did, only to wake up later in a fetal position because I was cold. I turned the electric blanket up and had difficulty falling asleep again. I purposely didn't look at the clock that time so I have no idea what time it was.

It's been a loooonnnnnggg week already.

I've got to go do the dishes and cook something. Steven has me really spoiled and I'm not liking this domestic stuff too much. Don't know what we're going to do in the spring when I have class 4 nights a week but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it...

Lesson Learned

This morning was the first morning with Steven gone. It stinks already.

The dogs are used to Steven getting up at 4 and letting them out. I got up at 5 to go to the bathroom and Mollie was dancing a jig. I didn't let her out because I wanted to go back to sleep for another hour and didn't want to wait for her. BIG mistake.

When I got back up at 6, I rounded the corner into the hallway and smelled pee. Mollie had peed right in front of the guest room. I grumbled a bit and cleaned it up (something Steven would have done if he was here). I showered and surfed a bit. I wnet through the dining room without turning on the light and stepped in some poop. All I have to say is that I'm really, really glad we spend the extra money for decent dog food so that poop isn't really soft and in large piles.

I don't know if she was just mad at me or if she really had to go that bad but I sure learned my lesson. If Mollie is dancing, I'd better let her out!

I have to remember tonight to tell Rachael to be sure and let the dogs out before she goes to bed and hopefully that will take care of that problem.

NOT a good way to start our new living arrangements. Have I ever mentioned that I didn't get married to sleep alone and take care of everything by myself? I know I'll get used to it and it's not even remotely the same situation it was 10 years ago but I'm really not liking it right about now...

1/3 of the Way

to being a certified teacher! Other than graduating, that is but since that's not a problem, I consider myself 1/3 of the way there.

Last Wednesday, I took the qualifying exam for my Special Education exit level test. I only missed 11 questions. I'm really happy about that because I left the test feeling pretty ambivelant about how I did. When I took the EC-4 test, I thought I did OK even though it was much more difficult than I was expecting. I was more prepared for the difficulty level this time so it seemed not quite as hard.

December 9, I take the actual EC-4 test and the real SPD test on February 24 (I think) After I pass those, I'll be 2/3 of the way finished. Can you believe it? I can but then again, I can't...

I wish I had gone on to college when I was younger but I have a feeling I wouldn't have taken it as seriously. Not to mention the fact that my life would have been totally different and even with all the stupid things I did, I wouldn't trade where I am for anything. I can't imagine my life without the wonderful husband I have, even with his faults :) and without the kids, in-laws and Pooter. :)

I am blessed...