Colosseum

Last night, the boys and I played one of our Christmas games - "Colosseum".  The idea of the game is to build your arena and produce events for your arena.  There's a lot more to it than that, but that's the general idea in a nutshell. Anyway, I won the game last night!  Woo hoo for me! But, that will probably be the only time I win that game.  Why? Because it's a strategy game. Since it was our first time playing, there was more learning of the rules than strategizing going on.  So I got lucky.  But, now that the boys know the rules, they will start that whole planning way far ahead thing, which I stink at (and which is why I don't play "Risk"), and I will never win again.  

I may solve that by just never playing the game again!

Thriller

Behold, the Indian Thriller:

Who knew there was something out there that would make me miss Michael Jackson!!!

Texas A&M!

Jeffrey was officially accepted to Texas A&M!  Whoop!!  We know he would be accepted - he's in the top 10% of his class (actually the top 3%), which guarantees automatic acceptance, but it's nice to have the official letter.  Now to figure out the housing application.... 

I can't believe my 3rd child will be leaving for college next fall.  I am getting so old!

Another Church Singing Gripe

So, I was disappointed at Church today.  We did not sing one of my favorite songs, one you can only sing once a year.  We did not sing "Ring Out, Wild Bells" (Hymn #215). I absolutely adore that song.  It sounds rather melancholy - which is perfect for a song about the year dying.  We have not sung that song since we moved into this ward, and each year I am bummed by that. Once again, my family will just have to sing it on our own.  Sigh.

Shootin' Fun

Today Robert, Kimberly, and I went to the gun range for some "shootin' fun".  And fun it was!  We had my .22, and Robert's two guns - a 9mm and a .45.  I shot all three, but I much prefer my little .22.  The 9mm is okay, but the kick from the .45 is too much for my wimpy arms!  I about hit myself in the face with the gun the first time I shot it!  Not good!  

I fear, however, that we have created a monster!  This was Kimberly's first time shooting, and she enjoyed it quite a bit. In fact, as we were driving away, she said she was ready to go back again!  

So maybe it was an unusual family activity.  We don't care. We had a lot of fun.  At heart, we are just a bunch of rednecks!

Christmas Musings

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  We had a wonderful day - made most wonderful because we got to talk to Brian in the Dominican Republic!  The phone connection was bad, but it didn't matter.  For two wonderful hours we got to talk to him!  This was our 3rd of 4 phone calls - only Mother's Day left.  Then he comes home 3-1/2 months after that!  He's enjoying his mission and is growing so much.  I'm so proud of him for choosing to serve.

Now, on to presents.  My kids were all pleased with the presents they got.  That makes me happier than any present I could ever get.  I love it when I make my kids happy!  

Robert has always been of the opinion that anything you want can be bought at Walgreens. With that in mind, I sent Jeffrey and Scott to Walgreens on the 24th, with instructions to buy some fun presents for the family.  Jeffrey balked at first, but when they got back they were both excited over the fun stuff they had picked out.  Those presents, plus the ones that Kimberly had bought at Walgreens, were so much fun!  A cap gun!  A Chia Pet!  A K'nex dinosaur!  A toy cell phone (that talks)!  Charleston Chews!  A fake Magnadoodle! A $10.00 digital camera on a key chain!  These were all part of the bounty that was discovered at Walgreens!  I think we have discovered a new tradition for the kids.  Hey, and next year the Walgreens will be right across the street!

My sister's family came down in the evening (they had to wait to talk to their missionary in Brazil).  We ate ham and smoked turkey, along with other assorted things.  Yummy! Then the rest of the evening we munched on fudge, Robert's delectable English toffee, Chex mix, cookies, and other junk! Double yummy!

All in all, it was a great day.  I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas too!  

Christmas Countdown Post #23

Christmas Countdown Post #23 is "Random Christmas Memes".  Here's they are: 

He sees you when you're Laura,
He knows when you're awake.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
from the Christmas Song Generator.

Get your own song :

That was random.

You Will Get Three French Fries

Twelve street musicians drumming Eleven christmas trees a-twinkling Ten reindeer a-leaping Nine ladies singing Eight sheep a-milking Seven rumballs a-drunkening Six puppies a-barking Five golden bowls of chicken noodle soup Four calling secret admirers Three French fries Two starving Olsen twins And a chimp in a peach tree

What Will You Get for the 12 Days of Christmas?

Just what I wanted - two starving Olsen twins!  What the heck happened to them anyway? They were so cute on "Full House".

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

I always wanted to be a Brady!

You Are Donner

The most lovable and sweet reindeer, you're also a total dork! Why You're Naughty: You keep (accidentally) tripping the other reindeer while flying. Why You're Nice: You're always smiling, even if you've fallen flat on your horns.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

That's me - the dorky reindeer!

You Can Say "Merry Christmas" in 8 Languages

You can say "Merry Christmas" in: English Spanish French German Swedish Hawaiian Dutch Korean

How Many Languages Can You Say "Merry Christmas" In?

I totally guessed at most of those.  

Wow, what a long post!

Christmas Countdown Post #22

Christmas Countdown Post #22 is "My DVD Wish List".  All of the DVD's I would like to own! Sounds like fun, so here goes:

1.  Criminal Minds, Seasons 1 through whatever is the latest one out.  I think I have mentioned before that I love this show.  It is my very favorite on TV.  Although rather gory at times, and sometimes downright creepy, it's a great show.  I love the team - Hotch, Morgan (in his tight t-shirts), Reid, JJ, Garcia, Rossi and Prentiss (actually I just tolerate the last two).  Having all of the available seasons at my fingertips - that would make me happy.

2.  August Rush.  I love this movie.  Such a beautiful story, and the little boy is so cute!  This is one of those movies that I always think I own.  I will see it at the store for $10.00, but I'm sure I already own it, so I don't buy it!  I need to put a giant note in my purse - "You do not own August Rush"!

3.  Snow White.  This one is impossible for me to own since it's not even available on DVD right now.  Disney!  It's time to take it out of the vault!  This is one of the only Disney classics I don't own.  

4.  Lilies of the Field.  Sidney Poitier won an Oscar for his role in this movie.  He plays an unemployed construction worker who somehow ends up in the desert building a church for a group of nuns escaped from behind the Berlin Wall.  I haven't seen it in years, but I remember watching it with my family when I was young.

5.  Numbers, Seasons 1 through whatever is the latest one out.  Close behind "Criminal Minds" as one of my favorites. I would love to own this series.

6.  Lad: A Dog.  Just as I would like to own the books by Albert Payson Terhune, I would love to own this 1962 movie. The problem?  It's never been released on DVD.  Why do they do this to me??  I own a subpar, recorded from TV, VHS copy, but I want it on DVD!

7.  Dr. Who, the Fourth Doctor series.  Robert started me watching "Doctor Who" back when we were dating.  Tom Baker was the Doctor back then.  I have always considered him "My Doctor".  I have seen some other doctors since then, but no one compares.  It would be fun to watch him again - in all of his cheesiness.

I can't think of any more right now, so this list will have to do.  What DVD's would be on your Christmas Wish List?  

Christmas Countdown Post #21

It's late, but here is Christmas Countdown Post #21:  "Non-Fictional Christmas Party".  This is the Christmas Party I would have with real people - dead or alive.  Here goes:

1.  James Herriott.  Deceased.  He's a British veterinarian who wrote about his work and life experiences during the 1940's and early 1950's.  The books are well written and very funny.  I would love to have him come to my party and tell us some more stories from those days.  

2.  John Denver.  Deceased.  I swear, John is on every list I make!  I want him at my party to sing.  I guess he can talk too.  But we will have to keep the conversation away from the environment - I don't want to get into that with him!

3.  Hugh Grant.  Alive.  I think he would be a lot of fun at a party.  And even if he's dull, he's got a great accent!

4.  Elizabeth Peters.  Alive.  She's another author.  Her two main characters, Amelia Peabody Emerson and Walter Emerson, were invited to my fictional party.  I think that anyone who could create characters as interesting as Amelia and Walter would be a lot of fun to have at my party.

5.  Jimmy Stewart.  Deceased.  I have always loved him. He was such a wonderful actor.  But he was more than that. In the early 1990's, I saw him on the Johnny Carson Show. He read some poems he had written.  I loved them so much, I went out and bought his book of poetry. If you would like to read one of his poems, this is my favorite.  I would like to have him come to my party and read his poems.

I think I'm going to leave my party at these five.  There are historical figures (such as Abraham Lincoln) and religious figures (such as Joseph Smith or Gordon B. Hinckley) I would like to meet, but not in this setting.  So this will be my party.

Who would you invite?  

Look at My Snowflake!!

I made another snowflake!  It's much better than my first one, isn't it?  I'm very impressed with myself!

Christmas Countdown Post #20

Christmas Countdown Post #20 is "Your Ad Here".  This is where I put my favorite Christmas ad. This ad is not necessarily my favorite, but when I was young it always seemed to be the first one of the Christmas season.  So here it is - classic Norelco Santa:

Ah, the childhood memories....

Christmas Countdown Post #19 (Again)

I did it!!  I made a snowflake!  It's not very good, but at least I can say I completed Christmas Countdown Post #19! You can view my snowflake here.

I told you it wasn't very good.

Christmas Countdown Post #19

In the interests of full disclosure, I am not doing Christmas Countdown Post #19.  Michelle even gave two options, and I'm still not doing it!  Her first option was to create a Christmas list made entirely of men!  Famous men.  I guess being a married woman, I feel a little strange creating a list entirely made up of famous real men.  So I'm not doing it. Option two was to create a snowflake.  This is the website. I tried this one!  I really did!  Apparently my computer scissor skills are lacking, so I've given up.

So, in less someone can come up with a Christmas Countdown Post #19 I can do, I am skipping it.  

Facebook

So I joined Facebook.  Let me explain why.  Kimberly has let me look on Facebook using her password.  I was searching for old friends, and discovered a couple of people I had lost contact with.  One, in particular, I have been thinking about lately.  So I created a Facebook account and "friended" three people.  I have already heard from one of them!  Less than an hour after I friended her!  I haven't heard from this person since 1979, and now we are reconnected! She is married with 2 kids - ages 9 and 2!  She is my age and has a 2-year-old!  I feel way too old to have a 2-year-old.  I'm glad my youngest is 15.  

I hope I hear from the other two.  It would be nice to reconnect with them.  I don't know how long I'll stay on Facebook - maybe just long enough to get their addresses and e-mails.  That's what I really want.   

**Edit** I just found a friend from childhood!  We lived across the street from each other in Illinois.  She now lives in Katy!  What a small world!

Christmas Countdown Post #18

Christmas Countdown Post #18 is "Build your own Christmas Special".  I get to put together my very own Christmas special!  The show must include a host; at least one comedy act; and at least one musical act.  I also get to bring back one act containing dead people - but only one. Here's my show:

Host(s):

Donny and Marie.  Wouldn't they be great?  And, as hosts, they would also get to sing.  

Comedy Acts:

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman.  These two cracked me up on "The Carol Burnett Show".  I'm sure they could come up with a great Christmas comedy act.

Musical Acts:

Josh Groban.  Preferably singing "O Holy Night".

John Denver.  He's my one dead guy (duh).  I don't care what Christmas song he sings - I just want to hear him sing again.  I miss John.  Sigh.

Andy Williams.  When I was little, we used to watch the Andy Williams Family Christmas Show every year.  I always loved that show.  I think I would want him to sing "The Christmas Song", or "Winter Wonderland".

Okay, I'm cheating.  I want another dead person!  I would love to hear Karen Carpenter sing again.  I still listen to "The Carpenters:  Christmas Portrait".  It's one of my favorites.

The gang from "The Dick Van Dyke Show".  One time they did a Christmas show, and they sang a song called "I am a Fine Musician".  It was so funny.  Dick Van Dyke (Rob) and Mary Tyler Moore (Laura) could reenact their parts; and I would have Donny and Marie replace Morey Amsterdam (Buddy) and Rose Marie (Sally), who are no longer with us. I would love to see that performed again.  You can view the original here, if you would like.

There's my show.  It's heavy on musical acts, but I'm okay with that.

Christmas Countdown Post #17

Christmas Countdown Post #17 is "My Literary Wish List". This is a Christmas list made entirely of printed materials. Here's mine:

1.  The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832 - 1839.  This looks like a very interesting book, containing the journals of the prophet Joseph Smith.

2.  All of the Collie books written by Albert Terhune, including, but not limited to, Lad: A Dog, Wolf, and Gray Dawn.  I would prefer to have old volumes of these books, not reprints.  I read them when I was young, and have always wanted to own them.

3.  Backroads of the Texas Hill Country: Your Guide to the Most Scenic Adventures by Gary Clark and Kathy Adams Clark.  Shelley and I recently took a photography class.  Our teacher, Kathy Adams Clark, had taken the photographs for this book written by her husband, Gary Clark.  I would love to be able to spend some time reading this book and looking at the amazing photographs.

4.  Any cookbook by Alton Brown.  I love Alton!  If you don't know who he is, you need to check out his show, "Good Eats", on the Food Network.  Alton rocks!

I can't think of any others right now, so these will have to do.

Christmas Countdown Post #16

Christmas Countdown Post #16 is "So you think you know carols?"  This is a 25 question quiz which can be found here.  

My results:

"You got 92%.  You know your seasonal songs!  Treat yourself to an extra slice of fruitcake."

I missed 2 out of 25.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get them all right.

How well do you know Christmas carols?  

Hallmark Commericals

I love Hallmark Commercials.  I will watch a Hallmark TV movie just to watch the commercials! So many of them make me teary, but this one is my favorite:

At Thanksgiving, some of us were talking about the Hallmark commercials.  Kimberly, my sister, and I were trying to explain this one, and we were getting teary just talking about it. That's a commercial with a powerful message.

Christmas Countdown Post #15

Yes, I know I am behind again!  It is all Michelle's fault!  She posted Christmas Countdown Post #15 late last night (I was just heading to bed), but she has yet to post #16 or #17. So I am blaming it all on her:

Anyway, Christmas Countdown Post #15 is "Most Hated Contemporary Christmas Songs".  You know what, I don't really have any that I absolutely hate.  There are some I would rather hear only once or twice a season ("Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" and "Feliz Navidad" spring to mind), but I don't really hate them.  

There are some artist's renditions of songs that I hate, but I can never remember which ones until I hear them!  Some people just shouldn't sing Christmas songs.

That's it.  I will post #16 and 17 when I receive my instructions from Michelle.  It's all in her hands now!

Brian's area

I got an e-mail from Brian today. In it he told me to go to Google Images and type in "slums of Santo Domingo".  He said the first picture was a picture of the area where he was serving.  The slums of Santo Domingo.  I can't get the picture to show up any bigger than this.  But doesn't it look lovely?  Sometimes I think I would be better off if he didn't share this sort of information with me!  

**Edit**   Click on this link to see a full size picture of this area.  

Christmas Countdown Post #14

Christmas Countdown Post #15 is "Christmas Sing-a-long". These are Christmas songs I love to sing along with.  Here are some of my favorites:

1.  "Good King Wenceslas". I have always loved this song.  I never hear it anywhere, but have been known to sing it out loud in my car when I am all alone!  I think I may be one of the only people around who knows all the verses! It's a great song.  If you don't know it, you should check it out.

2.  "O Holy Night".  I can't do it justice, so I probably shouldn't be singing it.  But I love this song, and whenever I hear it, I have to sing!

3.  "Angels We Have Heard on High".  A couple of years ago, I learned the alto part for this song.  It's a great part, and makes singing this song even more enjoyable.

4.  "Carol of the Bells".  I love to sing this song, but I really need the music to do so.  I can never remember all the words.  It's great fun to sing - very joyful.

5.  "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".  I find myself drawn to more up tempo Christmas songs (which may explain my dislike for "Silent Night".  That, or the fact that we sing it repeatedly).  

6.  "What Child is This".  I include this song with one caveat - it must be sung correctly.  The song has 3 totally different and distinct verses.  The last half of the first verse is not the chorus for verses 2 and 3!  There is no chorus!!  Each verse is totally different!  It really bugs me when this song is not sung the way it was written - and I seem to hear it wrong all of the time! Sing it right or don't sing it at all!  My mini-rant is now over.

7.  "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".  Such a beautiful song.

8.  "We Three Kings".  Another song that I don't hear much anymore, but that is just fun to sing.  "Oh-ooohh!!"

I decided to only include more traditional, religious Christmas music.  I have a whole other list of more secular Christmas favorites.  Surprisingly, only two of my 8 songs are found in our hymnal.  I guess I get tired of the ones we sing all the time, and I'm drawn to more unusual songs.  

Michelle, I was not trying to copy your list - I just really like 3 of the 5 you chose!  You've got good taste!      

Christmas Countdown Post #13

Okay, I know I missed Christmas Countdown Posts #11 and 12.  #11 was about decorating - how would I decorate my house for Christmas if I had no limitations.  I didn't do that one because I really wouldn't do things a whole lot differently than I do now.  I'd just do more of the same - more Santas, more nativities, more lights outside.  The same, but on a bigger scale.  And Michelle did not do a Christmas Countdown Post #12.  She was too busy going to an AC/DC concert, which she clearly felt was more important than posting.  Some people!  Sheesh!

So here is Christmas Countdown Post #13.  A "This or That" meme:

Christmas Food:

Hot chocolate or hot cider:  Hot chocolate.  Unless I'm shopping and a store has hot apple cider samples.  

Ham or turkey:  Turkey.  We usually get a smoked turkey and a ham, both from Honey Baked Ham, but I like the turkey best.

Candy canes or peppermints:  I don't usually eat either of those, but if I had to pick, I would say peppermints.

Pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie:  Neither.

Red or green sprinkles:  I can't taste the difference, so I say use them both!

Christmas Tree:

Real or fake:  Fake.  Robert is always pestering me to get a real tree, but we have a nice fake one, and it's so easy to care for!

Angel or star on top:  Star.  I actually have a Santa on the top of my tree, but if I had to choose between an angel or star, I would choose a star.  

Themed or not:  Never themed!  I would not be able to use most of my ornaments.

Garland or tinsel:  Definitely garland.  When we first got married, we used both, because our parents had used both. But after a few years, we dropped the tinsel.  Now I don't like tinsel at all.

Solid or blinking lights:  Solid.  I am not a fan of blinking lights at all.

Presents:

Wrapping paper or bags:  At Christmas I use wrapping paper.  

Stockings or presents first:  We always open the stockings first.

All at once or in turn:  We usually try to make sure everyone has a present and then they are opened at the same time.  We are not a patient enough bunch to take turns!

Christmas Eve or morning:  Christmas morning.  The kids open 1 or 2 family gifts on Christmas Eve - always games - but the rest have to wait until the morning.  Santa has to bring them, you know!

Get up early or sleep in:  We (really I) make the kids wait until 7:00.  These kids who can sleep until 11:00 any other day, always manage to wake up by 7:00!

There, now I'm all caught up (so get off my case, Liz)!

Christmas Countdown Post #10

Christmas Countdown Post #10 is "We do that every year". In other words, share your Christmas traditions.  Here are some of ours:

1.  We have an Advent calendar.  Actually we have two. One I made from a kit almost 25 years ago. I need to do some minor repair work, but never seem to get around to it. A few years ago I bought a new Advent calendar - one that matched the colors of my furniture.  You would have thought I had killed the dog, the way the kids reacted!  Now we have two.  The one that matches is in the family room, and the old one the kids love is in the hall.  The tradition evolved!

2.  Watching "White Christmas" as we decorate the tree. This is a newer tradition, but it's a keeper.

3.  The kids get at least one game on Christmas Eve.  They open it, then we all play it together as a family.  Last year's game was the best - "Ticket to Ride".  We all loved it (although Scott no longer enjoys it).  I'm not sure how I'll top that this year!

4.  Robert and I get to sleep until 7:00a.m.  This is more my tradition.  No matter what time the kids wake up, they can't wake Robert and I until 7:00.  I keep hoping that since they are all teenagers (or older) that they will sleep later, but on Christmas it doesn't happen.

5.  After I take the obligatory pictures of the Christmas tree, the kids open their stockings. That is always done first. 

6.  Family.  Since we moved back to Houston in 1993, we have spent almost every Christmas with my family.  We used to go to my parents' house, but since they have both passed away, my sister and her family come here (my house is tidier).  They usually stay a few days, and we have lots of fun.

7.  The foods of Christmas.  English toffee.  Peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses.  Fudge. Fannie May candy. Honey Baked ham and smoked turkey.  My yummy rolls. I'm sure I've forgotten some, but they all make Christmas special.

Those are most of our traditions.  Feel free to share your own.  

Brian's Jury Duty

I called the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office to explain that Brian would not be available for Jury Duty in January since he is out of the country until early September of 2009.  They said that was okay, and RESCHEDULED HIM! That's right!  He is now scheduled for Jury Duty on October 6, 2009!  How crazy is that?!?

Christmas Countdown Post #9

Christmas Countdown Post #9 is "Change the Channel". What Christmas movies and TV shows do I dislike?  

1.  "Home Alone" (and all of it's followers).  I have never been a fan of that type of movie.

2.  Every Frosty show, other than the original.

3.  Most of the versions of "A Christmas Carol".  The only two I really like are the 1939 version and "The Muppet Christmas Carol".  Those two, I like.

There are probably others I would hate - if I ever watched them.  Like the newer cartoons that are just made because the originals made money.  I have never seen any of them, because I know I won't like them!

What Christmas movies or TV shows do you dislike?

FYI

It is not a good idea to knock a brand new bottle of Smucker's Boysenberry Syrup off the counter onto the floor. Suffice it to say, glass bottles don't bounce.  It looked like a large pool of blood had congealed on my kitchen floor (I watch way too many crime shows).  I suspect that blood would have been easier to clean up though!

The only plus?  The syrup kept the glass pretty well contained.  So we didn't have to search all over the kitchen for tiny shards of glass!

Christmas Countdown Post #8

Christmas Countdown Post #8 is "Stuff It".  As in what would I want stuffed in my Christmas stocking.  This may be a hard one, since I don't ever get anything in my stocking. It just hangs there for decoration.  Also, the rules of this post specify no jewelry or small, expensive electronics. WHAT?!? What else is there?  I will give it a try, I guess.

1.  Candy.  I guess I usually do get some candy in my stocking.  Whatever I put in there.  Usually a big Reese's Peanut Butter Tree and a big Hershey's Santa.  

2.  iPod gift card.  I have some songs I would like to buy.  (I just have to hide it from the kids).

3.  Microplane.  This is a small grating device.  I actually bought one years ago, and left it somewhere.  And I'm just too cheap to buy another one.

4.  Soft, fuzzy lounging socks.  Not the kind you wear with shoes.  The comfy ones you wear at home to hang out.

5.  Sudoku book.  I found one once that was all easy puzzles.  I need another one of those!  Easy is about my speed when it comes to Sudoku.

6.  A decorative egg.  I have a small collection of those in my curio cabinet (six to be exact).  I wouldn't mind having another one.

7.  A Rocky Road Caramel Apple from the Rocky Mountain Candy Company.  Caramel, white chocolate, milk chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows.  Oh so yummy.  I would have to have a large stocking though - they are big apples!

8.  A couple of new mysteries.  It's been a while since I have bought any, so I'm sure one or two of my favorite authors must have a new book out.

9.  Season 1 of "Criminal Minds".

10.  Two plane tickets to Ireland.  Hey, the rules only say no expensive jewelry or electronics. Nothing was said about expensive plane tickets!

There, I did it!  I filled my stocking!  Too bad I really won't be getting any of that stuff.

My Reindeer

For years I had wanted a set of wooden reindeer for my front yard.  For years I couldn't afford them.  Then when I could sort of afford them, no one was selling them on the side of the road anymore. Two years ago, I said to myself, "I wonder if anyone is selling some on ebay?"  I looked, and sure enough, there was a set for sale!  I deliberated with myself for a little while - they were still fairly expensive. Then I just decided to go for it!  There were the deer I had wanted for at least 10 years!  I knew if I passed them up, I would regret it.  So I ordered them, and here now is a picture of them in my front yard:

 

Aren't they beautiful?  They could use bows, but I am terrible at tying bows.  If there is someone out there who ties bows well, I would be happy to provide the ribbon for you.  But even without bows, they make me happy every time I see them in my yard.

Jury Duty

My son, Brian, just received a Jury Duty Summons.  My son on a mission.  In the Dominican Republic.  I think he's going to have a problem making it!  I wonder how much trouble the courts are going to give me when I go talk to them. Should be interesting.

Would they send a Fort Bend County Sheriff to the Dominican Republic to pick him up?

Chick-Fil-A Update

Remember the bone I found in my Chick-Fil-A nuggets?  The company promised my two Chick-Fil-A Cares Guest Cards in response to my e-mail complaint.  Well, I received the Guest Cards! Actually I received them over a week ago - I just forgot to post about them.  Each Guest Card was for a free 8 pack of chicken nuggets.  I thought that was pretty nice.  I have used one of them, and when I did I was given a coupon for a free milkshake.  So next time I go, I can get a free 8 pack of chicken nuggets and a free chocolate milkshake!!  That will be sweet!  If you have not had one of their milkshakes, you really need to try one - they are the best!  

I think I see a trip to Chick-Fil-A in my near future!

Christmas Countdown Post #7

Christmas Countdown Post #7 is a food related post.  Here are some holiday food related questions and answers:

1.  What is your favorite winter drink?

That depends.  If I'm at home, making it myself, I would have to say hot chocolate.  Preferably with marshmallows. If I'm out, and someone is providing it, I would have to say hot spiced cider. I love it when I go to stores and they have samples for me.  Makes my shopping day complete!

2.  What is your favorite holiday candy?

Fudge.  Definitely fudge.  And fudge with nuts is even better.  I had some fudge at the ward Christmas party that was heavenly.  I must get that recipe.  **Edit** I realized after reading Kimberly's post, that I totally forgot about Robert's incredible toffee!!  That would totally be tied with fudge for my favorite candy.

3.  How do you feel about green bean casserole?

I have never liked green beans.  I don't care what you drench them with, I'm not going to eat them!

4.  What about sweet potatoes?

I'm a mashed potato kind of gal.

5.  What is your main course on Christmas?

The past few years we have had a Honey Baked ham and also one of their smoked turkeys. Yummy stuff.  

6.  What's your Christmas dessert?

Pecan pie (homemade), pumpkin pie (homemade), French Silk Pie (Sara Lee), and cookies (homemade).

7.  What kind of cookies do you leave for Santa?

My peanut butter cookies with a hershey kiss on top.  I love those cookies.  I used to eat them when I was a kid, and they are still my favorite.  We also leave carrots for the reindeer.

8.  What chocolates won't you eat in the Whitman's sampler?

I don't like the cherry ones, or the strange chewy ones, or the coconut ones, or lots of the other ones.  In fact I'm really not a fan of Whitman's chocolates - I don't like getting assortments.  I have started ordering candy from Fannie May.  They are a candy company located in Illinois, where I grew up.  I used to eat Fannie May candy as a kid.  I will order a box of Pixies (like turtles), a box of vanilla buttercreams, and a box of mint meltaways.  All three are heavenly! That reminds me - I need to place an order soon!

Now I'm hungry, and must go have a snack! 

Church Singing Gripe

Okay, so I didn't even attend our ward - I was visiting Rosenberg with the Stake Primary.  But I did pick up a bulletin, and I noticed we didn't sing any Christmas songs today!  What's up with that?!?!  Christmas songs should be sung every Sunday after Thanksgiving, or at least every Sunday in December.  There are no exceptions!!  We had better sing Christmas songs next week, or I may just have to stand up and complain!!

Christmas Countdown Post #6

Christmas Countdown Post #6 is "My Fictional Christmas Party".  I am allowed to invite 10 guests to my house for a Christmas party.  The catch?  They all must be fictional. From literature, TV, movies, plays, radio programs, epic poems, cereal boxes(?), or anywhere else you might find a fictional character.  Also, the character can bring a companion if they normally travel together.  Here is my list - once again in no particular order.

1.  Charlie and Don Eppes from "Numbers".  Attractive - yes.  Genius - yes for Charlie.  Gun totin' - yes for Don. Capable of witty banter - yes.  What more could you want?

2.  Napoleon Dynamite.  I know, kind of outdated.  But if he's at my party, I can make him do his dance for me!  And play tetherball.

3.  Amelia Peabody Emerson and her husband, Walter Emerson.  This husband and wife are featured in a series of books by Elizabeth Peters.  The books span 35 years, beginning in 1884. The two are archaeologists in Egypt, who always manage to become embroiled in some sort of mystery and mayhem.  They would be a very entertaining addition to my party - although Emerson's (as she calls him) swearing might have to be excused!

4.  The Criminal Minds team.  Well, most of them anyway. If Prentiss and Rossi wanted to stay home, I would be okay with that.  But the rest of them would be great to have. Although Hotch would need to loosen up a bit.  And Morgan has to wear one of his t-shirts.  And if you don't know what I'm talking about - you need to watch the show! 

5.  Indiana Jones.  What can I say?  I still have a bit of a crush on Indy - even the now much older Indy.  He still looks good in that hat!

6.  Rob Petrie.  For those of you "young 'uns", that's the character Dick Van Dyke played on his TV show from the 1960s.  I would put my ottoman right in the middle of the floor - just to watch him trip over it!  Then he could sing and dance for me.  And entertain us with a comedy routine or two.

7.  Sid Halley.  "Who?" you are all probably saying.  Sid is a character from a few of the books written by British mystery author Dick Francis. He's a former steeplechase jockey, who, due to an injured (and ultimately amputated) hand, has to quit riding and becomes a private investigator. Just think of the stories he could tell!

8.  Alex Fletcher, Will Lightman, or William Thacker.  Take your pick.  These are my three favorite Hugh Grant characters from my three favorite Hugh Grant movies - "Music and Lyrics", "About a Boy", and "Notting Hill".  I would like to have any or all of them at my party.

9.  Bernardo from "West Side Story".  Just to watch him dance.  Sigh.

10.  The "Burn Notice" gang.  Michael, Fiona, Sam, and Madeline.  Again, if you haven't seen the show, you don't know what you're missing!  Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend tension! Mother/son angst!  Who knows what might happen with them at the party!

A varied and entertaining group.  I think we could have much singing, dancing, and general merriment at my party.

Who would you invite to your party?     

Christmas Countdown Post #5

Christmas Countdown Post #5 is "Show me your Christmas tree".  (Remember, these topics have been picked by Kimberly's friend, Michelle.  I am just copying her).  This is where I get to post a picture (or two) of my beautifully decorated Christmas tree.  Here is picture #1:

Isn't it lovely?  Kimberly actually decorated the whole thing. I unwrapped and unboxed ornaments (which takes a long time), but she did the actual decorating (and a mighty fine job she did).  I love our Christmas tree!!  It's a wonderful hodge podge of ornaments we have collected over the years.  Some are expensive, some are cheap.  Some are store bought, some were handmade by me or the kids.  I would never want a themed tree, with matching colored balls.  I would miss my ornaments too much!  So many hold such wonderful memories.

Okay, so this picture didn't come out that great (and I'm too tired to take another picture), but you get the general idea. It's a very pretty tree when the lights are turned on, especially in a darkened room.  

I love my Christmas tree!!  Especially once it's assembled (yes, it's a fake tree), decorated, and just ready to be enjoyed!

So, my friends, what's hanging on your Christmas tree?

Christmas Countdown Post #4

Today's Christmas Countdown Post (#4) is "Movies (or Television shows) to December by". Here is a list of my favorites - in no particular order.

1.  "White Christmas".  Just like I don't feel like the Christmas season has begun until I hear Bing Crosby sing this song, I don't feel like the Christmas season has started until I see this movie.  In fact, we just watched it on Sunday.  Kimberly hadn't gone home yet, so we watched the movie, and decorated the tree.  That is our Christmas tree decorating tradition.

2.  "A Christmas Story".  I first saw this movie about six years ago.  I can't believe I had not seen it before then.  It is now one of our family's favorite movies.  "You'll shoot your eye out!!"

3.  "A Christmas Carol".  My favorite is the one with Reginald Owen.  It's an old black and white version, which I like better than any of the other ones I have seen.  I think part of it's charm for me is that it's only 69 minutes long - perfect for my short attention span!  

4.  "Holiday Inn".  Bing Crosby singing.  Fred Astaire dancing.  'Nuff said.

5.  "The Little Drummer Boy".  I have always loved this TV special.  I watched it every year when I was a kid.  Then it fell out of favor in TV land (probably because there was no Santa - just the actual Christmas story), and I didn't see it again until it was released on DVD.  I love it because it is actually about the birth of the baby Jesus.

6.  "Going My Way" and "The Bells of St. Mary's".  Bing Crosby plays Catholic priest, Father O'Malley in both of these.  He seems to figure heavily in my Christmas movie viewing!  He was just so gosh darn good at them, I guess.

7.  "The Homecoming".  This was the 2 hour pilot for "The Waltons".  It featured a different Mom and Dad (I'm glad they were replaced for the TV show), but John Boy was the same, and that's all that mattered!  I love to watch some Waltons cheesy goodness! 

8.  "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  This was always my Dad's favorite Christmas special, so my family watched it every year while I was growing up.  I have seen it so often that I can pretty much recite along with the characters!  

9.  "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  Probably the first Christmas special I ever saw, and still one of my favorites.  

10.  "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together". My list would not be complete without this show.  John Denver as a tin soldier.  John fending off advances from Miss Piggy. Kermit's earnest singing.  "Alfie the Christmas Tree".  What's  not to love?

Isn't that a great list of Christmas movies and TV shows? What's amazing to me is that I can watch any of these shows any time I want - I own them all on DVD (or VHS). When I was a girl (gosh I'm old), we had to check the TV guide and mark our calendar so we didn't miss our favorite specials.  If we missed it, we weren't seeing it again until next year.  It's nice that we can see them now whenever we want, but I think something is missing.  Those shows were "an event" back then.  We made time to see them, and it was special.  I think we kind of miss something now (not that I would ever let you take my DVDs away from me).

Christmas Countdown Post #3

Christmas Countdown Post #3 is to name my favorite Christmas songs, as recorded by actual artists.  This may be tough because I am notoriously bad for not knowing who sings the songs I like!  But I'll give it a try.

1.  "O Holy Night" by Josh Groban.  Hands down the best version of that song ever.  

2.  Any of the songs from "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together".  Don't make me pick just one!  I love that whole album/cassette tape/CD (that is all of the formats I have owned it in).

3.  "Momma Mary" by Roger Whittaker.  Not a traditional song at all, but one I've listened to for years and love.

4.  "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby.  Okay, he's not so contemporary, but it never really feels like Christmas until I hear this song, sung by Bing.

5.  "Merry Christmas With Love" by Clay Aiken.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit this one. But I like his Christmas CD, and I love this song.

6.  "The Little Drummer Boy" by John Denver.  I couldn't make a list like this and not include a song by John Denver, my favorite singer ever!  

7.  "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams.  I have listened to Andy Williams since I was little, and I still play this CD every year.

8.  "Sleigh Ride" by Johnny Mathis.  This is another one of those albums that was played at my house every year.  It's kind of funny - I have one Johnny Mathis CD and one Andy Williams CD, and they are the same ones that I have been listening to since I was a kid!  I think I used to own one more CD from each of them, but they just weren't Christmas to me!

9.  (Added at 1:21a.m.)  "Mary, Did You Know?" by Kathy Matea.  This was the first version I ever heard of this song, and it's always been my favorite.  So beautiful.

I think that's a good list.  Thanks to iTunes for helping me remember songs I love!  

I challenge you to add your favorites in my Comments section.

Christmas Countdown Post #2

Christmas Countdown Post #2 is "The Completely Useless Christmas List".

Useless because they are things you

1.  Do not really need.

2.  Cannot really afford.

3.  Don't expect to get.

4.  Would still like to have anyway.

Here is my list:

1.  A new kitchen.  I would love to rip out my cabinets, countertops, floors, and appliances.  I would love to have dark wood cabinets, granite or Silestone countertops, new ceramic floors, stainless steel appliances, and a sparkling new paint job.  What a wondrous present that would be!

2.  The following TV series (complete or as many seasons as available):  Criminal Minds, Numbers, Life, Burn Notice, Seinfeld, Gilmore Girls, Andy Griffith, and Starsky and Hutch. That should give me enough to watch for a few hundred hours!

3.  A new Fossil purse or bag once a month for a year.  I love Fossil!  And, while they are cheaper than Coach, they are still too expensive for me to buy one a month.

4.  An Apple MacBook Pro.  The big 17-inch one.  I have an iMac, but it would be nice to have a laptop too.

 

5.  A new cell phone and one year pre-paid service (phone, internet, e-mail, the whole works).  I would like a Blackberry or iPhone - I'm not sure which.    

There's my list.  I would love to have all of these things, but I don't need any of them.  Unless Kimberly decides to be very generous towards her dear mother!

Christmas Countdown Post #1 (a day late)

Kimberly and her friend, Michelle, are doing the 25 posts of Christmas.  I am going to try to do it too. I am already a day behind.  Yesterday's post was snowman creating.  Go here to see what I'm talking about.

I, of course, had to make my own snowman.  His name is Chilly, and here he is:

 Title: Chilly

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Isn't he cute?  

Those of you with blogs, I invite you to make your own snowman and post him.

Thanksgiving Fun!

Thanksgiving was wild and crazy here.  We had 18 people at the house.  Most got here Wednesday and stayed at least 3 nights.  We were crowded!  But it was great fun.  We had a great meal, and with all of us chipping in, it wasn't too much trouble.

We ate vast quantities of food over the weekend.  38 pounds of turkey, 8 pounds of ham, 11 dozen rolls, 7 pies, dozens of cookies, chips, dip, and lots of other stuff!  It was a time of great feasting.

Friday morning my sister and I went shopping early.  We went to a store called Avenue and got $5.00 sweaters. When we got back, my mother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law liked them so much that we had to go back so they could buy them too!  Then we decided we needed a picture of each of us wearing a different colored sweater:

From left to right:  Robert's sister, Mary; me; Robert's brother's wife, Kathy; my sister, Chris; Robert's mother, Artie.  Don't we look colorful and festive?

All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to be with family - on both sides.  This is rapidly becoming a family tradition, with Robert's brother and his family joining us this year.  I hope it continues for a long time!