Christmas Guilty Pleasure

For Thanksgiving, my freshman year of college, I took a road trip with a new friend. We went to San Diego to spend it with her family. On the drive, she popped in an old cassette of Wham! In one of the songs, and deep voice came on and said, "Touch This." We laughed until we cried and kept rewinding it. I can't even tell you what song it was. Of course, I've never heard that version on the radio, but since then all Wham and George Michael songs take me back to that trip. She is still one of my best friends, but we don't live close so these little flash backs are extra special.

As many of you know, I am quite a festive person. I like cheesy Christmas music. Combine that with a Wham song & you have a winner. Unfortunately, I've only heard their Christmas song twice this year and once was in Target (so that doesn't count). ...I googled it & found the video on YouTube. I'll make you all suffer with my guilty pleasure.

New Outlook

Yesterday, I was forced to give up my dying little Saturn sedan. We have been together for eleven years. I had it paid off even before I met Steve. I can certainly say that we had a long relationship with very few issues. On Monday, it just started shutting off while I was driving. I coasted to the side & started it right back up, but I had a feeling this was an indication of much bigger problems. We took it to the shop that night and were told that the cost to repair it was going to be over $1,000, which is more than the little car is worth. We decided that it was time to shop for a Saturn Outlook, something we were planning to do this coming summer. Don’t worry about my poor little car; I sold it to the mechanic who was very excited because his family only has one car. It makes me feel better knowing that it is going to a good home.

We went to two Saturn dealerships yesterday and found exactly what we were looking for at the second one, well minus a dvd player. They are going to put one in for us though. Since I plan to keep this vehicle FOREVER too, it feels like I am starting a new phase of life. I am excited that we have a vehicle that we actually fit comfortably in, and that it will be more difficult for the kids to fight because they can’t reach each other, and that we can actually go on a driving vacation if we want to. Today, I am in love.

Next month, when I have to make the first payment after seven and a half years of not having one, I’m sure I’ll cry.

Wii Giveaway

I am putting a link to a WiiFit Giveaway, because I know lots of people would like one and mainly because I like Crazy Bloggin Canuk. Click on the link and leave a comment, so you'll be in the drawing.

Christmas Disco Fam

I saw this and thought it was absolutely hilarious! All of you can click on the link and turn your families into disco dancing elfs:

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not a Hot Chocolate Freak this Year

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while knows that I think the best thing about cooler/cold weather is drinking hot chocolate. I usually look for any dip in the temperature as an excuse. When I lived in Miami, the dip didn't have to be much for me to decide I needed a cup.

I can't explain it, but right around Thanksgiving time this year, my taste buds changed. Lots of things that I normally crave or enjoy don't appeal to me as much. One of those things is hot chocolate. Who would have guessed? Instead, I prefer hot peppermint tea (herbal). The funny thing about this particular drink is that my Grandmother used to make it for us using fresh peppermint from her garden. She would heat it up and then add a little sugar and milk. I bought tea packets from the store, but I have to add a little sugar and milk like she used to. I made a cup this morning and remembered that today is her birthday. I'll drink it in her honor.

**By the way, googling taste bud change isn't a good idea. You'll think that:
a) I am getting old (ok, so I am)
b) I have cancer
I am thinking that it isn't exactly a taste bud change, but a craving/in the mood kind of change. It might be hormonal since I am working on weaning Jordan. It could also be that I ate horribly over the Thanksgiving weekend and now my body is trying to recover.

He Surprisingly Changed His Mind

About three weeks ago, my husband was reading a book to Lexi and announced that he was thinking it would be nice to have another baby. I was absolutely stunned to hear those words come out of his mouth, because he has always been set on two. In fact, the entire time I was pregnant with Jordan, he made sure to tell everyone that he was done and that he wanted a vasectomy. So…his little announcement wasn’t taken too seriously. I figured that the next time both kids are screaming, he would change his mind. My response to him was that if we are going to have another one, we’d better not wait long because I am not getting any younger.

The entire time I was pregnant this last time, I knew that I did NOT want to be pregnant again. I even fantasized about mailing my maternity clothes to my sister-in-law. As soon as Jordan was born, I wanted another one though. This last year, I have been mostly on the fence. I’d say I have been in the 50 – 75% range of wanting another baby. Until Steve’s announcement, I would have said that he was mostly against it. To my surprise, he now has decided that he really wants us to have another one. He is even telling other people (family and friends).

For now, I’ve decided that I will not be ready to even think about “trying” until after my birthday, which is in January. At that time, I will be 36 years old and it might not be easy or happen quickly. We’ll see. In the spirit of thinking of a third, I decided to google the idea this morning. I found this amusing site: http://www.havingthreekids.com. It made me laugh.

Birthday Boy/Party Pooper

Today, my little baby boy turns one. I really can't believe it. We had a party for him last night and the picture pretty much sums up how it went. Everyone had a great time, except for him. He has TWO teeth coming in. When the party started, he decided that he needed to cling to me. He wasn't too happy when anyone gave him attention. He'd turn the other way and fuss a little. About an hour into the party, he fell asleep. I took him to bed and let him sleep for a half an hour while the adults socialized and the kids played. I woke him up to open presents and eat cake. Of course, he wasn't exactly enthusiastic for either. As the last few guests were heading out, he choked on a piece of apple. I rushed him to the sink and he puked. Sounds like a fun party, right? Despite how it sounds, the rest of us had a great time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a picture of my little turkeys:


I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We're looking forward to seeing my work-aholic husband. :)

Random Points

I'm keeping it simple this week:

1. Don’t call anyone in the Houston area when you are excited about low gas prices like Steve’s friends and dad often do. Ours are usually lower - $1.77 today.

2. This week, I was responsible for a playgroup. A chic that I never liked in high school was in town and brought her 4 year old to it. Even though I realize that we clashed for silly teenager reasons, I still don’t want to like her. Her daughter is adorable though. I had to laugh because within seconds of meeting her, her daughter was hugging and climbing on me like she was my own. The other funny thing was that her son was wearing the exact same shirt as mine. hmm...what does that mean?

3. As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking a lot about the last time I saw my dad (exactly 3 years ago). I have also been remembering several of the odd happenings that occurred around that time, especially one particularly bizarre thing. My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer right before we found out that I was pregnant. When we picked Lexi’s name, Alexis, it had been several months since I had e-mailed him. Right about the time he died, I noticed that my dad’s e-mail was lexis@....com. Fate? A pit in my stomach formed.

4. I am working on Jordan’s first birthday party. The idea of a kid themed party doesn’t appeal to me right now, so we’re going with a Christmas party. It is going to be on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Lots of food trays and friends sound like the perfect celebration for a one year old. Next year, we’ll do the kid themed thing. Don’t worry; there will still be plenty of kids and fun.

5. My car (Saturn Sedan) has officially made it to the eleven year mark. Why would anyone keep a car that long? It still works great. Plus, I paid it off eight years ago and now I can’t wrap my head around the idea of car payments. The car is showing its age (cosmetically speaking) and is way too small so one of these days, I’ll have to bite the bullet and give it up.

6. This year, we have been invited to have Thanksgiving with one of my best friend’s (from high school) family – as in with his parents. His wife quickly invited us once she heard we’d be in town. She was a little too excited about the idea. I immediately got the feeling that we were going to be a buffer. His prodigal sister and her new husband will be in town. I am sure we will have a great time though.

I guess that is enough randomness for today.

Lexi on the Election

This morning, I told Lexi that we are going to be getting a new President of the United States. She just looked at me. Then, I asked her if she wants to know his name.

She asked, "Is it Santa Clause?"

I had to smile as I thought about that idea.