Evan Playing Guitar

A few second in and the sound system kicks in and you can hear a little better.

It's that time of year, again!

I love Christmas. I love the decorations. I love buying presents. I love getting together with family and letting the kids play. I love all that stuff. The one thing I don't love? The fact that my calendar fills up so fast and my energy is down the tubes because I'm not sleeping!

Sample schedule: This week, the only night I will have at home with no running around will be tonight. That's it. And if Evan doesn't finish his homework before I pick him up...well, I won't have time to get anything done tonight. Monday night Evan had a project to complete - and part of the project included ME making a cake and cupcakes. Tuesday was the band concert - beginning band. Yes, it was bad. Tonight? Free. Thursday, basketball practice - 7:30 to 9:00. Friday, I can't remember, but I'm sure there is something. Saturday, 2 basketball games and the Christmas Parade.

But that activity part of being a parent. It wears me out, but it's worth it.

Family gatherings. I love them. Except for the drama. My sister is trying to plan our family's event at her house on Christmas Eve. That's all well and good for me. But my brother has issues because they have small kids and have to get home in time to do Santa and their Christmas Eve traditions. We can't do it earlier in the day because my husband has to work. So, how are we going to compromise? Sister already feels like Brother doesn't love her, so if they just don't come then Sister will wind up in tears. Then we have to deal with Hubby's side of the family. This year we are doing it at our house on the 23rd. I don't work that day, so I can get the house ready and cook dinner. And now hubby's sister-in-law informs me that she's bringing her brother. Truthfully, I would rather have him there than her. But, does that also mean she is bringing her dad? So he won't be alone? Because, if that's the case, I may get "sick" and not be able to have it at our house. I can put up with a lot, but he is an ass. I will not allow him to act in MY home the way he does in hers (goes through everything - drawers, cabinets, mail - complains).

But I love seeing Evan's face when he opens his presents. I LOVE taking pictures of everybody. I love watching my cat go crazy with the paper and bows.  I love cooking breakfast Christmas morning. Which reminds me...anybody have any good brunch type recipes?

Fun for the holidays!

This is NOT a paid ad. This is just my opinion on something that everybody else probably already knows about!

I have a new favorite website I want to share with EVERYBODY. It's awesome wrapped in fun! Anyone that knows me, knows that I love pictures. But I've never had a really EASY way to edit photos - until now. The website is www.picnik.com. It is so much fun! Here is a sample of what you can do:

 

I took a simple picture, added a santa hat, snow, Rudolph nose, and some clippy-art kind of things. Then I went back and made some of the picture in color. This is just a tiny sample.

 

All you have to do is sign up for an account. There is a TON of free stuff on the site, but some stuff you have to have a 'premium' account for. But it's all labled so there is no confusion.

You can edit as much or as little as you want, save the picture to your computer and print in your usual way -  From your printer, or load to what every website you use - Walmart, Target, Shutterfly, Snapfish... whatever. You can add the pictures to the 'photobooks' or print them individually. I took one picture, added a 'tag', edited it a bit and had them printed - I'm using them for gift tags on presents.  

  Enjoy!

Evan and Wags. Or the escape artist.

Why, yes, I do let my son wear flip flops for pictures. Yes, I was aware they would be seen. But this is him. Flip flops and all. I would rather he be wearing what he wants to wear. And yes, I'm practicing answering these questions because I know they will be coming. From my mom AND mi MIL.

The reasons I do what I do...

How much is that puppy in the window?

Well, the costs of Evan's 'free' dog are adding up fast. The weekend we got him we also got a 10x10 kennel to keep him in while we are at work/school. Not cheap. I even got the 'roof' option so that he would have plenty of shade and protection from the rain. It has a Dogloo in it. He has food and water. It is partially floored (12x12 blocks) so that he doesn't have to be in the mud. He is only in there until 3:00. As soon as Evan gets home, he lets him out.

But this dog is determined to escape. I think I've talked about that before. He learned how to open the gate. When we chained the door in the middle, he put pressure on the bottom of the door until he could fit through. So we added a second chain at the bottom. Then he put his nose through the chain link and wiggled it back and forth until he could fit his head through. So we covered that hole with smaller wire he couldn't get a hold in. Then he moved to another pannel and worked it until he bent the clips holding the chain link to the poles enough that he could get through. We fixed that. Well.

Yesterday I had to leave work at 10 AM to go to the SCHOOL to pick up the dog. We live right behind the school. A few weeks ago when I was out of town, Mike took him out to do his business and he ran away to look for Evan because Evan hadn't spent any time at home. They found him at the school.

Well, yesterday the damn dog broke out and went to school looking for Evan again. A kid in Evan's class heard something outside and looked. Wags was jumping up and looking in windows. The teacher was kind enough to let Evan get the dog and bring him into her classroom until I could come home to get him. Of course, the phone call I got was 'Please come get your dog, he is in Evan's class' with no explanation of how he got there...

Excitement!

I got a call from my sister-in-law today...the one that just recently read all the Twilight books an was immediately in love. She could barely contain herself... She and I had discussed going to Atlanta to see 100 Monkeys. Because "Jasper" is in the band. But it's the day after Christmas and we really didn't want to do that. BUT. The band has added a stop in Birmingham!!! We are going 12/27! Already got the tix. If anyone in the B'ham area would like to meet us there for a girl's night out, I'm sure it will be a blast! Tix are only $18.53 (tax included). They are playing @ Workplay. I have never been there, but heard good things. If you decide to go, send me a note so I will be looking for you!

100 Monkeys Official Site