A Holiday Meme…

Okay, so I was lurking on someone’s blog and found this meme. Since I’m incredibly lazy, here goes… 

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping.

Real tree or artificial? Real. All the way.

When do you put up the tree? This year, early. Like the beginning of December. Not liking it too much, as I think it will be bald by the time the 26th comes around.

When do you take the tree down? After the New Year.

Do you like eggnog? Actually, I do.

Favorite gift received? I have several, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most was my Merlin that I got, oh, probably Christmas 1978. Santa also remembered to bring AA batteries, that wonderful man!

Do you have a nativity scene? Absolutely. One that I made in a ceramics class (I grew up in the 70’s and early 80’s, you know), and various others.

Hardest person to buy for? This year? The idiot girlfriend of my stupid nephew who allowed herself to get knocked up by him. Unfortunately, husband drew her name. I balked at her name even being in the family draw. Maybe we’ll get her a lifetime supply of CONDOMS. Or a brain transplant.

Easiest person to buy for? Daughter. This year, she is asking Santa for undies, “little dolls”, and pink pants. I think we can oblige.

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh. Hands down the gold cat pendant by ex-boyfriend/fiance gave me. I mean, I like cats, but I was not and am not THAT old as to be publicly declaring my affection for them by WEARING them on my person.

Mail or email Christmas cards? This year? Neither. Too much going on in my life. But in other years, mail.

Favorite Christmas movie? Anything Rankin-Bass. (You know, Rudolph, Heat Miser, Little Drummer Boy…)

When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends on what I find. Sometimes I buy things right after Christmas and keep them for the next year. Believe me, that doesn’t happen often since I tend to forget about those gifts.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  Probably. Can’t think of a specific instance, though.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mmmmm…cookies…

Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored.

Favorite Christmas song? Feliz Navidad. You just can’t help singing along.

Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, but not far.

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Of course!

Angel on the tree top or a star? We currently have a star, but if my mom ever finds the tattered, sort of pathetically ugly little angel that was on our tree when I was growing up, that will replace the star.

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year? OBNOXIOUS SHOPPERS!

What I love most about Christmas? Having 2 weeks off from work

Wish us luck…

Tomorrow I am heading off to the Large Midwestern University where I used to work, parents in tow, to find out if the oncologists there have additional suggestions for my dad’s treatment. I’m not super happy with the doctor’s office he’s with right now, they don’t really seem to have their sh** together…like they don’t communicate with each other. Stupid. I know my dad isn’t very excited about going–he has the attitude of “why bother?” but I am digging my heels in on this one. The current oncologist is not a “specialist” on esophageal cancer, she’s more of a generalist. I want to see what the specialists have to say. The thing that will REALLY be not-so-fun is that they are predicting a bit of an ice storm. Ick. At least we aren’t going into Indiana or Chicago.

I’m holding it together. Barely. Lost it the other night with husband (tears and sobbing), then couldn’t sleep well. Day-by-day is about all I can handle right now. Positive thoughts, vibes, prayers, WHATEVER, would be much appreciated.

Over-reaction…

So we went to pick up the daughter today from grandma and grandpa’s. My mom said that she had taken her “pretty” out (the elastic ponytail holder) but they couldn’t find it. We didn’t think much more about it until it was bath time. I about had a *hit fit when I took her shirt off to find the “pretty” around her upper arm, snugly nestling into the chub between her elbow and shoulder. OMG! It had probably been there about 5- 6 hours by that time. She knew I was PISSED and cried accordingly. I quickly called my mom and told her where I found it, then felt bad b/c I think she felt completely responsible. I wasn’t calling her to accuse her, I just wanted her to know so she didn’t continue looking for it. Anyway, I then called an RN friend of mine, who told me to check her fingernail beds–if they got pink again within 2-3 seconds after pushing on them, circulation was normal. It was. She was also moving her arm, hand, and fingers normally. She does, however, have quite a red circle around her upper arm. I have to remember to tell daycare the story so they don’t think we’re torturing or abusing her…

I feel like I over-reacted, but then again, I hope she f*ing remembers this lesson and NEVER does it again!!!!

Embarrassing…

Picture this: high school band room, late 80’s. I’m sitting in third hour band, (mostly) minding my own business. A poke to my back:

“K, your dad’s here!”

Indeed, my dad was outside the band room, beckoning to me. I go out to see what he wants.

“What do you need, dad?”

“Do you have a set of keys to the car?” (slightly difficult to understand, as my father DID NOT HAVE HIS FALSE TEETH IN at the time)

“Dad, where are your teeth?”

“DO YOU HAVE THE KEYS TO THE CAR? I locked my set inside,”

“No, I don’t.  Dad, where are your teeth?”

“The plate broke, so they’re being fixed” (at the time, my father was in his late 50’s, and looks INCREDIBLY old without his teeth in. Seriously NOT A GOOD LOOK.

“How did you know where to find me?”

“I went to the office!”

Oh shit. So everyone in the HS Office got to see my pops sans teeth. Wow. How much more mortifying can it get for a 16 or 17 year old?

Right now, I would give my heart to get that moment back. You see, my dad has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has spread to some lymph nodes and the bone. I am scared beyond belief, even though I’m now 35. This is not what I pictured for my family and I’m petrified. Even though I have friends, I’m almost too overwhelmed to let them all know. I don’t know where to turn for support.

Please, if there is anyone out there who knows where family members can turn, let me know.

Christmas fuzzies…

I felt compelled to buy the 4 DVD set of the good old Christmas programs – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Rudolph, Frosty, The Little Drummer Boy, etc. I put one in after M got out of the bathtub (it was a “surprise”) and she sat between daddy and I to watch it. It was very cute. After it was done and we were heading up to bed, she declared “That was a great movie, mommy!”

I think it might have been the best $23 I’ve ever spent.

Crap…!

We were at the in-laws, so I had very, very limited computer access! Oh well, I guess I blew my NaBloPoMo chances.

Got up at the butt-crack of dawn Friday morning so I could get to Radio Shack to buy my husband’s Tom Tom One. Good deal. That was the ONLY place I went. I’m still recovering from lack of sleep.

 Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

With apologies…

To the source of this meme…I can’t remember where I got it. I like doing these because, well, I’m generally lazy about finding topics to write about (obviously), and they make me think about things I normally wouldn’t.

*1 IF YOU COULD BUILD YOUR HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD THAT BE ~ Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, preferably in Northern Michigan

*2 FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING ~ New jeans that are 2 sizes smaller than the ones still in my closet…

*3 LAST CD BOUGHT~ Steve Martin – Wild and Crazy Guy

4 WHAT TIME DO I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING ~ Usually between 6 and 7 am

*5 FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE ~ My egg and muffin toaster

*6 I YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT WHAT WOULD IT BE ~ I play the piano and french horn, but have always wanted to learn cello or oboe. 

*7 MY FAVORITE COLOR ~ Pink or navy blue

*8 PREFER SUV, CAR OR TRUCK ~ small SUV – Honda CRV-esque

*9 DO I BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE ~ I want to…

*10 FAVORITE CHILDREN’S BOOK ~ How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

*11 FAVORITE SEASON ~ Fall, hands down.

*12 IF I HAD A SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE ~ The ability to heal.

*13 WHAT IS YOUR TATTOO IF YOU HAVE ONE ~ Don’t have one…don’t want one.

*14 CAN YOU JUGGLE ~ Not at all.

*15 WHO WOULD I GO BACK AND TALK TO IN THE PAST ~ Hmm. Probably my grandparents (gone before I was born). Or I might have a chat with my teenage self.

*16 FAVORITE DAY ~ Friday night

*17 WHAT IS IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR ~ Various wheeled carts for my work crap, a coat or two, pop bottles to return.

*18 DO I PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER ~ I’ve tried to like sushi, but no go. Hamburger.

*19 FAVORITE ERA OF TIME ~ Probably the 1980’s, love the music. Each song seems to remind me of a specific event or time.

*20 FAVORITE HOLIDAYS ~ Any that give a day off work!

*21 FAVORITE PERSON IN YOUR LIFE (other then your sig. other & children) ~ That’s not a fair question. My family is comprised of all my favorite people; I won’t single any one of them out.

*22 FAVORITE FLOWER ~ Tulip

*23 WHAT IS MY FAVORITE MEAL ~ A good pizza with just the right crust, breadsticks, salad, and something chocolate to top it off…

 Feel free to borrow!

Idea…

I have an inkling of an idea for something; prompted by my semi-loneliness having moved not long ago.

Anyone ever had an idea that they’ve brought to completion successfully? I’m talking more on a grand scale, like the idea my husband’s friend had for opening a woodworking store/workshop for people to rent equipment, etc. (It never happened). My idea isn’t quite that grand.

I wonder if I should try it, with the technical help of my husband.

Oh my…

Overheard between the husband and daughter:

D: “What you have daddy?”

H: “Pot roast. Do you want to try some?”

D: “No fanks. It make me sick.”

We are in trouble.

Ugh…

Why isn’t uploading a picture easier???? I think my old blogsite was less confusing…