Let's Make All Our Christmas Presents This Year

I think I actually did this once.  I'm pretty sure it was the first Christmas Chris and I were married.  I think we exchanged packages of Smack Ramen.  As for the rest of the family, I think I painted charming little ceramic ornaments that would rival any kindergarten artist.  Notice I said charming.  I don't think I could get away with that this year......or ever again.  Maybe "charming" really means "broke but thoughtful". 

Now how can I pull off "charming" gifts this year?  Baking backfires.  I mess up so many batches that I end up spending money on a real gift after I've spent an equal amount trying to bake something worth gifting. 

I can sew.  Surely everyone on my list would appreciate a homemade pillowcase since that is the exent of my sewing abilities.

I've even thought about making coupon books.  Odds are- if I offer to clean someone's house or cook dinner, the recipient will think back to the last time I had them over for a meal and consider the offer offensive.

How about this.....why don't I give everyone "The Thought That Counts".  I will make a list of all the things I would LOVE to give the special person if money was no object.  I could even write on cute homemade paper and decorate it with scrapbooky things.

Just like last year, I will spend a truck load of money I don't have, on gifts my loved ones don't want, during the hours in which I should be digesting my Thanksgiving meal while sleeping late.  I love deciding who will be the lucky recipient of the half price, 25% off discount during the early bird sale where everything is an additional 10% off Iced Tea Maker. 

Nothing says Merry Christmas like an Ice Tea Maker identical to the one I gave you last year. 

I've Got Time to Vote

Honestly, if Henley had not just taken a test in Social Studies (Rights and Responsibilities) I would have totally skipped out on voting.  Well- since I am being honest....I also decided to vote because I did not have my garage door opener therefore I was locked out of the house until Chris came home. 

I hate elections.  I hate people being mean to each other.  I hate standing in line to choose one mean person over another.

I think if you want to represent me then you better be able to walk in my shoes. You better be able to keep two over tired kids entertained while waiting in a line in which the two over tired kids will get NOTHING out of it---no bank suckers, no Wal-Mart stickers, no Good as Gold awards. 

On a seperate note- I think voter turn out would be much higher if they:

had a cash bar
served snacks
gave out door prizes
gave a tax break for voting
offered babysitting
provided chair massages

Maybe I should run for office.

Wait- what day is it?

Just like every other teacher, the last few days of school are filled with dreams of carefree summer days.  I actually planned projects to complete on these carefree summer days.  I made the mistake of telling Chris about my plans. 

He laughed.

He knows me.

My main goal was to update our photos throughout the house.  He bet me a "Girls Weekend" that I wouldn't get it done. 

I have taken tons of pictures this summer.  I actually read the manual for our camera.  I know what mode to take beach pictures (beach mode).  I've organized what pictures I want and where (in my head).  I officially have two days of summer left and I have not physically touched a photo or frame.

Really I had good intentions.  We bought 5 large frames from IKEA (Viserum) and Chris even mounted them on the walls.  The frames have been there since June.  The frames are empty.  That's a lie.  They were empty until we went to Mexico.  Our neighbors watched our dog for us.........and did a little decorating.  We now have handmade portraits of our neighbors hanging in the frames.  Sweet little stick figures of English, Shannon, Addison, Sally Sue, and Biscuit. 

The project will get finished.  Here is how it will get finished:

I will try to organize everything.
I will get frustrated.
I will feel like a failure.
I will start crying.
Chris will tell me to take a break.
Chris will finish it in less than 30 minutes (including clean up time).

So I guess Chris will earn the "Girls Weekend".

Speaking of weekend.  I now have less than 30 minutes to pack the family for a camping trip.  That means I have 30 minutes to organize, get frustrated, feel like a failure, start crying, and take a break.

Birthday Time

Having my first born's birthday the week before school starts was poor planning on my part.  Who am I kidding- when I was 25 (a baby myself), I had no idea I would spend SO much time planning these crazy birthday soirees.  After Abby's knock down drag out sleepover in April, Chris and I swore we'd rather have our eyes pecked out by an angry mob of chickens before having another sleepover.

Today's "Things I Shouldn't Have Said"- Alright Henley, we'll have a sleepover, just please stop crying!!!

The deal was- only 3 friends and not a big fuss.

I'm not sure how, but now we are at 8 friends and the fuss is getting bigger.  It's partly my fault.  I have these silly ideas that jump out of my mouth before I think of the consequences.  "It would be really neat to play 'Minute to Win It' games."  Now I have to come up with the games and of course prizes.  This is from the same person who thought it would be cool to have 2 year olds to hunt for live ladybugs which resulted in us housing 1000 bugs in our fridge.

Now for the present.  She wants another "American Girl" doll.  It is this generation's version of the Cabbage Patch Doll.  Chris and I have tried time and time again to convince the girls these are a waste of money.  I think I even said, "It doesn't even DO anything."

It doesn't connect to the internet, it doesn't make any noise, it doesn't require batteries, it comes completely assembled, it includes a chapter book, and requires a decent amount of creativity to make it "come to life".   Hmmmm.

Heaven forbid we get her a present that will enrich her life.  Nope, we want her to get a new DSi because her current one is on life support. 

Did I mention her birthday theme is based on a Disney show she was banned from watching up until a week ago?

Parenting is all about compromise.  Compromise and feasting on our words.

The Maiden Post

Is it pompous of me to start a blog without any followers?  It is much like my Twitter account that has ZERO followers.  How strange that scientists have not created a time machine, yet Twitter can quickly take me back to the wallflower feelings of a junior high dance.  Why take the time to scrunch my corkscrew permed hair, create a perfect fountain of bangs, and wear a black and white Multiples shirt/dress with a coordinating mismatched polka dotted belt if NO ONE will dance with me?  Hence the blogging without followers. 

Let me give you a run down on what you will find here and what you won't find-

I will misspell words. 
I will commit grammar sins.
I will occasionally curse.  If I am feeling angelic- I might clean it up, but no promises.
I will not use names (that's a lie).
I will not do this everyday.
I will not write about my dog on every post.
I will not feel bad for offending anyone.

My mother has often said my mouth works faster than my brain.  I like to think of it as a disability.  I was born without a filter which can be both entertaining and destructive.  I plan to only include the entertaining portions and leave the destruction to the experts (BP).