Sexy

I got my Christmas present today. Away we went to have a photo shoot with a pro. My idea of heaven. He even had remote-controlled strobe lights!!!! A seamless white background, a funky chair, props galore. I had a blast. So worth it. Such a moment in time. Before we left, Ethan said that he wanted to look sexy. What he actually said was "I like sex," but without knowing what he was saying. He wanted to ask if he looked all right in the red shirt he was wearing, but it sorta came out funny. I had to laugh..and ask what he meant, of course! Gotta love him.

Shopiitis and the look of scorn

I may have an incurable illness. All this Christmas shopping and post-Christmas shopping has put me in shopping mode. Really, it's a disease. I have no need for anything else, and no room for anything else in my tiny house; and yet, I'm compelled to go looking for something else. Not really sure what either. I do have a need for appliances with a leaking washer, but appliance shopping is not so much fun. And expensive.

So, this illness comes and goes in waves for me. This week is particularly bad - just ask my sister. Hope it's over soon.

The other part of this post is somewhat unrelated to the shopiitis part. Ms. L. was an altar server for the first time today. Proud moment for me as a mom. She looked so tiny up there with the priest and the two other altar servers who were probably Grade 5 or 6 boys. But she did her thing and she looked all solemn. The look of scorn came from the lady who does that altar service training for the kids and who arranged for Leah to be there today. All because we were a 'tad' late for mass...i.e. walked in when the procession was starting. Sheesh. It all ended well, tho!

So this is Christmas

Someone woke at 4 a.m. this morning to see if Santa was here. It was Ms. L, who is on the cusp of not believing any more. I think that she was reassured by the visible dents made in the banana bread and egg nog left for Santa. Oh yes, she also wrote a note to him, asking whether banana bread was OK, rather than cookies. Santa did write back. Thank goodness the handwriting was not recognized.

We have had a very enjoyable Christmas morning, I must tell you. The kids waited, albeit, impatiently, for the coffee pot to brew before the gifts were started. Santa brought just the right amount of things. Last year, he went WAAY overboard in the kids gift department. We had to have a little chat about that.

I got a tripod! And yesterday came a gift card to my favourite camera store...not to mention a flickr 'pro' account. My family knows how nutty I am about this photography hobby of mine.

So, all in all, when I inhale the turkey aroma that is making its way downstairs, I am reminded of how nice it is to have your family at your side and how special it is to share Christmas with the ones you love.

Dragon Breath

Ever notice how small things can make a difference?
I was in line at Winners today. The lady behind me asked a question, but I could not concentrate on what she was saying. Halitosis city. Holy crow batman, I could not stand it. So I started inching away, trapped behind the person in front of me and dragon breath lady. And she kept talking. OK, it's small and insignificant and I'm sure my breath is no daisy, but my patience was very thin. Hm, maybe it's to do with the craziness of the season?

Visions of sugarplums

I am grateful.

I am grateful for Brian, because he is out there with the snowblower for hours and never complains.

I am grateful for my sister who shopped with me for the afternoon and then wrapped for the evening.

I am grateful for the fact that my children are home, are safe and are not brats.

I am grateful for how much joy I get out of giving to others.

Have you got your flea shot?

I got swallowed by life when I got back.

It was Christmas full-tilt here. I resisted. For a few days after Poland I had the dreamy, "I am rested" look on my face. People commented. I invariably said the same banal things like the holiday was good and I'm glad to be home. Then I jumped into two huge files and voila, the look went away.

But I did get my flea shot, as Ethan puts it. Gotta keep the priorities in life straight!

Onto the Christmas extravaganza we go...