HERE WE GO....

O.K. I have to preface this with I have tons more pics but I like these and I posting these, so there!

We ate shrimp

...and oysters.

Some of us were camera shy...

and some of us weren't. This is my BRO1 and his wife. I haven't seen them in a long time. They didn't join us for Thanksgiving this year so it was good to finally see them.

This is my BRO2 and the hubby hanging out. They really enjoy each others company.

That's awesome.

Ahh... to be this young and in love...
Peace out homies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well, they both are giving the peace sign... right?

Merry Christmas my friends.

These two beautiful pictures were taken by my wonderful 14 year old son. He can work the camera like no one's business. Of course you know I had to buy him his own this year.

This has been a very trying holiday season. No one received a bonus at work this year because of one person deciding to embezzle money (and LOTS of it). I used cash and cash only to Christmas shop. That worked out really well. I felt a little guilty about not buying for people I usually buy for. But that's O.K. who needs stuff anyway. Stuff never really makes you happy anyway. The hubby and I had a pact that neither of us were to buy for the other, so I didn't. He did. Shame on him! Now I feel bad. He bought me a set of onion soup bowls. I don't eat it, but I do make a mean onion soup. I guess he was trying to give me a hint or something... I miss my parents today. I will see them next weekend, that's cool. We will spend the rest of the day with friends and I am looking forward to that.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

...and of course to be P.C. whatever you do and don't celebrate, I hope today is a wonderful day anyway!

Work with me here...
I am trying really hard to get in to the spirit of things. It is one week before Christmas and I still haven't started shopping yet. I fear that the kids will be terribly disappointed this year. It will be O.K. they know we are not made of money. We did get the shopping done for our adopted family at the battered woman's shelter. Hubby and I are delivering them after work today. I keep trying to tell myself that it is not all about the gifts, but when you are 13 and 14 years old it kind of is. My daughter wanted to give something to her friends at school but we don't have the cash so I showed her how to make little felt mice with candy cane tails. She made a bunch of them last night and took them to school today. (but they have real candy canes) That is better than something she bought anyway. I made a snowball coffee cake last night so she could take it in and share it with the class. They are having a "Holiday" party. (I hate all that PC crap!) It's Christmas damn it!
Anyway, this weekend we are spending it with my family down in Florida. Just got a call from my SIL saying that my BRO2 was in a motorcycle accident Monday and spent the night in the hospital. He is O.K. and on the mend. Poor guy. Hey at least he is here and alive and that is all that counts!
Wish me luck and send lots of good karma my way so I can make this Christmas a special one for my kids.

Bah-Humbug!

This year I am having a hard time with gifts for my children. They are good kids and deserve good things. I have always had the same budget for the kids but this year the things they want are much more expensive so that money doesn't buy as much. I have one thing for my daughter so far and nothing for my son.
Yes, I know Christmas is next week.
It snuck up on me again this year. My son took some good pictures of our Christmas tree and the lights on the house. I will post them soon.
I have my last bunco game of the year on Thursday night. Looks like we have to gear up for next year.

On a side note I saw the little girl who just lost her father getting on the bus this morning. She always waves at me and I always wave back. She looked so very sad this morning. I wish I could make all her hurt go away.

CHRISTMAS *HEEHEE*...

I just received these in an e-mail this morning and I just HAD to share.

HOLIDAY STUFF....

A MeMe from a very awesome chick A.K.A Tysgirl

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Wrapping paper/Gift bags, it matters not...

2. Real tree or artificial? Totally fake...

3. When do you put up your tree? Sometime during the first week of December...

4. When do you take down your tree? New Years Day...

5. Do you like eggnog? No, yuck!!!

6. Favorite gift as a kid? The Flying Saucer!!!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No...

8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband...

9. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter...

10. The worst Christmas present you ever got? A brick. My grandmother (may she rest in peace) was able to afford roller skates for my brothers but couldn't afford mine, but she wanted me to have something heavy to feel like their skates... so I got the brick with an I.O.U. Oh and just for the record I never did get the skates...

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Totally snail mail...

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever the mood strikes, usually in October...

14. Recycled a Christmas present? No, but I have given some away as in,"here you may like this, I got it for Christmas and it just isn't for me..."

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's home made coffee cake...

16. White or colored lights? White non-blinking...

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yep!

19. Travelling or staying home? There's no place like home...

20. Angel or star on top of the tree? A star with a pic of my 2 kids (angels) on it...

21. What do you love most about the holidays? Seeing the children's faces when they see the tree first thing in the morning...

JUST A QUICKIE...

Yes, I said quickie... As in a quick note to say hey! I received the list that I have been waiting for. Remember I said something about adopting a woman and her children from the Safe Shelter. Well I got the list yesterday and I just HAD to go to the mall. She needs basic stuff like a bath mat and towels. Her kids are 5 & 6 and they need underwear and winter coats, etc. So I went and picked up 2 little coats, 2 little shirts and a pair of jammies. I'm not done yet, but that's a start. I am at a loss as to what to get my children. They don't ask for much and are so very good. I only wish I could give them the world.

If anyone out there has any suggestions as to what to give a 13 year old boy and a 12 year old girl, please let me know.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

SATURDAY...

Yep, it's Saturday.... The hubby went to Orlando to pick up some random car part for his sports car that I highly doubt he needs. I am here at the house with the kids and Babygirl's friend that spent the night. Thank goodness she is a sweet kid.

I am working on making Christmas ornaments for people for Christmas gifts. It's kind of nice not having to go anywhere or do anything for once. I am going to enjoy today.

Have I mentioned that we have 8 (EIGHT!!!) new baby Guppies in our new fishtank. We stocked it a week ago with 7 Neon Tetras and 5 female Guppies. Well someone was preggers when we got them.... I love the babies, they are so tiny. I was going to post the pic of the baby here but of course Blogger is being a little poopy...

So click HERE instead.

*UPDATE: There are NOW 16 baby Guppies*

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

I just had to share. I have been wanting to volunteer this Christmas doing something worthwhile. Well, on the news last night there was a piece about the women's safe shelter. They need everything! This is the place where battered women and children go to seek help and survive. SOooooo I called today and adopted a family. They are going to get back with me to give me my family so I can have a list of what they need and want.

I am so excited!!!

I (thank God) have never been in a situation like theirs. The thought of these kids getting something/anything Christmas morning just makes me all giggly. As a mom, I know that seeing your child open a gift with a huge smile on their face is the BEST GIFT EVER. O.K. I know I am making it all about me, but it makes ME happy.

I think this will be a great experience for the kids to give instead of get this year.

(Yes, not to worry they are getting alot of stuff....)

Just so all of you know, I have been testing out the new lens that Tysgirl got for me but I have not been able to get on my computer at home. My son has a huge project due the end of this week and I don't DARE even go in to the computer room. So, as soon as I can, I will post my lame attempts at the new lens.