Winter Has Me In It's Grip

Boy, does it ever. This seems to be an especially hard winter for me. I am feeling like a tree with no leaves, cold to the bone and my sap seems to be frozen. Add to that - things keep breaking- cars (thanks Steve for fixing mine) computers- (thanks Jamey for fixing that) hearts- working on that one. I have contention all around me. I don't like that. How many weeks until we can fire up the barbecue? The good part is that I should have an exceptional spring!

Superman's Super Snow Man

I told Steve I wanted a snowman. I love snowmen, a love I share with Ethan. Mu house is decorated in snowmen right now. We also love our snow man dishes. Steve assembled this on his birthday. Carter helped with the general shape then was distracted building a snow fort. I told Steve that I wanted a little fire pit in front of the snowman to put a candle in...it looked great. Steve even found the perfect arms. It was especially cool looking at night. We kept going out to look at him. Ethan had a great time throwing snowballs at him, trying to douse the candle. Carter changed his hat for a World War 2 helmet. But I love my snowman. He is looking very saggy. Hmmm. If you haven't read "Snowmen At Night" by Caralyn and Merk Beuhner, you should make the effort. An interesting story that explains why snowmen look saggy. I usually start looking for spring as soon as Christmas ends, but I am hoping for another good snowstorm. We have ideas for some friends for our little snowman. Any suggestions on what to name him? If you haven't seen him yet, it's probably too late. He's terminal.


There's one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor's. ~Clyde Moore.

Tree Trouble

I have had a Christmas tree glut. I decorated:
My living room tree,












Our Angel and moose tree. Try and figure that one out!

My science room tree-took it down and redecorated it in the library,
my music room tree-took it down and redecorated it in the boys room,







I always love this little glowing tree


Lacey's Aggie tree- she took it down and redecorated it in her room, and I helped my mom with her tree. They all bring a little jingle to my heart. Although, we have found that you can't put a cheap tree over a heat register. Strange things happen.








Go Aggies!

The first time the boys room tree fell over, it awoke Hayden. He immediately blamed Zooey, but she was asleep by him. Then he blamed Carter. Carter was asleep in the family room. We 'Jerry-rigged' it back up. About an hour later, it fell for the last time. Shall we give it a decent burial or try and make a wooden stand? (they don't melt)

Oh Dear!!

I just had to take Hayden to his practice and when we started the car, I saw this big old head looking at me from my patio by my lilac bushes. I asked Hayden, "Is that a deer?". We decided it was.Then we looked into the garden and each saw another deer....not the same one. I pulled the car so the headlights shone on the garden and another fawn jumped into the garden from the lower yard. They weren't nervous about us at all. Four deer in our yard at once. I took Hayden to his practice , did some light shopping and when I came home they are all bedded down in the gardens. I threw out four old apples and they didn't move at all. I tried to take their picture, but that wasn't cool. They left. I think I can hear them going down the driveway. I hope they aren't spying for Santa Claus!

Deck the Halls

I have been working on enjoying the Christmas season. I have decked my halls, Lacey's halls and am working on decking the halls at school. Marinda helped me put a tree in the music room. I still need to find some music themed ornaments for it. I am putting up a tree in the science room window tomorrow. The food drive will also kick off tomorrow. I am in a busy groove. My goal was to learn to love Christmas this year....but I feel the old dread sneaking in on me. I love the gift we were given and reminded of at Christmas time. It's just the worlds sense of gluttony that I am sick of. To combat that, I plan to sing (as soon as I recover from this cold), bake, listen to music, enjoy concerts, enjoy parties and love the people in my life. Will that be enough to make the season bright?

Christmas Gifts

Here is the schedule for Christmas Gifts for 2009. If you aren't family...feel free to give to whomever you like. Just kidding.
Lamberts give to Lacey
Johnson Hayden
Townsends Carter
Goudys Lamberts
Lacey Johnsons
Hayden Townsends
Carter Goudys

Plan on $25.00-30.00

Ouch!!

I have not had a terrific week. An interesting one, but I am glad it's almost over. On Monday, I had another experience that has made me 'first grader shy'. If you want to know...come see me. Then on Tuesday, I was running out my back door to give my neighbor her 'late' birthday gift. I planned to pick up Hayden from Marinda's tutoring school after that. (thanks Marinda!) I was wearing my stupid clumsy shoes and holding the gift. Out the door I ran and tangled my feet in Bianca's rope. I stumbled and stumbled for what seemed like forever, my heart leaping to my throat. I didn't want to drop the gift and save myself because I worked hard on that gift. (I swear this happened in slow motion.) Finally, I can tell I am not going to remain upright under any circumstances, so I throw the gift to the safest spot I can think of (under stress). Then I bit the dust. Literally. Bit the dust. It was gross. My head banged hard into the ground and my knees started screaming about the injustice done to them. I choked out Carter's name as I thought I could hear him. He and Paul sauntered over. When they saw me, they sprang into action. I told Carter I needed the gift delivered and I needed Dad. ...He delivered the gift and then got Steve. Paul stayed by my side asking,"Are you alright Mom? We need to fix that so it isn't dangerous." I am bleeding from my mouth (which was still full of dirt). I kept saying I was okay, but I really wanted Steve to help me in the house and start crying. Which I did. Steve cleaned the wounds with Hydrogen Peroxide....that burns...I really started crying..sorry kids for any time I might have used that on you. I had a hematoma on my forehead. (Just a huge bruise now), a scrape that goes from my fore head to my chin, a huge fat lip that feels like it will open up if I laugh,and my lips feel like they are peeling off. And prayers are a little tricky. Wednesday, Ethan and his family came to visit. He was a little shocked. I started joking that a kiss would make me better. Then I started chatting with his mom. A few minutes later, he asked me to pick him up and he gently kissed my face to make it better. What a guy! Alaina also saw me Wednesday morning. She was fine. She knew Grammy would still be the same. I am thankful I didn't break an arm or teeth. I am grateful for my loving family. I am grateful for grand children's kisses. I hope for a brighter next week.