Nutritionally Dense

I was leafing through a magazine from the library this weekend and one of the articles was about parents making a difference in their kids’ schools. Oo, I thought that sounded great, so I started reading…One of the examples was about a group of parents who decided that they didn’t want junk food in the vending machines anymore. Great Idea, thought I. Then they explained how they were able to get it changed from having candy bars to having potato chips and fruit snacks….???!!!??? HUH?? Since when are potato chips and fruit snacks healthy? Sounds like somebody’s parents need to go back to school!

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

Recently I’ve been having fun browsing blogs of perfect strangers and looking at all their Christmas Decorating ideas and what not. {I started out looking for ideas for our new house. Maybe I’ll post about that later.} A bunch of them are having little “tours of homes” today where people can post pictures of their decorations {blogs really are the epitome of narcissism}. So, in the spirit of the season, I thought I would post some of mine for your enjoyment and inspiration… Just keeping it real, people.

First, don't you love what I've done with our Christmas Garland? This is the second time I have tried to put it up. . .

Here are some lights I bought this weekend. They were 75% off. Still in the bag.

Here are some ornaments the kids got at Primary. On top of the TV, since there is no room in this inn for a tree.

OK, lest you think I am wallowing in self-pity or seeking sympathy, I will mention that we have had some Christmas Cheer around here. The kids had fun at the big faculty & staff family party in the WILK. And we had a fun time the other night at The Professor’s department Christmas Party. {Not to mention some delicious salmon!}

But I can’t help but feel like this year our Christmas is just a little bit Charlie Brown. “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?!?!”

Decisions, Decisions

Today I can either do laundry to avoid doing dishes. OR I can wash dishes and avoid doing laundry. Oh, whatever shall I do??

Is it just me?

So here is my dilemma {well, one of them...}: If I stay home, I end up eating. If I leave the house, I end up spending money.
Which is worse??

So we went out for ice cream tonight to CELEBRATE

“The bank” approved the offer we made on this house!!

To state the obvious, it is not a moment too soon! I was actually starting to sweat about where, oh *where* will we put a Christmas tree in this place?!! Plus, Sears has our appliances on sale for 25+% off this Friday morning, and we’ve already had to pass up their sales twice! Talk about cutting it close…Plus my coat is in storage and I’d really like to get it out. {I guess that’s what happens when you pack your house up in July.}
As you can see in the pictures, the house is not quite finished. The builder {who is currently in jail} went under and we are the suckers who decided it would be worth it to put in the counters, toilets, faucets, A/C, garage doors, appliances and carpets…not to mention the yard. I like to think of it as our Sleeping Beauty castle. You know, having to slash through all the thorns to get to the princess. Those weeds are as tall as me. Now that. Is. Tall.
As you can also see by the date on the pictures how *ridiculously* long and drawn out this process has been. It has really been aggravating at times. But I think it will turn out to be worth it in the end. I had originally hoped we might be in by Thanksgiving. Obviously not. Christmas is probably a bit of a stretch, but maybe maybe maybe by New Years??
And here’s another bonus: we locked in our interest rate today at 5 1/3%. Cha-Ching!! Seriously, that is going to make a huge difference!
By the way, we went to Baskin Robbins for our ice cream cones because they are a dollar on Tuesday nights. You might want to investigate whether yours has that.

I've Decided

During the recent aftermath of Halloween, I have decided that I no longer enjoy candy. Now, show me cake, ice cream, cookies, or pastries and you’ll have to *hold*me*back*. But candy I seem to have outgrown.

Family Night--Dollar Skating

When was the last time you went rollerskating?? It had been a long time since we had gone until monday night. Our cousins invited us for their school fundraiser. Serious fun. Easy did surprisingly well on skates. {Though she did manage to trip both myself and the Professor at least once.} Cuddles’ need for speed compelled him to ditch the skates after about ten minutes and go for the scooter.


Here is part of the conversation in the car on the way:
Easy: What is blonde hair?
Me: It’s what people call yellow hair. Like Sam’s.
Cuddles: What is white hair called?
Me: White hair.
Easy: Or gray.
Me: Yeah, or gray.
Cuddles: How do people get white hair?
Me: Well, as you get older it just starts to lose its color.
Cuddles: Like Daddy’s hair is white.
Easy: And gray.
The Professor: What?! Thanks a lot you guys!
Easy: Your hair is gray. And white, Daddy.
Cuddles: Dad, have you even looked in the mirror??
Lucky for me red heads are the last to go.