Simply having a wonderful Christmas time...

So far, so good. The past weeks have been hectic (as evidenced by no blogging!!!) I finally researched and found a car-dealership who would work with my not-so-hot credit. I bought a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. It is nothing special, but it has heat, a radio, and you can hear yourself bloody think when it's on the highway.

Not to panic...I did not go even temporarily insane and trade or sell Judy. The kids would have hated getting rid of her, and I don't think I could bear it. Besides, I know the dealership would not have given me anything for it...

I'll take a picture of the new (so far unnamed by the kids) car today and blog it with my phone.

Santa was good to the kids. I think they were happy. We had to return some clothes for Logan and boots for Lexie, but I figure that was going to happen no matter what.

Christmas Party

The HR lady here at work said we would have our office Christmas party on Friday night. Now they've changed it to having it at work. It's nice that they are doing something for us, but I rearranged my schedule with the kids to be without them this weekend. I have plans for tomorrow and Sunday. Now this has changed, the original reason I needed to switch. Oh well, I needed to have them next weekend (holiday weekend) on Friday and Saturday. I'm going to see if I might get them on Thursday evening too. I think I'm off Friday. Egads this time of year is crazy...

Harry Potter

Theresia and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie last night. It was pretty good, except for I had run to the restroom in the beginning of the movie and barf. I snuck 1/2 a sandwich from supper into the theater to finish it, and I must have eaten too quickly. Six months and I've only hurled three times...so I guess that's not too bad! I'm glad we didn't take our kids. They would have likely been scared witless!

The kids did Christmas shopping for their mother, a little something for a few other people and I have to wrap it up today after work. Also I have to wrap some of their presents... I want to get something under the tree. Right now there's a couple things they picked out for my room mate--candles from the "Dollar Tree", but that's it. They wanted to get me something this year, but I told them that I would rather keep what money we have to get gifts for the two of them, and the other people on our list. I explained that Christmas is exciting because you get presents, but the real fun comes from picking out things that you think other people will really like, seeing them unwrap the gift you chose just special for them, and looking at their face when they see what it is! They are excited about that part of Christmas now as well, and they understand why they don't really need to get me anything, because my fun comes from them!

In all honesty, I'm going to wait until everybody else on our list is taken care of, and then, if I have anything after Christmas, I'm going to shop bargains for some clothes I need. I've got some stuff that is just too damn big to even wear any more.

Girlfriend Bakes!!!

My girlfriend, Theresia, baked my Mother's recipe of Fresh Apple Cake for me! It was awesome! I hadn't had it in over a year, and she even substituted half the sugar out and used Splenda instead! She's so awesome. She invited Lexie, Logan, and I over for supper last night...she made this really good Fiesta soup, and then to go with cheese quesadillas. That's such a new twist on soup-and-grilled-cheese for the kids and me. It was very filling. Well, she had meant to have the Fresh Apple Cake for dessert, but it takes a whole hour to bake. She brought me three pieces to work today just a little bit ago.

My friend, Diane called me. Her boyfriend broke up with her. I really liked him and thought he was a good guy. Perhaps he is, but he's hurt Diane. I think it might be half that she let herself get hurt. I think in the logical part of her mind she knew he was not in love with her, but she needs someone to love her, so she told herself it was true. I met him on several occasions, and he seemed like he genuinely loved her as well, but...

Work issued me a (very) small bonus check for Christmas!! I was totally surprised!!! Every penny around this time of year counts!!!

Missing: 1 Chair Sleeper (not really)

Please help me out if you're able. Lexie used to have a chair-sleeper. I forget where I got it at, but it was probably at Wal-Mart or K-Mart, or something like that. See below for a picture of what they look like. If any of you see one while you're out doing your holiday shopping, please let me know. I know she would love to have on of these again, I just can't find one!!! You can e-mail me at the1weasel@gmail.com

My new hat!

i was totally freezing to death this morning so i stopped at wal-mart and got this hat to cover my ears. It looks very stupid but now i know why people wear them despite how the look. it really keeps your ears comfortably warm!

Dinner & a Movie

Last night, Theresia fixed dinner for me. I came over to her house directly after work, and she fixed this very tasty seafood dish. It was scallops (which I've not had since before the surgery) and shrimp in a wine sauce over pasta. She had me pick up cracked red pepper to go in it. It was really good. I'll admit, during the day I had asked about three people to pray for me, because she's (self-proclaimed) not a good cook. To be honest though, I think she's fine in the kitchen. It's not about ability, it's about practice. She seldom cooks. The poor thing has herself convinced that she can't cook, so she will do just about anything to get out of it. I told her once, "You're all about some food. Not free food, good food, fine food, authentic food, foreign food, home-cooked food, cheap food, greasy food or health-food. Just food that you didn't have to cook!!!!" It works out good for us most of the time though, because I love to cook. I have decent culinary instincts, and I can always fix something edible. Much of the time I can fix something tasty and good. Occasionally it's outstanding...

After dinner, we went to see "Walk the Line", the story of Johnny Cash starring Joaquin Phoenix. It was really a great movie. Theresia is so tender-hearted, she cried at several points. That's one reason I'm so crazy about her!!! Afterwards, we went back to my place and sacked out for the night. She gave me a ride to work today so we could have the morning ride together. She's so sweet...

Luncheon

Today was the pitch-in lunch for October, November, and December birthdays at work. There was deli-meat sandwiches, bbq smokies, meatballs, two (TWO) kinds of deviled eggs, green-bean casserole, macaroni salad, veggie pizza appetizer, and deserts-out-the-wazoo! I had a full-sized pre-op plate. I'm going to be eating for the whole rest of the entire day!!! Its a good thing this is only 4 times a year!!!

It was so damn cold this morning, I thought I was going to lose a body part! My fingers and toes were numb by the time I got to work. Of course, not everybody has to drive from one state, to another state, and then back again just to go to work!!! I'm not complaining about it though, Judy is old with a heater that barely clears the windows, I have lost 130 lbs now and I just don't have the insulation I used to have. Also, that trip allows me to spend more time with my kids, so I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm about ready to get rid of this beloved car for something more practical--you know--something with heat???

At about 11am or so, it was snowing pretty good...but it did not last long. I have high hopes for a White Christmas-Eve!!!

This past weekend

The kids and I had fun this weekend!!

Theresia and Rachael came over for dinner. Value Market had whole pork loin on sale, so I made stuffed chops (spinach, walnuts, garlic, apple, and parmesan cheese). I think Theresia and I liked it more than the kids. Room mate, who has been fairly sane recently (for some reason) liked the leftover chops on Sunday too... I put up the tree, the kids and I did the lights and the garland, then I just turned them loose on hanging ornaments. They really did good with it, and it came out looking very festive!!! Only one little ornament got broken, and it was a glass bulb. Logan was goofing around with the box they came in (they were new ornaments, not preciously collected old ones) and one broke and cut him. It was little more than a paper cut really, but I made everyone get out of the room while I vacuumed it all up...everybody else had no shoes on!!! Theresia took care of Logan's cut while I cleaned up. Later, we watched a movie I rented for the kids called "Like Mike". It was really cute...

Later, after the tree trimming, and dinner...

Theresia had told me about this thing--"Bardstown Road A-Glow". The merchants all along Bardstown road stayed open late and there were refreshments and hot cider all up and down the road. Kizito's Cookies had free samples of their shortbread cookies. I used to have a shortbread recipe that I got from my ex-brother-in-law George's mother. It was a really good recipe. These cookies from Kizito's were still hot, and melted in your mouth!!!! Lexie got her tongue burned on hot cider. It was raining, so the kids had scarves and hoods on their heads (as much as you could keep them on) and we had a fantastic time despite the rain. Lexie and Logan had a hard time understanding that they only got ONE treat each time treats were offered, but they learned quick enough for a four and seven year old. There was this one odd little shop...I don't remember the name, but Theresia got me a little button with a cartoon picture of a "donkey" that said JACKASS. I guess that tells you something. She has a wonderful sense of humor... She and I were both wearing Santa hats, so I pinned mine to the hat. It's still there...

Sunday, Joe and Dana (the kid's Grandparents on their mother's side) asked if they could take the kids to see Chicken Little. They had fun, and they took us all to Piccadilly's cafeteria afterwards. The kids had a really good time. When we were finished with supper, I called Theresia, and we all came over to her house for a little bit. Just as we were leaving, on 107.7 WSFR, they played "Burnin' Sky" by Bad Company, and the kids started freaking out, yelling "THAT SONG WAS ON CHICKEN LITTLE!!!" I thought that was soooo funny! I brought "The Pacifier" with me, and the kids played, while Theresia and I watched it. Theresia fixed popcorn. It was nice to just relax for a little bit. Kendall was up and I got to see her for a little, so that was really nice. I was really tired when we got home. The kids did not get up and get dressed when I woke them and went in to get my shower, and we got down to the car and Lexie says "Oh no, I forgot my glasses". I told her right before we walked out of my room to put them on. I was late. *sigh*

Thanksgiving Weekend!!!!

Last weekend was really cool, but exhausting. My friend Patrick, who I've known since second grade, needed my help. He got a corner cabinet from his grandmother, which was a huge old heavy antique. He drove here, had to rent a truck, and I drove the truck back. Theresia went with me to keep me company. It took about eleven hours to get there, and I was sorely grumpy by the time we got to Maryland. He lives very close to Washington D.C. I made several stops on the way up, gas, stretch legs, get maps, etc. Then we slept the night at Patrick's house. In the morning we unloaded the truck. That was kind of wonky because there was a low-hanging tree, and the truck wouldn't clear it. So I got the idea to let Patrick sit on top of the cab, and lift the branches up over the truck so they would clear. It seemed to work.

We didn't have a whole lot of time to visit, or see sights, but we got in about 3 hours of "tourism" with Patrick. He found a spot to park (an incredible feat it seems) and we walked around so we could get our pictures taken in front of the White House. Also, Theresia and I picked up t-shirts for Lexie, Logan, and Rachael. Logan's shirt said "Future President" and Lexie's just said "Washington D.C." Rachael's had a huge Presidential Seal. I got myself a ball cap that said "Air Force One Official Crew", and Theresia got a pewter picture frame. It was $9, but she talked the street vendor down to $6!

The drive back home was no better than the drive to D.C. We got back about 2am, slept, then got up that morning...the truck had to be back between 8am and noon, and Shellie was bringing the kids at 12:15. We went out to "brunch" after that...Theresia, the kids, and I. For about the next five days or so, every time I'd try to stay up past 8pm, I'd fall asleep... Next time I go see Patrick, I'm planning ahead, and flying.

Jay, the Christmas Tree

The kids and I went to the storage place on Tuesday. We dug around and dug around until we finally found Jay, our artificial Christmas Tree. When we got the tree two years ago at Walgreen's. They only had sample trees in the aisle, and all the boxed trees were in the back storage. Lexie was with me, so I let her hand the order tag to the cashier. When she did, the lady used the PA system to tell the stockers "Please bring the Christmas tree J to the front counter". I looked at Lexie and told her that they all had names, and that we got the one named Jay. I knew she knew better, but she went along with it, and our tree has had a name ever since.

We're going to have my girlfriend Theresia and her little girl over for supper on Saturday and put the tree up!!! I couldn't find our ornaments, so the kids and I went to the Dollar Tree and picked out a few things. We got lights at Wal-Mart for $1.88!!! I'm grilling stuffed chops, and I might try and get a movie ready for the kids to watch.