Currently browsing: Christmas

Arm warmer love

I’m a bit of a sucker for ‘odd’ accessories, and for years my long black Express arm warmers have been my absolute favorites. I love wearing them with t-shirts on days/nights where it’s too warm for a jacket or long sleeves, but too cold to be bare-armed. And when I get too hot, I simply pull them off and stuff into my backpack. I had bought them on Gothic Auctions years ago and unfortunately the material is now pilled to Hades and back, and is wearing thin around the wrists and palms.

I had been searching on and off for the last year for a set of replacements. On a whim, I tried eBay and after about 5,000,000 pages of lame excuses for arm warmers that would barely cover my forearms, I see an entry that said something to the effect of, “Black extra long arm warmers”

I hit gold!

It turns out there’s a young lady who hand makes these, so I ordered a pair right before Christmas. I’m happy to say that they are EXACTLY what I had been looking for all this time!

Here are a couple pics from the auction:

And a pic of the tag on my pair:

These things fit great, are super soft, and look fantastic!!

She makes them in varying sizes and colors, so next payday I’ll definitely be ordering more. Her website is being re-done at the moment, so check her eBay store in the meantime.

She makes all kinds of interesting clothing and accessories. I can easily see Jessie wanting to shop there in a year or so.

You can find her via the following locations:

www.trixyxchange.etsy.com
www.diytrixy.etsy.com
www.stores.ebay.com/trixyxchange
www.myspace.com/trixyxchange

Thank you, Trixy!

Shopping power, I has it

Chico’s is one of my favorite places to shop. Not only do their clothing hold up and wash well, they fit and feel great. Even better: their unique sizes will make ANY woman feel good about herself (no matter what size you wear!).

I was overjoyed when I got home yesterday and read my mail. My membership has finally been upgraded!

Basically what this means is I’ll get extra benefits now, like: previews to sales and new collections, 5% off all my future purchases, free shipping (basic), and more. They also own Soma (think Victoria Secret), so it looks like I can use the card there too. My folks gave me a gift card to Chico’s for Christmas, and I’ve been itching to go get some new “going out” clothes and a few frilly numbers (sexy lingerie, squeee!).

I showed the card to Jim and said, “Guess what I’m doing this weekend!”

Humpday Hilarities

This funny bit comes courtesy of my Cotillion sister, Vivian:

11 People on a Rope

Eleven people were hanging on a rope, under a helicopter, 10 men and 1 woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, otherwise they were all going to fall. They weren’t able to choose that person, until the woman gave a very touching speech.

She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping …

Not to be out-done, one of my co-workers sent me this one:

And finally, this one from Steve:

Holiday Fruitcake Recipe

Ingredients:
1 C Water
1 C Sugar
4 Large eggs
3 C dried fruit
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 C Brown sugar
Lemon juice, nuts
1 FULL bottle of your favorite whiskey

Directions:

• Sample the whiskey to check for quality.
• Take out a large bowl.
• Check the whiskey again to be sure that it is of the highest quality.
• Pour 1 level cup and drink. Repeat.
• Turn on the electric mixer; beat 1 C of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
• Add 1 tsp. sugar and beat again.
• Make sure the whiskey is still OK.
• Cry another cup. Turn off the mixer.
• Break two geggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
• Mix on the burner.
• If the fried fruit gets stuck in the beaters,
• Pry it loose with a screwdriver.
• Sample the whiskey to check for toxisisticity.
• Next, sift 2 cups of salt. Or something. Who cares? Check the whiskey.
• Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
• Add one tablespoon of sugar or something…whatever you can find.
• Grease the oven. Turn on the cake tin to 350 degrees.
• Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window.
• Check the whiskey again. Go to bed. Who the hell likes fruit cake anyway???

Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice and Merry Yule, y’all!

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

– Luke 2:8-20 NIV

Christmas comes early for some …

I received an email today from Soldiers’ Angels notifying me that the infantry where two of my soldiers are has a “mailstop.” This means only one thing …

THEY ARE COMING HOME!!!!

I know their families have got to be so excited!

God bless you, Casey and Steven. Wherever you are and wherever you’re headed, I wish you a safe trip.

Thank You!

Whenever I’m out and about and see a soldier or veteran, I always go up to them and thank them for their service and hand them a small Soldiers’ Angels card. Something Jessie said a while back sticks in the back of my mind every time I meet one … she said, “‘Thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough.”

I know what she means. For such a small phrase and gesture, I hope I’m able to make a big impact on that person, or the people around them. And I hope I come across as truly grateful.

To all troops, veterans, and their families: you have my thanks, gratitude, and support. May God bless you, and those who love and support you!

We’re outta here!

Welp, I’m finishing up wrapping tonight and we’ll pack up the car early tomorrow to head out of town for a bit.

My overnight bag’s packed tighter than a Ju Ju Be, LOL!

Hopefully I’ll have some goodies to share when I get back.

I hope everyone has a safe and very Merry Christmas!

Some room to breathe …

Ever have one of those really good productive days at work? One where when you get done accomplishing things you just feel like you can breathe again? I’ve had one today. I spent a good bit of the afternoon clearing out my major email accounts and am pleased to say that I got quite a lot done. Jess is over at her mother’s tonight. Jim came home from work early and has been in bed most of the afternoon (most likely he’s finally coming down with that awful crud that Jess and I have both already had), so the house is nice and quiet.

Tonight I treated myself to a very fantabulous meal from Hamburger Heaven and am currently downloading 6 months’ worth of photos from my Helio Ocean to my laptop. I’ve finally had time to sit down and go through a new cookbook I had bought on Black Friday. I’ve made a laundry list of items I’d need for various recipes that caught my eye — from Chicken Tortilla Soup, to Easy Cajun Stew, to 30-minute Paella, to Spanish Skillet Supper, to Catalonian Stew, …

Yum, yum!

I’ve also started clearing out my desk. I found myself tossing out old notes, papers, and various promotional brochures — everything from Victorinox Swiss Army watches to vacation places …

Gah, I collect a lot of crap!

I’m toying around with the thought of upgrading this blog to WordPress 2.7 RC1, but I think I’ll hold off as I have not yet updated this theme to handle all the new features. I’ve also started on and have almost finished my Christmas card mailing list, and am scanning the Soldiers’ Angels forums to see if there are any new card or letter requests.

Something I had meant to post a couple weeks back — my soldiers’ Christmas packages. Jess, Jim, and I had a lot of fun playing “Santa” and filling up a stocking for each soldier. Each stocking was filled with all kinds of Christmas cookies and candies, different types of trail mixes, a CD of Christmas songs, a wool scarf, various little toys, a novelty tie, and a handful of other things …

I so wish I could see their faces when their packages arrive over there!

I hope everyone’s having a good week. I think I’m going to take off for now and curl up next to the snoring snuffle monster (Jim, LOL!) to catch up on some DVDs.

Ja, mata ne!

Call me a pistol-packin’ mama!

Last weekend, Jim and I exchanged Christmas gifts a few days early. Meet our newest additions to the “arsenal”.

The first, Jim’s present to me: a Smith & Wesson 642 .38 Special. The second, my present to Jim: a Ruger P345 ACP .45.

The next trip to the firing range is gonna be fun!

Christmas Meme

My best bud, Teresa, sent me this and I’m sharing my answers with y’all! 

Okay, here’s what you’re supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person
that sent it to you……Tis the Season to be NICE!

(Obviously, this is not email … I’m posting to my blog for more funnery! )

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping paper, but I’m seriously thinking gift bags this year. (easier to carry!) Though “Santa” will most likely be wrapping!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial for now (it’s nice and pre-lit!). Real trees once we get a bigger house.

3. When do you put up the tree? First week of December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Before New Year’s if I’m lucky! LOL

5. Do you like eggnog? For the most part, yeah.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Lite-Brite

7. Hardest person to buy for? My father.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My niece.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we have 2.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, baby!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? (Well, I could actually name it, but Teresa’s answer sounds so much better than mine, LOL!) There is no bad Christmas gift, because at least that person thought of you.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually much later than I’d like.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, shame on me — BUT, in my defense, I re-gift to someone who I know would really love and appreciate the gift more than I would!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Dressing! And Mother’s Peanut Butter Balls and Fudge.

16. Lights on the tree? As if there’s any other way to dress a tree???

17. Favorite Christmas song? I have several: “Silent Night”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, and “O Holy Night”

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel a little, but mostly stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? *sings* “You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. Buuuuuuut do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer … “ (this is Jessie’s favorite Christmas song!)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve — I’m impatient!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Crimson!!!! (Duh?)

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey and dressing!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have an Amazon wishlist that I’m compiling.

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Ben, John, Miranda, … you?

Reflections on Christmas

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. Mine was pretty good.

I worked Christmas Eve and left around lunchtime. I had just enough time to run home and change to go see my parents that afternoon. We had a lovely early supper and hung out a bit with my folks and my brother and his family. Things are slowly getting better with Dad. He and I talked for a little bit. I know he really enjoyed having Jessie over last weekend and for Christmas Eve. (I know he was driving Mother up the wall!) Mother kept pressing the “children” issue again. (not gonna happen) Between her and my aunt Sharon, I don’t know who’s worse. ;P

I know they mean well, but it’s my decision — I just wish they would accept it and stop badgering me already!

Jessie scored big with some cute outfits and a TON of new earrings (much to her delight!). Jim and I scored gift cards. (YAY, shopping!!!) We left around dark. Jessie had to leave shortly after to go to her mother’s house. She spent the night there and came back the next day around lunch. Unfortunately I was way too wiped out Christmas Eve night to finish wrapping the “Santa” gifts and put it off until the next morning. Jessie showed up just as I was finishing up wrapping. Luckily Jim came to my rescue and met Jess at the door and suggested they leave to “pick up breakfast” — which is parent-secret-code for “Nicki’s not done yet and needs someone to buy her some time.” LOL!

Waffle House provided a very lovely brunch of scattered/smothered hashbrowns, toast, and bacon. YUM! (they’re the only place around town open on Christmas Day, and it’s becoming a tradition with us to get breakfast Christmas morning there!)

We had Christmas at our house and Jessie racked up on goodies, a nice jewelry box (for all her newly acquired earrings, LOL!), and several toys and art sets. She gave Jim a DBZ video that he didn’t already have in his collection. She gave me a HUGE bath gift set — lavender, my favorite scent. She had also given one to her mother the night before, but it was only a quarter of the size of mine.

I told a friend about that yesterday morning and he said, “Congratulations! You’ve moved up from stepmom to super mom!” :lol: I dunno about all that just yet, but it was very nice to know that she’s thoughtful enough to know my favorite scent and picked out such a nice gift on her own.

We left to head to Jim’s mom’s house that afternoon and spent most of the day there with her and his brother’s family. Jess spent the night over there last night while I worked on Jim’s website. (His WordPress was WAY outdated and his plugins folder was an absolute MESS!)

I’ve also posted some old family recipes over at my recipe site: Pineapple Cookies, Peanut Butter Balls, Butter Cookies, Sand Tarts, No-Bake Cookies, and Cherry Glaze.

I spent most of last weekend helping my mom make some of those and took the opportunity to snag some snapshots of her recipes with my Helio Ocean. :mrgreen:

I’m finishing up on my newest WordPress themes and will most likely release them all four of them tomorrow. (Yes, I got FOUR done this last week and a half! GO ME! LOL) I haven’t decided yet which one(s) to enter in the LunarPages contest, if any, so I guess I’ll do that this weekend.

Next week marks one year since Hobie passed away. I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately. While I was wrapping some gifts last week, I ran across one of her old toys (a felt mouse) in my supply box and started crying. It hardly seems like it’s been a year already. Late at night I still find myself listening, wanting to hear her feet on the kitchen floor or running up and down the stairs. Honestly that cat sounded like a pack of elephants sometimes, LOL!

It’s weird but sometimes I feel like she’s still here. Sometimes out of the corner of my eye, I’ll think I see her prancing down the hall, or sitting and watching me. She always loved Christmas (or rather, loved Christmas trees since they were fun for her to play with!), and it still feels weird not having her around.

Maybe by next Christmas (or the next at the very latest), we’ll be in a new house and may have another furry friend to share the warmth and joy of the holidays.

Merry Christmas, Merry Yule, Happy Hanukkah, et. al.

Well it’s almost here. I will be busy as a bee finishing up wrapping presents and preparing for the trips tomorrow and Christmas Day. I have to work tomorrow, but luckily will be off after lunch and plan to ride out to see my folks tomorrow afternoon. Jessie will be spending Christmas Eve night with her mother, and we’ll all go to Jim’s mother’s sometime Christmas Day.

While reading my feeds, I ran across this quote (courtesy of the lovely squiggle biscuit) that pretty much sums up how I feel about other religions’ holidays that fall around those of mine:

“I’ve never understood what there is to get offended about. I’m not Jewish, but I’m certainly not going to get offended if someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah. Quite the opposite, I’m going to be delighted that they thought of me. Their intention is nothing but to spread good wishes.” — A comment in response to a post about Christmas greetings, as seen by a pagan

To that I say: Amen!

I don’t care what you celebrate (or if at all), but if you’re so inclined to send me good wishes I’m very happy that you thought to include me. To you, I say God Bless You!

Have a happy and safe holiday. I look forward to lots of good food, family, and good times. Also, I’ll most likely be releasing my two newest WordPress themes next weekend (in between shopping trips, LOL!), so keep an eye out for that if you’re looking for something new to plop onto your WordPress install!

Here’s a couple of things I wanted to share with y’all:

Courtesy of Captain Fantastic:

IF YOU SEE A FAT MAN

Who’s jolly and cute,

Wearing a beard and a red flannel suit,

And if he is chuckling and laughing away,

While flying around in a miniature sleigh,
With eight tiny reindeer to pull him along,

Then let’s face it…

Your eggnog’s too strong!

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008!

And this one, courtesy of Cookie:

Here’s a ‘today’ Yule story that occurred 3 weeks ago ~ AND NOW, in time for the holidays, I bring you the best Christmas story you never heard. (Edit: Actually, this happened a couple years ago, but the underlying message has stayed the same.)

It started last Christmas, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops. “We have to let them know we care,” Vivian told Bennett. So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3.

The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it. Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin – native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I commish – is one of them.

He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard. One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and ‘62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby’s body to D. C. for burial. “That’s a lot of history for one car,” says Bennett.

He and Vivian wanted to revive a tradition that endured from 1936 to 1975, during which trains carried Army-Navy spectators from around the country directly to the stadium where the annual game is played. The Levins could think of no better passengers to reinstate the ceremonial ride than the wounded men and women recovering at Walter Reed in D. C. and Bethesda, in Maryland. “We wanted to give them a first-class experience,” says Bennett. “Gourmet meals on board, private transportation from the train to the stadium, perfect seats – real hero treatment.”

Through the Army War College Foundation, of which he is a trustee, Bennett met with Walter Reed’s commanding general, who loved the idea. But Bennett had some ground rules first, all designed to keep the focus on the troops alone:

No press on the trip, lest the soldiers’ day of pampering devolve into a media circus.

No politicians either, because, says Bennett, “I didn’t want some idiot making this trip into a campaign photo op.”

And no Pentagon suits on board, otherwise the soldiers would be too busy saluting superiors to relax.

The general agreed to the conditions, and Bennett realized he had a problem on his hands. “I had to actually make this thing happen,” he laughs.

Over the next months, he recruited owners of 15 other sumptuous rail cars from around the country – these people tend to know each other – into lending their vehicles for the day. The name of their temporary train? The Liberty Limited.

Amtrak volunteered to transport the cars to D. C. – where they’d be coupled together for the round-trip ride to Philly – then back to their owners later.

Conrail offered to service the Liberty while it was in Philly. And SEPTA drivers would bus the disabled soldiers 200 yards from the train to Lincoln Financial Field, for the game.

A benefactor from the War College ponied up 100 seats to the game – on the 50-yard line – and lunch in a hospitality suite.

And corporate donors filled, for free and without asking for publicity, goodie bags for attendees:

From Woolrich, stadium blankets. From Wal-Mart, digital cameras. From Nikon, field glasses. From GEAR, down jackets.

There was booty not just for the soldiers, but for their guests, too, since each was allowed to bring a friend or family member.

The Marines, though, declined the offer. “They voted not to take guests with them, so they could take more Marines,” says Levin, choking up at the memory.

Bennett’s an emotional guy, so he was worried about how he’d react to meeting the 88 troops and guests at D. C.’s Union Station, where the trip originated. Some GIs were missing limbs. Others were wheelchair-bound or accompanied by medical personnel for the day. “They made it easy to be with them,” he says. “They were all smiles on the ride to Philly. Not an ounce of self-pity from any of them. They’re so full of life and determination.”

At the stadium, the troops reveled in the game, recalls Bennett. Not even Army’s lopsided loss to Navy could deflate the group’s rollicking mood.

Afterward, it was back to the train and yet another gourmet meal – heroes get hungry, says Levin – before returning to Walter Reed and Bethesda. “The day was spectacular,” says Levin. “It was all about these kids. It was awesome to be part of it.”

The most poignant moment for the Levins was when 11 Marines hugged them goodbye, then sang them the Marine Hymn on the platform at Union Station.

“One of the guys was blind, but he said, ‘I can’t see you, but man, you must be f—ing beautiful!’ ” says Bennett. “I got a lump so big in my throat, I couldn’t even answer him.”

It’s been three weeks, but the Levins and their guests are still feeling the day’s love. “My Christmas came early,” says Levin, who is Jewish and who loves the Christmas season. “I can’t describe the feeling in the air.” Maybe it was hope.

As one guest wrote in a thank-you note to Bennett and Vivian, “The fond memories generated last Saturday will sustain us all – whatever the future may bring.”

God bless the Levins. And bless the troops, every one.

Christmas Meme :)

I snagged this from Jo

Welcome to the ‘Christmas Edition’ of getting to know your friends. Okay, here’s what you’re supposed to do and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire email and paste into a new blank e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. It’s the season to be cheerful!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
   Depends on the shape of the gift. I love to wrap, but if it’s not a square or rectangular shape I’m bagging that bad boy!
2. Real or Artificial tree?
   As much as I love the smell of real trees, I’d have to go with artificial. Easier to take down and store (and save some $$$ every year).
3. When do you put up the tree?
   Sometime after Thanksgiving, and before Christmas.
4. When do you take the tree down?
   Around New Year’s.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
   Not unless it’s spiked.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?
   My first Nintendo (NES) system, hands down!
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
   Yes, several of them actually…
8. Hardest person to buy for?
   My dad.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
   My niece.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
    Hrm, nothing really sticks out … I’ll get back to you on that.
11. Christmas Cards…
    If I get ‘em out before Christmas, I’m doing good. :mrgreen:
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
    A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
    If I’m lucky, the summer before.
14. Have you ever ‘recycled’ a Christmas present?
    Oh yeah, you can bet your ass on that one.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
    Turkey and dressing!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
    Colored.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
    Silent Night
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?
    Stay home!
19. Can you name Santa’s Reindeer?
    Yep!
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
    An angel, of course!
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
    Depends on whether we have Jessie or not.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
    Having to go to the grocery store for ANYTHING.
23. Shopping mall or on-line?
    Online if I can help it.
24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside? (or at all?)
    Both.
25. Favorite Christmas cookie?
    My mom’s Peanut Butter Balls.
26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?
    Not currently, no. (unless you count my “good” Alabama sweaters, LOL)
27. Do you believe in Santa?
    Absolutely!

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