MR BACK's Back!

[Lewski709]

slo if you lived close enough, I'm having a gift grab tomorrow. Love to have you join a buncha goils and meet you. We could really make Mad4Mickey jealous.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Morning All! Well it's back to work after a fun weekend. The company Christmas Party on Saturday night was quite nice and really good food. BlueBayou looked very glamorous and we laughed when we saw that we were both dressed in purple! She and her sweet hubby had a segment on the 'blooper real' that was just hysterical.....a take-off on the promo for our news anchors......the whole place laughed and cheered!

Three weeks till Christmas......how's everyone's shopping going? I've got a bit to do, then comes my favorite part....the wrapping! LOVE IT. If anybody want's help, just send me an airline ticket

 

[castlegazer]

OH man, you LOVE wrapping?????? Hmm, let me see about that ticket..........

Anyways, guys, I has a miserable weekend. Can all you SAHMs tell me your secret for success. How do you clean your house, how do you manage the toys? We have a toy room off the living room so it should be easy, but its not. I felt all weekend like I was treading water in a whirlpool. I could not get anything done at all. My kids didn't nap at all Sunday so the tree sits with no lights on, the boxes of decorations remain unpacked and my bathrooms remain uncleaned.

Catrina is still teething and was awake for three hours Friday night, right when I sooo needed to sleep to get rid of this terrible cold. The Last night she was up every hour, but at least would go back down. I swear I am going to fall over this morning from exhaustion.

I've pretty much determined that its all not worth it and I am going to find a way to come up with the money to pay a maid. We used to have one, but long before day care bills bigger than my mortgage.

 

[cadburysmom]

OH man, you LOVE wrapping?????? Hmm, let me see about that ticket..........

Anyways, guys, I has a miserable weekend. Can all you SAHMs tell me your secret for success. How do you clean your house, how do you manage the toys? We have a toy room off the living room so it should be easy, but its not. I felt all weekend like I was treading water in a whirlpool. I could not get anything done at all. My kids didn't nap at all Sunday so the tree sits with no lights on, the boxes of decorations remain unpacked and my bathrooms remain uncleaned.

Catrina is still teething and was awake for three hours Friday night, right when I sooo needed to sleep to get rid of this terrible cold. The Last night she was up every hour, but at least would go back down. I swear I am going to fall over this morning from exhaustion.

I've pretty much determined that its all not worth it and I am going to find a way to come up with the money to pay a maid. We used to have one, but long before day care bills bigger than my mortgage.

Hugs to you! You're doing a great job as a Mom and that's ALL that matters. Wish I could find that poem about letting the house get messy, etc... and just enjoying the fact that you have two beautiful healthy, happy children....it almost always made me feel better when I was in your position But then again, I remember how hard it was being completely exhausted with one child....and with two children, I can't even imagine

Ibouncetoo Sending four big crates of gifts your way....please wrap and return by Dec 24

Lewski So how did the gift grab go?

Kadaten Now THAT's a lot of trees!

Always kinda intimidating but fun to decorate a new house....sounds like you got it pretty well covered though

NC Belle Hey there! How's the weather up north and when you heading back south again?

Geffric Just think...this time next week you'll be at WDW yet AGAIN.....how lucky can one gal get!

Cheeringmom 11 days til Sam's home for Christmas...WOO HOO!

 

[cadburysmom]

Forgot to share our big news....

We got a new dog!

....actually got her Labor Day but since she came from the local golden retriever rescue club, we originally only had her for a "trial" basis so they would know for sure if we were the right fit....and lo and behold, we were! Those people LOVE goldens and are very picky about who gets their rescued dogs. Yep, it was quite a process....we looked at lots and lots

and most were beautiful and perfect looking goldens who just needed a second chance. But out of all the "pretty" dogs, none really clicked with us and finally one day the head gal called and said they had a dog who'd been abused, was terribly overweight and lost most of her hair due to poor nutrition, etc.... We hesitated before seeing her but one look told us she was the dog for us! Her name is Morgan and she's the sweetest dog ever. She's about 6 yrs old, loves, loves, loves my Jordan and adores riding in the car with us. We're very proud of her and when the golden retriever rescue club had their annual Howl-o-ween Dog Party, she won first place! Even made it to the front page of their website

http://www.goldenrescuenc.org/

.....she's the one on the top right with pink angel wings and tutu around her neck...isn't she the cutest!!!

 

[NC Belle]

So this is your Morgan?

We hope to be home tomorrow. It looks like a good size snow for VA and DC.

 

[geffric]

Congrats Cadburysmom.. Morgan looks like a sweet dog. I am glad that you found one that loves Jordan and is so happy with you. BTW she doesn't look overweight or abused anymore..aw:

Carefull driving in the ice and snow NC B'S..aren't ya glad that you got a nice taste of winter and that you can leave it for the warmer climate of NC.
This morning it was 5 degrees at 7 am, it has warmed up to 12 degrees....with Wind chill readings 8 below to 2 above zero . And tomorrow doesn't look much better...

Tuesday...Decreasing clouds. Chance of flurries. Highs 14 to 18. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 8 below to 2 above zero. It is supposed to warm up later in the week. By Sunday the mid 70's will feel downright tropical

Ibouncetoo did ya really wanna come north to wrap presents? Glad you had fun at the party.


Lewski So how did the gift grab go? Did SLO show up?

 

[NC Belle]

Congrats Cadburysmom.. Morgan looks like a sweet dog. I am glad that you found one that loves Jordan and is so happy with you. BTW she doesn't look overweight or abused anymore..aw:

Carefull driving in the ice and snow NC B'S..aren't ya glad that you got a nice taste of winter and that you can leave it for the warmer climate of NC.
This morning it was 5 degrees at 7 am, it has warmed up to 12 degrees....with Wind chill readings 8 below to 2 above zero . And tomorrow doesn't look much better...

We may have an ice/snow storm in NC this week. I prefer snow if we had a choice.

 

[ilovepcot]

BUT I have a surprise for all of you - especially since there have been some long lost friend sightings lately and maybe they will see this too as they are the ones always clamoring for this.

Here is my Christmas Card for all of you - I just finished making it. Its a rare glimpse at the castlegazer family.

Ah, was just "sprung" again from the pokey and just in time to enjoy that FABULOUS pic of you and your beautiful family! But as always, I didn't do *anything*!

 

[kadaten]

OH man, you LOVE wrapping?????? Hmm, let me see about that ticket..........

Anyways, guys, I has a miserable weekend. Can all you SAHMs tell me your secret for success. How do you clean your house, how do you manage the toys? We have a toy room off the living room so it should be easy, but its not. I felt all weekend like I was treading water in a whirlpool. I could not get anything done at all. My kids didn't nap at all Sunday so the tree sits with no lights on, the boxes of decorations remain unpacked and my bathrooms remain uncleaned.

Oh, cg!
Shhhh...if you don't tell anyone, I'll let you in on my secret! Here it is....I don't! DON'T manage the toys well, DON'T keep the house spotless, DON'T get much done on a regular basis! THAT'S the secret....I DON'T do it!

 

[kadaten]

Hugs to you! You're doing a great job as a Mom and that's ALL that matters. Wish I could find that poem about letting the house get messy, etc... and just enjoying the fact that you have two beautiful healthy, happy children....it almost always made me feel better when I was in your position But then again, I remember how hard it was being completely exhausted with one child....and with two children, I can't even imagine

Kadaten Now THAT's a lot of trees!

Always kinda intimidating but fun to decorate a new house....sounds like you got it pretty well covered though

Ask, and you shall receive...

Excuse This House



Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there;

Ours boasts of it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors;

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read;

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other;

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I'll be a mother.
​

Yep, a lot of trees, but I likes 'em! Makes me smile! Hate to see January come and have to take them down.... You know, decorating a new house is always hard the first year, but this one is harder than usual for me. It just doesn't "look" like houses I'm used to (traditional colonial style) and it's hard to decorate it. Old house had 8 windows on the front so we did wreaths/bows in each one....very traditional, elegant look. This one has 4 windows that are 3 different sizes, none symmetrical, only 2 can be seen from the road, and the front of the house looks to be all garage (what happens when they put a 3 car garage on the front of a house!). So nothing's really looking right to me. Add to it that I don't want to put nails in the stucco and we've got a dilemma! Lights in the bushes are going to have to do for outside this year. Inside....well, we're just having to find new ways to use everything. Used to have a big bannister we did in garland and lights. No bannister now, so will use the garland on the new pot rack and perhaps swag the door, too.....that kind of thing....redistributing everything. PLUS, we're not really fully decorated anyway... No big plans this year as far as company goes, so we have a year to practice May have the office Christmas party next year....​

 

[kadaten]

Oh, and cadburysmom That's a sweet new puppy you have there! She is a cutie....I see why she made herself yours! So glad you guys found a new puppy to love!

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi all, I've been a bit distracted with work (and the member Cruise booking & Thread).

Morgansmom, she is so sweet. Neuse River.. I forget you are near there. I went to Camp Sea Gull as a child... Really Great place.....

Everyone else, Hi, You are in my thoughts with my mundane work...

 

[castlegazer]

Thank you guys!

When I got home last night I looked around and realized that we had made a lot of progress and the house really didn't look that bad. My MIL picked the kids up last night and I wasn't mortified that she was in my house. I totally live by the motto of "Kids live here" in my house so thanks guys for the poem. After all this is exactly what we did almost all weekend long: "But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read; "


I must just be exhausted and at my wits end. Some days it really becomes overwhelming working full time, commuting, and being a Mommy. My three hours a day with the kids is all I have and there is no way I am spending it cleaning. If you ever need a pickmeupper, just turn on Clean House - it always makes my mess seem, well, not a mess at all.

So cadsmom -

congrats on rescuing the Golden - she is beautiful! You will be a great Mommy to her. She does look simply so loving.

kadaten - you RAWK Christmas!!!!

geffric - sing it sister! Baby its cold outside!

Holy Bajoly!!!!! Could it be! i love P cot!!!!!!!!!

NO WAY!!!! Man, I thought you were rotting in some Mexican Jail somewhere!

How is everything???? How's FL this time of year????? DId I mention that its freakin 20 degrees outside here???????

 

[kadaten]

castlegazer Glad you're feeling better! I know what you mean, though....some days you just feel like you're drowning! I had that poem right on my computer, as I printed and framed it for myself and my SIL for Christmas a few years back. Our MIL, as much as we love her, is a bit of a neatnik and a perfectionist, and it can make us feel like we're not keeping things well enough. Thought we could use the reminder! Mine hangs framed in our back hall right across from the door to my bedroom, so I see it every morning when I wake up!

Holey Moley I have no idea how you folks do it. That is ENTIRELY TOO COLD for human habitation! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!! It hit 80º here yesterday! Today, not so nice....rainy and 57º...supposed to get to mid-60's....but I'm thankful for even that! DD is ticked we won't be getting snow this year, but she'll get over it!

 

[geffric]

DId I mention that its freakin 20 degrees outside here???????

Well CG guess it is warm in your neck of the woods too.. We are going up to 12 degrees today, we started off below zero this am...

 

[NC Belle]

Well CG guess it is warm in your neck of the woods too.. We are going up to 12 degrees today, we started off below zero this am...

Its was 22 in Altoona this morning. I better finish packing up.

 

[ohanafamily]

OK, On the cruise thread they have a QOTD, Mind if I ask Over Here??

Does Sant Wrap all of the gifts he brings to your house?
(My comment was that he is a WIMP compared to Chonukah Harry... 8 nights, hitting each house every night...)

 

[NC Belle]

Santa left my sis and mine gifts unwrapped but left a note and sometimes the big gifts were hidden in Mom and Dad's closet. We had to share some of the gift like the video games and board games.

 

[cheeringmom]

Howdy strangers!

CADSMOM congrats on your new addition to the family. Morgan is precious!! What a fun Christmas present.

Kadaten, lets face it, you are mom extrodinaire!(sp) Yep, the decorations, the shopping, shall I go on?? I am impressed! And I would come over to your house right now and have breakfast on your floor. You can FIND breakfast on my floor from Thanksgiving day!!!

CG I love yor picture too! Sorry you are so cold. Come and visit Kadaten and me! Its not too bad here. We are freezing at around 50ish!!

BELLE did you all get that snow? We heard from a friend in Norfolk that it was warm as anything on Sunday then yesterday it froze!! GEFFRIC, CG, CADSMOm come and be snowbirds!!!

Off to do my last bit of power shopping today. Have Tom's sports banquet at 4:30 and a formal military thingie at 5:45. Guess I have to look the dork and show up at Tom's banquet in a formal. UGH. I hate those things esp. since I don't have anything that fits anymore! ugh. Have a great day.