Good afternoon dear friends from snowy Texas! Good grief it is cold out there! Looks like we are going to have a White Christmas.
Okay, so I noticed that most everybody is probably busy and making quick hit and run posts but I can't take it much longer! I have been away so long that I NEED to do a little more talking cause I missed everyone. Lord knows I can only go so long without one of my loooooong posts! So..... catching up a bit....
Bopsmom, I hope the weather is being good to you down there and you are having fun! Too bad about the missing key and having to be cooking at the last minute!
I feel for you having an emotional 12 year old. I am going to be in full panic mode when my DD hits that age! It ain't going to be pretty around her and I have a feeling my bunch won't make it easy on her. The men folk here rate pretty low in the sensitivity department. Your DD sounds like a pretty smart cookie! I really liked her suggestion of TKr's-Killin'Threads and Killin' Time.
Look we are traveling AGAIN!
M&N, I thought you looked great. I am glad I didn't live up to what you friend was expecting!
I do try to keep em guessing! DD is such a people person she can charm anybody.
If all you need a DH for is to help when something goes wrong I can vouch for them sometimes not being much help. Mine is a good guy. Works hard. Loves the kids, etc... but when it comes to helping at home BAH! If I ask he certainly will help out but he never notices anything on his own. In my mind if I have to go to all the trouble to ask I would rather just do it myself! Keep your freedom and save your sanity.
Kitty, I bet the ham is great either way! So when is your birthday? Did I miss it? Happy birthday... just in case. My DS's birthday was on the 20th so he goes through the same thing of gifts all at one time... and then none the rest of the year.
When we were kids we got basics for gifts. My grandmother sewed so we got a lot of handmade clothes. I always hated it! What I wouldn't give now to have her sew for me so something would actually fit and not fall apart!
Everyone should get at least one visit in to
Disneyland. It's the original and has a certain charm, I suppose due to that nostalgia. No doubt, it's not everyone's favorite but in our case we really enjoy the compact park versus the ultra huge expanse of the WDW parks. As for Hong Kong Disney.... I have heard it is an amazing park. Maybe I can stow away in your luggage!
Speaking of Santa.... I forgot to mention that Santa called my DD while we were in Florida! We were leaving Epcot and as we got in the car he called and talked to her until we pulled into the driveway of the house which was a good 10 minutes away. When I mentioned that we should get a photo with Santa on our trip she said we didn't need to casue she had already talked to the
real one. Thus no Santa picture this year.
Wendy, your kids must have some big stockings to fit all that in there! I guess with all your travels you have learned how to make good use of space. My kids are getting ripped off. If I didn't grab it before our trip they were just out of luck cause I was done. I sent DH for stocking stuffers so they are just mainly getting candy. He must have been in a mood for Reese's cause 3 out of 4 bags have got some form of Reeses's in it. Guess he was planning for his stocking cause I don't think either of my kids even like Reese's. As for gifts, I cut way back but I think your idea of only 3 is an even better plan for next year!
Your Christmas letter cracked me up. Too bad it has been such a rough year but wonderful that you have still been able to find the humor in it all AND still be able to count your blessings. I hope DS can manage to hang in there tomorrow and not ruin Christmas day.
D&D, are you about settled back in? You bet! Swing on by when you visit your family. My gift shopping sounds about like yours.
Thanks for the Santa tracker link. DD has been playing games on the site off and on all day.
BKMETV, Canada meet sounds like one i might even be able to talk the family in to! The only time I ever got close to Niagara Falls they were frozen.
Love the details of the airbase's Santa "mission"! Too cute.
Pikester, loved the parrot joke! Along the same line... I saw this one the other day.....
LITC, that is just too funny about me looking like your mother! I have never saw anyone else who I thought looked like me but my ex said he dated a girl who did. I always heard that everyone has a double. Maybe in my case I am a triplet!
JOCAmom, hmmm.... missing deviled eggs sounds highly suspicious! Those little eggs are delicious but if I was there to sneak anything out of your kitchen I have to admit I would be looking for the sweet treats.
The mantle looks great!
Sukie, I hope you and
Pikester have a wonderful day. Even though it will be different without your mom I hope the bittersweet memories help you all make it through the day without being too sad.
Okay so here's my Christmas day news....
I built up the courage to call my sister who I have not spoken with in a very long time. She sounded happy to hear from me and there is a chance she may even come over tomorrow for dinner. We lost my mother 9 years ago in September and she, my DS, lost one of her DDs 8 years ago this month. After all that our relationship has really suffered and we have not spoken much but it still hasn't kept me from missing my family during the holidays. I turned all sappy and weepy while I was telling my DH that we might have guests tomorrow. I am not sure he understands cause he is perfectly happy not having anything to do with most of his family. Anyway, if she doesn't come it will just be the four of us for lunch and possibly DH's brother. DH will be in the kitchen cooking up 40 dove for our feast, complete with cracklins and gravy. My Step-DD, the SIL, and the GS will show up later in the afternoon. We missed getting our formal invite out to our adopted granny and she went ahead and made other plans so we have to wait til New Years to spend time with her.
DH and DD did their traditional gingerbread house tonight. The kit even came with a tree cookie she is gonna leave for Santa.
Finally, I would like to say that I am very thankful for all my internet pals and feel very blessed to have found you all. Our little corner on the DIS has become a wonderful haven for a bit of sharing, caring, compassion and laughter. God bless you all during the holidays. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Christmas day!
I know this will be a tough Christmas for you and Pikester, but hang in there. 
to all my wonderful friends here. I am so thankful to be blessed with such wonderful friends. 
He could not go back to sleep (I'm thinking it was nerves). Then he was hungry and thirsty. Not long after that he threw up. Poor thing! DH got up to help him since one look and I'd be throwing up next to him. I guess DS8 missed his mark so DH had to clean up the floor, then a little later it was the bedding and then about 5:45AM I cleaned up the bedroom floor. He ended up throwing up one last time while we were opening gifts (He made it to the toilet thank goodness) and now seems to be so-so. He is at the table putting together a 
They are having a great time and hopefully I can get them off of it. 
Will DS be the new photographer for the family? What kind of camera did he get? DD8 discovered the joys of using my camera so that may be next on her list of things to get. 
Our old one just plan disintegrated over the holiday. 
DH got a CD holder and a glass stocking hanger. The dog got a few bags of biscuits. It is so much fun to watch them as we make a huge deal out of our gifts. They love it. 
As you all know I don't do winter!
