Christmas Cards

I love getting Christmas cards - especially when they contain pictures of kids! It is wonderful to watch my cousins' kids grow up in pictures!

I don't keep a "Christmas Card List" - you know the list - 'I didn't get one from them last year, so I don't have to send them one this year'. I have an address book that I started when we first got married. There are only 2 criteria to getting a card from me - your address must be in that book (which I update constantly) and you must be alive! It warms my heart to see the cousins' kids who got married (and are no longer eligible to be added to their parents' cards) are also sending me cards now. These little things are what keeps family connected.

I have been exchanging Christmas cards for 30 years with the parents of someone who was a friend of mine when we were teenagers! I love their card the best - I don't see them during the year, so I get to send them a hand written note of some of the best highlights of each year. I always look forward to getting their card and reading the warm response they always have after receiving mine. THIS IS WHAT HOLIDAYS ARE ALL ABOUT!

I don't care how much postage increases, this is one tradition I will never give up.

The List

I think I have things under control. The cards are sent, the outdoor decorations are going up today. The cookies are baked. The stockings are hung, the shopping is near complete. The menu is finalized - but I still feel like something is missing..... THE TREE!!

Next year, I must put that closer to the top of the list!

My Darlings

Here they are - Christmas 07 - Ally, nearly 6 and Ava 18 months

A Vet, he's not

Bobby has a fish tank. It's rather new and so he is still paying attention to all the details that keep it fresh and clean looking. He was recently doing a "water exchange" - where he empties some of the water and replaces it with fresh, oxygenated water - when a tragedy occurred. One of his fish got sucked up into the drain hose. The noise startled him and when he saw what was happening, he immediately cut the line and tried to rescue the fish.

Mr. Wonderful, hearing the commotion, came running. "I think I can save it", he said. He immediately took the fish and began swishing it around in the fish tank. When nothing happened, he took the fish and THREW it into the fish tank (trying to shock him,I think). Bobby stood by, helpless. He was also trying not to pee his pants at the site of his father breaking a sweat while attemption to bring a 2 inch tropical fish back to life.

Finally, they gave the fish a decent send off - into the tropical fish whirlpool, otherwise known as the porcelain throne. May he rest in peace.

Wedded Bliss

Yesterday we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Quite a milestone in today's day and age. I worked just a half day and rushed home to be with Mr. Wonderful. We made plans to go out for a special dinner and just spend some time together. The weather was especially frigid and the winds were gusting at 35+mph. As we were getting ready to leave, Mr. W. asked which restaurant I wanted to go to - I said, "I get to choose? Anywhere?" He nodded in agreement. After much thought (about 2.5 seconds) I declared - "LET'S STAY HOME AND DO TAKE-OUT, MAKE A FIRE AND WATCH TV!"

I remember early in our married life - we would go out to eat once a year, on our anniversary IF we could afford it. This year, it was nice to have the option...