Tis the season...

Ah, it wouldn't be Christmas without drama

So, my kids went to go visit their dad for Xmas. Now, it was a bit shady from the getgo and I will explain that in just a moment.

I get a text from my son a week ago saying that he is going with his aunts to visit their dad and Alex is going too. I say oh, okay. I want them to go see him as he will leaving to Afghanistan on Feb. 14th, so any time they can spend is good. Alex then tells me about it as well.

But, here's the thing. I never get a call from the aunts about it. Not that I need them to ask permission, but common courtesy, you know? Especially since it's for a week and during Xmas. They left on the 20th and were supposed to come back on the 26th.

Notice I said supposed to? Uh-huh. It's not gonna be that way. First off, I found out that they figured that since Alex is 18, they shouldn't have to say anything to me about anything. Okay then, I let that one slide. Even though Alex does live with me...

Then there was a row about Alex standing up for Keith as the aunts were yelling at him about something. It got misconstrued and the assumption was that they (the aunts) were not welcome. They left the kids with their dad and went to a hotel.

So, all right...apparently other things were said and it was going to be that the aunts would come back on Xmas Day to open presents, but then pick up the kids on Sat. at 6am to drive them back. Well, from the earlier actions and words that had occurred, the kids' dad said that he would take them home himself.

But he would not be able to bring them home until Jan. 3rd. See, his worry was that since they had already played the non communication button with me and judging how they were treating Alex, then what was to stop them from stranding her somewhere with limited phone service. She's 18, find your own way home kind of deal.

Now I said I really don't think that would happen, but then again...

So he texts his sister to let her know he would take them home and to not worry about it. She, in a shocking moment, says, "Then guess we no longer have a brother, niece or nephew. You are all dead to us. Have a nice life and we are going home tomorrow."

Now me of course, said that maybe she's just angry and will get past it, even though that's a horrible thing to say. But he is convinced that they are serious, given their past history with the family anyway.

-sigh- I told him there is one good thing about it and that's thankfully it happened now rather than them sitting there and hearing the nonsense the 13 hour drive back. He did apologize to me about it. I said it was fine, I am just glad they are safe.

So I already asked for the 5th and 6th off, that's when the kids and I will have our Christmas.

-shakes her head- Family, gotta love them.

Sorry it took so long..

My Secret Santa posted his pics! He did post them a week ago, unfortunately I have been really busy and posting pictures on here can be a pain sometimes. I did change some of the language, but not any of the words. Oh, this is a very pic heavy post. Sorry. Enjoy the mayhem!
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First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for my delay in posting these secret santa pics. I got caught up in holiday travel and when I returned home I found that my family had been...infected.

After much grieving, I finally sent out for ...

A FXXXXXX ZOMBIE SURVIVAL KIT!!!!!!!

There were many helpful diagrams and instructions on the outside of the kit

An official government document lay inside

Seems it was from someone very high up

Let's see what this kit contains

Hmm...training films

Excellent research material...
apparently you need to remove the head or destroy the brain

In addition to the films there is a marvelous hygiene and energy pack:

Coffee, creamer, toothbrush, toothpaste, handiwipes, soap, plastic bags, shaving cream, safe-razor, and a cup (to use as a makeshift toilet)

Not to mention an energy booster and this little gem

Simply just too wonderful for words
Hygiene is all well and good but I need some serious weaponry

That's what i'm talking about!! Superior Ballistic Fire Power!

So there you have it a complete survival kit.

Oh and there is a flashlight and battries as well...but I don't see why I'd need...

OH SXXX THE LIGHTS WENT OUT!!

i HEAR SOMETHING!

Alright then....GOD MODE!

I think it's coming from in here!

Nope just the sxxxxxx!

Wait....I think it's outside the door.
The back-up generators are warming up


Ready...


Aim...


The lights are back on! It's just the dxxx dog.

Guess I should still kill it though...just to be safe.

Thank you so so much LittleDollClaudia...this present kicked so much axx.
I sincerely apologize for posting my pics late.

thanks,
Harry Lime
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Yep, that's it! I am so happy!

Wow, I feel good even though I'm a little sick

Okay, so maybe some of this is due to my feeling icky, but I went and weighed myself today. I am happy to say that since Sept. I have lost 25 pounds and kept it off!

I lost a few more within this past week. I was stuck for awhile at one weight, which made me happy but frustrated me at the same time.

Happy: I'm not gaining more weight.
Frustrated: I'm not losing any more weight.

But I know that slowly it is coming off. I just have to stay positive and vigilant.

On that happy note, I cannot wait to see my sister and give her her present. I hope her and Paul like what we got for them.

Ah, it's Christmas Eve.

Well, today is a good day. I have my kids and we are just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Jack is at work until 5:30 today, but that just makes it all the nicer as he will come home to his family.

I have been blessed with 2 of the most awesome kids ever. They looked so cute asleep that I had to take a picture. Which I will have to post later, it seems.

Now they are playing Lego Batman and they are getting along so well which is the best Christmas present!

I can't wait until Jack comes home so then the kids can open a present! I will definitely take pictures of that to show off to all.

Love to everybody today! I will post tomorrow too, but today is MY special day with my kids.

Yes I am and I'm proud of it.

I normally don't bring up my religion here, but today is a special day and I want to share it with everyone.



Today is Yule, also known as the winter solstice. I am fortunate to have my loved ones in my life and I want to say thank you and wish you many blessings for the coming year.


I don't believe in holding a neon sign, but I won't hide who I am either. I love my Creator and try to show my love and respect every day of my life.


I will still wish all a Merry Christmas as I do feel you should be merry and joyous towards each other. The reason for the season is family, love, and happiness in whichever way you show it.


That's my path and I walk it gladly.

My Christmas List

I finally figured out what I would like for Christmas this year. Now that I have the most awesome camera in the world, I really think it's time to upgrade and get a tripod.

Nothing too fancy, of course. Just a little something I can put into my purse and get those great nature shots or portraits without that nasty shaky blurriness that tends to happen no matter how still you stand.

I found a couple I liked at Target. See?

http://www.target.com/Portable-Tripod-7/dp/B000FPH3SM/sr=1-9/qid=1229835583/ref=sr_1_9/189-3051233-0343167?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Adigital%20camera%20tripod&page=1

http://www.target.com/Gorillapod-Original-Flexible-Camera-Tripod/dp/B001BFJF8Q/sr=1-4/qid=1229835987/ref=sr_1_4/189-3051233-0343167?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Adigital%20camera%20tripod&page=1

The first one is for a tabletop deal, not too tall, but it would do the trick. The second one is kind of funny, but it would work! It can also stand on its own as well as wrap around stuff. I just don't know which is better. But I definitely want something that is easily packed to take along with me.

I don't want something that I have to use a whole other bag for. I am going to write my letter to Santa tonight and hopefully he can bring me one of those or something close to it.

Shopping on a budget is tough, but I did it!

So I went to Target today. It wasn't as busy as I thought it was going to be. It was just like any other Sat. I think because I knew exactly what I was getting and where it was, it wasn't a hassle.

I got a little scared when the camera I wanted still had a $89 price on it. I asked the guy and he said that oh yeah, it's on sale for $60, we just don't have a tag on it. Whew! Okay, but what is the point of that? Really?

I did find out that that camera's original price is $140, but I used my gift card at its sale price of $60 so I only paid $20 for it. Go me! I also got her a memory card and I bought Keith the Dark Knight 2 disc. Plus since she was going to open 3 things, (camera, batteries and memory card) I got Keith 3 things as well. (Dark Knight, a 5 pack of cars and a special 2008 Matchbox car)

YES! I wound up spending about $60 total, which was my goal that didn't sacrifice our eating this week. Tonight I am going to Walgreens to spend about $5 or so on a little bit of candies to put into their stockings. Great thing about them is that right close to Christmas, they have incredible sales where candy is four for $1.

The kiddos know that Santa only puts candy in there now, not toys. They like that. Yes, it is still Santa that fills that up, not me. I always deny it. :giggles:

I am just a little sad that I was not able to get anything for Jack right now, but he understands. Maybe I can get some candies to put in his stocking when he's not looking so he at least has that.

He already told me that our being together is all the presents he needs. I am so lucky to have him in my life, I really am.

I cannot wait to take pictures of my happy monkeys with my new camera. Whoohoo!

(By the way Mom, I am so amazed that my tree still is in great working condition. It has been what, 4 years now since you gave it to me? It had one little problem, but we replaced the bulb and it was good as new! Thank you so much for it. I don't know what I'd do without that perfect tree for our home.)

Holy Hannah, this is so cool!

The funniest thing happened today. Jack and I were on our way to my company Christmas party and we were discussing cameras and how it doesn't matter if you have the best camera in the world. If you take rotten pictures, no fancy camera will fix that. You'll just have fancy rotten pictures. But that I hope I can find a nice camera for Alex for her present that's not too expensive.

Anyhow, we come to work and at first I had been told that it was for employees only so Jack left to come pick me up later. But I found out it was okay for him to be there, so he came back and we all had some yummies.

Tina, our general manager (the big boss) had given us all a bag with candy and a $40 Target card. I thought that was very nice of them and was already planning on what to do with it. Then it was announced that the gifts under the tree were to be given out. They had placed a ticket on our paychecks (today was payday too) and one on each present.

So people were getting stuff like tool kits and certificates to Red Lobster. I took pictures of everyone getting their gifts as they were told to open them at the front of the room so all could see what they got. My number gets called and I go up. Imagine my surprise when I get a digital camera!

I laughed so hard, and so did most of the people I work with. They all know I am an amateur photographer. They also know about the camera I use. It is really Jack's and we call it "The Brick" since it is so large even though it's only a few years old.

Don't get me wrong, "The Brick" takes most excellent pictures. I have plenty of them on Myspace to prove it. But I have been wanting a camera of my own so Jack can have his back. And I got it!

I took this picture with my cell phone to show the difference.





"The Brick" and "Holly"

I named this camera "Holly" because I got it at the Holiday Inn Express Christmas party. I can't wait to take pictures with it. I took a few sample shots and wow, it is amazing!

Well, I do feel a little sad as "The Brick" has been with me for a lot of things. But hey, now we have 2 cameras. I was telling Jack that it works out great because now we really don't have to hire a photographer for our wedding since most of our family and friends own cameras too. Yay!

But I am so happy about this I just may burst! LOL

Oh by the way, this is MY camera. I had decided before receiving my gift that I would use the Target card towards a camera for Alex. HEHE

So a happy holiday to all!

It will be a Merry Christmas after all

So tonight I called Alex and explained that I wouldn't be able to get her the Annual Pass. I let her know that was going to be about $260 and that there was no way I could do that right now. And my daughter, bless her, said, "Oh Mom, it costs that much? I'm sorry. I thought that it cost like $100 or something like that. I wouldn't have asked you if I knew it was that much."

So yay, she isn't a stingy brat! She does understand and wasn't trying to be a punk. I told her that I had something else in mind that I thought she would really like. She got all excited but said all she really wanted was to spend Christmas with me and Jack.

That made me happy again.

What I want to get her is a digital camera of her own. Nothing too fancy, of course but she has been using her stepmom's and her stepmom is giving her issues about it. I felt it would be a great gift for her as it is creative and fun to take pics. It is for me anyway!

So now I have my kids all set. I knew there would be a path out of this.

I now return you to our scheduled program already in progress.

It's that time!

To show off my Super Poke Pet Christmas habitat. Yay!





Doesn't he look so happy?

I really want to make it work

So I talked to both my kids today and oh boy. I found out what they would like for Christmas.

Alex
A Disneyland Annual Pass

Keith
Bloodshot eyes goggles from Willy Wonka
Harry Potter Quidditch goggles
20 Questions-Harry Potter version
Captain Barbossa pendant
The Dark Knight on DVD

I want to get Keith the bloodshot eye goggles and the Dark Knight DVD. But I asked Alex if there was anything else and she said no, she just wants the AP. Man, a deluxe one (which covers the whole year, no blackouts) is about $389! The one just below that with a few blackouts is $269! The ones that Jack and I have that means you cannot go to Disneyland on Saturdays and most of summer is $174.

And you know she'll definitely want to go on weekends with her friends.

I tried to explain that this would be the ONLY gift she would get and she said okay.

But I have no idea how the heck I can make that work. The only one I could try for would be the $269 one, but jeez even I don't have that status. I am stressing out here.

On a plus note, I told her about the shoes from Grandma and she was so excited! So there you go. At least one present will be a hit.

I just wish she had told me sooner. I would saved up for it.

:crosses fingers: Somehow I'll figure it out.

Wow, it's almost here.

I went to Walmart yesterday and they were nice enough to have this HUGE sign that said 11 days to Christmas. Thanks for reminding me how broke I am to not even be able to get stuff for my kids or my family.

Sorry, I'm a little humbuggy right now. Jack and I are trying so hard to make ends meet and I really want to give my kiddos a Merry Christmas.

Hopefully, I will find a way.

I do have faith, I do. It's just difficult to stay positive all the time.

Gah, what a cynical post.

It will work out, I know it.

As it is today, I am taking the bus to work since Jack had an early shift. It is raining and cold, but hey at least I have a job to go to. Unlike some unfortunate people that don't.

So I do have that.

My balcony does look rather nice with the Christmas stuffs and rain dripping down. That cheered me up.

This is why I love this season. Right here.

So there is a forum I belong to and they are having a gift exchange. Now it's a goofy one and not one that you buy cutesy stuff for.

I thought it would be funny to send this person a zombie survival kit. (On the cheap side, of course)

Here is a copy of the letter I am including in the box so the recipient will understand just what the heck this box is full of.

IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT

Dear citizen ________________, we have been informed that a zombie uprising has been reported in your vicinity.

We are sending these kits to all persons in your area in hopes that you haven't become infected by this epidemic.

If you have received this package too late, we do apologize and the correct officials will be contacting you shortly.

Inside this package you should have these items as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A set of 3 training films to help you recognize what a zombie is and the best methods to destroy it.

A gun with ammo to protect yourself from attacks.

A flashlight with extra batteries so that you can avoid stepping on any zombie carcasses.

A bottle of hand sanitizer to help keep your skin clean from any contaminants.
(Note: we have discovered the picture on the bottle is one of the suspected leaders of this outbreak. Please approach this individual with extreme caution.)

An energy drink to help you stay sharp and awake so that you don't drop your guard for wandering zombies.

We have also included a small personal hygiene kit that was donated by a local hotel.
(Good health should not suffer in chaos.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be safe and God be with you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

This message and package contents have been inspected and approved by Z.O.M.B.I.E.
-Zamora Official Mobilization Board International Enterprises-

Your local representative,
Little Doll Claudia _________________________

IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT

Here's what the stuff looks like:



Yeah, it's cheesy but funny. I even decorated the outside of the box. Hopefully the post office will see the humor and allow me to send it.

Christmas at our house

So we started decorating our place. Of course, we don't all go out for it like we do Halloween, but here's a few pics to show we celebrate.

More to come soon...

Awww, romantic Christmas mushy stuff

So today at work I have Christmas music playing and I heard the sweetest song ever. It made me think of my sister and her hubby. It is sung by Eva Cassidy, I believe. Here are the lyrics:

It's Not The Presents
Here it is Christmas again this year
Everyone's filled with the season's good cheer
This is my Christmas love song to you
For your holiday spirit all the year through
Snow may not fall but it matters not
The one thing I want I've already got

'Cause it's not the presents under my tree
It's your presence right here next to me

Gifts wrapped with ribbons don't mean a thing
My greatest gift is I'll wear your ring
To see in your eyes and what's in your heart
That's to know we'll never be apart
And to share each day of the year with you
Makes all my Christmas dreams come true

'Cause it's not the presents under my tree
It's your presence right here next to me

Yes that means more than a Christmas of white
Colored lights twinkling ever so bright
And when they sing of that Christmas of blue
I feel so fortunate about you
Each day of the year you brighten my life
And I thank the Lord on this Christmas Eve night'

Cause it's not the presents under my tree
It's your presence right here next to me

I don't look for presents under my tree
Only your presence right here next to me

I shrunk the words so they wouldn't take up the whole page. But yeah, it makes me miss my sister. A lot. I really want to see how beautiful their house is this year. I'm sure it looks so pretty.

They're here!

So as promised (finally) I have the pics from Disneyland. I put them in a pretty appropriate slideshow. Haha!

Have a great day!

I love my family! (and extended family too)

Yesterday we had Thanksgiving at our house. It was so nice and everyone had a great time. Keith and Alex had spent the night on Thursday and were very excited about the feast that was going to come.

And a feast it was! We had turkey, a small ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls, olives, corn, bacon wrapped breadsticks, deviled eggs, Mom's veggie dip w/vegs, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, pecan pie AND a dessert that Nadine made from Cool Whip, Jello mix and fruit cocktail. Very sweet!

Yes, in addition to my kiddos, my friend Amanda came over as well as Nadine and Jesse. I have to say it was the most relaxing Thanksgiving I have ever had. And since it was the first in our place, it made it even better.

I didn't take any pics because I was too busy enjoying everyone's company. I made sure to keep up with the dishes that I cooked with and everybody ate from plastic, so I didn't have a major mess to clean so that was awesome.

Jenefur of course was baffled and didn't know what to do as this was so much excitement at once. I mean, food in the kitchen and people inside? Wow, I laughed at her a lot. It's a good feeling to know that folks are in your heart and sharing time together is that fulfilling.

Now we are getting ready to film our Christmas show so I can decorate my house. Yeah, we're using that incredible tree Mom got for us on the set. It's going to be famous! But there's no point in putting it up in the house until after Wednesday, so that's what I am doing. Oh boy, this show is the show of shows. Jack has so much planned. I just am crossing my fingers that we can make it work.

On a plus side, I am off Wed, Thurs and Fri this week. I can get the house all pretty for Christmas. YAY! In my own special way, of course. Now that I will definitely take pictures of.

Christmas is already at my work. Gah.

So I went into work today since I don't have an issue with working on Thanksgiving. I see that our maintenance guy is finishing putting up the tree. Geez, couldn't even wait until the day after?

Ah well. I at least got a pic of my kids in front of it.



Notice anything missing? Yeah, no topper. Maybe I'll be nice and buy one.

I love Disneyland!

So we took Alex for her birthday yesterday. We had a blast! Alex took a lot more photos than I did, so as soon as she sends them to me, I will post the best of them here. But for now, I have a few for you to enjoy.

Jack and I getting ready to go


Jack and our friend Kile on Autopia

Alex and I sharing a car on Autopia


Just Alex. Isn't she cute?

As I said, she took WAY more pictures than I did. We have an awesome one in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street. I can't wait to get those!