Saturday, December 28, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas 2013

We spent Christmas Eve at Mawmaw's and Marie's, exchanging gifts and chatting while the kids ran wild around the house. Jac has a nice purple bruise on his hip as a result. Francesca really liked her matching scarves. Leah has enough glittery items to fill a pixie forest.


We got home late, but baked and decorated Santa's cookies anyway.


Zac worked Christmas morning, which sucked, but he was only gone about two hours. We had our traditional cinnamon roll-breakfast and opened gifts. Sean's mom invited us over for lunch, which was so nice of her.


Hopefully next year Santa will bring just one gift for each of the kids and Mama will do the whole "something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" gifts. That is, if my soon-to-be eight-year-old still holds on to his Santa magic.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Parties and Crochet

The past few weeks have been a little busy. Zac and I each had Christmas parties to attend, which was fun for us since we don't get out much, just us. My cookie party was a lot of fun, then again I had one-too-many amaretto sours. I brought a pair of gifts that were to be swapped during Dirty Santa and came home with a few gift cards for my parents.

Zac's party was just over the weekend in New Orleans. We went bowling and attended a cooking class. I've got a few Louisiana recipes to attempt sometime in the future.


Marie babysat for us and the kids made a whole bunch of homemade things, like ornaments and graham cracker houses. They had so much fun!


All the shopping is complete. Well, just about. Zac is bringing home one more thing for Jac, then it'll be complete. I've got all the gifts wrapped and ready for tomorrow night after the kids are in bed.

I'm giving the kids a two-week break for the holidays. My parents are coming for New Years, along with Emily and Alex. I finally finished Emily's purse, but still need to weave the ends away. Francesca's scarf is done, and her matching American Girl Doll's is half-done.


With my own two-week vacation, I'm going to get my house cleaned up. It's gotten a little out of hand since I've had to clean my closet out to make room for wrapped items. It's overwhelming, but needs to be done.

I had to quit my B&BW job... I wish I didn't have to, but the local one never got back in touch with me and the time I spent driving out to Slidell and back wasn't worth the gas money. I'm going to put in some more availability to GAC to make up for it and go from there.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Holidays, Cookies, Crochet

I can't believe this year is coming to an end already. This time last year, we were living with my parents... or I was while Zac stayed with Sean during the week so he could work. It was so lonely.

This will be our second "first Christmas" in our own place again. Last time we had a "first Christmas" in our own place, the kids were so much smaller and we had zero pups.


While I'm at the whole then-and-now thing, I have another, based on one of my most favorite pictures.


Earlier this week, I brought the kids to decorate cookies at work. Every Monday is Decorate Your Own Cookie Day. It's why I don't work on Mondays. There's always plenty to clean up at the end of the night throughout the week. Extra doesn't help.


Yesterday, Zac and I brought the kids to the Lakeside mall to see Santa and ride the train. I think this was their best year as far as smiling goes. The holidays come and go faster these days. Maybe it's because I'm old now... Next year, I'll probably put the tree up on November 1 just so I can enjoy it a little longer.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Random Update

We spent Thanksgiving with Mawmaw. The kids ran around with Francesca, Leah stepped in poop, and Mawmaw gave me a manger for my nativity set.


My parents visited last week. Mom took me shopping and we basically finished the Christmas lists. I kinda wish they'd visit more, but hopefully Zac gets a job soon and we can move. I'm hoping this third opportunity gives us some hope.

Ruby is getting noticeably bigger and she's house-training a little better. We're still dealing with accidents now and then, but not as often as before. She's so feisty, but so sweet.


I've started crocheting some Christmas stockings for our little family. So far, I hate the results, but I don't want to unravel and start over again. Argh! Maybe I will, but no pictures until they're all complete. All four of them... four. Hideous. Blech.

Anyway, I'm excited about all the decorations being barfed out this time of year. I put our tree up last week, but most of the lights are burnt out. I've got a list for better ornaments. I want big, colorful ornaments and white lights. Maybe even a star for the top.

Zac is working his Black Friday shift. He's lucky he only works about four hours. This is my first Black Friday in three years that I haven't had to work. All of those times were at least nine hours. He'll be home soon.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Birthday, Painting, Crochet

I've been meaning to sit down and write for the past two weeks, but nothing came to mind. I would sit and type something, backspace, and close the window. I've been sad, mostly. There have been happy days, but the sad is there, simmering on the back burner, occasionally requiring a stir or two. I don't like being sad. The waves come unpredictably and I can't seem to control my emotions.

It's Zac's birthday and I shouldn't be sad, but I am. Zac's been trying to help. I miss my humor.


Zac and I visited my parents this past weekend. We stayed Friday night and left Saturday night. It was a nice visit, even though it was short. Jac didn't want to go back home. Leah was even brave enough to experience the water jets.


We had to return home Saturday night because I had to work Sunday morning. It was a crazy Sunday, that's for sure. I worked the morning shift, we were completely out of chocolate frosting, and I had to leave earlier than scheduled in order to get home and change, then make it to Francesca's party on time. Not to mention Leah having a tummy ache and refusing to take her medicine, but pleading to go to the party. So much chaos, but it was fun. The party was at Painting With A Twist.


We drove to Mawmaw's to pick up Ruby and I visited with Amber for a bit. She's still such a sweetheart. I just wish she didn't bring out the allergies.


I started watching Bones as a grief-distraction. I've caught up to current episodes, so after browsing new shows, I discovered New Girl and love it. I've even started crocheting again. I think I make more things for the kids' toys than for the actual kids. Leah's happy, though. She's been more interested in her doll lately, so she asked me to make a few clothing pieces and a blanket next. The blanket pictured in the background was actually made by Dad, not me.