Saturday, December 15, 2007
It's our turn now...or so they say
The ice is headed our way. It started around 7:00 p.m. We're supposed to get freezing rain all night with a possible accumulation of 1/4 to 1/2" of ice. Then tomorrow we could get winds up to 50 mph. Sounds like a recipe for a power outage to me. We've spent the evening preparing. I've been doing laundry non-stop for four hours.

Times like this are when country living works in our favor. I'm thinking specifically of our wood stove. When the power goes out we still have heat, we can cook on the surface of the stove and we can boil water. Since it's winter we don't have to worry about our frozen goods spoiling. We can just set them outside. Other preparations include filling the bathtub with water so we'll have some to refill the toilet tank, making sure the emergency light is charged, and pulling out the oil lamps and making sure they're filled. We actually picked up some extra batteries at the store, too. Oh, and perhaps most importantly (to Emma), I charged the battery for the portable DVD player. Wish us luck that all these preparations turn out to be unnecessary.
Close to done
Today M, Emma and I went over the mountains to do a quick shopping trip. We wanted to get home before the freezing rain started. Noni and Popi agreed to babysit so we dropped Emma off with them shortly before noon. The M and I went to Red Lobster for our second meal of the year with only the two of us. Then we hit Target, the mall, Costco and visited a local store. We even went to the sad and forlorn Kmart on the way back to Noni's. We did all this and were on the road for home by 5:00 p.m. The good news is that I only have one more person to buy for and I'm pretty sure I know what I'm getting her. Almost done.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Another week down...
Maybe, just maybe next week can be my slacker week. At the very least next week ends with a four five day weekend. Oh yeah, and Christmas ;)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Emma's coping mechanism
Anyone with a three year-old around knows that they are very particular about how things are done, the order in which events unfold. Emma wants to be leader down the steps, Emma wants to dump the pee into the toilet, Emma wants to flush, Emma wants to turn off the lamp...you get it. Sometimes I'll forget myself and do something that she wanted to do. It upsets her. She'll get teary, but instead of throwing a fit, she'll say in a pitiful voice, "Can I do it next time?" If I assure her she can then everything is good. Amazing.
Christmas cards are done
I have a few stragglers I need a little more information for before I can mail them, but otherwise I'm done. It's a relief. I also wrapped presents and took an inventory of what I have already. Now I have a better idea of what I need to shop for on Saturday. I'm feeling much better about this whole Christmas thing now :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
So tired
Another twelve hour work day. I'm ready for a break. This December is not going right at all. Isn't December supposed to be our coasting month, when no one wants to work and everyone slacks? Things are going totally backward for me. Unfortunately because I've been so focused on work I don't even know how unprepared for Christmas I am. Perhaps ignorance is bliss. I do know that my house is a wreck, we've done maybe a third of the decorating we usually do, and the schedule looks full ahead. I have a Christmas list, I have some presents, but I don't think there's anyone crossed off my list yet. I'm sinking fast. Calgon, take me away.
100 years old
This one goes back at least to 1907. That's when cards could only have an address on the blank side. The message had to be crammed on the front if you wanted to send one.

Monday, December 10, 2007
Apologies for light posting
I've been slaving away on Christmas cards tonight. Are you on the list?
Christmas post card
Another one that wasn't mailed, from the same era. Both were filled out, but apparently handed to their recipients.

Sunday, December 09, 2007
Free lunch
We were invited to the Homemaker's Christmas party again this year thanks to all the work M does helping them schlep supplies for their apple dumpling sales at fair time. It was a nice buffet meal at the Inn. Our choice was shrimp, pork tenderloin or fried chicken. Yum. After the meal M and Emma had to go play on the porch. I think that's entrenched tradition now.





For some reason this one reminded me of the photographs that were taken of children at the turn of the century. Maybe it's her pose, maybe it's the stockings wrinkled at the knee, maybe it's the awkward angle.


To drive home my point I did this one...

Christmas post card
This one was never mailed. I'd peg it at 1908-09.

Christmas Program at Noni's church
We attended at great children's program called "Christmas on Main Street." It was Emma's first ever attempt to attend a program where you have to sit quietly in the dark. Let's just say she's not ready for prime time yet. Fortunately in this case it was a kid's program and all the moving about and whispering wasn't complete unique to my kid. She enjoyed the songs and clapped in all the right places.

The unexpected star of the show was this camel. The kids loved him. Apparently they made him there at the church. Pretty good work, I'd say.

Fun with Noni and the cousins
After the program we came home and chilled out downstairs. We started with some WonderPets Christmas OnDemand. Then there were a dozen rounds of the speed puzzle contest. Then, as often happens in our family, things devolved into a big wrestling match. Finally, Emma gets her horsey ride.




It is a cocky boy...
Who tells a room full of women that the prize for the speed puzzle winner is a kiss from him if they can catch him!


P3NED!