Tee hee I get bonus points for blogging 2x in one day (okay with the points already I'm such a nerd). Anyway.. I'm enjoying the kids having a break from all of their activities- no dance class, no AWANA, no chess club, no spelling list or other homework!!! Our nights have been free to hang out and watch movies and read.
Frank and I watched Stardust; it reminded me of a fairy tale; it was okay actually pretty good ,but I think we broke the rule of thumb for movies and life-got our hopes up.
Jewel and I watched 3 episodes of Reba. Last night, the kids and I started watching Eragon will finish watching it tonight (we hope). We've also watched episodes of I Love Lucy and Santa Clause 3. Last week, when Jewel was sick we watched The Courtship of Eddie's Father (the movie not the T.V. series); it was a very cute flick I highly recommend it to anyone who likes funny, but cute movies.

My dad's family is going to say goodbye to my grandma Peterson. She has been sick with Alzheimers for many years and the last month has experienced serious declines in her physical health as well. I feel I've already said goodbye to her several summers ago. She is 82 yrs old. She hasn't known who I am for over 2 years; before that she had a vague recollection when repeatedly prompted as to who I was but couldn't really carry on a meaningful conversation. She is the grandma I was the closest to. It will be sad when she passes on, but I am so ready for it. Each time I see her its painful for me. So I will rejoice when she passes on because then she will be herself again and see people she loves.
I love our community's public library (okay the town next to ours). They have a busmobile that comes to the elementary school on Thursdays. The kids and I are faithful patrons. I borrowed Shattered Dreams authored by a lady that grew up in a 4th generation polygamist family. I highly recommend this book; I feel the author was very honest and fair to all people involved. In the post log she shared how she later became a born again Christian; which thrilled my spirit. I had no idea of her current belief system when I began the book.
Alrighty work is getting busy I need to end my break.

Mentally I 've started compiling my New Year's resolutions- the list is long. I may turn it into a life long resolution list since I think last year I vowed to not stress myself out with feelings of failure after I failed success or substanial progress of any or all of my goals in previous years.

I should probably plan something for my family more exciting than making homemade Chex mix huh? any ideas? What are you all doing?

Smiles,
Jennifer

I don't have any Christmas pics yet (demerits for me), but we did get the tree up and decorated before Christmas Eve (barely), but YEAH for us!!!!.
I got the guys a "surprise" gift. They both really love the Jones sodas, but we rarely splurge due to the expense of this brand (although they are slightly better nutritionally than regular pop because they have no corn syrup but regular cane sugar). Jewel and I found a Hannukah pack with limited available flavors-letke, jelly doughnut, etc. Hastings only had 2 sets left; what a SCORE we thought; surprise gifts for the boys. Cannon saw it before I even got it wrapped, but swore he wouldn't let any of the surprise slip to Frank. Frank helped me move the gifts because they were heavy. So... Frank figured it out when he helped me move them (he informed me there was a Jones T'giving special set too, but I didn't see it). He responded, "Well since I don't drink alcohol and I could hear bottles clinking and Cannon had a matching box.." So much for Jewel's and I surprise.

My mother-in-law is feeling better so that is huge relief and answer to prayer. I was sick over Christmas with a sinus infection; on meds now. The kids and I did get peanut clusters and almond bark cookies and pretzels made, but that was it. We did crush up p'mint cand ycanes which we sprinkled on a few of the vanilla almond covered pretzels; pretty good. We got goofy towards the end and poured the peanut cluster mix over marshmallows. No sugar cookies or adventures in fudge making this year. We do have high hopes of making homemade Chex mix for New Year's Eve.

I received the 1978 made for T.V. version of Little Women- the BEST of any ever. Frank was so good to track this present down for me. I also got a jewelry box and the 3rd season of Reba. Frank bought me a velour jumpsuit even though he hates them. When I opened the jumpsuit Cannon some how thought it was slinky pamajas because he groaned, "Yuck, oh brother for Christmas something from Victoria Secret". Now-its an actual jumpsuit-what I wear to clean the house is more revealing than the jump suit. How does he even know about Victoria Secret (post children I'm too cheap to shop there)? So the rest of the night that was the joke about my jump suit from Victoria Secret- oh la la.

Frankie got extended versions of two of the Lord of the Rings (they were used, but he didn't care), a computer game, the Jones set, pajama pants decorated with the Dr. Pepper logo and cordial cherries. I can't even correctly recall what the kids received from us right now- I think-Cannon got Eragon the movie, Garfield the cartoon season 3, a Celtic music C.D. pack and some computer games. Jewel got Hannah Montana DVD's and the soundtrack for Hairspray, and some fancy bathing items. We really had fun celebrating Christmas in our 1st house; the kitchen counter was perfect for laying out supplies while making C'mas goodies.

We had a good time celebrating with both sides of our families as well. My favorite gift the Kris and Frank (my in-laws) gave me was I Love Lucy season 3 !!!!!!!! Jewel and I were and are joyous. I noted we all got season 3 of this and that-funny b/c we don't have season 1 or 2 for most of those, but that's how it shook down; we are having fun watching our new presents. Last night, lots of laughter escaped the living room while the kids watched Garfield.

The night before C'mas Eve Jewel and I were out shopping and scored The Pajama Game on dvd for only 5 bucks!!! We really enjoyed that flick. Jewel wouldn't mind owning that sound track ,but she will have to wait. She is a HUGE music fan- like Auntie Sara.

Love,
Jennifer

Today, after I'd mailed all of our Christmas cards and letters, I found a mistake on the letter. YIKES! The caption under the pic of the guys with their toy guns should read Christmas 2006, not C'mas 2007. crumb. oh well, more later.

Jennifer

Today, I think I have more on the "to do" list than realistically possible. I did complete several errands this a.m. and am now at work making up hours and trying to get end-of-the-year tasks completed. Jewel is with me b/c Frankie is working. I truly hope to at least get Christmas cards sent. Finally, I have the letter completed (more of a photo montage this year). I did buy stamps and print some labels, but that is as far as I've gotten. Better go get my files updated for work.
How is everybody doing??? No comments in a long time, but I know I'm not that interesting, but at least offer some critics.

Smiles!!! Only 10 days left? Does that depress anyone else? Each year I attest I will be more prepared, but each year things seem to happen. As the years progress, we are even doing "less" of most things that aren't necessary. (no big tree, last year just a little tree and this year thus far no tree at all)- I miss the lights on the tree more than anything. anyway..

Love,
Jennifer