Christmas Survey

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do: Just copy this entire blog entry and paste it into a new post on your blog. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Here we go...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. It depends on the gift.
2. Real tree or artificial? I like real, but they are expensive and the girls have asthma.
3. When do you put up the tree? The first or second weekend in December
4. When do you take the tree down? Day after Christmas. Can't wait to get me house back to normal.
5. Do you like eggnog? No way
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My barbie house. I was about 5. it was 2 story and 3 pieces (huge)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? I think my mom is.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? not sure
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? I do both, but mostly mail.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In the summer. I have too many kids to buy for.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar cookies
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored on the tree and clear outside
17. Favorite Christmas song? Winter Wonderland
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home! Santa has to come. hehe
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes i can: dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid, donder and blitzen. and rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star. its what they followed on christmas night
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but my dad's house on Christmas eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? the people. Everyone is grumpy and pushy.
23. What I love most about Christmas? The look on the girls faces on Christmas morning when they see everything under the tree.

It's quiet....

Well my friends went home yesterday. I went home and it was so quiet. I almost didn't know what to do with myself. lol. It was fun to have something to do every night, but I was sure glad to get some sleep. So back to normal for now. Rob has been moving this week. He's moving into a house and now the girls will actually have a room when they stay with him. He is very excited. It's so cute, Caitlyn said that the house "rocks". I can't believe that tomorrow is the first day of December. Time goes so fast. On the 13th my neice will be 4. I still remember taking my sister to the hospital to have her. It's so funny, but a lot of the houses around here have had their Christmas lights up since Thanksgiving. I think Christmas starts earlier every year. We all have dog fever at my work right now. Jackie got her new Bassett earlier this year, then they helped me decided to get my little Toby. Well know Genny is looking at a little puppy and Linda is looking to adopt a bassett. Cassie's dog had puppies not too long ago so we are surrounded by dogs.

Another sunny day.

So here is the picture that I submitted for my works photo contest. We were bummed that all the leaves had come off the trees. I was trying to wait until there was some snow, but it's been pretty dry here. I'm really hoping that December brings some snow, because my sister and I have plans to take the girls sledding. At this rate we may not get to go til next year! So I went to see The Mist on Sunday. It was a good movie. Of course Stephen King is my favorite, but they don't always make his books into good movies. I did go shopping this weekend, but it was on Saturday and not in the morning. I went to Michaels to find the Cricut that was on sale for $129. instead of $300, but she said they sold out within 15 mins of opening on Friday morning. Of course I was working. The lady was nice, I think she felt sorry for me, she gave me a 50% off coupon so I bought the daisyrunner. I haven't gotten to really play with it yet, because after shopping I went to my dad's for the tree trimming party. I helped Liz with the food. The girls totally attacked the tree and had it done in no time. It was nice. Grandpa seemed better than on Thanksgiving. Dad's buddy and his girlfriend were there too. We all hung out and talked until around 10:30. It's funny because normally dad and Liz go to bed at 9:00. Caitlyn got to stay the night. On Monday my girlfriend Jenn came into town. I haven't seen her in like 2 years. She lives in Coarsegold, Ca. She brought Brooklyn(her daughter and Celeste's best friend), her friend Mandy and Mandy's 2 girls. Jenn and I have been friends for 10 years. They are all staying at my house. This is the first time that I've met Mandy, but I like her. She's very nice. I can't believe that I have 6 kids at my house. The amazing thing is that last night none of them fought. It was like a wonderful miracle. They were suppose to leave today, but are going to stay another night. We are going to see Enchanted tonight. We've had parent/teacher conferences this week. Caitlyn is improving. She needs help still, but at least there's an improvement. Makayla got all B's and one C. Mrs. Class (her math teacher) said she's the star of the math class. Her teacher Mrs. Diaz said shes a great student. I will see Celestes tonight. I'm sure it's all good news. She's a great student. Makayla tried out for a part in the school play yesterday. SHE GOT IT!!!! She's going to be a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. I'm so excited. The play is in March so she has plenty of time to prepare. Well it is time to get some work done!

Well it's the day after Thanksgiving. We survived our first holiday without grandma. It was so hard. Her and I always stand in the kitchen and talk. While we were eating dinner I kept looking at grandpa and he looked so sad. It was so heartbreaking. I don't know how he's going to make it through Christmas. Anyways, when I came into work today we put the radio on and they are already playing Christmas music. AHHHH It's to early. I can't believe it. Well today starts the busy shopping season. I'm so glad that I'm almost done. And thank God for internet shopping. Tomorrow I have to go grocery shopping and I'm so not looking forward to it. Going to Walmart between now and January is suicide. My sister actually went out there today. I don't know if she found any good deals or not. Well it is very slow at work today so we get to catch up on our sleep. hehe. Tomorrow I get to go to my dad's again. We are going to their tree trimming party. It's Liz's way of not decorating the tree. She just lets the girls do it. I was bummed to find out that George has to work all weekend so he won't be coming to visit. Well hopefully next weekend. I really wish he hadn't moved, but I know that people have to go where the jobs and money are. Well it's starting to get real cold here. Today we could see the ski resorts making snow. All of the sudden there was a big stripe of snow! It would be nice to get some snow. We live in an area that use to be known for it's skiing and now we have very mellow winters. Don't get me wrong it's very cold, but when it snows it warms up. Well on to do some work!

I'm thankful for....

* my girls. They make my laugh and feel loved.
* my family. They are always there for me.
* my friends. They are fun and I always have someone to talk to. (my mb friends and ones that live far from me.)
* my job. It's a great job that I enjoy. I love my co workers. And also because of it I can support my family.
* my health.
* that I am able to visit grandma whenever I want. I only live about 10 mins from her grave.
* that I have the talent to sew, scrap and bake. I know it's silly, but not everyone can do it.
* my puppy. He is so sweet and loving. He makes me feel very important.
* I get to spend Thanksgiving with my grandpa. I worry about him every day.
* I met a nice guy. Even if he lives 2 1/2 hours away he still makes me feel special. (I do wish he hadn't moved, but he did)
***I'm sure there is more, but right now that's what I can think of. What are you thankful for?

Time to move forward

First of all I want to thank everyone for all their wishes, prayers, and kind words. The funeral was very nice. Grandma did plan out the scriptures and songs. I think she would be very happy. 2 of my cousins, Uncle Harry and I all got up and said something. It was very hard, but I felt that I needed to say my goodbyes and let everyone know how much she meant to me. They did end up having an open casket, but not for me. I would rather remember all the good times and that the last time I saw her she told me she would be seeing me a lot and that she loves me. My sweet Makayla wrote her a letter and drew her a picture then put it in the casket with her. I am so proud of her for that. It was a long hard day, but we made it through. Grandpa is doing as well as one can expect. My aunts went home today so he is finally alone. We are going to have Thanksgiving with him so he doesn't have to be lonely. I went to go visit her yesterday, but it was too soon. I couldn't talk to her yet. I did tell the girls that any time they want to see her we would go. As for Thanksgiving, I was suppose to be at Disneyland, but with all of this and some other things it is just not a good time. I am so bummed. I was looking forward to going. The girls kind of blew it though. I used Disneyland as a bribe (you might say) that if they were bad we would cancel the trip. Well I guess the twins just couldn't help themselves. I feel bad for Celeste because she gets to miss out on things because the twins just can't behave. I think we are going to try and go to the San Francisco Zoo at the beginning of next year to make up for missing Disneyland. It won't be the same, but the girls love animals and Celeste wants to be a zoologist. There is also a science museum there so that could be fun too. Well I guess I should get back to work.

She has moved on

Well sad news, Grandma passed away on Tuesday night. I'm pretty sure she went to sleep and that was it. My dad called me first thing Wednesday morning. Yesterday I spent the day with my dad, sister, grandpa, and 2 aunts. I was glad that I got to spend time with them before the rest of the family comes. I love my family, but there are a lot of us and it was easier to visit. Tomorrow is the funeral and everyone is coming in tonight. I'm glad that she finally let go. I know that my dad told her on Tuesday that it was ok, because we would take care of grandpa. It's hard to lose her, but I know that she wants all of us to go on with our lives. She wants all of us to be happy. She is looking down from heaven and watching over all of us. I am going to miss her so much!