Yep, Jelly! And I am not even hormonal.
While I love this season and all that it stands for, it is stressful. In the best years, people can get...touchy!
This season has just about done me in. You may have noticed that I have not totally adjusted to life with four kiddos and this year has been a blur of chasing baby out of trees, presents, ribbons, tape, you name it.
Top it off with him getting sick and the last couple of days have been rough. My baking day turned into a day of waiting for Dr. calls and half of it didn't get done. Errands went out the window and to do's have piled up again.
Today, we returned to the Dr. to find out that Tigercub is allergic to penicillin and that the medicine he has been on for a week has not helped a bit! So, add to that another trip to Walmart (two days before Christmas, UGH) and then home to a baby on three drugs with 103 degree temperature. I cannot move without him crying, he screams in the bed and I really can't remember a night with decent sleep.
And then, I called my Momma. I LOVE my momma! She was shopping. With my two sisters. 2,000 miles away from me. I want to be shopping with my mom and my sisters.
Needless to say, I have been on the edge. And then, my precious grandma sent a package. Full of homemade grape jelly. She sends it every year. It is delicious. And THAT did it. I sat there, unwrapping little jars of jelly, sobbing. Over jelly.
So, I have a post all about holiday baking (most of which didn't get done) in my head. I have a post about Tigercub and a just a various holiday happenings post. But I am not sure you will ever get to read them. At least not before Christmas. I may be busy. Crying. Over Jelly.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
So Much to Do
It is baking day here at the Tigerden! We will be cooking up a storm as well as doing school and hopefully finishing the last of our shopping. I will hopefully be posting real stuff soon but for today, in light of the busyness, thought you might enjoy this. I have seen it before but it is somehow still freakishly funny!
December 1 - Blanch carcass from Thanksgiving turkey. Spray paint gold, turn upside down and use as a sleigh to hold Christmas Cards.
December 2 - Have Mormon Tabernacle Choir record outgoing Christmas message for answering machine.
December 3 - Using candlewick and hand gilded miniature pinecones, fashion cat-o-nine-tails. Flog Gardener.
December 4 - Repaint Sistine Chapel ceiling in ecru, with mocha trim.
December 5 - Get new eyeglasses. Grind lenses myself.
December 6 - Fax family Christmas newsletter to Pulitzer Committee for consideration.
December 7 - Debug Windows 2000
December 10 - Align carpets to adjust for curvature of Earth.
December 11 - Lay Faberge egg.
December 12 - Take Dog apart. Disinfect. Reassemble.
December 13 - Collect Dentures. They make excellent pastry cutters, particularly for decorative pie crusts.
December 14 - Install plumbing in gingerbread house.
December 15 - Replace air in mini-van tires with Glade "holiday scents" in case tires are shot out at mall.
December 17 - Child-proof the Christmas tree with garland of razor wire.
December 19 - Adjust legs of chairs so each Christmas dinner guest will be same height when sitting at his or her assigned seat.
December 20 - Dip sheep and cows in egg whites and roll in confectioner's sugar to add a festive sparkle to the pasture.
December 21 - Drain city reservoir; refill with mulled cider, orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
December 22 - Float votive candles in toilet tank.
December 23 - Seed clouds for white Christmas.
December 24 - Do my annual good deed. Go to several stores. Be seen engaged in last minute Christmas shopping, thus making many people feel less inadequate than they really are.
December 25 - Bear son. Swaddle. Lay in color-coordinated manger scented with homemade potpourri.
December 26 - Organize spice racks by genus and phylum.
December 27 - Build snowman in exact likeness of Jesus.
December 31 - New Year's Eve! Give staff their resolutions. Call a friend in each time zone of the world as the clock strikes midnight in that country.
I've really got to get busy if I am going to keep up!
Martha Stewart's Holiday To-do List
December 2 - Have Mormon Tabernacle Choir record outgoing Christmas message for answering machine.
December 3 - Using candlewick and hand gilded miniature pinecones, fashion cat-o-nine-tails. Flog Gardener.
December 4 - Repaint Sistine Chapel ceiling in ecru, with mocha trim.
December 5 - Get new eyeglasses. Grind lenses myself.
December 6 - Fax family Christmas newsletter to Pulitzer Committee for consideration.
December 7 - Debug Windows 2000
December 10 - Align carpets to adjust for curvature of Earth.
December 11 - Lay Faberge egg.
December 12 - Take Dog apart. Disinfect. Reassemble.
December 13 - Collect Dentures. They make excellent pastry cutters, particularly for decorative pie crusts.
December 14 - Install plumbing in gingerbread house.
December 15 - Replace air in mini-van tires with Glade "holiday scents" in case tires are shot out at mall.
December 17 - Child-proof the Christmas tree with garland of razor wire.
December 19 - Adjust legs of chairs so each Christmas dinner guest will be same height when sitting at his or her assigned seat.
December 20 - Dip sheep and cows in egg whites and roll in confectioner's sugar to add a festive sparkle to the pasture.
December 21 - Drain city reservoir; refill with mulled cider, orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
December 22 - Float votive candles in toilet tank.
December 23 - Seed clouds for white Christmas.
December 24 - Do my annual good deed. Go to several stores. Be seen engaged in last minute Christmas shopping, thus making many people feel less inadequate than they really are.
December 25 - Bear son. Swaddle. Lay in color-coordinated manger scented with homemade potpourri.
December 26 - Organize spice racks by genus and phylum.
December 27 - Build snowman in exact likeness of Jesus.
December 31 - New Year's Eve! Give staff their resolutions. Call a friend in each time zone of the world as the clock strikes midnight in that country.
I've really got to get busy if I am going to keep up!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Letter to Santa
Dear Santa,
I know this is a little late and you are totally busy this time of year so I will try to be brief. We have always kept the ole "Santa Thing" about the kids each year. And, I think our kids are pretty good! We try to stay in touch. We email you, vote for our favorite reindeer, sit in your lap, the whole bit. This year, we have even been reading your blog.
We try not to get greedy. The kids only ask for three gifts and they usually do a good job. Okay, I know that one request by B.B. a couple of years ago was a doosey--he explained the Star Wars game so thoroughly...we really thought it existed. We didn't know you were going to have to create a game just to make him happy. I'm really sorry about that. It was a hit, though!
Anyway, I know it is all about the kids and all, but just in case you have a little extra good will on hand, I wanted to put in a request for...well, me. You see, I could really use a few things this year. I'm not too picky, any of the following requests would be great on its own and if you happened to find a two for one sale, well...
Okay, so what I would really like is simple. A visit from one or more of the following. The housecleaning fairy, the home organization fairy, or even the PLEASE teach my kids how to clean up after themselves without talking back fairy. I have been really good this year. Okay, I have TRIED to be really good this year. I have eaten my veggies and fruit, I have gotten up at ridiculous hours of the morning to exercise. I have home schooled three children while taking care of the energizer bunny (A.K.A. Tigercub) and all of them are still living and will only require a few years of therapy I feel certain.
Well, I promised to keep this brief. We will have the usual boiled custard, sugar cookies and fudge waiting for you and the oatmeal and carrots for the reindeer. See you in a few days and if you can't get to this, I totally understand. There is always next year...right?
Sincerely,
One Mom in need of HELP!
I know this is a little late and you are totally busy this time of year so I will try to be brief. We have always kept the ole "Santa Thing" about the kids each year. And, I think our kids are pretty good! We try to stay in touch. We email you, vote for our favorite reindeer, sit in your lap, the whole bit. This year, we have even been reading your blog.
We try not to get greedy. The kids only ask for three gifts and they usually do a good job. Okay, I know that one request by B.B. a couple of years ago was a doosey--he explained the Star Wars game so thoroughly...we really thought it existed. We didn't know you were going to have to create a game just to make him happy. I'm really sorry about that. It was a hit, though!
Anyway, I know it is all about the kids and all, but just in case you have a little extra good will on hand, I wanted to put in a request for...well, me. You see, I could really use a few things this year. I'm not too picky, any of the following requests would be great on its own and if you happened to find a two for one sale, well...
Okay, so what I would really like is simple. A visit from one or more of the following. The housecleaning fairy, the home organization fairy, or even the PLEASE teach my kids how to clean up after themselves without talking back fairy. I have been really good this year. Okay, I have TRIED to be really good this year. I have eaten my veggies and fruit, I have gotten up at ridiculous hours of the morning to exercise. I have home schooled three children while taking care of the energizer bunny (A.K.A. Tigercub) and all of them are still living and will only require a few years of therapy I feel certain.
Well, I promised to keep this brief. We will have the usual boiled custard, sugar cookies and fudge waiting for you and the oatmeal and carrots for the reindeer. See you in a few days and if you can't get to this, I totally understand. There is always next year...right?
Sincerely,
One Mom in need of HELP!
Friday, December 19, 2008
I Hope My Pants Will Fit Friday!
My downward spiral continues, so I am thrilled to see we are taking a couple of weeks break. Thanks, Missy! Hopefully, I will use that time to get back on the band wagon and not fall further from it!
This week has been rough! Hubby and I have been up entirely too late too many nights. Tigercub has had two ear infections, Baseball boy had been sick, we have had threats of bad weather keeping us in the house and parties, etc. at tutorial, church....
Anyway, I have not exercised. Not one time. At least not officially. Chasing tigercub has GOT to count for something.
The fortunate thing is I have been so dad gum busy that I haven't had time to eat as much as I normally would so hopefully that is helping a bit. Today, I weighed AFTER I ate breakfast and I held steady at 133. Not the pound or two I would have liked to see gone, but no gain after a week of no exercise either!
Anyway, my little Fit Friday sisters, I'll miss checking in with ya'll for a couple of weeks! Have an awesome holiday and don't stress about the weight too much. In fact, I would like to highly encourage you to relax, kick your feet up and let me slide into the winning position to take that gift card! Cause that is the ONLY way I can win!
Merry Christmas!
This week has been rough! Hubby and I have been up entirely too late too many nights. Tigercub has had two ear infections, Baseball boy had been sick, we have had threats of bad weather keeping us in the house and parties, etc. at tutorial, church....
Anyway, I have not exercised. Not one time. At least not officially. Chasing tigercub has GOT to count for something.
The fortunate thing is I have been so dad gum busy that I haven't had time to eat as much as I normally would so hopefully that is helping a bit. Today, I weighed AFTER I ate breakfast and I held steady at 133. Not the pound or two I would have liked to see gone, but no gain after a week of no exercise either!
Anyway, my little Fit Friday sisters, I'll miss checking in with ya'll for a couple of weeks! Have an awesome holiday and don't stress about the weight too much. In fact, I would like to highly encourage you to relax, kick your feet up and let me slide into the winning position to take that gift card! Cause that is the ONLY way I can win!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What I Did Right
It has been one of those days. One of those weeks. One of those months. I have spent more time fixing what I messed up and doing what I forgot than doing what should have been done to begin with.
I have sent Baseball Boy to bed in tears two nights in a row. Because I have failed to teach him how to clean a room and to keep his mouth shut and not talk back.
My house is a COMPLETE disaster because I am an organizational nightmare (but a professional organizer's dream, they could make a mint off of me!).
I was 30 minutes late to work today because I got half way there and realized we had left Dancer's Christmas party gift at home. We had to turn around and go back.
I have spent a ridiculous amount of money at the grocery store in the last two weeks, but we have NOTHING to eat!
I have enough coupons to fill a book or three because I have great plans to save major money, but I KEEP FORGETTING TO USE THEM!
I am publicly participating in Fit Friday but I haven't exercised in over a week and let's not EVEN get into what I have been putting into my body!
I fall into bed every night (or morning) at a ridiculous hour knowing I haven't accomplished 3/4 of what I needed to!
But today---I did one thing right. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of that one thing for proof, but let's not dwell on the negative.
You see, I am a teacher. And as a teacher, I have been the recipient of a lot of teacher gifts. And while I appreciate the love and thought behind every one, after awhile, you just stop getting excited about the World's Greatest Teacher ornament or the bracelet covered in apples. And so, my mission every year is to find affordable teacher gifts that they can actually use. I have done movie baskets, gift cards for bookstores and a cup of coffee, etc. but this year, I topped myself!
I purchased some really cute reusable bags from Pier One that looked similar to this only the patterns were great:
I have sent Baseball Boy to bed in tears two nights in a row. Because I have failed to teach him how to clean a room and to keep his mouth shut and not talk back.
My house is a COMPLETE disaster because I am an organizational nightmare (but a professional organizer's dream, they could make a mint off of me!).
I was 30 minutes late to work today because I got half way there and realized we had left Dancer's Christmas party gift at home. We had to turn around and go back.
I have spent a ridiculous amount of money at the grocery store in the last two weeks, but we have NOTHING to eat!
I have enough coupons to fill a book or three because I have great plans to save major money, but I KEEP FORGETTING TO USE THEM!
I am publicly participating in Fit Friday but I haven't exercised in over a week and let's not EVEN get into what I have been putting into my body!
I fall into bed every night (or morning) at a ridiculous hour knowing I haven't accomplished 3/4 of what I needed to!
But today---I did one thing right. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of that one thing for proof, but let's not dwell on the negative.
You see, I am a teacher. And as a teacher, I have been the recipient of a lot of teacher gifts. And while I appreciate the love and thought behind every one, after awhile, you just stop getting excited about the World's Greatest Teacher ornament or the bracelet covered in apples. And so, my mission every year is to find affordable teacher gifts that they can actually use. I have done movie baskets, gift cards for bookstores and a cup of coffee, etc. but this year, I topped myself!
I purchased some really cute reusable bags from Pier One that looked similar to this only the patterns were great:
Then, I cooked and froze approximately 7 million (okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but that is totally what it felt like) meatballs. I put a box of whole wheat spaghetti, a can of sauce, the meatballs, a loaf of french bread and some homemade brownie mix in the bag and added a tag with some cute little poem fit for the occasion!
A Christmas blessing from our house to yours,
A pre-cooked meal to help with the chores.
Just a small little thing to tell you Thank you,
For teaching our children the things that you do!
Today, I brought those meals in a bag to tutorial and the teachers LOVED them! It is perfect for this time of year when things are crazy and you need something quick and easy!
So, I have done a lot wrong lately, but this, I did right! Thought I would share the idea...a little late, I know, but in case you need a gift idea at the last minute. It is one thing that won't go wrong!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Recipe Swap
Okay, in case anyone needs a quick, easy, delicious recipe for the holidays. This one has bailed me out twice already. It only has 5 ingredients all of which I almost always have on hand and it is really quick and simple. It also tastes awesome, if you like coconut, which I do!
Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
4 cups shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup flour
1 ½ cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix milk, coconut and vanilla until blended. Add flour and blend well. Stir in chips. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased foil-lined cookie sheets. Bake 8-9 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Let cookies cool completely on the sheets. Carefully remove form the foil.
Enjoy and if you make 'em, let me know what you think!
Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
4 cups shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup flour
1 ½ cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix milk, coconut and vanilla until blended. Add flour and blend well. Stir in chips. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased foil-lined cookie sheets. Bake 8-9 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Let cookies cool completely on the sheets. Carefully remove form the foil.
Enjoy and if you make 'em, let me know what you think!
Favorite Christmas Songs
Musings of a Housewife posted a top ten list of favorite Christmas Songs today. Since I can't concentrate long enough for an intelligible post about anything else, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon. So, here are mine:
1. O Holy Night- by just about anyone, I LOVE that song!
2. I Am You Are-by The Martins
3. Hand of Sweet Release-Gaither Vocal Band
4. Do You Hear What I Hear-Vince Gill
5. White Christmas-Bing Crosby (of course--however, I could probably go ahead and round out the list by adding the entire soundtrack to White Christmas which is THE BEST Christmas movie ever made, thank you very much!)
6. Joy to the World-Avalon
Okay, as I am typing this, I just realized a desperate need to update my Christmas music...because beyond music from the cd's previously mentioned, all we have are kids Christmas Music, I will henceforth be mentioning songs from the previous listed artist. Please feel free to leave recommendations for new Christmas albums.
7. Still the Greatest Story Ever Told-Gaither vocal Band
8. Heaven's Child-The Martins
9.Christmas Song-Avalon
10. Let There be Peace On Earth-Vince Gill
Okay, why did I start this? Quite embarrassing, my lack of updated music! So, what are your favorite Christmas songs and PLEASE let me know what my next Christmas music purchase should be...and if it has "for kids" in the title...please, save you typing fingers!
1. O Holy Night- by just about anyone, I LOVE that song!
2. I Am You Are-by The Martins
3. Hand of Sweet Release-Gaither Vocal Band
4. Do You Hear What I Hear-Vince Gill
5. White Christmas-Bing Crosby (of course--however, I could probably go ahead and round out the list by adding the entire soundtrack to White Christmas which is THE BEST Christmas movie ever made, thank you very much!)
6. Joy to the World-Avalon
Okay, as I am typing this, I just realized a desperate need to update my Christmas music...because beyond music from the cd's previously mentioned, all we have are kids Christmas Music, I will henceforth be mentioning songs from the previous listed artist. Please feel free to leave recommendations for new Christmas albums.
7. Still the Greatest Story Ever Told-Gaither vocal Band
8. Heaven's Child-The Martins
9.Christmas Song-Avalon
10. Let There be Peace On Earth-Vince Gill
Okay, why did I start this? Quite embarrassing, my lack of updated music! So, what are your favorite Christmas songs and PLEASE let me know what my next Christmas music purchase should be...and if it has "for kids" in the title...please, save you typing fingers!
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