And it goes on...

I got the mail today.

There's a $200 money order

From "A Sister in Christ"

If you're out there Sister... please know you were a TOTAL answer to prayer.

Fireside Chats with Gert

Ok... it wasn't fireside.. it was in the car on the way to school. And you should know that in Gert's world things need to be fair and balanced (look out Fox News)... if you ask her "which do you like better pizza or cheeseburgers." She will tell you "both"... she just doesn't want anything to feel left out.

Gert (G) - *sniffle*

Me (M) - Do you have a stuffy nose Gert?

G - Uh... since Autumn, November and December I have had a stuffy nose.

M - You mean October, November and December?

G - Yes... What's Autumn?

M - Autumn is another word for fall.

Pause

G - What's another word for Winter?

Pause (Thinking...)

M - There isn't one.

G - What's another word for Spring?

M - There isn't one.

G - What another word for Summer?

M - There isn't one.

Pause

She crosses her arms and humphs "WELL... Why is FALL so special?"

Time for something LIGHT & FLUFFY!!!!

I've been tagged by Sugar to do this Meme... and I feel the need to lighten up a bit so this is perfect!! (And after you leave me a witty comment, make sure to head over to Sugar's blog and say hi!!!)

1: What is your theme song this very second? Various Christmas Songs Why? Tis the season!!

2: What is your favorite kind of cheese? Oh boy... um... Gouda

3: Do you have an alter ego? Well yes.... I guess Lizzy is sort of... or maybe Beth is.... hmmmm I may need a shrink to figure that one out.

4: What is your favorite book series: I don't tend to read series a whole lot... I guess The Chronicles of Narnia.

5: What is your favorite food? Well... this sounds SO teenagerish, but pizza....

6: How many followers do you have for your blog? Last count, 72

7: Favorite Candy? Oh crud... um.... milk duds.

8: What is your favorite milk? Skim

9: Your superhero name (use your favorite drink and 2nd favorite color): Dt. Mt Dew Pink?

10: Are you a happy fluffy bunnysquirrel? No... a happy fluffy kittychick.

Oh - and here - just for fun - is a pic of me when I was just a smidge older than Sugar:

Count Your Blessings...

I bought Amy Grant's new Christmas Collection Album. It's a collection of her "best" Christmas songs, and then 4 "new" songs. (Well, new to her - 2 are covers) One of the ones she covers is "Count Your Blessings" which Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney did in White Christmas. (If you haven't seen that movie - it's on Friday night on Lifetime.. YOU MUST WATCH OR RECORD!!!) The song is basically what it says... when life isn't going so slick start counting your blessings.

Well, I can't say life isn't slick at the moment. Other than the whole "lack of $$ thing"... it's pretty dang good. And you know why? Because of my blessings. And I have decided to count them, and share them with you.

#1 - I am the mother to two of the most wonderful girls in the world. Yes, Saturday night I sent them to their room so there wouldn't be bloodshed, but on the whole, they are wonderful girls and thank God every day for the privilege of getting to be their mom.

#2 - All my life I dreamed of a man who I could love deeply and would be my best friend and true love. I had pretty much given up on that dream... and then in walked Mr. B. During what have been some of the most difficult times of my life, he has been a steady rock. Knowing that he is out there, loving me... wow... what that does for a gal.

#3 - My family looks a lot like other families these days - step-parents and half-siblings. And while the journey with that has at times been painful, I'm so thankful for what the beautiful blessings God brought out of a tough situation. No only do I have a mom who loves me even when I'm a turkey and don't call often enough, I have a Julie who adores me and my kids and is the best role model I could find for my hopefully eventual role as a step-mom. I have a Dad with a typical dorky Dad sense of humor. I have a wonderful brother & sister-in-law & nephew. I have the best sister anyone could ask for... who makes me laugh more than anyone ever... hands down.

#4 - My friends... I have wonderful friends that I have known a long time, and I have a whole crop of WONDERFUL new friends that I hope to have in my life for a LONG time.

#5 - A wonderful wonderful lady asked if it would be okay if she would help with The Ladies' Christmas. She asked me to send her a list of things, which I did, thinking she would pick one or two things from the list. Um... no... she got everything. I am so stunned and speechless. I don't believe in spoiling kids on Christmas, but with all the no's I have had to tell them this year, letting them have a bigger Christmas than usual is... such a special blessing.

Another special friend went and bought wonderful gifts for my girls as well. Things that my girls will just love. She did such a wonderful job even though she only has boys.

ANOTHER wonderful friend sent me a Starbucks card... oh Eggnog Latte.

ANOTHER sweet friend has paid for my lunch on more than one occasion, let me drink her Diet Mt. Dews and done a million other things for me. What a blessing.

#6 - My boss was out of the office last week. She was supposed to be out 3 days on training, but then got sick on the way home and ended up being out all week. I held things down pretty well, called the home office a lot for questions but in general kept things going. She's back today, yeah! Well, she sent me this e-mail:

"Were you still thinking about taking the Friday after Christmas off to spend with your mom?"

Now I WAS thinking about it, but since I'm still a temp, if I don't work, I don't get paid, and missing a whole days pay was scaring me.... but I REALLY wanted to spend the time with my mom, so I replied that I was. This is the e-mail I got back:

"That's what I thought. Just wanted to be sure. I wanted to let you know that as a small way to say thank you for last week, you are to take that day WITH pay, so when you submit your time that week, make sure you code it as if you worked. Okay?"

Um... yeah... you know me... I cried.

#7 - I'm healthy... my girls are healthy... there are so many who aren't.

#8 - I have a car that works.

#9 - I live in a safe place with wonderful landlords.

okay... there's a billion other things I could say here... I just want to encourage you all, when things start to look ickey this time of year... to count your blessings....

Somedays the post just can't be about Christmas...

50 random things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like cheese? Yes... quite a bit

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? HA HA HA!!! Does Bill Clinton like Ladies night???

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really...

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I know I'm not supposed to like them... but I do.

7. Favorite Christmas song? All time - Silent Night... Current - It's Christmas Baby

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Mt. Dew

9. Can you do push ups? I can do push ups. I can do ice cream sandwiches. I can do drumsticks.

10. Who is your favorite Grey's Anatomy Character? Well... i don't watch it but I know Patrick Dempsey is on it and I heart him.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? That I have now? My new snowflake earrings. That I hope to get in the not so distant future? you figure that one out.

12. Favorite hobby? Photography

13. Do you eat "exotic" foods? Does fish soaked in lye count? Cause then yes.

14. Do you have A.D.D.? Absolutely Darling Daughters? Yep, I sure do!!

15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Lack of self-control

16. Middle Name? Lynne

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm fat. I'm bloated. I'm ugly. (Damn period)

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Gas... that's it.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Skim milk, Diet Mt. Dew, Peach Tea

20. Current worry right now? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

21. Current hate? Situations I can't control.

22. Favorite place to be? Atlanta

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Um... I honestly don't remember!

24. Where would you like to go? Atlanta

25. Name three people who will complete this? You, you and you

26. Do you own flip flops? Heck yes. And I miss them.

27. What shirt are you wearing? a turtle neck & a sweater

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No... they're too slippery.

29. Can you whistle? Yes. My mom used to have a CB when I was little. Her handle was "Whistler" and I was "Little Whistler"

30. Favorite color? Blue

31. Would you be a pirate? Ay me mateys!

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Any and every song. Lately Christmas Carols

33. Favorite girl's name? (Other than my girls names) Molly

34. Favorite boy's name? Caleb

35. What's in your pocket right now? .47

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Someone who called on the phone.

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Gingham Dog & Calico Cat. Got them when I was 2. I still have them.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? Well... I guess the hole I bit in my tongue caused the most trouble.

39. Do you love where you live? Yes.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

41. Who is your loudest friend? Me

42. How many dogs do you have? None.

43. Does someone have a crush on you? I do believe he does. He could comment for the first time ever to confirm or deny.

44. Hmmm.. there's not a 44. I'll make one up. Do you get embarrassed easily? Heck NO

45. What is your favorite book? I can't ever answer this question. I love a bunch of books. But for all time, life long appeal, I'm going to go with "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

46. What is your favorite candy? Anything with caramel.

47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? yes, but sometimes my brain kind of mushes them together with the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.... "Come listen to my story of all about how my life got switch turned upside down. Then when day I was shooting at some hoops when up from the ground come a bubblin crude"

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Can Only Imagine (Amy Grant's version) and Amazing Grace

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Chatting with Mr. B, watching West Wing

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Ugh - I gotta get that tooth out from under Essie's pillow quick.

Santa He Knows Me

(First of all - this is just a random thing but I bought Essie new shoes last night - and they are a a women's size 9!!!! ACK!!!!)

Are you all ready for another Christmas story? This one doesn't involve a Christmas program though... sorry... I ran outta fuel for that fire.

It was a cold December evening. Essie had just turned 4, and Gert was just a little bean in my tummy. For SOME reason we found ourselves at Wal-Mart (BTW - Gert has renamed Wal-Mart, "Fart-Mart" and every time we go buy she says "ew... what's that SMELL?")

Essie was sitting in the cart, and I was just wandering through the store. All of a sudden Essie's eyes got HUGE... I turned to see what had caused it, and there was Santa. Not in his red suit, rather a plaid flannel shirt and worn blue overalls. But it was HIM. I turned to Essie and said "Is that who I THINK it is?" Eyes still wide with wonder, all she could do was nod. I said, "What do you think he's DOING here?" She kept her eyes trained on him, but whispered "Buying food for the elves." At that point we turned down an isle and Santa went the other direction. I asked her if she thought Santa brought the reindeer or drove, and she said she figured he drove to give the reindeer a rest.

As we continued to shop, we crossed paths with Santa several more times, and each time Essie just stared at him with wide-eyed-child-wonder.

We finally had what we needed and headed towards the front of the store to wait in line for 30 minutes to check out. As we got in a line, Santa was passing us again, only this time he stopped. And leaned over to Essie. And whispered...

"I'm keeping my eye on you..."

And he walked away.

Yes, Essie, there IS a Santa Claus.

For Unto You a Star is Born

In what is apparently becoming a theme week of Christmas Programs (?) I thought I would share with you how The Ladies play went this weekend. They were in our church's production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Gert was a Baby Angel and Essie was in the Angel Choir. Friday night was their first performance. I went and was right in the second row. The play is delightful and the actors did a wonderful job. Essie did a lovely job as an Angel - she looked a little nervous, but did so well. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take flash photography and Essie was back where I couldn't get a decent picture of her.

Gert. Gert didn't come on until the very end of the play. All the little Baby Angels file onto the stage, and in their cute little angelic voices, they all sing "Away in a Manager."

All, that is, except Gert.

Gert took it upon herself to liven things up with some good eye crossing:

Some tongue-sticking-outing:

Some jig-dancing:

And some general mayhem:

The audience was in STITCHES. Which of course only egged her on more. From "Away in a manager" to "Asleep on the Hay" she carried on... not singing a single word. But stealing the show none-the-less.

When the show was done and I was walking through the auditorium I heard:

"Did you see that little angel dancing and going on? Wasn't she precious?"

"Then that little angel started crossing her eyes and I couldn't stop laughing."

"Do you think that the little one at the end was told to act that way?"

"That cross-eyed angel - she capped off the show!"

I'll admit, there was part of me that wanted to scold her for her antics, but she was such a hit, how could I? We got in the car and I asked her what made her decide to do that.

"Well Mom.... I just thought the audience could use something to laugh at."

Heaven. Help. Me.

I went to all 3 performances. Sunday afternoon a lady sat down behind me and was telling her companions that she had been at the play Friday night and it was SO enjoyable and funny, but the funniest part was this little angel at the end who crossed her eyes and was doing a little dance.... And then I heard her whisper as Gert took the stage "That's here - that little one with the brown hair - keep your eye on her."

And Gert performed, and as she wanted, she gave the audience something to laugh at.