So, on our way home from the pub quiz...I say to Chris...(and Julie agrees.....) that I think we should stop celebrating our wedding anniversary and just celebrate the years he's had to put up with my shit.
I thought that was genius. Because anyone who knows me, knows that no one else will put up with me.
I'm difficult.... ornery and very very stubborn.
St. Christopher. Oh shit, they already have one.
Sorry, Honey.
Our Christmas this year was nice and calm. Since Kenna is now the proud owner of knowledge that there is no fat man in a red suit- the holiday is sure easier. So, we decided ( I talked Chris into...) not wrapping anything. After my friend Sandy told me about just tossing it all in big Christmas trash sized bags, I knew that was the route for a Grinch like me.
The kids were spoiled as usual.... these brats amaze me. At least they aren't all Nellie Olsen about it.....
Yes and Jess too - I sent her one. Which was perfect timing because hers crapped out a few days before!
Mook's is bright green and Kenna's is bright yellow. Dorks. But, I can say, so far, it's the greatest thing.
It was quick and fairly painless - and thank goodness it was over. The best part? No trashbags full of wrapping paper.
Nothing to clean up, they took the crap out of the bag , oohhhed and ahhhed and then tossed it right back IN the bag and dragged it out of my room. Brilliance.
We had made plans to go to the Smiths for Christmas lunch and the Queen's speech. :)
I made mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, a shit load of cookies and took over some rolls and drinks for the kids. Julie handled the rest- it was really great. The tradition in the UK is to wear stupid hats at the table... normally they are the paper hats out of the Christmas Crackers but oh ...Julie has to go all the way!
Then we opened presents....
During this whole season - Mook was sicker than a dog, then Kenna got it...and she's still nursing it. She's stuffed and a bit miserable. She's on the couch today - watching stuff on her laptop - on the couch... with a box of tissues and some Sunny D .
I wake up feeling pretty good....
I check my email and there is a funny link from Jess (Prop 8-The Musical)
The kids got dressed and out the door on time....
As I'm driving home...and really really old dude who was shuffling along the street came over to the car while I was at the red light, tapped on the window and said...
"Well, thank you! It's been a long time since I've seen such a pretty girl first thing in the morning. You have given me a great day! You are a sweet girl!"
Awww, how damn cute was that?? In his overcoat and jaunty british man hat.....
I told him ...no, he had just given ME a great day for saying that!
It's gonna be a great day.....
...the Christmas season in England has started.
They played this for the first time on BBC Radio 1 this morning-
It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you
Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So Happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true
They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When he first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me
You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night
The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing Galway Bay
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day
You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
And thank God it's our last
The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing Galway Bay
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day
I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you
The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing Galway Bay
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas Day
THIS is Chris.... this is the way I'll remember him....playing poker with us, playing football in the yard with Dale and David..... and being a dork. :)
At 5am, our phone rang, and it was my friend Sandy- who has her finger on the pulse of the base. She tells me in her groggy voice that school has been delayed until 11am. I reset the alarm and snuggle down for a couple extra hours of sleep. I think (because I was still in a sleep stupor) that the phone rang again about 7:30. Sandy again - this time, school is closed for the day. WOOHOO! It's the kids first ever snow day. Kenna has a field trip today to see Cinderella the pantomine but.... not today!
Waking up at 8:30 was fabulous! We get up .....get Kenna up...and tell her to look out the window - and see that the backyard is totally blanketed. She's ecstatic and wants to play out there, and then says she doesn't care about the Panto - she wants to make snowmen.
Finally about 4:30 (since it was almost DARK) they came in to our house where they watched TV, played and did their general goofing until we kicked Millie out the door at 9 so Kenna could go to bed. We are pretty sure that there is school tomorrow..... much to Kenna's dismay. She wanted another day in the snow.
The snow... the winter. It's time to bundle up- keep the fire going - wear long johns and 3 pairs of socks.
This morning, it was cold and I bundled up my little baby -
She looks so cute in her little nepal hat and scarf. It's supposed to snow quite a lot tonight.... hopefully some will stick on the ground so that Chris can make a snowman with Kenna.....
What happened? Where did MY Kenna go? And why has she been replaced by some GIRL?
She and her friend Heather are cheerleading for the bases youth basketball league. It's pretty cute actually - but still... what if she never wants to play soccer again?
...of what happens at 10 year old girls slumber parties.
After the dancing, was Littlest Pet Shops, then they were each on a computer - messaging each other while playing Moshi Monsters, but all in the same room. Then, lights out - some giggling in the dark about people at school and their fave Jonas Brother...
All in all.... I feel that I have done the world a service... it's lifted the veil on the mind of a 10 year old girl.
You can all thank me later.
