So

Yes.  My Christmas tree is still up.

What?  Say something.  I dare you.

Confessions of a Talk-a-holic

1) I am NOT a show-off. I mean, I enjoy nice things (not that I can afford to buy anything nice as of late), but if/when I acquire something, it is not in my nature to go around showing it off. I *might* share my excitement about it with perhaps a few close friends, however.

2) It's NOT only about me. In other words, I can have conversations about funny things that happened to me, or things I overheard, etc... but I don't seek out to tell others all about me. (or at least, I try not to.) And in a relationship, I am more of a "people pleaser". I like to do things for the other person, like cook or help them clean, etc. And when it comes to things like TV, I often forsake my preferences to watch what the other person wants. Things like that...

3) I am NOT good at taking a compliment. That sort of attention makes me a tad uncomfortable. Part of me feels like if I say "thanks", I am somehow being conceited... or at least not humble. Logically, I realize there is a difference. I am working on it, and I am much better now than I used to be.

Okay... all of THAT being said, I will admit to THIS:

I ENJOY ATTENTION.

There, I said it. Whew! I mean, I am a writer at heart, and would blog even if I had 0 followers and 0 comments. Though, I admit that I prefer comments and followers. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "I am a bloggy comment whore!" Additionally, I admit that I sort of like making slight ruckuses on FB. Many times I update my status bar with things that are slightly ambiguous, such as "just found a bruise in a very odd place", because I KNOW it will invoke curiosity. I am sort of an exhibitionist in that respect.

I don't know how to explain it except that in many places where you're supposed to behave a certain way (at church, the grocery store, an office, his parent's house, etc.) I often have this insatiable urge to act another way. I think it's the thrill that I *might* get caught.

I am not a thrill-seeker when my life may be at stake (sky-diving, etc.)... but, I *do* like attention.

What about you? Anything YOU'D like to confess??? ;)

Keepin' it Real with Christmas Tree Confessions

Today is Monday, January 26, 2009.

I have just finished reading Megan's funny "not me Monday" (see shout-out) and all of a sudden a realization hit me.

My Christmas Tree is *STILL* up!!!

No, I am not talking about the one that is *downstairs* in the family room. (Y'know the one that I had already "accidentally" left up all year LAST year, and then just dusted off the cobwebs and called it good for last month - which by the way is still up too.) No. I am talking about the tree in my *front room*. The BIG tree. THE tree. In fact, I think the bulbs may still be on. Yikes.



Ok - in my defense, I will say this:



1) I don't enter the house through my front door, ergo I never see the tree.

2) I rarely use the front room, except to answer the front door or play the piano or entertain visitors.

3) I have been too busy these days to be home when someone comes to the door, practice the piano, or even have visitors.

4) I have been under a lot of stress lately.

5) ... I'm sure there is a #5 reason...



Anyway. There you have it. My Christmas Tree Confession. I think it is the thought of taking it all down and putting it all away that overwhelms me. I have really felt overwhelmed lately. What is my problem?


I know one thing is for sure... I *will not* leave this tree up for a full year. I have just made myself that promise, in writing, 100 times on the blackboard.


By the way - anyone want a fully decorated tree? It's 7 ft. tall, decorated with chocolate brown and red trimmings and all you have to do is come and haul it away!

Dear Santa,

I stayed up way past my bedtime on several occasions. Sometimes, talking with friends and neighbors. Sometimes making a middle-of-the-night Wal-mart run. Sometimes baking or cleaning or reading or watching my DVR-recorded shows. Sometimes, just tossing and turning, and yes - sometimes blogging. I have not been very good at getting to bed on time.

I ate too much. I stuck to my diet/"life change" the first part of the year and did an awesome job. But eventually, I missed my dear old pals Sugar and Bread and all things Sauce. I gained most of those nasty pounds back. I know I shouldn't have eaten all the junk I have. I knew better and did it anyway.

I got lazy. I admit, there were plenty of nights this past year in which I went to bed with dirty dishes still in my sink. I went several days without doing any laundry. I even went a whole month without cleaning my house (I believe it was August or September, or somewhere around there). It wasn't to the level of filth or bad enough to call child welfare services. However, it was bad - worse than it has probably ever been. I'm so ashamed.

I forgot... lots of things. Dr. appointments, kid's needing to be picked up at school, commitments I had made, friends birthdays, mailing bills on time. There were lots of things I could be held negligent for. None of it was done intentionally, mind you, Mr. Santa. Just all plain forgetfulness.

I may have peed my pants a little...just once. My friends and I were laughing so hard that I was crying and of course had to pee. I made a dash for the toilet. And made it on time - for the most part - though there may have been one teensy weensy little dribble that escaped. Totally not my fault. I shouldn't have such funny friends and family!

I've stayed out past curfew. Guilty as charged. It's just hard for me to wind things down once they get started and I am having a good time. I always tell the babysitter the "approximate" time I intend to be home. However, I confess, I am usually late by an hour...or two. Whew! Good thing my babysitter doesn't charge overtime, though he's asked. I just gently remind him, that being my oldest son, I gave him life. I brought him into this world, I can take him out.

Mr. Santa, these only scratch the surface of all of the naughty things I have done this year. And I won't even start to make promises to change, because I probably won't keep half of them and that would make me a liar, just adding to that list of naughty things. But the thing is I really, really, really don't want to be on that "naughty" list of yours. In fact I am writing to beg for mercy and to request that my name be transferred to the "nice" list. Speaking of lists... I could really use some "nice" on Christmas morning.

A chance to sleep in until I wake up on my own.
A little peace and quiet, with the soft sounds of Christmas in the background.
A warm cup of cocoa with extra marshmallows.
Snow that only falls on the yard and not on the drive or walkways.
Just enough gifts to bring my kids joy and just enough laughter to help make memories.

That is really all I want for Christmas this year Santa. So you see - I really could use a little extra mercy in regards to that whole naughty/nice thing. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your reply (fingers crossed).

Ten Guilty Pleasures

In no particular order...here are 10 of my guilty pleasures...

1) I like to buy "PEEPS" candies and remove the cellophane wrapper and let them get a little stale/hard. I LOVE eating hard peeps...mmm.

2) Soaking in a HOT bath for an hour at least once per week.

3) Taking a *minimum* 2 hour nap on Sundays (the kids have seen me without my weekly nap... better to let me sleep undisturbed.)

4) Scrapbooking or working on another "fun" project instead of doing housework.

5) Recording (DVR) all of my fav TV shows, and then "wasting" a rainy/cold day watching ALL of them.

6) Making myself a peanut butter and chocolate frosting sandwich on soft bread while engaging in #5. Better yet if I just bring the entire loaf and both jars with me, so I can continue to eat without disturbing my viewing pleasure.

7) Massages! I used to get one EVERY FRIDAY, no lie. It was a guilty pleasure that I had to give up, sadly, when I became a single mom. Just can't justify the expense. (My weekly therapy sessions were about the same in cost, and I didn't have to tip my counselor, lol!)

8) Romance Novels. Now, I don't mean the smutty kind either. I like pretty much anything written by Nicholas Sparks. Though I have also started a few other authors. I just love a good love story with a happy ending.

9) Baking! All I need to hear from one of my kids is, "I wish we had brownies (or cookies, or cake, or pie...)" and I am searching through my recipes. I love any excuse to bake.

10) Rainy Days! Seems like an odd guilty pleasure, I know. But, if I do not have to work, I let "rainy days" be my excuse for anything/everything! On cold rainy days, I don't feel like getting out of bed. I just wanna snuggle the blanket a little closer, and stay in my flannel jammies. And when I get hungry, order a pizza! I have come to realize that Pizza is the PERFECT rainy/snowy/cold day food! oh - and by the way, this is great to do in conjuntion with #5, while saving #6 for dessert! hahaha!

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Socks, Sheets & Shenanigans

So, I was over at Tulsi's checking things out, when she confesses hating wrinkles in her sheets, and the need to wear socks to bed. I laughed because, I saw a bit of myself in that. So, in the spirit of confessionals, I too will share a few of my mindless bedtime habits and/or obsessions.

Many of you know how much I HATE feet - Bare feet, that is. If you're gonna wear flip-flops or sandals, or ANY open-toed shoes, may I suggest polishing those piggies? Oh - and if you insist on walking around barefoot, may I kindly request that you NOT show me the (black) bottoms of your feet? Thanks.

Ok - with that being said, the other thing I HATE is when my bare feet touch the SHEETS!!! I know, weird! But I HATE the way basic sheets feel on my skin - ewww - like nails on a chalkboard! ugh! I think it started when we moved back to Indiana from Hawaii. I had to re-adjust to the dry winter weather, and my feet always seemed dry. Aside of lathering them up with lotion each night, I started the habit of wearing socks to bed! And if I do not have socks handy, then I must tuck my blankie around my feet. Now, this is not just at night either. If I lay down to take a nap, on come the socks. It's just a lot easier than having to deal with those yucky sheets!

I know what you're thinking..."how did she - um...y'know..." The answer would fall somewhere in the "yes I wore socks, but not always" category! Anyhow - it doesn't matter at the moment, as I am a "Born-Again-Virgin" , thanks to the divorce. (Sorry, I digress.) Anyway, currently I just have to worry about sleeping in socks.

About 3 years ago however, I did discover the PURE JOY of HIGH THREAD-COUNT SHEETS!!! I came across a package of 950 thread count Egytpian Cotton Sheets for about $50 at TJMaxx. I figured, "What the hay!" and bought them. I FELL IN LOVE!!! Since then, I cannot go back to basic 250 thread count or ANY type of percale (gross). In fact the minimum thread-count I will buy is around 800, and TJMaxx is sooo much cheaper than other dept stores, which for the same quality would be about 4 times as much. The ones on my bed at the moment, may I say, are 1000 Thread-Count, brushed cotton sheets. Oh, the luxury. Oh the love.

The other thing I tend to do at night is wake up to "Turn the Pillow". Yes, you heard me. I MUST have a COLD PILLOW!!! It has to feel clean and crisp. Not hot and drooled on. Therefore, several times through-out the night, I awake to turn the pillow in search of a "cool" spot. And, of course, my hair has to be completely off of my face.

Speaking of Pillows...I need one pillow for my head (that's a given), one for under or in-between my knees (I have a rotated pelvis - fun!), and then I need two more for my hand!!! Yes, my hand must be sandwiched between two pillows. I sleep on the right side of my bed, and when I sleep on MY right side, my arm goes up under my pillow, which then leaves my hand to "fend for herself". So, I prefer to sandwich it between 2 pillows. So that is FOUR pillows!!! If I am on my left side, then my left arm can be sandwiched between the mattress and only one pillow.

Last but not least, I like to have the air circulating in the room, so that I do not get too hot & sweaty! This is because I HAVE to have the quilt snuggled ALL THE WAY UP TO MY NECK!!! Needless to say. doing so makes me quite hot, thus, the ceiling fan and/or air has got to be on.

Well - that about sums it up with the socks, sheets and shenanigans. Hmmm, it's a lot more complicated than I initially thought it would be. And I wonder why I have a hard time falling asleep...[yawn]...