It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

My office was closed for the first time ever on the day after Thanksgiving. This has become the most requested day off of the year for the people that work with me. In years past I have walked in on people trying to bribe their supervisors to stretch the no more than two people off per team rule. More tears have been shed for not being allowed to have this day off than when the Pope died. Really. So, this year we decided to close the office. The stress of watching grown women cry at the prospect of not being able to hit the stores at 5:00 am finally got to me. In order to understand what the importance of this day means to so many that work with me, I decided to brave the crowds and shop that day myself. I begged, asked Pixie if she would like to come with me and she enthusiastically agreed (she's really working on the future mother in law points). We set our alarms for 3:00 am to be sure that we were on the road by 4:00 am. That's right-4:00 a.m.-as in- in the morning. Our first stop was going to be one of the big box electronics stores because everyone knows that the day to get the best deals on electronics is the day after Thanksgiving.(See how much I learned from my co-workers?). We pulled into the parking lot at 4:35 in. the. morning. to find the line already stretching two blocks down the street. I looked at Pixie and said-sorry sista-ain't nothin' worth THAT. We got back into our car and made our way to another store on our list. This one was already open at 4:45 in. the. morning. Things were looking good at this store-we were able to walk right into the store, make our selections-giggling to each other as we made our way up to the register about how this was the way to shop when we rounded the corner and hit a wall of people waiting to check out. Not just a wall but a WALL of people. I'm so not patient but Pixie really had snagged herself some good bargains so we decided that I would leave her to fend for herself  wait in line while I ran across the street to another store that was opening at 5:00 am. I struck the motherload there, stayed in contact with Pixie via cell phones and was able to make my purchases, load them into the car and drive back across the street in the time it took her to check out. We then headed to the mall. We actually did get some very, very good deals at the mall-so many in fact that we had to make multiple trips to the car. Alot of what was on my list of things to purchase were not drastically reduced but I decided that I might as well torture myself and get the bulk of my shopping done on this day since I was up and in the city anyway. When we got home we convinced U*Haul and X*Boy to put up the Christmas tree and I spent the rest of the day wrapping presents. I'm 90% done with my shopping which was a good thing. Would I ever do it again? No way. Never.

Party in Da House

Happy Birthday U*Haul! My baby boy is 18 today-where did all of those years go? The baby that came into this world on Thanksgiving day-right after the turkey was eaten and before dessert could be served is all grown up now. It has been such a joy to watch the transformation. U*Haul is one of those rare people that is highly intelligent and has a great deal of common sense. He is very confident and does not feel that he needs to follow the latest trends to fit in. I am so proud of the fact that it does not matter to this kid where his clothes come from, what kind of car he drives, etc. As long as he has clothes on his back and wheels of some sort he's cool. And that's the key-he is cool. The first truck he purchased when he turned 16 was an old rust bucket but he had a vision. He and his dad spent hours painting that thing and when they were finished they held a reveal-imagine my surprise when I went outside to find the old rust bucket painted...camouflage! He proudly drove that thing to school and within days there were other kids who showed up with their vehicles painted camo as well. He is a natural born leader. He never understood that whole pecking order thing-just ask his older brothers. He stands up for what is right-after he graduates I'll post more about that. He is compassionate. He has a big heart. He is my son. Tonight we will be feasting on fondue and chocolate and toasting him with non-alcoholic champagne. Should be a great party. Happy birthday baby boy...

The Floating Playpen of the Redneck Yachtclub

The ever fantabulous McGyver surprised me yesterday with a new computer! I am finally able to post pic's. For your viewing pleasure-the Floating Playpen!

Notice the Tiki torches, permanently mounted grill on the front, and if you look close you can see the green resin stackable chairs. The porta-potty enclosure wasn't up at the time of this picture but is situated at the back of the boat. As I sit here surrounded by 3 feet of snow, I sure wish I was back on that thing!

The Clampett's go to Texas

Remember my post about our trip to Texas in the truck camper? Here is the evidence to back up my story-notice the 2x4 brace?

The Clampett's go to Texas

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I thought it would be a great time to list the things I am thankful for:

1. My family. Really. I have the most amazing group of men that share my life. I have a husband that loves me, 3 boy men that are respectful, compassionate, honest and hard working. My days are filled with laughter at the antics of these guys. There are times when I wonder what I ever did to deserve this kind of love every day of my life.

2. My job. Both Lonny and I are very fortunate in this regard. He own his own business and I work for a place that really cares about its employees.

3. Financial stability.

4. Pixie and Princess. These two women love U*Haul and Chester with their whole hearts-what more could a mom want?

5. My extended family. I am blessed to be able to live a mile away from my mom, my older sister (Sugar) and I crack each other up every time we talk on the phone, my sister in law (Genious) is amazing in the love that she showers on our family. My cousins are an incredible group of women. Anyone that would happen upon these ladies could not help but fall in love with them.

6. My Friends. I have friends that have been in my life since childhood and some that have come later but I could not ask for better people to share experiences with. The highs and the lows, I can count on them to be there for.

7. My health. I still can't believe that the years on the calender say I am as old as I am-I'm healthy and still feel like I'm 25 (thank goodness since we're adopting, huh?)

8. Not starting Dreamsicle's bedroom yet. I know that sounds twisted but I am very thankful that I did not push to start painting/decorating Dreamsicle's room. With the increased wait time it would have killed me to have her nursery ready, just waiting for her arrival. I can now focus on the holidays and start to get her room ready in mid January which should help pass the time.

With all of the people who have suffered through devastation this year, I truly realize how blessed my life really is. Happy Thanksgiving.

Pity Party is Over

I'm over my little hissy fit about delayed referrals. After having some time to absorb the news I am okay. I have immersed myself in retail therapy for the time being. I'm no longer buying clothes or shoes (sorry Mary-Mia) but am purchasing things for her room and other assorted baby items instead. Oh what fun I am having with that.

U*Haul's football team lost their second round playoff game last week. It seems very strange to have watched the last high school football game that anyone from the McGyver family will be a part of. But life moves on...

This week was the birthday of the United States Marine Corps and it is less than a month until we head to San Diego for Chester's graduation!

I was having lunch with my friend B earlier this week (Hi B!)and I was telling her this story-I'm going to try to convey the scene for you and hope that you can picture how absolutely funny it was in real life-when I go to the gym I use the treadmill. I always look at a magazine (which was resting on the acrylic magazine holder on the treadmill) while I am huffing and puffing and sometimes it is rather difficult to turn the pages. So I was going to turn the page but at that exact moment my body had a power surge and instead of gently turning the page, my hand hit the side of the magazine and sent it flying-it flew off of the magazine holder on my treadmill and landed perfectly (on the new page and everything) onto the next treadmill's magazine holder. The lady on that treadmill looked at me and asked if I wanted to share the article with her. We both started laughing so hard that neither one of us could finish our work out.

Lame post, I know, but not much happening right now.