We went to the zoo again!

This week we got a postcard in the mail from the zoo, telling us that Santa would be there starting yesterday. Also, with our membership, we could bring guests! So, we went to the zoo with my parents.

Um... Hi again :)

My Thanksgiving weekend break from blogging ran a bit long - sorry!
I thought about blogging a few times, but didn't know what to say. I had a fresh blank post all ready and waiting to be filled, several times the past couple weeks, but then nothing would come out. That filter I mentioned once? It has been a real downer lately. I can blog about internal struggles all day long, but things that go on with my family as a whole - I just can't do it. But after some tense times and a near-hysterical breakdown one morning, we are hopeful things are looking up. At least my hope is back and the panic has subsided. (BTW, no I'm not pregnant. Don't start any rumours - that's permanently prevented.)
So what have I been doing?
I've been downloading lots of free Kindle books and reading. I love to read. I like these sites:
Kindle Buffet
Book Bassett
New Free eBooks Discovered for you Daily (She really should shorten that title)
I do love to read. Have I mentioned that yet?

We put up our Christmas tree. You can see one of our new windows, too.


(There's a little elf behind the tree, too!)

Saturday we watched our town's Christmas parade, the first one we've had at night. It was lots of fun, and the lit-up floats were beautiful.

Today I had to make an emergency shopping trip on my lunch break (RIP zipper on my pants) and found a cute little LIVE Christmas tree at Walgreens! I brought it back to my office to liven things up a bit.


Isn't it adorable?

By the way, when I was out at lunch it was 67 degrees. And Christmas is in three weeks.

Day 24

I'm thankful for naptime.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 21

Today, I am thankful for a four day weekend.

Very thankful.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 20

I don't have a photo for this one, so just insert your own mental photo :)

I'm thankful for friendship.

Everyone needs friends who support you unconditionally, who have your back, who cheer you on, and make you laugh even when you're a hysterical mess from stress. We have various backgrounds and perspectives and views, but also we all have each other.

I know it's been said, but I love all you crazy ladies!

Thank you for being there.

Monday randomness

I don't like egg nog.

I make a good salad. Today's consisted of spring mix, sprouts, sliced cucumber, pomegranate, and mandarine oranges, all topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Yum.

Turns out I make good hummus, too.

Peppermint mocha Coffeemate is amazing.

The frosting recipe on Pinterest called "That's the best frosting Ive ever tasted!" is misnamed. Either that or the writer needs to try more frosting. It was "meh" at best. Great consistency, though!

The countdown to the Doctor Who Christmas special makes me excited every day, until I realize that it's also the countdown to Christmas itself, then I panic. It's 60 today! While I love these temperatures, I cannot get into the holiday spirit when it's this nice out.

I think I'm more excited about my upcoming four day weekend than the holiday itself. I'm so tired lately.

Today we're getting new windows in our house. My husband is texting me photos of each window as it's completed, and I am loving it. I can't wait to get home and see them in person. Our old windows were horrible. Four of them wouldn't stay up by themselves, and one was duct-taped together to keep it where it belonged. Not kidding.

Last month we had new insulation put in our attic space. Instead of fiberglass that needs to be replaced periodically, we went with a radiant barrier insulation. Over the weekend we got our first electric bill with the insulation. It was around $100 less than the past few months. After the windows are complete, we're anticipating our bill will be half what it had been.

Day 19

I'm thankful for bedtime stories.

This book is one of Sophie's current favorites. We read it every night. She calls it the "Find sheep book" and delights in pointing out all of Bo Peep's wandering sheep each time we read it. There are other nursery rhymes also.

Last night, she was going to bed late. We were busy, trying to finish last-minute weekend things like getting the laundry put away. When she started wandering the house crying I realized how late it was & scooped her up for bed. Since it was way past her bedtime and she could barely keep her eyes open, I told her we would only read one book instead
of the usual two. I chose the other one.

Big mistake.

As soon as I finished reading about bedtime hugs for forest creatures, she started. "Want find sheep book!" And the tears. I thought she'd be happy if I just told her the rhymes.

Um, no. If looks could kill, I'd be a pile of ashes. She wailed and flew off the bed in tears. She really loves that book!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sad.

Emma at age six

Something has happened that I honestly didn't think would happen. The teenager stage of "My mom is an idiot and I can't believe I have to coexist with her" has been reached. We've always had such a great relationship that I just assumed hoped that would continue.

Apparently, I've fallen out of favor.

Sure, there are moments when she talks to me normally. But an increasing percentage of time she ignores me, or answers me with a tone of derision. I get the huffs, the eyerolls, the attitude for as little as saying dinner is ready. Heaven forbid I should enforce a long-established rule. You'd think I was an evil dictator.

She won't even return a hug anymore. If I get close enough to give her a hug, she just stands there. Nothing. Maybe if I'm lucky a half-hearted pat with one arm, but that's it. Forget our talks of the past, when she'd confide in me or tell me about her friends. Those days seem to be over, too.

And it breaks my heart. I miss my daughter.

Day 18

I am thankful that my husband successfully took two stink bugs outside without any incident.

However, I am NOT thankful for the one that was hiding and apparently I squished.

Ew.

Day 17

Sophie and I made a cake today.
I'm thankful for time spent together.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 16

Chats on the morning drive to school.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 15

I'm thankful for washable markers & patient pets.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 14

I'm thankful for playtime.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 13

Reading is my addiction. A good book is like a drug - when I force myself to put it down, I still think about it, wondering what happens next, forcing myself to wait until an appropriate time to read more. More than once I've been awake almost all night because I just couldn't sleep until I've finished a particularly good book.

I am thankful for free Kindle books on Amazon. The photo is my count as of last night. I also remove books as I finish them, so you can imagine how many I've downloaded!

I'm in book heaven.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 12

Yes, I'm thankful for Curious George. Sometimes, he is necessary for a little sanity.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone