Bling Bling Ka-ching said the four eyed girl

After considerable denial, procrastination, and behaving downright miserly I finally surrendered and trekked over to the local optometrist to have my vision checked. Granted I have always had 20/20 vision in the past, however, I recently noticed I was beginning to squint whenever reading print from a far distance. After locating a coupon for a $1 eye exam (in retrospect my naivety in spending only $1 was comical) I made the journey to the eye care center. As luck would have it, I actually need glasses. While the prescription I require is indeed minimal, I am slightly nearsighted, particularly in my left eye. In addition, due to the fact I am often in front of a computer while working, I also need glasses whenever I am typing or reading for prolonged periods of time. The silver lining throughout this ordeal is the fact I do not have to wear either pair of glasses at all times (primarily only when driving, reading or typing for prolonged periods of time). Naturally I fell in love with the most expensive designer pair (Michael Kohrs to be exact) and subsequently purchased the glasses (which will arrive early next week). While I paid dearly for the glasses I have at least found some small comfort in knowing that if I must wear glasses I will certainly be styling and profiling.

Favorite Things #952

1. Large, extra long, soft, loopy scarves tied intricately

2. Freshly cut Christmas trees

3. Paula Dean’s Secret Pumpkin Pie Candle

4. Tempurpedic mattresses

5. Pure Beech Sheets from Bed, Bath and Beyond

6. Burberry perfume (both the London and Britain scents)

7. Fluffy down comforters and pillows

8. Bic Roller ballpoint pens

9. Weight Watcher Giant Fudge Bars

My Favorite Christmas Movie

My Favorite Holiday Movies:

Elf (my absolute favorite)

Love Actually (easily my second favorite)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (this was a very close tie with Love Actually and Elf)

The Holiday

A Christmas Story

The Santa Claus I, II, and III (however the original is easily my favorite)

The Grinch (personally I think the cartoon version is best)

Polar Express

Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas (cartoon version from the 80’s)

Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

Fred Claus

Christmas with the Kranks

Home Alone (without question the original version is the best followed closely by the sequel)

Bad Santa

Quote of the Week

Preface: After watching multiple Christmas movies ranging from Elf to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, I asked Caleb the following question:

Me: “Caleb what’s your favorite Christmas movie of all time”?

Caleb: “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer”.

Soapbox Moment

Pardon the intrusion but I must once again step onto my soapbox and vent my outrage over the recent controversy surrounding gays openly serving in the military. Since the beginning of time, military personnel have courageously served, sacrificed, and endured unspeakable horrors in order to fight and honor their respective countries. Without question, gays have served in the military (albeit hiding their sexuality) as long as wars have existed. In all honesty, would actually “being openly out in the military” really change anything? With respect to the United States government, all persons deserve the right to life, liberty and justice. As Americans we should all be entitled to the freedoms afforded to all Americans and should be outraged by those who vehemently fight to discriminate against such persons they deem different than themselves. I personally find it appalling whenever I hear comments such as “hate the sin but love the sinner”. I find such statements not only degrading but downright hypocritical. I personally cannot fathom a God who would pass judgment on persons who are gay. Though many may disagree, I sincerely believe homosexuality is often biological and a person born gay can no more change their sexuality than sprout wings and fly. How fortunate we live in a country where freedom of expression exists. I truly believe our country’s forefathers would be appalled at our current lack of tolerance towards persons of a different sexuality. Furthermore, what type of example as the primary world leader are we setting for the rest of the world? As Americans we condemn dictators who persecute women (via limiting their ability to achieve an education, dress in a manner of their own choosing, etc.). What gives the United States the right to criticize others when we in fact do the same things to some of our very own citizens? Perhaps even more controversial is my firm belief in equal rights for gay people-specifically the right to marry and be awarded the same benefits as heterosexuals who choose to marry (consequently in areas in which gay marriage is legal the divorce rate is dramatically lower than that of married heterosexual couples). Whenever I overhear such hatred and derogatory comments directed towards gays and lesbians I cannot help but think of the “Golden Rule”- that is, “Due unto others as you would have done unto you”. For just one moment I wish each person could experience the pain and discrimination frequently faced by those who are judged and criticized for being gay.

Babies on the Brain (just not on my brain)

Well call it a case of baby fever but it seems everyone I know is pregnant right now. At my place of employment alone I have several close coworkers that are pregnant with their second child (and many had their first child less than 22 months ago-a feat I not only consider courageous but also downright brave). Don’t misunderstand, I adore children and in fact spent much of my undergraduate college years working as a nanny for a family that had six children which at that time were all under the age of six years (they consisted of a set of twins, triplets, and a single). By all means, I adored my nanny escapades and to this day maintain contact with the now very grown up children. As many of you are already aware, my second husband and I conceived then lost a baby at 22 weeks gestation in October 2007. Essentially we lost our baby to an extremely rare and fatal affliction. The diagnosis was Sirenomelia, a non-genetic disease so rare that doctors equate it to the chances of a person being struck by lightning. Statistically, only 1 in 100,000 infants are diagnosed with this terminal disease. Primarily a child diagnosed with Sirenomelia does not develop from the waist down (including kidneys and other vital organs necessary for survival). At the time of our devastating loss I secretly hoped it was somehow genetic as that would at least give us some sort of explanation as to why this occurred. According to the obstetricians the chances of a subsequent pregnancy resulting in Sirenomelia is extremely rare. After much grieving, healing, and other life events (including a brief separation), my husband and I decided to try and conceive again beginning in December 2009. Following an early miscarriage in April 2010 we followed up with a genetic counselor who stated there was no biological reason for our recent loss and that miscarriages are actually quite common. My husband and I continued to try and conceive until July 2010 and only made the decision to stop trying after we experienced numerous positive pregnancy tests only to later discover the pregnancies did not progress. After careful though and consideration, we have come to the mutual decision to refrain from future conceiving. After all, we have a wonderful, bright, and loving nine-year-old son. In retrospect, we wonder if our inability to conceive was in some small way God’s way of telling us to pursue expanding our family in another venue. Specifically, my husband and I were extremely concerned about the possibility of conceiving a child that might one day develop Schizophrenia, a devastating and progressive mental illness that runs rampant on my husband’s side of the family. This is not to suggest that had we successfully conceived a child we would not have loved a baby despite his or her potential diagnosis but we have experienced firsthand the frightening and heart breaking effects that stem from Schizophrenia. For now we are content as a family unit of three (plus our pig, two hairless cats, and yorkie-poo). Perhaps one day we will consider adoption but for now we are content acting as “aunt and uncle” to all of our friends and families children. I truly feel blessed with my family of three and our wild animal kingdom pets.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Your…..

Please don’t ask me what’s changed during the last four years because I honestly could not tell you. Each year, without fail, we purchase a live Blue Spruce Christmas tree (a gorgeous, voluptuous tree that is my absolute favorite). Not only do I prefer live trees to artificial for their beauty, rather it’s the fact I am enthralled by the smell of fresh Christmas trees-after all, it simply screams out, “Christmas is coming”! With that said, this year something has changed. At first I attributed my sinus and allergy issues due to the erratic weather we’ve recently been experiencing (I mean seriously-on Thanksgiving day it was 68 degrees then on the following day it dramatically dropped to a mere 38 degrees). Armed with the conviction it was simply the weather I headed out to my local physician who promptly prescribed me an antibiotic, decongestant (AKA the whole works). Unfortunately I am now five days into my medicinal treatments and while I feel wonderful at work, outside, and even upstairs in my house I begin to feel truly dreadful the minute I venture downstairs. It hits me instantly upon entering the downstairs area - sneezing, coughing, runny/drippy eyes and nose, wheezing, etc. Dear Lord- we still have 27 more days until Christmas. How will I survive? I am not keen on the idea of spending the next 27 days upstairs simply because I cannot breathe. Furthermore, I have literally tried everything-cough drops, humidifiers, nasal strips and Afrin Nasal Spray (consequently the Afrin strictly states it should be taken for no more than 3 consecutive days—too bad I am on week 3). Oh Christmas spirit please help me not only survive but also enjoy our beautifully decorated tree. Amen.

"Tangled"

After nine painfully slow months of growing my hair back out it is finally long once again! Granted it isn’t as long as it was prior to February of this year but its well on its way (another three to four months should just about achieve my goal). Matt honey you did a fantastic job cutting my hair in February but due to what I can only describe as temporary insanity, I had you whack (I mean cut) nearly six to seven inches of hair off. I give you absolute veto authority to lock me in a tower should I ever suggest chopping my hair off again in the future. One would think I would have learned my lesson by this point…after all, I’ve cut my hair short numerous times throughout the years (and each time despising it simply because due to the thickness of my hair it only expands exponentially whenever it’s cut short). Thankfully (due to great genes and mega vitamins) my hair has finally grown out.

Excerpts from Lola

Dear Mommy-

You should really be proud of me. You thought I would try and eat the Christmas tree since it’s a live versus artificial tree but I’ve proven otherwise (though I do secretly sneak water out of the tree stand while you’re gone). I wish you’d leave the ornaments a little lower….I just want to nibble on them a bit. I’m really sorry about your favorite snowman you left sitting by the fireplace- I just couldn’t resist the wooden sled he was holding (but in my defense at least I only ate the sled and not the snowman). For Christmas this year I would really like some dog treats (I know it’s a bit cannibalistic but I really do like the bones with the stuffed pork in the middle). I discovered snow for the first time the other morning….not sure what I think about that. I liked licking it off the deck but my hooves combined with the snow made things pretty slippery. One last thing mommy, can you try and find me a sweater big enough for me to wear outdoors? I miss going outside but right now it’s just too windy and the leaves rustling loudly scares me. Thanks mommy.

Always,

Lola ^-^

Quote of the Week

“You’re not the real Santa. You disgust me. You sit on a throne of lies. Don’t tell him what you really want-he’s a liar”-Buddy the Elf

Preface: After watching the movie “Elf” with Caleb (for the hundredth time) Caleb made the following remark:

Caleb: “You know momma, all kids should try and pull off Santa’s beard whenever they are sitting on his lap because then you’d know if it’s really the real Santa or just an imposter”.

A Griswald Thanksgiving

Matt's mother and I decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner together this year. Initially all things were going well until I came downstairs and discovered billows of smoke. Perplexed I could smell burning plastic I then discovered Matt's mother accidentally turned on the burner with a plastic container sitting on it. Alarmingly Matt's mother thought it would be a good idea to leave the burner on and let the plastic "burn away". Unfortunately this was not a good plan of action and I had to utilize pliers to pry the plastic off of our stove top. Luckily the firemen were not needed.

Thanksgiving Blessings

I am thankful for:
My wonderful husband
My awe inspiring son
My sisters who delight me to no end
My animals who are mischievous and comical
My best friends who are always there in times of need
My parents who love us unconditionally
My spirituality
My love of reading
My health
My education and the opportunities it has allowed for
Our beautiful home
My strong marriage

Quote of the Week

Preface: When I went into Caleb's bedroom this morning I discovered he slept without any clothes on last night (completely atypical of him). Surprised, I made the following remark:

Me: "Caleb! You're naked as a jay bird!"

Caleb: "Mommy, I'm not a bird-I'm a mammal".