Thanksgiving

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We were supposed to go up to my parent's house near Chicago, but Rachel was sick earlier in the week and they were afraid of getting exposed to anything. So, thankfully, my in-law's wanted us! I'm sure it was a pain to add 5 to the dinner table when you'd already bought all the food, but they never flinched. Even if one of those 5 eats non-stop (that'd be Patrick...)

My parents, of course, had to dole out a healthy dose of guilt when I called later in the day. I was so confused why they were seemingly mad at me when they told us not to come. I got into it a little w/ my dad, before I realized that I don't need to try to win an argument w/ him. He never backs down and never apologizes, so there's just no point. I'm thankful that I have an understanding husband that I can vent to, however!

This coming up week is going to be very busy. Rachel is in The Nutcracker w/ our ballet company and starting today, she has practices every day except Monday, when she has 2 classes. It's all so fun, though! I volunteer on the Sewing Committee (which is hysterical, because I don't know how to use a sewing machine...but there's lots of hand sewing).

Off to pick up Ali at a friend's house, take her to Thornton at church, pick up Rachel, run to the store, then to Nutcracker practice. After that, we decorate the church for Christmas!

You've got to be kidding me

I know that soap operas are stupid. I know the story lines are far fetched. I somehow can look past the stupidity while watching Days of Our Lives. But, today....today they went too far. Here's the story line: Marlena (played by Deidre Hall, quite possibly the worst actress on TV) and John are flying to Canada in a small single engine plane through a heavy snow storm (the reason...well, that's far fetched too, but I don't want it to get too confusing). They start to have engine trouble (while they were making out...). Marlena decides that the only way they can land safely is if they lighten the load by her jumping out and parachuting to the ground. John says no, but Marlena tricks him into thinking she won't do it...but then she jumps out. Ok...stupid enough, right? Well, get this...she lands safely, with just a sprained ankle, and is found in the snow by a man carrying an axe. She is carried safely back to his house. She awakes to find him standing over her w/ an axe. She threatens him w/ a fireplace poker (sure...that'll work against an AXE!). He then takes off his hood and she realizes that he is....none other than....Smokey Robinson! OMgosh...I was screaming out loud at the cat about how stupid I was for watching this show.

But, yep...I'll turn it on again tomorrow.

End of an era

Rachel recently lost a tooth. She came up to me and was kind of hinting around about putting her tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy. It was obvious from the way she was talking that she was trying to tell me something. I said, "Rach, do you still believe in the tooth fairy?". She said, "I want money". She cracks me up!

We only have 1 child left who believes in the Tooth Fairy, Santa or the Easter Bunny.....how sad am I?

15% off

In honor of Cleanse Your Soul being chosen as Indie of the Week at Wickedly Chic, all readers of their site can get 15% off on all orders through the end of November. Check out the article at:
http://www.wickedlychic.com under Indie of the Week. If this website is new to you, check back often, as there are often discount codes listed from other etailers (not that you'd shop anywhere but at CYS!). Also, they have great articles and lots of other fun stuff.

Yesterday was stressful

I was sitting at the computer in our family room yesterday around 3 when I looked out the window and saw our cat. That's strange...our cat is an indoor cat. So, I got up and opened the front door....no cat. I assumed I was imagining things, so I scoured the house for Ozzie and couldn't find him. I did, however, find a window screen in the sun room that was out. A little background info: We have "lost" approximately 6 cats in the 15 years we've been married. Cats live with us for a period of time and then decide, for whatever reason, to hit the road. We even had a cat walk 10 miles back to our old neighborhood after we had moved to Chatham. So, when I saw Ozzie outside, I freaked. I called Thornton home and we both looked for him until I had to take the girls to dance. While I was at dance Thorn called to report that not only was Ozzie out, but Mia had gotten out too! Stupid dog. Thankfully Patrick can now outrun Mia, so she was caught quicker than usual. Thornton and Patrick had to go to the Hitting Center last night, so we couldn't resume our search until about 7:30 when it was dark out. We finally saw Ozzie and chased him to under our pool/deck. Over the next 2 hours, Thornton and I would spot him, but be unable to lure him back inside. Finally, we were able to get him near the front door, Patrick opened the door and in he ran! Ozzie ran straight to the bedroom, hopped on the bed and started grooming himself like nothing had happened. Did he care that Thornton had spent an hour crouched under the deck with a flashlight or that I had been face down in the leaves searching?? No...he was too busy grooming himself. But, I love that cat!

Alison started dance yesterday. All the way there she asked me if I could watch her. So, when one of the dads stayed for "watch week", I decided to stay too. Big mistake. Apparently Alison doesn't know what she wants, because she just stood at the barre and did nothing while I was there. I left after a few minutes and then I guess she did just fine. She must've really liked it, because she asked me after class if she could come tomorrow. I had to explain to her that once a week was plenty for a 7 year old.

Check out my business profile on http://www.wickedlychic.com . I'm the "Indie of the Week" How cool is that??

She finally caved!

Alison loves to dance. The thing is...she has never wanted to take dance classes. She's really happy with her one gymnastics class, so I've kind of stopped asking her about dance. Of course, every time she dances at home I tell her that she's not allowed to dance unless she'll take dance class...but she just laughs at me. Well, on Saturday, Alison and Rachel auditioned for a local musical (neither got callbacks...so obviously the director has no taste....) and she did really well at learning the dance. I tried one more time...and just asked if she'd like to start dance and she immediately said YES! I called Rachel's studio and Alison starts dance on Thursday. She is so excited now!! It'll be interesting because Alison is so different from Rachel, but I think she'll have a blast.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Yep...saw my first 2 Christmas commercials today. Normally, I would be a little bit upset that the holiday is being rushed so much, but for some reason, I'm in the mood for Christmas early this year. It's such an amazing time of year. We really try hard to focus on the blessings of the season and see the joy it contains. Of course, the fact that Thornton was writing a new Christmas song last night on the piano might've helped put me in the mood. The song is brilliant and so pretty. My hubby is WAY talented!

Trick or Treating was fun last night. I think it was a bit too much walking for my nieces and I'm sure my SIL is sore this morning from carrying Lauren so much. But, all in all...a great time. Dinner turned out nice, too. I made a ton of chili and thought I'd have a lot of left overs. I underestimated how much Patrick would eat!! He even came home from his friend's house and ate more!

No computer table still....