things are looking up

I did not take any medicine for sickness yesterday for the first time in 15 days. This may be a sign that I am getting better (though, my nose is still a little yucky!) GREAT!! Just in time for me to catch up on all of the things that I have neglected to do in the past 1/2 of a month (which is a list in itself) PLUS I have to get ready for:

1) the Holidays
2) the last week of school before winter vacation (including making my part of 29 gifts for the kids to give to their parents)
3) house guest in 13 days!
4) changing an office into a guestroom and a guestroom into a nursery
5) a BABY in around 58 days
6) planning a time to fit everyone else in

Mr. D. is as busy as ever and we are basically two ships passing in the night lately. Of course, my ship by the time I see him at night is usually a nighttime cough and cold medicine induced ship. This last half of a month has been a blur.

I did get out and have fun this week by going to Alice's Christmas program at her school. I also had fun eating my first (ok, and second) Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake of the season. Seriously folks, I live for the day these go out on the shelf because I always want one that is as fresh as possible. They are the best you know! SO, as my evidence to all that I love that this has been the craziest time for me. I stood in the store ( Stay tuned for the story on that one) and I almost started to cry when I realized that it was December 11th and I haven't even had one. It sucked. Though I couldn't dwell on it too long. And now, the story of the store.

There is nothing I love more than a theme. This years Christmas theme became obvious to me in early November and I have been so excited about it from the get go. In one of my grouchier moments of my illness I even told my Momma NOT to be bringing her non-themed wrapping paper into my house because it would just be ruining my Christmas decor. I guess this is why Mothers have unconditional love. Though I may have found a more tactful way to put it had I not been in the state I was in-- I totally MEANT it. This is the FIRST year that we are having Christmas at my house. Well I mean we have it at my house almost every year but it is just Mr. D., Me and My Mom. We started having Christmas the year my Daddy passed away because we didn't want to be at my Mom's for Christmas any more, and well it just kind of stuck. We open gifts, we watch a Christmas story, we eat, we don't talk about how sad we are. It's kind of going through the motions stuff. BUT, this year- we are getting the treat of a lifetime, My Brother, Sister-in-law and Niece and Nephew are coming!! I haven't seen the kids in a year and a half and I get SEVEN blissful days with them. Anyway, back to the theme, the gift wrap and the story of the store.

The theme of the D Family Christmas this year is ...................(wait for it)..............................A TICKLED PINK CHRISTMAS!!!! (for obvious reasons).

So began the search for the PERFECT gift wrap for the theme. The perfect shade of pink is a quest in itself, but I had to add that I wanted the perfect shade of pink and foil paper as well. Nothing like making the difficult impossible right. I looked at a few places around town when I happened to be there. One afternoon this week I stopped in at Hallmark- no luck (but I did get a great deal on those animal shaped bracelets). I looked online. I looked online again. I was beginning to get discouraged. Then yesterday, I had to work from 7-3 and then be back at school from 5-9. So I had a two hour window that I was going to devote to shopping since there wasn't enough time to go home and come back. I wanted to be shopping in all of the baby boutiques in the little town I work in, but no such luck for me. I had to get into the trenches. I am behind on everything you know. So I thought of a place that might have the paper. It was relatively close to work, but NOT in the best area of town. In fact a friend of mine once got mugged in the parking lot. But, sometime a girl has to do what a girl has to do. I did tell Kate where I was going in case I never made it back and she could at least tell the police where I had been.

I felt relatively safe going in since the it was surrounded by police cars and police with guns drawn arresting a guy. I knew no one would try anything with that kind of action going on. I ran from the car to the store. OK- it was one police car with a guy in the back being arrested, but I thought the other tale illustrated the true danger I was placing myself in. I made a plan that I would not buy anything more than I could carry in one hand in case I needed the other had to defend myself on the way back to the car. You know how most stores have the columns where you can check the price of stuff, well on this store's columns, there was a button you could push if you needed security. I think it's kind of cool that this store doesn't try to hide the fact that you are in danger. I guess if you are going to be a dangerous place, you might was well own it. So anyway, I had to find a few things so I shopped for them first, then the gift wrap. I had to get fruit loops for necklace making at school for the evening. I also got the Christmas Cakes, a two liter of diet coke (thought it would hurt if I had to hit someone with it), a bag of maple nut goodies and two kids games. Then I went over and started inspecting roll after roll of wrapping paper.

Santa- NO
Christmas Trees- NO
Disney Princess, candy canes, Christmas cats- NO, NO and NO

I was off the main row of boxes of wrapping paper and NOTHING that was perfect or pink or foil. Then I saw a name that I trusted (though I would NEVER take a stock tip from her) and I thought she might just have something in her collection. And OH HOW I WAS RIGHT!!! I grabbed the only three rolls they had and get the hell out of there.

I called Kate to let her know I was safe and then picked up the pizzas and headed back to school.

I know you are DYING to see the paper..................... but you have to wait. I will wrap some presents this weekend and do a detailed blog entry on it soon!

help from a couple of elves

This afternoon I got a special treat with a visit by a couple of Santa's Elves. They came eager to help with decorating. Eden worked on finding the perfect spot for the nutcrackers. (If you look you will see a pic of Mr. D. on the wall.)

Little Miss Alice worked on inspecting the ornaments on the tree. They met her approval. After the girls were dressed and ready, we went to Alice's school Christmas Program. We met Mr. D. after at Cozumel. It was such a fun night.

slow movin'

Christmas is coming along- but seems like an uphill road. We are decorating- slowly, but surely. I am trying to spread the Christmas throughout the house so it doesn't seem like over load. Here are a few pictures to show our progress.

The holiday plates are on display.

The Nativity is set up, complete with the pregnant Mary.

Here is a scene from our bedroom. Yes, those temporary firework pictures from July are still up. Maybe in the new year we will get out new pictures in the frames. I don't see it happening in the next couple of weeks, but maybe.

I put the ornaments on the tree tonight, but haven't tied the bow yet- so it's not blog ready. As for the nutcrackers................................................. maybe I will figure that mystery out tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am shopping, cleaning out the nursery, moving the guest room into the office room, planning and prepping. More photos later!

our newest addition

We proudly welcome the new addition to our nutcracker family. Now, if only he would climb up in the attic and bring down the rest of the crew.

the girl next door....

imagine a friend who would....
....come out at ten o clock at night
..........in the freezing weather
just to watch me push my new pink baby stroller around in the drive way.....Yep! That's my Julie!!

Thursday 13: my life in 13 numbers

6 - the number of Kleenex boxes I have gone through since coming down with the yuck on Saturday.

2 - the number of packages UPS delivered to my house today.

22 - the number of days until Donovan and Kaleigh get here.

512 - the number of days since I have seen them.

80- the percent Russell is coming to the PapaJohns.com Bowl.

3- the number of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that I have consumed as meals this week.

11- the number of school days left until Winter Break.

2- the number of little girls I can't wait to see on Saturday night.

3 - the number of days until I suspect the nutcrackers will be out and arranged

4- the number of social events we have been invited to so far this holiday season.

2 - the number of things I have thought of that I wish Kim would make this holiday season. Peanut butter and Ritz dipped in chocolate (for Jimmy) and corn flake candy (for me!)

1- the number of my wise men in need of repair.

40- the percent chance of snow for us on Saturday.

and she's back

I am feeling much better- not 100% but at least 80% so that's great. I am planning on going to work tomorrow and I can't wait to see all of my sweet little kids. I hope they have missed me as much as I have missed them. I realized how sick I must have been today when I looked out the window and saw the light up reindeer in the yard. I remember Clark (Mr. D's December name) putting the lights up, but realized I never went our to admire his handy work. That was Sunday. Tonight, I ventured out into the elements to check it out and he did a very nice job this year. Thanks Clark!

Another someone who was glad I am feeling better is Brady-rific. This is a picture I snapped of him this evening. He cracked me up just sitting at his food bowl waiting for dinner to be served.
I guess nobody cooks like Momma does. I did feel well enough to cook us some form of a dinner tonight- baked potatoes and garlic bread. It's a start. I served up some peanut M&M's for dessert. Nothing but the best for Clark and I. As for mister sitting at his bowl, the usual dog food with a small dollop of sour cream and bacon on top. Spoiled, I know.

Thanksgiving is all a blur now. We had a great time and of course made our big announcement. It was so funny in that Mr. D. was a nervous wreck until it was over. I could feel the stress radiating off of him and have never seen his desire for something to be so perfect. It was sweet. He made a movie, which I can't post here because it has way too much identifying information on it to the public eye. Sorry :( If you aren't in the know, believe me it was quite precious. Meredith was the first to figure out the deal-e-oh, or at least the first to say something out loud. I believe her words were "Holy Crap" but again, it's all a blur and I may be wrong. Meredith.......... clarification here............. Anyway, there was lots of screaming and hugging all around. I remember being so proud to show off that baby's sweet face on the sonogram part of the movie. It was a fun night. Mr. D. and I were no where near each other, so I don't know what happened on his side of the room. I will never forget how good it felt to finally let that cat out of the bag. Before we left Atlanta, Mr. D.'s mom gave me Henry's bib to bring back with the new baby next year.

Meredith and I went to the BabysRus. It was SO fun! She gave me tons of advise and was able to think of things I have never even thought of. With Henry only being 4 months old, this is all still fresh in her mind. She is one proud Aunt already. I bought the first real thing for the bambino. It is a sleeper thing that will fit nicely in the hotel. Meredith and I think it will be nice and it's much smaller than a pack and play. Meredith picked out a few precious sleepers for the sweet girl.
It was great! I can't wait to see the little lady in these. Speaking of cute clothes, when I got home, Meghan had left these for us.

One things is for sure, this is one well dressed baby already. They are all hanging in her closet waiting.
OK- since I am on a total rant of baby blogging, I guess I will continue on. The car seat and stroller have been ordered and are on their way here. I will let you know that the name of the pattern of her car seat is called Giselle. I thought it was very fitting for this Patriots family!