December was EVENTFUL. I guess that's always the case with a toddler around. Started early in the month with Christmas planning and an oh so lovely dishwasher leak AGAIN! Had a couple things fixed over the summer, new lower rack basket, you know, pretty much everything we could to avoid buying a new one. Well, this one was the end of the old GE Profile that came standard with our Huntington home circa 2003. Even consumer reports advised against repairs....so we have a new one. Which happened to be on sale 20% off (small blessing). Oh wait, I spent the 20% savings on a new lower basket because we hated the one that came with it. Back to square one.
Being the handy and crafty bee-yatch that I am (oh yeah, I said it), I also decided that our garbage disposal switch was way to far away from the sink....you shouldn't have to walk to turn it on and stand there waiting for all to be processed before walking back.....so, I installed a sink top disposal switch, yes, all by myself. While it was a tiny project, it is oh so rewarding. Is it possible that dishwashing is 100% faster? Probably not, but it sure feels that way.
Mike's Christmas present this year was a rework of the media systems in our family room. I had our tv mounted, new blu ray which connects to the internet and downloads direct from blockbuster, netflix, and pandora (aaaaaaahhhhh, halo here please - see previous "geek" entry on my love for pandora), and connecting all blu ray and directv (on demand's free, sweet) to internet. Installer was great (thanks to Handy Andy for the rec), but I just couldn't leave well enough alone dang it! I had to make sure our RF remotes were working (look it up if you don't know what I'm referring to, or ask Handy Andy...you know if you know him). So I spent the better part of a WEEK NIGHT evening (by better, I mean until 1:00am) untangling wires, cleaning out unused cables and digging out our RF transmitters (look that up too) while wedged between the media cabinet and wall. Those cabinets are crazy heavy, so I could only move them so far on my own. Ouch my back, and my hammies??? Guess all of that straight leg bending did a number on me (out of shape, but skinny! Look out!). Completed that task too.
Did I mention that we have professional grade home theater RF remotes? Nice purchase babe, but the dude wasn't kidding when he said they would have to come out and reprogram them if we ever changed equipment. Toot, toot (my horn)! I found the software, downloaded it, bought special connector for pc, and after a minimum of 12 hours of frustration (who here thinks I'm impatient, suck it - oh wait, I think that!), I managed to program them, including creating little steps within the software so that they can turn everything off and on with one button. So, we had and used these remotes since a year after we moved in (2004?) but they became obsolete when our old DVD player died, we got a new tv, and a new directv receiver. However, hubby and I BOTH knew how to use them.....now for some reason, I am the only one. One day training to be held later this month on how to use them. BYO lunch, seating limited. HA!
And then came Christmas....major cold, the most debilitating I've ever had, but I digress and more on the joy of Christmas with kiddos later :) Loved the snow, the ice, but not being able to get up to make my peanut breakfast? a little too much for me, thanks again to the hubby for getting up and taking over :) Have I ever mentioned that when the going gets tough, hubby always steps up to the plate? <3 Sorry, feeling sentimental.
And so, Christmas ended with a clogged toilet and four rebuilt toilets. I guess they were just ready for some work. All at once, all the Tuesday following Christmas. Cha-ching.
Okay, done complaining. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts......sorry, doing a lot of thinking out loud tonight.
Christmas morning was FANTASTIC!!! (ok, other than me not being able to get up bc I thought I might hurl or pass out). First of all, my dad drove in to be here with us on Christmas morning, how spectacular. To see an almost 17 year old get excited about home made bo staffs (from Dad and Uncle D, not the most handy) was pretty cool. We went simple this year, and the kids were no more excited or upset. Makes you realize that it really is the thought that counts and the attention you pay to them that they value most, even when all they ask for is video games. Now, since Spence doesn't know what it's like to be spoiled, we spoiled him rotten! I had to sell his gifts to Mimi so that I could give him a little ride in / push car. It just seemed silly to give him a bunch of stuff he'll never remember and rarely play with all from us, so some were from Mimi and Opa, some from Grandpa and Peg, and some from Grammy and Papaw, but he got everything he (I for him) wanted! Now, he was spoiled, but really it was the rest of us that had the biggest treat when he saw his car from two rooms away and was running and pushing through everyone to get to it knowing it was for him. That joy is so undeniable, so simple, and so genuine. <3 that little booger. A day spent in your jammies can be like a week of vacation.
Again, toot toot, I forgot to mention I made my first prime rib Christmas eve. It was so good, no leftovers, and I made another one two days later to go with all of the sides! Yummy! I think we'll have to do that again soon in celebration of thankfulness (and gluttony).
So, thanks for listening, whoever sees this. My fingers are tired, but I am again feeling grateful and less sad for remembering all of the recent events that we have to celebrate. More than anything in the world, I love my family....all of them.....flaws (mostly mine) and all.
Alrighty enough pity partying again, here's some fun pics from Christmas. I'll try to add more later this week when I download pics from the New Year. Xoxoxoxo, E
PS - Dear Santa, I love my new camera, flash and tripod. I can't think of a better gift or a better way to remember this Christmas.
