Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

 

Winter Storm Elliott is here and it's COLD!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve! It is cold outside! Winter Storm Elliott is here.

It showed up overnight with snow, falling temperatures and lots of wind. Ben woke us up around 4AM frightened because of the wind. Unfortunately, Bill had to go to work this morning. I am hoping he made it there fine. Our furnace is having a hard time keeping up with the outside temperature. Right now, it is 64 in the house and the heat is running non-stop. (We have a boiler system for heat, and I absolutely HATE it.) Thankfully, I had bought 2 electric space heaters to use as well. The kids and I are hunkering down in the living room, dressed warmly and covering up with blankets. It is supposed to be even colder tonight, so I told the kids we could have a sleepover in the living room. Benjamin is looking forward to it. 

We are currently watching the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol. Benjamin has been loving the different versions of A Christmas Carol. 

Well, I did find some motivation yesterday. I got all the laundry washed and dried. None of it got folded but that can be done today. Today I also need to wrap the last remaining gifts. I am going to finish watching the movie, and then get some lunch and then fold clothes. Wish me luck getting things done today. 

What are you up to today? Is Winter Storm Elliott affecting you? 

Winter storm is coming and NO motivation

Happy Thursday everyone! It is the calm before the storm. We have a winter storm warning and a wind chill warning starting tonight and going through Saturday. We are supposed to get 2-4 inches of snow, ice and winds blowing at like 65-70 miles per hour. I am thinking we will lose power. And check out these wind chills we are expecting...

 

I really wish that I had some motivation to get some things done today. It is already 11 am and I just don't want to do anything, even though I should. Although, I have a huge to do list. Maybe I can make a list and that will give me motivation...

• laundry (I want to get laundry caught up since we have the winter storm coming in.)
• wrap the remaining presents that I need to wrap
• get blankets out of Bill's van and sleeping bags out of my van in case we lose power and need the blankets
• pull trash bin and recycling bin back towards the house
• Clean up the kitchen

I guess the list isn't too bad. I just don't want to do anything. Thankfully I don't have to go anywhere today. If you do have to go out and about, remember to be kind to those working. Bill said he almost witnessed several fist fights yesterday while at work, and everyone was cranky. 

Do you have the winter storm coming your way? What do you do to try to find motivation? Wi

Making cookies

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today is the calm before the storm and the first day of Winter. We, like many other areas, are under a winter storm watch for the next few days. Looks like we are going to get a little snow, ice and a LOT of wind. I am pretty sure we will lose power but am praying we don't. Today, the weather was nice. In the low 40s with some sunshine peeking out. 

In regard to the broken oven situation... well, according to our lease, he does not have to repair the oven. It is up to his discretion whether it gets repaired or not. Our next-door neighbor, who is also his tenant, reminded me that her refrigerator died last year, and he refused to fix it or replace it. So, she had to go through rent a center to get one. We are making do. I have an air fryer, a crockpot and the stove top. Just makes it really hard to bake anything. 

Speaking of baking, today we went out to my mom's house to bake some cookies before the winter weather hits tomorrow. My niece and nephew helped make some peanut butter kiss and peanut butter cup cookies. And everyone got involved in making the sugar cookies. (I usually make kolacky and chocolate chip as well, but I just didn't have it in me this year.) So now, we have a ton of cookies to nibble on while we hibernate. (Well, the kids and I. Bill still has to work.)

 

Well, I am off to watch the Christmas movie, Scrooged, with Bill and the kids. 

It is one of Bill's favorite Christmas movies and he is introducing it to the kids this year.

I hope if you are in the path of this storm, stay safe and warm. Have you made Christmas cookies yet? What is your favorite Christmas cookie? C

Busy Day

 Happy Tuesday! Everyone doing well out there in blog world? I'm doing okay. I made the mistake of taking all 3 kids to the grocery store with me this morning, a couple days before a winter storm and a major holiday. What was I thinking?!?! It was crazy. The good news though is that I shouldn't have to get anything else at the store until late next week, when we will probably need milk and produce. 

I had to make sure that we had things to cook that didn't require the oven. Our landlord came out yesterday morning and found the problem with the oven. However, the replacement part he had didn't work and his supplier doesn't even carry the part anymore since the oven is so old. He said he would work on maybe finding a part, but who knows. It is frustrating, but it is what it is. 

The worst part is not being able to bake cookies with the kids. However, we will be going to my mom's house tomorrow to bake some cookies for Christmas. 

Today, Rebecca asked if she could make Oreo snowman cookies, so she has been working on that since they don't require the oven. Her and Ben are currently putting faces on them. They will be a tasty treat.

 

Today, the sun is out, and it seems like it is the calm before the storm. I have been pretty busy. Had to go to CVS to pick up a prescription for me and okay a prescription to be filled for Jacob. Then to Kroger. Home. Ate lunch. Took Jacob to pick up his new glasses and back to CVS to pick up his prescription. Thankfully all these errands are less than a mile from my house. 

In a bit, I will make spaghetti for dinner and then tonight Rebecca and I have church choir practice. We will be practicing all the Christmas music for this weekend. I am also working on laundry as well today. My goal is to have it done by Thursday morning. 

What are you guys up to today? 

 Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Saturday, I didn't go anywhere. I stayed home and puttered around. Bill took the kids out shopping and then he stopped and picked up lunch. Apparently, this is what makes up a Big Mac these days...

Nothing between the top and middle bun, no cheese, no onion, only 1 patty. LOL It's another sign to me that I need to watch portions and I need to focus on eating for health. That is going to be one of my new year's resolutions. 

Saturday was spent watching football. As Bill was excited that there was NFL games on. 

Yesterday, the kids and I went to mass. Then came home and I dropped the boys off. I took Rebecca to the store to buy Christmas presents for her brothers. When I came home, Bill took Benjamin out to buy for his siblings. When they came home, I retreated to my bedroom to wrap presents. I got the Santa gifts wrapped, and the gifts that I bought for Bill and the kids. While doing this, I watched the last 2 episodes of the Meghan and Harry documentary on Netflix, and another episode of the Crown. I am hoping to get the gifts wrapped that go to my parents' house today. 

Today, we have just been relaxing. Bill is working a 12-hour shift today. It is all part of the joy of working retail during the Christmas season. The kids and I started watching the Beauty and the Beast 30th anniversary special but quickly tuned out as it was weird. So, we turned on the live action Beauty and the Beast movie. This afternoon, I will put on a Christmas movie-- maybe "It's a Wonderful Life" or something else. We shall see. 

I also need to make a grocery list (first need to find out what I need to bring to Mom and Dad's on Christmas). We are expecting a big winter storm towards the end of the week, so I also need to prep for that. Maybe it will mean a white Christmas. 

What's going on in your neck of the woods? Ready for the holidays? 

I am on Christmas break!

 Happy Saturday everyone from cold, snowy Ohio! Today it is grey, cold and we are having snow flurries although none of it is sticking. I have good news and bad news. 

I'll start with bad news... our oven is broken. It doesn't want to heat. :( I went to make pizza for the kids last night and after preheating for 20 minutes and not signally it was ready, I opened the oven, and it was barely warm. I wrapped the pizzas back up and put them back in the freezer. Rebecca made the boys and her chicken nuggets in the air fryer instead. Bill texted our landlord this morning, and they are supposed to come out Monday morning to see if they can fix it. Thankfully, I have an air fryer, the stovetop and a crockpot to make meals. I hope it is an easy fix, as I would like to make Christmas cookies with the kids this week. 

Now to the good news... the kids and I are officially on Christmas break! Yesterday was our last day of school/ work for the year. It is one of the benefits of working in a school. Also, we were able to get to break without any of us getting sick, which is a miracle. (Although Ben did wake up this morning with a runny nose.)

Yesterday at work, I received a lovely candle and a candy cane from 2 students. And our maintenance man gave me a bottle of Fireball Whiskey. LOL 

Last night, Bill and I went out to dinner with my coworker and her husband at our local Mexican restaurant. I had an azul margarita that was pretty yummy! It had a lot of alcohol in it (it was their original lime margarita with blue curacao added to it) and I was a little tipsy when we got home. The kids thought it was hilarious. It was a nice way to start Christmas break though. 

Also, Bill decided to go with a new hairdo. He decided to shave his head. I think it looks good. He has been talking about doing this ever since we met (way back in 2004) but I didn't think he would ever do it. 

Today, I am working on laundry and just chilling. I am ready to not always be on the go for the next 2 weeks. I need to take Rebecca and Ben out to shop for their siblings. I already took Jacob a couple weeks ago. I need to wrap presents. 

How are your holiday preparations going? 

Winter Concert and gifts

Happy Wednesday evening everyone! Wow what a busy week it has been! I am so tired, but it is part of the season, I guess.

 

Monday night, we attended Rebecca and Jacob's winter choir concert. It was a beautiful night of music. Both kids did fabulous. Rebecca had 2 solos in some of the high school chorales songs. I look forward to this concert every year. It is amazing to see how the kids grow musically from year to year. Maybe next year, all 3 kids will be in it (we are trying to get Benjamin to take choir next year in middle school).

 

This week has been all about getting my Christmas shopping done. I wanted to be done before the kids got out for Christmas break. Also, the weather is supposed to get really frigid cold next week. Well, today I picked up what I believe is my last gift that needed bought... a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey for my dad. Yay me! Although I do need to take the kids to get a gift for their dad, and for each other.  

Speaking of gifts, I received a lovely gift from my coworker. She got me a homemade sloth ornament, a sloth car coaster, a fuzzy pair of socks and a reusable tote bag that folds up. It made me smile.

 

We also got an orange from one of the produce delivery drivers. 

I only have 2 more days of work this week, then I am off for 16 days! I can't wait. It will be a miracle if we can stay healthy going into break and during break as so many kids are out and hacking and sneezing and there are many staff members out as well. 

Tonight, the kids are writing out Christmas cards for their teachers and will attach them to a full-size Hershey bar. It is just a small token of appreciation for their teachers. I know that a lot of teachers, especially middle school and high school teachers, don't get appreciated as much as they should. So, I hope these little treats bring a smile to their faces. 

Well, I off to rest and listen to some Christmas music, if my kids allow me to! 

Hope everyone has a nice night! 

Candles and Carols

Happy Monday everyone! Hope everyone had a good weekend. Ours was busy but good. 

Saturday, I spent some time in the afternoon going through Christmas presents that have been bought and what is still needed. I am planning on finishing up today. Then Saturday night, we went to a local park for a "Candles and Carols" event that Rebecca and the high school choir was participating in. 

The high school choir sounded great singing some Christmas classics. The weather was great. It was around 40 degrees and not raining or snowing. 

I love the fact that they lit the tower for Christmas.

 

Yesterday, we went to church and then I spent 3.5 hours helping/supervising Benjamin cleaning the boys' room. He was in trouble so he had to clean all of the room, instead of having Jacob help. I didn't take any pictures, but he did a good job of putting things away and cleaning up (with me reminding him to stay on task.)

Today, I am hoping to finish up my Christmas shopping. Then I have to work. Tonight, we will be going to the combined middle school and high school choir concert, where both Rebecca and Jacob will be performing. I am really looking forward to it. 

What are you up to today? Are you done Christmas shopping? 

Ben's LAST elementary Christmas program

Happy Friday everyone! It has been a long week it seems, but we are finally at Friday. Thankfully, Rebecca is back to school and feeling better. She is still coughing but has been fever free and each day is feeling a little better. No one else has gotten sick... so keeping fingers crossed that stays that way. The flu bugs, Covid and RSV are running rampant in our community and actually one of our elementary schools is closed today due to the number of kids and staff that are out sick. It just adds another level of stress to the month.

We have also had a great event this week. We attended Benjamin's last performance at his elementary school. He had his winter performance. And it was a great show.

It was a good way to kick off the holiday shows for the kids. We have Rebecca and Jacob's Winter concert on Monday. 

Well, I need to get ready for work! Only one more week until break... not that I am counting down or anything! 

Have a great Friday! 

Wordless Wednesday: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Happy Wednesday! It is supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, but we are going to do semi-wordless Wednesday. We decorated for Christmas last week and I thought I would show off some of our decorations. We had to move a lot of our decorations this year due to the addition of the piano in our house. So here are our 2022 decorations.... Enjoy! 

I hope everyone is having a good, healthy Wednesday! 

St. Nick came and so did sickness

Happy Tuesday everyone! It is rainy and grey and blah here today. Rebecca is home sick from school as she came home yesterday with a low-grade fever and body aches. She never complains about not feeling good, so for her to complain I know she doesn't feel good. She stayed home today and is still dealing with a fever, achiness, the sniffles and a sore throat today. Flu bugs are running rampant in our area, so I am not surprised she is sick, but I HATE when my kids are sick! I am praying that no one else gets it in our house. 

In other news, today is the feast day of St. Nicholas and he came to visit our house. As per tradition, he brought new Christmas ornaments for each of us and some chocolate. This year it was chocolate and white chocolate coins. 

This year the ornaments were: 

A piano ornament for Rebecca.

A Minecraft ornament for Jacob. 

A WWE championship belt ornament for Benjamin.

 

A Mandalorian ornament for Bill.

And a sea turtle ornament for me from our vacation in North Carolina. 

Not only was I treated to a new ornament today, but I have also gotten a couple of treats from work as well. Yesterday, I went into work to find a poinsettia plant and a Wendy's gift card waiting for me from the PTO. I gave my mom the poinsettia as we have cats and they are highly poisonous to cats. 

There was also a candle waiting for me from one of the substitute food service workers as well. It smells cinnamony and smells so good! 

Today I went into work to find a super comfy Christmas blanket (that Rebecca stole when I got home because she was freezing) and an ornament from "our school family." Both days were very nice surprises. 

Well, I think that's it for today. I have chicken enchiladas in the oven for dinner and am just resting right now while they are cooking. Rebecca is resting in the recliner, Jacob is playing on his phone, and Ben is playing on the Wii. Bill is off at an appointment. Actually, the oven timer just went off so I need to wrap up and take dinner out of the oven.  

Hope everyone is staying healthy. Do you celebrate St. Nick's Day? Have you received any gifts yet this year for Christmas? Have you been sick recently? What are you having for dinner?