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What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

Hmmmm.  Well I actually put some presents under the tree tonight...that people have sent over already.  Imagine my surprise when I saw my mother-in-law's gift to me was in identical paper to some I bought whilst she was here - then I saw, scrawled on the paper, "To Mumof4, yes, surprise I DID use your wrapping paper! Happy Christmas!" (This infuriates me more than it probably SHOULD).

I hope I have something small, but something that is very me.  Not something I have spoon fed to Hubby (by giving him a scented perfume swatch of paper, with the sales consultant's business card stapled to it because it is only sold in Neiman Marcus)...I see so many small things that I would love, and could buy myself, but which seem frivilous....but I would rather have one of these small things that would be maybe $20 than an outlandish present just because that could have cost 10 times as much.

OK, and the answer to one simple question makes me seem such an ungrateful cow, but....

What are you after ???

Saw what MILO wanted.....but what about the rest of yous?

Went to the movies today, midday...all kids at school.....quite unusual, even for me.

Got there in time for the trailers etc.  There is some good stuff coming out......

Anyhow, I saw this and it seemed awfully familiar......

 

and then I realised it is a remake of the British version which was just from a few years ago.  I recall the British film - I saw it and liked it but didn't love it.  Plus Matthew MacFayden didn't look as hot as I thought he was in MI5...but anyhow, I do think Chris Rock is funny (love his HBO specials...) so I may go and see this too.  But I thought it was interesting to have a remake of such a recent film - with a race spin on the new version.

 

 

I actually went today though to see the new George Clooney movie.  That isn't released in US until Christmas Day I believe (Christmas Day is a day here loads of films are released - ON Christmas day....) but for some reason the local movie theater has a 2 week advance on the film.  And it was as good if not better than it had seemed from the trailer.

 

 

 

 

Not only was it a really good film because George Clooney is totally hot, but it hit a lot of relationship issues on the head.....and it maybe seemed slightly familiar as Hubby had a job where he travelled a tonne  - not dissimilar to Clooney's character.  And he also had to do a lot of 'letting people go' meetings, which affected him.....

But anyway, I really liked it and it may be one of my favourite films of the year.

Best movie of the year....mmm will have to think, it is almost the end of December I guess (where did THAT go???).

So for 'various reasons' I am taking my American citizenship test this Friday.  I am swotting up.  Via CD in the car mainly, with the questions and answers read by an annoying woman.  Could well be a sweetheart but the fact she is telling me these things I don't want to learn, makes me dislike her.

The kids have been listening to the CD too and know a lot of the answers.....

Current Speaker of the House?......Nancy Pelosi. 

First three words of the Constitution?.... 'We the people.'

It is quite funny to listen to them - especially when there are questions which have different answers according to the State you live in.  They have heard annoying woman say 'answers may vary' - so now they think that phrase is the actual answer.....

Out of 100 questions, 10 will be asked to me and I only need to get 6 right...so should do ok.

Yesterday I was getting more passport photos taken for the Interview/test at Walgreenes and some old dude was hanging around the kiosk, and asked me where I was going....I think he thought I was getting a passport and where was my trip going to be to...but I told him it was for Citizenship and totally seriously he congratulated me....felt quite surreal.  Hubby who did all this citizenship test/swearing in when I was in London last month, said he was amazed how many people seriously congratulated him.

Today I met with my attorney and we went through my paperwork.  She reckoned I was given a 'clutching at straws' speeding fine as that particular county is hurting financially and the fines creat revenue....must however get no more traffic tickets between now and Friday!.

She also double checked my answers as somehow 'yes' had been ticked for the 'Are you, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?'  I haven't but they typed it wrong....

She also warned me that the testing officers vary...from being pleasant to being downright pedantic about everything.  It is at 8.15 AM - just hoping they aren't fully awake and give me an easy time!  She said that some may tell you things that just aren't true....that I have to give up my UK passport (not true) and can only have citizenship to one country (also not true).  She said I just have to grin and bear it.

She also told me of a client of hers who didn't speak much English but had learnt all the answers in cue response to the questions..and passed the test, but then failed when he didn't understand the phrase 'Please stand and raise your right hand.....'  At least I have the language on my side....well, as long as I avoid  going into semantic detail about American  vs British English . . .

Wish me luck!!!! 

mixed messages. . . .

to be loved....... unconditionally....

and have someone look at you like that.

 

But for now, let me say

without hope or agenda,

Just because it's Christmas

(and at Christmas you tell the truth)

to me you are perfect.

 

So having turned this number last week, was trying to think, seeing as I share 'so much' here...if there are 39 things you don't know about me as of yet.

1. I take loads of photos and have lots of framed pictures of the kids everywhere. I guess you could come in my house and think that it's someone who really really loves themselves - but it's actually more that I never remember photos around as a kid - maybe the odd school photo - but....

2. I am trying to wean myself off going to Target - a one stop sort of shop here....where you can go in for milk (best prices in town) but then buy a dress, or a picture frame, or a CD. - as they are also good prices....and before you know it, you have the world's most expensive milk purchase.

3. I am a card snob.  Especially Christmas cards.....and I know it is not a good thing at all.

4. I can make really good meringues but not very good cakes - well, not consistently anyway. - Blame it on the altitude.

5. I have never given blood but am an organ donor.

6. I am on the parent teachers association at school but DESPISE it.  It is like being back in high school again - such bitchiness....such sucking up to the teachers.  After this year - never again.

7. I have a secret trap door hiding cupboard in this house that not even Hubby knows about.

8. I can cheer myself up by lighting a candle.

9. I wear mascara (Lancome's Defencils) probably 364 days of the year.

10. I am the worst for CDs.  Either buying them, forgetting them and never getting aound to using them, or listening to them and then never putting them in their cases....

11. I drink far too much diet coke.

12. I would love to have a vegetable garden.

13. Despite asking people to bring me over a Hello! when they are coming over from UK, the year I subscribed to it - I never got chance to read them properly.

14. I would never convert to being Catholic. Despite having married one.

15. I am not sure I believe in monogomy.

16. I could probably do with therapy but know my husband would, at some stage, hold it against me.

17. I bailed on my term abroad at university.  Hated Austria.

18. I hate that I am happier when my house is tidy.  What does that say about me?  My life must be pretty dire if this means anything to me, surely?

19. I have sent postcards in to www.postsecret.com.

20. When I was an au-pair in Germany, I used English money in the automated stamp vending machines...worked out cheaper than the 1DM you were supposed to use.  Was poor au-pair.  Sorry Deutsche Post.

21. I would never ever spend a lot of money on a pair of sunglasses.  Or jeans. But a handbag/purse - absolutely.

22. I had never had a pedicure until I was 27 and pregnant.

23. I love love LOVE writing with old fashioned fountain pens (with ink - not cartridges).

24. I gave up taking Prozac about 8 days ago.  Let's see if I go insane (more insane?) in the next 3 days. . . .

25. This year was the quickest Hubby and I agreed on which tree to buy for Christmas.  Was also bloody cold. . . .

26. If I had to have my children now, and name them, I would probably only use one of my children's actual names again....

27. I joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago.  It feels like I am in a Little Britain sketch but they are some of the nicest people ever.

28. I swear under my breathe all day long.

29. One of my biggest waste of money purchases ever was an orange leather jacket.  It was in the sale but still quite expensive and I hardly ever wear it as I always feel it looks a bit Halloweenish.  But at Halloween I don't wear it either.

30. I have paid some of my cell phone bill recently in cash - so Hubby doesn't see how much I am overusing it.

31. I ignore my in-laws skyping when I am home alone.  I know they really only want to speak to the kids anyhow.

32. I have recently been in contact with one of my half brothers again.  Sort of stopped a few years ago as it felt he was wanting to get too close an my defensive emotional barriers went up.  Not sure if he saw this, or just thought we fizzled out.

33. I have bought a Christmas present I am going to give to someone anonymously.

34. I love cleaning bathrooms - but not the shower.

35. I would love to spend Christmas in England again....but not with the in-laws - so it probably won't happen.

36. I need to read 496 pages of a book to finish it for book club on Tuesday night. (procarsdtinating - moi???).

37. Going to a Christmas party on Saturday and am quite excited to dress up for something again.

38. Some days I feel like the worst mother in the whole world.

39. Despite everything going on in my life, the ups, the downs, the responsibilities, most days I actually feel like I am only 19 again.......   

Rory (age 3) goes to pre-school three times a week. He is in a class of 12.  Some have already turned 4 but most of them are still 3.  Recently the teacher 'published' some of their funniest quotes. Thought I would share.  Those in bold are Rory's (the ones of his I am prepared to share anyhow!!).

1. At night, I sneak into my brother's room and we build Legos.

2. What if it rained watermelons?

3. We have two crazy dogs at home!

4. My dad's name is Honey.

5. How does a giraffe cough?

6. Our puppy's name is Cleo but we call her Cleopatra for short.

7. Ms Samantha drives a monster truck! (she's the teacher).

8. My sisters gonna be a witch and turn me into a frog!

9.If you choke, you're gonna die.

10. I'm 4 now so I won't spill anything.

11. My grandma always loves me.

12. Ms Samantha, you can call me Superman.

13. I have a crack in my eye.

 

They could have all been SO MUCH WORSE!!!!  

Rory (age 3) goes to pre-school three times a week. He is in a class of 12.  Some have already turned 4 but most of them are still 3.  Recently the teacher 'published' some of their funniest quotes. Thought I would share.  Those in bold are Rory's (the ones of his I am prepared to share anyhow!!).

1. At night, I sneak into my brother's room and we build Legos.

2. What if it rained watermelons?

3. We have two crazy dogs at home!

4. My dad's name is Honey.

5. How does a giraffe cough?

6. Our puppy's name is Cleo but we call her Cleopatra for short.

7. Ms Samantha drives a monster truck! (she's the teacher).

8. My sisters gonna be a witch and turn me into a frog!

9.If you choke, you're gonna die.

10. I'm 4 now so I won't spill anything.

11. My grandma always loves me.

12. Ms Samantha, you can call me Superman.

13. I have a crack in my eye.

 

They could have all been SO MUCH WORSE!!!!  

What's your guilty television pleasure?

Well it used to be 'Nip Tuck'  but even that got too bloody silly - no matter how hot I think Julian McMahon is, (and the hair plugs ain't doing it any more), so i haven't watched that for a few seasons.

I rarely watch live tv.  I did yesterday at the gym but at home, not so much (unless I iron - and right now that is 'not so much.').

I have watched 'Intervention' on a regular occasion though...the real story of addicts and how their families stage an intervention etc and try and help them.  It isn't really guilty tv in so much as informative.  And somewhere along the line I would be very interested in working with addicts...rehabillitation etc.  But for now, that's about as guitly as it gets.

 

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU????

Milo........secret Eastenders omnibus guy?

SubMum.........Top Gear to lust over Clarkson?

K in FL.......Judge Judy?

 

SPILL THE BEANS!!!!!!

There has been much talk of storms coming.  This happens a fair bit.  Just a couple of weeks ago we got over a foot of snow in 24 hours.  Chilly, yes, freezing - well no.

This past week has been BITTERLY cold though.  With wind chill factors even worse.  This morning, as I drove the kids to school (7.30am ish) my outside temp read....

 

...look closely.  That is MINUS 8 FAHRENHEIT...which for you Brits is -22 Celcius (apparently).

Roads are clear but obviously quite icy.  Snow still remains on other areas - sidewalks are death traps.

It hurts to even breath in this.  Even with hats you just shiver in minutes.  Someone told me if you spend 30 minutes out in this temperature, you could get frostbite.  Didn't check it, but could WELL believe it.

I always feel for the homeless at times like this.  A friend pointed out that even though many of the shelters are opening more beds this winter, often, due to mental illness, the homeless just don't get it.

My friend in Wisconsin was getting a huge snowstorm (our little one from Monday maybe?) and 17 inches of snow expected.

Perhaps I could never live in Sweden after all............