Photo Shoot at MudWorks

     Photography cube, special lighting, tripod and camera were present.  We prepped and cleaned pieces.  We played with light and watched for shadows, glares and reflections.  We almost looked like we knew what we were doing for a bit there...and the pictures are almost as adorable as some of the new pottery!

Young Adult

     I am always fearful of ruining a movie for any of you who just might want to see it.  It means in these posts I usually just say if I liked the movie or not.  This one left me with a little something more though.  The acting was great.  The characters were interesting.  The script was awesome as was the overall vibe.  It was also real. 
     Well, I just wrote a long post and deleted it.  I guess I don't want to ruin it for you after all.   I was also yelled at for telling people about the ending of a different movie so I will have to stay silent on this one as well.  Let's just say I really enjoyed it, highly recommend it and no the dog doesn't die.  ;)

Uplifting...twice

     Post Christmas Blues...ugh...the drop off from the build up can be brutal.  It's even worse when you miss your kiddies and your mother.  So I did a few things that surprised even me.  I don't do shopping.  I especially don't do it to feel better or when it's crazy like the day after Christmas.  Two things got me out and about.  1.  A sale that I heard about at JC Penney that included buy 2 get 2 free bras.  Was way beyond due on this need.  Now don't say I don't share with you.  2.  A visit with my friend, Jenne.  The woman works retail.  The really, really tough kind.  Clothing at the Outlets kind.  She left a hubby and sweet little girl at 5am to tend to the grumpy crowds of returns and sale seekers.  I remember the days well and know how much it hurts.  So as I left the mall I realized I needed to see her...for her as well as for me.  We tend to giggle when we get together and it truly does make me feel better.  We fought our way through food courts and foreigners and found our way back to the break room where we shared a lunch.  We caught up on stories of Christmas and made some plans for the new year that is quickly approaching.  I battled the traffic to get to her but it was well worth it.  Sometimes a girl needs some support and today I got two different types! ;)

Movies on Christmas

     We switched things up a bit this year.  If I've learned one thing in the past twelve months it's the ability to break out of my norms.  So after having ham on Friday and Baked Ziti on Christmas (I've never NOT had ham on Christmas which is a new thing in itself!) we went even more bonkers...and went to the movies.  While the kids were off visiting with family...I realized that all three of us needed a little distraction.  This holiday seemed to be extra tough on us all for different reasons.  So off we went to the 7:50 showing of War Horse.  It was an explosion of images on the big screen.  It was sweet and tender and funny and brave all at the same time.  It also did not make me cry which was something I didn't need to do this evening.  I guess the most exciting part is that 85 year old Dad seemed to really enjoy himself.  I tried today but for the life of me couldn't remember the last time he was in a theater...neither could he....guess it was about time...even if it was ON Christmas Day!!!

In Bed by 10:30 on Christmas Eve

     As a child we went to my aunt's house in Long Island.  It was a drive from the Bronx.  We stayed for a feast fit for royalty, a celebration of family and a trip together to midnight Mass.  Needless to say, it was very late when we got home.  This went on until I was 17.  Then Christmas Eve's turned into days with family, parties and family visits all after working retail until the mall closed down.  This went through the college days.  Then you have children.  After running around on the eve you then have wrapping and assembling.  I believe the record was 5am one year when too many big things needed to be put together.  There was even that year we decided that the midnight Mass was a good idea with a small child.  Nope, that never happened again.  A decade or so ago my cousin and I decided we needed to bring back the tradition of a cousin night.  We would take the kids to New Jersey  where Santa would deliver cookies to them and we would watch the Norad Santa Tracker together.  As we watched our children play it was a feeling of days gone by.  Meals were complicated some years and take-out some others but we weren't there for the food...we were there for the company.  After a night we didn't want to end and a drive home...we would arrive on the late side yet again.  The last few years brought a new batch of reasons to stay up late.
     Dinner was early tonight and quick and simple.  Church is out of the way.  I searched for the tubas of Christmas only to find out they happened weeks ago.  To salvage a bit of Christmas magic I did a drive through the neighborhood for some light viewing.  But with sleepy kids and a tired Dad and no Mom to bug me about the wrapping...it is quiet.  Years of too many presents to fit under the tree have been replaced with a year of only a few gifts each.  This means it is quick and simple to finish up the wrapping.  So here I am with several new things that fell through for the day when it hit me...just put on those pj's and crawl into bed.  Lights are out.  Children are tucked.  Cookies are set out for Santa.  Carrots and reindeer food have been placed outside.  Presents are placed under the tree.  Spirits are weary and bodies are tired so I will go to bed.  Hey, who knows...maybe just maybe if I'm sleeping when Santa gets here even I'LL get a little something special. 

A Very Mary Christmas

     We thought Santa and the elf on the shelf were clever...well....then there was Mary.  She told the kids that she would be out on Saturday.  I marked my calendars (several of them) with the same information.  This house runs on calendars to get us through the madness.  Last night, after some shopping, we returned back at the house to unload the car and create piles under the tree.  This morning Ethan's little feet ran down the hallway in the traditional search-for-Elliot-the-elf style and a celebration of gifts greeted him.  "Mom got a lot of stuff when she went shopping last night!".  He screamed to his sister.  "No I did NOT!!!!", I yelled back.  This was followed up by guesses that included Santa coming early, Pop Pop and Chuckie and Theresa.  Nope, nope and nope.  He was stumped.  One run down the hallway and two sets of feet later...two children were mystified and throwing out guesses.  I gave hints.  Check the writing....who else could it be...think, think!  Before they knew it, Mary was popping out of the hallway complete with blinking Christmas light necklace and a "ho, ho, ho!".  It was a moment from television.  Christmas numero uno began.  Lots of smiles, excitement, eating and love was had all day and we have our very merry Mary to thank!!! New traditions, some surprises and a little extra planning made for one amazing day!!!

Christmas Shopping with Mary

Every year I have been asked to go shopping with Mary during the holidays.  In between years of retail jobs, babies and life...I haven't been able to.  This year she drove on out and I felt compelled to peruse the aisles of things to ponder.  We hit Target and giggled over everything.  We went to TJ Maxx (the once forbidden place) and scored very nicely.  Shoot, we even zoomed to the mall and hit one store for a key item just as the gates were being lowered.  It was warm out and I finally found the inspiration to go.  We called it a Christmas miracle but I have to admit it was all pure fun!!!

It also led to my next (and very exciting) new thing...