Insta Friday Yo

What's shakin' bacon?

I blame teaching primary grades for my innate desire to rhyme all greetings.

It's really cool with the 7 and under crowd.

Sometimes it's awkward with adults,

but it just slips out...

and I just keep walking...playing it cool

like all adults talk that way.
 

We (as in Andy) put up Christmas lights and hauled out the inflatables this week.

The kids love pulling up to the house all decked out.

It's fun.

I really think Andy should do this next year:

He disagrees.

Party pooper.

I love changing out the season's scent.

I have a thang for cinnamon.

Hello black Friday deals.

 Like my all time fave movie on DVD for $8.

Everyone needs the classics on DVD.

Peppermint tea makes me happy.

I drank a lot of it when I was pg with Brody.

What am I saying...I still drink a lot of it.

It's a staple during the winter.

We put the kids' trees up this week.

My OCD really freaks out when AJ puts 3 ornaments on the same branch.

Basically on top of each other.

I have to count backwards in my head and walk away.

I love Ab's tree.

Her attention span only lasts about 3 ornaments,

and then she runs off spastically with her barbies banging into the walls 

all the way down the hall.

My lil sorella sent me a lovely box this week with this awesome cowl 

and fingerless gloves she knit me.

People that can knit fascinate me.  I cannot do it.  It makes me aggressive.

Finally, after 9 years of hanging onto these snow/ice ball things 

I figured out something to do with them.

I have a thing for candlesticks and mint julep glasses...

and banners...

I went to a Pampered Chef partay this week.

I went for a silicone whisk.

I ordered the brownie pan instead.

Not just any brownie pan people!

It has 12 quarter cup wells...

meaning every single brownie has 4 crusty corners and edges!

I love the edge pieces.

I have wanted something like this forever.

Forget the silicone whisk.  The stainless one will do.

Frisbee, our elf on the shelf, made the journey from the North Pole yesterday.

Because this momma needs all the help she can get 

as my kids wind up in anticipation of the jolly holiday.

He always brings all our Christmas books with him when he shows up.

The kids came home from school Thursday to this spread.

It was fun.

And childhood should be magical if you ask me.

Just in case he isn't creepy enough on his own, I like to help point out

his jail house snitch stalking tendencies to the kids.

For good measure.

Look at this happy box!

I am so excited.

A couple weeks ago I picked up an angel from the Angel Tree table at our church.

Some of the angels made me really sad.  Kids asking for tennis shoes or coats...

things that they should just have, not something they need to request as a gift.

I found an angel for a 12 year old girl asking for a hair straightener and a crossword book.

She has the same middle name as me, 

and any 12 year old that asks for a crossword book should get a crossword book.

So I took her angel.

I still remember the year a kind, generous lady from our church sponsored 

my mom, my little sister and I for Christmas.  

I so clearly remember her coming to our apartment with a big box of food and a wrapped gift for each of us.  I got a barbie doll with a yellow dress and black trim.  

Abby now plays with that barbie and dress.  

I remember going through that box of food.  

So excited to be blessed with a meal we couldn't afford for ourselves.

Some memories pierce our hearts like they just happened yesterday.  That Christmas was one of my most favorite childhood Christmases because I learned that a complete stranger loved me.  I hope this 12 year old girl opens her box and knows that a stranger loves her too.