Santa...just like everyone else....

tends to run a tad fashionably late...but I guess when you are talking about me wanting Juice home oh so very much....more UNfashionably late is more like it...I was half tempted to write a letter to the customer service department over at the north pole....BUT in the end...when all is said and done...and I finish with my little tantrum that even the awriest of two year olds would admire....

I'm just so very blessed to have him home....4 Days late...not such a big deal...having that tantrum was oh so unbecoming....and glad the three dogs were the only ones that were in attendance....wouldn't want Pooh to get any ideas....

So I did get my Christmas wish...which I think had much less to do with ole Saint Nick...and more to do with J.C....I really am trying to do better with letting him do his thing...with his plan....but the controller in me....well you know....TRY is the operative word here....



It really is amazing how very....lets say unceremonial his return was....as unceremonial as his leaving....I actually felt a little bad...that it wasn't more festive...or dramatic...




11:00 A.M...call to say they should be arriving sometime between 10:30 p.m and 12:30 a.m...WaWa coffee run...check



wait....wait....wait....wait....wait....wait...wait....wait...



7:00 p.m. call to say that the plane radioed in...and should be arriving at 9:30 p.m...OH lord...only gives me an hour to get somewhat dolled up...as the butterflies are having a tweedle beetle battle in my stomach.....



8:15 p.m...put a sleeping Pooh in the car...with his Christmas Jammies...to bring a little festive cheer...and off we go....thank God all the Police were off on more important errands....to Dunkin Donuts....and didn't see my speedometor top 80 in a 65...whoops....



9:15 p.m...make it to the squadron building...to wait for the bus to take us to the flight line...and how sad is this...Pooh and I were the ONLY family members from Juices Squadron to be there...So I was going to bring on extra cheer for them...



9:50 p.m....drive out to the flight line....and wait.....and wait...and wait some more....the tweedle beetle battle has turned into an all out war in my stomach...and Pooh...well he's had enough...and the WHOLE bus knew about it....



10:10 p.m. ..walk up the stairs to the inside of the plane....and WHOOSH....tweedle beetles...anialated...a warm, loving...welcome...with families from the other squadron meeting their loved ones....it made all the irritation just go away....but crap...forgot the camera....of course...(so I'm including Pics from the LAST homecoming....)

11:30 p.m.....Finally driving home....and can I just say....not a good idea to let a man drive...who has only been traveling in vehicles that go up to 619 mph....yeah....record time...

12:00 a.m .....all I can say...all that movie worthy romance....well...the most action I got was a kiss...and some snoring in my ear.....

So now this morning as I sit sipping on a cup of coffee....writing this....the cosmos has realigned....that little bit of nervousness and worry...that is everpresent whenever he is away...has quieted....and hallelujah....my feet were actually warm all night....

I really did miss his "Holy Crap your Feet are Cold"....nightly ritual....

it's those little things....like hearing him gargle...that I can't take for granted...for I know....within the next 2-4 months...he'll be back across the wild brown yonder....

But hey....Christmas Wishes...can happen all year long....

Merry Christmas to All

Baby's First Christmas
A Christmas Poem by Alice E. Chase

You have to hold him up to see
The angel on the Christmas tree.
And even though he's still too small
To know the meaning of it all
You watch his eyes reflect the glow
Of colored lights that come and go
And feel him quiver with delight
At every new and wondrous sight.
There's Santa with his jolly face
Beaming from the fireplace.
And from the stocking hanging there
Peeks a cuddly teddy bear.
Bright ornaments and candy canes --
Musical toy and wooden trains --
There's just no end to the delights
Spread out for him this night of nights!
He points and grins from ear to ear
And then he yawns - his bedtime's near!
Dad gives him a kiss and you tuck him away
To rest up for the fun of his first Christmas Day

I was Hit in the back of the head....with some Christmas Spirit

Cindy over at The Grass Can Be Greener....lobbed it at me like the professional Snow Ball thrower that she is.....but I couldn't be more thrilled....at least there isn't any cold wet stuff dripping down my back this time...

Hey...I get to Post Twice in One Day....since I obviously can't get enough of my own writing skills....ahem....

Sooooo.....Thank you so much for the Christmas Spirit Award...I am feeling awfully Cheery and Festive today I must say....

So because I'm horrible at reading directions....I have to re-read oh 3 times before I get it right...so here goes...


You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award. The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas. You must link back to the person who gave you the award. You must list 5 things that you love about Christmas. If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space! If you're reading this, pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you! But, you must pass it on to at least one person in order to keep the Christmas cheer going! Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment.


Merry Christmas

Piece o' Cake....Fruit Cake to be exact....

Thing 1).....Christmas Candle Smells.....I adore the cinnamon, clove, evergreen and tinsle smells...and yes...Tinsle DOES have a smell.....I think.....I could smell them all year....and I do...but at least at Christmas I don't feel dumb doing it....

Thing 2)....Christmas Songs......Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole.....Church Choirs...and the little bundled up munchkins who come and knock on the door singing an interesting but thoroughly enjoyable rendition of Jingle Bells....

Thing 3)....Christmas Lights....Yes I freely admit I am one of the thousands of people that the rest of the world hates...who drive by at a snails pace to check out your Christmas lights....sometimes I drive by twice...just to make sure I've taken it all in.....

Thing 4)....Holiday Goodies....I L-O-V-E holiday baking.....I used to be so excited when my employees would bring me cookies and cakes and brownies....Carbs you say??? Who Cares....it's Christmas...let me waste my New Years resolution on trying to lose those holdiay pounds....it is OH so worth it...

Thing 5).....Others being in the Holiday mood......Yep...that's it....I love others to say Happy Holidays...or Merry Christmas....when everyone is feeling kind and generous....(of course somehow the salespeople and waitstaff get jipped)....but I like the sense of togetherness and love....

Thing 6)....and Most importantly......Jesus's Birthday.....That is the whole reason we should be celebrating....I agree Santa is pretty hard to ignore...I mean a Big overweight man in a Big Red suit...and a loud voice....but I think Jesus has his number.....

So now I"m going to Lob this award at a few more of my bloggy buddies....

1) Jody over at Team Cooper

2)Aubrey over at The Fam Five

3)Corrie at Sugarbug Baby

4) R.I.L Over at Ritch In Love

5) Mom of ONe...over at Everyday Mom

What is a Truly Remarkable Gift....

I'm sure to everyone out there...that question can mean any number of things....from pot holders to Golf Clubs...Huge (what the hell is that) diamond rings...to vacations to exotic places...(hopefully without catching a local disease)...Sewing machines....to family members being home...(two of mine)....the lists are as diverse and endless...as the snowflakes that I DON'T see falling outside my window....


I was lucky enough this holiday season to recieve a truly remarkable gift...(I put it between sewing machine and Juice on the remarkable scale)....While visiting family over the Thanksgiving holiday....after the tripdafan wore off....we were able to go through just a small smidgen of the things they have of my Grandmothers....

I'm sure any of you (my bloggy friends) who have gone through those things that generations past have so lovingly and thoughtfully stored.....it is quite an experience...I made me laugh....it made me cry....and it made me remember....


We split all the things that we found between my sister and I....because sisters share....(if you don't you really should).....and I was lucky enough to be blessed with what I think will be my most prized possessions from her....


A stack of letters that give a voice to my past....and guidence to my future....These letters were written mostly by my Great Great Grandmother and Grandfather...with a few from a Great uncle and aunt....and some cousins....all written between 1908 and 1929....it is truly a gift that means more to me than the fabulous Wii that is sitting still in the box in front of my T.V. (I am NOT good at that...heck how to use the universal remote is beyond my scope of reasoning).

Over the last week I have gone through and read....one letter a day...to hear the voice of someone who's been gone long before I was born...what I find truly amazing is that she would write something in a way that is exactly the way my grandmother spoke....


In one letter she talks about the love she has for her children....and how very sad she is when one dies at the age of 18....



In another letter she expresses her regret that she wasn't able to spend more time with my Great Grandmother who got married and left home at 14.....

I think I also feel a connection with the women who so lovingly put their feelings in these letters from a mothers standpoint....Even though little Pooh is only 9 months old...I can imagine how lonesome I will be for him when he leaves the nest to start his own life...all those emotions, thoughts and wishes...that she has felt....I will feel....


The letter I read last night....was written right before Xmas in 1928...it was her Xmas wish for her family who was far away...and that she hoped to see them soon....

I have gotten an insight into how hard living in that time was for many....an influenza outbreak swept the town in 1926.....


I have learned how the important things in life....namely family and faith....don't change throughout the generations....




And I've learned ...how remarkable it really is that these letters have remained....for me to read....almost 100 years later....even though the faint script on the tattered yellowed paper is getting hard to read...


I have learned...that I want Pooh and his cousins...and his children...and their children....to know where they came from...as it has been such an enlightening experience to learn that for myself...


So I have been typing all of the letters I have read and am taking pictures of all the pages....so that there will be a record...for when the day comes and the originals are no longer with us....


I cannot imagine a better story...then the one I have been reading.....truly remarkable.....

The Pointer Sisters were Right On....

I'm so excited....and I just can't hide it....

Why oh why am I doing my lame version of Cartwheels....and dancing uncontrollably...even 24 hours later....Juice is an amazing man...truly amazing...and I know..you all are going to think he made a unexpected show at the front door yesterday....sorry...I know...that would have been so much excitement...the roof would have blown off the house...and you all would have seen it on Nightly News with Brian Williams...."Strange things in New Jersey...Spontanous Combustion of house....

He was able to do some Christmas shopping in between his 12 hour flights....and bought me the one thing that would really make my transition from Fashion Diva...to Domestic Diva...complete....my new Sewing Machine....Originally I wanted one that had over 500 stitches...embroidered....massaged my feet....and made a mean cup of coffee....but when I realized how much they were....couple that with the fact that I haven't sewn since production class in college....yeah no....Hell I'm lucky if I can remember how to thread a needle...but wait....my new machine has self threading....oohhhhh I'm getting all tingly again....

The poor man really tried to make it as much of a surprise as possible...but I guess Joann doesn't do wrapping....and when I answered the knock at the door yessterday...there was not only a burly...UPS driver (kin to the one in Legally Blonde)....but better yet....the answer to my domestic crafty prayers....Even Pooh is getting into it....or he is until he has to wear one of my homemade costumes....then we'll talk....


Now...hold on to your butts....cause that ain't all....

Now as I'm channeling my inner D.D (Domestic Diva)...my neighbor is ready to pop with her second bundle of joy....and I'm the person who can't throw anything out...now what the heck do those two have in common....I have a whole bag of newborn diapers...I think Pooh used oh a total of 5 before he was onto the next size....and me also channeling my inner frugal diva has saved them until the right opportunity would present itself....and this was it....so after two trips to Walmart...and a trip to the Dollar Tree....using up a whole package of white tissue paper...some bouts of cussing...and voila....my diaper cake...which I think rivals any professional job....(hmmm...maybe onto real cakes next...) I know she will love it....

Now If those two things aren't enough to send you into fits of happiness....How bout this....

LenaLoo over at Inner Green Fairy has gifted me with her First Award. She is an amazing Writer...who is one of my addictions...next to reeses cups...and pedicures...and half baked ice-cream...she is fab-u-licious...to be sure....so thank you for creating the award...and giving it to me....I am honored by it...and humbled by your praises....

So Now I'm going to spread the love of this award.....

Nicole over at What a Trip!....She is so someone I would LOVE to hang out with

D.G...over at DomesticGoddess....let's just say her fave Holiday Movie...is mine...

Janah over at Not So Mom-a-licious....she sucks me in....when I really need to be folding laundry....and doing dishes....bad Janah...bad bad....

I suggest you head over to these fine ladies...I think you'll see why I've passed this AWESOME award onto them....and of course...LenaLoo....for who without her...this wouldn't be possible....Thank You Again....

So my Fab Finds for this friday.....there you have it.....My Happiness Meter is off The Charts.....

Why are there Butterflies in my Stomach, and my Palms Sweaty???

Because It is less than 10 days now until Juice flies the not so friendly skies home again...I fully expect Santa to deliver on the one and only thing I put on my list this year...I think it went something like this....

Dear Santa,

I've been an extremely good girl this year...picking up diaper genie explosions that the furry children set off...without spanking or yelling....Not gone on an all out Holiday shopping bonanzaa because I'm trying to be more frugal and considerate of Juice being the sole bread winner...I've tried extra hard to sing on key while singing nursery rhymes with Pooh in the car...I've given all salespeople an extra big smile this season...and haven't gotten pissy once....Pissy really isn't my color....So Santa for Christmas this year...all I want is a 6'1" slim (skinny)...Air Force Guy...who looks super hot in his uniform...who works super long hours without complaining...and who happens to be thousands of miles away from his family....(oh and to make sure you don't bring me someone elses husband...he answers to Juice...Don't ask)....Thank you Santa...you always do good work....

Sincerely
Noah's Mommy


So....Let's hope he puts a rush on it...and even though we've been through this time and time before....I always start feeling like a 16 year old who is going out with a HUGE crush about 10 days before....so yesterday when the butterflies started....I knew...Now I've got to make sure....the house looks good, the car looks good, Pooh looks good...and I look good....

I wanted to share with you all a few of the many pictures he's sent us while he's been off to the Wild Brown Yonder...I know I always love seeing them...it gives me a better sense of where he is...and what he does...and I know he's safe....

So without further ado....


Morning at the Office


Afghan Mountains



F -15


Getting Gassed up


Ground Fire in Iraq


Jabal Ali Hotel in Dubai


Flying over Palm Island in Dubai


Takeoff at Sunset


Clouds Over Afghanistan


8 Days to Go....Alright Santa....you'd better be on time....you can take all the cookies to go...and no stopping to admire any trees, garland or outside Christmas decorations...until After Juice is home....

Bah Humbug...and stick it where the sun don't shine

Can I just say....as this is my first year of not being one of the thousands of "insane" people who decide to make servicing holiday shoppers their career....I realize I put blinders on to those that seem to have walked in with one of those Christmas Stars shoved right up their butts...

Either that...or in years past they were never THIS bad...I won't step one cute little painted foot inside Nordstrom, for fear of my ex-collegues giving me looks of death for having escaped the hell that is Holiday shopping

So here's to you O keeper of the holiday peace...

You who take constant abuse for being too slow, not having it in stock or...just because you are breathing....

You who pastes on your happiest smile...while never letting on that you are really cussing them out in your mind...and give a truly believable "Have a nice Day" ...as they walk away with their purchase that you carefully wrapped with (somewhat) loving care.

You who work extra long shifts to accomodate the throngs of last minute shoppers...who even though the economy is down...still decide to do some shopping at 4 a.m...(must be from lack of sleep from worrying about mortgage payments and 401k's...but damn it all...they still need that talking Elmo)....

You who never get a moment to do your own holiday shopping...and have to squeeze it in during the nano seconds of a day off....(since you lost one day with having to work)...

You who will never see the inside of a plane...cause you aren't going anywhere for the Holidays...since you have to work the day before and of course the day after....Christmas day...is just...well a day off....

So the next time I walk in over the next week and a half...I will make sure I leave any snottiness I have at the door...make sure I wish you a Happy Holiday....and thank you for putting up with ME....

Oh...

And to all you obnoxious, loud mouth, whiny, angry, annoying, tight lipped, hostile customers....GET OVER IT....Tis' the Season....and Tylenol is on aisle 4

The BIG White Elephant

Is having a Party at My house....yep...he decided that his pad was just too small to accomodate all his friends and family...so now I'm playing hostess to house full of loud, crazy...totally fun chicks with attitudes....



So the housefull part is a slight exageration on my part....maybe its more like 5 or 6...but their personalities make up for the lack of bodies......trust me...



This Christmas season has definitely been the epitomy of the double edged sword....you know the one....that annoying, can never get anywhere but where you are....yeah...well I'm totally there.....This being the first year since I graduated college where I didn't have to work an average of 60 hours a week from black friday up until New Years (who knew the week after Christmas was actually almost bigger in revenue for retailers than the week before). You never know how important spending holidays with family can be...until you are forced to make the decision between career....and paycheck...or fun and family....



The dealio though is that now frugal and creative are two words that are at the top of my vocabulary....Wherever we go...or whatever we do....I have to say to myself..."Frugal and Creative"....so those really great gifts I purchased at Nordstrom's last year....or the nice big budget I had to work with....gone faster than Cheech Marin smoking a blunt....



But I've found that creative is actually a heck of a lot of fun.....So I'm giving as my fab find Friday...the Frugal and Creative things I'm doing this Holiday Season.....



1) The White Elephant meets Dirty Santa Party.....The deal-i-o is....everyone brings two things.....thing 1) a thing from their house they think is a good "regift"...I always say the dumber and uglier...the better....2)...the Dollar store gift....Have to go to the dollar store for the dirty Santa present...can only Be $1...no more....then the fun begins....you put the white elephant and dirty santa gifts together to make one...really dirty elephant)....I've decided the provisions for said party are all really easy....A Waffle Party....Cheap Waffle mix.....then Just have some frozen fruit (blueberries, peaches, strawberries)...syrup and whipped cream.....voila.....



2) F.F.G.....(or Fab-u-li-cious Frugal Gifts).....For all the friends and Neigbors that I have had to cut out of my Holiday budget...I found two Amazing ideas from good Ole Martha...


Honey and Walnut Topping...I think will make a super yummy addition...and perfect on Ice cream, yogurt...(or even my waffles)

Yummy Body Scrubs...after I saw this...I thought this would make not only an amazing gift...but another party idea....have your friends over and make bath salts, fizzies, oils and scrubs....

Cinnamon Orange Swirl Bread...With a twist. Found this amazing recipe off of Taste Of Home...but I have a strong aversion to those plastic bags you wrap them in....yuck....so I found at a local antique store...5 vintage towels for $1 a piece...and I was able to get them down to $3 for the lot....I'm wrapping each loaf in a towel....and then the gift tags are actually old Christmas cards from last year that we received...I cut them to make them snazzy...and voila....

I have surprisingly had MORE fun this year with trying to step out of my snooty, designer wrapped box...and giving meaningful...worthwhile....funky gifts....

I think the elephant should be very happy....

A Soldier's Angel...

In the spirit of the season....which should really encompass the other 329 other days of the year...Since from Black Friday to Christmas Day we tend to be at our most Generous.....even I have been guilty of being seasonally selfless....which is not something I am extremely proud of...

I am one that every year since I've left the nest gone and picked up the token card off the giving tree at the local Wal-mart or mall....I've dropped a toy off to the Marines who I would have loved to have seen wrapped in a bow underneath my tree....

Every time Juice leaves on a deployment....I get the boxes for his care packages ready....I get a new box of stationary for the weekly letters..(cause email is just so impersonal...and you can't spritz your perfume on the screen)....and my shutterfly account goes into overdrive with the printing of Pooh Pics to send....

But as I've learned...there are thousands of soldiers, seamen, airmen and marines whose families and friends for whatever reason...don't send ANYTHING...no letter, no card, no care package...which really made me upset...especially because I know how much Juice loves to get his weekly mail fix....I could imagine if his bunkmate wasn't receiving anything from home..and here Juice was opening my never ending stream of cards, gifts and letters...

So, during Juices last Deployment....I committed myself...(and pooh)...to be a year long giver....

I by accident found Soldiers Angels...a volunteer Based Non-Profit that has over 20 ways to support a military member or their families.

The program I chose was Adopt-A-Soldier...I have a particular soldier that I have commited to writing to once a week...just a small letter...talking about life here at home...with an 8 month old...and I talk about my husband being away....current events...my latest shopping trip....etc...It's actually a lot like writing to Juice...just without the hubba-hubba....wink wink...

I also commit to sending one care package a month...I put in some good ole american snacks....some basics like toothpaste....or gum....some reading material..though I have no idea if he likes what I send...

They say you may never get a response...and I haven't yet....but that's okay....I can only hope that he is as excited to get the package as Juice is...even if it comes from someone he doesn't know...as long as it shows someone cares about HIM

The thing is...I have committed to taking care of this soldier...until he comes home...however long that is....that may not be for everyone...but I do highly recommend....if not during the holiday season...maybe as a New Years Resolution....or whenever...Just go take a look.... Maybe there will be a program they sponsor that will fit what you are comfortable with...

They all just want be home...especially for the Holidays...and I just want one to know...we don't just think about them on Veterns Day or on The Fourth of July...But Everyday....

My bigger wish??....That a few out in the infinite blogosphere....reading this...will get bitten by the giving bug...sometime in oh mid February...or at the end of May....How bout August....that giving to others, be it children, the homeless, the elderly, poverty in foreign lands...or soldiers far from home...is a year long commitment...that is both humbling and rewarding.....

okay

That was my PSA...We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

It's Good to be Back...

I literally got home....oh an hour and a half ago...brought in the luggage...which is still sitting by the front door....fed pooh a nutritious dinner of puffs, applesauce and jello....before a quick bath..one last bottle...a quick kiss on the head...then as he's hopefully flying off into baby dream land...I race downstairs to reconnect with the all my fab-u-li-cious blogging buddies....I hope I find you all with wonderful stories of Thanksgiving...with hopefully not the extra inches in the rear end to show for it....(I unfortunately had to fly home with one button of my jeans undone...shows you how much I enjoyed Turkey day...and every day hence)....


Since I've had an extremely interesting day of flying two legs with an 8 month old...who missed both nap times...and decided to be the next Jay Leno on Plane two...by jibber jabbering to every poor soul who wanted to use the plane bathroom....this post will be quick...but giving me my bloggy fix....(withdrawls are a bitch)....


I have so enjoyed reading all of your comments....and I was soooooooo super excited about finding I have received 2 awards from two of my Fave Blogs...


The first one comes by way of Dorkys Ramos over at Dry as Toast...who gave me one of my favorite awards...thank you so much...I am addicted to her blog...and look forward to seeing her new greeting cards....

I am passing this onto a couple of my newest Fave Blogs



Lenaloo over at Inner Green Fairy
I Heart BowHeads over at I Heart BowHeads
April over at DeltaKids

Then Ritch in Love....whose blog I Love......Love Love Love....gave me an I think your Blog is Fabulous Award....Thank you soooo much....so here it goes


Here are the rules: Which I had to read....three times...cause I can't read after almost 6 hours of flying....Copy and paste the rules and instructions in your post. When posting on receiving the award, make sure you include who gave you the award and link it back to them. Post five winners and link it back to them as well. Post five of your addictions. Add the award image. Let your winners know you gave them an award by leaving them a comment on their blog.


Okay so My 5 Winners....or guinea pigs...are....

Lisa over at The Looney Bin....
KOTC over at Keeper of The Chocolates
CC over at If Only I had SuperPowers
Brenda Jean over at In The TreeTop
Mepperly07 over at Fun Things to Do With Your Kids


Okay so 5 of my addictions....only 5....It's gonna take me forever just to choose my TOP 5....

1. Half Baked Ice Cream....Granted I can see the results of this addiction...but I don't care...the extra 50 crunches and squats are sooooo worth it....

2. The Real Housewives....Atlanta was just a Hot Mess....OC....is like a train wreck....gives me a dose of superficial cattiness...without having to be smack dab in the middle...been there...done that...have the t-shirt...in every color....

3. Antique Stores....The more crap they have stuffed in there...the better....If Juice ever wants to know where to find me...I'm usually on my hands and knees between the old lamp shades...and the worn out vinyl of Lawerence Welk...but damn it...there might be something worth something back there....you never know...right???

4. Candles....In EVERY room of the house....but not in the cheesy madam zorba's make you think you are getting your palm read type of way....promise....but Juice is afraid I may end up burning the house down....hey...I like to set a mood....and I like hot firemen....but I like them as I'm waiting in line at the local pizza place...or on a calendar...not sifting through the remenants of my singed underwear drawer....(but seriously...not that deranged)

5. Pedicures....NEED I SAY MORE.....


So to all those fabulicious bloggers I've named...and those who I love...and didn't....I am so your paparrazzi....