Santa's not Real, I'm the Devil!

I was participating in a post on Facebook and the question was about telling your children if Santa was real or not. When I was little, I believed in Santa. When I found out he wasn't real, I was heartbroken. I hated that I was lied to about it. So I made the decision to not lie to my kids.

My kids know all about the spirit of Christmas and the stories of Santa Claus. They know that there was once a man named St. Nick who gave gifts to children. They love all the Christmas movies, including the ones about Santa..they love all the Christmas songs.. They also know about some pagan traditions when it comes to Christmas and they know the beliefs of Christmas from the Christian point of view. We read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the Story of the birth of Jesus. My children are well rounded when it comes to this.

Christmas Treats!

During the holidays I love baking cookies and some years I make candy...this year is one of those years! I didn't make much tonight, but we did one little batch. Alexis helped me and she thought it was the coolest thing ever lol... When she was coating the mold with the red & green she said, "mom, it's like edible paint!"

Making candy is easy, but it can get time consuming and expensive, depending on how much detail you put into it and what you actually make. One year the candy melts went a little further for my money b/c I made chocolate covered pretzels instead of just candy.

I have a double broiler specifically for melting chocolate. The water goes in the bottom half and the chocolate in the top half. When it is melted I put it in the molds and tap them on the counter to get out air bubbles and to make sure the mold is filled. When only using a few chocolate melts for the decorating details I put them in a glass bowl and "nuke" them. Once the chocolate is in the molds, I put them in the freezer to harden and it makes it so much easier to pop them out..

Here are some pics...of course lol =)

Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree -

Between last night and this morning, we got the tree up =) Alexis made a mess with the garland all over playing with it...so much that I didn't put it on the tree lol...

Normally we have a tree with multi-colored lights, my fave, but like a dummy in a rush, I didn't double check the box to see if it was multi or white. *Smacks head on wall* lol

Here is the tree and Alexis with the garland -

x

I ♥ Halloween!

Halloween has always been a fun time for me. My birthday is a few days before Halloween so my mother would always throw me a birthday/halloween party for my birthday... everyone would dress up (even my mom) and we would play all kinds of games and just "wild out"... I miss that...

Here is my mom at one of my Birthday Parties, she made a great witch!:

Besides being close to my birthday, I love horror movies!! October is the month when a whole bunch of channels do horror movie marathons and play some of my old faves..."Halloween", "Friday the 13th", "Pumpkin Head", "Hocus Pocus"...so many more...

Last Halloween was so much fun! I dressed up with the kids... we did something at the Battalion and had a blast... there was face painting, crafts, food, costume contests...which my boys won 2nd place in =)

Mario and Luigi:

Alexis was a princess...so fitting lol:

Here are some pics from the FRG function at Battalion:

On Halloween night was when the real fun started!! We went "Trick or Treating" with some friends and then we handed out candy... I'm all about scary stuff so I was having so much fun scaring the kids lol... some of them were scared to come up to the table and get candy and one little kid actually growled!! Too funny!

More pics (I'm the white face):

I can't wait for Halloween this year!! I'm thinking of being a wicked witch since Alexis is going as Dorothy... but if I am, I'm gonna be a sexy wicked witch to show of my new, smaller boobies ;)

What's the difference? Memorial Day/Veterans Day

I just need to say that it annoys the hell out of me when people get the two confused or think it doesn't matter that they interchange the two "holidays". These two days are NOT interchangeable.

Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day". Memorial Day is a day to honor those who died in war. Let me repeat one time.... A DAY TO HONOR THOSE WHO DIED IN WAR. Now, in my mind, I include all who have died while serving their country. Some may not like that, but that's okay.

Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. Veterans, those who served in the past and those who presently serve. Veterans Day is for those who are alive.

Now, while I do appreciate and I am thankful that people even acknowledge our troops at all, I just wish they would learn the difference. My husband has lost several soldiers in his time in the army...too many in his 9yrs so far. I'm sure my husband wouldn't want to be acknowledged on a day specifically meant to honor his fellow fallen soldiers.

So while people are out getting drunk and having their BBQ's on this "holiday", remember WHY you are able to do so. Remember the meaning of Memorial Day and remember the troops who this day is for.

New Year's Resolutions....why not?

Normally I don't do New Year's resolutions, goals, promises, whatever you call them, but I think I will this year. Why not share them? =)

Main goals for 2011:
1. Lose 60 pounds (the rest of my extra weight)
2. Get a job!!!
3. Finish my last 3 classes to get my degree in Accounting.

I don't really know what else to put as a goal. I've always been told that if I take care of myself first, every thing else will fall into place. So, this year, I'm taking care of me!! =)

Christmas Spirit... Bahumbug....

Yup, that's me right now... Bahumbug... Usually Christmas time is one of my fave times of year, but this year, not so much. I just don't have it in my heart like I usually do...maybe I'm just wore out.

Now, you might be wondering what the "christmas spirit" is to me...I suppose I can share my feelings. =)

To me, Christmas is a time of giving and caring...putting a smile on someone's face... giving doesn't always mean something material either!! It's about being grateful for what you have and passing on your "wealth". I think my feelings on this also coincide with what Christmas is for most Christians... the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I'm mean if you think about it, He gave...He cared... and nothing He did was materialistic. He brings about a sense of hope and love as I think the "christmas spirit" does also, if you let it.

Apparently, I'm not letting it. I have had a rough year in many ways and I won't turn this into a "pity party" but I'm just not feeling it!! Maybe I need to listen to more christmas music....watch more jolly christmas movies...decorate more...give more of myself to others.... most importantly, get back to Jesus.... but I just don't wanna.... I'm spent...

I don't feel like smiling in everyone's face, but I will, because that is the right thing to do right now....

I don't feel like being all happy go jolly for the kids, but I will, because it's not their fault I am have a shitty, poor-me kind of year...

So, I will drive around in my Rudolph car smiling and being fake, all the while feeling like Scrooge on the inside... Maybe next christmas will be different.

I can't be perfect all the time ;) *sarcasm intended*

Support the spouses this holiday season!! =)

Check out these sites by military spouses and see if something catches your eye =)
I will add more and update as I get them =)

Pampered Chef by: Angela Renfrow

Tastefully Simple by: Denise Bailey

Pampered Chef by: Amy Andrews

Enchanted Designs by: Laura Holmes

My ThirtyOne by: Tonya Poe

Avon by: Laura Ferrell

Lil Miss Hooah by: Ash Mckinlay

Army Wife Rustic Signs by: Christi Watson

Military Handbags by: Paige Gambaro

Scentsy by: Julie Dolly (official site)

Scentsy by: Julie Dolly (Facebook page)