Wrapping up 2011 Christmas gift purchases over the weekend

Friday, I left work a little after 5PM hoping to get to spend sometime with Blake. We watched the shows we had recorded and just hung out.  I ended up falling asleep by 10PM.

Saturday I woke up early made dad some breakfast and took care of a few things he needed me to do.  After that, I went to my room to hang out with my husband and fell asleep.  Michael and Blake left to get a few presents for me. When they got back  Blake and I watched Paul.  It's a funny movie.  Defiantly not one for the kids until they are older.  While Blake and I watched that Michael and dad took a nap.  After the movie Blake went to hang out with some buddies.  While he was out Michael and I went out to get a quick bite to eat and wrap up buying Blake's gifts as well as picking up my sister's family their gifts.  We also got dad's gifts completel.  Well,  unless I come up with a really good idea. I'm very thankful to have that task complete.

I am making a couple of craft things but, not sure how they will turn out.  If they turn out well I will post a picture of the final product.  I might even do another one and take pictures for each step.  I'm nervous about making them but, I miss doing crafts.  I thought this might ease me back into crafting.

Sunday,  I woke up at 3 AM and was up until after 6 AM.  I finally got back to sleep and woke up by 9:30.  I didn't want to get up.  Dad didn't want breakfast.  He loves to nibble.  If it's junk food he's on it. Michael went and got us all bar-b-q for lunch.  It hit the spot.  As of now the boys are taking a nap.   I'm sure that will change if they get hungry.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that all of your Christmas gifts are purchased and wrapped so you can just relax before Christmas gets here.

Merry Christmas,
Jackie

Has political correctness gone too far?

I've been quite surprised that I have not heard more Christmas songs this year.  I actually have to seek out a channel I know that plays Christmas songs this time of year.  In years past you would turn on the radio and would be hard pressed NOT to find a Christmas song.  I'm surprised to say I really miss not hearing them.  Christmas songs always puts me in the spirit of Christmas. How can you not smile during those songs?  I know, I know, some of them are sad.  Like the Christmas shoe song.  But over all they are cheerful.

Everything has gotten so politically correct now days that it's frowned upon to say Merry Christmas. I don't get that. It seems the large majority of Americans celebrate Christmas in some form or fashion.  Weather they are cChristian or not. I have always and will always say Merry Christmas.  I promise I would not be offended if someone said Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or anything other holiday related thing.  Why should I be?  If it brings them joy how is it hurting me?

I agree with some political correctness.  But, I really believe it has gone so far overboard that it's ridiculous! It kills me that a few loud mouths have ruined it for the rest of us.  But then again, I've always heard the squeaky wheel gets the oil.  Obviously that is true in this case.

I don't understand how praying in school or at a sporting event hurts anyone.  When I was in school you did not have to participate in the prayer if you did not want to.  You could excuse yourself and step outside of the class room into the hall.  Or stand there and not pray.  Look at our schools now that they have taken prayer out of schools.  They have also taken discipline out of school.  How are they supposed to maintain control if they have no recourse?  Of course this is easy for me to say now that my son is no longer in school.  I think I would have flipped out if anyone laid a hand on him with a paddle.

What are your view points?  Have they gone to far with political correctness?

Hope you have a fantastic Friday and weekend.  Merry Christmas!!!

Jackie

Computer Gremlins

Somehow my laptop has gotten a gremlin.  I am able to turn it on.  Sometimes it comes up with you didn't shut your computer down properly blah blah blah.  Other times it does it's normal boot up and allows me to log in but once I get into the main system I try to click on any icon and it locks up.

I have an Acer Aspire3810T.  Does anyone else have this laptop?  If so do you have the same issues?

I honestly can't complain.  I got the laptop for free. I won it a few years ago from Want Not.  It has been perfect for me because it is so light weight.  When my back is out I can just prop that little thing up and still surf the Internet.

We have our old computer and another laptop that Blake used for his first year in college.   It's still brand new because he only used it for a computer class he was taking.  He uses hi Mac laptop he got from a family Friend for graduation. 

I've been using the other laptop but it's big and bulky.  I love the huge monitor but, I miss my light weight laptop.  I should honestly be smacked.  We are blessed to basically have 2 laptops and a computer in our home.  Not to mention 3 laptops and a computer when Blake is home.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm very thankful and KNOW we have been blessed beyond measure. I'm just spoiled to the Acer.  It doesn't hurt me when I use it.

On a positive note, Blake will be coming home this weekend.  I'm not sure if we will see him Friday night or Saturday because of my company Christmas party.  He will be home for a month!  Oh, I'm sure he will find something to do with friends. But, I also know he will spend time with us. I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with my boy. (Bummer just found out he will not be in until the 16th)

I hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday. We are almost there, so hang in there.

Jackie

PS:  I just wanted to say THANK YOU to Katie and Cullen for featuring our little bit of Christmas on wither Youtube channel on Monday.  If you like Youtube and enjoy fun, outgoing, kind people you will really enjoy their youtube site http://www.youtube.com/user/bamachick1101 .  You can click on any of the highlighted areas in this section and it will take you to their channel.  Thanks again Katie and Cullen!

It's Christmas Time

Sunday before Blake left we put up what little Christmas decorations we are going to put up this year.  Our Christmas tree is literally a Charlie Brown Christmas tree I bought Blake for either his dorm room or his first apartment.  We put out other Christmas things as well and it sort of drowns out our sad little tree.  Here is a picture of the end result.

Sad isn't it.  But, we honestly do not have any room left in our living room to put our normal Christmas tree up.  Not with dad and all of his things living in there.  And we are OK with it.  It's for a good reason.  The upside is clean up with be a breeze this year.

At work it's not much better.  I have two things up for Christmas.  One is a silk flower arrangement with two candles and the other is a Christmas tree that the guys decorated with office supplies. It might be a foot tall.  For the Christmas topper there is a cigarette.  I added a bow this year but I think it really to big.

Can you see the string of paper clips, and the sign here post it's. 
We also have a few small binder clips on there for good measure.



I have no idea how old this thing is.  I know it's at least 6 years old.

The funny thing is the lights on the ciggy tree, as we call it, stopped lighting up this year.  Well they light up on occasion. I think there is a short in the thing. I hope it doesn't burn the place down.

Maybe this will be a good year to remember what Christmas is all about. It's not about the decorations but about the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It's about love, laughter and sharing special memories with loved ones and friends.

As you go through the store picking out the perfect gift remember that sometimes the perfect gift is just visiting with the people you love. That playing games with one another instead of watching TV or playing on the computer will be a memory your family will cherish.  I know I sure do.

Wishing you love, laughter and a gift of happiness during this Christmas season!

Jackie



Sad News

I'm completely bummed out.  I just found out after work that Dara has decided to move back home. I understand how it is moving away from all of your friends and family.  I did it at a young age but, I was married to the love of my life.  Dara's boyfriend got a job back down by where she lives so it would be silly for her to stay up here when she moved up here to be closer to him in the first place.  Oh well, so much for girls movie nights.  Her last day at her job up here is Wednesday. She will be with her mama on Thanksgiving Day.  I'm so thankful she is doing her college courses on-line so she didn't have to skip  a semester of school.

The upside is I still have my baby boy at home.  Blake goes back to Oklahoma on Sunday.  He will be gone for two weeks then he will be home for a month.  This makes me very happy.  I love having him home. When he is away a piece of me feels the like it is missing.  I guess I better get used to him being gone. I'm sure he will want a place of his own by the time he graduates from college.  Heck, by then he could be engaged or even married.  You just never know.

I am hoping we can figure out a place for our Christmas tree between now and this weekend.  We always put our Christmas tree up with Blake. I sure don't want to break that tradition before we have to.

One of the Youtubers I watch had some really cute Thanksgiving treat ideas.  If you would like some cute treats that are quick and easy you should check her out on Youtube under HeyKayli .  I'm thinking about doing the Pilgrim hat.  I think that would be the easiest one to do. If I make anything I will be sure to either video it or take pictures of each step so you can follow along.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!
Jackie