Fa La La La Lifetime

When Halloween is over the stores slam right into Christmas. I am not ready for that. I love Thanksgiving and the fall leaves and orange pumpkins. It's hard for me to get into the Christmas straight from my Thanksgiving hangover. Here is what I did to jump start my Christmas Spirit.

1. Put the tree up right away. This can be stressful, but once it's done it's such a relief. Rob is still traumatized that we didn't even put the tree up last year. I know, I sound like Scrooge, but I did put up lots of other holiday decorations , just not the big fat tree. Well, by putting the tree up first , it took a load off. Now any other additions I choose or not choose to add is up to me. I like that freedom.


2. Put on Fa La la la lifetime channel. It is the best ever. It shows every single cheesy Christmas show imaginable. Most are made for TV movies, some are Christmas classics. I roll myself up in a cozy blankey and enjoy. Jeanie and I watched Miracle on 34Th St. ,the original with little Natalie Wood. Loved it!


3. In my car I have my music set on the Holiday music station. It plays nothing but Christmas songs. Who doesn't love that?


4. When I am cleaning I set up the TV to holiday music , or just pop in to cd player my favorites, Mariah Carey, or Josh Groban Christmas albums.


5. Have a baby. That may be a little tricky.....but it's really the best gift ever. I not only love all the little Christmas onesies, T-shirts, PJ's, but theirs nothing like a baby,toddler, little kids to make you smile. BONUS : My niece Christine just delivered her sweet little girl, Emma. Not only is she a special gift to her little family and two older brothers, but to Grandma Judy and all of us, in the Aunt Farm. (One baby down....4 to go!)


6. Wear your holiday clothing. I wear scrubs to work, so my little Christmas T's are great. And make me smile in-between my hot flashes. I can not wear sweaters any more Too hot!


7. Decorate your animals. (This may be controversial.) There's nothing that says Christmas like a pair of reindeer ears on Ozzie. It makes me smile every time.


8. Go see a holiday show.....especially with someone that you love. Even better if someone you love is actually in the show!

You are welcome to add your own ideas, these were just a few to get me started. I'm not such a great baker, but that also is a great one for some. It really makes the house smell good.Thank goodness for Yankee candles!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It really was a combo of several different celebrations/holidays in one. We had the birthday boys, who both have birthdays in December, but we like to try to separate the birthday/Christmas celebrations , so they don't get rooked out of their special day. I think they are okay with sharing their day with each other, and with Thanksgiving. It was fun having them here to do birthday stuff.
We decided to put up our Christmas tree on Wednesday so that Abe could see Christmas at Baba's house, cause we are having Christmas at Bri and Jakes this year. Also Big Rob was traumatized last year because we didn't put up our tree. It is nice to have it done, and I think Abe really enjoyed it. Now I can do other decorations at my leisure, if I even choose to do so.
Jeanie was here with us, and I think it was fun to have a guest other than my own little family. She was absolutely a great help in the potato pealing area. She even got a blister, and informed me her potato peeler is a much better tool than mine. I think mine is probly 30 years old. Right up there with my archaic electric carving knife and my wine glasses that are miniature compared to the litre models that are common today. I like to use them because they are so pretty.
Abe was a joy, and kept trying to put his little trains in my ficus tree. Like the Christmas tree in the living room, I am sure. He did have to go to time out once, and cried for Baba to save him. Which I couldn't , but totally wanted to and I loved the sentiment.
Robby tried to tutor me in guitar hero. I am absolutely so lame. But the fact that he tried made my weekend. We tried to have competition of the dressing, which Rob totally won, cause mine was not cooked all the way. The next day mine tasted okay....we'll have to work on that one.Next year I WILL WIN! The turkey was a group effort, and it was the best turkey we've ever had, I think.
Jeanie was like the dog whisperer, and the dogs really do respond to her. Our whole visit with Jeansie was a really fun time. I hope she comes back next year.
I think the sleeping conditions were sort of difficult for the Drlich family and sleeping on the floor so Abe won't fall out of bed was probably rough on pregnant mama.
I loved having Robby not have to run out on Thanksgiving day to have to go to work, and we just had a relaxing day eating and watching movies. Shreck The Halls was a big hit, except when little Gingy (Gingerbread Man) tells his part of the story and Bri has to cover Abe's eyes. The wonderful part of the holiday was that when we needed to hand Jeanie off to my sisters we went to Richmond to see baby Luke and all the Burkett family. What a fun weekend! So when I am sad that all the festivities are over, this year I was too exhausted to be sad. That's what I call a great holiday!