Toolio was fat

It's 8:30...

...on Tuesday night before Christmas, 2006.  I've had 3 glasses of wine.  That's about 2 too many for me and my little altered tummy.

Speaking of tummies...I think I may have gained 2-4 pounds in the last month or 2.  I haven't been real diligent in the food vs. crap arena when it comes to feeding myself lately.  But I will no longer be a hoss, so I will cut back on the pastries and fries for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference.

And it needs to, cuz we're doin' Vegas in 5 weeks, Baby!  That's right - me and "The Girls" are hittin' Sin City hard for my birthday.  We will be doing all sorts of fun stuff; and looking good doing, it, too! Of course, you know that, cuz you are probably one of the girls, anyway.  Uh. Hi La and Karen ~ and Gramps.

Speaking of Gramps - thanks shitloads for the shitloads of Xmas $$.  It will help pay for that monstrous TV that we cannot seem to turn off these days.  Have any of you seen Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in Hi Def?  Awesome; yet, kind of creepy.  But it does rock!

Speaking of those who rock...G-Judy sent about a billion Xmas gifts up today.  That makes her the Rock Star Of The Day.  If the boys enjoy the gifts as much as they've enjoyed the boxes they were shipped in, then we're good for awhile.

And finally...speaking of good...we're good to go for Christmas.  I've shipped the gifts, hit Costco, wrapped most of the presents, and confirmed our guests for our annual Christmas Eve Dinner Party.  We'll have 11 adults and 3 kids.  Some of the friends have offered to bring food, so my list of items to prepare is dwindling everyday.  BTW - I love that.  I've had to relinquish some control over the menu, but, shit -  it'll still be good,  I mean I am cooking, after all.

Speaking of cooking; my brains + 3 glasses of wine = overdone.  I hope to post again before the big day, but if I don't, y'all have a great EX-MASS.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE SANTA?

We skipped seeing Santa - as planned - last Saturday because we were busy installing and playing with the new monstrous TV.  Bubby never asked why we didn't go; we thought he just forgot about the whole thing.

Then last night, he asked if we were going to see Santa in Seattle today during our little Seattle Christmas adventure.  I happily replied, "yes" and was quite satisfied that we were giving him another chance to see Santa.  Grandma C even brought along a picture of his Daddy (Hubby) when he was 4 and visiting Santa (1969).  We were all very excited to meet the Big Man today.

So as soon as we parked in downtown Seattle, we made a plan.  See Santa, go eat, ship a little, look for toys.  When we got to Santa, the line was really long, and we decided to hit TODAI for lunch first.  Santa would be there until 4pm, anyway.

After a great time for all at lunch, we made our way back to Nordstrom Santa and Bubby said he didn't feel like waiting because he'd rather go to the Christmas Shop at Macy's instead.  Okay - so we skip Santa again and head for Macy's.  On our way to their Holiday Lane, we noticed Santa was there, too!  WOW!  This was it- we're going to see Santa at Macy's!  Finally!

We get off the elevator at there he was.  He started his Ho Ho Ho as soon as he saw us approach.  Then Bubby stopped in his tracks.  He didn't want to go any closer to the big red man.

"Actually, I don't really want to see him momma".

"But he's Santa, Bubby.  He's right there.  Look how happy he is".

"I don't want tooooooo"

"Don't you want to tell him that you'd like a contruction set and a new Megazord for Christmas?".

"YOU tell him, momma."

finally- we deciphered that Bubs is still really scared of Jolly Ol' St. Nick.  Not sure why, though.  So another year goes by where our Santa visit is a bust.  That makes 5 in a row.  He has never liked Santa and never wants to sit on his lap.  We should have realized this when he was 8 months old and screaming bloody murder the first time he met Mr. Claus.

However, Deso had a grand time as long as Grandma C was hanging out, too.  Maybe the Little One will convince his big brother there's nothing wrong with Santa?  We'll see...

Hi guys

I know- this blogging thing is a little "back-burner" right now.  Not on purpose; just busy and tired.

Either way, I still must say what's on my mind, because - let's face it - I have to.

Okay- so I was pretty sad about the heroic father, James Kim, being found dead yesterday in Oregon.  Wow - this story is so tragic and so sweet at the same time.  I feel for those girls and their mom.

Despite that, we're having a pretty good week.  I think Deso is mostly over this latest ear infection.  We are considering getting tubes in his ears, though.  He has had 7 ear infections in his short 15 months of life.  Sound excessive?  Yeah - I thought so, too.  We'll decide after the next ear infection, I'm sure.

AND - I have decided on my Christmas Eve Dinner party menu.  Phew - that was a biggie.  Actually - it was.  We are having all new things (for me, anyway); standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding (with bacon!), sage/butter mashed potatoes, brussels with nuts/gorgonzola/warm apples, a super salad, a mess of fancy hors d'oeuvre (smoked salmon and caviar!!  Fondue!!)) and wine with everything.  I looked around, got inspired, and made up some recipes.  The Yorkshire will be strictly by someone else's recipe because I've never made it before.

Christmas shopping is almost done.  When I started, I made the mistake of hitting the mall.  NOT a good idea.  I actually said the words, "I hate shopping" at the end of that day.  Yeah.  Can you tell it was not a great experience?  However - I'm over the hump and shopping is wonderful yet again.  I'm just pleading temporary insanity on that one.

So we have gotten the Christmas tree and are decking the halls.  I have piles of Christmas crap all around the house waiting to be hung and pinned and taped.  Hopefully we'll finish this week.  Must get to wrapping those gifts...

Ciao for now!