THE GIFT OF WARMTH

You might have read, in my Christmas Spirit post, that I had a gift to give away. A recipient was chosen and I was ready to hand deliver the card. It was brought to my attention that this person lied about something very serious. The lie was initially one of the REASONS this person was chosen. I am so sad, disappointed and honestly, a little disgusted by this behavior.

On a happier note, a different (and very special) recipient was chosen. Although I was not there to see the reaction in person, I'm told that a little dance happened all through the house! I am happy that it was so appreciated!

A good friend has many hats to wear.
What a TALL ORDER to fill!

SNOW, SNOW

Snow, snow, don't go away.

Come back another day.

So we can run and go

Outside and play!

VACATION TOOTS

Again, I don't Twitter, but...
if a bird communicates by "tweeting",
what do you call it when fish communicate?
Tooting!!! (trademark pending)

Actually, scientists have discovered that fish communicate underwater when they create high-frequency sounds by releasing air from their backsides. That sure is talking out of your ass!

I thought I would communicate with you all about our mini vacation. I hereby call it "Tooting" (trademark pending) on behalf of the above research findings!

Am I starting a new trend?

Let's Toot together...hahaha

Here are a few guidelines...

* Toots must be 3 words or less
* No vulgar language
* Punctuation can be used but is not necessary
* Links are accepted, but no other words will be allowed in that individual Toot

Following is moment by moment Tooting about our vacation. Enjoy!

* Wisconsin, baby! * 1.5 hour estimated * 4 hour actual * too many stops * Cracker Barrel Yum * sooooo not organic * beautiful drive * first snowmobile sighting * want to ride * organic grocery store * too much luggage * suite > condo * swim swim swim * Joey closed ride * lost glasses * teaching Francesca swimming * trip to Walmart * homemade dinner * fake fire * real sleep * oatmeal and oj * learning arcade games * family nap * lazy river * outdoor hot tub * super fast slides * lots of smiles * swim swim swim * kid's first jacuzzi * homemade dinner * surprise cheese curds * fake fire * real sleep * quick breakfast * better at arcade * walkin the town * yeah nap time * swim swim swim * hate yellow slide * asthma attack * kid's second jacuzzi * Gino's cheese pizza * bottle of wine * 9 hours sleep * good morning * crabby family * pack it up * bringing home recycling * mastered arcade * on the road * can we move? * Cracker Barrel again * teaching Nicholas checkers * car naps * outlet malls * new ski jacket * new ski boots * French leggings * le creuset dreamin * Jelly Belly factory * too much sugar * too much cheese * too much traffic * not good combos * finally back home * back to life * back to reality * back to the * here and now * Chicago, baby! * yeah! *

I love this picture

of the water!

We stayed at the Timber Ridge

in Lake Geneva.

Read my highly recommended review here!

SOCIAL STANCE

I'm not a fan of Facebook.
My Myspace has become
My(neglected)space.
I think Twitter is twaddle.

All of these social networking sites aim at keeping others informed of your personal happenings, but it seems so not personal. If you enjoy it, good! Right now, it's just not for me. Maybe my mind will change in the future. Who knows? I have read through Joey's Facebook and it looks like some people spend more time sending fake cartoon drinks and playing fake games instead of spending time talking or messaging one another about what is really important in life. I don't think any less of you if you are wrapped up in any of it (says this ex-myspace-junkie) but at this point in my life, I just prefer something more personal, intimate and meaningful. I don't care how many friends I can collect. I know where to find my true friends and they know where to find me! Besides, I have such an addictive personality that if I started, I would never stop. So, if you want, join me here once an hour, every day or once a week, just don't forget about me!

CHEW ON THIS

While we were missing the Big Fish at midnight because he was busy being the Mayor of Edison Park, we still managed to have a little fun...

...and it all came to a SCREECHING halt when Monkey decided to eat it.

In case you missed it, watch again or just read on...

Yep, that's right, Monkey actually took a bite out of the glass. Who says that I'm overprotective of my kids? Wanna chew on glass? Go right ahead and recycle! Would a normal mama let her kids celebrate New Year's at midnight, instead of 7pm, or drink (sparkling white grape juice) from a REAL glass, or eat breakfast for dinner? Save for some predetermined times, I'm not really hyped up on conformity.









Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

*Robert Frost*

.

*JOYEUX 2010*

Cheers to the hope that in 2010,

your glass is always half full!