Okay, so I have to share some Christmas highlights with you - since I haven't really written too much about them. First, was this Christmas goose! He was hanging out at our local Pizza Hut. He was just laying in the snow all by himself and when I tried to take his photo, he got all indignant and honked and me. The  nerve! When we asked about him inside they didn't really know too much about him, but they were feeding him - so I guess he was doing okay - just hanging out for Christmas!

Next, is my in-laws Christmas tree - it was such a beautiful tree and they bought it on Christmas eve for a discount! You can't get much better than that. It was still nice - not dried out like you would expect. Here's a photo David took - really it was lovely.

Lastly, I got a sewing machine for Christmas. Now, I'm going to tell you a secret. I have never sewn. Ever. I know NOTHING about sewing. I am embarrassed to admit that when I was in high school and most girls were taking what was called "Home Ec" (It's called something else now, but I can't remember what), anyway while they were learning to sew and cook and balance a checkbook or whatever, I was learning to weld. Yes. Weld. In high school I had this crazy idea that I would never need to know how to cook or sew or balance a checkbook because I was a liberated type woman and since I would be living in some art colony the most valuable skill I could have would be welding. I so regret this decision, now in the light of day, when I've had to teach myself how to cook and balance a checkbook and other practical things and I have NEVER EVER had the occasion to weld ANYTHING.

So, recently I got this bug up my butt that I wanted to learn how to sew. I hinted around and so I got a sewing machine for Christmas. Last week I went out and bought a couple yards of material and some thread and scissors so I could start practicing. Today, since everyone is gone and I can concentrate, I busted the machine out to see what I could do.

Look! I have actually THREADED the machine!

I even learned how to wind the bobbins with thread! This is HUGE for me I was wondering how these bobbins got threaded - I thought I would have to do it by hand! Are you laughing? I was when I discovered this modern technology that does it for you! We live in magical times people! Magical!

I even got the needle threaded without driving it through my fingernail - a real fear that I had.

Now, stand back because this is HUGE I have actually sewn some stitches onto fabric! Amazing. It's pretty fun actually. They aren't the straightest seams in the world, I have some practicing to do with that, but this is the most I've ever sewn in my life, and I'm pretty psyched about it.

When we were out buying the fabric and thread I picked up a pattern to see if I could make sense of them. I looked for something really simple - and I found this:

I'm thinking this is really out of my league right now . . . I told Gabby I needed to start with something more my speed - like a tablecloth.

Gabby bought Taz a little bed for Christmas because he likes to sleep under the barstools and she felt sorry for him laying on the hard floor.

For Christmas David's sister bought Taz and our other cat Scat a catnip mat. They LOVE it. Taz hogs it all the time, so now add to his daily list of things to do: lay around, sleep, eat, poop and GET HIGH! I know, I know, the catnip is MEDICINIAL, right Taz?

The Grinch looked around.
"But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch...?
No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"
So he called his dog Max. Then he took some red thread
And he tied a big horn on top of his head. "

The video was shot by Till Credner

Wow - it's been a busy week or so since I last wrote. Hope you all had a great holiday and that your new year looks like it will be a good one. Our Christmas was nice. We went to the in-laws for Christmas eve and then to midnight mass. It was funny that on the drive down we saw several families stopping at the gas station to buy cases of red bull - guess they were going to midnight mass too.

Ate Christmas dinner at my parents and then came back home to relax and play "Scene It."  My sister has been admitted to a (physical) rehab hospital to help with her MS and her two kids will be living up here.  I think my nephew will be living with us and my youngest niece will be living at my parents. My oldest niece is going to stay at her house. She's a senior and I'm sure she wants to finish out her year where she started off.  I don't know how long my sister will be in the hospital, but I know that it's the best thing for her. She was here the week before Christmas and it was more than obvious that she can't take care of her kids because she can't even take care of herself.  She fell twice at my parents house and my brother and dad had to help her up, she's not a small person and it's impossible for one person to lift her. She came over here and fell twice - the first time I called my brother and he came to help her up but the second time he wasn't available, so I had to wait for David to get home (luckily it wasn't too long) to help.  She's just a mess. She can't dress herself, she is very hard to understand when she's talking, and her mind doesn't seem to be working properly.  When she was here she called her husband to come pick her up, because we were being "mean" to her. I think that she feels we are mean because both my mom and I told her that she needed to quit smoking. I understand the desire to want to smoke but when you're risking your life to have a cigarette - and I don't mean the long term risk of cancer - I mean the falling and cracking your head open on the sidewalk or laying out in the snow until someone finds you - it's time to quit.  So anyway her husband came and picked her up on Christmas eve and then got her admitted into the hospital. I'm hoping that they will help her figure out some long-term solutions, whether through rehab or in-home health care, or something.

Her kids are taking it pretty well. I think it's a relief of some kind to them. They were made to be responsible for taking care of her and they're just too young. I know they miss her and they love her - it's just all screwed up. Again, I could write a book about this, but I'll spare you.  I have decided that my New Year's Resolution is to spend less time with my family.  I figure, I'm 41, we've spent a great deal of that time all trying to get along and hey that hasn't worked so well, so maybe we should all consider having some "alone time" and see how that goes.  My mom's oldest brother lives in another state, he's a widower who works as a groundskeeper in a cemetery and then spends the rest of his time at home drinking. Everyone is always trying to get him to come for the holidays or for vacations, but he always backs out. I used to think it was a sad, lonely kind of life. Lately, I'm thinking he's crazy - crazy like a fox that is! So, okay I probably won't become an alcoholic - I figure it's kind of late in life to make that kind of commitment, but the whole hermit thing, avoiding your extended family, I'm not seeing the downside to that.

We've also been sick - first David had it, then on New Year's eve I stared feeling bad. Yesterday I was just wiped out. I spent the day taking cold medications and sleeping. Every once in awhile I would rise up to consciousness just long enough to realize that there was a Loony Tunes marathon on Cartoon Network - how flipping sweet is it to be sick on the day they're showing Bugs Bunny cartoons all day. If you have to be sick - that's the way to go. Today is better - just coughing a lot still and not feeling quite one hundred percent. I guess I'll live.

So anyway, just wanted to say that yes, I'm still here, just very busy and then very ill . . . can't wait for everything to get back to "normal." HA!

My sister's MS has been getting worse, as I've mentioned before, so my dad went to pick her and the two youngest kids up on Saturday. They will be staying indefinitely. Not sure what the plan is there yet. On Sunday I had the kids come over to make Sugar Cookies. They turned out very distorted and barely decorated, but the kids had fun (I think) so that's what matters. This photo looks funny - poor sugar cookie man is trapped!

Gabby and I have also made Molasses Cookies using my great grandma's recipe. They are my all time favorite cookie. I can't wait to eat them!

We also made candy covered pretzels - both white

and chocolate

We made candy dipped candy canes, which I equate with deep fat frying a snickers. I mean, you're thinking, "I know! Let's dip this cane made entirely from sugar into some sugar and fat and then sprinkle it with some tiny colored bits of sugar! Perfect!"

While we were doing that, Gabby had the great idea to dip candy cane Hershey's kisses into the melted chocolate - then we did coat some of them with sprinkles. These are flipping fantastic if you love chocolate and mint flavors! I don't know if anyone else has already done this, but I think my daughter is a genius!

Lastly, we made chocolate covered cherry mice - aren't they so cute. You can put little drops of icing on for eyes and stuff, but really we were just tired by the end of the candy making marathon so we settled for the minimalist approach.

Here's another shot - sorry these photos didn't turn out so well. I did try making three blind mice - but then I remembered that the farmer's wife cut off their tails and that started a whole conversation about how creepy some children's songs are.

Today I'm making Russian Tea Cakes and we made Gingerbread dough, but when I took it out of the fridge today it's all crumbly and I'm not sure it's a good recipe. I'm going to go try and work with it a bit and see what happens. So anyway, that's what I've been up to - wish you were here to share some of my goodies with!

Okay, first off, one of the gifts I most wanted - wanted really badly - but never got was the Vincent Price Head Shrinker Kit.  Yes, I was a morbid child, you all know of my Halloween obsession, still - I didn't INVENT the thing, I just wanted one for Christmas. I guess my parents didn't see the value in a kit that allowed you to create shrunken heads. Later, I heard that it wasn't as fun as it looked. Still, I've never really recovered from my disappointment that Christmas.

Another gift I wanted and never got was the Frosty Snowcone maker. Oh how I longed for this. This photo doesn't show it, but it came with a little shovel that you would scoop the chipped ice into cups with.  The ice cubes went into his hat and got all crushed and came out his stomach. Then you had some sugary flavorings in the yellow tubes that you would add to the crushed ice. Adorable!

My friend Teresa had the Barbie Country Camper. I always coveted it. I guess it was lucky that I got to play with hers since I never got one of my own. *sniff*

Instead of Barbie, my sister and I got the Sunshine Family . . . damn hippies.

Things I really, really wanted but my mom did not want to buy me because they had too many pieces:

Things I really, really wanted but my mom would not buy because they would make too big of a mess:

I know you've already seen this one, but again, look how cute he was . . . and too big of a mess.

Things I really really wanted and I don't know why I never got one:

My aunt had one of these and I would spend HOURS looking at those slides. Remember how they made everything look like a fantastic little 3D world? I would just concentrate, concentrate, trying to will myself into the little scenes (like this one with Huckleberry Hound)

Wanted this. Never got it.

Did get these . . .

They looked a lot more fun than they were. Heavy glass balls that you were supposed to smack together. This was before video games, obviously, when children's entertainment expectations were WAY lower.

OH, and I remember getting one of these:

Did you ever "play" with one of these? I remember that it sucked. Mainly because I burned the crap out of myself on the tip the first time I used it. I never could get the project to look like the one on the box and then my mom put it up and I never saw it again.  Another children's toy that could have used more research and development before release.

Okay, well here's the Cinnamon Candy recipe:

• 2-3/4 cup of sugar
• 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup of white corn syrup
• 1 tsp. cinnamon oil
• 1 buttered cookie sheet
• Red food coloring
• Candy thermometer

Combine sugar, water and syrup in a sauce pan and set on high. Stir once to mix, then cover until the mixture boils.

Uncover and boil to hard crack stage (298° F) Stir occasionally.

Remove from heat and add the cinnamon oil and stir WELL.

Add food coloring and mix.

Pour onto cookie sheet. I know you know this, but I just have to say it because I'm a mom, be really careful when you do this because if the candy gets on your skin it's going to stick and keep burning - not a pleasant experience.  Let the candy sit until cool and it becomes hard. After it becomes hard, take a small hammer and  gently break the candy into bits that are small enough to fit into your mouth. Dust the candy with powdered sugar and then store or divide into gift packages.

You can make this candy with other flavored oils too - like spearmint and make it green, or lemon and make it yellow - whatever floats your boat!

The first gift was a word. When I was in college one of my friends gave me the word "Elysium" for my birthday. He had pasted the word onto a piece of cardboard and made a little collage with the definition of the word and some images. I was very touched by the gift because it seemed like something he had thought about and spent some time putting together. Whenever I hear that word, I think of him and I think secretly that it's "my" word since I got it for my birthday.

Elysium: Any place or state of perfect happiness; paradise.

Another friend of mine once gave me a song. This person was a very good friend and we'd had a falling out. It was around Christmastime, and although he didn't celebrate Christmas, I guess he thought it would be a good time to apologize and try to make things better. He came by my house with a cassette and said he wanted to give me a song for Christmas. Of course I forgave him and we became friends again. We've lost touch since that time - mostly because the last I knew he moved back to Malaysia where his family lived, but I still remember him fondly and think of him every time I listen to this song.

So what's your best "non-thing" gift?

I'm neurotic, I admit it. I never lured you to this blog with promises of being well adjusted.

Anyway, here's a site that shows that I'm not the only one afraid of the real life Santa. You have to laugh at some of them, c'mon - especially this one, classic: