Family matters

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear

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We are having snow flurries. My toes are cold.

There’s eggnog in the fridge, and I’ll be loading the holiday music onto the iPod momentarily.

I put out a few Christmas decorations this afternoon. I’m still trying to figure out how to work with our quirky mantel. The kids and I are going to set the artificial Christmas tree up in the basement in a few minutes. I’m putting all of the extra stockings down there, too.

I love this time of year.

*What movie is that from? First to answer correctly gets a digital drawing of an otter.

menu plan Monday

Over the river and through the woods and home again, home again jiggity-jig

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We were on the road for 12 hours yesterday, driving home from my dad’s house. There was a lot of traffic on the interstate, and it rained for about 11 of the 12 hours. Both of which meant there were a lot of traffic jams. Maybe it was just the extra holiday traffic causing the frequent stops. But the rain was still dreary, and there was a lot of it. Regardless, we took an alternate route for a good part of the drive. Not being on the interstate meant that we got to see lots houses freshly decorated for Christmas instead of lots of billboards advertising cheeseburgers.

Today, it’s back to real life. The cat missed us so much that she, shall we say, lost control of her faculties while we were away; one of the pumpkins out front has transformed itself not into a carriage but rather an orange pile of goo; the fish tank is in desperate need of a cleaning; there are bags to unpack; and the cupboards are bare. Which brings us to this week’s menu plan:

Monday: Swedish meatballs

I bought a bag of them at Ikea when we were there a few weeks ago. Tonight’s dinner should be relatively hassle-free.

Tuesday: Spaghetti

And garlic bread, also. And probably peas.

Wednesday: Chicken & dumpling “stoup”

This is from a Rachael Ray cookbook. I don’t care for the word “stoup” so much, but the recipe looks tasty.

Thursday: Sausages and potatoes

Chicken sausages and a box of scalloped potatoes. Not much to this, but it’s filling

Friday: Pizza

Once I get everything else in order, it’ll be time to start decorating for Christmas. We’ll probably wait until Saturday to get the Christmas tree (although I’d like to do it before then; it’ll depend on Rockford’s schedule). Poppy has wanted to decorate outside for a few years, and I’ve put it off by telling her we’d decorate outside once we owned our own home. And this year we do! I don’t think a wreath on the door will suffice, so I guess I’ll be going out to get some outdoor decor sometime this week.

Have you decorated for Christmas yet?

Social Media

An interview with someone who wields a mean microphone

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In another dimension, I’m pretty sure Brook is the lead singer and bassist in an all-girl punk band. They’re wildly popular and famous. When she isn’t tearing up the stage, she’s busy being a good role model for the young ladies who adore her. Like Lady Gaga, only 73 percent less strange.

In this dimension, Brook is an Army wife (to this guy) and a mom (to Gabe). Before her son came along, Brook taught high school math. Her students adored her, so I guess some things are true in any dimension.

Who would star as you in the movie of your life? Who would play your significant other?

Christina Ricci, only 50 pounds heavier (and still lighter than me, probably). All of the critics would praise her for gaining weight for the role, but no one would bother to tell her she looked happier that way. My significant other? Jason Statham maybe.
What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

It was probably parenting advice. But I try to block out the stuff that doesn’t work for us. The only advice I can actually remember is good advice, like when a mentor advised me to be real with my students, or when a co-customer at Starbucks advised me to clean the junk out from under my windshield wipers.
How has becoming a mother changed you?

Oh my. I slept about two hours last night. In spite of the fact that I am also sick, baby-sleep is much more important! On a serious and less whiny note, becoming a mother has opened my eyes to a whole new level of giving, and I’m growing in my understanding that nothing here in this world is mine to keep, not even babies. And that old piece of wisdom that says everyone is somebody’s baby? That makes sense to me now.
What was your first job? How old were you, and how long did you work there? Did you like it?

Isn’t everybody’s first job babysitting? I was strikingly (and possibly illegally?) young when I started watching my little brothers after school. My first real job with a paycheck from which taxes were deducted was at Lots’A’Bagels in Colorado Springs. My first real job with a paycheck that my mom didn’t hire me for (and not including work study or T.A.’ing in college) was teaching high school, which I did for about five and a half years, and which I love. I’m digging SAHM’ing presently, but I miss the high school kids. I know the me that’s pulling her hair out at the end of a hard day thinks that the me right now is crazy.
What’s your favorite sandwich?

Mmmm sandwiches. I’m not very particular about foods. The list of things I actively dislike is shorter than ten items (and includes wintergreen gum, bubblegum-flavored things, chai, and anything from Chili’s, if you’re wondering). But if I had to pick a favorite right now, it would be on Jimmy John’s bread, soft and fresh, with a nice rare roast beef, mayo, shredded lettuce, and tomato. Simple, but amazing. Bread makes the sandwich!