The First Day of December

Wow, where did the year go? Really, I was just here, December 1, 2008. Except it's 2009. A lot has changed, but at the same time, not much either. I am not in Cairo, but am without husband. Last year he was gone, too. But I'm fine with that. We keep in contact every day; talking at least once daily and emailing everything.

I do miss not having my husband around the house, but I also miss the "Man Around the House" aspect of it, too. Like wrestling with the Christmas tree yesterday. I bought a new, fake, pre-lit behemoth. I love it. 7.5 feet tall. (2.3 meters) But it's heavy and unwieldy. It would have been a lot easier with some help. I already solved the "Christmas Lights on the House" dilemma. I paid someone to do it. 6.5 hours later, I have a lighted house.

Or hauling out the Christmas boxes, bulging with decorations. I did it. It just took me longer. But I feel like the house is holiday-ready. Green pine scented candles are scattered around the main living area and I have all my nativities set up. I'll probably rearrange them a few more times, but that's what they're for! The kids are making present lists and delivering them to my office, complete with illustrations. My sister and her husband visited at the beginning of November and Uncle Chris asked Mairyn what she wanted for Christmas. Her response? Egypt. Hmmm, I don't know how to package that up, sweetie. She has since rearranged her priorities and already has 9 items on the Santa list. You want to see it? I think it's hilarious.

For Santa
What I want for x-mas. (yes, she wrote x-mas)

1. A snuggie.
2. A Pillow pet. (dolphin shaped, i think, b/c there's a dolphin drawn next to it)
3. All of the doll's like this. (and there's a nondescript 'doll' drawn)
4. A pair of roller blades.
5. A pack of animals.
6. A sticky frog, red.
7. A toy of Troy and Gabriella (with troy & gabriella drawings)
8. A toy of an ayd kid ( i'm thinking a first aid kit?)
9. A glow dome

Alright, kid, we'll see what Santa can do. The kids do miss Spencer, but they are handling it pretty well. They get to talk to him occasionally. He gets off work about mid-morning our time, so they're at school when he calls. Sundays are our reconnect days, they get to talk to him. Saturdays sometimes, but they can be busy days, too.

I am going to try and post a Christmas idea every day until said holiday. First holiday idea? Plan to do the 12 days of Christmas for someone, anonymously. Now, I know there are different ways of doing it. The original 12 days of Christmas actually begin on Christmas and continue until January 5th. Is it called Epiphany? I don't know, I'm not Catholic. But the Americanized 12 days of Christmas begins December 14th and continues until Christmas. For me, that usually means 12 anonymous gifts to a person(s). Keeping it with one person usually makes it quite fun and full of mystery for the receiving end. But start thinking about it now. Usually I realize that, "Oh, today is the first of the 12 days of Christmas, crap!" and hurriedly whip something together. Take time, put thought into it, and I know you'll feel like you received more!

Day One

We are on the verge of a new adventure. We may be one Spencer less in the family, but we will carry on. He left for Iraq late last night and we got up early and hit the road. I'm taking it easy meaning NOT driving 9 hour days. We've stopped in Streetsboro, OH which is 6 hours from Northern Virginia. And we really lucked out. I will forever praise TripAdvisor.com. They have never let me down. I wasn't completely familiar with the Wingate by Wyndham brand of hotel, but I love it. This is a great place. Indoor swimming pool, in-room fridge, microwave, free wi-fi and the room is huge!

After two hours of swimming, we went across the street to the SuperWal-Mart. Yep, right across the street. While we were snagging some Kid Cuisines in the freezer section, Jacqueline decides to drop. She was exhausted. We were all up late, saying good-bye to Spencer, and then we were up at 6:30am. Dashing back across the street, I enticed her with promises of pudding and pizza if she just stayed awake. She did. They were thrilled with this little treat and everyone inhaled everything. I made myself a provolone, turkey & ham on ciabatta bread. I may or may not be eating chocolate covered doughnuts that were intended for the kid's dessert. I'll share. Eventually.

P.S.
Spence just called me and he got there safely.