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December 28, 2007
Still Kicking
Hey guys-- just wanted to say, I'm still in the world of the living, but I'm on hiatus till after the New Year. Check back next week... after all the craziness of the holidays and house-hunting and all that.
Happy New Years!!! See y'all in '08.
(By the way... Ash, have you made up your New Year's rhyme yet?)
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:06 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas, Blogland!
Enjoy the best day of the year!!
Posted by WonderGirl at 2:46 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 21, 2007
Because We Share Everything
I find it necessary to tell you that I bruised my pinkie knuckle with my frantic energetic packing.
Just thought you should know.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled browsing.
PS: Moving truck pulls out at 7 a.m. in the morning!!!
Posted by WonderGirl at 12:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 20, 2007
Commenting Elsewhere
Hey, have you guys noticed that when you leave a comment on a Blogspot blog now, you don't have the option of leaving your personal url anymore-- it's got to be with your google/blogger account, a nickname (with no linkage) or one of the other mainstream ids? How much does that bite!?
I call for a boycott. Bloggers, rise up!
Posted by WonderGirl at 6:16 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Christmas is Here, Sing Noel!
(At the church service last night, Czarina and HeroBoy singing in the choir.)
Posted by WonderGirl at 12:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Departures
So tonight we had our Christmas service at church, followed up with food and fellowship. This was our last service, and it was grand. Lovely singing, wonderful telling of the nativity story, good food, good friends. It was a perfect night to go out on. A perfect exit.
But, I am quite tenderhearted about it. I fought back tears several times as I made my goodbyes, especially to a few friends I've been close to. (But Dolly, you snuck out on me! I didn't get to hug your neck! Wah.) And, though I will miss the circle of women I've come to know so well, it wasn't that exactly that had me so upset. It is the loss of fellowship, of community, that is the hardest to bear. We've always gone to church, but seldom actually been a part of it. Does that make sense? Here, we've been absorbed into the body of Christ- we've worshipped together, broken bread together... and to leave that is very hard. I didn't realize how much we'd given ourselves over to these people, to this place. It was an oasis, and I am loathe to leave that spring of fellowship. It's like cutting ourselves off from a thriving, healthy body of believers, and suddenly being adrift in a void.
I have a lump in my throat just typing that.
I know it won't stay that way, I know that God goes before us and that He has a place for us in Alexandria. I believe that. But right now, the future is dimly lit, and my heart is sad.
That's okay for tonight, yes? Tomorrow I will be better, tomorrow I will look forward to changes, to beginnings- but tonight, well tonight is for goodbyes.
Posted by WonderGirl at 12:20 AM | TrackBack
December 18, 2007
AIEEE!
Tuesday night we are hosting our building's Christmas party. Yeah. With all the boxes. But, we couldn't move without a farewell to our good friends here! The kids have all drawn names, so there will be a present exchange. I've gotten them all white tshirts and some fabric paint so that they can make memory shirts. This will keep them occupied while we adults try my first attempt at Hot Buttered Rum! Wahoo! I've been dying to make this stuff, and I've finally got the perfect opportunity.
But, lest you think we are all lushes, there is more on the menu than just booze. We'll be eating jambalaya and french bread, and for dessert- mini pecan pies. We're going for the cajun theme, just to jazz this thing up, and share a little of Louisiana with our Peruvian neighbors. Add in some beer (Abita, of course), a cheese and cracker plate, a bowl of holiday m&ms, and crank up a little Zydeco Christmas music, and you've got yourself a bonafide Creole Christmas party! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
I've also compiled a photo album of all the kids over the past year to give to my closest neighbor, Michelle. She's been great, and I will really miss her.
It will be a busy day for me tomorrow, trying to get the house presentable enough and get the food ready, but I'm really looking forward to it. It's a nice break from packing- a moment to stop and enjoy the people around me, this place and the memories we made. It seems a fitting time to say farewell, a time when we appreciate the blessings God has given us and the people He brings into our lives.
Plus. Come on. Hot buttered rum? How can that not equal fun?
I'll save you a mug.
Mkay. Time for bed. Night, folks. See you tomorrows.
Posted by WonderGirl at 12:30 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 17, 2007
Trouble in Threes
Hey, remember that transmission problem we were having- and I had to take it in again? Well, guess what? It's not the transmission. It's the alternator. I kid you not. I couldn't make this stuff up! In the month before Christmas, we've had to replace (or repair) the transmission, the brakes, and now the alternator.
Un-stinking-believable.
Oh well. Ya gotta have a running car, so you just suck it up.
Posted by WonderGirl at 4:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 16, 2007
Things That Need Sayin'
Sunday night, facing the last week in Birmingham. Aw! But yay! -sigh-
As I look around the house, piled high with boxes, I must take a moment to thank my in-laws. They had three of my kids all week last week, and it was a tremendous help. There's no way I could have accomplished all this without them.
As a matter of fact, the truth is, there is much we couldn't have accomplished over the years without them. I think, I hope, they know how much I appreciate them, but in case they don't, I am going to embarass them, and brag on my blog. I can't help it- I am a big believer in public displays of affection!
Continue reading "Things That Need Sayin'"
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:27 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
December 14, 2007
12 Days of Christmas
(thanks Aunt Dee- I enjoyed reading this so much, I'm passing it along on my blog.)
"From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a Pear Tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit; Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed."
Posted by WonderGirl at 4:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Weekend Update with WonderGirl
So... exactly how high can you stack boxes? I feel like I've got a few leaning towers of pisa around here. May have to do some reinforcement before the kids get home today. My box towers wouldn't stand a chance against the ninjas, choo-choo trains, cowboys, Power Rangers, and puppies.
Speaking of which, the chirruns are rolling in around 3 today with King Pen's parents. They'll be thrilled with the strangeness of living in Box Land for a week! (The kids, not King Pen's parents.) I think his folks are spending the night with us. They'll be staying in the Guest Suite, which is conveniently located in the Living Room, with state-of-the-art Air Mattress amenities. It's the perfect getaway for traveling grandparents! Turn down service available.
And a few hours later, King Pen's sister and her kids will be here, too. They are staying in a hotel, except for two of the younger kids, who will be bunking here. On a bed of boxes. Then Saturday morning, we're headed over to Moss Rock Preserve, unless it rains. Which, unfortunately, is likely. But if it doesn't, we'll hike and show off one of B'hams hidden treasures. If it does rain, we'll probably hit the McWane Science Center. Not exactly a hidden treasure. Unless you count the loose change in the ballpit. Which we'll need, because the tickets are outrageous for this thing! Why must fun be so expensive?
Anyway, that'll be our Saturday. Everyone is leaving that afternoon, and we'll get straight to the work of our last week here. Much to do, many goodbyes to say...
Well, I must be off. These boxes aren't going to move themselves. (Except for that one over there, marked "Creature". I'm scared of that box. I don't even know where it came from.)
Okay-- Enjoy your Friday, everybody!
Posted by WonderGirl at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 13, 2007
Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere
Alright! It's starting to look like we're moving around here! Left to do: kitchen, linen closet, King Pen's closet, and outside stuff. And, of course, disassembling furniture, minor repairs, and cleaning. But it seems feasible now, that we may actually be on schedule! Wahoo!
Posted by WonderGirl at 7:13 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Starbucks ER
I
need
coffee.
Stat.
Posted by WonderGirl at 4:55 PM | TrackBack
Checking My Lists
There seems to be an endless amount of stuff to do around here. Do you detect that tiny twitch in my eye, the slightly higher-than-normal pitch of my voice? Just a wee bit of panic here, lads and lassies. So, naturally, this is also the time when other troubles start. -sigh- The transmission- ARGH. Yes, the one we just had rebuilt-- it's whining! The nerve! And whining is contagious-- see? It whines, I whine. It is under warranty, so it won't be money out of our pocket, but it just comes at a BAD time. I do not want to have to be worrying with this right now! I guess better now than on the road when we're moving, though. Honestly, they better fix it right this time.
Anyway, besides that, packing is going well- but a bit daunting. Six people can accumulate a bunch of junk, I tell ya. I'm throwing it out left and right. It's actually pretty liberating. I mean, who needs a couch? Beds? Chairs? Clothes? Time to let it all go, my friends. Sleeping bags and milk crates in the nude will do just fine. (I may be getting a bit carried away with the whole "purge thy possessions" thing. Or possibly, it's the delirium kicking in.)
Christmas shopping, mostly done. I am waiting on a few things I ordered online, so that'll be it. I can't complain about the shopping though-- I've had so much fun spending money! I could seriously get used to that! Ha! Not that I've gone crazy-- but when you're basically just used to paying the bills and buying groceries, then it makes the Christmas shopping a real treat. Like, how cocaine is a treat.
Trying to get planned and organized for our last week here-- we have a lot of social activities next week on top of finishing up the packing. I really don't want to spend our final days here stressed out- that's no way to say goodbye. So I'm doing as much as possible now.
Well, I'm wiped. I gotta hit the hay. (Literally-- I gave away the mattress.) Night, y'all.
Posted by WonderGirl at 12:03 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
December 11, 2007
Daily Coyote
"Charlie came into my life when he was just ten days old, orphaned after both his parents were killed. He lives with me and a tomcat in a one-room log cabin in Wyoming."
And these are his pictures.
Start here, the very first images, and work your way to the present through the archives. It is heart-squeezing stuff- beautiful photography, poignant writing.
Posted by WonderGirl at 9:28 AM | TrackBack
December 10, 2007
Oh boy.
Fourteen boxes down. And it's barely a dent.
Posted by WonderGirl at 6:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
77° F
Shopping at the mall today, it occurs to me that only in the South can you buy short-sleeve Christmas shirts. -Sigh-
Humid Holidays, everybody!
Posted by WonderGirl at 3:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 9, 2007
Watchings
Posted by WonderGirl at 7:46 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Building Boxes
Whoa, hello Sunday! Snuck right up on me, didn't ya? I can't believe another week is upon me, one that must be very productive! This is do or die time. The kids are away, and I must pack, pack, pack. (And shop, shop, shop. Nap, nap, nap. Read, read, read.)
And hopefully I'll be so busy I won't cry, cry, cry. It's really starting to hit me. Part of me is very nervous about leaving the sure thing, ya know? We know every Sunday what to expect, we know that we will be well nourished, and in the company of dear folks who love us and love God. It's scary to leave that, and head into who knows what! And then, leaving our little community breaks my heart a bit, too. The kids have such good friends, and I have enjoyed the moms here in our building. We're having a Christmas/Farewell party, and I know for certain, I won't make it through without some tears.
-Sigh-
But, it's the right thing to do, I know it. This is a wonderful job, closer to family-- it's perfect. Just wish saying goodbye wasn't so tough. Wish I could take all the good stuff with me.
Anyway... blogging may be sparse over the next two weeks as I get all this in motion. Don't give up on me-- just keep popping back occasionally for updates.
Hope you all have a lovely week! Bye, bye, bye!
Posted by WonderGirl at 5:30 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 6, 2007
Chullos
Our sweet friends from Peru brought these hats back for the kids... aren't they snuggly?
Now if only we had some snow. -sigh-
Btw.. that's HeroBoy's new "cool" pose. Tough, huh?
Posted by WonderGirl at 5:54 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
I'm No Grinch, But...
Enough with the car repairs at Christmas already! To the rebuilt transmission, we now had to add new brakes, to the tune of $400.
I mean, it is what it is, I'm not letting this ruin my holiday-- but the unexpected expenditures have got to stop, or we'll never pull it all off- moving, Christmas expenses, deposits and all for a new place, etc. ARGH!
Come on, Santy Claus! All I want for Christmas is my two front wheels NOT TO FALL OFF.
Posted by WonderGirl at 2:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 5, 2007
Elf Yourself
Thank you, Dolly. I laughed till I had tears in my eyes.
The kids all elfed up, and of course, couldn't leave us out.
There is nothing sacred on the internets.
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:42 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 4, 2007
Occupations
Two and a half weeks till we move... OH.MY.GOSH.
The kids leave Friday for their grandparents house (thank you, Ms. Sue, what ever would I do without you??), and I have a week to get this place boxed up. Yeah, I'm a little bit freaking out. And sad to be going. But excited, too. (I may be developing a bipolar disorder.)
Rental truck is reserved, and storage facility is a go. Now we just have to find a place to live! We're waiting till the end of Dec. to do that, and hopefully by mid January, we'll be in a place.
Details, details.
Speaking of which, who wants to watch my kids the evening of Dec 21st while we load the truck? Anyone, anyone?
I love moving at the start of a new year, though. I know 2008 holds many new exciting things for la familia de WonderGirl. Lots of memories to be made with cousins, a promising career for King Pen, and maybe, just maybe... WonderGirl's verra own house? Wouldn't it be lovely this time next year to be hanging a wreath on my own hearth? This is at least a step in that direction, and it cheers me to the bone. Bring it on, 2008.
In Christmas news... we've got most of our shopping done. Though we scaled back a good bit, I am still excited about the holidays. We don't buy our kids many toys throughout the year-- even if we had a lot of money, I doubt we would. So Christmas is an extra special time, it really is our big moment of the year to splurge on them. I can't wait to see how excited they are to see what's under the tree this year.
I really wanted to get us into more of the Advent activities this season, but with moving, it complicates things. Next year though, we will employ more solid traditions that emphasize the birth of Christ, drawing them back to the reason we celebrate this holiday. I mean, obviously, they know... but it's so easy for them to be distracted from that by such a clear cultural focus on Santa.
Not that Santa doesn't ROCK. Cause he fills our stockings to the brim around here...
But we all know the Truth behind the trimmings. Just want to make sure that comes through loud and clear with the chirruns.
Well, look, I gotta go. I have so much stinking stuff to do, it's not even funny! Hope you all have a lovely Tuesday. I'll try to get on here and post our Christmas tree pix later today. Adios!
Posted by WonderGirl at 3:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 3, 2007
Departing this Earthly Coil
Good people lost a good man Sunday night. Say a prayer for the Reid family, who knows death holds no sting, but will miss David fiercely till they meet again.
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:52 AM | TrackBack
December 2, 2007
Done and Done
I did it! I've completed my six weeks of no shampoo! I would like to thank the people at the water company, who so graciously provided me with extra water for thorough rinsing, and my husband, who pretended not to notice the funky days, and my friends and family, whose curiousity outweighed their disgust, and of course, God, who gave me hair to experiment on.
As for now, I will continue to go sans shampoo. I mean, why mess up a good thing? I'm not promising never to use it again, but none for the time being.
So now what? What's the next big challenge? I feel like I need something. I have to admit, it was kinda fun having a short term objective like that. Go vegan for a month? Stop wearing deodorant? Give up processed foods? Mm. Not likely. I'm open to suggestions, though.
Anyway.
Other news... you know how we were planning to move before Christmas, but then we changed our minds? Well, we changed 'em back. So now we're moving Dec. 22, which is, oh three weeks away? Yikes. I mean YIKES!!!! What am I doing blogging? *running off in a panic.
Posted by WonderGirl at 5:14 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
December 1, 2007
Love Me Some Saturday
A verra good day.Christmas presents were bought, mall pizza eaten, and a free pair of pearl earrings from the new jewelry store at the Galleria now don my cute little earlobes. I kid you not. I got a coupon in the mail, and I redeemed it. No strings attached, they didn't require my firstborn child, and they didn't bully me into buying the matching necklace. Although, I did take in my engagement ring for repair, so there's that. But still. We like-a the free stuff.So, that's all... just wanted to share good vibes on this Saturday night.More tomorrow! We're putting up our tree, so there'll be pix to post.
Posted by WonderGirl at 11:13 PM | TrackBack