Facts of the Matter and Gifts Galore

Christmas...We sat down to open gifts at midnight on Christmas eve, as usual, and I sadly decided to leave Darius out of the fun for th evening as he had just fallen asleep not too long before. So, it was just us adults trying to tear open the fun...almost felt like a traitor.
I got some nice things...a pretty necklace from Pokie, a couple of maternity items that I'm going to need in the future. :o)
I also got a Naslund t-shirt...and chance got a bertuzzi, a good lookin book, Under the Tuscan Sun, and a 30 Dollar Wal Mart gift card, and some other things that I can't think of right this second.
Can't tell ya what anyone else got...seems like ages ago already.
Christmas was good, and was even nicer when everyone was gone before New Years...give our poor toilet a break LOL
We did a quick trip to take Pokie to the toll booth, gramma and ralph home, and dropped marty off in Kamloops. I drove us home, and then ended up calling in sick the next day...so I didn't work for a whole week. I worked Christmas eve day, and not again until New Years eve day, and I worked New Years as well. *sighs*
Could barely keep my eyes open for New Years as I was sleeping with D when Chance woke me up for it. Dunno why, just wasn't into the whole socializing thing this year for any of the majour events. N/m that, but my body wasn't agreeing with me...aches and pains, and headaches enough to knock down the strongest of us.
Paul and Mary came over for Christmas...strange cause Paul likes Mary and apparently he spent the evening hitting on Mary, and Mary...had a tooth missing...dunno the story there, but her smile was scary! big black gap right next to her front tooth...hmm...oh yeah, that's sexy.
New Year in any event...oh boy, better be better than the last one...and the one before that.

Hol-A!

jeepers...friday all-ready...
It's getting closer and I can't stop it...AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!
So, went to my ultra-sound, where we could barely get a good shot of the baby, and I nearly wet their exam bed. The stupid exam requires that I drink 4 cups of water one hour before the exam, and you hafta hold it while she's pushing really hard on your belly. Riiight. I ended up waiting as long as I could before I told her, I'm not going to be able to hold this anymore. Then she let me go pee before inviting the family in to take the picture. Well, when we went to finally take the picture, the baby wouldn't sit still for it (typical kid). First it rolled over, then it kicked out, then it took a swing at the lady pushing on it so hard, then it was looking this way and that. Finally, got a cute shot. :o)
Steven arrived later that eve, and yesterday Gramma and Ralph arrived with Jay and his g/f&daughter arrived with them. I wasn't sure whether or not they were planning on staying at all, so I ended up buying/making gifts for them anyways. His g/f was surprised at that, and her daughter was very cute. Got a couple of pictures of Darius playing with her, they seemed to get on very well. Apparently Kali (sp?) is only 3 months older than Darius. So, before they left (they were just stopping in before heading back to Chu Chua) they had dinner, and I gathered their gifts for them. :o)
Today, mom, Steven, and Gramma all went out shopping. Chance went to work with Art, and Kimmie is now asleep, as is Darius. I've been working on my very special gift for Chance, and am so nervous and jumpy about it, I don't know if I can finish it.
Made some chicken soup for lunch for Ralph and I...pretty good if I do say so myself.
Took D to the Dr's yesterday mornin cause he has a bad cough that just sounds terrible. She told me it wasn't anything major (even though it's been round for a week now), and to just keep giving him cough syrup and give him salty foods. Apprently the salt helps break up the congestion. I learn something new everyday.
Was instructed to phone Pokie today, and when I did, was a very quick phone call. Can't member the last time I phoned her and said so little. Oh well. :o)
Anywho...was just taking a breather after a false alarm thinking that Chance was home. Think I may need a bigger break though cause I'm just not feeling all that great. :oP
Sore throat, chest congestion, and a dry hacking cough. plus yucky phlegmy sneezes on the half hour? Ew...who's idea was it to create the human cold?

Countdown

Wow...kinda took me by surprise that Christmas is so close at hand now...counting down to when everyone begins arriving for what I'm sure will be another memorable year.
Was thinking about it today, and I can't imagine what it would be like to do Christmas without my family again. Whenever it wasn't with my family, it really was not anything special...not like staying up until 2am playing scrabble, and playing air guitar in a five piece band...
Did some more wrapping today...after going Christmas shopping with my mom again this week, I've only got 2 ppl left to buy for, and they're not that big of a deal...
I'm also gearing up for my first ultrasound...getting rather excited as I keep getting conflicted reports about the size of my tummy...but I'm sure that'll clear up once all my goofball family gets here.
Managed to feel rather accomplished this evening. Got rid of D and Chance for a bit, sent them sledding, and started on Chance's gifts...almost finished one, just need something from the store...and the other one I almost finished as well, except it's too short dammit. I dunno what I'm gonna do, I may hafta dig out the remnants to see if I have enough, but I'm not sure if I will cause I had barely enough to do it as it was. Also made 5 gifts for the family that match, just gotta figure out who I'm gonna give em too, and cut out twogifts for Niamh, whom I've learned will be joining us for Christmas.
So, all in all, I'm expecting 7 extra family members this year, though it could really be only 6, either way, it's gonna be a ton of fun that brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

A thought on Christmas spirit and cheer.
I honestly do not believe it's even left. Each time I've been to the store to do my shopping, I've been cut off, bumped out of the way, and budged around...and not once have I heard an "excuse me, pardon me, or may I pass". I'm so saddened by the lack of generosity, and basic manners amongst my fellow people this year/ Even in my own household, a main focal point is money, and the fact that we're having so many people over and blah blah blah. It almost feels as if there's no Christmas spirit here sometimes as well.
I often joke with Sylvia that she really needs to have me in when I'm having family over because I need the escape...and the reality check that calms me down so much. I love going to her house during those hectic times because it is so quite, and I actually get to think without really being interrupted.
Well, here's to bringing the spirit back to life...

Tis The Season

Well, I hafta say, so far I'm doing relatively all-right with the stress levels.
I've figured on what I can and cannot do...as I tols my uncle lastnight...just take a deep breath and enjoy the season.
So, Pokie won't be able to make it for Christmas...D's very disappointed. We had his pre-school Christmas Party yesterday, and he began telling everyone how he was going to go and visit his Candice and play games with her and that he was excited about it...when I had to pull him aside and tell him we we were not going to go and pick her up this year, he asked me why. I told him she had to work, and he said, I miss her when she works. *sighs* I believe he's learned the value of family.
D's party was great...we made mini-gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and dried fruit for the kids, and we got to sit in with everyone while the kids sang us a song, and gave out cards and gifts to the parents, and then recieved gifts from the teachers, and then played for the remainder of the time. Was quite enjoyable.
Afterwards, D and I went downtown by ourselves, where we had lunch at the Royal Bakery (the best sausage rolls and glazed doughnuts in the world) and then went to Planet pacewalkers, where we played for about 2 and a half hours. For a portion of that, D made some friends, and actually didn't want anything to do with me, whilst he ran around with some other boys...was quite amazing. *sigh* He's growing up too fast.
Getting our cards out today...finally.
I broke 3 nails yesterday at Spacewalkers...jeepers.
Upside...got lots of cuddles and snuggled from D lastnight...yay me!
I'm planning on getting a new bed...no matter what I need to do to get the damned thing. My hips are sore, my back is sore, my neck is sore and I always wake up with a headache...I'm miserable on that stupid futon.
D's been playing with this huge box mom sent me to get from he roffice...rather interesting what kinds of things he stashes in there.

Money Money Money

I've got just enough to do what I need to do...but god is it ever grating on my nerves.

My Thursday

Wasn't a bad day today...slept in, and when I called Sylvia, she said not to come in because there was a change in plans. Yay...I got to stay home today.
Helped get D ready for pre-school, then sat round wondering what to eat. Hopped online and chatted with mom for a few before we both decided that it was a good day to go thrift shopping.
It was a perfect day for Thrift shopping, we got out early, and the sun was shining all day1 It was beautiful, and even the thrift store workers were cheery...everyone we came across was in a good mood. We didn't get home until 2:30, and I left the house at 10:15 this morning.
I'm so excited...I seen so many thing that I wanted, but bought only a few, and one of which in particular that I'm just exstatic over. I'm planning on making Chance something that he's wanted for a long time...am positive that he'll be surprised when he sees it, but am also sure that he'll really like it. Isn't it funny, I found the perfect gift in a thirft store?
Anywho...seen a rocking chair that I fit perfectly for only 12 bux that I didn't buy, and a perfectly good carseat that's newer, no stains, with a base and working fine for 45 that I also didn't buy because I thought Chance wouldn't agree with it...even though our first car seat was used.got myself a really pretty yellow dress yesterday which i spent my day shopping for accessories for, and managed to find a scarf and a pair of shoes to match both were only 2.99 at Value Village. I was also very surprised to find that Value Village had the biggest selection of maternity wear out of any store (asides from an actual maternity wear store) that I've been into...and the majority of the stuff was still new.
Went grocery shopping on Tuesday with Chance, cause I needed to buy all of my baking goods...am rather ashamed at how low I let my baking stocks get. Spent only about 90 dollars, that with about 17 dollars in coupons...so I'm not complaining. Gearing up to send out my Christmas cards...got them all done up, and pictures are inserted, just hafta add the last little messages and they're off! Yay
Still have plenty of Christmas shopping to do, but I've managed to buy a few small things here and there...and am hoping to be able to buy more, but who knows what my future holds. As it stand now I have the choice of paying my truck lease payment, or buying Christmas gifts for everyone that I want to buy for. All I can say is...I hope they can understand...and survive with only gifts that ican make for them...cause that's mostly what I'm doing this year, making gifts for everyone. :o)
Bringing the true Christmas spirit back.

Headaches

Gosh...I seem to have this constant headache...back of my head...down my neck.
Damn...tension headaches are back.
Stupid things never seem to go away unless I concentrate solely on not tensing my shoulders up. yay.
And to think, I'm not allowed Ibuprofen.
tylenol bites.

Trudge Trudge Trudge

Well, my first ultra sound is schedualed for Dec. 21st. They're going to measure baby to make sure I'm as far along as we all think I am, and not farther. Have already felt baby move...little flutterings in my tummy.
Trying to take it easy...not stress myself out...going as slow as possible.
We have a couple of options, but it's rather difficult to figure out which one to go with.
Our bad choices already bit us hard, what's a couple more gonna do?