take 2

Does it work now?

Sorry about the video

I can view it fine, so I don't know what the problem is. After the little miss and I take a nap I'll try to fix it later.

=(

A child's laughter - truly the best medicine

I've been trying to catch a good video of Catherine walking around to show off how good she is getting at it. So far I haven't been able to get one quite like I want. But this morning I got something just as good.
For some reason, she thought me wiggling my foot around was hilarious. Then I started tickling her with my slippered foot and she went nuts giggling.

Compromising traditions

Compromising for the holidays is a huge challenge, especially between me and Stephen. We have different ideas, traditions, and backgrounds, but are equally stubborn about our own ideas being the way that it is supposed to be. Thankfully, we are getting quite skilled at compromise and communication.

Last night we had one of these conversations. We were talking about plans for Christmas dinner at our place. The disagreement started with him not understanding why I was having problems with him wanting to eat dinner sitting on the couch instead of at the table. The more we talked about it, the more each of us realized how we really felt about it. It wasn't about whether or not anyone would be "allowed" to eat from the couch. His concern was that I am going to go all Martha Stewart and make the dinner too fancy. He wants low key; family just hanging out and having fun. I want that too, but I want to make it special. But the things that I do to make holiday occasions special (decoration touches, nice place settings, etc) are what he means by "too fancy".

So... the most important thing is that we realized we do want the same overall thing: spending time with family, socializing and having fun. We just differ on the level of acceptable fanciness.

I asked if I could still have my nice centerpiece on the table and candle decorations on the porch. He said no.

I said that I refused to budge on the quality of food. He said that he wouldn't ask me to do that.

So I asked him what we could do to help him feel better about the whole thing.

The compromise: paper plates. I agreed that we can have paper plates and napkins for Christmas dinner to take down the fanciness. He agreed that I can pick whichever plates I want... and that everyone will be sitting at the table.

Now, I love my husband. Tons and tons. I love him enough to put up with his snoring and his video games. I loved him enough to have his child. But paper plates for Christmas dinner? Wow... that's love.

Oh boy...

I just realized that I am munching on espresso beans...

... and drinking coffee.

This can't be good.

One week to go

I don't mean to brag, but I have to exclaim my excitement: We are done with Christmas shopping!!! WooHoo!!!

Things to look forward to in the next week:
- decorating the tree (no... it's still not done yet. DOH!)
- tons of gift wrapping
- making stocking markers for Jen's (read: more crafty stuff)
- more Christmas planning with Jen
- planning dinner for Christmas Day
- several family gatherings
- getting together with a few friends that I haven't seen in a LONG time
- watching Catherine as she experiences her first Christmas

I DID IT!!!!!

I got a 95% on the final, resulting in an overall A for the class.

Hell's yeah, bi-atch!!!