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Has it really been that long since I posted? A whole week? I remember going through a few days of an incredible lack of motivation, then there were all these bright shiny decorations laying around distracting me. Of course there is the small matter of having four kids six and under needing my constant attention, a head cold, a snow storm, a power outage aaaaaaand ... that about sums it up.

I hope no one really missed me but at the same time I hope I was missed by someone... besides myself. Many of you have done this cute little 25 things Christmas survey so because I like to fit in here we go :-D

25 Things about ME for Christmas
(Because that is what Christmas is all about, right?)*

1.Hot apple cider or hot chocolate?

I like either one or, even better, both.

2.If you could have anything from ONE of the “Twelve days of Christmas”, what would it be?

I would take the FIIIIiiiiiive. GOOOooold. RIIIIIIIIIIIINGS! And send them into that cash for gold dot com and get me some Christmas $. Hmmm... that sounds awful doesn't it. OK, let me change that to the eight maids a'milkin'. I'd tell them to leave those cows alone and help me deep clean the house and watch the kids so I could go back to bed. There... that sounds much less self serving.

3.Colored or clear lights on tree/house?

I switch back and forth on this one. I like clear but the kids and My Love like colored. This year its a mix of both. Clear on the garlands and colored on the tree.

4.Name one person (famous or not if you dare) you’d like to find under the mistletoe.

IF I DARE!!! I will spill the name of a man who is famous world wide (my world anyway). My Love, of course. Now, if he was not available for some reason... and I happen to be under the mistletoe... and the only other man hangin' around was Spiderman... well then, :-0

(NOT TOBY!!!)

5.When do you put your decorations up?

Ideally the day after Thanksgiving. This year, if I get them up by the time I am supposed to start taking them down, I'll be happy.

6.What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

On Christmas day my mom and I put together a buffet of finger foods and dips. Its simple and we just nibble at it all evening. It takes the pressure off of having to prepare a huge meal and clean up is simple. I guess I didn't really answer the question... oopsie, I wandered :-p

7.What’s your favorite holiday memory as a child?

Looking back I'd have to say that one of my favorite holiday memories was finding out that Santa was my dad. But before you start shaking your head in confusion, let me expound.

When I was 6 or 7 I wanted to try and catch Santa in the act so like any child of the 80s I left my tape recorder out on the hearth and instructed my parents to push record when they went to bed. The next morning I went straight for the tape player... forget the presents... I wanted to hear Santa! I pushed play and what I heard was my dad doing the absolute worst impression of a Santa I have ever heard to this day. It was so painfully obvious it was him and every year we recall the entire incident and have a huge laugh.

8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

What truth, that he's my dad?

9.Snow: love it or hate it?

Love it when I am snuggled up in a quiet house watching it fall outside while I'm sipping sissy coffee and watching a Christmas movie.

Hate it when it impedes my plans or causes my Christmas dinner party to become a New Years party and even more frustrating when it then must become a Valentine's Day party >:-[

10.Do you prefer ice skating, sledding or snow skiing?

Sledding, Its easier for me to just start in a lying down position at the top of the hill since that is always how I end up at the bottom.

11.Wrapping paper or gift bags?

If I have the time I wrap... In a hurry, I bag.

12.Real tree or Artificial?

Our trees have been artificial the last few years. The wood stove dries the real ones out too fast and it makes me nervous. One of these days we will have the propane tank filled the same day we get a real tree for Christmas and just run the furnace the whole time its up.

13.When do you take the tree down?

Used to be by January first but this year that might be the date I actually finish decorating for Christmas, so I'll have to say I'll have it down by February.

14.Do you like eggnog?

YES! And eggnog shakes, and eggnog coffee, and eggnog gum...

15.Favorite gift received as a child?

I don't remember a specific moment, but it had to be something Care Bears. Bedtime and Grumpy were my favorites.

16.Hardest person to buy for?

My Love.

17.Easiest person to buy for?

My mom.

18.Do you have a nativity scene? With wise men or without?

Why? Is there some big debate going on about the wise men? This year our Nativity is made up from a stable I found at a thrift store, a Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus from a foam craft kit, various fisher price Little People farm animals, and an angel made from a flower pot which I purchased from my nephew at a craft fair. Wise men? I have a picture of them that Kiah colored hanging on the wall behind the nativity scene.

19.Christmas cards: Mail, email, or just don’t bother?

I send them out in January, seriously.

20.Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Stinky soaps, lotions, creams, and bath salts. Call me weird but I am just not that type. I don't like to smell more than necessary and my tastes are too simple for all that stuff.

21.If you could be one character from any Christmas movie, whom would you choose?

I feel like the mom in Christmas Story but I would choose to be...

22.Favorite Christmas song?

Carol of the Bells and O, Holy Night.

23.What is your tree topper?

A light up star that I purchased at the dollar store.

24.Do you open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

One or two Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning, and the afternoon, and the evening. I like to drag it out.

25.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

All those cutsie 25 question surveys that you don't want to spend the time to answer but can't rest until you do and in the end you are glad you did.

YES! I did it!

I have tons of topics and pics to share but my time is at a minimum. I hope you come back to visit when you can, I love all the thoughts and comments you leave. I feel the love, I hope you do too.

AND...

...In case you are as swamped as I feel,
Merry Christmas
and Happy, Blessed New Year!

*...for EVERY season.

For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11:36