Baby, It's Cold Outside

Guess what I'm doing today? Not much (insert smiiiile). We are snowed, but mainly iced, in for the third day in a row. We got our first snow storm on Sunday and are expecting another one tomorrow. We may be starting Christmas break early. Tell me this is a good thing.

Baby, it's cold outside though. Not like -30 degrees, South Dakota cold (we used to live there), but pretty darn cold for Portland. We've spent the last couple of days playing in the 3 inches of snow in our front yard and the 3 inches of ice on the driveway and street. Last night, the grown-up neighbors were blaring Christmas music out of their garages and "sledding" down our street, that is not a hill. The goal was to get from one end of the street to the other. Completely doable.

I just said a prayer in my head right now, cuz the hubbs is off to work (I can hear the garage door going up). I had a dream last night there was a big ol' dent in the front of our car. Not good. After work, he's stopping on his way home to see about getting snow tires, "for the protection of his wife and kids." I know he's going to be "trying out the car" on his way to work, to see how it "likes" the snow. He's kind of a Mario Andretti wanna-be. It drives me crazy--a source of many arguments in the car. We never argue, until we get in the car together. I don't even recognize the boy in the car. And of course, I'm over there being the werewolf. I should really learn to not say anything too, and just pump my imaginary brake and pray in my head, but that's not really me. Hence, the arguing. He doesn't even want to get the snow tires either, the chains are "good enough". So yesterday, I told him he had to show me how to put them on. An hour and a half later...

Speaking of prayers. Guess what my 7-year-old is praying for now? Guess what she's asking from Santa? Guess, what is the #1 topic in her sweet little head? A baby brother. That's right. She has said the word, "pregnant" many times in the last couple days. I don't know where it came from either. She just asked me if I wanted to have a baby brother for her, "And please say, 'yes,' cuz 'maybe' and 'we'll see' means 'no.'--Junie B. says so." I don't know where this baby brother interest has come from, but she is determined. Last night I was tucking her in and she goes, "So I'm curious about this b-a-b-y stuff..." Ha ha, she has to spell it out. Oh man, time to change the subject...Goodnight, I love you...we'll talk about it (when you're 30) tomorrow...





The very good thing is, I'm finished Christmas shopping. I don't know how we did it without the credit card (Dave Ramsey). But it feels good. We draw names, and that helps out tremendously--I totally recommend this. There is something I want to throw out this year to my family though. I'm not sure how it's going to go over though. I don't want to be all bah-hum-bug, but I'm really to the point where I think the adults don't need to do the gift thing. I mean, I'm all about the kiddos presents (though not overboard) and the Santa and everything, but I really think I'm to that point where it's just about being together with the family (and the food) and enjoying the kiddos excitement and everything. And I'm all about the tree and the decorations, and the music, and all that comes with it, but I'm just kind of over the gifts--for me. I mean, hubbs and I don't really need anything. We want Wii games and Simple Folk goodies, but we don't need a thing. Thank God.

We've really noticed it this year too--the struggles, the real life struggles that others are going through. That there are people around us that really do need things and there is really no room for wanting things for them. They need a winter coat. They need to put gas in their car. We know people that are within our circle that are going through this right now. People that have been laid off. People that have just gotten out of rehab, that are literally starting completely over. People that are literally just trying to keep their house.

We pointed it out to the girls, in the back seat, the other night as we were driving past a homeless shelter. The line was long. It was cold out, and going to get much colder the next night. These people don't have homes. They don't have anything. They need. These are not just good lessons for the kids in the back seat to see. They are for the people in the front seat to see as well.

We have some friends who, instead of doing the gifts for themselves, adopt a family in need and make their holidays special, providing a Christmas meal and gifts. What wonderful things they are teaching their children. I love the giving trees and the toy drives, but I love how this takes it about ten steps further. You're looking people in the eye, telling them you care about them. I would hope that if we were in this situation, people would reach out to us. It could happen tomorrow.

I'm just saying...

Wow. Where did that come from.? I guess it's been on my mind.



So now, I'll leave you with two more things...pictures (of course) and a recipe that I got from a recipe exchange. I made this last night and it was a real crowd pleaser. Easy too. Enjoy.














Cranberry Chicken


1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 can whole berry canned cranberry sauce
1 cup French dressing
1 package Lipton onion soup mix

Mix the cranberry sauce, French dressing and onion soup mix well in a bowl and pour over chicken breast placed in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered for one hour. Serve with rice and a vegetable.


P.S. Here's a pic of the best socks ever!

Thanks for playing!