Saturday, December 30, 2006
Christmas in Carmel, CA
Well, we are back from our annual trip to Carmel. Scott's mother lives there and it was her year for Christmas. We did the normal touristy things: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Highway 1 scenic drive, picnic on Carmel Beach (Yes, in December!).
The last time all of Scott's siblings were under one roof was four years ago. His mother wants us to get together annually, but his sister always has to plan two years out. I love my sister-in-law, but I don't get the two years out thing. She says the family is big. Umm...heck...I have a large family too. Probably even larger, but somehow I even make it work. So, at the dessert table, we had this large conversation about when we are going to get together and it was decided at our house in 2008. Scott's sister said it was expensive to get together every year. Yes, I know it is expensive to travel cross country to meet with family, but you have a year to save up. Mom had to go on a long walk after the conversation -- it was drizzling! She was crying when she reappeared. No one wanted to talk about it.
The good news is Scott's mom said she may be selling her house in Carmel Valley and moving to Austin. It may take her a few years, but she is quite alone out there. Scott's sister lives between San Diego and L.A. I think his mom feels by moving to the Valley she would be able to see her daughter and grandkids more often, but the truth is Scott's mom had to make the trip. Very rarely did Scott's sister and husband visited since it was an eight hour drive. Mom usually made the drive to visit Scott's sister.
Scott and his mom talked earlier this month and I think he convinced his mom to move to Austin. She even announced it at the Christmas dinner table to her children and nieces. By moving to Austin, she would have a more affordable lifestyle, be close to her sons, and be able to be a part of our child's life.
The last time all of Scott's siblings were under one roof was four years ago. His mother wants us to get together annually, but his sister always has to plan two years out. I love my sister-in-law, but I don't get the two years out thing. She says the family is big. Umm...heck...I have a large family too. Probably even larger, but somehow I even make it work. So, at the dessert table, we had this large conversation about when we are going to get together and it was decided at our house in 2008. Scott's sister said it was expensive to get together every year. Yes, I know it is expensive to travel cross country to meet with family, but you have a year to save up. Mom had to go on a long walk after the conversation -- it was drizzling! She was crying when she reappeared. No one wanted to talk about it.
The good news is Scott's mom said she may be selling her house in Carmel Valley and moving to Austin. It may take her a few years, but she is quite alone out there. Scott's sister lives between San Diego and L.A. I think his mom feels by moving to the Valley she would be able to see her daughter and grandkids more often, but the truth is Scott's mom had to make the trip. Very rarely did Scott's sister and husband visited since it was an eight hour drive. Mom usually made the drive to visit Scott's sister.
Scott and his mom talked earlier this month and I think he convinced his mom to move to Austin. She even announced it at the Christmas dinner table to her children and nieces. By moving to Austin, she would have a more affordable lifestyle, be close to her sons, and be able to be a part of our child's life.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
No Holiday Decorations
Well this year we got into the festive spirit - NOT. We were the only family who didn't decorate their house this year on our street and cul de sac. Very sad indeed. We have a small oak tree which is rather scrawny. Scott was tempted to put a single shiny ornament on it with just a little tinsel for a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but then again we already have neighbors who think we are strange.
On the 24th we get the joy of traveling to California for our semi-annual mother-in-law visit in Carmel Valley. We have Scott's cousin, who just moved to Austin from Louisiana, staying at our house to take care of the house and our emotionally sensitive dog, Heidi. He is looking forward to staying in a house which has room to roam rather than his cramped apartment. Scooter is staying with grandma and grandpa.
Christmas came early for the dogs. We got Scooter a new bed and cat sleeping bag. Yes, a cat sleeping bag. He is smaller than a cat and sometimes suns himself in the natural light coming through the windows. He wasn't too keen on the sleeping bag, but it unzips and we covered him. He LOVED the bed which is really soft and fuzzy.
Heidi got a squeeky sheep and new tennis balls. Heidi loves squeeky toys. She offers them as "Hello" when we come home and when she is in trouble and nervous, she squeeks. Sometimes she just gets frisky and she will squeek the toys for 5 to 10 minutes walking around the house with it in her mouth. She also loves tennis balls. We have to buy her the tough kind from PetsMart. This time, Scott got cheap and decided to buy her the six pack PetsMart. We gave Heidi one of the balls and 30 minutes later I found it completely destroyed. At least the "name brand" splits and is held together by the felt. This generic brand she is able to chew into pieces. Very dangerous. I took a picture (see below) with her squeeky sheep and glow ball. That glow ball lights up when bounced. She has had it over a year and hasn't managed to destroy it. I had to trade her destroyed ball with the glow ball. She has a photogenic face.
Well, I am avoiding the inevitable store madness rush. Note to self, "avoid shopping at the last minute". Hah! Right!
On the 24th we get the joy of traveling to California for our semi-annual mother-in-law visit in Carmel Valley. We have Scott's cousin, who just moved to Austin from Louisiana, staying at our house to take care of the house and our emotionally sensitive dog, Heidi. He is looking forward to staying in a house which has room to roam rather than his cramped apartment. Scooter is staying with grandma and grandpa.
Christmas came early for the dogs. We got Scooter a new bed and cat sleeping bag. Yes, a cat sleeping bag. He is smaller than a cat and sometimes suns himself in the natural light coming through the windows. He wasn't too keen on the sleeping bag, but it unzips and we covered him. He LOVED the bed which is really soft and fuzzy.
Heidi got a squeeky sheep and new tennis balls. Heidi loves squeeky toys. She offers them as "Hello" when we come home and when she is in trouble and nervous, she squeeks. Sometimes she just gets frisky and she will squeek the toys for 5 to 10 minutes walking around the house with it in her mouth. She also loves tennis balls. We have to buy her the tough kind from PetsMart. This time, Scott got cheap and decided to buy her the six pack PetsMart. We gave Heidi one of the balls and 30 minutes later I found it completely destroyed. At least the "name brand" splits and is held together by the felt. This generic brand she is able to chew into pieces. Very dangerous. I took a picture (see below) with her squeeky sheep and glow ball. That glow ball lights up when bounced. She has had it over a year and hasn't managed to destroy it. I had to trade her destroyed ball with the glow ball. She has a photogenic face.
Well, I am avoiding the inevitable store madness rush. Note to self, "avoid shopping at the last minute". Hah! Right!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Christmas Shopping
I love Christmas, but hate the commercialism. With that said, I probably will spoil our child with tons of too expensive gifts every year, even when they are adults. For now, I prefer to get together for the holidays, but don't exchange gifts. However, again, my plea was ignored.
Scott and I had a little extra funds in our pocket this holiday season -- since we are not even near a referral date. So, I was very generous with gifts.
I spent all afternoon shopping for three gifts. What do you get boys who are 15, 17, and 24? I learned quite a bit about two stores called Ambercrombie and Fitch AND a store called Hollister. Do teens actually wear these clothes? Some of the clothes look like they been washed a thousand times. They are frayed, faded and have paint splatter stains. And you want to charge $50-$70 bucks for a sweatshirt that is in that condition? (Sigh.) Then I had to take a step back and remember my childhood and wanting name brand clothes or a SWATCH watch (remember SWATCHES?). I know my mom and dad couldn't afford the name brand stuff, but I remember how special it was when I did get a Swatch watch, even though it wasn't the particular color which was popular. Now that I think back, I can't remember what was the popular color. I do still have my Swatch, along with the accessories I bought for it with my own money. You want to know something ironic? My mom said when she was a teenager she wanted a Mickey Mouse watch which was all the rage. My great uncle got her a Cinderella watch. She said she was initially dissappointed, but was still happy to get a Disney watch. She still has it. Weird, huh?
Anyway, I got the boys who are 15 & 17 years old, the hoodies they wanted. The oldest, who is 24, I couldn't figure out what to get him. So, I got him a nice bottle of cologne. I don't even know what is popular with the young 20's crowd. So, I got him a new scent from Polo called Double Black. Scott recently purchased it for himself and personally I love the scent. I hope my brother likes it.
My sister was a challenge to buy for, but after telling her what I got our stepmother and hearing her comments, I realized she wants that gift. So, I feel strange buying a matching gift.
Now, I have to shop for the family who live in California. Scott and I are flying out there for the holidays. I am probably going to have to ship the items because getting them through airport security is going to be a hassle. I don't trust putting them in my checked in luggage.
The most difficult person to buy gifts for is my dad. That man says he has everything he needs and wants nothing. I can't think of anything to get him. I thought tools would be a good option, but then remembered his arthritis is really bad in his hands. He doesn't do much work with tools anymore if he can avoid it. I could get him a nice sweater or jacket, but he loves the clothes he has. He doesn't listen to music and doesn't watch DVDs very often. He doesn't get on the computer that often and when he does he says he needs a map to navigate the world wide web. Cracks me up! He leads a rather simple life. I'll have to think about it. Maybe actually going to bed would help. Egads! It is 3:30am!
Scott and I had a little extra funds in our pocket this holiday season -- since we are not even near a referral date. So, I was very generous with gifts.
I spent all afternoon shopping for three gifts. What do you get boys who are 15, 17, and 24? I learned quite a bit about two stores called Ambercrombie and Fitch AND a store called Hollister. Do teens actually wear these clothes? Some of the clothes look like they been washed a thousand times. They are frayed, faded and have paint splatter stains. And you want to charge $50-$70 bucks for a sweatshirt that is in that condition? (Sigh.) Then I had to take a step back and remember my childhood and wanting name brand clothes or a SWATCH watch (remember SWATCHES?). I know my mom and dad couldn't afford the name brand stuff, but I remember how special it was when I did get a Swatch watch, even though it wasn't the particular color which was popular. Now that I think back, I can't remember what was the popular color. I do still have my Swatch, along with the accessories I bought for it with my own money. You want to know something ironic? My mom said when she was a teenager she wanted a Mickey Mouse watch which was all the rage. My great uncle got her a Cinderella watch. She said she was initially dissappointed, but was still happy to get a Disney watch. She still has it. Weird, huh?
Anyway, I got the boys who are 15 & 17 years old, the hoodies they wanted. The oldest, who is 24, I couldn't figure out what to get him. So, I got him a nice bottle of cologne. I don't even know what is popular with the young 20's crowd. So, I got him a new scent from Polo called Double Black. Scott recently purchased it for himself and personally I love the scent. I hope my brother likes it.
My sister was a challenge to buy for, but after telling her what I got our stepmother and hearing her comments, I realized she wants that gift. So, I feel strange buying a matching gift.
Now, I have to shop for the family who live in California. Scott and I are flying out there for the holidays. I am probably going to have to ship the items because getting them through airport security is going to be a hassle. I don't trust putting them in my checked in luggage.
The most difficult person to buy gifts for is my dad. That man says he has everything he needs and wants nothing. I can't think of anything to get him. I thought tools would be a good option, but then remembered his arthritis is really bad in his hands. He doesn't do much work with tools anymore if he can avoid it. I could get him a nice sweater or jacket, but he loves the clothes he has. He doesn't listen to music and doesn't watch DVDs very often. He doesn't get on the computer that often and when he does he says he needs a map to navigate the world wide web. Cracks me up! He leads a rather simple life. I'll have to think about it. Maybe actually going to bed would help. Egads! It is 3:30am!
