I want to post about our "12 Days".  Lila lost her camera cord --it's gone again--hmmm. rassumfrassum!!!  I want to post a pic of the poem and then explain it all.  I promise we'll get this up in the next few days!  

Happy New Year to all--oh, and the Christmas Cards that I didn't send just might be Happy Ground Hogs Day or Valentine's Cards.  Please--don't give up on me.   

I guess I'll change my blog-look (or Lila will) in a few days.  The party's over.  OK, just a little bit of the "It's Over" blehs are starting to hit.  I love Christmas so much!  Everyone is so anxious and happy and hopeful.  It truly is a magical time.  I'm glad New Years comes so quick to lessen the "It's Over" blow.  We do have Amelia's wedding to look forward to, too.       :)

Our 12 Days of Christmas Elfins have been made known to us.  What fun!!!  Thanks for helping our Holiday be even merrier!  You did a super job!!  We love you!  

12 Days

I just want to say "THANKS" the people who are doing the "12 Days of Christmas" to/for us.  It's been really fun.  Last night the gift was good as usual, but they called instead of knocking (How does one make caller ID say "unavailable"?) and it was late, and they did a scarey/creepy voice in the phone at me.  They said to look on the porch.  I really was scared to look, but Peterman and I opened the door together---this is making me giggle now as I retell it, but I was scared about it last night.  How silly of me.  THANKs Again to the nice Christmas Elfins running around out there spreading Christmas goodness!   :)

Wicked Traffic

OK, so I keep hearing them say that there is a traffic problem in downtown Salt Lake.  It seems some "Wicked" ticket sales are the cause.  The lines are wrapped around both sides and around the block.   I know thou shalt not covet is a good motto to live by, but this is a hard one! (It's not the line I'm coveting--just the tickets!)  It would be so fun to take my family to the Theatre to see "Wicked" this spring.  It's just tooooooo much $.  I should enter a contest for tickets, and win them.  Oh, if it were only that easy!

Time is speeding by!!!!

Wow! That week went fast!  I love the fun parties and get togethers that happen a lot more during this time of year.  Our Ward had a "Polar Express" activity last Saturday, break the Fast on Sunday , RS "Women of the Christmas Story" on Tuesday, last night (my sis Jonna's 52nd Birthday) we finally decorated the tree that we've had up since at least the 1st of December....I've been scrambling around trying to "tie-up" loose ends of Christmas.  I need to finish the gifts that I need to send to Missouri, Vermont, and Maine.  Then I should start on my children's homemade gifts.  I really can't say what we are doing in case someone really reads this, and are tipped off on the surprises.

One sombering note:  a very good friend's father passed away yesterday.  It's so sad!  They had another loved one pass away in the last month and it postponed the sons Mission plan until the 17th of December.  Now said Missionary will be able to attend the funeral of his maternal Grandfather, and then enter the MTC ready to work. Their family has had so many hard trials all at once.  They are amazing and are doing okay, considering.  If anyone has extra prayers out there, send them the Parry family's way. 

They asked me to work in the Title One in-school tutoring program at Farrer Elementary.  I have been their "substitute".  One of the gals is moving to California.  I like the ladies who work in the program.  They truly care about the children, they help them, and want them to succeed.  

I was just listening to my favorite radio show (Bob Lonsberry. 570 KNRS. Weekdays, 5-9 a.m.)  A lady called in with a Holiday tip.  I want to share it with you.  This is a poem to help us in our Holiday purchasing so we don't "overdo" it.  For each person we should consider the following:

Something they want,

Something they need,

Something to wear,

Something to read.

I think that's a nice guideline, and I'm going to try to remember it.

Ok...I don't know if it's classified as stalking, but it might be close...umm, I have a confession.  I go out of my way just to drive by Jessica's beautifully done Christmas tree window.  It's truly breathtaking.  Her tree must be at least 10 feet tall and there's a mirror or picture on the far wall that reflects/projects out the thousands of lights on the south/inside side of the tree...see, do i sound like a stalker?  It's just so beautiful.  I can't stay away.  

Tax day has arrived--no wonder Jeff looked ill this morning

Merry Christmas to the Utah County Treasurer...NOT!  Okay--it is my own fault that our house tax payment of $40.77 shy of one grand wasn't prepaid at all this year.  I had them send me the coupons, but I failed to ever send them a penny... there have been other things that the mulah was needed for.  So we defer Christmas to the UT County Treasurer.  I hope the treasurer has fun. Honestly, I know, I know the taxes go to valid things like public education (for the most part) but please allow me this pity party--just for a bit.  Maybe it'll help me be more disciplined to turn SOMETHING in before next year during Christmas!  I just want to know why can't they "rob" us at some OTHER time of year?  URG!                      

I actually feel a tad better after venting.    

I think I'll go have a hot cocoa, after which I'll surely be in a much better mood.