The Flu That Stole Christmas

'Twas the day after Christmas and I'm in the nest
hacking and sneezing, well I'm just a mess.

A virus has struck and I almost missed Christmas!
No matter how sick, I just couldn't miss this.

I made it 6 hours, from 4am until 10
before Mr. Weasel tucked me back in my bed.

Congestion and fever, a cough and a cold
The Weasels did have a great day, so I'm told.

Under my blankets, I napped cozily
while my family went to Christmas Mass without me.

Santa brought me some candies and an NHL pennant.
some chocolates and teas and candles nicely scented.

I'm still tucked in my blankets, all cozy in bed
as visions of Nyquil dance in my head.

Cough syrup with codeine and tea spiked with whiskey
I must get better soon, the Weasels do miss me.

Jello with chunks of Lord only knows what
sits in my stomach and wreak havoc in my gut.

My fever will break and I'll soon be myself
What on earth is the cat doing up on that shelf?

I'll feel better soon and get back in the swing
just in time to be well for the New Year to ring.

I hope you all had a wonderful season,
and remember what is truly the reason.

Making With The Merry

After taking my own advice about not pressuring myself about Christmas preparations and procrastinating too long relaxing like a slug all day Saturday, I woke up yesterday morning and realized that this coming Friday is Christmas Eve I swear that we skipped a week or two on the calendar AND I DON'T HAVE SQUAT DONE!

It's time to panic people.

We haven't been to see Santa yet.

I only started shopping yesterday.  I haven't even made my list or checked it twice.

Yesterday would be the same day that my microwave sparked, sputtered and started to burst into flames.  Oh, and it was also the day that Mr. Weasel's car decided that it wasn't up to the task of starting.  Mr. Weasel's gift to me this year will be a microhood combo and I will gift him with a car battery.

Oh yeah, yesterday was also the day that Eldest Weasel decided to tell me how bummed she is that I didn't bake as much this year as I usually do and that she and Middle wished that I had helped with the decorations so that our home would not look like I had contracted kindergarteners as interior designers.

I also found out yesterday that the Weasels are bummed that we didn't do a family Christmas card this year and that we don't have any real family traditions at Christmas like their friends do.  Baking, family picture and tree decorating are our traditions in Weaselville.

Can you say, WeaselMomma Christmas Fail?

In the spirit of the Christmas, St. Nicholas, making my children happy and building memories, you may not be hearing from me much this week as I seriously work to get my Christmas on and make with the Merry by exhausting myself to get all the shopping, decoration adjustments, cookies baking, video making, house prettifying and wrapping done.  Even if I don't feel like it.

Giving of my time, energy and talents to make this time special, magical and full of traditions will be my Christmas gift to the Weasels.  I think it's at the top of their list.

Am I really a Minority?

School is back in session this week after the 2 1/2 week Christmas break. Monday morning twitter was all a twitter with celebratory parents who couldn't wait for this day to arrive.

Throughout the week I read many blog posts recapping the events of the extended time off and mostly decrying how awful it was to be spending so much time with the children home and how the kids were making these parents crazy. Whether families had traveled over their vacations or had stayed home, the general sentiment was "Thank God the kids are back in school and I can have my house back".

I get this. I really do. Peace and quiet are nice environments to get work done in. Some of the kids favorite shows make your ears bleed when you hear the theme song. The constant activity level that surrounds you when the kids are around for extended periods can be a bit much and the trail of destruction that they leave in their wake gets old.

However, my feelings on this past Monday were the complete opposite. I was sad that the Weasels were heading back to school. We didn't go anywhere special over the break. We didn't have any magnificent plans. We just celebrated the time off simply at home.

In the days before Christmas, I was still running around trying to get my last minute to-dos finished. Life was busy as usual and a bit on the hectic side, but starting on Christmas Eve at dinner time all that changed. The hustle and bustle were finished and it was just time to sit back and enjoy. Christmas itself and the days following were spent in relaxation and family time. A luxury we usually don't have on school days. There was no rush to get ready and get everyone out of the house on time. There were no sporting events on the schedule. The stress of homework, deadlines and strict bedtimes were gone.

We could simply enjoy each other. We played Rock Band and SpongeBob's Battle For Bikini Bottom for hours on end. We played cards and Operation. There were playdates and dinners that we made and eaten together. Sure there were chores to be done, but that only accounted for one hour a day if we all worked simultaneously. We watched movies and television, spent time with friends and just savored the time off.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all rainbows and puppies - well actually, there was a puppy involved. There were moments of arguing over who's turn it was to play what game or who cheated someone else, but overall it is so much better when the Weasels are home. I really enjoy when I am actually able to enjoy them as opposed to just playing Drill Sergeant on busy school days with tight schedules.

I like to think that I am not really in the minority.

Now Head on over to Dad-Blogs to read many great postings on everything FatherHood Friday related.

Tis the Monday Before Christmas

Tis the Monday before Christmas
and all through the nest,
the Weasels are sleeping,
getting much needed rest.

The dog is asleep,
atop of my feet
on a Cold winters morning,
giving off much needed heat.

The Mr. is dressing,
preparing for work,
The cats are all hiding,
who knows where they lurk.

And I with my coffee am planning my way,
so much to be done still to prepare the big day.

The stockings are hung on the stairwell lopsided.
A job in which Middle Weasel is prided.

The tree is half decorated,
in need of of more love.
What's that on the floor,
by the door?
Why it's Boys missing glove.

There's more cookies to bake and tins to deliver.
I should hang up my lights to make the house shimmer.

Paper and scissors and tape all to gather
and help Smallest Weasel write Santa a letter.

There's more shopping to do.
I must clean up the house
and did someone just ask for another pet mouse?

So much to be done.
It will all come together
and maybe next year I'll write Santa a letter.

I will ask him for Elves to work in my shop.
I can pay them with cocoa, cookies and pop.

They could bake cookies and clean up the nest,
Then maybe I would get some much needed rest.
They'd do all my shopping and decorate shelves.
That would be awesome.
Oh how I want Elves!

Well it's time to get on with the tasks of the season
and time to remember that Christ is the reason.
For the love of The Father, The Son and The Ghost
are the gifts that we Weasels need to appreciate most.

Wishing you all A Merry Christmas full of Peace, Love and Joy*.

*and a great day at the movies to all my Jewish friends.

Santa Really Needs To Rethink His List Criteria

We all are extremely familiar with the snot nosed, little brat that caught his mother giving Santa a little sumptin, sumptin extra for all of his troubles on Christmas Eve. What I wanna know is what on earth Santa was doing at the kids house to begin with!

Seriously, that kid deserves a lump of coal and to step in a pile of the little gifts that the reindeer leave behind in the lawn, at best. What did this kid do so wrong to deserve this, you ask?

Think about it. He catches his mother playing a game of "I bet I know where your ticklish" with Santa and does he stop to think 'that's wrong?' Does he care about the devastating effect of such behavior on his family? Does he consider how many pieces his father's heart would break into if this were to come to his attention?

The answer is no. All he thinks is "Damn shame that Dad didn't see this. It would make for great entertainment". The kid could be put on the naughty list for having words like 'damn' in his vocabulary alone. It never even crosses the kid's mind that this is a quid pro quo for Santa showing up at his house to begin with and the sacrifice that his mother may be making for him. He never thinks of Santa's route schedule and how this will delay Santa from getting to good children's houses before dawn. Not only should Santa not go to this kids house, his parents should go old school all over his butt.

What about all the poor kid who is getting Nuttin' for Christmas? He has a change of heart, promises to be good for next year, but finds that his actions are too late for this year. HumBug! Even Ebinezer Scrooge was given a 11th hour chance for redemption! If this kid really does go straight like he says he will, I think that he deserves a reprieve. Really. Gum in your sister's hair, using penny slugs and a tack on the teachers chair are bad behaviors, but child's play that doesn't compare to being jubilant that your mother is breaking her marriage vows and disappointed that you don't get to watch any fireworks because dad isn't around. I don't condone these behaviors, but kids will be kids and if they really change their ways, I say let Santa come.

I think Santa really needs to rethink his list criteria.

Naughty or Nice?

I don't want Terri, Terri Quite Contrary to think that I suck, so I am going to play around and have some fun with this meme.

What do you really want for Christmas but you know nobody will get it for you?

A winter (or year round) home in Texas. I'm done with cold and snow. With an in-ground pool 8000 sq. ft, pool house, full time staff and the money to pay for it all. A girl can dream, right?

What do you not want for Christmas but you know that somebody will get it for you?

Dart shooting, noise making toys from the dollar store to drive me crazy. My brother sends them every year and I curse him for it. He does it on purpose and sends enough for all the Weasels to play with.

When do you open your gifts (Christmas eve or Christmas morning?)

Gifts from family are opened on Christmas Eve after Mass. Santa makes his rounds when all of Weaselville is asleep and leaves gifts for everyone to open Christmas morning.

Do you prefer gifts wrapped or in gift bags?

I like both and don't really care, but pretty gifts to unwrap are always great fun until you open them and find dart shooting, noise making toys from the dollar store.

Did you regift anything this year?

Not a re-gifter, that is unless I receive a gift that I really don't want and you really like. Then I will just give it to you, but not in front of the person who gave it to me and I always try to be gracious unless it is noise making, dart shooting toys from the dollar store.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story and Scrooged are on the very top of my list.

What’s your favorite Christmas t.v. special?

A Charlie Brown Christmas will always hold a special place in my heart, but Christmas Eve on Sesame Street -the original special from my childhood still makes me laugh like crazy and brings back memories of watching with my Dad as a child. We really enjoyed the way that Oscar torments the living daylights out of Big Bird throughout the show about how Santa is too fat to fit down the chimney and thus isn't coming. Twisted, funny, stuff. I love it so much I am embedding the entire thing here from youtube clips.







Do you like eggnog?

Yes, especially Southern Comfort non-alcoholic egg nog -add your own merry. It's rich and delicious.

Real tree or fake tree? Which do you prefer?

I prefer real for the scent in the house, but not for the needles that I find embedded in the rug come July. We use an artificial pre-lit tree because I am usually the one to put it up and take it down. The less work the better.

Would you actually use one of those fireplace DVDs if you don’t have a fireplace?

No. My brother gave me one a few years back with the dart shooting, noise making dollar store toys of torture. He thought it was great, I found it cheesy. It's still packaged on my DVD shelf, I think.

Are you sick of Christmas music yet?

I have been trying not to overdose on it, but am tired of the same old, same old and want some new classics to listen too. Maybe Melisa will introduce me some of her Hanukkah favorites for a change of pace.

Are you getting up early to wait in line to do some Boxing Day shopping?

Nope. Not only do we not celebrate boxing day in the States, it will take a lot to get me out of my warm cozy robe and home when I don't have to be. I don't do Black Friday shopping either.

When was the last time you sat on Santa’s lap?

Last Christmas Eve after the Weasels were are nestled and snug in their beds. It worked and I got what I wanted for Christmas. Naughty or nice, you decide.

Christmas Tree Awareness

Every December 1000's of homeless and orphaned Christmas Trees are adopted from lots, the back of trucks and grocery stores, some to a good home and some not.

Because of a lack of screening and back round checks of those seeking to adopt a tree, all too often a tree will be tortured by tacky lights and adorned with gaudy decorations. In the worst cases of abuse the helpless tree will even be set fire too, taking its new home with it.
I urge you, my dear readers, to spread the word of Christmas tree safety to your friends and neighbors. Educate adoptive families on proper decorating techniques. Report and shame the abusers.

We can no longer turn a blind eye to these atrocities.
*Photos courtesy of Google Images

My Christmas Card To You

Last week I posted snapshots of The Weasel Christmas Card Photo shoot and today unveil to you the finished product. The cards were produced and furnished by Naptime Productions who asked me to review their product in exchange for providing me with Christmas cards so that I had something to review. I agreed as long as they were willing to accept an honest review from me and *I am not being paid for this review*. I even paid for the shipping of the cards to my home.

(Notice, the signature script has been changed by me, because let's face it you are all a bunch of internet freak nut-jobs and I need to protect my family. The original signature is beautifully scripted and elegant.

The cards are gorgeous. I really love them. They are the nicest Christmas cards that we have ever sent out. I have never had professional cards made before, basically because I am too cheap to do so. Usually I just take a snapshot to my local 'pick a template, type your names and pick up in one hour' dime a dozen providers and done. They are cheap, easy, acceptable and bland.

Naptime Productions managed to take the same picture that I would have used for the low budget and looks like it card and turned it into something with class. They are beautiful.

Their website was incredibly user friendly and easy to navigate. They offer many options of templates and layouts and provide cards for any occasion. They cover the bases for not only holidays, but invitations, announcements and anything else you could want to send out.

Their customer service was quick, easy, friendly and helpful while ensuring that they were producing exactly what my vision of the card was. They also offer extra add on services such as having the return address printed on the envelopes, assembly of the cards and having a jpeg of the card sent to your email for posting and emailing to friends and family.

The turn around from the time I ordered the cards online and received them in hand was incredible. I believe it was 3 business days. I ordered on a Sunday evening and I believe (but don't remember exactly) they arrived on Wednesday.

Mr. Weasel's reaction when I showed him the finished product that was delivered to my door was "Wow. Those are really nice. I am going to feel like a total cheapwad next year".

Yes, the only downfall of these cards is that you get what you pay for. They are not the kind of card that fits into the Weasel family budget, no matter how much I wish they did. For 100 of this particular card the cost is $200. Add on the return address printing on the envelopes for another $25, assembly of the card for $44, a jpeg file for $10 and $11.50 in shipping to get a grand total of $289.50. This is all before I buy postage to mail the cards.

I know of many people who spend much more money than I on holiday cards, so maybe this isn't above the norm of what many families spend on cards, but this cost is steep in relation to what I could normally spend to have cards made at this time of year.

In conclusion, here is my report card for Naptime Productions Cards.
Website Navigation A+
Customer Service A++
Cards Themselves A+
Turn around Time A++
Cost C

If you are looking to have any kind of card made up in the near future, I do recommend that you visit their site and decide for yourself what your budget can allow.

And by the way, I am such a cheapwad that you can consider this my Christmas card to you. Wishing you all the joys of the Season and the blessings of Christ. Except of course for my Jewish readers whom I wish a Joyous Hanukkah and may your candle of love for God never burn out.

Virtual Hugs

Teens are a unique breed of human. Most anyone who has spent significant time raising them would agree. As much as they love Mom & Dad, they usually have a hard time showing it, let alone saying it. They much prefer to give an eye roll over a hug. When given a gentle kiss on the cheek from Mom, they recoil as if her lips are a branding iron. Eldest Weasel actually jokes "It buuurrrnnnsss". However, they do indeed love and show it when they choose to.

We are now into the Christmas Season. I used to love it all. The lights, colors and shimmering paper always filled my heart with joy and the spirit of Christmas. A few years ago, Christmas changed for me. I could not bear to see the lights, hear the carols or stand the sight of the decorations. I could not muster the energy to celebrate anything and begrudged the world around me that did. I went through the motions for the sake of my children so as not to spoil their enjoyment, but my heart wasn't in it.

Christmas Present, 7 years later, is bittersweet for me. I can celebrate and enjoy. I can decorate and admire. I can shop and be excited about the treasures that I have found, but it is now always tinged by a sadness and longing. I will laugh, but I will also cry.

The other day while baking some favorite holiday treats the Christmas tunes were playing, while the Weasels sang, danced and 'helped' me in the kitchen. I love times like this, for the memories we are making, but then something stopped me in my tracks. Out of the speakers came "All I Want for Christmas is You" sung by Mariah Carey. This is a great song that I always loved, but that now will bring me instant tears.

For the only thing that I really want (and don't have) for Christmas and always, I cannot have. The only thing missing from my life is the laughter and hugs, from a would have been, 7-year-old girl who I can only visit at the cemetery, whose name is etched in cold marble, planted in icy ground as the only statement to the world that she had ever existed or mattered.

As the song began, my sweetest, eye-rolling, smart-mouthed teen, Eldest Weasel, spotting the pain in my expression, hugged me tight and we began to dance. I held her with all of my might in gratitude for being able to, as tears streamed down my face in heartache and sorrow for her little sister whom I long to hold, but never will again, in this life anyway.

Her love and unspoken understanding of what I was feeling meant so much and gave me the ability to continue with the tasks at hand in the kitchen. It also reminded me of an organization made of up individuals who have had a child's death touch their lives, SIDS of Illinois. These are the people who carried us through that first Christmas, birthday, Mother's day and subsequent ones, with an understanding of our pain. They are the people who acted as a crutch when we were not able to walk this road on our own. This organization that not only works to support bereaved families, but fights to save babies lives, through education for parents, providing safe sleep material goods for families unable to afford them (such as cribs and sleep sacks), but also to train first responders on how to deal with newly bereft parents, while still performing their duties, in order to prevent living nightmares such as Mr. Weasel and I experienced.

In this season of giving, if you are so inclined to give me a hug, I asked that you do so virtually, by way of donation to SIDS of Illinois. It doesn't matter if it's $1, $5, or $500. Donate in memory of Claire Weasel (she is the featured remembrance baby of the month - go check out her beautiful picture) via phone ((1-800-432-SIDS (7437)) or Paypal directly on their site. You can also tweet, Digg, stumble or otherwise promote this post. Every dollar donated can mean another baby's life saved or a lifeline for a family who will need to survive their first Christmas without their child in their arms.

Don't forget to stop by Dad Blogs for some other interesting insights on all things Fatherhood and Parenthood related.

Getting The Money Shot

One of the many joys of the Season is the annual taking of the the Christmas card picture. Some people leave this up to professionals. Some people use a nice shot of the family from when they were on vacation. Here in Weaselville we patiently wait for the stars to align in such a way that everybody is home and wearing clean clothes at the same time.

This astrological rarity coincidentally happened this past weekend. Actually, the right conditions were in place both Saturday and Sunday. Maybe I should check the calendar to see if it was a blue moon. Even with all the conditions coming together with a wide window of opportunity, things did not go easily.

When I mentioned taking the photo, Eldest insisted we take it in front of the Christmas tree, as we have often done in years past. The only catch, the tree had not yet been erected. Nor did I feel like pulling it out of the basement and setting it up. Eldest volunteered for this task and I gave her the nod.

Fast forward 12 hours. The tree is up and lit, but the branches have yet to be separated and fluffed in order to avoid the Charlie Brown look.

Fast forward 7 more hours and we are finally ready to take the picture while dinner is in the oven. The following is what happens when you take 5 hungry Weasels and 1 dog and try to take 1 Christmas Card picture.

These are Weasels:

In hopes that things would go a little smoother after everyone's blood sugar levels are back on track, this is the point at which we decided to take a break to eat dinner. You're welcome for me not posting all 374 pre - dinner pics.

These are Weasels on food:

Last but not least, the money shot that will appear on the Weasel Family Christmas card 2009:

Working Within The Budget

With the Christmas season so quickly approaching, I am putting much thought into gifts that won't break the bank. For friends and neighbors I usually whip up some homemade cookies and such, to be delivered in decorative tins. I enjoy the baking and don't mind putting the time in. The catch is that the ingredients wind up getting mighty pricey. So I have been searching for something a little more pocket friendly that will still spread the Christmas cheer that I feel in in my heart. It has to be something made with my own hands, to show how much individual caring went into each gift.

After thinking and searching, and searching and thinking, a friend sent me an e-mail with the perfect idea. This gift fits all the criteria. Thoughtful, inexpensive and handmade. So without further ado, this my friends is what you will be recieving from me this year.



Update on the Ad Clicking Campaign: Grand Total is up to $127.45! Thanks for the clicks.

Sappy and funny?

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus!

Last year around this time, Smallest Weasel was completely enthralled with 'her'(very possessive) Grandma in Florida. Every morning as soon as the older Weasels would head out the door to school she would bring me the phone and insist that it was time for her daily chat with Grandma. Grandma would never go out of the house in the morning until after the ritual phone call.

As Christmas approached and I sat down with Smallest Weasel to write her letter to Santa. The first thing that she insisted Santa was going to bring her for Christmas was "Grandma". Well alrighty then, next on the list was a stuffed animal replica of Smallest Weasel's cat and then some "mac & cheese".

Santa certainly had a big order to fill. Grandma's health had not been good and a trip in the sleigh would make it difficult to bring along her oxygen tanks. Mr. Weasel and I talked and decided it would be best to send Grandma an airline ticket, but that was certainly going to be more money than was in the budget. Lo and behold, I got online and with my first try found a dirt cheap flight at just the right time. I called Grandma and she was thrilled. She would fly in a few days before Christmas and stay for 2 weeks. Smallest Weasel was on cloud 9, even though Grandma wouldn't coming by sleigh.

Topping Eldest Weasel's Christmas list was a cell phone. She complained regularly and incessantly about being the only kid on earth without a cell phone. After a chat with Santa, I had it on good authority that he was bringing her one.

Grandma didn't have a cell phone either. Living alone and in poor health never slowed her down any. She was always off galavanting alone and with friends. Her car was not what you would call reliable. I would feel better if she had a phone. I added her onto my plan and that would be her gift.

We all have our Christmas traditions. One of mine has always been that we open presents from family members on Christmas Eve after we return from mass. Then as we sleep, Santa works his magic.

Last Christmas Eve as we sat and exchanged gifts, Grandma opened her phone to the wide eyed, slack jawed, steaming hot expression of Eldest Weasel. We thought for sure that she was gonna blow. Eldest managed to pull it together without saying a word and remain gracious about her pajamas. Mr. Weasel and I had all we could do to keep straight faces. Grandma was thrilled with her new phone and horrified (in a good way) that we would make Eldest squirm like that. She knew that Eldest was about to lose her mind. She also knew what Santa was planning to bring Eldest Weasel.

Eldest was maintaining her composure very well. That left me only one thing to do, throw fuel on the fire. "Would you program Grandma's phone for her and show her how to take pictures?". At this point it took Eldest all the restraint she could muster not to totally lose it. She begrudgingly set Grandma up and showed her all the features. Grandma, Mr. W. and I were holding ourselves laughing while trying to hide our glee. We would be busting by the time the morning came around. Just as Christmas Eve should be.

Christmas morning was joyful and glorious. Filled with love and family and Christmas Magic. Eldest and all the Weasels were thrilled with the gifts left for them by Good Old ST. Nick. We adults gleaned so much joy by watching their faces as they unwrapped the items from their lists.

Grandma didn't make it through her 2 year contract. That was her last Christmas. Grandma always said that I was the best Christmas present that she ever received (being born 2 weeks before Christmas). Last year Grandma was the best present I could have received. We all got what we wanted for Christmas.

P.S. ~ The Microbiologist knows how to party! More adventures with Flat WeaselMomma.
P.S.S. ~ Your ad clicking is up to $95.69 $99.60! Way to go! Only about 25 or so more ad clicks and I get a check! Thanks everybody for clicking my ads.