December 30, 2006

Early this morning, Julius and I began putting away the Christmas decorations before Josh came down the stairs. Josh was bit more than surprised, but I told him it had to be done. Better to do it now and spend this weekend together doing whatever we wanted without the gloom of having to clean up and put the decorations away at a later date.

And once everything was cleaned and stored away, I could breath a little easier. It was then that I realized that even though Christmas is my favorite time of year... it's exhausting!! I was actually happy that it was over and we could start the new year fresh.

I was tired of hosting parties and going to parties and shopping (yes, shopping.) and dealing with the emotional stress of life in general. I just wanted to relax and do nothing but spend time with my husband and son. And I also knew how important that would be for Josh as well. He has been working such late hours and has been so tired this week...

So now it looks like we're hosting a New Years Eve dinner. How the hell did that happen? (cue scream now)

LATER THAT AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING:
So I'm really excited about hosting dinner tomorrow! I know, what can I say? As tired as I am, I'm excited. :)
I'm planning to make a risotto and stuffed zucchinis. Josh is going to barbecue steaks and we also picked up some fresh shrimp. Being the vegetarian in the family, I had to make sure we had plenty of non-meat items... so we did a lot of shopping. Oh, and wine! I love wine. I wanted Kahlua, but it turns out that not many places sell it because it's a liqueur. Drat. LOL
Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and all your loved ones a wonderful Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season!

My sister and her family left today. I'm a bit sad about it because my sister and I didn't get a chance to talk much. We used to be so close, and now.. well, life makes it hard sometimes. I wish we had more opportunities to talk and hang out the way we used to. I'm hoping Josh, Julius and I will be able to visit her and her family during spring break.

'Twas the night before Christmas

We had a wonderful time at my parents. Josh, Julius and I arrived in time for everyone to head to the Children's mass. Julius was phenomenal. I mean, we got there an hour early to get seating, and then the mass itself was an hour long: that was two hours of church time. Can you imagine how long that must feel for a two year old?? Julius was incredible. He was so well behaved: I was in awe. I mean, yes, of course he talked often and was a little squirmy here and there, but he's only two! He was incredible. Josh and I were so proud of him.

And then we went back to my parents for dinner and presents. Everything went so well, and I really appreciated how considerate everyone was about Julius' allergies. It was so nice *smile*

After Julius went to sleep, I wrapped the presents and Josh & I put them under the tree... I can't wait to see Julius' reaction tomorrow morning when sees them all!!!!!!

Oh, and the issue that I had mentioned in the last post: everything was settled. I really think everything is going to be okay, and that makes me really happy.

My husband

My husband is wonderful. I just need to say that. He's always been great, he really has, and for these past two days he's been so supportive and fantastic... I just have to write it down. LOL

You see, last year my parents and I had a bit of (okay, a big) fall out. And though my mother and I were able to have our relationship resolved (though I still have some residul feelings over that fact that she will probably never see my perspective of the situation), my father and I, however, have yet to speak to one another (other than one brief encounter of a 'hi' when my uncle came for a visit).

So... on Thursday my sister and her family flew in. I was so excited to see them, but I was also a bit trepid.

I knew that my father had spoken to her about me. What am I saying? I mean complained to her about me. He told her exactly what he thought about me. So... I wasn't sure what was to come from this rendevouz we were going to have on Friday afternoon. Friday afternoon was going to be when we would have the whole family photographed: my mother, father, sister, her husband, her kids, myself, my husband and my son.

I wouldn't say I was nervous. I was anxious. Yes, definitely anxious. In fact, I nearly hyperventilated in the car because I was sure we were going to be late and punctuality is very important to my sister. I didn't know what to expect, and I hated that feeling. I didn't want to be thrown for a loop (which had happened before and I did not want to rel-ive that again.

So in any case, the afternoon went FINE. And then we had dinner, and it went FINE. I tried talking to my father, but he was either ignoring me or just not listening. I told myself he just wasn't listening. And then they came back to our house for dessert and everything went FINE. And Josh was wonderful. He had gone out to the store and bought flowers for the table, he picked up the vegan cake and cookies (everything has to be egg-free for Julius), he picked up the fruit tray... I mean, really, he was great.

And then this evening we went to my parents for a holiday gathering, and I really think everything went fine. I wasn't nervous or anything, but regardless, Josh was by my side and would say such sweet things to me... he is so awesome.

I'm a little nervous though because as we were leaving I heard my father tell my mom, "Did you tell her?" And she said, "No. I'll tell her tomorrow," and she glanced at me and therefore I knew it was about me... and that made me paranoid.

So I tried calling after Julius went to sleep but I got their machine. So I thanked them for a wonderful party (which I would have done regardless) and said I'd see them tomorrow for Christmas Eve mass.

I'm a little paranoid because I really feel that these two days have been great and I just don't want to ruin this feeling of "wow! everything is finally okay!" Hopefully I'm just being paranoid.

hair hair hair

Julius had his hair cut today. I specifically said "a trim." I didn't want it cut in the first place but it seemed that everyone and their mother felt that his hair was getting too long.

I happen to like my son having long hair. But I supposed a little trim would be healthy, plus we are planning to have our pictures taken this Friday so it could have worked out well.

Sadly, my ideal "trim" turned into a CUT. I wasn't there, so I obviously couldn't smack the woman with the scissors; but my mother-in-law was: and she told me she tried to tell the woman what I wanted and how to trim it. She told me she was very strict with the stylist. She told me she tried her best. But that bitch with the scissors had her own agenda.

So of course my knee-jerk reaction when I saw my son was a loud gasp followed by tears down my face. Yep, I was really subtle.

My poor mother-in-law felt terrible, but it wasn't her fault. I totally don't blame her for it at all.

And the cut doesn't look BAD. It's just...short. It's just hair... I have to keep telling myself that.... it'll grow back... he still looks adorable. He is adorable.

We are NEVER going to Cartoon Cuts again.

MY CAR!!

So I ran some errands this morning, and guess what happened? SOMEONE HIT MY CAR!! Yep, no note or anything. Just a huge scratch and dent... a looong yellow scratch and dent.... it looks terrible.
So I called my insurance company and I'm going in next week to get an estimate of the damage and all that. Geesh!!

new 'do

So I went to The Red Door for a new cut and some awesome highlights. You can't see the highlights in this photo, but they're two-toned: chocolate and golden blonde. I love it. I wanted to go with mostly golden blonde, but Janelle (the colorist) convinced me that for this time of year, I really needed to add chocolate into the mix; and of course, she was right! I love my hair!!!!

Happy Holidays

It's been a great start to the holiday season (which technically began in November when Josh had his birthday, and then it was Thanksgiving...). Julius is having the best time right now!

I admit, we are overindulging him with presents, but we can't help it. Plus, it's not like he's a terror or anything. In fact, Julius readily shares his toys and is such a compasssionate child...it's just beautiful. Like once, a little boy began to cry at his nursery school, so Julius went over to him, gently patted his shoulder and said, "Mommies always come back." Isn't that sweet?!?!? Josh and I couldn't ask for a more wonderful child. He is just the absolute greatest. :)

Deck the halls!

I love this time of year: the lights, the bright colors... the sales at the mall *wink*
We've already put up our Christmas tree, decorated the house inside and out (Josh did an amazing job with the outside decorations!) and have holiday music playing for most of the day.
And Julius is LOVING the fact that he not only gets presents Christmas eve and Christmas morning... but also for Hannukah :) Yep, he's one lucky toddler.
I remember a lot of people had told Josh and I that we would need to pick a religion to raise Julius with. I didn't see a reason then and I still don't. Interfaith is the way to go. I mean, God is God. Most of his fans scare me, but God is God and the basics are the same in every religion. I don't understand why so many people have to judge one another and demand that their religion is right and all the others are wrong. Seriously, why can't we all just get along? It's so frustrating. And the organization of religion is truly the root of evil. Don't get me wrong: I think religion is a wonderful thing... but the ORGANIZATION of it is freakin' scary. There is just too much politics where there shouldn't be. Religion should be personal and nonjudgemental against others.

Anywho: enough of that drabble. Back to the happiness of holidays!!!! :) :)