Ok, so I’m suffering from a horrific attack of blogger’s block. My writing has lost its former sparkle and I have no idea where it’s gone to. I’ve done some searching on “blogger’s block” in hopes of finding something that might spark my interest. Somehow, I feel as if I am in a box that gets smaller every day.

One thing I do know is that as the old children’s book says, “you can’t go over, you can’t go under it, you can’t go around it… you have to go through it” or at least something to that effect. So, that’s the plan, I’m going to just blog through it until something, somewhere snaps, breaks or floods over whichever the case need be.

Which means that today you get a list of my top ten favorite Christmas songs.

10. The Nutcracker Suite - The Brian Setzer Orchestra, the guitar work is mind boggling and just amazing!

9. Christmas Time in New Orleans - Louis Armstrong

8. O’ Come All Ye Faithful - Amy Grant

7. Frosty The Snowman - Bing Crosby

6. The Christmas Waltz - The Carpenters

5. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby

4. Emmanuel, God With Us - Amy Grant

3. White Christmas - Bing Crosby

2. Sleigh Ride - Harry Connick Jr.

1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - The Carpenters

There are loads of Christmas songs I love, but these are probably my most favorite, the songs I couldn’t go through a holiday season without listening to.

Forgive me for the near constant holiday related posts lately. This happens to be my most favorite time of year and really, it does pass by so quickly that I feel the need to try and savor every moment. However, at the moment, I’m in a mood and I really can’t stand anyone. I’m nearing the point where I am going to go hibernate in my bedroom and not come out for two or three days.

Ok, honestly, like that would ever happen! Not that I haven’t fantasized about it… a lot.

Last night, I finally made the trek up the stairs to the bedroom, my sanctuary. I had just closed the door to the water closet when I was almost certain I heard Mike yelling, “Amy!!!” Surely, he wouldn’t be yelling for me not two minutes after I had left the room. So, I continued on with my business and turned up the volume on the radio in my head, much like someone might do to the car radio when their flat tire is fwap-fwap-fwapping behind them.

No, no, not me! But, my cousin did that once…

Anyway, I’m grooving along to my own little mental soundtrack when I hear a familiar noise. Again. I took a deep breath, assuring myself that no one could be that… annoying.

But, no, God help is pea-pickin’ little heart, that’s EXACTLY what he was doing, calling for me from downstairs where he was planted on the couch with Maggie and the cat. I finished up, washed my hands and stepped out into the hall and screamed at the top of my lungs,

“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU - ARE YOU SOME KIND OF MORON or SOMETHING?!?!?!”

No, not really. But OH, how I thought about it and believe me, I had very little restraint left, it almost came flying out at the speed of light. Instead I yelled, “WHAT?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!?!”

And, then, I wished I had yelled the first thought. Do you KNOW what he had the NERVE to say next? Do you?

“What are you doing?”

What was I doing? WHAT WAS I DOING?!?!?!

I was taking two freakin’ minutes to maintain my sanity, you shmuck!!!! I was taking a MOMENT of silence for ME… MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

For the LOVE of GOD… I TELL you I’m going UPSTAIRS… follow through with it… and am STILL ASKED STUPID QUESTIONS?!?!?!?!

WHY DON’T I TAKE A FORK AND RAM IT INTO YOUR FOREHEAD AND THEN ASK YOU WHAT YOU ARE DOING?!?!?!?!? HMMMM????? WHY DON’T WE TRY THAT TONIGHT?!?!?!? JUST FOR SHITS AND GIGGLES, WHADDYA SAY?!!?!?!? WANNA? WANNA?!?!?!

ARE YA FEELING EXPERIMENTAL, OH LOVE OF MY LIFE!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

@#$@#%@#(@#)$@#$@#$%(@$#%@#_)(@#$_(@#$_)@(#%_

A-hem…

This is the announcer, we are unable to continue with our regularly scheduled programming because our hostess has temporarily taken leave of her senses. Instead we bring you the following:

For those of you still shopping and looking for interesting, funny, and or quirky gifts - I have the following links for you, check them out and pass them along to friends, family, and co-workers. My link whoring here has nothing whatsoever to do with me; I’m whoring out of goodwill, holiday cheer and nothing more. Check them out and enjoy!

Grandma’s Timeless Treasures - Depression era glass and more, antique collectibles make GREAT Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!

Awesome Books by Blogging Author, Marti Lawrence - a good book doesn’t always hit the NY Times bestseller list (even if it should) and books always make a wonderful gift!

Enter the Laughter Shop - The gift of humor never fails. Lots of original designs to choose from!

Now… get to shopping and may you find the perfect gift for the people on your list!

For years I have laughed when people whined and complained about holiday stress. Really, I did. I thought they were sad little drama addicts searching for an excuse to complain in an otherwise happy time of the year.

While people screamed about budgets and gift limits, I laughed, not because I had limitless amounts in the bank, but because it seemed very simple, you either had the money or you didn’t. Done. I worked with what I had and either did well or did the very best I could - even in very lean years.

Until this year.

This year, it’s getting to me. Bills, company billing and clients who aren’t paying, and the long list of gifts that have not been purchased. I’m losing it. Do you know how frustrating it can be to be owed more than you owe and yet not be able to pay what you owe because you aren’t being paid what you are owed? (Read that last part slooooowly, I did, a few times.)

I’m doing better than a lot of people, I constantly have to point that out to myself, but I am not doing well enough for me. Therein lies the problem, one of the many. The bills are mounting and the “to buy” list is NOT getting any shorter.

Worse yet, the closer we get to Christmas means the more likely I am to have to LEAVE the house to purchase Christmas gifts. Something I haven’t had to do in several years. And, I just refuse to pay exorbitant amounts for last minute shipping.

Gah.

*breathing*

*humming Carol of the Bells*

*breathing*

*breathing*

Ok… I can do this. I can totally do this. I don’t know what it is… but I’m sure I can manage it.

——————-

Enough of that stuff. I’m mentioned a while ago that I was really getting into beer. I’m currently drinking a Pyramid Hefeweizen Ale. I really like it a lot, actually. Has anyone had this year’s WinterFest from Sam Adams? I’m dying to try it. The Octoberfest was really good this year.

A fun, old-fashioned, Christmas can only be had if one takes the time to decorate properly. This includes lighting up your house so that it can be seen by every passing airplane and satellite. The day after Thanksgiving Mike made a trip to our storage unit and dragged out all the Christmas totes.

We started in the front yard with new icicle lights that actually shimmer, a vast improvement from last year’s solid icicle light strings. Then we arranged the decorations and added in some new items as well. We still haven’t decorated the truck yet… but that is coming this weekend. Santa in the front seat and a giant reindeer popping out of a giant present in the back! I can’t wait *squeee*!!!!

From there I moved into the house which took a great deal of time on Saturday to accomplish. Sunday we got our Christmas tree from none other than, Mike’s Tree Lot, the name is probably part of the reason that Mike really hoped we’d find “the” tree there. I consider myself to be a pretty picky tree picker (say that three times fast) and felt that something was very wrong with the world when we not only had to stop at just ONE lot, but only needed to go through maybe 5 trees to find the right one. Given that Mike (tree lot owner) was helping us out and he handpicks his stock (and also considers himself to be a picky tree picker) it should be no wonder that it only took a few trees for him to find the exact one I needed. He must have sized me up pretty quick. He says he prefers working with the picky customers anyway because he knows they appreciate the trees even more. He’s right… which is why we bought our tree there last year as well.

I only had to pull the lights off the tree and restart the lighting process once which is amazing. I only yelled at Ethan once and only had to re-hang a few ornaments when the kids weren’t looking. So I call that a win.

And, now for the pictures!!

Did you think I was joking?

Ignore the small, slouching child who refused to move so this picture could be taken.

Not too shabby, hmm? More pics here.

We spent the weekend decorating for Christmas. Grizwolded the front yard and bought the tree on Sunday. I’ll have pics tomorrow at the moment I just don’t have the energy to upload yadda yadda blah blah, you know?

This is a pretty sad excuse for a post. Nevertheless, here we are so give your opinion and anything even remotely bah-humbuggy will be ignored, I just can’t take it right it now, people!

Anyway, I can’t decide. I love them both. Last year, the Brian Setzer version was my favorite, this year… oh, I’m just torn. Although, Dean Martin’s version will always be a sentimental first. Since the holiday season is officially upon us, give me your thoughts…

First up:

Brian Setzer & Ann Margaret

Next:

Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel from the Elf Soundtrack

Hey there!

I’m late posting… obviously, but I do have a private post up. You are more than welcome to gain access if I know who you are, of course. Just email me at amy AT amysmusings DOT com - and I’ll be more than happy to give you access.

You can log in at the top of the side bar over on the right there.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Much love from my family to yours!

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, coffee, pie…

and yet, it isn’t about the food. It’s about family, tradition, the same dishes, silverware, glasses, table, and chairs. Great grandma’s dishes and silver comes out of the antique hutch that belonged to my grandmother.

My stepdad will have to run to the store for last minute items and he’ll be gone for two hours instead of the 20 minutes it should take. He’ll come back and my mom will give him the “look.” He’ll feign innocence and claim that the celery she needed was very, very hard to find.

We’ll laugh and tease as the dressing is drizzled on the salad and the sugared pecans sprinkled on top. The last dish will make it to the table as Kate runs around filling glasses and keeping Maggie away from the table.

Then we’ll sit down, hold hands and pray, and begin passing dishes around the table. We’ll laugh as someone gets passed the potatoes or cranberry sauce twice because, inevitably, someone will pass counter-clockwise instead of clockwise and will totally screw up the rotation. And, for the next hour or so we’ll be together as a family around one table and for that hour it will be as if the world has stopped turning and nothing else exists or matters.

The same, but a year older, wiser, and with new experiences behind us since the last Thanksgiving.

Hours later we’ll be picking around the kitchen at the leftovers, sipping wine or coffee, maybe even indulging in that second (or third) piece of pie.

And, late that night we’ll make the less than 5 minute drive home. Sometimes the fog rolls in, sometimes the sky is crisp and cold with clear bright pinpoints of stars. It’s at that point you realize that whether it is conscious or subconscious, you are grateful, truly, truly thankful for all the blessings, love and friendship. Thankful for a day when everyone has to stop and just be a family.

And, this year, I have more to be thankful for. For the first time in nearly three years, my sister will once again join us for Thanksgiving and I’ll get to feel like I’m 10 again.

Happy Thanksgiving and much love from my family to yours.

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

———–

And, completely off topic but incredibly important, I’d love it if you would do me the favor of visiting a dear friend’s blog and reading his current post. Avitable rarely blogs seriously but when he does it is ALWAYS for a good reason.

You know I love my chinchilla. And, I mean :heartbeat: my chinchilla (no, Joe, this is NOT a euphemism for ANYTHING other than my beloved pet).

And, yet, I’ve finally come full circle. My sister called me on Saturday to tell me that she had something for me.

This:

I would like to introduce you to Liza Jane. Isn’t she the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen? Truthfully, she is about the size of one of my hands and has the biggest eyes (and ears unfortunately) you’ve ever seen. I her!!

More pics here!

This is just about the best I can do for a post right now. Ethan has passed along the lovely cold he had last week to both Maggie and I. Maggie with a cold is like a dog with a bad crack habit, only most likely, the dog is housebroken.

I kid… Maggie is housebroken. No really, I swear. But, the rest of it is true, unfortunately. As I type this Liza just climbed up my pajama leg because Maggie came running through the room like… well, a monkey on crack. I know, I know, I said dog before, but honestly, monkey is probably more accurate.

So Liza is clinging right about knee height and is apparently trying to blend in with my flannel, Christmas pj pants. I can’t swear, but I think she’s holding her breath too. Poor thing probably thinks she was adopted to be the mascot of a sanitarium or something.

Ethan is listening to some God-awful music and by “God Awful” I mean any music that is not Christmas music. Hey… I held out until AFTER Halloween!!! Mike is in the kitchen and I distinctly heard him sing, “Oh the weather outside is frightful…” to which Ethan said, “You’ve gotten to him too, haven’t you?!?!?!?!?” *insert horrified look*

I’ve now decided I am going to turn Liza into a supreme ninja kitty so she can take out Ethan and his evil bitch cat, Molly.

Last week was a really stressful week. We had billing and other difficulties, it was just rough. On top of business crap Ethan and Kate were both sick and Ethan missed a couple of days of school.

Friday, Mike had several inspections to do and I told Ethan I would take him to get something to eat as soon as Mike left. Mike left, we hopped in my car which decided not to start for some insane reason. Called Mike, he said wait 10 minutes and try again. I did, it started and off we went.

I checked the clock and it was 1:45, Kate got out at 2:30 so I figured I had just enough time to get the car washed, get lunch and even pick up a treat for Kate so she’d have something nice when she got out of school.

By 2:25 we were headed over to the school and I was happy to see that I was just early enough to grab a coveted “parking” spot in the loading zone. I rapidly pronounced myself “Mother of the Year” and happily chatted with Ethan while we waited for Kate.

Fifteen minutes later I noticed that no other parents were there, the kids were not pouring out of the doors and we were the only vehicle in the loading zone.

Then it occurred to me.

No one had adjusted the time in the car. It was 1:40 and we were early alright… an hour early.

I raced out of the loading zone in the hopes that no one had seen me sitting there like a moron for the last 15 minutes.

An hour later when we picked Kate up she was obviously less than impressed with her melted McFlurry.

Here is your horoscope:

You may have a reputation for being aloof, but today you can show people that you’re capable of deeper connections. Try to reach out to someone who should be a little closer, but isn’t yet.

Nope, I like aloof. I like “cold and distant” it keeps people too intimidated to annoy me.

Yesterday I got this one:

Try to stay in one place and focus on the tasks at hand — looking ahead only causes confusion. Don’t bother appealing to authority if things don’t go your way. It all clears up by tomorrow.

Uh… right, have you MET me?

Appealing to authority… BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Nope… I’ll just start calling in b*o*m*b (paranoia peeking through) threats. Screw appealing.

Right, Britt? Kari? Tense?
Trish?
tj?

Hellloooooooooo? Anybody out there?