love eVeryDaY

this is for the hubby

it's been an incredibly long time since i've a participated in a meme, and this one has the potential for great benefits.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

Lots of love, hugs and kisses for all.  That we all enjoy the day and our time together; and that when the day is done, we look back and think it was the best Christmas ever.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?

Lately, tradition has shifted slightly.  I'd love to say that we get up, sing carols, and then open gifts, but the last two years or so our Christmas mornings have been a frenzy of last minute preparations for the rest of the day.  First there is hot tea, then pop in a DVD, and the morning culminates with wrapping up any remaining presents before we head out to spend time with our extended families.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

For me, I would ask for weekly housecleaning forever.  Cooking, I don't mind, but I really dislike cleaning and laundry.

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

Making a play list with all of our current favorite Christmas music.  I burn a copy for the car and listen to it on the commute in the evenings. 

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

Even now, my family loves games.  Growing up, we played board games -- Life, Careers, and Tri-Ominoes were my favorites. 

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

Opening one gift the night before Christmas and addressing cards while watching Christmas movies.

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?

What a tough decision.  One part of me would go for the idealistic snowy, wintery magic and opt for a mountain cabin with a fireplace and a view; the other part would opt for someplace sunny and warm where we could follow opening our gifts with lounging on the beach.  Either would require accommodations for us, my mom, sister, nieces, and our three best friends and their families.

8. Check out GameStop  and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

• PlayStation 3
• Xbox 360 with Kinect (or just the Kinect for the Xbox we have)
• Buzz Quiz World for PS3

in gratitude

honestly far more time has elasped since i last blogged than i ever thought would pass.  and, more times than i can count or remember, i began forming posts in my mind.  i tried to create them, order them -- except they never made it to cyber space. 

that said, i will try not to dwell on what i wanted to happen here.  instead i will start fresh today, and, hope that i will do better in the coming days and months.  in just a few minutes will be the official start of American Thanksgiving.  this year, i had the foresight not to volunteer to host my family.  and, from where i sit now, that was the best decision.  nothing in our home is how i want it, and the pressure to iron it all out for a family meal would have surely made both d and i crazy.  and for that reason, i am grateful that we are not having a house full of family and friends tomorrow.

i am also grateful for so much more -- for celebrating another year, another anniversary.  i am grateful that both d and i are employed, and that we are still able to make ends meet and then some.  i am grateful for relationships -- with my family, with my friends, with my cyber-friends.  i am grateful that i was able to attend a hands-on photography workshop this year; that i am beginning the process of certification.  i am grateful and honored that i was asked by several friends to document their families. 

i wish you all, however few, a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  may your hearts be full and content.

~me