A touch of Christmas

We are going with a 'less-is-more' approach this Christmas. In keeping with that theme, there are less decorations out, fewer ornaments on the tree and a downsizing of gifts under the tree.

I remember there were some tough times when I was young, I also remember the years when there were stacks of presents surrounding me. The greatest of my memories though are of being with my family. Those are memories I want to be creating for my girls. The presents they will forget, the time spent together, the laughter, the games, the creating...those are the memories that I want to last.

Here is a touch of our home:

Fisher Price Nativity on my first table runner.

This Nativity set has allowed my breakable sets to stay safe. The girls can move this around all they want...it is one of their favorite things to come out of the Christmas boxes.

The table runner is ok. I am more critical of my work than anyone else would be. It is definitely nice enough to go on MY table but it wasn't 'gift worthy.' It was the first of six that needed to be sewn...each of them, one of a kind. Each of them a bit better than the one before.

This is a close up of my Christmas tree. The bird house was a birthday gift from my parents a few years ago. It is my answer to the question: "How do you fill a large hole in your tree?"

I stuck with my simple homemade or nature-like ornaments. Now I am looking for some small little decorative birds to sit on the branches. If the girls and I get another snow day, I'd like to make some bird seed ornaments too.

Santa's Key

When we moved to this house there was no fireplace. It was essential that we get a magic key so that Santa could get in to fill our stockings.

The green chair was my Grandma's chair. I can't bear to get it refinished because it was hers, and I don't want to change how it looks. The springs are broken and the underside sheds when you sit down on it...but I love it just the same. The can is also from back home. I found it in one of the old machine sheds. Grace made the candle decoration on top in her 4-H Wildlife Stewards club. She was so proud to bring it home. The Santa came from St. Mary's bazaar. I try to get a new Santa each year. There weren't any this year that grabbed my attention.

* * *

Even though I didn't put out all my ornaments and decorations this year, I looked at each and every one of them. I love that I have ornaments my girls have made, ones from my past students, some from friends new and old, or from places we have visited. I don't know that I could choose a favorite, but together they are a sampling of many happy memories.

The Countdown Begins

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually paper.


2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, and we hunt it ourselves.


3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the first weekend in December.


4. When do you take the tree down? Depends, but always before January 1.


5. Do you like eggnog? Not much.


6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember getting a bike...


7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents.


8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself...just kidding. (kinda) The kids are easy too.


9. Do you have a nativity scene? About 3 or 4


10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail


11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Chocolate Covered Cherries. They ruin perfectly good chocolate.


12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Polar Express


13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually in the summer.


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes


15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge.


16. Lights on the tree? The more the better.


17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night...


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both


19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes


20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel


21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? (As soon as I find them.) The 'official' family opening is on the Eve.


22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercials to convince my kids they need more...more...more.


23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a Santa collection that I treasure.


24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Toys.


25. What do you leave for Santa? Cookies, fudge, milk and carrots for the reindeer.

CIVIL WAR = SADNESS!!!!!

It's O-V-E-R. There were some highlights of the day:

Good Food - Great Friends - and massages!

Posted earlier in the day when I still had hopes of a Rose Bowl bid:

Civil War - Oregon State University vs University of Oregon

It has been said the win gives you the right to live in the state! Well, win or lose, I will still fly my colors tomorrow. I bleed black and orange!

Here are a few interesting notes from The Oregonian.

Trivial Pursuit

Civil War edition
by Rachel Bachman, The Oregonian

Total football revenue (2007)

UO: $24,493,155

OSU: $31,867,028

Percent increase in revenues since 2003

UO: 36 percent

OSU: 55 percent

Winning percentage, 2004-08 :

UO:65 percent (39-21)

OSU: 64 percent (39-22)

Winning percentage in August and September

UO: 76 percent (16-5)

OSU: 43 percent (9-12)

Winning percentage in November and December

UO: 40 percent (8-12)

OSU: 77 percent (17-5)

Head or assistant football coaches with mustaches

(not including goatees or superstitious scruff)

UO: 4

OSU: 1

Most popular beer

UO: Total Domination IPA by Ninkasi Brewing (at Rennie's)

OSU: Coors Light (at Clodfelter's)

Top-selling magazine at school bookstore

UO: Cosmopolitan

OSU: Cosmopolitan

Priciest single-game ticket

UO: $66 (vs. Washington)

OSU: $75 (vs. USC, Oregon*)

*fans required to buy three-game pack for $120 to get a Civil War ticket.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education Equity in Athletics Data Analysis 2007-08, UO and OSU media relations, Oregon State Police, Eugene Police Department, Rennie's, Clodfelter's, UO and OSU Web sites, UO and OSU archives, UO and OSU media guides, UO and OSU bookstores, OSU Alumni Association. -- Rachel Bachman

OOOOOOOOOO-SSSSSSSSSS-UUUUUUUUUU

Oregon State, Fight-Fight-Fight!

Guilty Pleasure...

I am not usually interested in fantasy novels.

I am not usually interested in vampires.

I do not usually act like a giddy 13-year old when I am at the movies.

Except for Friday night.

If you are a Twilight fan, I don't need to explain.

If you aren't a Twilight fan (yet), I dare you to read two chapters and put it down.

Just know...

I love Twilight.

I love Bella & Edward.

I loved my movie & I can't wait for the next one to be released.

I don't remember being this silly about a movie since Top Gun.

Thanks Dad!

One weekend a month.

Two weeks each summer.

38 days a year.

It doesn't seem like much, really.

Back then, I didn't think about it. It was just what you did.
Back then, military personnel were not being called to active duty.
Back then, I didn't worry about war or deployment.
Back then, I didn't think about what your service meant.
Back then, I didn't worry about what you had to do when you were in Vietnam.
Back then, I was proud anyway.


Today, I am thankful. You signed up, you fought and you continued to serve.
Today, you would go again, if you were called.
Today, I support our military and our President.
Today, I explain to my children what you and others have fought to protect.
Today, I feel sorrow for families who have lost loved ones.
Today, I pray for peace in the hearts of soldiers for personal battles they may face.
Today, I am more proud than ever.

I feel like I have an understanding of service. I understand even though I have never been part of the military. I understand because you taught me, not only with your words but with your actions.

Dad, thank you for serving. I am proud!

Kung Fu Reagan

Reagan went to a birthday party this weekend.

Part one of the party was watching Kung Fu Panda.

Looks like she's found some new moves!

I'm wondering who would get hurt more...herself or the other person.

(Gym located @ Nelson's Nest!)

Oops...Priceless?

I had the pleasure of taking my girls and three borrowed girls to the movie this afternoon. With the November rains settling in, a movie date was a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

I arrived at the movie early with 4 of the girls, the other 2 arrived within minutes. The moms and I visited briefly. When the high school boy unlocked the theater doors all six girls bailed out of the van quickly and ran inside. I said goodbye to the moms, rolled up the windows and headed inside. (Re-read this paragraph...it is important later.)

• We lined up for the tickets...$38.00
• We lined up for the popcorn...$11.00 *I bought 2 XL's and split them into Ziploc baggies-I am that smart-Re-read this bullet too.
• I bought 7 sodas...$18.00
• We found our seats.

Grace and her friend chose front row seats.

Taryn and her friend chose back row seats.

Reagan, her friend and I settled into the middle.

About an hour into High School Musical 3, the high school theater employee was walking toward me. Hmm....the girls didn't seem to be causing any trouble. Hmm...did he see the jellybeans I snuck into the theater. Hmm...no that wasn't it.

"Ma'am, did you drive the van here?"

"Uh, yes."

"You left your car running."

At this point, I wish it was about the smuggled jelly beans. I wanted to die. You should have seen the look on all three high school workers as I snuck out of the theater, found my car - unlocked and running, right where I left it. Hmm... Priceless?

Additional thoughts to ponder on this occasion:

• No wonder I only have 3 children. I'm not responsible enough for more.
• Thank goodness I married a Pollock as this type of behavior is expected.
• I live in a small town - so when I have these 'moments' my car is right where I left it.

and finally

• It may not be my 'natural' hair color anymore...but it's pretty obvious I am a true blonde.