Year In Review - 2006

The Week In-Between

Our Christmas was wonderful. The kids had fun leaving cookies and milk (as well as "reindeer food" (dry oats & red glitter!)) out for Santa and his crew Christmas Eve and they enjoyed a fantastic Christmas day. I'd been working my tail off to get as many things done ahead of time that I possibly could - in hopes of actually sitting down and enjoying some rest on Christmas day. It was all for naught, however, as I literally did not stop moving from 6 AM until I collapsed on a heap on the couch at 6:30 PM (with a fever, chills and body aches - oi!). The meal turned out wonderful and the company was great.

The kids each received a new set of golf clubs (which we are going to get out and put to use as soon as my daughter and I are feeling better!). The family got a Playstation (2 - not 3) - our first video game system since the early 90's. We are enjoying it so much! Other well-received gifts include an Easy Bake Oven, a Marble Racer, various Hot Wheel cars and accessories, a whole slew of Disney's Ariel dolls as well as clothes, Leapster games, books and a few new DVD's.

I'm not planning anything huge for New Year's... We will have a few friends over for drinks. Baked Potato Cheese Soup, homemade bread and cheesecake are the only things I'm planning on making.

I can't believe it's time to say goodbye to yet another year!

Holiday Menu

We are once again having Christmas dinner here and I thought it'd be fun to post my menu. I'll put up recipes in case anyone is interested as time permits.

Breakfast: Made-To-Order Omelettes (a la Daddy!)

Appetzers: Spanakopita, Onion Tartlets, Pita Chips & Greek Feta Cheese Dip, Meatballs

Dinner: Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding, Homemade Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach

Dessert: Pecan Pie, Individual Chocolate Molten Cakes

(Then - back to the gym on Tuesday!)

Happy Holidays!

Autism Speaks 2006 - Ornament

"The 2006 Autism Speaks Holiday Ornament (seen at left) is available from Bloomingdale's online and in selected Bloomingdale's stores. Autism Speaks will receive 40% of the proceeds from the sale of the item."

Live Lobster!

Now - I love lobster as much as the next guy and I have ordered food through the mail (a la Omaha Steaks) and admit to have been extremely pleased with my purchases. I think I would absolutely FREAK OUT, though, if I were ever to receive a LIVE lobster in the mail as a gift!

Lost Dad Found Dead In Wilderness

This story is incredibly sad. I was hoping against hope that James would be found alive - how tragic.

James and Kati

Update On Us

Crazy time of year...

I apologize (to anyone who cares) that I haven't been updating very regularly!

Let's see... When I last posted, my husband had just survived his first colonoscopy. I'm happy to report that all is well. One polyp was removed but a biopsy found it to be benign. He's free and clear for another 5-10 years and is very thankful that the test will not be something that is required on an annual basis. He agrees with what we'd read beforehand - that the preparation the day and night before is much worse than the procedure itself. Thanks to some wonderful medicinal help, he felt no pain (during or afterwards) and woke up from the whole thing with no memory of it whatsoever!

Our Thanksgiving was nice. We spent a few hours at a local Rescue Mission serving meals to local homeless before going to my Mother's for an early dinner. It was a great experience. I think it's safe to say that all 4 of us (even the children - young as they are) gained something from it. We've decided to make it an annual part of our Thanksgiving. It was emotional and a lot of work - but worth it. I urge anyone who reads this to look into helping out Rescue Missions in their area. I had no idea that many of these places serve not just meals on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas - but 3 meals a day 365 days a year!

The kids are doing well in school. They're actually doing incredible at school. I'm so proud of both of them. I'm starting to notice more obvious differences between my (Autistic) son and his peers and that's had me down recently - but we knew those differences were going to start becoming more evident sooner or later. Most of his issues right now are socially, I'd say. He's so awkward and has an air of immaturity about him that most of the kids in 1st grade are growing out of. He's such a sweetheart and, God bless him, is keeping up with the academics better than I ever dreamed he would. I want the world for him and try to be thankful for his srides and accomplishments and not dwell on the things he struggles with.

We're not certain yet but we migh be taking the kids on a trip to Disney World next June for their 7th and 8th birthdays. So exciting! We actually have a few potential trips in the works for 2007... Every year, my husband attends an industry convention and takes me with him. This year, it took us to Orlando. In 2007, it'll be Las Vegas so I'm excited about that. It's over Super Bowl weekend too - we love Vegas for the Super Bowl! We're also contemplating a long-weekend cruise (just the 2 of us) in early March.

I can't promise that I'll update daily for the remaining of 2006 but I will try to be better. Christmas is 3 weeks from today - that blows my mind! 2007 is almost here!

Goodbye, Greg!

I'm so glad my kids don't follow The Wiggles as much as they used to - they'd be heartbroken!