frazzled & frumpy

I figured since my kids have all written letters to the big guy, I might try it. I doubt he can do much about my wants, but it's worth the effort, so here goes. Dear Santa, I've been a pretty good girl this year. I haven't broken any laws, well, if you don't count speeding. I don't since basically everyone else does it. I've kept the commandments for the most part. Maybe a little bearing false witness, but fibbing to your kids isn't really lying, is it? I don't usually ask for anything, but there's a few things I'd like, if you're so inclined. 1. I'd like people to keep their arguments at home, especially this time of year. When I've spent two days searching for a video game and am in a line waiting for one, which I'm 99% sure they don't have, I don't need to hear it. If your mother wants to buy something for your sister, it's really none of your business how much it costs. Arguing with her about it, in GameStop, no le

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." -Buddy the Elf For those who've never seen Elf, sorry, that may not make sense. (And, if you haven't seen it, you really should.) Anyway, the last couple years I haven't enjoyed the Christmas season much. I might have blamed it on being broke, but I know that isn't it. We were broke pretty much my entire childhood, yet I LOVED Christmas. And, it wasn't from a lack of singing like Buddy suggests. I start listening to carols the day after Halloween, and sing along in my car- much to the horror of my kids. After Christmas 2 years ago, I tried last year to make changes so I'd enjoy it more. I tried having more scripture study as a family (failed miserably). I had a goal to not shop at all in December (again with the failure). I was so worried about the gifts and if I would be able to get everything I wanted for my kids. And, sadly, I worried over the fact that I wouldn't

My husband and I met a long, long time ago in a faraway land called Buffalo. We were both serving as missionaries for our church. Don't get all self-righteous, we did not have a mission romance, though we both had companions who did. Nope, we were friends. After we got home and got rid of the ones who were waiting for us- ok, waiting means different things to different people. My husband's girlfriend actually waited, sitting home for 2 years knitting dish towels and collecting recipes for her hope chest. My-ahem-boyfriend waited only in the context that he didn't get married or father any children before I got home. Well, I know he didn't get married, anyway. So, fast forward to July and we started dating. One Sunday night (after our scripture study) he took me to the car lot where his brother worked. The lot was closed and he took me there to show me the car he was planning to buy. It was a Dodge Shadow (I think, I'm not a 'car-girl'). There were a couple