Eating Tips for the Holidays!

I got this e-mail today with tips on eating through the holidays.

I personally like #9. We need to be VERY careful about setting standards for ourselves through the holidays! :)

Happy Eating!

***HOLIDAY EATING TIPS***

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one> dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!!

Here we go again!

So basketball season is upon us once again!

Last year's season marked a huge turn around in my attitude towards Todd's coaching job.
I went from a miserable stay at home wife who whined and complained about her husband's long hours and how "I had to do it all" with the kids all by myself from the time they woke till the time they went to bed to a happy and content wife who took it all in stride. I went from a wife who couldn't care less about basketball and never went to a game to an avid fan who couldn't get to enough games and truly didn't want the season to end.

I had decided before last season even started that I was going to give myself an attitude adjustment. I had decided that in the 2009/10 season the kids and I were going to make the half hour trip to where Daddy coached as many times as possible to support him.

So that is what we did.

An amazing thing happened last year. The girls NEVER lost.

I'm not saying that this is due to my support or my attitude adjustment. I am saying that I believe that God kicked in an extra blessing just because He could. That the girls were going to have a winning season is an undisputed fact. They were great. They had a great coach. But to go undefeated? And win the state title? Not only do I believe that this is the stuff great sports movies are made of but I also believe that we had a bit of Help on our side.
My belief is that when we get on board with God's plan for our life (without whining and complaining) the blessings are beyond compare.

Thank you God for a great season! AND for the blessing of getting to experience an undefeated one!

Sooooooooooooo, like I said... here we go again.

Our record as I write this is 4-2. Todd says this is a rebuilding year and he is excited about the challenge.

I am excited to be a part of it once again. Winning season or not!

Go Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles!!

Gingerbread Houses

********UPDATE********

So in reading back over this post I must ask you: Aren't we amazing??? Look how CALM and enjoyable we make this all look!! Please keep in mind that together we had 6(!!!) boys ages 7 and under, one girl, and one dog, all doing an edible art project at the same small table that seats 6. Of course I suppose I should fess up and admit that Mindy is a kindergarten teacher and I homeschool my older three so there is a slight possibility that we have control issues... but still.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Today my sister, Mindy, came over with her crew of 3 boys to make gingerbread houses with us.
The kids had a great time decorating their masterpieces.
Here are Mindy, Luke and Elliot working on their house:

Kyle, Julainna, and Drew:

Jake and Ryan don't seem to mind that noone wants them "helping" out! Luke is being so careful to place his candy in just the right spot.
Hmmm, look who needs to be in the spotlight. Silly Elliot!

Oh kids! The candy is for your houses... not your noses!
Of course a little icing on the finger never hurts either!

Penny volunteered to be the clean up crew! This is one of the reasons why I love having a dog.