It's a Non-Denominational Winter Festival Unusual Happenstance!

[stoney321]

Or, loosely translated: a Christmas miracle. The MIL gave me a...hug. I fixed her computer. She had cried over it, thinking all was lost. I did a few simple things, restored her missing files and now I am GOLDEN. (If I had known that was all it took, I would have sabotoged the summbitch years ago and fixed it. Ha!)

And here's why Emily is (secretly) my favorite child: kids woke up super early - as expected - paper, ribbons flying everywhere, flashing lights, noise, toys tossed about, but Emily is sitting at my feet, her snowglove from Santa playing "Silent Night" with the "snow" floating around the christmas tree inside, chin propped on her little fists, smile on her face, completely still. She quietly asked me "how did he know I wanted this one?" and went back to smiling at her perfect gift from Santa.

It isn't about getting the most expensive, flashiest thing. *happy mom-sigh* I'm off to cook for 12 people, and happily so. I hope everyone has a lovely day, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Day Of Gifts, or what have you. May you end up with lots of hugs, smiles and good food, and may the jerks leave early, taking the trash out with them.

Comments

[bitchygrrl.livejournal.com]

Happy Holidays to you too, babe. Thanks for all the laughter, and for sharing yourself with us. :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*smooooooooooooch*

*tops off your coffee* Mmmmm. Here, have a croissant with Nutella.

[bitchygrrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I love Nutella. *takes big bite8 *sips coffee*

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas!

I've got old kids: they're still in bed. I've got to make noise somehow because Miss Perfect and I have baking to do, and the Manchild, slave to the entertainment conglomerate, has to be at work at three. I am not happy about that, and have vowed to never go to the movies on Christmas again.

Julia, seeing the sad error of that practice first hand

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

UGH. I don't go to the movies either. I don't purchase or consumerize anything, because I feel so bad for the people who work on holidays...

*bangs pots and pans to wake the sleepy-heads up*

[hellziggy.livejournal.com]

Wow! That is a Christmas miracle! I still think the MIL must be mentally impared if she doesn't love you like we do. :)

Sounds like you are having an almost perfect Christmas (I'm guessing that you have no snow, what with being in Texas and all...).

I'm about to take off for Day 2 of Christmas. Between my family, hubby's family, and the friends who are family we've got 3 days of Christmas!

*huge hugs* and Merry Yulechristmakwanzakuh to you!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Whoa! Enjoy your festivus and have a safe trip! (And yes, no snow. It's going to be 62! Sunny skies! Hurrah!)

[hellziggy.livejournal.com]

*whew*
Home for the evening. One more Christmas tomorrow.
Where's the relax part of the holiday??

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

She quietly asked me "how did he know I wanted this one?" and went back to smiling at her perfect gift from Santa. Teared up. Little bit.

My MIL bought me (for the first time in 13 years) an article of clothing which does not suck. Cashmere poncho thingie that I can use in work on those days that my building is *not* too freakin' hot.

Caza's wearing flannel pajama bottoms with Eric, Stan, Kyle and Kenny all over them (from the "babies") and I am listening to the Walk the Line soundtrack and pondering which book to read first. *happiness*

P.S. My fudge was better after it sat all day. *g* Thank you for being my BFF LJ, as well as one of my BF RL's. I love you.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

YOU teared up?!? Hee! Oh, I gave her a haircut yesterday, so she has a chin-length blonde bob and her big blue eyes, and ... *Beams* Adorable. She's just slowly moving from one thing to another, a little overwhelmed by all the Stuff. Just adorable. Little, little kids are the best at Christmas. (Babies are fun - because they like the tissue paper and boxes. Like doggies! The cats are eyeing all of the empty boxes, waiting to turn them into dens.)

I love you, Sue. (is something in the water with MILs???)

[inlovewithnight.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas, Sam! I hope you survive the folks and make out like a bandit and the horsies roll in the snow and whicker to you!

*SUPER SQUISH*

[gracielu.livejournal.com]

What a perfect Christmas story. *loves you, loves your baby girl for the warm and fuzzy* Blessings to you and yours, and much gratitude to whatever twist(ed piece?) of fate that brought you into my world this year. Happy Christmas.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*pops some fudge in your mouth and gives you the warm spot at the fire*

So you know? The feeling's mutual. So, so grateful to know you and get to play with you, G.

I hope you have a fantastic day today, and just know there's a weirdo out in Texas you smiles when she thinks of you.

[desoto-hia873.livejournal.com]

She quietly asked me "how did he know I wanted this one?" and went back to smiling at her perfect gift from Santa.

Aw - that is so sweet! Reading that actually made me a little misty. :-)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee! (Sitting there watching it made me a little misty!)

*squishes my doodle bug*

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

"how did he know I wanted this one?"

Good Santas always know what good kids want!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ha! Right. Sometimes it's HAAAAAAARD. Stupid TV and commercialism...

Hello!! Have a good weekend?

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Very good thanks - no parent - she went to Peru! - just the Bit (half-sister) round for dinner and she was very quiet and well-behaved!
Tons of new stuff to watch on DVD, and I also got a Rotatrimmer!
Stationary junkies unite and trim!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Heee!! My older sister got a fancy paper cutter, plastic board, and a multitude of paper scissors and you'd think it was a naked man with a plate of chocolate. Heh.

Glad it was enjoyable! It should always be that way, you know?

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you've had what sounds like a perfect Christmas! Unexpected hugs, lovely child(ren), and a feast... no one could ask for more, surely. Emily is a darling!

The boys are down in the basement, right now enjoying what is their favorite gift from Santa, matching make-your-own light sabers. What was Santa thinking, I am asking myself, given the likely chance of injury? Well, probably that they would enjoy these things down to the ground, which is 100% right. I'm hearing laughter and shouts of joy, which is all that matters. There are some inevitable yelps of pain and some tears from the little one, too, but 30 seconds later he's right back at it...

*sigh*

I have to toughen up in order to be the mom of two little boys. My dad gave them ping-pong guns for Christmas, too. Grandpa is currently the favorite relative. I was appalled at first, but the whoops of glee as all THREE boys (including the grown-up one) bounded into the basement, ignoring all the rest of the unopened presents to try these out made me put aside my fears. I've put down only one rule -- no aiming at other people. We'll see how long that lasts.

Yep, I hear the *PONG* of the new guns going now... Thank god for that basement...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee hee!! Oh, Anne! The Boy got a Nerf Tag? gun thingie that is a HUGE hit. Little foam "bullets" with a velcro tip, and you wear a vest and chase each other around the YARD. Notice I did not say HOUSE.

I cocked an eyebrow at the gun for a gift, but HOURS of fun were had. And it seems to be a perfect cat toy as well. Ha!

(The beef Wellington turned out PERFECT! It was touch-and-go for a minute... I have this irrational need to provide a perfect meal for my dad. Even though I know he'll eat burned crust and dried out meat. Ha!)

And what did Santa bring you?

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to reply to this forEVER, but it got lost in the pile of email -- Santa brought me lots of books! The new Neil Gaiman, for example. Also, not a surprise, because we went out together after Christmas and bought it as a family -- we got a small TV for the basement. Put it in front of the Nordic Track as an incentive for me to exercise. I hate to exercise, find it so booooring, but the only time I used it regularly was the months we had an apartment with the Nordic Track right in front of the TV. I used the damn thing Every. Single. Day. Then we had small kids and had to move it out of their reach. Hardly ever touched it after that.

It's a TV/DVD player combo, so I will pop in one of my BtVS/AtS DVDs, watch as I exercise, and be as happy as a clam. Are clams happy? Dunno. I'll be happy, anyway.

Was Santa good to you?

[marsterslady.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you had a very lovely holiday. I'm glad for you! :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

We did. No stress, fun with family, tons of food... (And I am SO, so sorry that you are so ill! You poor thing! Any ginger-ale in the house? I hope you feel better in time to fly out to the wedding!)

[marsterslady.livejournal.com]

You're so kind! I don't have any ginger-ale. The only way I'm not getting on that plane is if I'm still vomiting. It just wouldn't be nice to the other passengers. Maybe I can just sit in the bathroom for the 2 hour flight. My flight is in the evening, so that gives me plenty of time to get better. Hopefully. :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You know what? I despise you. And Chris. And fudge. Hee! Morgan is funny.

Dood. Shopping today is what CRAZY people do. Wanna know what I did? Clean house. Read a book. Napped. ATE FUDGE. Good times. Oh, and my skin? She is FANTASTIC. Thanks, again. We had a great time with you and Chris.

[sweet-ali.livejournal.com]

May you end up with lots of hugs, smiles and good food, and may the jerks leave early, taking the trash out with them.

BWah! Well-said.

And what a perfect moment from your daughter to begin the day :)