This Reminds Me

Archive for December, 2005

-yawn-

The delicious caramels and buenellos a friend gave us at church tonight have been properly sampled.

The peppermint ice cream shake residue has been washed from the blender.

The makings of tomorrow’s breakfast tacos are ready for quick assembly.

Lois’ homemade chocolate chip cookies and a cup of milk are near the fireplace.  Our DVD of Its A Wonderful Life is lying patiently nearby, awaiting its turn to be enjoyed.  Tomorrow, Jimmy and Donna – tomorrow we visit Bedford Falls.

But tonight – yawn – tonight only a (computer) mouse should be stirring.  And even that, not for long.

Merry Christmas, and to all a good night.

We’ve just returned from riding the “Polar Express”, a 2-hour round-trip train experience in and around Austin. Santa and Mrs. Claus visited our compartment to give us bell necklaces; the conductor dispensed cocoa and homemade gingerbread men; Girl Scouts sang carols. We thought we were hot stuff in our (mostly) newish robes and jammies until we spied an irritating family of five – complete with dewy-faced infant – in matching bright green and red sleepwear. I’ll bet their sugar cookies are all the same size, and I’ll bet they hang individual icicles Monk-style. Boooorrring!

We can hear our bells, Santa – you bet! We believe.

Our excursion began with Rachel pushing Hannah into the motel’s outdoor pool. Yes, it was 40 degrees and sleeting, and yes, Hannah was wearing her basketball shorts which were required for her game immediately as we returned to San Antonio today (hence, why they were packed – don’t ask me why she put them on a day early.) Fortunately, I perfected my “swing-it-around-the-room-several-times-then-hit-it-with-a-hair-dryer” laundry drying skills in India 18 years ago, so she did have dry shorts today. Her team and Lois’ team both won today, BTW – I am hoarse from cheering. And tense from restraining myself to keep from going on court and whalloping a little snot who kept elbowing our girls. You gotta watch those Lutherans.

CCFN! (Choo-Choo For Now!)

….and “B” is for “Bulldog” and “C” is for the certificate Lois is displaying after joining a handful of classmates chosen for the “Bulldog with Pride” award this semester at Bush Middle School. Keith and I clapped the most loudly when we heard her described as a smart, hard-working and trustworthy leader with a wicked sense of humor.

“D” is for “Don’t you wish she could unload the dishwasher with the same enthusiasm?”

And she tells me, “‘E’ is for enough already, Mom!”

Now I’ve said my ABC’s

Next time won’t you blog with me?

Don’t like the weather in Texas?  Wait a few hours.

We ran the air conditioner this past humid weekend – but not tonight, baby, it’s cold outside! Lois’ Christmas choir concert was cancelled because of freezing drizzle, which was just as well since she dragged home with a vicious weather-induced migraine.  She and Hannah asked to sleep by the fireplace.  It’s a school night…maybe…and at first I said “no.”  Then I thought:  Why do we have a fireplace and how often do we get to use it?  So they’re sawing logs by the gas ones.

When I laid them down to sleep

They prayed to God for rain so deep
And frozen hard, so bus wheels slide
And they can skip and play inside.

Good night, everybody.  I really must go.  This evening has been so very nice.  Baby, it’s cold outside.