dragging

Confession time. 

I'm still in my pajamas. 

It's 11:17 am. 

I hardly ever do this. 

I blame it on the NyQuil. 

I thought for sure I had strep earlier in the week. 

Nope, just a virus. 

Now my voice sounds like I've inhaled smoke for 2 days straight. 

I haven't. 

And my head feels like a swimming pool.

I have accomplished a few things. 

I've paid bills. 

I've cleaned baseboards. 

I've cleaned the washer. 

I've washed dishes. 

I've made some phone calls. 

I've cleaned the bathroom.

I've straightened up the family room.

But I'm still in my pajamas. 

And it's making me want to crawl back into bed.

Maybe it's time to get the yoga pants out.

monopoly

I think we played Monopoly 300 times over break.

 

Well, maybe closer to 5. 

Elliott L.O.V.E.S. this game.

 

He likes to be the banker and figure out all the money.  He's really good at it, too.  I like to play when it's just the three of us.  But I'm done once Brian gets home and wants in on the action.  I first played Monopoly with him many years ago and quickly learned that he has no mercy.  And I get angry about his "business strategies and tactics" that seem rude to me (there's a very good reason I'm not in the corporate world).  So it's better that I just don't play.   The boys learned this pretty quickly too.  In fact, nobody likes to play Monopoly once Dad gets home :)  Well, maybe Elliott every once in a while.  He likes the challenge.

Christmas at Grandma's & Grandpa's

It's always fun when we're all able to get together with my parents, sisters, brother-in-law and nephews.  Especially for Christmas.  And we were all even under one roof for over 24 hours which meant that we could stay up really late playing board games, talking, laughing.  It was fun.  Reminded me much of New Years Eves when we were all still at home.  Those times are pretty rare now, so we make the best of them when we do get them.

Stratego was a new game for me - not for the boys of the house, though :)  I guess it was just foreign to those of us who grew up in a house full of girls.

Trivial Pursuit is a must for Erin and Brian - the rest of us try not to upstage them with our trivia knowledge......okay, the rest of us kind of stink at trivia, but we enjoy playing.  But only to 3 or 4 pie pieces.  6 is way to long of a game, don't you think?

All of the boys were excited about their presents the next morning.  It was fun to watch their faces as they opened each one.

Amber always chooses the perfect gift for Brian.  This year it was pants expanders for those times when you eat too much or your suit pants from high school don't fit anymore.  They are just so thoughtful with each other.

They assure me they will not shoot their eyes out.

 

Both of my sisters required a nap that afternoon.  Maybe I should have joined them :)

Of course a game of Monopoly.  If Elliott is around, there will be a game of Monopoly played before the weekend is over.

And ending the afternoon with a little iPad time.

one

That's how many of these I'll be taking for the next 1,826 days.  And I would gladly take 1826 of them over 1 round of chemo anyday :)

It's the Tamoxifen.  It will be the last of the treatments for the breast cancer.  I'm still getting the Herceptin every three weeks until the end of June - which continues to be a breeze.  And then it will be just this tiny little pill.  Yay!  I may just do a happy dance when that day comes, but I will not let you know cause you would not want to see it.  Just ask my kids :)

lego nativity

We stopped at Our Lady of Snows Shrine (I think that's what it's called - I always get it wrong) on the way home from one of our holiday trips to Illinois.  We were too early for the lights or laser show, so we walked over to the hotel to see the Lego Nativity.  Wow.  This was really amazing for us as a Lego family, but I think anyone would appreciate the time and effort and talent that went into this.  I can't even imagine how you begin to design something like this and see it come to life.

BOB's adventures

BOB was a mischievous little guy.  And he was only here for 3 nights.  I can't imagine what he will be up to next Christmas.  We enjoyed his antics and notes SO much though.  Can't wait to see him again!

thankful - the rest

Okay, I totally bombed on keeping up with the "thankfuls" in November.  I don't know why I tried.  I knew I wouldn't keep up with it.  Remind me not to try that again.

There are so many things I'm thankful for and I think you get a good feel for those on our blog.  But here are a few pictures that I took specifically for the "thankful" thing that I thought I would share (and then I won't feel so guilty about not finishing it, right?)

A quiet Thanksgiving that didn't involve roasting a turkey or turning the oven on for any kind of food.  We had soup and snacked on apples, cheese and crackers and loved it.

People who are not afraid to mix their faith with their business.  I happened to sit at a table at Chick-fil-a under this print and noticed these signatures and verses for the first time.  One of the big reasons I love Chick-fil-a

These treats at Trader Joe's.  

This cup.  It's pink so no one else in this house will touch it.  All mine.  That means no coffee taste or smell in it.  Purely tea and hot chocolate.  Ahhhh..

This guy.  Brian always draws this guy.  Now he draws him on the iPad.  I'm wondering if the boys will draw him too.  I'm just amazed at the ability to draw. period.  I can't do it one bit.

Leg warmers.  I thought everyone was wearing thick knee high socks with their boots, but the girl at H&M showed me that they are actually leg warmers.  Really?  Back in style already?  Can't be.  That was just back in elementary school.  Guess time is catching up with me.  Oh, and right by the leg warmers at Target were......get this......slouch socks.....oh my goodness!!

This sign that allows me to park just steps away from the entrance everyday.  The only other time I've been privileged to get a special parking spot was when it said "parking for expectant mothers only", which were rare and I always thought it should say "parking for brand new moms who have to lug around a stroller, infant seat, diaper bag, purse, and, heaven forbid, a toddler"

Homemade pumpkin pie.  Yummmm.

Vanilla Coke.  I was so excited when soda finally tasted good to me again.  This and Cherry Coke are my faves.  I really need to decide that water is my fave now.  I treated myself to it after chemo, and now I'm having a hard time not "needing" one everyday.