"It looks like someone barfed up Christmas"

I've always been known for my tact and profound enlightenment (that's only funny if you know me : ) I've used this statement on many occasions to mark: holiday decor gone way past showing "holiday spirit", holiday clothing--the sweater with cotton-ball like snowmen adorned with jingle bells and tinsel collar, the living room"aftermath" of unwrapping Christmas presents, and perhaps even, in the literal sense after one partakes in too much peppermint eggnog.  

It's the general phenomena of not knowing when "enough is enough." Even my soon  to be 4 year old has expressed this thought, well, not in that exact phrase, but the intention was the same. We were unwrapping presents Christmas morning, the fire was lit, we had our fleece p.j.' s on and hot cocoa in hand, when 30 minutes in he proclaimed, "It's too much." He then proceeded to play with his 2 year old Lego set, in lieu of the brand new R/C toy or Spiderman emblazen football he had just unveiled. Yes, children get overwhelmed with "it all," but I like to think it was more social stance, then developmental appropriateness.  Later that same day while being tucked in, my husband asked our son," Did you have a nice Christmas?" He replied, "No." Hubby: "Why not?" Response: "It was too much." 

At this point you may think our child was overindulged, and compared to some, I would agree. But by and large I think most people buy much, much more for their children and typically spend more than out $50.00 self-imposed limit. Mind you, the Grandma & Grandpa's also send gifts, however, that included, I think we have a  smaller-scale gift giving than many.  My son's comment really was perfectly timed. What is the value of it all? I hope to instill in our child that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth and what his life and death brings to all of us.  We've said that we get presents because it's Jesus' birthday, and while the concept of Jesus is still incredibly abstract, I hope as he matures, he "gets it" and understands that "Having/Doing "it all" is indeed, "too much."

Sheep # 39

As I sit here at 2:24 AM, I can't help but wonder where "counting sheep" for insomnia came from.  I googled it, and the word insomnia was almost interchangeable with it; often "insomnia" was followed with "counting sheep" in parenthesis. I have tried on several occasions this method. At some point it works, whether it be at sheep number 52 or 3,021...eventually, if you can clear all other intruding thoughts, the mind grows bored at the task at hand and a return to sheepish slumber is imminent. 

Regardless if the methodology works or not, I want to know, "Why Sheep?" Why not iguanas or anteaters instead? I instantly am reminded , particularly at this time of year of the biblical quote, 'While shepherds watch their flock at night." No doubt this is the origination. I have to say, only when residual caffeine effects, or stressful times do I really give much thought to sheep.

The Mega Male Ego

Today I stand (o.k., so, I'm actually sitting) before you posing an age old question: How do men end up with such inflated ego's? How many overweight, bad teeth (or worse, missing teeth), ego centric, bald headed men have you seen/heard/etc... that seem to somehow have the ego of a much more stimulating, enticing, physically fit, full-head-o-hair toting STUD? I have to say, it's a phenomena I have made note of for some time. This isn't male bashing, either. I truly am intrigued at the prospect of how this comes to be. Being the mother to a son, I am really curious to witness this metamorphosis first hand. Of course there are men who have low self-esteem, and perhaps what I have witnessed is just good acting. Nonetheless, it I am intrigued. I hope my son ends up with atmosphere breaking self esteem....after-all, he's perfect, right? Hey???Maybe I'm on to something here........

Peer Pressure- "Everybody's Doing it"

Much like the silent pressure I felt back in '88, related to under age drinking, sex, fill in the blank____I have yet again (that is NOT an admission to doing the previous mentioned pressures) heheheHee : ) given way to peer pressure and developed a blog. Will anyone read it? The bigger question would be? WHY???? Little ole me, a mediocre at -best writer, even worse on the grammatical front and notorious for sending emails full of typo's. I guess I have adopted the 'Field of Dreams" mentality..."If you build it they will come. " So, here goes nothing.

I have no clue what I will write about and how often, but for now I want to talk about Jake Ryan. Do you  know him? Even if you don't think you do, I'd bet money you've seen him before. You see, I like to live like it's 1986 all the time. With that comes an affinity for "big hair", trans Am's and John Hughes movies.  Actually, "affinity" is an understatement, I LIVE for John Hughes movies. Sixteen Candles is one of my all time John Hughes favorites and with that comes Jake Ryan. Ah, every girls dreamboat.  Jake was the athlete dating the cheerleader,  who sees the errors of his ways and shows up at Sam's (un popular, lower classman) sisters wedding looking to make a love connection with Sam.  It's the look she gives her Dad, as she pantomimes, "that's him, that's the guy" that still gets me grinning ear to ear.  The final scene has Jake & Sam sitting atop a dining room table with a birthday cake, 16 candles illuminating their faces as they lean in for their first kiss. Man, I love that scene. It's so hopeful, even for a 35 year old, married mom! I'm married to Marc, but Jake Ryan will always have a piece of my heart!