It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!

Winter....it's almost here.

Christmas means 3 things

1). Cookies

2). Cuddling

3). Sweaters


Seriously. It's the best

Karma

My drawer has been discovered.

The worst part of this is I can't even reprimand them for invading my privacy. For all I know at least one of my kids thinks their cookie baking, hat knitting Mom moonlights as a sex crazed, chocolate bar hoarding pot head!!!

Time to invest in a lock box.

Look at this guy!

I can't believe how handsome Cecil is in his bandana. He has only taken it off once!

He looks just like Tom Selleck.

True story.

The League

The League is hands down the best newest find ever.

In other news....I went to a couch surfing event with Ms M and Mr VG. Dinner with an old order Mennonite couple. I learned that not only do old order Mennonite children only reach grade 8 but that further education is DISCOURAGED. Ah-mazing. It enrages me, fascinates me and kinda makes me envy it.

Anyhoo....it just occurred to me now that this has been the best month ever. I got my Leonard Cohen tickets, discovered the teevee show The League and booked my trip to Peru. It also happens to be Toffifee season!

Toffifee!!!!!

Mid life crisis and family support.

Can you go through a midlife crisis at 35? I hope so cause that is the only logical explanation for my behaviour of late. Well, specifically a purchase.....high boots.....and skinny jeans.

So here is the thing, I have not been blessed with what one would call a keen sense of fashion. I like jeans and have only recently discovered the glory of heels. So when I googled "how to not look like a frumpy 62 year old soccer mom who lives in Birkenstocks " I was pretty surprised to discover that I have been doing it all wrong. Anyhoo....I went against every shred of basic intuition, bit the bullet and scored the skinny jeans and boots. Much to my surprise the jeans were super comfortable as are the boots! I can't believe what I have been missing!

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good about things. The house was clean, kids math tests were studied for, baking was done and I just recently bounced a pretty cute boy due to his inability to call a cab at the age of 37 (deal breakers, remember) so the Bolt To Do list was all scratched off and on to the folks I went.

I think I should have stayed home.

Mom: Nice hooker boots.

Dad: What the HELL are you wearing!?!


Now, I wouldn't say that I lack self esteem so much as have a serious aversion to trying new things and going out on a limb. Any guesses where this comes from?

Deal breakers

Herpes and DUIs

I don't have many deal breakers so you can bet your sweet ass I hold on dearly to the ones I've got.

Some moments should not be shared with your kid.

So my 13 year old and I were laying in bed watching Bones. A lame romantic side story is reaching the climax with a marriage proposal. One unintentionally funny line led to the most hilariously uncomfortable moment of my life.

Angela: I want a big one!

My eyes darted to the right where S's eyes were waiting....hysterical laughter ensues.....for like, 5 minutes.

It's comforting to know I share the same sense of humour as my teenager.

Ahhh the excitement!

Well, let me tell you, the past few days have been utterly thrilling.

And I am in now way being sarcastic.

We have had the sweetest little houseguest ever and I just managed to squeeze in another night with him. Mr. Bubba, the softest, happiest dog in the world has been simply delighting us. He also inspired the best dinner convo ever.

Me: Well I think that he is smart.

Kid #2: He peed all over my blanket!
Kid #3: He thinks he's a cat!
Kid #1: He peed on his own face!

Needless to say, where this cuddly little bastard lacks brains he more than makes up for in charm.

In other, super amazing news, my trip is booked!! The plan was originally Thailand, however, plan changed and Mr B and I are off to lovely Peru. Looks like we will fly into Cusco Christmas morning and putter about till we hit (fingers crossed) the inca trail. Sadly we waited too long and the standard 4 day one is booked. I suggested the 7 day trek and I can't be certain but fairly confident Brian looked me up and down to view the state of my body before shooting that idea down (thanks, Dick) so it looks like the two day one it is. Sheesh...some people have no sense of adventure.

Anyhoo....time for a list!

Christie's Fabulous Peruvian Adventure To Do List.

1. Eat a guinea pig
2. Not get roofied
3. Avoid any kind of massive colon blow as the result of #1 and #4
4. Eat a cow heart on a stick (apparently Cusco's equivalent of a lollipop)
5. Bring a bunch of real lollipops to give, not to be nice, but to really stick it to those little kids when they realize they have been swindled by their asshole parents who convinced them that a goddamned cow heart on a stick is a treat.
6. NOT make out with a cute localo. There is no end to my questionable judgement where a cute boy is concerned.
7. Not attempt to smuggle drugs.
8. Resist the urge to buy an awesome new camera. My shitty point and shoot will just have to do.
9. Follow medical advice regarding vaccinations and altitude sickness
10. Be fabulous.

God help me

I have one kid learning the recorder and another one learning the clarinet.

Sometimes they play together.

I hate today.

My snack

I am stupidly excited about my snack. I stumbled upon a recipe for a beet dip. As I am still swimming in beets I get very excited when I find a new one.

It seriously makes me want to sing.

Hands down my new favourite guilt free snack.