Seestairs, Seestairs

Around this time of year, I like to get into the holiday season by watching the classic "Christmas Movies".

Here's a short list of the Advent MUST SEEs:

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Miracle on 34th Street

Elf

and, of course, White Christmas

To tell you the truth, I only just watched White Christmas for the first time about 15 years ago, right around this time of year. We were living in an apartment in Monticello, and we had these neighbors, who rented a house on the other side of the parking lot. The mom was a few years older than me and was very...different from me. They had a couple of children together and their names were the first and last name of a famous musician. The man they named their kids after, happened to be a cousin of the dad of the family.

The kids played with little Trina and were very sweet, if not just a little rambunctious. The kids had very little discipline because their dad didn't work and their mom worked all the time. All in all, they were a nice family and they always had time for a visit. One day, the little girl (who was about 7 at the time) asked me if I'd watch a movie with her. She pulled out her FAVORITE tape and the whole family spazzed out when they found out I'd never watched it. The dad, especially, was aghast. "You mean you've nay-ver seen the White Christmas? Aye! It's the BES! OH! (singing in flat, out of tune voice) Seesters, seesters dare wear nehvar sohch deevoted seestairs...?" When I blankly stared at him (I mostly was just so surprised he had suddenly become so animated!), he looked at me with a "HOLY GUACAMOLE, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THIS AWESOME MOVIE BEFORE!" look. Clearly, me never seeing this movie was something he needed to remedy so, I settled down to watch this SOUPAIR movie with the family. After about 10 minutes, the dad was asleep, snoring on the couch.

I thought the movie had REALLY bad acting but the songs were good. When the movie came to the famous "Sisters" song, I finally figured out what the Mexican dad was trying to sing and it took all the couth I could muster to not bust a gut. The dad woke up at the end of the movie, scratched his stomach and offered me a beer. He then asked what I thought of the movie. I politely declined on the beer issue, and told him I liked it very much, thank you. He eyed me, warily, and asked if I wanted to borrow it. Of course, I borrowed it and watched it again. I needed to see what it was about that film that moved this family so much. It's almost like it provoked instant happiness in this family and it was OBVIOUSLY something on which they all agreed.

I still can't figure out what is so great about that movie. The only thing that I like about it is the sisters song. I felt so sorry for Rosemary Clooney because she was such an ugly duckling compared to Vera-Ellen. When I looked up Vera-Ellen on IMDB, I saw this unfortunate paragraph at the end of her bio:

It was discovered that Vera-Ellen silently battled anorexia throughout much of the 50s before doctors had even coined the term or devised treatments. Moreover, she developed severe arthritis following her retirement and was forced to revert to dance lessons again in order to combat it. If that wasn't enough, she had to endure two failed marriages while losing her only daughter, Victoria Ellen Rothschild, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1963. These tragic events turned her into a virtual recluse. Little was heard for decades until it was learned that she had died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 1981. Less remembered today compared to several of the big stars that shared the stage with her, Vera-Ellen was a lithe and lovely presence who deserved so much more. Nevertheless, she has provided film lovers a lasting legacy and deserves to be called one of Hollywood's true dancing legends.


Whoa. No thanks. Hollywood sucks the life of the soul, doesn't it? By the way, I learned that Rosemary Clooney's son, Miguel Ferrer is the crabby boss guy on Crossing Jordan. Also, he was in Robocop. He's George Clooney's first cousin. Weird.

So, around about this time of year, every year, I watch that movie again, wonder if I'm missing something about how great it really is, wonder what ever happened to that strange family, remember the Mexican dad's rendition of the sisters song, and I giggle.

Sick Days, Birthdays, Happy Days, Sad Days

After our Crazy Dance Party a few Friday nights ago, we got strep in the house. The whole works (except for Trina and I) had to go to the doctor and get meds. THEN, Tommy couldn't breathe one night, so we went to the ER with him and he got a steroid shot, with the lovely info that the doctor thought he must have croup. Really? Croup (virus) AND strep (bacteria)? How lucky can one family get? Everyone else got the virus too, including Trina.

It took three weeks and finally, today, everyone sounds and feels a whole lot better.

On Wed. we celebrated Tommy's 2nd birthday (he was sick and miserable, I don't have any pictures of that day, but here's a shot of him at that dance party the Friday before. He danced so much he collapsed on the floor...several times...especially when he saw the camera was on!)
We then celebrated Mari's 4th birthday on Friday. She went to a pre-school screening (I don't intend to send her to school, but I just like the screening and the people who do it in this town. They're very supportive of homeschoolers in this district.)
She wanted to wear her crown and bring her purse along for the screening. It was pretty obvious that it was her birthday, since she wore this special collar that said "Happy Birthday" that she'd been saving ALL year, just for the occasion. They sung "Happy Birthday" to her at the school. She was so pleased. She also said goodbye to the neighbor as he took his kids (that we babysit) off to see their grandma. Mari hollered across the street, "Bye! Hey, did you know today's my birthday?" The neighbor said, "Oh yeah! That's right!". Mari hollered again, "You forgot to say 'happy birthday'!". He thought it was funny...I thought she was getting a little to into the princess thing.
That girl's got some MAJOR sass going for her. I have a feeling she's going to work it until she figures out some other thing that will work for her to get out of doing chores and taking naps.

Saturday morning, Butch's parents took the birthday kids (including Butch) out to their breakfast/shopping for birthday gift/shopping for cake, tradition that we started a few years ago. It makes the birthday kid feel really special but we figured three birds with one stone was the way to go this year! Butch reported that this exchange happened at Perkin's:
Server: Do you want pie, or ice cream?
(she got a choice for her birthday)
Mari: Ummm, I think because I'm FOUR, I should have cake and ice cream.

She got ice cream. Butch put the brakes on the princess complex there, but she handled it just fine!
Saturday night, we had my side of the family over to celebrate the birthdays in our house (Butch's was Sunday!) and my twin niece and nephew (birthday today) and my other nephew who will be 4 this Saturday. It was super funny to sing happy birthday for 3 cakes (two names on each) and it ended up being a total blast. We had a couple other people over, too. Our neighbors (who are like family since we have their children over every week for babysitting)and Tommy's godparents, Rachie and Billy. Even Matt and Anna got to come from Menomonie with their dog, Jake. A good time was had by all!

The "sad days" in the title only refers to the illnesses...but there is some sadness in that the worry of an unstable economy is threatening Butch's job. He has been laid off (this will be the third week) for the first time in years and years. His company is very stable, one of the only companies that does what they do, and THEY are feeling the pinch...I can't imagine how the rest of the construction/industrial world is doing right now and for the past two years. I don't know how people live on just unemployment, but I know we can't. We can NOT sustain this for very long. I don't know what we would do if he were laid off for more than 5 or 6 weeks. We have to make some tough choices, I know that, but with 7 kids, there are certain things that pass the "want" category and really are the NEEDS. We need a roof over our heads, clothing on our bodies, food in our bellies, and transportation. What can we let go? Not much. We have come to depend on the internet for communication, education, and bill paying...although, the thought just occurred to me that if I can't pay bills, what's the point of paying them online? Just (mostly) kidding! I'm cracking up a bit here. This is all a lot of worry that a LOT of people are going through, I know that. It does make things a little easier, knowing that there are a whole lot of people in this sinking boat with us. Misery loves company, right? Ugh. How about misery can take a hike. I wish misery would leave people alone once in a dang while. Misery stinks on ice.

Well, the ONE good thing that comes from having Butch here is that he is helping with school. Math is hard (said in my best Barbie voice) and Butch does it so much better than I do! He gets to see how schooling works for each child, which is something he misses out on while he's working. He has also gotten to take them ice fishing a few times (something he's never really done before) with one of his retired co-workers (a great friend of the family). That's been great bonding time with the kids, too. Butch and the kids also primed and painted the entire basement. We had all of the equipment and paint but hadn't had the time to finish that job until now. If we only had money, as well as time, we could put in carpet and trim things up...but that might have to wait for a while. We haven't driven each other crazy quite yet, but I'm sure that day is coming.

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to gear up...

Find the strength to push each other to not give up...

Remember to lean on God, who will help us when we feel like falling...

And when we fall...

And get discouraged...

We can know that all of that prayer and love will carry us through...

And help us (however shakily) get to our feet...

Until we rise again!

Triumphantly calling from the highest mountaintop!

"Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his. For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us. For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts..."

December Ending

Well, with the best of intentions, I didn't make it through December with a post-a-day.

I was sick, that's my excuse. It seems like EVERYONE went through a barfing flu-type thing (at least on facebook!) so this family must have caught that virus too. I think it hit all the girls. So far, it hasn't affected any boys in the house...but I'm waiting for that other shoe to drop, as it always does.

I haven't been getting ANY sleep. I am stressed out and have a bad cold sore. I thought I was going to go into labor with the barfing I did yesterday.

The GOOD news is, Anna's wedding is next weekend! Yeeeehawwwww! We have a slight dilemma regarding the new address of our soon to be brother-in-law. The kids already have an "Uncle Matt". So far, we've been addressing the NEW Uncle Matt like this: Future Uncle Matt. Since that will no longer be applicable, we've decided we have to come up with some alternative name for him. What should it be??? "Uncle Matt 2" sounds lame. "Little Uncle Matt/Big Uncle Matt" are kind of rude sounding since both of them are pretty big but new Uncle Matt is quite tall. "Anna's Matt" just doesn't do him justice. We'll have to think on that one some more. Both of their last names sound a little goofy and not as personal, so we can't go by "Uncle (last name here)".

Okeydokey, ONE more post tomorrow for December, then I'll really try to post weekly, at least. I'll also try to scrounge up my camera (where did I leave that thing?) and post some more pictures or beg some off of Trina. I'm also going to try to record some of Matty's accomplishments on the guitar. He's really taking off with that thing. We need to find him a decent amp., though so he can shred some electric guitar for a change. I think that's where he'll really shine!

Now, I have to head out to ALDI for some groceries, even though I still feel like junkola. We have NO butter, eggs, cheese, bread, or other basics in the house. I did miss the whole week's trip last week but we filled in with holiday meals so we didn't feel the hurt until today!

Oh man, I just looked at Mariela and she has a goatee. It's purple marker colored. She's really been bored this morning and she's been using a marker to write in her workbook...and all over herself, apparently...oh, wait...some of the furniture too. It's a never ending battle around here, I tell ya. I have to go show her a mirror now. I'll try to get a picture before she gets a bath.
(used my cellphone)

Wrapping Up December

Just check out Trina's blog for pics of Christmas. She might have a POC camera, but at least she can FIND hers!

It sure looks like we had a lot of presents in those pictures...wrapping paper will do that! This year we had to downsize the piles of stuff. It was a rough year (for a LOT of people, I know) but, thanks to the generosity of our families, and our understanding children, and the snowstorm that forced us to do a little more work and offered a distraction...everyone really enjoyed Christmas this year. We have each other. That's the most important thing!

Mama's Day

JACKPOT!
I so, totally scored on Mother's day!

These tremendously cool and weird socks were from Anna for me to wear on our 20 mile run on Mother's day (which went great...check out the running blog for details) She also gave me two packets of Gu to try...Uh, well, I just really like those socks! AND, superextrabonus...they are labeled "L" and "R" in case I get mixed up. You know I've always had a little trouble with directions...which leads me to my next superly cool gift:

Oh yes, I will never have to call Butch again! Well, I might just call him "hunky", or "studly", or even "luvah", but I will NOT have to call him for directions!

Weazy was so thoughtful and had Mari make me some pixos, drew me a great picture, and gave me some of her Lindor chocolate which hit the SPOT!


Before I knew that they had all gone through so much trouble to get me such nice things, I went to Monticello to drop Bocker off at Roman's birthday party at the bowling alley. While he partied like a rockstar, I went down the road to the pawn shop to look for a palm sander for some projects. They had a bunch of guitars but there was one, kind of scrappy looking one as I walked in. It appealed to me because it looked pretty worn out and kind of loved. The clerk was a bluegrass player in the south and helped to try to tune it for me (they were new strings so it was pretty tricky). He had the thickest fingers I've ever seen on a dude. I figured if he could play that guitar (which he did a little), then even I could do it (with my chunky fingers)! He let me play around with it (as if I even have a clue) and I BOUGHT it! I felt so naughty. It wasn't expensive at all but I felt so silly to buy something that wasn't food, or clothing, household, or garden related! I usually go and get flowers for planting for my mother's day gift but this year, I decided that this would be my gift to me (plus, it would help me to teach the kids some things about music and maybe could inspire them to be musical?).

Here she is!

She's got some scratches and a wonky G string tuning key, but I LOVE having a guitar that I don't have to worry about getting knocked around a little (or a lot, like this morning when it got knocked over 3 times on the porch!).

I named her "Betty Lou".

I wrote a song on my run today, I'll practice it and try to get a video of it soon.

Analise's First Communion

It was a rainy, drab day but it was a beautiful, spirit-filled day!

I have to say that I am very glad that we were allowed to have her First Communion celebration with the parish school kids. I had done Trina's and Matty's with the RE kids and there was a MARKED difference in the demeanor of the kids and the organization of the adults. Everything ran VERY smoothly (considering there were probably more than 50 kids receiving!).

This will be Fr. Michael's last First Communion group in our parish so it was nice that one more of my kids could celebrate with him. He announced last Sunday that he'd be leaving to teach at the seminary (St. John Vianney) this summer. I hope we get another great priest in his place.

The funniest thing that happened was this:
As the other kids in front of us were in line, Analise had a clear shot of the people receiving the Precious Blood so I pointed it out that she could really see how it's done this way. She was practically bouncing out of the pew, she was SO excited! She asked me, "Mom, will I be AHEAD of you?". I told her that yes, we would both be behind her in line and she would get to go first.
When it came time for us to stand (it was just me and Butch in the pew with her...the other kids were by the uncles, aunts, and Grandma and Grandpa)she stood up, grabbed Butch by the middle and SHOVED her way past him in a very rude, hurried manner. He raised his eyebrows and looked at me funny but let her pass him. When we got back to the pew, he muttered under his breath about how she shoved past him like that and I told him how I had told her she could be in front of us and that she must have took it to mean that she HAD to be in front of us and GOD FORBID we stand before her and her Jesus!

I should have gotten that on video. It would have been GOLD!

She received on the tongue and went back to the pew with her face all aglow. I was a little shocked at the fact that I almost started to cry. Seeing her so happy and innocent like that reminded me of how I should ALWAYS be when receiving Our Lord that way!

It was drizzling all day so we had to stay indoors with all those kids but we sure had a lovely afternoon anyway. I was glad to have everyone over because we missed them so bad on Easter when everyone was sick here.

We started challenging everyone to the conveyor belt on Wii Outdoor Challenge and Trine beat Trinabina's old record of 1 minute, 17 seconds. We'll have to work on that one because bragging rights rule in this family and we can't just let that one go down without a good fight.



Later, after everyone had gone except Anna and her FIANCE (!), Matt...me and Ann went for a 6 mile run in the pouring rain. It was a GREAT run. Especially since I had missed so many days of running because of my dang swine flu episode. I'm just now today feeling like a normal person again.


When Matt and Anna left, the kids all made the sound "Awwwww!". They were so sad to see Matt go. He is their new, favorite person.

I honestly can't really remember what it was like around here without him. That's how well he fits in in this family. I caught myself referring to him as "Uncle Matt" to the kids. Even though we already have one, good "Uncle Matt" around here, one more will be very welcome. We'll just have to think of some creative kind of nickname for him. I'm sure the kids will think of something. He made them all laugh so hard, they are STILL laughing at some of the things that went on here when Anna and I left for our run. Goofballs. All of them.

Trina got some good pics too here.

Happy Easter?

Everyone is down for the count. We have a version of the flu from hell. Mari and Bocker were the worst victims last night and everyone else has been flirting with it, on and off, since three days ago. Matty can barely talk. Weazy had a headache and fever and threw up yesterday. Trina spent pretty much all of Thursday in bed. Mari had "cweatuahs" in her "fwoat" (creatures in her throat) for the past three days and today (right now as I type!) she is burning up with fever. Tommy's regular boogers are now a pretty, Easter egg green.

I have a congested chest and a tired brain. I was up pretty much all of last night with varying stages of sick children who just didn't want to be sick anymore. It's been a very long time since we've ALL gotten sick at the same time!

We were supposed to have Easter celebrations here at our house. So much for that. Trine is having it at her house by default (thank goodness at least it won't be ruined for EVERYONE) and the only good thing I've got going for me is that my house is clean (except for the puke on the bed upstairs that I haven't gotten to yet) because we expected everyone to be here today.

Trina and Weazy felt good enough to go over there but the rest of us are here, lamely trying to salvage what should be a day of celebration by taking medicine, sleeping on the couch, doing laundry (eventually), and sweating out the fever and sore throats.

I DID boil some eggs and we are attempting to color them but I'm not getting a very enthusiastic reaction from the "bunnies" around here.

Hope YOU are having a terrific Easter...or at least one slightly better than ours!

Rabbit Stew

Oh, now I've gone and done it. I've killed the Easter Bunny. Analise came over to me and told me, "Mama, I just found out that the Easter Bunny doesn't hide the eggs over at Grandma's...THEY hide them!?".

I told her, "Wait a minute, I have to talk to you about that." and waited until there were no little ears around. I hugged her close and whispered that I needed her help to BE the Easter Bunny. Her eyes got HUGE(er than normal) as the pieces started clicking into place and she kept repeating,

"You mean...there's no such thing as the Easter Bunny?" over and over.

I kept putting my hand over her mouth and whispering, "YES! There IS such a thing, but it doesn't have actual ears or fur and now, it has brownish-red, curly hair!". She hovered on the cusp of belief/disbelief with a look of stricken panic. I comforted her by saying, "NOW, you get to HELP me pick out stuff at the store, fill the Easter baskets, hide all the eggs for the kids on Sunday, and BEST OF ALL, you get to go over to Grandma's the day before Easter and make ALL the colored eggs (the Easter Bunnies in our family are VERY busy bunnies. We do dozens and dozens of eggs. It's quite a process, like a factory with all kinds of experimentation, color combos, etc.. The nice thing about all of these years of this tradition is: even the 'mistakes' are beautiful)!". She thought about it for a minute then looked a teeny bit relieved.

The wheels clicked along for another minute and she giggled nervously but then the light bulb went on and she said, "HA! NOW, I can TELL you what to put in there!".

Just for good measure, in a dazed voice, she said again, "There's no such thing as the..." then I clamped her mouth again (little ones running around) and whispered...

"The thing about Easter Bunny Secret Club is: You don't talk out loud about Easter Bunny Secret!!!! Not in front of the little ones! You don't even give HINTS! This is a HUGE responsibility, handed down from the ages. It's for big kids and grown ups ONLY!".

I am relieved that it's done because she's soon to get her First Communion and I thought it would be a good time for her to know. I always doubt my decision until the fun stuff kicks in and then I'm glad. She's getting so grown up but I'd really like my baby Weazy back again. I'm not sure what to think of this beautiful young lady that's taking her place.

I Leave My Christmas Lights Up On the Front Porch All Year Long

Well, that's not entirely true. I didn't have time to put them up this year, but the decorations above the door will represent the Christmas season for quite a while and get very dusty by May. I just realized yesterday that I forgot to post pictures of our Christmas party this year! I got occupied with other subjects and rants... It's a tense time in the country right now. I almost can't listen to talk radio but I feel it's my civic duty so I have to. It's a sacrifice.
The kids were talking in the van the other day and they remarked that they couldn't wait until Lent because then they wouldn't have to listen to talk radio (I gave it up last year for Lent). Haha on THEM! I told them that this year, it would actually be a sacrifice to listen so they were out of luck.

This year, Anna emailed Trine and I to tell us her idea for a theme (every year we have a theme for our Christmas Eve party which rotates houses depending on who it's most convenient for that year). We did "A Very Cliche' Christmas" and we proposed an "ugly Christmas sweater contest". It was AWESOME. The beautiful, awful selection were astounding! We each brought a 25 dollar gift card (had to be a "datenight" giftcard) per couple and 1 "regift" (white elephant). After we ate and the kids ripped open their godparent gifts (one for each! we like to use family for godparents so nearly each of the 18 grandkids are covered), the kids judged the contest and it was hilarious. I would have to say that it was really

The Best Christmas, Ever!

Here are just a very few pictures from the night:

Anna sporting her infamous, and FABULOUS "Christmas dickie" (oh yes, girls, they DO exist!) She called us and absolutely squealed with delight when she found this rare gem at the thrift shoppe:



Nothing goes with Christmas dickies, appliqued sweaters and denim vests, quite like some good, old fashioned, classic cut, and 0h-so-flattering, colored momjeans (you don't even have to be an actual mom to enjoy the momjean. It's all in the attitude and spirit of the wearing...as evidenced by the birthday girl on the right):


The participants in this year's contest:



Even Tommy got to wear a sweater...and got the girls because of it, I'm sure!:
My brother Nick was so antsy all night long saying things like "so, when are we gonna do this thing?" meaning the sweater contest. I couldn't figure out why he wouldn't just take his coat off already until he did the final unveiling...


(you may have to click on the pic to get the full effect)

Yes, folks...I think we have a winner!:

Even better, my other bro's re-gift was this funny patch of fake chest hair (not that he needed it) that added just the right touch to Nick's sweater, don't you think?:



We had sequins, applique, jingle bells, ALL twelve days of Christmas symbols represented, beads, and baubles, cartoony characters, and tufted/furry yarn galore. At the end of the night when just a few of my sibs were left, Anna pointed out a thing on the bottom of MY sweater that said "push" and Lo and Behold...a tinkling song started emanating from my sweater. It was then that I realized I had a SINGING SWEATER THE WHOLE, ENTIRE TIME AND DIDN'T KNOW IT...oh yes oh YES it truly was

A Christmas Miracle*

(I surely would have won much earlier had that particular feature been observed by the kids.)

We all got along and everyone left happy (I think!). I felt full of joy to have everyone over and know that my house was very clean to have Butch's mom and dad over the next day. It was also nice to have a quiet afternoon with his parents and they played our new game "Would You Rather" with us. I think the lack of fundage on everyone's part played a big part of why we all appreciated each other a lot more this year. It was all about family. I just love my family!

*Every Christmas for the last few years, my sisters and I have said (at one point or another during the Advent season) "It's a Christmas Miracle." in a monotone, ironic sounding voice every time something not-so-great happens. For instance, this year my dishwasher broke a couple of days before Christmas Eve and I said it to my sister on the phone.

We KNOW it's from a movie (in which the main Character says it in that crabby way) but we CAN NOT remember which movie it comes from. If you can think of it and we think that's for sure where we heard it, I'll send you a little prize.

All Saints Day

We have an annual party for Halloween/All Saints Day/Lexi's Birthday (Nov. 1) over at my brother Nick (Deb)'s house.

They went all out this year and had wooden cutouts, nice hay bales with decorations all over the place, fun food, outdoor projector for movie, firepit, and four wheeler hay ride.

I took about 100 pictures and it was really hard to narrow it down so here are some highlights.

Nick (patient with...exposure issues) Deb (doctor)








Pete as Obama. (I guess he is trying to stop smoking by dipping instead?)

Pete and Sofiapuppy


The birthday princess, Lexi


"littleoldladywhoooooo"

Lovelylovely Lucia



Ummmmm...

...yeah, I...

...ahem, well, er...


...whoopsiedaisy...yeahhhhh...



...just, like, wow, um...



...okeydokey, then...



One thousand apologies to those of you who think the denim jumper is the height of fashion for all modest, Catholic, traditional, homeschooling, shapeless moms. I just couldn't resist.

Oh, and the hands down winner of the costume contest (in my head, we didn't actually compete):

My brother Rudy.



Try and hold yourself back. OH YEEEEAHHHHHHH, he is VERY single!


Oooooohhhhh, alright! One more bonus shot, just for the single ladies out there:


You're WECOME!
Don't say I never did nothin' fer ya.