TACKLE Christmas Cookies

I am not known for my cooking or baking, but on the annual Christmas Cookie Day, our kitchen is a popular place to visit. It doesn't matter who you are,  if you have a hand, you will decorate the baked goods at our house. 

Throughout the years, this traditional day of mess has allowed toddlers to be artists and teens to become relaxed and fun - again. 

The kids enjoy decorating, eating and giving the cookies as gifts.  Christmas was only one week away and the teens were getting worried the event would not happen.

After a long day of decorating the house, the thought of starting another day long project was not appealing to me.  I decided to lolly gag in the morning and gradually work my way to the grocery store for supplies.  I was shocked when three teens contacted me before 11:00 am on a Sunday to scold me for not having the ovens humming.  I snapped out of my holiday funk and jumped into the spirit of Christmas.

Come mixer, and decorator, and sorter and packer.  And taster, and stealer, and secret dog feeder.  We all had a job and worked as a team.

Anyone that participated, received a promised plate of packed cookies.  It was a holiday tradition for over 30 years.  Only one year was skipped and the youngest child still has not forgiven me for that cop out.

Think about all those silly things we do every year for this big day called Christmas.  You never realize how special these annual events are until you do not do them.

His Santa cookie is perfect!

Three hundred cookies later with flour on the ceiling and egg dried on the dog's fur, we have one more memory.  Laughter from decorating disasters, dancing to the old Christmas songs, and good old conversation between parents and teens.

The only one suffering is the poor dog with a small tummy ache (too many cookies),  thanks to the secret dog feeder of the group.  

TACKLE Online Dating

I was reviewing dating and relationships for a research paper and look what I found!  The eHarmony ad with my hubby and me plastered on an Eileen Graham article in the Manassas Patch, a local news source.  So funny!          

Click here for the full Manassas Patch story:  http://manassas.patch.com/articles/online-dating-a-modern-step-in-parent-child-bonding

TACKLE the Begining of Christmas Shopping

Ok.  Why do husbands always talk "family budget" right before Christmas?  We all know we are supposed to be spending responsibly all year, but the big sit down talk always surfaces early to mid December.

My solution for the spouse panic attack:  He sets the budget and must assist in all shopping.  His face grew pale and he gritted his teeth at the thought.

Day 1 (and the first of many):  To the mall with the shopaholic daughter to get ideas for gifts for the other five daughters - with husband in tow.  We found him the Dunkin Donuts (no Starbucks in this mall) and gave him caffeine.  It was going to be a long day!  We were greeted by the "Happy Hoofer Dance Team."  Probably the cutest act to hit the mall.  Six senior babes movin' and groovin' to top Christmas tunes.   Scrooge, I mean my husband, even showed a sign of a Christmas twinkle in his eye.

The stores every man in America loathes were on the agenda.  Charlotte Russe with their annoying music and teenagers bouncing through the bargain racks.  The husband decided he had to stand in the store's doorway so he wouldn't miss the Happy Hoofer's rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock."         

Next up... Bath and Body Works.  The big buy 3 get 3 free sale!  Husband walked ten steps into the store dodging all of the testers being sprayed and squirted by fanatical women excited about the new holiday scents.  I wanted him to smell the citrus spray that is on my gift list.  He smelled it, took a picture of the bottle with his cell phone and ran.

There was a rumor that American Eagle had awesome bargains.  The husband followed us into the store and then disappeared.  We were glancing at the interesting books and trinkets when we heard a slight snore sound.  Giggling, we spotted the missing budget guru sleeping on the comfy chairs of American Eagle.  He looked content, so we continued our quest for gifts.  Many 40% off gifts were scooped up in that store. 

Since he was in charge of the plastic, we had to wake him up to pay and collect the receipt.

Our final stop was, in my husband's mind, the little shop of overpriced underwear, Victoria Secret.  I had to make his shopping experience extra horrible by asking him to come into the depth of "Pink."  There were a few poor men scurrying through the nighties and bras.  There was even your token scum ball getting his jollies around the frilly stuff.  I wanted my husband's advice on a robe that I wanted for Christmas.  The price tag made him choke.  He was dismissed from the store.

My daughter and I found our bargains and went to the husband at the doorway for approval.  The credit card was already waving at me as if my husband had surrendered.   He was done.  It was 5:00 pm and the man announced that the day was over.  Something told me that his yearly Christmas shopping experience was over as well. 

TACKLE the Eyes

Over the years my daughter has shot random photos of family and friends.  These are my favorites:



Ma



Athlete






Birthday Girl

 

                                                 

Marathon Runner

 

Airman



Artist

 

              

Houdini




Animal Lover



Kat buddy




Neighbor

Penny Lover


 

The Fig







In Charge!  Stay away.

 Family, friends and animals:  You know who you are.  The eyes have it!

TACKLE College Papers, Volunteering and Hippies

I really didn't want to use that office with the humongous window and fantastic view of George Mason University's (GMU) campus.  I felt so guilty.  I am only a volunteer.

I had just returned from navigating through the English Department's rat maze to find my English Professor.   She has top notch credentials, is sweet as pie, and works in a sardine can.   

I am a student and also volunteer at GMU for Job Recruiting located in the Career Center.  My Professor insisted I take this amazing office to do research on a career workshop for graduating students. 

If my English Professor would walk by and see me, she may get frustrated and fail me or something.  This office is 100 times better than her office.  That just isn't right!  I guess I can lower the blinds.  But the view!

The semester is winding down for Fall 2011 at GMU.  I have been jamming in working, kids and enjoying my hubby while hustling the schoolwork and volunteering.  College has so many group projects which I hate. 

My one group consists of a hippie, a jock, a quiet Indian girl, a big guy who is always late, and me, the mom of the group.  I received a nasty text from the hippie today.  Well, it was directed at the whole group. The whole group chimed in with replies.  We had all fell behind on our deadlines for our last group project.

Funny, I thought in the beginning of the semester that he would be the slacker.  First day of class he strutted in to class with long blond hair and pants hanging too low while appearing a bit "spacey".  Turns out he is a Finance major and smart as a whip. 



His text was a lecture on responsibilities and demanding we finish our portion of a paper by Sunday at noon.  He scared me so much that I gave up my Friday date with my hubby to get my homework done.  Mean hippies scare me.

At midnight I proudly texted him that I finished my part of the paper.  With in two seconds he sent me a text saying he felt bad for being so pushy.  Pushy?  I replied by commended him for his leadership.  He actually motivated me to give up my Friday date and finish my part of the group paper.

This generation needs bossy, pushy, leaders to give the slackers a kick in the pants.  Cut his hair, give him a belt and he could run the country.   Awesome!  Totally awesome!