All 3.5 of You

To my loyal readers...

As you know, I've created a family website. I will be blogging there now, so be sure to check out:

http://web.mac.com/katrina_willis

Because Someone Has Done It...

I don't normally take pictures of shopping carts, but this made me laugh out loud.

Lazy and Lazier

Norman Rockwell, Here We Come

Yesterday was Christmas-Tree-Picking-Out-Day. It began in a very normal Willis/Norman Rockwell picturesque way with George flinging himself to the floor in tears because I told him that his hat from last year (which was precariously perched on his head like a beanie with his ears completely exposed to the elements) was too small. Once we got into the car, the chorus of "he's touching me" and "she's kicking my seat" and "why do we have to listen to 80's music" began. Big Daddy became increasingly annoyed (by the children and the 80's music)--Led Zeppelin was the only thing that would calm him down.

The Christmas tree farm was uber-crowded and instead of driving through the scenic display of evergreens with idyllic smiles on our faces, Chris was grumbling, "this is why I hate this place." I promptly snapped, "then let's just go to Marsh and buy our tree there. That will be memorable for the kids."

Picking out the tree was actually pretty fun and somewhat simple. Then we went to see the reindeer that smelled like a dirty guinea pig cage times one gazillion.

Mary Claire cried in the train store because I wouldn't buy her a unicorn for her fairy castle.

Chris set the tree up and hung the lights when we arrived home. After all the kids completed their arguments about which ornament belonged to whom, and I threatened to call Santa and tattle on their sorry asses multiple times during the tree decorating process, we all decided to watch "The Polar Express" together. Chris would like it noted for the record that to complete the day of Christmas memories, I promptly fell asleep after the snappy "Hot Chocolate" number and snored loudly throughout the remainder of the movie.

We're ALL ABOUT making memories at the Willis house.

Not in Bed Yet

"Other customers who bought this item also bought this, this, and that."

It's the Amazon Swirling Vortex of Death. How in the world can I not look at EVERY OTHER ITEM EVERY OTHER CUSTOMER JUST LIKE ME PURCHASED?!

God help me.

Obsession

Online Christmas shopping. Is it convenience? Or the work of the devil? Because I'm sitting in my chair at 12:30 AM, my eyes are about to fall out of my head, the dogs are farting and snoring at my feet, I have the faint beginnings of an explosive headache, I have to get up for work at 5:00 AM, and yet...

I CAN'T STOP.

And the saddest part? I haven't even whipped out the plastic yet. I'm simply creating the lists. I know. I have a problem.

I'm forcing myself to go to bed. NOW.

Peppermint Peril

Andi called me yesterday from the CVS parking lot in a bit of a quandry. Truman has the Final Ear Infection Before Tubes and she was waiting for his antibiotic. We talked a bit about ENTs because Mary Claire has gone through the whole 2 sets of tubes, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy rigamarole. I recommended Dr. Ball to her, who incidentally, is the identical twin sister of my OB/GYN, Dr. Ball. No kidding. They look exactly alike. They talk exactly alike. Their mannerisms are exactly the same. When I took Mary Claire to her pre-op appointment, I looked for the stirrups for my feet. That's how much alike they are. But I digress...

Anyway, Truman is screaming inconsolably because his eardrums feel like they're being poked with a sharp, fiery cattle prod, but Andi and I have a much more urgent concern.

All the local Starbucks have run out of peppermint syrup.

What?! It's not even December, and there's no peppermint syrup?

How in the hell am I supposed to add to my waistline while soothing my need for caffeine with a steaming hot Peppermint Mocha when THERE'S NO PEPPERMINT SYRUP IN MY DISTRICT?!?! Hey, Starbucks!! This happened last year! Remember? I'm no java expert, but it seems to me like there's a run on peppermint during the holiday season. Could we stock up? I mean, really--it shouldn't be as hard to find a Peppermint Mocha as it is to find a Wii! Isn't there enough stress during the holidays without having to settle for a white chocolate mocha? It's. just. not. the. same.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had a brand new Starbucks open in town. Andi decided to try her luck there today. The conversation went something like this:

Andi: Dude, I've been told there are no bottles of peppermint syrup in the district. Is it true?

Barista from Fancy Brand Spanking New Starbucks: It is true. But because we're new, I have a secret stash. All the local managers have been trying to get me to give it up, but I'm hoarding it.

Andi: No way!

Barista from Fancy Brand Spanking New Starbucks: Yes, way! I had a district manager actually take three bottles from me to divvy up, but I'm not letting any more of them go.

Andi: It's like Peppermint Prohibition.

Peppermint Prohibition. And thus begins the Christmas Journey 2007.