The R Family Diaries

Hi Guys!  I am back! We spent the holiday in Big Bear, CA at a cabin with family.  It was awesome.   Yes, that's a mohawk.  He gets to grow it until school goes back...cutie. My dad got The Boy and himself these dart guns... so much fun! We had an awesome Christmas Dinner, with crowns and all!   Me and my princes.... My cousin Suzanne and her man, Sean... The ski slopes were packed, so we opted for sledding.  In true So Cal fashion, it was $25 per person to enter the slope area, BUT they had a motorized walk way up the hill, so as not to exert yourself! Here are a few pics of our holiday fun.... I love this picture of my cousin, Stephanie!   Man, my husband makes me happy.... Have a fabulous New Year!

                  Wishing you a holiday full of hopes and dreams.

I only say crap cause that's the mood I am in today. It really should be "Random Christmas Cuteness", but who wants to read about that? Yeah, me neither.   But, since you're here.... I was part of Kori's Secret Santa Exchange .  So much fun!  I had a wonderful SS who did me up right: Everything arrived in this cute box... Lots of goodies, including a really cute necklace and box of adorable ornaments!  It should be noted for the record that this box of treats also included some m&ms, jelly beans and a copy of People Magazine with many hot men inside.  Those items were immediately taken to the bedroom and enjoyed behind locked doors.   So a big thank you to my Secret Santa, Shelly ! On to something else.. (I told you this would be random)... my mantle.   We have a fake tree... hey, it's near a live wreath, so the smell is there.  I love our tree, it's a "pencil tree", tall and then, covered in white lights.  We got it last year and it was so ...

There is a passage from one of my favorite books, The Red Tent, by Anita Diament, that perfectly sums up what I want to say to you as we end this year and begin another.  Together. "I am so glad that you have come. I will pour out everything inside me that you may leave this table satisfied and fortified. Blessings on your eyes. Blessings on your children. Blessings on the ground beneath you. My heart is a ladle of sweet water, brimming over." All My Love.

So most of you know about my Santa Claus "depression" .  My sis just sent me this, and although I have read it often over the years, it really hit home this time. I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted.... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has...

Candy Man called me from The Boy's karate studio to tell me some news. News I knew was coming, but couldn't bear to hear. The Boy told him that some kids were talking about Santa Claus.   Then he asked what a "myth" was.  The conversation moved on before any information was dispelled, but it's coming.  CM feels strongly that if The Boy asks, he needs to know the truth. I just want one more Christmas.  We are so close.  The Boy has never questioned it until now.   We can stretch this out, right? I don't now why I am so sad about this.  Like really sad.  Like devastated.  Like bawling my eyes out. I have relished his milestones, even the little ones, knowing that this is my only shot. I cry myself to sleep on every one of his birthdays (my poor husband).  And, while I celebrate him growing and and love seeing him develop into the wonderful creature he is, I mourn the passing of his childhood. It's just going too fast. The idea that my time with a child who b...

So, y'all have seen what my eyebrows would look like without any grooming . The first time I had my eyebrows waxed I was 16. It changed my life. The well designed eyebrow can enhance your entire face.  And seriously add to your femininity. You look younger, more refreshed and manicured with the right brow.   I actually think people with good eyebrows are just happier and nicer. Better people in general.   Today, I took eyebrow art to a whole new level. Threading.   It was awesome.   I had been hearing about it for quite a while and it just couldn't believe that a piece of thread moving quickly over your skin could get rid of little hairs. But it does.  By the root.  And it lasts longer than waxing. What really pushed me into this new hair removal dimension was when I heard that waxing can actually speed up the aging process, effecting collagen in the waxed areas.   Leaving you with sagging lids. Um, no thanks. So I went. I was threaded.  And, now I am back to being a perfect. ...

Merry SITSmas to You! Here is a little video to make you laugh. If you aren't in the SITStahood , what are you waiting for? We've got a prize EVERY hour, plus the Grand prize which includes bloggy fame and a $200 Target Gift card! Send your own ElfYourself eCards So I couldn't resist.  Yep.  That's me, Heather and Lula. (That look on Lula's face is CRACKING me up.) Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus ("for the rest of us"),  I wish you all a ton of joy and happiness in 2009. Let the comments roll. (Crazy Italian Momma is after me in the linky, so click here to go straight to her)