Every year I find myself feeling the same way when Christmas rolls around.  I love the fact that all my family comes together and my kids get to spend time with their cousins.  I love spending time with hubby’s family and our close friends.  I love the candle light Christmas eve service we have at our church and the Christmas concert the kids put on.

So why all the dread about the Christmas holiday?  I think it’s because I know I’m going to have to go shopping in a crowded store with grumpy people all around me.  I get more annoyed with people complaining about waiting in a cashier’s line than actually waiting in the line itself.  A friend of mine took her daughter to a Christmas sale at one of the box stores and a customer actually ripped an item out of her daughter’s arms.  People are so nasty to one another this time of year and it’s sad, very sad.

Will you be attending a remembrance day service?  I think today is such an important day to remember those who have lost their lives so that we may live in the world we live today.  My thoughts are with the soldiers that are away from their families and fighting in another country.  My thoughts are also with the families who lost loved ones in Fort Hood.  One of my high school friends is stationed in Fort Hood and I’m so thankful he is safe.  Today is a special day.  Please don’t forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we could live in peace.

hubby in uniform

When it comes to my health, I’m ashamed to say I have been very neglectful this past month.  I have been eating a lot of crap and not taking care of myself.  But that is going to change.  I went to a UFIT class this morning.  The first one in over two months I’m sure. I was a little winded, but it felt great to be back.  There is something about blasting music that arouses my inner “superfreak”.  I love to dance and I love music, so UFIT is perfect for me.  Of course, there is also the instructor.  She is a pint size ball of energy and it’s like getting a jolt of electricity each time I go to class.  So here’s to getting healthy and back at it!

UFIT

I have always enjoyed Halloween.  There is just something about dressing up in silly costumes and going door to door for candy.  I think I enjoy it just as much as the kids.  The only thing I don’t enjoy is the weight gain.

Here are some pics of the costumes the girls had this year.

I don’t know about any of you, but my head is absolutely spinning with all the info on the H1N1 vaccination.   At first I was all for it and now I’m not so sure.  I’ve heard some convincing arguments and some not so convincing arguments. It’s hard to distinguish between fact and fiction. Hubby is pro vaccination. He volunteers in the health field and is getting the vaccination.  I’m still investigating and only wish I could weed out the “truths” from the “falsehoods”.  One of the reasons I may choose to do so is because I know someone of significant importance in the medical field. She is pro-vaccination and really knows her stuff.  She received a Rhodes Scholarship and is well known in the medical field.  I really trust her judgement.  So do I vaccinate or not? That IS the question.

Case in point.  A young artist, Taylor Swift arrives on stage at the VMA’s to accept her award and thank her fans only to be interrupted by another artist claiming Beyonce had the best album of last year.  I’m glad Beyonce had the class to call Taylor up and allow her to finish her thank you speech.

Holding the door open for the people behind you.  Is it really that hard? Especially when you see a mother with kids and her hands are full. Or what about an elderly individual or someone with special needs?  A few weeks ago, I held the door open for a student on crutches…twice! I didn’t get so much as a “thank you” or even a smile.

The other day, we were visiting with a friend.  My daughter had demanded a drink and when I didn’t hear her, she yells “can you hear me? I want a drink of juice!”  You can imagine how that went over.

How did we get to this point?  I know I will be more conscious of teaching my kids proper manners.  There needs to be more selfless acts of kindness and I don’t think holding a door open for someone or saying “please” and “thank-you” is really too much to ask. Do you?

The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any. ~ Fred Astaire

Good manners can replace morals.  It may be years before anyone knows if what you are doing is right.  But if what you are doing is nice, it will be immediately evident.  ~P.J. O’Rourke

It’s almost that time of year again.  The day that you stuff yourself silly with turkey and all the fixins!  We are going to my parents cottage for thanksgiving.  My brother is deep frying a turkey.  Hopefully, we will have no grease fires, but hubby is a firefighter, so no worries there! I am making a trifle. But not just any trifle. It is a caramel apple trifle….yummmmmmmmmmm!

Doesn’t it look yummy!!!  I couldn’t find the recipe online, so I will share the recipe from halloween cookbook I have….enjoy!

Caramel Apple Trifle

3 tbsp butter

4 cups chopped peeled tart apples

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp apple pie spice

1 pkg cream cheese softened

1 jar of caramel ice cream topping

1 tub of cool whip dessert topping

2 loaves of pound cake cut into 1 inch cubes

In a large skillet, melt butter and stir in apples, walnuts, brown sugar and apple pie spice. cook and stir for 10 min or until apples are tender.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. beat in 1/2 cup of caramel topping and remaining apple pie spice. fold in 2 cups of whipped topping.

In a large trifle bowl, layer a third of the cake cubes, cream cheese mixture and apple mixture. repeat layers twice. garnish with the remaining whipped topping and drizzle with caramel topping.  sprinkle additional apple pie spice if desired.  cover and refrigerate at least 1 hr before serving.

in goes the bird!

my trifle..it was delicious!

 

The last time I was enrolled in university was 13 years ago.  A lot has changed since then.  Gone are the days when you use to take notes with pen and paper.  Now, the professors post all notes and assignments on a secure network for the university students.  If I want notes from a certain class, I just go online and print off a copy…brilliant!!!  Overhead projectors are becoming extinct as well.  They are usually sitting in the corner collecting dust while the professors use a projector system linked to their computers.  There are also facebook groups for some of my classes.  Students can go to the group and share information and resources.  It is absolutely amazing the things you can do when it comes to technology.

I am the first to get sick in our household. Being sick brings back such horrible memories of my pregnancies. I spent many months with my head in the toilet or bucket. Thankfully, it was only a 24 hr bug and I hope no one else gets sick. I have so many projects and assignments on the go, I really can’t afford to get sick. Hubby picked up some vitamins and i’m going to try and eat a little healthier. Here’s to staying healthy!

Today was my first day of school.  I have five classes in total and each class is once a week and 3 hrs long.  I had 2 classes back to back which resulted in a 6hr day for me (with a 20 min break for each 3 hr class).  But the time flew by and both classes and both profs are amazing.  I find my classes more interactive than any other university classes I have taken.  We have small class sizes too, so it’s easy to get to know everyone.  Out of the two classes, I have 2 group presentations, 3 individual projects, reading assignments and some short written assignments.  We only have 8 classes until practicum, so they are jamming everything in.  I am certainly going to have to fine tune my time management and organizational skills.  I still have 3 more classes to attend this week, so I’m going to try and get an early start on things.