"He's Not the Real Santa!"

This is a continuation of yesterdays performance.

After Emi's Christmas Party at daycare yesterday, and dance class had wrapped up for the year (we have next week off) we proceeded to pick daddy up and head to J&J's Family Restaurant, where we would get to see Santa one last time before the "big day" arrives.

In the car on the way over, the roads were a little slick, so Daddy was driving the Mom-Mobile - We were talking about how much money we'd spent - and making sure we were done with our list completely, before Christmas finally arrives.  He asked what I wrote a check for and I brushed it off, fully knowing that it was the remainder of his "big gift" an iPod, that a friend was selling.  I'll get into that in another post, promise.  So we're talking to Emily about how it was going to be busy, and that we need to make sure to remember our polite words, and be patient.  Santa only has a few minutes for each child, and it would be worth the wait.  She sighed, deeply, and agreed.

Upon our arrival, we saw just how busy it was - people were lined up and waiting for tables, and had been there for quite a bit of time.  It was also, Karaoke Night.  Yep, uber busy.   Santa was out and giving each child a small present!  How lucky was Em?  Free pizza, drink AND a present, plus more face time with the big guy to ensure his visit to her place?  Right on - right?  Wrong.   The minute she saw him, she freaked.  Screamed, cried and wanted nothing to do with him.

Awesome.

I passed her directly over Santa's head, and into my mom's waiting arms so she could calm down - and as we passed her over, Santa calmly, quietly and very politely handed her a wrapped gift - so she wouldn't be left out.  She sniffled and said thank you, very politely through her tears and cowered with "Erma" until she calmed herself down enough to come back to the table.

On the way home, after dinner and opening her present - which was a throwback to when I was a kid, those felt and paper coloring things? - as she was drifting off to sleep the following conversation took place:

E ~ Mommy, I'm sleepy.  my eyes are tired from being open so long.

M ~ So close them baby, it's okay we have one stop to make and then we're going home, and we're ALL going to bed.

E ~ :through a yawn: Momma, know why I didn't want to say hi to that Santa?

M ~ No, I don't.  I thought you were going to ask him about his reindeer?

E ~ Yeah, I was, but - that wasn't the real Santa, he was a faker.  I didn't want to talk to him, cuz I knew he was lying to all those other kids.

Flabbergasted, I didn't have a response for her ... shortly there after, she fell asleep.  We went to our "one stop" and did our little Santa Errand, and headed home.   She slept last night from just after 8 until almost 7:30 this morning, the longest she's slept in a long time.  

Merry Christmas my Friends, and a very Happy New Year.

Mom - I don't like that.

My dear child is too smart, way too smart.  And while that's a blessing in most cases, when trying to protect the innocence of Christmas and the magic of Santa ... it's a curse.

Santa is going to be at my parents restaurant tonight, so after Dance class, we told Em we were coming here .. she paused, looked at me and we had the following conversation:

E - "With his reindeer?"

M - "Um No, they're resting for their big trip Friday Night"

E - "So, how's he gonna get there then?  He needs his reindeer, or he can't come"

M - "Magic, Emi.  Can you put your shoe's on please?"

E - "He can't do magic without the reindeer mom.  How's he gonna get there?"

M - "Trust me, okay, he'll be there."

E - "what about the elves?  Will they be there?"

M - "No, I think they're up at the North Pole getting ready for Friday too" 

E - "Why does everything have to happen Friday?! I want the DEER MOM!  I WANT TO SEE THE DEER"

M - "Oh, Emi - Christmas Eve is Friday, that's when Santa brings toys and stuff to the good kids - remember?"

E - "Mom.  I don't like that."

Awesome.

Coupon Clipping ...

I never thought I'd be the kind of girl who sat around clipping coupons and watching sale flyers.  In my imagination, I struck it rich at 24, after graduating law school and nailing a spot at a very prestigious law firm where I wowed them into making me partner early.   I know.  Big Imagination.  In reality, I skipped college and have been working steady since the age of 12.  True Story.

Now, you'd think - with a person nearing 30, who has been working since they were 12 - there would be some sort of savings, or retirement plan, or something, to fall back on in times of turmoil and confusion.  Well, you'd be wrong.  Apparently, I have no sense of saving.  None.  Well, when it comes to money and what not.  When it comes to keeping a note a friend wrote me in the 7th grade, I'm sure I could dig one or twenty-eight out for you.    This is something I'm diligently working on, along with the size of my rear end and waist line that is.  See, I'd love to shrink the latter and expand the former.  

Since it's nearly Christmas (and by nearly I mean, days away) ~ I thought I'd put a little post up listing the places I go to save money, or get things for free.  It happens, it works, and I'm such a glutton.

First and foremost, if you're like me and you search the internet for a lot of different things, I have a search engine where you can earn points to earn free things, from pencil erasers and desktop wallpapers to amazon.com gift cards - no really.   It's True.   All you do is go to:  www.swagbucks.com, and follow the instructions .. download the search engine, and walla - free stuff.  Nearly every time you search, you'll earn "swagbucks" which you can save up and put towards rewards.  I happen to enjoy this little habit, and frequently search, just to search silliness and earn points for free things.

Second, you can always find free samples on certain stores websites - for example go to: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx - and pick the freebies you want, I've done this a few times and am always happy when the products come.  You can also go to: http://samples.target.com/ and get freebies there too.   

Finally, to save money - though it's not great for the environment, because you have to print them - the only plus side there is you get to pick and choose which ones you want and can use - coupons.com, couponmom.com, couponcabin.com, coolsavings.com, or the one I use the most - www.smartsource.com.

I actively cut coupons every week, and have saved an average of 10 dollars per week on my groceries.  Which is two books to Emily :)

May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a Thrifty New Year!

I've been inspired.

It usually doesn't take a lot to get me going .. as in moving.  On the other hand it takes more than a ton to get me angry, or on the other side of the spectrum inspired.  Lately, it has taken more and more to peak my interest.  Between work stresses, home stresses and Holiday stresses - I have found little that makes me stop and think, and stop and act. 

Until Recently.

Recently, I started reading "older" posts from my blogger friends, and looking at pictures on other friends facebook pages, and it made me think.   We don't have a ton of money, especially now with Christmas upon us .. but I'd really love to be able to take Emily to a zoo, a museum, an aquarium, and a few other "childhood staples" that don't involve the state of New Hampshire.   I'd love to take her out of state, to see something extraordinary, for not a lot of money.

This past April, a good friend of mine took her daughter to the National Zoo in Washington DC - I've never been *to* Washington DC - I have been THROUGH it however ( a story for another post ) ... this is something I've always wanted to do, and I've always wanted to see.  For as long as I can remember, Washington DC was a destination for me.   Weird, I know.

Then I got to reading a friends blog about the places she and her husband have had the pleasure of visiting this past summer, and quite a few of those are on my "list" as well.  Inexpensive, local, and fantastic.

On top of that, my pen pal bestie and I have been talking back and forth about places we've visited - She, the lucky duck, got to visit the Titanic Museum in Branson Missouri this summer, and has the ability to get to the Nashville Zoo (correct me if I'm wrong on the name here) and has gone a couple times recently, while not cheap, I'm betting if it were closer, I could be persuaded to spend the money to get in - to both places - in full, while not fibbing about Emily's age (don't judge 27 dollar admission fee is outrageous for a three year old).

As a final "nail" so to speak, or straw if you will - there is a foundation, out of Massachusetts (my home state!) called The Highland Street Foundation - they offer free days admission (on certain dates, at certain times, for certain places) through out the summer called "Free Fun Friday's" .. we have yet to be able to take part in one of their fantastic offers at any of their fantastic venues, but now that I know about them, I'm being pro-active and the minute the list comes out, I'm marking my calendar and planning our trips accordingly!!!

These wonderful experiences that my friends have shared with me got me thinking about .. and researching ... places that are close(ish) and on the lower end of the admission scale.   Now that it's Winter(esque) anything outside, or further than 2 hours drive, is out of the question, until Spring when the roads clear up and the weather warms a bit.   So, here is a list of the things that I'm looking forward to in the coming months/year.

1) The Harvard Museum of Natural History

I cannot wait to get here.  Seriously.  Specifically to see the Glass Flowers
*edited to add ----*
YEAH there's a second museum - admission price pays for both!!
The Peabody Museum

2) The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

I am in the process of getting a book with regards to this museum, and have read an excerpt of it, I am hooked.  I love art as it is, and to be so close to a place where one of the biggest art heists in history went down, it's criminal not to go.
*I'm editing this post to add a little history, taken directly from the above linked site*

1990
	Mar 18th	On the night of March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and roamed the galleries, stealing thirteen works of art, including: Rembrandt's Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633), A Lady and Gentleman in Black (1633) and aSelf-Portrait (1634); Vermeer's The Concert (1658-1660); Govaert Flinck'sLandscape with an Obelisk (1638); five drawings by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas; and Edouard Manet's Chez Tortoni (1878-1880). The works have not yet been recovered. The $5 million dollar reward leading to the return of the art works is, as yet, unclaimed.

*and can be found here too*
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/information/theft.asp

3) The Boston Museum of Science

It's a given.  

4) The New England Aquarium

Again, a given.

5 & 6) The Franklin Park and Stone Zoos

A real zoo?   Only a short drive away?  I'm on it.  Twice.

As a matter of fact, since my Grandfather and my aunt, uncle, and a cousin and her family live in relative close proximity to the Stone Zoo - I may make it there during the winter months ... Seriously? ... I think it's on.

There are more .. and I WILL be updating this and checking things off as we go.

Thank you - ALL for your inspiration, truly.  I needed it.

Charlotte's Corn Ma(i)ze

It's a bit late ---- However ---- As promised - we went to the corn maze this year, we went a couple weeks later than we planned - however, we still made it!  It was an amazing time, cold, but amazing none-the-less.

Because I can't seem to focus long enough to form a comprehensive thought - I'll post some pictures, and you'll get the idea <3

TEXT?!?!  Come On!

A Long day .. She had a blast

See the mother effing half painted door?  yeah.  Impressive.

Emi's Pumpkins!

100 Things you didn't care to read ...

I am a firm believer in not having to work the day before, or after, a Major Holiday.   AND In MY world, Thanksgiving is the Major-est of Major Holidays, it is my most favorite day of the year by far.  You gather around your table (or a relatives table) with all your loved ones gathered close and eat a great meal.  With no pretenses of gifts to give or receive, just to be grateful for the past and coming year ... I have a lot to be thankful for, and as I said in my last blog, I'm thankful all year, or I try to be ... also, I have a lot of time on my hands because I'm not focused enough to be working.  I'm a waste today.  Complete Waste.   So... since I have time on my hands, I'm going to answer 100 questions and waste some of your time :)

Enjoy.

And above all?

Happy Thanksgiving!!  May your turkey be moist and yummy <3

YOUR LAST:

1. Last beverage:

Seltzer Water

2. Last phone call:

Telemarketer.

3. Last text message:

From TinaBean

4. Last song you listened to:

Why Wait by Rascal Flatts

5. Last time you cried:

Yesterday.  Evil Scale at the Evil Doctors Office

HAVE YOU EVER:

6. Dated someone twice:

Nope

7. Regretted meeting one of your friends:

Nope

8. Lied to a friend: 

Not on purpose.  I'm an honest is the best policy kind of girl

9. Lost someone special:

I have.

10. Broken a bone:

A finger in HS and my nose once or twice

11. Been drunk and thrown up:

Nope

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:

12.Yellow

13.Red

14.Black (it's a color)

THIS YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made a new friend: 

I Have!  HI HILARY!   

16. Detention:

Um Yeah, No

17. Laughed until you cried: 

LMAO .. Yes, just recently actually

18. Met someone who changed you:

This year?  Nope.  not yet.

19. Found out who your true friends were:

Yes, I have.  And surprisingly, I'm okay with it.

20. Found out someone was talking about you:

It's a given.

23. How many kids do you want: 

Just the one is fine for me!

24. Do you have any pets: 

We have 5

Dexy, Pixie, Sera, Gullie and Ollie

 25. Do you want to change your name:

Nope

26. What did you do for your last birthday: 

I was at J&J's for Chris Cartier's first live performance here.   He even sang to me :)

27. What time did you wake up today:

Which time?

28. What were you doing at midnight last night: 

Reading

29. Name something you CANNOT wait for: 

Thanksgiving.  Which is Tomorrow .. I am so freakin' Excited!

30. Last time you saw your Mother: 

Bout 10 minutes ago .. she's in the other office!

31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: 

My Confidence level, which I'm working on - and of course, my physical appearance

32. What are you listening to right now:

My sister chatting

33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom:

Yep

34. Who's getting on your nerves right now:

Heh.   A few people

35. Most visited web page: 

TAPS 18 and FB

36. Whats your real name:  

Amy

37. Any nicknames: 

I Have a few .. 

38. Relationship Status: 

Married.  Mostly Happily too! <3

39. Zodiac sign:

Taurus

40. Male or female:

Female

41. Birthday:

April 30, 1981

42.Current School:

The School of LIFE

43. High school/College:

HS and a few college classes

44. Write w/e you want here: 

This is a wasted question :o/

45. Long or short: 

My hair? Not short enough

46. Height: 

5'2

47. Do you have a crush on someone:

I'm over the moon about my husband

48. What do you like about yourself: 

Most things

49. Piercings:

Just my ears

51. Righty or lefty: 

Right, though I CAN do some things with my left

FIRSTS:

52. First surgery:

Sinuses

53. First piercing:

My ears and I don't know how old I was

54. First true best friend: 

Andrea Barbieri Tiberio

55. First sport you joined:

Soccer - second grade

56. First vacation:

Disney!

58. First pair of trainers:

Shoes?  or .. *other* trainers?

RIGHT NOW:

59. Eating:

Rice Cakes

60. Drinking:

Seltzer water

61. I'm about to:

Work on a spreadsheet .. or .. at least, attempt it

62. Listening to:

The traffic on 125, chatter in the office and the clicking of the keyboard

63. Waiting for: 

Tomorrow!!!!!

YOUR FUTURE:

64. Want kids:

Nope

65. Get married: 

I am!

66. Career:

I'm happy with the path I've chosen

WHICH IS BETTER:

67. Lips or eyes: 

Eyes

68. Hugs or kisses:

Both, together, frequently

69. Shorter or taller: 

EVERY ONE Is taller than I am!

70. Older or Younger: 

Mike's Older

71. Romantic or spontaneous:

Spontaneously Romantic or Romantically Spontaneous

72. Nice stomach or nice arms:

Arms.   <3

73. Sensitive or loud:

I think you need to have a bit of both

74. Hair or body:

Doesn't matter

HAVE YOU EVER:

76. Kissed a stranger: 

Um No

77. Drank hard liquor:

Yep

78. Lost glasses/contacts: 

Nope

79. Sex on first date: 

Yeah, No.

80. Broken someone's heart:

Not that I'm aware of - but if I have, I'm Sorry!

81. Been in the backseat of a cop car:

Nope - front seat, yes

82. Been arrested:

Nope

83. Turned someone down:

Yep

84. Cried when someone died:

Of course

85. Fallen for a friend: 

He's my best friend actually <3

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

86. Yourself:

For the most part, we all have our days

87. Miracles:

Of course.

88. Love at first sight: 

ROMANTIC LOVE takes work - unless you're talking about parental love for their child, then that's a yes

89. Heaven: 

I'm torn, but I lean towards yes

90. Santa Claus:

I Am Santa Claus

91. Kiss on the first date:

Nope

92. Angels: 

My friends are my angels <3

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

94. Had more than 1 girlfriend/boyfriend at a time:

Nope

95. Did you sing today: 

I did!! Loud and proud too!

96. Ever cheated on somebody:

Nope

97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go?:

I wouldn't - unless it's just a visit, then I'd head back to the mid-evil days

98. The moment you would choose to re-live:

No

99. Are you afraid of falling in love: 

I am in love.

100. Are you afraid of posting this as 100 truths: 

Not a bit!