A Little Christmas Cheer...

I'm at this again. I've been blog surfing again. This was cute! If you post and you have kids, be sure to get the other family members answers, it will be fun. Mine, well...you'll see. :) HO HO HO!

Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?- I like to wrap when I have time to be cute and crafty, if i'm in a hurry, definetly gift bags.

2. Real tree or artificial?- I love real trees. But I don't want to haul one from the lot by myself and try to drill a hole in the bottom for the water. So definetly artificial for this girl!

3. When do you put up your tree?- I usually like to put mine up the day after Thanksgiving.

4. When does the tree come down? Easy..after my birthday. And conincidentally, alot of Catholics do this, the 6th I think is Three Kings Day. And I heard alot of people take it down after that. Kind of funny...the latest I've let the decorations be up was til late February. ;)

5. Do you like Eggnog? YES, YES, YES!! :) I start buying it at Thanksgiving. I need to buy my grandma some. She has never had eggnog, and she is 87.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?- I got this ridiculous doll, It was the biggest doll I ever seen. I was spoiled. I loved all the presents my parents got me!

7. Hardest person to buy for?- My Dad was hard to buy for. My mom always bought him these plaid short sleeved work shirts, he never wore them...LOL.

8. Do you have a Nativity scene?- Yes I do. I love it, I bought it on clearance from JC Penney abt 10 yrs ago. It doesn't seem like Christmas until I have it up.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?- Definetly mail!

10. Favorite Christmas movie?- It has to be Its a Wonderful Life. I have seen it at least 10 times!

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Last couple of years it has been the day after Thanksgiving. :p

12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes I have. I will have to share my thoughts on the White Trash Christmas...I look forward to it every year! ;)

13. Favorite thing to eat on Christmas?- Oh my gosh, too many things. But one thing I miss eating are my Grandma Jose's Empanada's. I haven't figured out her recipe. But when I do, I will definetly share with you!

14. Lights on tree?- Well, I have a fiberoptic....so yes.

15. Favorite Christmas song? Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night

16. Travel at Christmas or stay home?- I used to say stay home...now I say travel.

17. Can you name Santa's reindeer? - Now we have dasher and dancer, comet and vixen, donner and cupid...and ??? and blitzen but do you recall? the most famous reindeer of all bah dum bum bum.... *almost*

18. Angel or Star on top of tree? Growing up, we had a funny looking star thing..it was yellow and ballish looking. Looked like it was from the 70s. I currently like my angel on top of the tree, I'm very proud..I made her in Relief Society. A craft that actually turned out. 6 or 7 yrs now. I hope she lasts, cuz I don't remember how to make one, LOL.

19. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas?- Growing up, I was allowed to open 1 on Christmas Eve. I don't have many to open...so I like to open them on Christmas now.

20. Most annoying thing abt this time of year?- The commericalism. Especially when they start decorating the stores in sept or oct.

21. Favorite theme or color of tree? I have heard of this..but I have never had a theme tree, nor do I want one. For me, my christmas ornaments are personal and special. Every ornament was either a gift from someone, or a special memory to me. If its a 'mishmash' than thats what I love then, mishmash or hodgepodge. I 'll have pics of my deocorations soon!

22. Favorite for Christmas dinner?- Ham or Prime Rib...but I usually have turkey :/

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? World Peace....and not to work Christmas Eve.

24. Favorite Christmas tradition?- One my parents and I liked to do...and I still do, is to go see Christmas lights. I loved to go to the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village and the Gift of Lights at Sunset Park. Now thats at the speedway. But one of my favorite traditions is coming back, the live Nativity. I went every year. It was so special. Redrock Stk is putting it on and I'm so going to see this! Can't wait.

25. Lastly..favorite thing abt Christmas?- I think the spirit of Christmas. The kind acts, and kind words at this time of year. But most importantly Celebrating the Birth of the Savior.

That's all from me!

ELFED?!!

Yup. I have been Elfed. Thank You to my annonymous elves, I heard you outside jingling in my driveway. I just wasn't fast enough to catch on to what was going on. But, thank you so much. I intend to Elf someone else, as soon as I feel better. I have had the flu, and its kicking my butt. I don't even have my tree up yet, I'm behind...so I know I'm sick!! As I get ready to elf people, I will share some of my goodie recipes, that I may try, emphasize that again...TRY. I don't usually bake things , its usually an experiment for me. All for now, and HO HO HO!!

To BLURB or not to BLURB....that is the question!

I need advice. I'm wanting to make my blog a blog book. I especially want to do it, because of pictures I have, and I would like them in a nice book. With that being said, I have probably around 120 posts, is that too small for a blog book? I like the idea. And, does anyone have any particular blog to book website they like? I would love some input friends! :) Thanks

Black Friday...and other stuff.

I got this on sale...walmart.com Pretty darn excited and got it two days later, doorbuster sales at walmart start at midnight online. :)

And the insideTarget looked just like this....hahaha! Theresa did her annual shop, LOL.

I stood in a line just like this one, but in Vegas....and a frosty 28 degrees, brrrr!

After a great thanksgiving, I caught a little nap just in time for BLACK FRIDAY!!! This is starting to become a tradition I think. I love black friday. I don't have alot to buy, but I love going nonetheless. I think I love being out with hundreds of other people, looking for great deals. We started at Target at 330am. Ridiculous, I know. The doors didn't open til 4. Believe it or not, we all were in good spirits. The big things that people seemed to be buying were flat screen tvs and computers, which were at amazing prices. I was only looking for a bluray player, which I bought online at walmart.com . I discovered something, if you want the same deals as waiting outside in the cold with the crazy people , just stay in your jammies and head to your computer at midnight, and score the same deal!! Its the best. I'm so excited, I got it two days later no joke. Now I just need to get my tube fixed, LOL. We also went to Walmart and Bath and Body Works.

I go to get in the holiday spirit and I get to help a friend out while she is buying for all of her kids in the same day. Yeah, its kind of crazy. But there were alot of people doing the same thing. Its so much fun. Not so fun later, when Theresa got a ticket on the way to Toys R Us. :(

I have done nothing today, I can hardly stand to be away from my bed. Stupid Flu!! My laundry and dishes are piled high to the sky and my house is in shambles, but I don't care. I hope to feel better and get off of this bed and do something!! But I didn't call in sick this week...I stuck it through, the nausea hits me in waves...ugh. On Monday, I did something I was quite proud of. I finally drove to Pahrump by myself. I know, silly right? I am or was petrified of the drive there, especially the route of highway 160 which is the hill that goes into pahrump. I wouldn't go up there, I have never done that by myself. Last time I went was over 4 yrs ago with my mom. Our friend Virginia lives out there with her husband Quenton. She had a stroke and it didn't sound good. She's not doing too well. The good is that she can walk with the aide of a nurse, talk, eat. The sad is her memory is gone. She thought it was 2006, and asked how my Mom was doing. I had to break the news that my mom had passed away, it was kind of heartbreaking. Hopefully they will both be moving into Las Vegas into a nursing home soon. Its just so sad to see people deteriate so quickly. If I could rewind the last four years, I would. But I can't. You just try to keep moving forward.

Sharing Time- Pumpkin Rolls!

There's a story that goes along with these. Its been three years since my mom has been gone. And it is true, time heals a little. But sometimes the pain is just as fresh as the day it happened. I have wonderful friends that have been my family. And some of my friends have gone through the same experiences as myself all shortly, sadly within the same year. As you grieve and live your life, I guess you find what I like to call your new normal. Holidays are not easy for me. I love the reason for the season, but sometimes I wish I could hit a fast forward button. Like two weeks ago, for instance. I had just worked all night, it was my fourth shift of five in one week! Anyways, needed to go into walmart for something. And I walked into a christmas wonderland, complete with the christmas music. As I went shopping for what I needed, I started to cry, and I did this last year at walmart during the holidays, sheesh. I cried and went home and started a new day that night. I think for me, the intial holiday sentiment leaves me choked up sometimes. But as I said, you find your new normal. In Relief Society today, there was a lesson and a question was asked, what are your talents? I am a work in progress, as far as my talents go. But in finding my new normal, I try things that maybe I haven't thought to do before, because its too hard. Or, I don't have the patience for. My friends Theresa, Joeleene and I, are all trying to find the new normal. We have had all had the moment in the walmart or wherever.."What was in that recipe? Mom would know....I wish I could call."

So the recipe I have to share is our pulling our creativeness, or our willingness to try and get in to the holiday spirit. I was the glad recipient a couple of years ago. Now I spent five hours making and giving these away to those that have made my life better. I may not make these until next year, LOL. So much work! But so worth it. If I don't make it to your home with pumpkin rolls, please use the recipe and know I was thinking of you! :)

This comes from the inside label of the libby pumpkin can, plus something extra from theresa-

Cake-

Powdered sugar

3/4 c flour

1/2 tsp each baking powder and baking soda

1/2 tsp each ground cinnamon and cloves

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

3 large eggs

1 c granulated sugar

2/3 c libby's pumpkin

1 c chopped walnuts or pecans

Filling

1 pkg cream cheese 8 oz

1 c powdered sugar

6 tbsp butter or margarine

1 tsp vanilla

Extra powdered sugar for rolling

Flour sacs to roll the cake, they are very thin, and Theresa said you can find them where you find kitchen towels. But I didn't see them, LOL.

For the cake: Pre heat oven to 375. Combine dry ingredients into bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in bowl until thick, stir in pumpkin then dry ingredients. Pour batter in pan then sprinkle with nuts...Grease and flour cookie sheet like we did, or a 15x10 jelly roll pan that has wax paper and oil on it. Bake for 13-15 minutes until cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and flip on to flour sac or kitchen towel that is covered with powdered sugar. Roll cake and towel together, then cool for twenty minutes on wire rack.

Next, make your filling-

Combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla in mixer. Beat that first, then gradually add the powdered sugar, or you will have a fun mess!

Carefully, unroll your cake!

Spread filling all over the cake, then reroll the cake again, making sure its tight. Sprinkle with more powdered sugar. Wrap tightly in saran wrap and refrigerate for an hr before cutting. I heard you can freeze for easier cutting, but I'm not sure how true that is. Good luck!

You've Been Tagged!

I was blog surfing tonight and I stumbled on this. Thought it might be fun to do. If you read this, consider yourself tagged. If you do it great, if not too bad. Here goes nothin'! :)

Some facts about me, some are funny but true!

1. My birthday is January 6, I don't want to put my year down. But its always nice celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and 6 days later mine. Ever since my 30th birthday, which was honestly awful....I intend to do something fun every year, life is just to short to sit home and be depressed and cry. Paarrrtay! :) So far, The last two birthdays have been fantastic. 31 I saw the Beatles Love at the Mirage, one of my favorites! I think sometimes I was born in the wrong era, LOL. Year 32 brought me to the Lion King at Mandalay Bay, amazing. I love living in Las Vegas sometimes! Parties are ok, but if no one is throwing me one, then I'm still going to celebrate, darn it! :)

2. I am a native of Las Vegas. And being the native girl that I am, who happens to love to travel. I still have not been to the Grand Canyon. Now isn't that just sad? I've been to most of the united states and two countries, but not to one of the 7 wonders of the world in my backyard, and while I'm at it....not northern nevada either. :)

3. My middle name is Calista. Its a family tradition, in a way. From my mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and maybe even great great. I felt pretty special until Ally McBeal and Calista Flockhart came around, LOL.

4. I set my stove on fire. Ok, I'll explain. I was at home helping with some housework. Thought it would be nice to clean the stove. Stove had a self cleaner on it. I put broiler pan with grease from chicken dinner night before, which I forgot. Five- Ten minutes later...black smoke is billowing out and I am still in the kitchen with my dog, Fire department and ambulance followed. Bought a new stove with a ding from Best Buy. To this day, I won't use the self cleaner.

5. I am a orphan. :( But I am thankful to know that I will be reunited with my family someday. If you want to learn more, just click on my temple pic above!

6. I am a good listener. Sometimes whether I want to or not. I just have that look about me. LOL ;) Its true, I can be standing in line, and strangers start talking to me. Even when I don't feel like it.

7. The year before my mom passed away, I won a $5,000 spree at Christmas to the mall. It was one of the best I ever had, and even sweeter that it was my Mom's also.

Well, thats me in a nutshell. I would love to learn more about you!

I Wish You Enough

I Wish You Enough

Recently I overheard Mother and Daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Mother said 'I love you and wish you enough'. The daughter replied 'Mom, our life has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Mom! They kissed and the daughter left. The Mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she had welcomed me in by asking 'Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing that it would be more forever?' 'Yes I have' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is forever a goodbye?' 'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip will be for my funeral', she said. 'When your were saying goodbye, I heard you say 'I wish you enough.'
May I ask what that means? She began to smile. 'Thats a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember in detail, and smiled even more. 'When we were saying ''I wish you enough" we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if reciting from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye. "

She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes five minutes to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them; but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them.

** TAKE TIME TO LIVE**

**To all my friends and family, I wish you enough.**

I Love you Mom