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This blog-game is based on an exercise developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University as reported by Quaker and Social Class. The exercise developers hold the copyright and ask that if you participate in this blog game, you acknowledge their copyright.

Gakked from Willowgreen.  She gakked from harmonyfb  This is interesting.Bold all that are true for you (I italicized anything I wasn’t sure of — or I’m sure of but don’t consider it a status symbol):

1. Father went to college

2. Father finished college

3. Mother went to college

4. Mother finished college

5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor

6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers

7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home

8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home

9. Were read children’s books by a parent

10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 guitar and piano.

11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18

12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively. This is confusing — who dress and talk like me now? or me then?  I suppose minivan moms are portrayed both positively AND negatively.  Same with working class kids.

13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18

14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs

15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs

16. Went to a private high school 1/2 way — I went to a program that had shared time between a Catholic (Language Arts, Social Studies, Religion) and Public high school (Math, Science, Phys Ed).

17. Went to summer camp -Girl Scout camp — every week every summer.  Mom was a girl scout leader at the camp so I’m sure that I didn’t have to pay to go.

18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18

19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels – If that’s differentiating from motels — then no we never really stayed at a “hotel.”  Super 8 with a pool was high time for us.

20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18 yeah — but again — this is rather iffy.  My mom worked at the local discount store (forerunner of Wal-Mart). Let’s just say I wore a lot of polyester.  I’ve watched The George Lopez show a few times, there was one time the teenage daughter said that she wanted clothes from “A real store” and told her mom “if you’re pushing a shopping cart and he’s eating a corn dog you’re in the wrong place“

21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them

22. There was original art in your house when you were a child.  I’m assuming that’s not counting class projects.
23. You and your family lived in a single family house . Yeah — with my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather.  One time when my buddy Crem and I were out towards Midway airport I drove past the old homestead.  “it’s small” yeah honey but it was crowded.

24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home

25. You had your own room as a child

26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.  My sister and I shared a room in the attic with my grandmother in the adjoining room.  So it was more for Granny’s convenience than for ours.

27. Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course

28. Had your own TV in your room in High School
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College

30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16

31. Went on a cruise with your family.

32. Went on more than one cruise with your family

33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up. Yeah — we always went to the Museum of Science and Industry on Girl Scout Day.  It was only one bus.  We could walk to the 55th street bus and take it straight there.  Up until I was in upper elementary, then I’d take the bus there myself.  (You’d get in free with a uniform).

34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

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What was she thinking when she bought her that.

Spouse hates shopping, and if I wait for him to buy me presents there will be nothing under the tree for me so I get my own presents (and wrap them myself too).  Well, he ain’t perfect but (I know this will come as a shock) neither am I so we deal with each other’s idiosyncrasies. 

Anyway, this year I bought myself a new knife (as I mentioned in this post) since the old one (as Crem put it) “couldn’t cut air” it was time.  (I do plan to give the old one to Chip with a shapening stone and let him have some fun).  My knife also doubles as my keychain so I always have it with me.  Well, as the old one wasn’t all that sharp, I got into some bad habits (like not closing the thing). 

It’s probably best summed up in this exchange from earlier today with Crem

Ramblingmom: Ummmm remind me that my new knife can actually CUT things and I should make an attempt to remember to not leave it open

Crem: Also don’t play with it in your pocket when bored unless carrying bandaids

Though now that I think about it — I wonder if that comment of his might be from experience???? Hmmmm??

Anyway, my question of the day — What IDIOT would give a careless forgetful person like *ME* a sharp object???

Rambling’s 2007

Taken from Calvin who doesn’t know where she got it.

1. Where did you begin 2007? Asleep at home.

2. Did you have to go to the hospital? No, and nobody in my family.

3. Did you have any encounters with the police? None at all.

4. Where did you go on vacation? Branson, Missouri, with the kids (and no spouse) with a side trip to Kansas City, Mo, to see my dear friend Mamasara. Then a weekend trip to see my girlfriends in San Antonio.

5. What did you purchase that was over $500? I don’t think we purchased anything over $500 this year.

6. Did you know anybody who got married? I don’t think so.

7. What sporting events did you attend? None at all.

8. What concerts/shows did you go to? JERSEY boys in Chicago.

9. Where do you live now? Chicago Suburbs.

10. Describe your birthday: I was at a reunion with my friends on my birthday. The timing was completely coincidental. I get a little more attention for my birthday when I’m with my family but this was the final year (for a few) that the reunion will coincide with my date of birth.

11. What’s the one thing you thought you would never do, but did in 2007? Learn to knit. It wasn’t in the plan.

12. What’s something you learned about yourself? Hmmmmm … I think I’ve finally reached the stage that I don’t surprise me anymore.

13. Any new additions to your family? A great nephew.

14. What was your best month? I have no clue — I don’t think I had any great months in 2007.

15. What music will you remember 2007 by? Hmmmmm … 2007 has been a bum year — but not in any incredibly significant ways.
16. Made new friends? Not really.

17. Favorite night out? Jersey Boys (not counting the drive)

18. Any regrets? Not enough sleep.

19. What do you want to change in 2008? If all goes as planned (and I can’t think that it won’t) we’ll have a great change coming in 2008. It will toss our world around — but will eventually mean LESS stress.

20. Overall, how would you rate this year? On a 1-10 scale, I’d say this year has been a 4 (worse than average, but at least no vibrant young people that I love died).

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Probably work.

22. Change your hairstyle? Got 10 inches cut for Locks of Love. But it didn’t really change that much.

23. Buy a new car? No.

24. Any car accidents? No.

25. How old did you turn this year? Old as dirt.

26. Do you have a New Year’s resolution? Not yet.

27. Do anything embarrassing? Oh probably. But not significant enough that I can recall.

28. Be honest – did you watch American Idol? Nope.

29. Start a new hobby? Knitting.

30. Will you be happy to see 2007 go? Hell yeah

31. Been naughty or nice? I’d say nice. I’d like to be naughty but I’m married and divorce lawyers are sooooooooo expen$ive

Cause DANG he’s cute

Yeah — I know Christmas is over but my great nephew was wearing my daughter’s hat and he looked SOOOOOOOOOO cute I had to post it.

Buh-bum.. buh-bum…
Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree, for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, a ‘54 convertible too, light blue,
I’ll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I’ve missed,
Think of all the fellows that I haven’t kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you check off my Christmas list

Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that’s not a lot
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey, one little thing I really need, the deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex and cheques,
Sign your x on the line
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my chirstmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s
I really do believe in you,
Let’s see if you believe in me

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring,
I don’t mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry, tonight.

I think I know the plan.

Back a few years ago (late 80s) I watched a BBC scifi/comedy called Red Dwarf.  One of the characters (Dave Lister) had this dream of retiring to Fiji.

Anyway — I was thinking today (and watching Norad track Santa) and since Santa is basically rounding the globe from east to west starting (and ending) at the International Date Line, I personally think that after the final package is dropped off, since he’s at the International Date Line anyway he just hops back over it and heads to Fiji.  He hangs out under a palm tree, grabs a boat drink, and warms up for a few weeks.

Ramblingmom Brags

Okay I need to brag on myself. The other day we had our gift exchange with Spouse’s family. There was Gma and Gpa, our family, and SILs family (two adults, two kids). In theory each family was limited to bringing two gifts per person — which (if people actually followed the limit) would mean 20 gifts. Well, it was a bit over that.  After all was over, there was a rather large pile of leftover paper (which is recyclable but still).

For each person I wrapped *ONE* package (albeit each with multiple gifts).  I used two gift bags and then two “soap opera style” wrapped shoe boxes (if you ever watch soap operas — or probably other tv shows – they wrap boxes such that you can just lift the lid off without removing the paper).

I contributed exactly *NOTHING* to that pile of paper.

And as an afterthought — without spending TIME wrapping each present individually I also managed to save myself quite a bit of time.  And my time is a resource well worth conserving.

To all of you

To my friends that celebrate Christmas.  Have a Merry Christmas, I hope Santa brings you something very special (even if, like at my house, YOU are Santa and you have to buy your own gift).

If you are traveling, have safe and sound travels, and if you’re staying with relations at the other end I hope they don’t drive you too crazy (hi Crem).

For those that don’t celebrate Christmas (Alto2) or those that for whatever reason are not looking forward to Christmas this year (I’ve had those years — all too many) just remember this – it will all be OVER SOON!!!!!

And that, dear friends, is worth celebrating.

Christmas at Ramblingmoms

Lifted from all the augustmoms that celebrate Christmas.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer gift bags (reduce, reuse, recycle). I’ll wrap things that won’t easily fit in gift bags. For a few people I’m “wrapping” shoe boxes — but wrapping them so they can be opened and reused. But when SANTA arrives at the minivan lane he always wraps things in the official “Santa paper.”

While I do buy into the “reduce, reuse, recycle” concept pretty much, if I’m at a store and they offer free gift wrapping I do often take advantage. Just so you know the majority of presents under the tree that don’t have the Santa wrap have wrapping from my favorite local indy bookseller. I mean I may be trying to reduce my carbon footprint but if someone is going to do my work for free who am I to refuse :}. (Plus, I figure over the course of a year I spend enough money at Anderson’s Bookshop).

2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial. There was a debate as to which is more ecologically friendly, but I believe since I already owned an artificial tree at that time, to continue using it is the most ecologically friendly option. Spouse much prefers artificial and it’s not a fight worth having really.

3. When do you put up the tree? Sometime before Christmas — put on the ornaments last night,

4. When do you take the tree down? Epiphany (Jan. 6) or later. Since I get it up so late I like to leave it up.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yeah — about 4 ounces or so a year.

6. Favorite gift you received as a child?

Cuddly Dudley which you could only get with a subscription to the Chicago Tribune. We got a subscription to the Trib so I knew that I would never get the Cuddly Dudley. After Christmas that year, my grandmother (who lived with us) started getting her own copy of the Trib.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Previous Moments AND Playskool AND a light up one for the lawn.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Princess, she wants EVERYTHING. It’s hard to figure out her priorities as she seems to want EVERYTHING equally. Did I mention that she wants EVERYTHING. I’m ready to unplug the cable (though Spouse would go through serious O’Reilly withdrawal — and this would be a problem??)

9. Easiest person to buy for? Chip.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? A jacket that looked like it should belong to Punky Brewster. It seemed like something great for a teenage girl (I was in my 30s at the time).

11. Christmas cards – snail mail or email? snail mail — every other year like clockwork.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? It’s a Wonderful Life.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I see the right gift — I could start in the middle of summer if I see the right thing for the right person.

14. Have you ever “recycled” a Christmas gift? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But only if it makes sense.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I LOVE turkey but that’s too much of a pain so we usually have ham.

16. Clear or colored lights on the tree? Clear, non-blinking.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Different every year, this year is Nicholas Jonas, A Christmas Prayer

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? There’s no place like home for the holidays. Especially when you consider there is NO travel involved. Sure we go to Gma’s house one day, and we go to my brother’s on Christmas Eve, but nothing over an hour in the car.

19. Can you name Santa’s reindeer? All nine.

20. Angel or star on top of the tree. Angel, I like the “hang a shining star upon the highest bough” concept — but I haven’t bought a star I like, and I like my angel so …

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas Eve with MY side at SILs and Christmas day for the immediate family. I’m not the most organized or the richest person and it’s enough for me to make sure that each of us (and that includes me as Spouse doesn’t shop) has one gift from Santa in our stocking, one gift from Santa under the tree, one gift from mom & dad under the tree, I’m not about to add on the one gift to open Christmas Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Personally I find it hard finding the balance between the Santa Christmas the the Christ Christmas (See number 30). Also even though I’m fully Christmas and fully celebrate Christmas, sometimes I think it’s rather shoved at people, there are the most outlandish and tacky lawn ornaments, and sometimes Christmas songs are overdone in the mauls and stores.

23. Mall or online? I try to avoid the “maul” as much as possibly during the rest of the year. I’m downright allergic in December.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside? I like to decorate outside — but this year it didn’t happen. Outside is a nativity set and plain white lights.

25. Favorite Christmas cookie?

Joe Joe’s Candy Cane (think peppermint Oreos).

26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry? Not enough — I wish I had more Cat Christmas sweatshirts.

27. Do you believe in Santa? In the infamous words of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, “Fact is there’s nothing out there you can’t do, yeah even Santa Claus believes in you”, and if Santa believes in me I’ll return the favor.

28. Favorite ornament? Well, I HAD a favorite ornament. It was a unicorn in a glass ball. Manage to survive cats and little kids and yesterday Chip and Princess were putting ornaments on and Chip got butterfingers.

29. Do you leave milk and cookies for Santa? Do you leave anything for the reindeer? Yeah — Santa gets milk and cookies. Reindeers get carrots.

30. Do you go to church on Christmas Eve? I was talking to Crem about this earlier. There’s two Christmases — the “Christ” Christmas and the “Santa” Christmas, and there are a few people that celebrate the Christ Christmas, and a few people that celebrate the Santa Christmas and a few people that have a good balance of both, and a WHOLE HECKUVA lot of people that have no clue what they’re doing the entire month of December. (I really think the majority of people fall into that last category). I try to maintain a balance (the “Christ” Christmas for myself and the “Santa” Christmas because it’s the social norm) and I would completely lose all sight of that balance if I didn’t go to church during Advent and most especially Christmas Eve. Sometimes if time and energy permit I hit the 5 p.m. (family) service with the family and then hit the 11 p.m. service by myself – but sometimes after leaving the 5pm service, going to my brother’s and doing the “Santa” Christmas with “my” side of the family and then getting home and getting the kids settled down — well I don’t have the energy to get back to the 11pm service.

I read the news today oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade

My day – in pictures. Usually I don’t have days when I have three completely unrelated things I drag out the camera for.

Spouse plays Tim Taylor and tries to fix the lazy Susan. It’s still a little sticky, but it’s better than it was, hey the house is over 30 years old so we take what we can get (until I go on Jeopardy and win some money – fat chance)

ramblingmom finishes a prayer shawl. It was thisclose to being done and then I got an email that our knitting group was out of prayer shawls so I figured I’d tie up all the loose ends (and now I understand what the phrase tie up all the loose ends actually means)

Princess looses a tooth.

Woke up, got out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup
And looking up, i noticed i was late
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke
Somebody spoke and i went into a dream

What can I say — we’re pretty simple in the minivan lane.