Like Buttah Baby!!

OK, I LOVE wrapping Christmas presents. I am really old-school about it. I REFUSE to use gift bags at Christmas, if I can help it. I love the smell of the tape (I have issues, I know), picking out the paper for each gift, finishing it off with the perfect ribbon (the crown jewel of the gift) and standing back and admiring my handiwork. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Scotch (the makers of the tape, not the booze) came out with this gift wrap cutter.

I bought it, and had my reservations.

Then.... I sat down at the table, chose the gift, picked my paper and after measuring the right amount, I held my breath as I apprehensively positioned the cutter.

I pushed my hand forward and all of a sudden the heavens opened, light shone down and the angels sang. The cutter just glided, (yes I said glided) through the paper.

Like Buttuh!!!!!!!!

I was faklempt!!! A tear rolled down my cheek. It was a beautiful thing.

So long scissors!!!!! Good Bye, torn paper!!! Arrivederci, unsightly, jagged edges!!! I have found my gift wrap mecca!!

At last I am whole!

If you can't already guess, I highly recommend this product.

Happy Wrapping!

Having the Spirit of Christmas

An exerpt from "The Ensign" message from the First Presidency:

When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year. We contemplate that first Christmas day, foretold by the prophets of old. You, with me, recall the words from Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”—meaning “God with us.”

On the American continent, the prophets said: “The time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent … shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay. … He shall suffer temptations, and pain. … And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Then came that night of nights when the shepherds were abiding in the fields and the angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing the birth of the Savior. Later, Wise Men journeyed from the East to Jerusalem, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. …

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Times change; years speed by; but Christmas continues sacred. In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.

If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter’s hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth.

It was said of Jesus of Nazareth that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Do we have the determination to do likewise? One line of holy writ contains a tribute to our Lord and Savior, of whom it was said, He “went about doing good … ; for God was with him.”

My prayer is that at this Christmas season and all the Christmastimes to come, we may follow in His footsteps. Then each Christmas will be the best Christmas ever.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Love,

Mike and Tammy

Santa Says: "Teach the Children"

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.

Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag and ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God."

--- Author Unknown


I have always loved this story. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It is something that I have tried to incorporate into my family traditions. I love Christ and am a firm believer in having Christmas focus on the birth of our Savior. What touches me about this story is that you can still have Santa play a part in childrens lives, while showing that even Santa knows the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this story.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I!!!! MUST!!!! LOVE!!!! EXCLAMATION!!!! MARKS!!!!

I was reading my past posts and I sure use them a lot.

You Can't Fix Stupid!!

What goes around comes around!!

'Wouldn't do it again,' says the hero. 'She's been a pain this week'

'We had no idea anyone was buried there'

And you wonder why...

Civil War planes? Lemme know how that works out!

OK, that's just mean!

REALLY?!?!?

What are the odds of that?

Please... if you've seen this man...

This was emailed to me today. I got a kick out of it. It just goes to show that one can be smart without having common sense!

OUCH!!!!

Today, I ran to the store to pick up some things for dinner. I got home and was getting the stuff out of the car and felt a pinching on my finger and looked down and saw that I had shut my finger in the car door!!!! The door was shut all the way on the first section of my finger just below the first knuckle. I opened the door and saw the blood and the black and blue. It hurt WAY worse when I got it out. I had Mike take pictures. These pictures do not do it justice. (I added the top picture on 12/4) It is not as swollen as it could be, because I put it in icewater right away. Now, it just throbs. Ugh.

*Update - 12/4/08 Day 2 of the "Tammy is an incredible klutz" saga. My fingertip is twice the normal size but at least it doesn't really hurt as much as it did yesterday. (yeah!)

**Update - 12/6/08 Day 4 - Yesterday, the build-up of pressure (blood/fluid) was getting to the uncomfortable stage and making the tip of my finger swell terribly. So, I decided to play doctor and did the "heat the tip of a paperclip until it's red hot and melt a hole in my nail" routine. I was a bit nervous, but I survived. It didn't hurt and I didn't faint!! Mike asked if there was anything he could do, but I think he was relieved that I said "no". I have been soaking my finger in water mixed with antiseptic solution and keeping a bandaid with Neosporin on my finger. My goal is to keep the hole open (moist) and letting it drain, while keeping infection out. If you look at today's picture, you can see the hole in my nail. I can now type with my finger and use my mouse. There are still things I can't do with it, because there are areas that are still really tender. I did, after all, smoosh it in the car door! It is really enlightening to find out how much I use my index fingers when all of a sudden I can't!

I've Been Tagged!!

List of 8

My friend Stacey tagged me!!! I am so excited! I love these things. Sorry it took so long, but I had some serious away time from all things blog!


8 TV Shows that I watch (in no particular order):
1. All the CSI's
2. Criminal Minds
3. The Mentalist
4. Pushing Daisy's
5. American Idol
6. Malcolm in the Middle
7. The Simpson's
8. Bill O'Reilly
8 Favorite Restaurants
1. CHIPOTLE!!!!!
2. P.F. Changs
3. Texas Roadhouse
4. Tiffany's Greek Restaraunt (their hummus is YUMMY)
5. CHIPOTLE
6. CHIPOTLE
7. CHIPOTLE
8. In n Out Burger (Double Double Animal Style!)

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
1. Made Zucchini Bread
2. Came home for lunch and slept in my clothes.
3. Had a temperature
4. Almost fell asleep behind the wheel.
5. Finished a book
6. Stayed up till 4am
7. Left work at 4:30 so I could come home and rest
8. Snuggled with my hubby.

8 Things that I'm looking forward to
1. CHRISTMAS!!!
2. My finger to stop throbbing (more on that later)
3. Making Christmas cards on Saturday
4. The new season of American Idol!
5. Having children
6. Riding the 4-wheeler with Mike all over his parents land
7. Seeing our niece Elaine
8. My Chocolate party

8 Things on my wish list
1. Becoming Debt Free
2. Having a Child
3. Having my backyard finished
3. New (matching) bedroom furniture
4. That I one day see myself the way my husband does
5. My degree
6. To understand WHY my cat meows as much as he does
7. To go to Greece
8. To start my own business

8 Things I love
1. The Lord
1. My husband
2. My family
3. My friends, both old and new
4. The smell of a library
5. The ocean
6. Rainy days
7. Chipotle!
8. Reading

8 Things I can't stand
1. Rude people
2. Stuffy noses
3. Migraines
4. Finding a cute pair of shoes in every size but mine
5. Mushrooms
6. People who lack (by choice) a sense of humor
7. Smelly Cat Boxes (Thanks honey!)
8. Saying goodbye

8 People to Tag
1. April Sedgwick
2. Lisa Leatherwood
3. Beth Jamison
4. Ashley Weir
5. Jean Peterson
6. Sarah Payne
7. Sariah Spradling
8. Anyone else who reads this! Tag, You're it!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yeah, I know, I know... It's December and I am just getting around to posting about Thanksgiving. Well, in my defense, I got sick AGAIN. I am feeling better, so I can catch up on my posting.

Mike and I were fortunate enough to be able to go to CA for Thanksgiving. My friend April & her hubby Doug picked us up from the airport. April is a very dear friend that I met at Griffin & Reed Eye Care (where we both worked). We stayed at their house (which is beautiful, by the way) the first night we were in CA. It was so fun catching up. She took us to Chipotle for lunch the next day. MMMMMM Chipotle. Thanks April!! You're the best!

My mom and dad were thrilled that we were able to come out. I miss them. It is hard being so far away. Seeing them only once a year is tough. We spent some time with my grandma who will will be 91 in a few weeks. It was great talking to her and sharing our triumphs and trials with her and listening to her share her wisdom with us. I love my grandma. She is funny and smart and really quick. She jokes about her age affecting her mind, but I have met people a fraction of her age that aren't as "all there" as she is. She is amazing.

My brother was there with his family. It was great visiting with them. I have not seen him or his family for over 5 years. My brother was in the Navy for 8 years. He was always deployed and his family lived in VA so it made it hard to see him. His kids are so cute. He is such a great father. My brother and I have always been close and it was great kidding around with him again.

We also saw several of my cousins, aunts, uncles.. (wow!) It was great catching up with everyone.



My cousin Emily got married almost a year ago and her hubby joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Well... we HAD to give him a hard time. We were calling him "Ponch" and I asked him if they were woken up to the CHiP's theme song in the morning. He took it in stride and was able to laugh with all of us. Needless to say, I have a lot to be thankful for. Heavenly Father has been very generous to Mike and me. I love my family!!!!!!!



I thought I would include these OH SO ATTRACTIVE PICTURES OF MIKE AND ME.