Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Ice, Ice Baby!

We were hit by an "ice storm" in that it rained and everywhere the rain fell, it froze. A lot of trees in town lost limbs, some taking out power, cable and/or phone lines. Our neighbors lost all three. The first picture is of our neighbor's (our other neighbors) tree that has some branches hanging over our driveway. Luckily, it hasn't lost any on our cars. The kids' school also lost some power. When I dropped of Alonzo and Cyrus the hall lights weren't working and neither was the heat.

Luckily, we at least got some snow to top off the ice. Looks like all our snow will be melted by Christmas (we're supposed to get more Friday but it doesn't sound like much is expected).

The second picture is from a nearby park. The broken tree limbs lined all sides of the park (as the park is lined with trees). This was the scene throughout town.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Christmas MeMe

I wasn't tagged this time and I won't tag anyone else but I'd be happy to see some other's answers as well.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Egg nog does take priority during this time of the year. I dilute mine with some milk, however. Not only does it make it last but it makes it less fattening.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Both

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored lights on the tree that do all sorts of patterns. We have some blue swag lights for the house but I dislike them and haven't put them up.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. Don't know why not, just don't. Haven't thought about it. Cyrus would probably be concerned.

5. When do you put your decorations up? During our Thanksgiving break. We usually get the tree the day after and decorate over the next couple of days.

6. Favorite holiday memory as a child: I'm having a hard time coming up with one. We often went to see my grandparents for Christmas. Not much memory left from my childhood days (or, at least, it is selective). A more recent favorite Christmas, however, was when my annual Christmas wish for snow came true big time. As in over a foot of snow! That is my favorite holiday memory as an adult child .

7. How and when did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly don't remember (yes, bad memory!) I think I suspected for a while but I didn't say anything, just going along with the attempted "deception".

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? That was my family's tradition when I was a kid but we haven't carried it on. I guess with fewer presents to open it just takes away from Christmas morning.

9. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With ornaments, lights, the colored balls (what are they called?) and that silvery string stuff (ugh! what are those called?)

10. Snow! Love it or dread it? See #6 above. Love it!

11. Can you ice skate? Yes, awkwardly. We went ice skating at the Galleria mall in Dallas when my wife and I got married. Not too many places to ice skate where we are, so we haven't done in quite a while!

12. Do you remember your favorite gift? Probaby my first camera with the second camera coming in second. After some additional thought I my have to update this one.

13. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? The reason for the season which in turn draws the family close. The birth of Jesus Christ is why we have Christmas so that is what everything should revolve around. The giving of gifts is fun and a supplementary feature.

14. What is your favorite holiday dessert? We make all sorts of goodies on Christmas Eve. My favorite is probably the Chocolate and Rasberry brownies but I also really like magic bars.

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I like singing Christmas Carols and the making and eating of goodies. The time with family is the best. We have a little visit from St. Nicholas on December 6 as they do in Belgium, where my mom is from. We also read and act out the Christmas story.

16. What tops your tree? A star with lights.

17. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving as I don't get so much these days. But the giving is fun.

18. What is your favorite Christmas song? Probably "O Come All Ye Faithful" But I really like most of them.