Can you say, "NEGLECT"? (An update)

Wow, I didn't realize it's been so long since my last entry here. I'm so bad! I hope to get back on track and stay there now! My life isn't all that exciting, so really, you didn't miss much. LOL

I can't really make up for lost time because my memory is pretty bad. I have a hard enough time remembering yesterday, let alone 2 months ago! So, I guess I'll just stick with our Christmas and go from there.

On Christmas day, I woke up around 7:30am to find Trevor and Brad in the living room. I'm not sure what time they got up, but they were checking out all of the gifts that Santa brought. It wasn't the "best" Christmas they've ever had, but at least there was something under the tree.

Not long after I was up, Corey came out to the living room. He was soooo excited to see the presents. Collin woke up about 15 minutes later and was also surprised. I was a little surprised to see him, because he's our sleeper. The last one to get up, like any other year, was Dennis. Surprisingly, we only had to go in and give him one wake up call this year!

While waiting for Dennis to come out, I got the camcorder out of the closet. I don't get it out as often as I should, and I'm going to try a little harder this year to get it out more.(2006 is going to be better in so many ways, taking more video is just one of the things I will change!)

Anyway, I was checking to see what was on the tape that was already in it, in hopes of just adding to it. I had to plug it into the wall outlet because I didn't charge the battery the night before like I should have. The camcorder wasn't working and it even ate a little of the tape. I was so disappointed. I couldn't remember if I used it since it was returned from my brother borrowing it. If he broke it, Dennis would have a fit and would be mad at me for even loaning it out.

Dennis came out into the living room, and I told him the camcorder wasn't working, so I'd have to use the still camera (digital) instead. At least we'd have that. He wasn't as upset as I thought he'd be and said he'd look at it later.

By this time, the kids were about to explode. They didn't want to wait any longer to open their presents. Corey and Collin knew exactly which one they wanted to open first. There was a real big one with both of their names on it! Trevor moved it away from the tree where they'd have more room, and Brad decided he'd go through the rest of the presents and sort them onto piles for each of them.

Corey and Collin opened the "big" one. It was an easel. That's not what they called it, but they seemed to know what it was for and they loved it. They wanted it out of the box right then and there to play with it. We told them that there were more presents to open and they could play after the rest of them were unwrapped. I really like that they are like that. They aren't the "rip and tear, toss it behind, and look for the next one" kind of kids.

I can't list all that they got, but I can say that Trevor's favorite gift was his steering wheel for his PS2, Brad's favorite was his boom box and cd's, and Corey and Collin are STILL playing with their easel. Santa didn't forget our kittens, either! They got a scratching post, and they seem to be enjoying it.

After all of the presents were opened, Dennis decided to look at the camcorder. He really didn't do anything but rewind the tape, and then it was "fixed"! UGH! I teased with the kids and told them that we'd have to wrap all of their gifts again and that we'd have to re-inact the whole thing! LOL Oh well, at least I took some pics. It wasn't a total loss. I did get some video of them playing with their new toys.

Dennis and I haven't exchanged gifts for the last few years, but we did get gifts from other family members. I'm not sure what he'd say was his favorite, probably the cash? I have more than one favorite. Mom and Jerry are too good too me! They got me a new deep fryer, and 2 t-shirts. I love Jerry's "I fought the lawn and the lawn won" shirt, so they made one for me! LOL Funnier still, they made a second one with MY picture on it! LOL LOL I've never laughed so hard! It is the most awful picture of me, too (not that there are any "good" ones!)! I will wear the one with my pic on it when I cut grass, and I'll laugh every time I put it on! I almost can't wait! LOL



Well, there you have it. I've decided to make my next entry about the changes we plan on making for the new year. It will be great to look back on to see what progress we've made.


**I just spent the last 45 minutes trying to add pics. It's not working like I'd like it to, so I'll have to keep trying.

Tune in tomorrow.....