The flip side.

'Tis the season, right? Glittery and shiny ornaments. Brightly wrapped gifts. Rosy cheeks. The smell of evergreens and peppermint in the air (and snow, if you're in that clime). And the bitten-back curses when you step on one of those ornaments, get a papercut from wrapping those bright gifts, split your wind-chapped lips from smiling as your child exclaims about yet another strip-mall Santa and/or the allergies to said evergreens.

Since having kids, I've learned how to curse creatively. I'm not fooling anyone, but I'm not getting dirty looks or letters sent home from the school, either. Here's a list of my most common alternative curses:

Jiminy Christmas
Son of a Monkey Shoe
Cruddup.
Cripes.
Fadoodle.
Shish-ka-bob.
Hades.
Shih-tzu.
Dagnabbit.


What about you? Do you have any creative alternatives that you use when you're frustrated/angry/hurt?

With Stars On...

Theron put the star on the tree this year. I think my heart almost burst watching him. He was so excited and so proud of himself. Decorating the tree was a family affair and we all did our part. Erilyn put on the first ornament - the one she picked out for this year. Then we all put on our individual ornaments before filling the tree with happiness and color.





But, the star on top has always been the biggest honor. I remember my older brother and I fighting about who got to put it on. In my mind, he always got to put it on but I have pictures to prove otherwise. There's a picture of my dad holding me up (I was 4 or 5) to put the star on. I'm so glad that I got a picture of Theron putting it on. Next year will be interesting since it'll be Erilyn's turn and she's tall enough to do it without a stool. Ack! Where did my babies go!?