Friday - And Happy Boxing Day

And how was your Christmas? I spent Christmas Eve and Day working but before that Hannah and I had a night out shopping while Caleb was at his Dad's. This picture was taken in Target. Hannah said "I'm tired and my feet hurt, I wish I could get in the basket just like Caleb." So I told her to go ahead and climb in, which she obviously did, lol. I pushed her around the whole store and she declared this to be "The Best Christmas EVER!" Wow, if I had only known she was so easy to please I wouldn't have bought that 120gb ipod classic, ha ha.

We picked up Caleb tonight and went for our Christmas dinner at Olive Garden. I said "so much for traditional fare" to which Hannah responded, "well what do you think the Italians eat for Christmas". Pictures of turkey spaghetti entered our heads to which we both said "ewwww". I think we'll just stick with the regular pasta, thanks. We did splurge and got desert too, cause what is Christmas without the sweets.

After dinner we came home and opened our presents that were under our little Christmas tree and our little stockings that were hung by the electric fireplace with care (ummm maybe not so much with care as with a hammer and nail :p). Caleb made me a Phoenix Coyote's Calender got me a juicer, and Hannah got me a gift certificate from Victoria's Secret (she evidently got tired of me saying "I don't even have enough money for a bra") and some of my favorite candy (butterfingers and snickers). The kids seemed pleased with their gifts as well, but the best part was that we are all home together, as corny as that sounds.

Work was fairly busy on Christmas Eve, but we only admitted two-three people, with the one heart attack that I had predicted (sorry sir I was right, hope you are doing okay). Christmas Day was very busy as well, and we admitted about twelve people. It finally died off about 1:00am and the rest of the night was cake. I controlled myself enormously and did not graze at the trough that was presented to us. I've lost 5 pounds since Thanksgiving and I'm not going backwards, no way (being told by your ex that you are fat is a very big motivator).

So here's to you and yours with warm wishes for a very pleasant holiday. Enjoy your time with your family and be safe!

Ciao! De ;)

Saturday - And The Plate In My Head Wasn't Big Enough

Remember in the movie "Vacation" when Cousin Eddie was complaining about not having enough money? "I got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough." Well it seems to me that people, just like Cousin Eddie, are always wanting something for nothing and I really get tired of them always expecting the government (i.e. you and me) to pay for everything. I get it alot at work. Now don't get me wrong, there are always the people who need the assistance, but more often than not, I run into the ones who try to work the system anyway they can and still complain they are not getting enough...like the lady who brought in her 1yr old the other night.

So this cute little 1yr old was seen in the ER for difficulty breathing, cough, and wheezing with a history of asthma. She got a few breathing treatments and scripts for home antibiotics and an inhaler. The Mom started complaining why don't we give her a nebulizer because it is easier and I explained how that has to come from the baby's pediatrician. Then Mom tells me the baby doesn't have a pediatrician because her ACCESS (welfare here in AZ) was denied because she couldn't find the little girl's social security number. "How dumb is that?" she asks, "Why do I have to show her social security card. They should just give it to her." Well I started explaining about verifying who people are, making sure they are here legally, etc and the Mom continues complaining about how their benefits keep getting reduced more and more and the little girl's big brother is drinking all the baby's milk, etc etc etc. Mom then goes on to complain about how she is pregnant and due in February and hasn't even had an ultrasound to find out what sex the baby is and how is that right? So I go "Well you know women had babies for thousands of years without knowing what the sex of the baby is and everyone survived." She said "Well I'm on a fixed income and I need to know." Excuse me but do you even see the correlation between the two? Me either. Then she starts talking about how her boyfriend (baby's father) after sleeping all day wakes up and drinks all the baby's milk, "sometimes a whole gallon at a time". Sheesh. Will someone get a job and quit making babies already? **Major sigh**

So then Mom gathers up everything and wants to know where the bus stop is. So I tell her as I walk her out front to check out and I'm like "where is the baby's jacket?" "Oh I left it at home cause I had too much to carry," she says as I notice she is putting her jacket on. Okay so this is at 6:00am and it's dark, cold, and misting. The baby was just in for breathing problems and you want to wait outside in the cold without a jacket for the baby? So my bleeding heart or Christmas spirit (not sure which at this point) kicks in and I get her a cab voucher that the hospital will eat so the baby won't get any sicker, all the while explaining to the Mom that this is a one-time deal and knowing that she is filing it away in her small, self-centered brain that this is one more way to get something for nothing. Okay, now onto more happier subjects, lol.

How is everyone's Christmas shopping coming along? Me? Ha! Almost NOTHING bought. I can't believe it! I have never been less prepared for Christmas than this year, not even when I was far more broke than I am now. Well, it will all work out. Caleb is over here this weekend so that leaves me one more day (Tuesday) before Christmas to buy a few things for him when he is not around. Hannah's main present is the computer I got her in August, but I plan on getting her a few little things too. The only saving grace is at least my tree is up, ha ha.

Well I work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so I think we are either going to the Christmas service on the 23rd, or before I go to work on the 24th. Caleb will be back on the 26th and we'll do Christmas then. What are your plans? What are your traditions? What are you cooking?

If I don't pop on before....Merry Christmas!!!

De ;)

PS: This video is for Katie...