Top Ten Ways of Keeping Warm...

...when your heater is broken & it's cold outside.

10. Bake cookies and "monitor" them.
9. Play chase outside with your puppy, come back inside and realize your house IS warmer. (instant gratification never lasts!)
8. Make & drink hot Hot HOT CHOCOLATE! Don't forget the mellows!
7. Layers! Lots and LOTS of layers. Shirts, pj's, sweats, blankets. You name it, layer it!
6. Light the fireplace & sit close by.
5. Do fixer upper stuff. For example: paint a room, sand a desk, hang up some frames.
4. Balance your checkbook! (ha ha ha ha ha! funny!)
3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & tomato basil soup!
2. Drink a glass (or two) of wine.
1. Thank GOD for my HAIR DRYER! Warm up the spot & sleep tight!

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A quick story.

Today is Monday, January 14 and the neighbors down the street have their Christmas lights still up. I wouldn't really think anything of it, except that it's really CREEPY! They have a window display of a life size moving Santa, surrounded by small elves, under a RED spot light!
Seriously. It's creepy! I call it the Christmas House of Horrors!

Santa Claus Comes to Town!

When we were kids, long before Tim was ever a thought and Sharpstown mall became shady, Aser was asking my dad to please, Please, PLEASE!!! take us to see Santa! My dad didn't want to. So Aser did what kids do best - Ask, and it shall be given you. I chimed in, too. We probably worked his nerves so bad that he said, "You will see that Santa will come to the house."
Aser and I were both like - YEAH SANTA's COMING!!! Little did we know that Dad was wondering what in the world he had gotten himself into. He asked my grandfather, who was an excellent tailor, to make him a Santa suit and a huge red sack.
So, Christmas Eve comes around and we're celebrating Christmas and there is a knock at the door. Aser was asked to open the door (because it was his request to visit Santa) - Lo and behold it was SANTA!!! Aser was in awe and I took one look and spoiled it: "That's not Santa - THAT'S MY DAD!"

I never heard the sleigh bells. Aser DID!

My dad makes a better Santa now! ;o) He got the chance to brighten some faces. Here's a picture.