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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry F'n Christmas

We were invited over to Anastasia's Mom's house for dinner by her sister. (This sister lives with her Mom.) Just before dinner was served Anastasia kept telling me we needed to leave. I took the sister aside to double-check and asked her if we were invited for dinner or not and it was ok if we weren't. The sister said we were invited for dinner. I told the sister that Anastasia kept telling me we needed to leave. The sister told me she didn't want trouble and that maybe we should leave. So we left without a word to anyone.

I am livid and both kids are too. In fact my son is beyond livid. The first thing he said when we pulled into our driveway was that he wanted to un-friend her on fb. My daughter piped up and agreed.

How incredibly rude! Her ho gf wasn't even there. Anastasia told the kids that she was working. Most likely another one of her lies. Whatever! Both kids want nothing to do with her now. I hope she's happy now. I did absolutely nothing to bring this on. I was pleasant to all of the family and never said anything untoward to her family about anything. In fact, I was my usual keep to myself kind of person...just like I always had been at family events there.

To Anastasia...thank you once again for showing your true colors. And thank you for ruining MY kid's day today.

I hope Anastasia's happy now.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Merry Christmas!

Santa was good to my kids this year. They loved everything they got. The repaired laptop and refurbished laptop were big hits, as were the generous gifts from area charities. However...I had only 1 gift under the tree for me, so I saved it for last. I can't tell you how much of a let down it was to open it. It was a box chock full of toiletries. Now don't get me wrong, toiletries are much needed, especially when money is scarce...but seriously? A big box, gift wrapped with not 1 but 2 bows? Yes, there was an Old Navy gift card in there (I did do a happy dance over that...I love me some Old Navy pants!) But I have to say it was like the Christmas of 1968 all over again. The disappointment on my face was clearly evident. Of course my son thought it was hilarious. (Note to self...someone is getting a gag gift next year full of toiletry items.)

Here is my re-post from two years ago:

Christmas 1968, my Father had been in and out of the hospital with back problems. He had just had major back surgery. Back then it was a very big deal, he was in the hospital at least a month. My Mother didn’t drive, but she dutifully took 3 buses each way to visit him daily while we were at school. On her half a mile walk home from the bus stop she would stop at the grocery store and purchase just what she could carry and what she could afford.

My Mother didn’t work outside the home, so we had to live on my Father’s small disability check. We were forewarned not to expect much for Christmas. I’m not sure if it was my Mother’s not so subtle way of letting us know that year was different, or maybe she was so tired from her bus travel, but my Mother didn’t put up the 7 foot artificial tree. That year we had a 4 foot silver aluminum tree that my mother put on the drum table in the picture window. It was truly a hideous tree and it forever marked a very different Christmas for us.

One night a few days before Christmas our front doorbell rang. My Father was still in the hospital and my Mother wondered who on earth could be ringing our bell after dinnertime on a cold snowy night. My Mother didn’t want to open the door, but I kept imploring that she HAD to open it because as I peeked through the picture window I saw it was Santa Claus! She finally did open the door, but wouldn’t let Santa in the house. He left 2 very large boxes on our front porch. Each box was 3 foot square, about 10 inches tall. One box was full of all kinds of food. There was cereal, flour, sugar, roasts, chickens, pasta and all sorts of canned goods. The other box had candy canes, chocolates, some clothing, hats, scarfs and mittens, and some coloring books. My Mother, proud as she was, kept calling back to Santa to take back the boxes, but he waved her off and disappeared into the night.

That Christmas was very lean. It was the year my sister and I got our first Monopoly game and Mini-Mod dolls instead of Barbies. At the time we were both a bit disheartened by the lack of Christmas loot, but as the years have passed I have to say that it was the one of the most memorable Christmases of my life. I was 7 years old and Santa came to my house and made my Mother cry. I don’t think I’d ever seen her cry before that. All that food helped us get by until my Father was able to go back to work. It was truly a Blessing.

We later found out that Santa was the brother-in-law of my parent’s neighbors, Tim and Terry. They said they had gone door to door and collected money from the neighbors and purchased all of those items. Terry knew my mother wasn’t going to ask for help and she knew she wouldn’t accept charity from her neighbors. A heartfelt note from Terry in one of the boxes told my Mother it was alright, it didn’t mean she owed anyone anything. It didn’t mean she was weak. It meant she was cared about. It meant she was loved.

We were to spend Christmas with my gf's family, but she got terribly sick last night. Flu or food poisoning...not sure...but definitely nasty and surely bad timing. We will be heading out to Anastasia's Mom's house shortly. I have no doubt that it will be very uncomfortable, but I will be sucking it up for my kids because they are so looking forward to it.

I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Christmas and a great time with their families.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Randomness

I have been wearing a stupid Santa hat since yesterday...trying to get into the Christmas spirit and it's just not working. I tried switching on the local Christmas music radio station in the car while I ran errands and it annoyed me so much I had to switch back to my usual stations.

I still have only 4 gifts wrapped. I have none of the food prepped that we usually have on Christmas Eve. We're not going anywhere today. I did have to run to a friend's house because my son forgot his PS2 cords and if I hadn't done that my son couldn't play the Madden 2011 game he got for Christmas from Anastasia. Thankfully my friend let me run in and out to get it before she was off to family.

Before Anastasia dropped off the kids I asked if she could pick up some dry cat food. (I mean it's the least she could frickin' do since I've been paying all their vet bills and everything since she insisted we get 2 cats last December. She said no. Of course that's because she spent so much on Christmas for MY kids.)

My SUV got towed to the repair shop yesterday, but I have yet to find out if they are going to repair it or total it. I have no idea what I'm gonna do if they total it. I just wish someone would freakin' tell me something so I'm not left to wonder. There is nothing worse than to be left wondering. The towing and storage fees alone are over $500. That's highway robbery for only sitting in a lot from Friday evening until yesterday afternoon, and I never even had a chance to ask for it to be towed to my house because the ambulance whisked me away to the hospital.

I am just pissed at the world right now and trying not to let me kids see it.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Review - CSN Online Stores

Last month I placed an order from CSN Stores.com for a new vacuum cleaner. I ordered the Pair of Blazing Needles Micro Suede Throw Pillows and August Lotz 18" Solid Chenille Futon Pillow - Solid Chenille Pillow - X -Toffee.
I love these pillows! They are super soft and very well made. They also have a stylish zipper pull. I bought these for my bedroom to go with my tan tweed duvet cover and they with it perfectly. Shipping was very prompt and the package arrived in perfect condition.
This Chenille pillow is super soft and also goes well with the pair of Micro Suede Pillows I also purchased. And it goes well with my duvet cover as well. These also come in Indigo and Red. Shipping was very prompt and the package arrived in perfect condition.

CSN Stores.com is now running a special, on selected products you receive a free gift with purchase. Some items have free upgraded shipping. They also have 10% off all Knex products and up to 50% off on Tailgate Toss.

For those of you unfamiliar with CSN Stores.com, they have over 200 online stores to choose from. Go check them out!

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given a gift certificate to use toward the purchase of any product. I used the gift certificate to put towards the purchase of the Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Photos from the accident

Today we went to the towing lot to get personal items left in my car. While I was there, I took photos with my cell phone camera.

Here is the car that hit me:
This is the rear damage to my SUV:
This the front end damage to my SUV from the car I was pushed into:
I spoke to the insurance adjuster today. She said that the driver of the maroon car admitted he was at fault so they will be collecting my deductible from him. Thank God! I hope to be getting a rental car Tuesday. Freedom at last!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Review - Eden Fantasys

Many of you may have read my previous reviews of Eden Fantasys.
Sex toys - EdenFantasys adult toys storePerhaps you might think it may be too late to order for arrival for Christmas...not so fast! Eden Fantasys is offering Free Next Day UPS for orders of $100 or more and Free 2nd Day UPS for orders of $80 or more. And remember, 3-5 day shipping is always free for orders $59 or more.

Eden Fantasys ships promptly and all packages are discreet. I find that my packages arrive on time, sometimes arriving earlier than expected.

What if you've got Christmas covered for your significant other, or yourself? How about a special treat to ring in the New Year together? Don't have any plans for New Year's Eve? Planning to stay home? How about selecting a new adult game or a dvd or lingerie? Eden Fantasys has a large selection of adult games, adult toys, sex toys, dildos, vibrators, dvds, and lingerie (even plus size lingerie.) You're sure to find something unique and fun! You can select Toys For Women, Toys For Men, Toys For Couples, or Toys For Gender Play if you're not sure what you're looking for. There is even a gift finder and links for Gifts Under $20, 40% off gifts, 50% off gifts! Many products have reviews, so you can check out how others like a particular product and decide if it's right for you.

So go find that last minute gift, or get something fun to help ring in the new year.

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I may receive a gift certificate in return for this EdenFantasys.com review as part of their Ambassador Program. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. Links within this post will direct readers to EdenFantasys' site, which contains adult material.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Holiday Meme

This week’s meme was borrowed from Lola -
(Thanks Harriet!)
You are here
Simply copy and paste this into your own post and respond to the prompts.


Here goes:
1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show?
Sentimental - "It's A Wonderful Life", Funny - "Christmas Vacation", Animated show - "Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer".

2.
What holiday character do you think you’re most like?
Rudolf.

3. What holiday character does your spouse think you’re most like? The Grinch.

4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song? The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.)

5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song? "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon. I can't explain it, it just grates on my nerves. I love just about anything else he did.

6.
If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it?
I have completely ignored it, except for once when I was doing a Christmas lights drive. I won't be listening to it again until I get in the mood when I start wrapping gifts.

7.
If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it? This year they started November 1st. That's wayyy to early!

8.
Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas/holiday present? Umm...no.

9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer’s father? I already know the answer from last year. What are your guesses?10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people’s holiday decorations? Guilty. Our kids always ask when we're going to do this. When we lived in Chicago we always drove around Sauganash. They had the best decorations. Santa in a tree house and a working, fully lit carousel. There are quite a few areas where we live now that go all out on decorating. A few look like Christmas threw up all over their front, side and back yards.

11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, ‘oh that’s lovely’? Or do you think, ‘oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn’? Umm, yeah, totally Grinch here. Christmas threw up all over their lawn. Unless they have some one of a kind, spectacular item in the display (like the Santa in the tree house or a carousel), I think Christmas threw up.

12. Are you counting the days to Christmas/Holidays with excited anticipation or dread? Dread. Nuf said. What with my loss of income and the car accident, I just can't seem to get in the spirit of the holiday.

13.
When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap?
Our son's first Christmas when Marshall Field's sent their best Santa to our apartment to make up for the bad Santa at their State Street store. Read read all about it here.

14.
Do you make a Christmas/Holiday list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you?
I was asked to do this, but didn't do it. I suggested she just pay attention and go from there. We'll see how she did, huh?

15. When do you put up your tree and/or menorah/and or anything else?
It went up last weekend (very late for us), however, it's just assembled, the lights are plugged together and no ornaments and I haven't adjusted the branches even yet, they are still all squished together from being in the box. Because of the accident, everything hurts, so I don't know if I'll be able to get it together and I'm not sure my kids could follow instructions on doing it.

16. If tree- Real or fake?
Fake. I bought one 2 years ago on Black Friday. Never again!

17.
When do you take your tree/decorations down?
The day after Epiphany. Sometimes New Year's Day.

18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for? I used to all the time, no money for that this year. I may spend any gift cards I've gotten.

19.
Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend?
I'm not working, so there is none to attend.

20.
Do you have your New Year’s Eve Plans set yet?
No plans as yet, but I'm definitely not spending it babysitting!

Thanks for playing!

See you next week. I’m posting early since Sunday Stealing is taking the Sunday off!


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