Ok so I'm not so computer savvy....some of my pictures didn't come up the way they were supposed to, I'll ask Tom for help, he's my computer tech :) But I am proud of myself for creating the link!

Well, I've gotten some replies to the MASS e-mail I sent out about the BLOG. Mostly good...some are strange, some are even from people I haven't heard from in AGES I didn't even remember were in my address list till they replied (right Joel?). But all in all, I've gotten rave reviews :)

Kivi/Franquey I see checked out my pictures...and left a nice public comment about Tracy (a fellow co-worker) can't say I disagree...but I didn't make it public (wait I just did!). But he should be proud....he gave my site it's name. He's the one who calls me Dawncandy. It's a LONG story I'm not sure should ever be explained unless face to face cause it wouldn't come out right on the Blog....but let's put it this way, Kivi also likes to randomly text me lyrics to 'Pour some sugar on me' and call me a MILF (and I'm not a mom!) so go figure. I love the kid though (even with his tendencies to pass out and make me take over his tables on busy nights) so we'll keep him and give props where props are due.

So I'm taking a little vacation time, just to forewarn everyone. Next week I took the 18th-21st off. Not a LONG vacation, but long enough for someone who works two jobs six days a week. Some family is coming in for some pre-holiday festivities. I'm happy, but not thrilled for sometimes I feel the need to beat the snot out of members of my family. I sometimes don't think they're as appreciative as they could be and they seem to always be asking for something. BUT...the other reason why I took off is my best friend is coming home for a month starting this Friday.

Eric is in the Marines and proudly serving our country. He's already been overseas and back, they're letting come home for a month cause when he goes back to Cali, they're shipping him off again. Now I'm worried/scared/down right panicked, but at the same time calm cause Eric is the type that is too stubborn to die because he has to always prove someone wrong. I suppose that doesn't stop random bombing, but still. I have faith so I know he'll be ok.

Ok, now he's were I talk about this holiday season. If you don't want to hear it scroll NOW.........

Now that those people are gone I'll have my little discussion with well....myself....but you reading this too. I went Christmas shopping last night for the first time this year. First of all I HATE the mall on normal weekends, let alone holiday shopping weekends.

What's with the moodiness of the holidays anyway. I feel the need to cancel Christmas because people forget that it's about spending time with the one's you love, not spending money on the one's you love, like, know, and somewhat know but haven't seen in a while but would feel bad if you didn't send them a fruitcake or something.

I have determined the holidays do three things to most people. Make them angry, broke, and rude. My older brother gets like this BIG time. Now I remember growing up and seeing the cheesy Christmas movies and the 'Grinch' and such and I remember the whole trying to teach the 'meaning' of Christmas. Now never in those meaning did it say whomever gives the bigger gift of the season wins.

That's what it's like now a days though. Everyone going out spending money they don't have to impress their family, friends, and what not. Personally, I don't have that kind of money so I get stuff for the kids (meaning my nieces and nephews) and I get jazzed cause I get to go home and spend some time with my family. I like playing board games with the kids and drinking beers with my brothers.

I think in order to understand what the holidays are about you need to be broke and in debt like me. I can only afford to spend so much money...in reality I can't even afford that but I can't tell a 5 y/o I'm in credit card debt.....and that's all I spend. I don't feel bad about it, I wish I could do more not because I want to impress anybody, but because I like to watch the kids open presents. It's fun. But I'm also not about to rack my brain for 6 months trying to pay for what I bought. It just wouldn't make sense.

Ok, ok....I'm done talking about the commercialism of Christmas. (note I did not bring religion into this for a reason.) Oh just one more thing though, if your going to take your kids shopping with you, letting run wild around the stores in NOT a good idea. Target is not one big Gymboree! That's how kids get kidnapped and or hurt and parents sit there and say things like "I don't know how this could've happened." and "I only turned my back for a second." FYI...It only takes a second!

Done...

So anyway, back to the grind.....blah! (that's how I feel on this rainy day) Hello to all the new readers, and since he likes it when I mention his name.... Luke, did ya find Holly a birthday present yet?!

Till next time....