My Husband... The Pear Thief.

Every December my mouth starts to water for pears. Yes. Pears. The fruit you know?

Now these pears are the most wonderful things that you will ever eat. I am not kidding. They will melt in your mouth. I could go in to great detail as to what these pears will do to you and you life, but my family reads this too... We can just say that they will make your "hiney tingle".

They are from Harry and David. A place where they supply the Gods of the world with their fruit. No lie. And they don't even know that I am writing this- sorry Harry and David but the fruit is divine.


Every single year, the week of Christmas my dad and I go shopping for my mom for Christmas, and every year we go to The Avenue (an outdoor shopping mall) and get a few boxes of these pears.It is our tradition, PLUS they are on sale that week... and I am sorry Harry and David, but $29.99 for 8 pears is a little insane. I might pay it, but still I would rather wait until they are $14.99.

Well this morning JM and I had one pear left. We were going to split it last night, but just wanted to go to bed.... cut to this morning.
I took an apple when I left the house. Now I was going to take the pear, but I knew that he would be upset (yes I will cry over a pear) so I decided that I would leave it and we could share it tonight...


Then I got the email.... HE TOOK THE PEAR. AND HE ATE IT. WITH OUT ME. WTF?!?!?

Here are the emails....

JM- "money talks baby...and I listen to it when it comes to this!(we are discussing why I should have wood grain in a new car- I think that I am fightin a losing battle there)
btw, I took the last pear...it was gonna go bad if I didn't eat it today!" (here is where I lose it...)

ME:
OH. MY. GOSH... now that my dear just broke my heart... the last pear??? I mean you could have eaten it tonight with me... it could have waited until tonight... that is not fair... pears talk to me... they are screaming for me to eat them... You are sucking that goodness away from me!!!!!!!! Oh WHY WORLD??? Why is this happening to me???? my husband will not let me have pears or wood grain... what is wrong with the world....

JM: you're funny!
the pear was screaming to me to take it this morning...there was a ray of sunshine gleaming down on it and that is all I saw when I came into the kitchen!
It would've totally been bad if we left it for tonight!
I HAD to eat it!

ME:That is it... I am blogging about this today... Title?
MY HUSBAND THE PEAR THIEF!

JM:it was calling my name honey!!!


ME:OH and all of this email will be cut and pasted it in there as well... I do not care if it was crying to you.... that was the last one... for the season... I even thought about taking it... BUT NO i took a crummy apple instead because I thought that we could share the pear....
The only 2 ways to make it up to me you ask??? (BTW he didn't ask I told him)
Oh they are giving me a baby... or a new car... take your pick. You stole the pear and now you must suffer the consequences...


JM: how about a cabbage patch doll and a barbie corvette?!
would that suffice?!

ME: Well since I cannot drive a Barbie Corvette on the streets nor can I breastfeed a cabbage patch doll.... no they will not work. I need life size and gas eating car... and milk drinking, air breathing baby... one that really cries and that you cannot just toss into a toy bin.


JM:well, I don't think I can grant that wish until next winter! sorry...
if its any consolation, the pear was pretty damn good! :o)

I love you...what do I want for lunch???

____________________________________________________

WHAT AN ASS. He STOLE the pear. AND I lost the battle... I didn't even have a chance. Mark my words JM darling... this will not be the last of the Battle of the Pears!

and now... I my soul has been sucked away with the last pear... over dramatic you say? Well have just ONE of these pears and they will change your life. You will hoard them for yourself- even though it is the season of giving... and when the last one is gone? and you didnt get to have even a bite of the last one? You will be stark raving mad. Just as I am this minute...

And that email? It really happened, I could not even make that up... Oh and I really do want a baby and a new car- I mean is that so much to ask for? HA! Hell yes it is and I know it...
We will start with the car first... I mean we do have a honeymoon to still go on.

Well for the rest of the day I will be cursing my husband about the damn pears... or not.

~Mrs. McCracken

It's The most wonderful time of the year...

Well I am sad that Christmas is over.

I wish that it were all happening again next week, and the next, and the next. Get the picture here? I love Christmas time.
Everyone seems to be in a better mood and saying "Happy Holidays" (EVEN THOUGH- I always reply with a "Merry Christmas")And the music... Ask JM, it has to be Christmas music. I just wish that I had discovered the "Glee Christmas CD" before the 23rd! Next year...

This Christmas was a little bit different. Just as wonderful, but different. IT was time to make a new "Tradition".

It was our first Christmas, and we even got a "White Christmas" here in Georgia too!

We had Christmas Eve Dinner at my parents house. My mom is the best cook I know and she didn't let anyone down with her beef tenderloin, grilled shrimp, and too many sides to mention. My grandparents and my great-aunt Bunny came too! It was the whole family and to me.... Perfect.

We exchange a few gifts Christmas Eve with my grandparents PaPa and Ema (pronounced Eeeee-Ma. Hey I was little and I got to call her what I wanted to. "Grandma" apparently came out of my mouth in the form of "Ema" and it stuck.) Bunny is my Aunts real name. I would name my daughter that too... if I didn't already call JM, "Honey Bunny" or even for short just "bunny" instead of "honey" (hey I am a little weird OK?), then that might have been our future child's name.

Anyways... The night was perfect. We laughed, they drank (I still am never drinking again after that 4 day hangover) and we all had a great time.

Christmas day was the most different. To me at least. Now do not get me wrong, it was still perfect. Again it was the beginning of a new tradition for me and JM.
We woke up at our own house. Weird. I didn't wake up at my parents house and probably never will again on a Christmas morning. Weird right?
We opened gifts with each other at the crack of dawn. It was great. I love that we sat there like two little kids sitting in "Indian Style" under the tree and laughing and hugging. It was just us, our little family. Tilly and Baby Girl sat with us too.

Then we had to shower and get dressed with the quickness to get over to JM's mom's. We opened gifts there then went on to my parents. We ate breakfast with both sides of the family- We made a Baked French Toast Casserole from "Pioneer Woman" that was amazing and so easy to split the recipe in half- perfect since we needed two of them!

Then it started to snow. And it started to stick to the ground. Let me tell you... it does not ever do that here in Atlanta. So when it does people tend to freak out while driving and it causes a world of problems on the roads. Our goal was to get home and get off the roads and fast. Plus we didn't want to be out too late after dark.

We came home and had a Christmas dinner of SALAD- how not-Christmas is that? (We were going to have Christmas Ham at his moms- but the snow... the damn snow.)It was good and felt pretty good to eat something healthy and not get overly stuffed and miserable at dinner. (yes I know that everyone does that on the holidays! Don't lie!)

After that some of our wonderful friends came over and we ate candy, cookies, pistachios, and more candy all while playing "Catch Phrase". It was a blast. Have you ever heard of the game? If not, get up now and go buy it! It was so much fun... and we all stayed up WAY too LATE.


All in all it was a WONDERFUL Christmas. It was our first Christmas, and that made that much better. Not to mention... Santa (well everyone in our family) did a wonderful job at getting us the most perfect things... Me- a killer pair of boots and a cooking class at Viking that we get to go to together! JM- Cooking class and a 20 game pack of Braves Tickets!
Did I take pictures? No I didn't. Why? Because I was having too good of a time to even think about it... that will be a part of this weeks "resolutions" Stay tuned...

What about you? How was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you want you wanted?

xoxo, Mrs. McCracken

So a little late in updating here.... and as usual, no pictures to follow either. I just do not have time for that right now. There is little time for anything around the holidays!

Last weekend we had a party at our house. A Tacky Sweater Party. It was a blast- from what I heard... I, and a few others as well, had WAY WAY too many Rumplemintz shots. I had done that once in college... and somehow I had forgotten that it was 100 proof alcohol. 100 Proof means you will forget anything that happens and have to be put to bed...
Needless to say, I have sworn off drinking for the rest of my life. No lie. I wanted to die on Sunday... and Monday... and even a little on Tuesday.
It is Thursday and I am just feeling like myself again.

Enough of that...

We had a great time, the clean up was a pain... but still worth the party!

This weekend we are at it again... another party. Hopefully this one will be a little more low-key. Not. What am I saying this one is JM's family party... and they are a BLAST! I still will not be drinking. At all. BUT at least that way I will know that there will not be that much of a mess to even clean up and that I will remember the end of the night as well...

Then next weekend... Christmas. Is everyone ready? Usually, I have pretty presents with pretty bows under the tree... Well not this year. I mean I have barely had time for every one's Thank You notes from the wedding! (BUT I have set a deadline on that one... January 15th. )

I have wrapped gifts, but they were all for the Adopt-A-Family that I mentioned in the last post! JM and I took the presents up there last week, and today they are delivering them to the organization... JM in a Santa Suit and ALL! I hope to get some pictures of that...

We have been so busy lately with so many little things at night that when we finally get done with house keeping it is time for bed... now if only it didn't takeover an hour to get home at night. Man, I am SO sick of this commute, I mean 60 miles. 60 MILES A DAY!!!! Over it. Big TIME.
One day... one day...

Well enough of my ranting, it is Christmas time and there is stuff to be done! Fun stuff like baking, wrapping, and of course finishing buying all of the gifts as well!!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful day!

Mrs. McCracken

Families First... How can we make a difference?

So the other day I got really upset.
Why you ask?

Well it started with reading a few different blogs. One person asked what we wanted for Christmas... Right before I was going to put something materialistic (read: Pair of Rebok shoes that tone my ass) I started reading what other people had put first. Of course there were things like a new camera, new shoes, new whatever... but the last two I read killed me. One was asking for more time with their families because they had stage 4 cancer, and the other was asking to not have her chemo on the 23rd because she knew she would be so sick and might miss her daughters first Christmas. This BROKE. MY. HEART. And I cried. At my desk.

Not only did this make me realize how lucky that I am, our families are, and all of our friends too. But it made me want to be able to help with whatever I can.

I remember growing up that my family and many in the neighborhood would each adopt a family from the Women's Shelter in Atlanta. My parents would take the mom shopping for her kids and themselves and make the biggest difference in their lives during the holiday season.
I cannot even remember why we all stopped the tradition...

(insert more crying here)

So of course I emailed JM with how upset I am about this, and started looking at all of the different ways that we could help this year. Toys for Tots, donations, anything to help...

Well turns out JM's company has sponsored a family through Adopt-A-Family this year! I was so excited when I get the family's list, sizes, etc. I decided that I should take one of the kids and get them some clothes, shoes, etc. UNTIL I called JM's offices front desk coordinator, Lorraine. I have not even met her and I am in love with this woman! She is just so sweet!!! I called her this morning to find out what they might need, and also to see what people have already given. (This is when I really started tearing up) She told me that there was only 1 gift under the tree for the family. A few books. Maybe. It could just be one. And that they are taking donations at her desk as well for a Wal-Mart Gift Card.
Let's just say I freaked out! ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME.
I know that they gave us a wish list, but this also means that if we have any gently used linens, or towels, or anything... it would be wonderful.

I know that not everyone has something to give, I know that the economy is shit right now, I know that people are worried about their job saftey, and Christmas for their own kids. I know all of this... I get it. I do not know one person who has not been hurt by this shit- economy.

But those that are doing great, just do not seem to care. OR hopefully they will be coming in late with last minute donations. Hopefully. I am hopeful. I really am...



Because when they all see me, the wife of an employee, show up with a car full of pretty packages for this family. I hope that they all shit themselves. Or at least feel bad enough to bring out their wallets and donate.

I called my mom to let them know about this family in need as well... and guess what? We are going shopping today for them.

This year I hope to make their Christmas great. Better than great. Target today... then tonight I will be going through my clothes since the girl just so happens to be around my size, the linen closet... anything that we may have to make their house a home.
AND Amy, a friend at work, just gave me TWO large bags of clothes for the daughter- that is for you Lorraine.

Since we have gotten so many wonderful wedding gifts, we have not taken the time to go through all of the stuff we had before. It is all almost new.. and it is going to all be going to a great place this Christmas!!!

I just wish that I could see the Christmas smiles that this family will have! I want nothing more than for this family to truly experience the magic in Christmas...

Are you doing anything to help this year? If so let me know! I want to hear! And if not- I hope that this post might have inspired a few of you to help as well. If you don't have a cause you want to help... let me know. You can help make this family's Christmas magic too!


~Mrs. Claus... I mean Mrs. McCracken

Trimming the tree and a little makeover...

This was one of the best weekends I have ever had. It was SO productive!
Do you ever get that feeling... when the house is clean and everything is put away, that you have had a BILLION pound weight lifted off your shoulders?

Well that is how I am feeling RIGHT NOW!

Friday night was wonderful. Brian and Colleen, came over for a few drinks on their way to a football game... then we relaxed and went to bed early. Not a productive night, but was so nice to see them since we have not seen them in a while and to just RELAX. It was much needed and we knew that we had to get up early on Saturday...

Saturday morning I went up to see Pam Heagi. Since you do not know her... I can tell you a few things about her. 1. She is a ROCKSTAR! 2. She is THE BEST at her craft. 3. She can transform you into a BEAUTIFUL person in a few hours...

This is a picture of Pam, me (as a blonde), and our friend Beth.
as you can see... I had some serious blonde going on from the wedding... The damage was INSANE.

AND this is what Pam made me... A BRUNETTE.Sorry about the picture- however the camera on the new iPhone 4 is pretty awesome.

That was only in a matter of hours that she transformed me into a Sexy Brunette... Now not only does my hair feel better, but I do too! JM said that I was carrying myself differently... perhaps I feel a little sexier! AND I am EVEN wearing makeup!

I have been to SO many hair "Artists" over the years... and let me tell you... I WILL ONLY GO AND SEE PAM from now on. She is that wonderful. A Sheer Genius. And if you live in Atlanta- Quit going to see someone in Buckhead and make the trip to go see Pam. It was Oh-So-Worth-IT!

Saturday was my day to decorate! This year as I mentioned we are having a real tree and a fake one too! Here is the pretty fake one... This tree has all red and gold ornaments on it with an Angel on top!
I just love this tree... it is so pretty when you pass by the house you can see it from the street!

Now our real tree we went and got at Home Depot on Sunday morning. We went there last year to get one, and since they are beautiful trees- not to mention MUCH cheaper then going to a fancy place... but this year we added a little something to our Christmas Tree Tradition. We went to Waffle House for breakfast. It really was SO MUCH FUN... and the food- just the same greasy mess, which is always good. AND believe it or not... I would kinda like to keep that tradition and even take kids there one day. Sure Waffle House is right next to Home Depot and across the street from the "O" or Oasis: The Good Time Emporium. (AKA A trashy strip club) But it sure does make for some interesting people watching... maybe when the kids are older...

We came home and got started on the tree. I made a pot of Chili for dinner- delish, and got to cleaning as well.

The house was a WRECK. We had a dining room full of wedding gifts, and a living room full of stuff that we do not want. Well it is ALL put away! I even cleaned off the desk- and got going on the Thank you notes from the wedding! (If you are wondering why have you not gotten one... well WE are on it now! Will be there soon!)

IT feels SO great to have the house clean and decorated for Christmas. NOW bring on the parties!

This weekend we are having a tacky Christmas Sweater party then the following weekend we are having JM's Family Christmas Party! Both are going to be such a great time... I will keep you all posted with many pictures to come of both the parties, but for now... a few pictures for you!


(My favorite Ornaments- my parents got us these last year- They are a bride and groom)

(The German Couple from Helen GA- Last years Cabin Trip)

(Tilly and the Tree... She is being good- So far...)

and a little surprise for what is to come...


Hope that everyone had a very productive weekend- we sure did!!!!

~Happy Monday (and I never say that!) ~Mrs. McCracken

Christmas is a comin'!!!

So if you do not know me well...

Then you might not know that once December 1 comes it is time to celebrate! The 25 days of Christmas that is... and this is my favorite time of year by FAR!

Christmas music can be heard from a mile away. I play it non-stop in my car, on my computer as I am typing right now, you get the idea right? JM- not so much and I am thinking that this might be why he loves to drive his car this time of year...

The house is decked out... well the process has begun. The Snow Village is up. (I collect "Christmas in The City" Porcelain houses...) The garland has been decorated- just needs lights.

and last night... I bought a tree. A fake one.

See JM has been working late, but that is nothing new to me as the wife of an accountant, you know that there are time of the year that he works late and that is fine. I am just SO glad that he is not in Public Accounting anymore, and makes me feel bad for anyone who is even in the position!

So the fake tree... that will be the tree in the window that everyone can see from the street. The real tree that we are getting this weekend will be in the den, where we sit and watch TV, right by the fire place with our stockings hung with care...
This fake tree is going to be a "pretty tree", one where there is a theme and the ornaments all match... the fun real tree will be a family tree. Where all of our ornaments that we have gotten together will be, where one day our kids will put their ornaments. (YES Mom, I will let them put their handmade ornaments on the tree one day- see a girl can change right?!?!)
BUT I have to have a pretty tree. I have always wanted one. As long as I can remember I wanted to take home a tree from Macy's that had been professionally decorated! Where colored lights do not exist, and there are pretty glass ornaments everywhere!
Well tonight I decorate, while drinking hot coco, and of course, blasting the Christmas Music!

I hope that it turns out to be exactly what I have always wanted. I will put pictures of all the Christmas Decorations tomorrow... The theme is Red and Gold and there will be alot of it.

There will also be a big change for me this weekend as well... but more on that later...
and there will FOR SURE be pictures of that!

For now, I have two questions for all of you....

HOW DO YOU DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS????? AND DO YOU DECORATE OUTSIDE- WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT WOULD NOT BE TACKY!?!?! (And not cost me a fortune... no Clark Griswold ideas please! and no blow up snowmen in the yard either JM.

I hope that everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season... though it has just begun!