Suzette Vaughn

The Last Days

suzettevaughn — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:00:56 +0000

There are only a few days left to register for free books. Not just one, not even two, but a full year. Must register before 1/1/11!

http://secondwindpublishing.com/freebooksforayear.html

Here Today – Sales Tomorrow

suzettevaughn — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:00:20 +0000

The presents are open and the wrapping paper is strung through the room. Lunch has been devoured, nap time will be soon. Tinsel is drooping across the branches where flung. The cats been hiding for hours since the little one opened the noisy gun. Two toys are broken. The amount of money spent is a sin. Three-hundred and sixty-five days until it happens again. A week ’til the tree is gone but we all know, the sales start tomorrow…GO GO GO!

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas – Bah Humbug

suzettevaughn — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:00:09 +0000

It’s almost over and the spirit is fading.

I’ll turn on some Christmas music, trying to find something I haven’t listened to twenty-five times this season. Sing along praying I didn’t miss anyone in my last minute shopping. Double and triple check the list before the stores close for the last time before the big day. Probably threaten to cancel the whole thing four more times before my little guy goes to sleep for him acting up while watching Christmas specials.

We will sit down and read a good Christmas story, something with a positive, happy message. I’ll tell my boy, “All I want for Christmas is a good kid.” He’ll roll his eyes and ask what else. I’ll get a huge hug as he skirts off to bed with sugar plum fairies dancing in his head.

I’ll spend the night setting up for Santa. Wrapping last minute packages and trying not to curse over a broken nail or two. Even with the preparation of extra batteries, I’m sure I’ll run out. Extra tape, probably not enough. I’ll fill the stockings with all the little goodies and fruit, and try to remember those times when I woke up in the morning to a beautiful tree. Then laugh over every year when my mother said, “Bah Humbug”.

I’ll eat the cookies and drink the milk, careful not to leave lipstick on the glass. Adding more to my holiday eating. Fall into bed well after one and be up bright and early with the camera ready for smiles that make it all worth it.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas – Last Minute Shopping

suzettevaughn — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:00:38 +0000

Shame on you. Leaving Uncle Bob to the last minute. Yes – I understand he’s hard to buy for. He owns everything or wants nothing more. Children are easy. Give them a toy, they are excited. Buy them clothes and you are ignored until sometime after New Years when the toys are broken and they are thankful for the warm sweatshirt for standing at the bus stop.

My darling mother did all her shopping last minute. Her schedule in those last years of growing up didn’t allow for early shopping. While she did pick up a few things over the months before Christmas she was never done until the night before. I ended up with a TV that way back when a TV was a big deal.

These days you can even find some good deals at the last minute but if you think of one second that you are finding that popular toy, you must be out of your mind.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get some great last minute gifts, like the TV that I was told I wasn’t getting. You also don’t have to worry about hiding the present. Just leave it in the car and make them go find it. SCAVENGER HUNT! Oh that’s supposed to be eggs, and a completely different holiday.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Twenty-five Days of Christmas – Mommy I got a tummy ache!

suzettevaughn — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:00:49 +0000

Cookies, cakes, candies, crisps, cobblers, custard, creme, crumpets–Christmas–cavity, chest pains, cholesterol, coronary, coma.

There no doubt that all of that go hand in hand, forget all the C’s there is just something about the holidays that make us want to eat. Then add the compulsive eating because your cousin looks like she’s never had a child while holding her third at only two months old. (hate her!) And don’t hit the bar to wash away the memory of Great-Aunt Edna’s 97 year old boyfriend grabbing your behind. Chocolate will not stop your dad from dancing after one too many spiked cocoa’s.

Calories! Turkey(fried and baked), ham, game hen, rabbit, and deer. Stuffing, candied yams, banana salad, corn salad, spinach, green bean casserole, cranberry in every form–there’s another 5 lbs– Yams, and potatoes, oh no! Sweet, mashed, au gratin, scalloped, baked, even fried! Rolls, cornbread, hush puppies, –carbs– not on Christmas right? Mac and cheese, pasta salad, frog eye salad (yummy)–oh my tummy!

Brownies, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan and pumpkin pie. Apple tarts, apple crisps and brown betty. Figgy pudding, banana pudding, bread pudding. Bundt cakes, coffee cake and banana nut bread. Oh MY!

New years resolutions…one week away!

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas-Making a List

suzettevaughn — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:00:28 +0000

My Christmas Music

Immigrant’s Daughter, Mannheim Steamroller,Vienna Boys Choir, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Anne Murray, Burl Ives, Bing Crosby, Neil Diamond, Elvis, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Dr Demento, Veggie Tales, Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy

My Christmas Movies

A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause (all three of them), Miracle on 34th St (original please), It’s a Wonderful Life, How The Grinch Stole Christmas (original please), A Christmas Carol(original and Mickey Mouse), Charlie Brown Christmas, Scrooged, Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer (any Burl Ives really), Frosty the Snowman (Fred Astaire), Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Fred Astaire), The Family Man

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas – Home Alone!

suzettevaughn — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:00:21 +0000

I blame my son.

No I haven’t left him “Home Alone” and hope this year we don’t see yet another story of bad parenting.

I blame him because every year he watches the entire series as often as possible. From the screaming Macaulay Culkin to the mother just who’s just happy he survived a few days alone. The slap-stick comedy between of course is what makes him watching and laugh until his sides hurt. At least they do have a good message after all the silliness is over.

Then there’s the darling husband.

His Christmas movie is Christmas Story. Which now has my son walking around with his hands stuck out to the side “I can’t move!”. Classic American cinema there. Of course, I don’t blame the mother for breaking that lamp either, burn the Playboys while you’re at it.

Now if you are spending the Holiday’s alone or no someone else who is-fix it. In my younger days when I couldn’t travel to see family and I had friends who were estranged from theirs, we had our own celebration. We didn’t exchange gifts back then, just a little too broke, but we got together, watched classic Christmas movies and had a big feast with nothing but the spirit of Christmas in mind.

So here is to you and yours, and those that can’t be with the ones they love.

Merry Christmas from my family and may ever day be a blessing upon you.

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas – There’s no place like home…

suzettevaughn — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:00:46 +0000

No I’m not having a Dorothy moment. I really don’t like traveling during the holidays. Other than going through the airports with a huge teddy bear handing out the back of my backpack for a nephew, or two (Thanks Grandma!).
A little help coping this year?

Give yourself time.

Don’t run around like a chicken with your head cut off. Really it’s not pretty. You know when you have to leave, you know everything that has to be packed. Do it early.

Entertain everyone.

Yes I received more smiles than you’d believe with the teddy bear(s), but don’t forget games, music, and books for your travel time. Specially with children.

I’ll add to this that if you are in a good mood you will rub off on those around you. Take the silly reindeer antlers. Wear the flashing button. Wish every person you see Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, etc. Do just like the airline attendants just go through the list.

Offer a hand

I did this else where for my Christmas blogging but it stands true day to day. See the poor ragged mother trying to balance the kid, car seat, stroller…offer a hand and a smile. Grab the bag for the guy standing behind you instead of him squeezing in. Wash the windshield of the elderly couple getting gas at the next pump.

Twenty-five Days of Christmas – Batteries NOT Included!!!

suzettevaughn — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:00:40 +0000

We all know it will happen. So here’s my list of stocking up before the day comes…

Band-aids – putting together toys can be very dangerous

Extra paper – Last minute wrapping adds up
Tape! – There is no such thing as over tapped, it just heightens the anticipation.

Advil-Tylenol-etc…it’s just inevitable.

And of course there are those pesky batteries!

Twenty-Five Days of Christmas – Book It!

suzettevaughn — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:00:24 +0000

What? I’m a writer you expected me to skip books?

The Night Before Christmas

Had to pick the Golden Book

A Wish to be a Christmas Tree

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

It’s not all for the kids!

Can’t forget the reason for the season

Then there’s the stocking stuffers!

Hey remember I’m a writer!