Christmas Catch Up ...

I hope that everyone is having or has had a great Christmas. My original plan was to do a bunch of small updates over the course of the week but I have failed at that task, so today I am going to play a little catch up.

I took the week off work. Actually, I've taken a lot of time off work lately. After spending the summer traveling, I maxed out on paid time off and needed to take the time off to prevent myself from losing future time.

Anyway, the week started with two new additions to the house. Which prompts an end of the year Green Tip of the Post ...

To begin with we got three new windows for the girls rooms. Here is a picture of two of the windows after installation. We went with insulated, low E (energy), windows from Windows World. The installation crew was very courteous and efficient. The total installation time took one and half hours for the three windows.

Before anyone leaves a comment, we know that we need to clean the brick siding in this area. This is the area where we extended the driveway, so the area in front of these windows was actually bushes, hence the dirt.

Looking at the picture below, you can see why we started with the girls windows. You could almost stick a finger through this window.

Now, the second part of the green tip of the blog is the new washer and dryer. We purchased these on the day after Thanksgiving and they finally came in on Monday. I blogged about getting these in a previous post. I spent the better part of the day picking them up, removing the old machines and installing the new ones.

Due to the big sale and the number of people buying these units, we were giving a Frigidaire set rather than the original Kenmore set that was on sale. After getting this set, I am convinced that this was a blessing. The pedestals have not come in yet, so they look a little low to the ground at the moment.

We are totally amazed at how little water and detergent is required for the washing machine, and how BIG a load of laundry that can be handled in a single load. Just eye balling the cycles, I would have to say that 65% less water used is probably true. This will not only save on the water bill (which probably isnt really going to get much lower now), but it will also help on the energy bill when using hot water.

Lastly, since the new washer has a high speed spin cycle at the end of the wash, the clothes are much dryer before going into the dryer so the drying time is greatly reduced.

The washer and dryer set were Big Es Christmas gift (by her choice), so she spent part of the afternoon Monday "playing" with them. She was literally watching the washing machine washing clothes, for hours!!!?? Strange.

Combine those two items along with getting new tires on the rear of my truck and you have three very busy and very expensive days.

On Tuesday evening, we allowed Jessica and Brook to open their Christmas gifts from us. They spend Christmas Day with their father each year and we had a big Wednesday planned already, so for the sake of our sanity this seemed best. I think each of them enjoyed the time and their gifts.

Afterwards, I looked at the pile of stuff and reflected back on how different my childhood and Christmas was compared to these kids. Amazingly different! Some might say that one is better than the other, but I prefer to think that it is just different.

On Wednesday evening, we had the annual family Christmas Eve gathering with Big Es family. This year we started at her sisters house for a little present swap. We had a lot of fun playing darts and watching the kids opening gifts.

Afterwards we moved on for the "main event", as the Worlds Greatest Mother In Law calls it. All of the adults gather for an evening of sabotage and treachery .... or maybe its dirty Santa? Anyway, we all bring a gift that we really like and take turns opening a gift. Then depending on what you get, someone else may decide they want it more and take it from you. Its fun. Mostly, its hanging out with everyone having some food, drink and fun.

Speaking of drink, JR you left all your empties in my truck and I had to take the heat for the number of empties!!!

For Christmas, Big E, Little E and I opened our gifts and spent the day playing on our new Playstation game, Lego's Indiana Jones. This game is awesome. We had a late lunch with some of Big Es family at the local Shoneys (the place was packed).

But the main event for the day was going to see the new movie "Marley and me". Elizabeth read this book a couple of years ago, so for Christmas, she wanted to go see it. All I can say is there wasn't a dry eye in the entire theater by the end of the movie.

Our dog is definitely a bad dog, but I think Marley may have had him beat. It was a good movie with a very sad ending. Overall, we had a relaxing day which we needed as we prepare for Saturday (Christmas with my family).

Until then, go out and exchange your gifts, spend your gift cards and help kick start this economy!!!! OR do like me and enjoy a cold one chilling with the family. As for us, I think we are going to go see a buddy of mine playing a little rock and roll tonight ..... ahhhh, chilling!!!!!!!!