It was a great day!

 Lots of gifts

breakfast

 fire started

 we always open stockings first...

 in the den.

 then we went to the kitchen to open gifts!

 and ate some more!

 time for a nap?

 dinner in our pj's cuz no company this year!

we always do scratch-off lottery tickets

 some of us need help to read the directions

 and some of us aren't so happy when we don't win :(

But we all received toys and jokes in our Christmas crackers!

 She was a winner.

 Nope, even her new droid couldn't help her win!

At least we all wore crowns!
Have a Merry Christmas week!

a peek at our new kitchen?

 

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!

Interesting AND random

I know this pic is not so "Christmasy," but I thought it was interesting.
Why?
Because even though it was taken only three years ago it looks SO dated.
Why?
Because:

 That boy looks like this now-

I mean this!

And our kitchen looks like this:

AND,
who talks on a phone with a cord anymore?

Herman's Hermits - There's a Kind of Hush

My friend, Trifit Mom, reminded me of where I used to hear these old songs- during those car rides with Mom and Dad back in the early sixties... ahhh.

Petula Clark - DownTown

Listening to this? I am transported to my 5 year-old self.

Mongrams- Christmas spoiler alert!

Hopefully my daughter is so busy with finals that she won't read this!

I am so excited. At a number of boutiques this season there has been a vendor that is VERY popular.
Why?
Because she sells cool monogrammed clothing. Not your grandma's stuff.
And she monograms them in creative ways.
She monograms short sleeved sweatshirts with the monogram right below the nape of the neck. She does stretchy, thin blouses with round monograms on the shoulder, silky turtlenecks, and track jackets- all very unique and cool.
The reason I am so excited is that I found a blouse very much like the type this gal sells ( for half the price) AND I brought it to my local monogrammer. For $6 she is putting it on for me. The perfect gift for a girl at college because if anyone borrows it, you know it will eventually be returned.

Scout Lacrosse backpack AND Scout lacrosse stick bag

The perfect Christmas gift for your lax girl.
$40 each,
$5 for shipping

email me at patty@preppyplayer.com if interested. There is still time to ship!

winding down...

It is hard to believe that my selling season is almost over.
What will I do with all my spare time?

Normally I am:
Loading and unloading my truck.
Buying trips in NYC, Ct. or south Jersey.
Hours at my computer.
Merchandising and marketing.

Now, starting next week until the 3rd week in January I will be:
Spending time with family.
Making sure we are prepped for Christmas!
Getting caught up around the house.
Playing paddle.
Enjoying my new kitchen!

As much as I am looking forward to free time, I know me.
By the 3rd week in January I will be itching to work, almost anxious.
And then?
It will all start up again :)

Christmas morning 2001, no words needed.

Jersey style engagement announcement, for real!

This is an adorable couple from NJ. Their announcement was in our local paper this morning. I erased any identifying names.
I love that she is a "well known" hair stylist AND he works for THE biggest law firm in NYC!!!
I am dying to know who submitted this. The proud mother or mother-in-law? The potential bridezilla?
The husband to be?
Some how I am picturing Mike "the situation" writing it for them!
Seriously though, how do you really know who the biggest law firm in NY state is? Is there a list?
I am not kidding, I really want to know!

Dear Shelby,

A year ago I had written a post about italian cookies, how much I loved them and that it was a problem as I could never just eat one. Because a lot of people wouldn't be able to picture the type cookies I was referring to and I do not bake them and had no images- I went to Google images to search for some pics.
I found some that worked, wrote the post and that was that.
I thought.
But no. Today I received the most gracious comment on that post that I would like to share with you,

Shelby   has left a new comment on your post "Italian Cookies= I have a problem <http://preppyplayer.blogspot.com/2009/11/italian-cookies 

"I am really disappointed that you stole my cookie photo from my blog. I have a copyright on my blog that states you are to not use my photos or content without my permission.  Please remove the cookie photo or at least give the credit to the photo to me and link back to my blog. "

Wow. Never been to her blog. Checked it out and it seems nice. But she doesn't seem so nice.

I think she should contact google images though as they didn't credit her, if they had I might have as well.

I will be taking her image off my blog and I certainly will NOT link to her.

I didn't mean to "steal" her image of italian cookies, do you think Google did?

separated at birth? Random, I know.

 One of the Kardashian's impregnators- Scott something...

and Christian Bale, former Superman.

PS22 Chorus "SILVER BELLS"

This will get you in the holiday spirit!

Christmas photo card? Problem solved!

Seriously, do you know how hard it is to get seven people together for a decent photo, the type you send out on a Christmas card?

Back in the old days, when I had some control (or at least thought I did) I would schedule an appointment with a photographer or I would do my own little shoot in the front yard. Even then there was always one child who wasn't into it and who we had to bribe or threaten to stay still for the picture.

These days, not only is it hard to get the five of them in the same room but when I do? I never remember to grab the camera and get a proper pic! Also, if I were to tell them what it was for there would certainly be one who would think it was cheesey and refuse to take part.
So, this year I am bound and determined to send out cards. I've noticed that I hardly get any anymore and I'm thinking it's because I haven't sent any in a few years. ( I hope, unless....)

So here is my solution. I am sending a pic of a Christmas morning when all my kids were still children. A very sweet, spontaneous picture that means a lot to me. No fancy photographer for this one.
Old school Christmas baby!

Thanksgiving in the new kitchen- I am a little behind, obvs!

My girl and my niece.

 Great pic of my Mom and Dad.

 pretty girls.

 My boy and the frau.

 Brothers-in-law missing Jeff, of course.

 Missing one child, where is she?

 Partners in crime.

 Me and my niecey :)

 Pretty maids all in a row...

 You can tell they are cousins!

 There's my other girl!

 Some of my men...

 Those pink pants are NOT working.

 In fact, you may never see those pink pants AGAIN!

Love these two.

 Mother and daughter.

And... daughter and...ahem...mother.

 Peace be with you.

The saboteur is everywhere.