I love these posts! It's where I can just spew out all kinds of random things I would like to tell you, yet I don't have enough substance to warrant each item to get their own blog post. So here you go... some random things I would like to share! This is only Part 1... For some reason I have a lot to say! Check out Part 2 tomorrow!
Who is Mrs. Paul Cooney?
I do not enjoy getting mail addressed to "Megan Cooney" let alone to "Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cooney". With it being the holiday season, we have gotten a lot of Christmas cards, and while many people know how to address our cards correctly, there is just as many that do it incorrectly! These individuals are actual friends and family members, so it surprises me that they don't know what my name is. I am very thankful to be getting holiday greetings, but I find it off putting that people take the time to send a card but don't take the time to address it correctly.
How should our mail be labeled? If it is only for me, "Megan Michael". If it is for both of us, "Paul Cooney and Megan Michael". Simple. Thank you to those who take the time to address our mail correctly!
Some of these senders are on the naughty list...
Actually, if you do see your card here, it doesn't mean you didn't address it correctly. I didn't keep track of the people who called me Mrs. Paul Cooney because I threw the envelop away as fast as possible!
Actually, if you do see your card here, it doesn't mean you didn't address it correctly. I didn't keep track of the people who called me Mrs. Paul Cooney because I threw the envelop away as fast as possible!
"NO, I need BOWS!"
I love wrapping presents, and I love purchasing gift wrap, tissue paper, bows, etc. I generally stock up on wrapping supplies during the after Christmas sales when it is 80% discounted. I may have stocked up too well, because I have not needed to buy any wrapping supplies for the past couple years now! However, while wrapping presents this year, I noticed I was running low on bows. But that was it. The only thing I really needed was bows.
A couple nights before Christmas, Paul and I were in his Man Cave and somehow, we started talking about gift wrapping. He flippantly said, "You have a ton of wrapping stuff, you probably don't need to get any during the after Christmas sales this year."
"NO, I need BOWS!" I said. No, I SHOUTED, (apparently) because Paul started laughing hysterically and did his famous Megan Michael impression. "NO, I need BOWS!" he screamed, mocking me. We both lost it and laughed for like five minutes straight. First, I had no idea how loud and steadfast I was with my bow comment, and second, I love when Paul makes fun of me and does a Megan Michael impression.
(Paul's Megan Michael impression includes sitting up very straight, bugging his eyes out, and leaning forward just a little bit.)
I got my bows!
Christmas Cards
Many friends and relatives send us Christmas cards (although maybe I won't get any next year due to my rant about addressing the cards wrong!), but I also get ones from students. I love when they write something nice inside. For instance, one of my piano students wrote:
It is just so touching!
I would like to show you Paul's favorite card that I got from a student this year:
I am not sure who it is from because... well look inside...
Blank! Kids are funny!
When I do a puzzle Paul asks me if I'm doing a "Puzz Puzz". That's our code name for a puzzle. I swear, we have our very own language at this point! I got several puzzles for Christmas and I have already spent a lot of time on my Puzz Puzz!
This one was FUN! It was a gift from Paul. My MIL has dibs on it next,
but who would like to try it after her? Seriously, you are welcome to borrow it!
I Hate the Elf on the Shelf.
There is nothing more annoying to me on Facebook (besides dead deer pictures during hunting season) than Elf on the Shelf posts. HE IS NOT CUTE. Your little pictures and notes you set up with your elf are NOT CLEVER. GET A LIFE!!!
I think I just offended a lot of people right now. I am so sorry. I am sure you feel the same about my cat pictures! Except the difference is, Christmas and Jelly are cute and your dumb elf isn't.
Forrest Gump
When I have long breaks off work, I go through the guide and DVR movies. I DVR'ed Forrest Gump because I hadn't seen it in a long time. Wow. I forgot how good that movie was. I pretty much bawled my eyes out the whole way through. It reminded me that Tom Hanks had a GENIUS performance in that movie. I almost want to watch it again, it was that good.
When I have long breaks off work, I go through the guide and DVR movies. I DVR'ed Forrest Gump because I hadn't seen it in a long time. Wow. I forgot how good that movie was. I pretty much bawled my eyes out the whole way through. It reminded me that Tom Hanks had a GENIUS performance in that movie. I almost want to watch it again, it was that good.
Does the Elf on the Shelf annoy you?
Do you love Forrest Gump?
Local friends, who wants to try the circle puzzle?
I never did elf on the shelf with my kids--I find it annoying. Have you ever tried one of those 3D puzzles? My son did Big Ben a few years ago, it was hard because all the pieces looked the same. I quickly gave that one to the library because there were tears involved :(.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched Forest Gump in ages!
I have not tried a 3D puzzle, I do not know if I would like it or not. I do know what I don't like puzzles where all the pieces look the same. That is too hard! :)
DeleteI was hoping you'd show us that round puzzle! I have not done any after Christmas shopping yet but I think this is the year that I have to replenish my christmas wrappings too, bows and all! I noticed I am particularly low on boxes. Funny story, on Christmas day my sister and my family are putting gift bags and gift boxes in the trash pile and i'm all about "hey, we can use that over again". I'm all about re-using. ( except for the paper of course)!
ReplyDeleteYes I reuse as well! Especially nice bags. I put the sticky tag on the tissue paper in the bag instead of on the bag so it can be reused again.
DeleteElf on the Shelf is not as annoying as those posting on FB that Mark Zuckerberg will be giving away his some of his stocks (which he will) to FB users (which he won't). I wish Rick could try that puzz puzz (you mentioned that one time in an email to me and now that is what Rick and I call it...). My total (insane) randomness for the day: I drove my car to the school a mile away to run because all the streets around there are totally clear (and my 'hood is still really icy). But it was only 2 degrees out! BRRR. But truth be told, I feel a little bad ass.
ReplyDeleteAw I love that you call it puzz puzz too! After I am done fiddling around on here I am going to start a NEW puzz puzz. :) I just finished one last night that was hard.
DeleteTWO DEGREES!!!??? You should feel very bad ass.
Happy Holidays Megan - Elf on the Shelf is quite a mystery to me - I do not like it at all. I never did it with my kids either. It's a marketing gimmick!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Forrest Gump - watched it as well over the weekend. Tom Hanks was brilliant in it. My favorite scene is when he meets his son towards the end of the movie. So touching!
Totally random - I was walking my dog Christmas morning very early, and saw that my parents' car door was open and was open all night! thankfully, nothing was stolen (like their ez-pass) - but the back seat was wet because it had poured. Guess our neighborhood is safer than we think! Kristen
I love when he meets his son too! I started crying when he asked whether he was smart. Such a WONDERFUL movie. :)
DeleteWow that is good no one stole anything from your parents' car!
Cards from kids are so funny!
ReplyDeleteI hate the Elf on the Shelf, too. It's so creepy. And underhanded. "Behave or the elf will tell santa!" Did you hear about the kid who called 911 because she accidentally knocked the elf down and couldn't touch it (or the magic would go away) so she called 911 to come help her. That's when you know it's gone too far!
I SAW THE HEADLINE FOR THAT BUT DIDN'T CLICK ON IT. That is seriously why she called 911? So dumb. How about just be good because your parents fucking said so?
DeleteI'm totally annoyed by Elf as well. Ugh. Random? We're in the midst of a brutal ice storm and I haven't yet retrieved all of our vacay mail. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteEw!! Nothing says "welcome back from FL" like an ice storm!
DeleteI am going to randomly comment on your random post to let you know that I am still alive and still read! I'm just usually on the treadmill and it is so hard to comment! ;-) Yes! Elf on the Shelf is SO creepy!!!
ReplyDeleteRACHEL I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteI would be annoyed by Elf on the Shelf but I still don't quite understand exactly what it is. The only thing I've gathered so far is that the elf is in a different spot in the house every day? I guess this is what happens when you're not around kids a lot. Also, why is the elf so creepy looking? It's like something out of a horror movie.
ReplyDeleteI totally get your frustration about incorrectly addressed cards. I'm guessing a lot of the people who do that are more acquaintances than good friends? Not that it's any less annoying. But I'm confused, because I thought I saw a blog post related to the kids at your school or your classroom in which you were "Mrs. Cooney"? Am I making that up?
It is creepy looking. :) I think you have everything about the elf right and then the kicker is he reports to Santa about whether you were good or bad. How about kids just being good because their parents said so!? Although my friend dressed up as the Elf on the Shelf for Halloween this year and it was REALLY funny. :)
DeleteNo you are not making up the "Mrs. Cooney". The kids at school call me Mrs. Cooney because originally I was going to hyphenate my name, but then I decided not to. But all the kids were calling me "Mrs. Michael-Cooney" or "Mrs. Cooney", and I didn't want to make them all change it. Plus it was nice because then I could talk about MR. Cooney and they all knew who I meant. And also, Paul gets the best of both worlds... In my personal life I am Megan Michael but at school the kids call me Mrs. Cooney or Mrs. Michael-Cooney. The people who send me the cards incorrectly- some are family and some are close friends! A few are acquaintances, but I counted at least 3 people who are either friends or family members who are very aware I never changed my name, and we are active on FB in which my name on there is very clearly MEGAN MICHAEL, and they have no relation to the school (not a friend/colleague) so there is seriously no reason in the world I should be called Mrs. Paul Cooney. And I am pretty sure even if I HAD taken his last name I wouldn't enjoy being called Mrs. PAUL Cooney. I have a first name.
As you can tell, I am CLEARLY not over all of this yet. :)
Haha I wrote this two days ago... on a day I didn't run. Today I ran so I am quite chill as well! I mean I am making SOUP, that is how chill I am!
ReplyDeleteOkay no worries about FB you will see my Jelly pic whenever you get on. It will be cute today OR a week from now. :)
I am on the fence about pretend lies as well! Lucky for me I won't ever have kids to pretend lie to! Although I almost spoiled Santa or some 3rd graders the other day. We were researching reindeer (yes, in music class, don't ask!) and we discovered that male and female reindeer have antlers, but males shed them before Dec, so Rudolph MUST be a girl! And the kids were like, "Whaaaaaaat!?" And so I started saying, "Well but Rudolph is a pretend character so we can use our imagination..." and then I was like CRAP they don't think Rudolph is pretend! I quickly changed the subject.
Oh, and got zero parent emails over that one so SCORE!!
ReplyDeleteOk, first of all, my Elf is totally cute. :) Second, I'm glad that you cleared up the mail addressing topic because I have often been wondering how I am supposed to address my friend's cards who also have different last names. It just seems kinda odd to write such a lengthy address line, but if that's correct, I'm going with it. Especially when kids are involved, and I need to add "and family" too? Not sure about that.
ReplyDeleteWe are pretty much limited to only wrapping paper around here because the cats chew on all of the bows and strings on packages under the tree! I'm just considering it "minimalist" wrapping design. LOL!
You are right, your Elf IS cute but only yours. :) Question, do your kids really believe it or is it just fun?
DeleteOkay friends with kids that the parents don't share the same last name- http://blog.tinyprints.com/etiquette/addressing-christmas-cards-to-families-with-multiple-last-names/
Answer:
I hear ya on the ribbons + cats = tinsel poop. I have to put the wrapping with ribbon high up. Bows are okay. Ribbon, aw hell no.
I love how your piano student wishes you and the cats a Merry Christmas but not Paul!!!! I guess I know who you talk about more ;)
ReplyDeleteThat blank Christmas card is really funny. One time Adam gave me an unsigned anniversary card!!!! He absolutely hates writing things out because his handwriting is terrible. When I said, "YOU DIDN'T SIGN THE CARD!" he replied, "well, who do you think it's from based on the sentiment of the card?" That's my guy, haha
I feel like I should hate Elf on a Shelf but I actually find it amusing. I have one friend who goes ALL OUT and does all kinds of creative things with the elf every day for her kids. One day she set up Elf and Barbie on a date where they roasted marshmallows over a candle, another day Elf was found fishing in the toilet bowl.... I'm always impressed with how creative she can get!
Hahaha yes but also in my defense the cats hang out in the same room I teach lessons and sometimes fight during her lesson so she sees them more than she sees Paul. ;) Okay fine, yes, all I talk about are the cats!!
DeleteLOL @ Adam and the card!!! You should have gotten him a stamp w/ his name for your next anniversary.
Elf... ugh, moms with nothing to do. Wow I am judge-y over here today hahaha! I am sure if they had an elf for my cats I would do it lol.
OMG that's such a good idea! I need to get Adam a stamp with his name on it. That would make him so happy!
DeleteI am judgey about moms with nothing to do too, but my friend is amazing and I have to defend her. She is a middle school language arts teacher, coaches two teams after school and has two kids of her own... plus she is a runner ;) . Her and her husband stay up super late figuring out what to do with the elf and setting things up. They are just really dedicated parents!
You are a good friend to come back and defend her from my snark! :) <3
DeleteHi, I have been living in Europe for eight years since before I had kids and I believe before that stupid/spooky elf sprang into existence. Or at least sprang into existence on fb.
ReplyDeleteI have a different last name than my husband and my grandmother and mother in law ALWAYS send packages to me addressed incorrectly. And the packages are always too big for our tiny box so I have to collect them with my passport and marriage certificate to explain. So irritating! But t since they are the sweetest ladies I can't say a thing.
Here is my random thing: I have never in all my years here been able to find clothing boxes at Christmas. You know the white shallow rectangular ones. When I told my husband he said "Oh yeah like the ones in American movies". I have no idea how people wrap clothes here, very strange.
Happy new year and thanks for your running posts. Inspiring!
So is the elf not a thing in Europe? That would make sense, I would assume Europeans don't have time for silly things like that!
DeleteWhat a pain that you must dig out your passport and marriage license just to pick up boxes. See men never have this problem.
I wonder how people wrap clothes without those boxes!? You should find out and tell us! :)
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
OMG That Elf on the Shelf makes my eye twitch I hate him so much!!!! One of my students gave me an ornament for Christmas that is the Elf on the Shelf to hang on your tree...cringe.
ReplyDeleteI pulled a "Megan Michael" with my class this year, lol. Last year I remember you told your students that you were going to "text Santa" so a couple of times this year I told my class that! LOL
I hope you burned that ornament!! ;)
DeleteI didn't text Santa this year! I totally forgot about that tactic. I'm glad it worked for you. Teachers gotta do what they gotta do to make it through December. :) Hope you are enjoying your break! I bet Lola loves having you home.