Growing up with a handful of brothers has been a blessing and a curse.
There were moments of horror when I realized they knew I wore a sports bra even though I concealed it so well. A crush on a boy was impossible and a weekend was never right unless we had a chin-up bar contest.
Growing up in Seattle naturally made us Sun Seekers when planning vacations. Although my parents would find the hottest, brightest place, I always stayed in a jacket only because I was never warm enough. Of course my brothers muscular bodies never seemed to be cool enough. Since they are the majority, naturally I am the one with the problem. Over the years we have planned vacations together and the packing list email would look something like this:
Bean Hawaii Trip Packing List:
Flipflops, swimsuit, t-shirt, shorts, towel, church clothes. MONICA: remember it is definitely jacket weather, bring extra pants, socks and possibly a hat.
I will never hear the end of it, especially since I am known to unplug AC units and fans with the hope to raise the temperature in the room. This spring we head out to Costa Rica for another family vacation. The packing list has not been written. Fortunately my family overwhelmed me with warmth at Christmas with the hope I would make it through the breezy Costa Rica days ahead.
You want this blanket, don’t you?
My mother went all out and created this beautifully WARM and colorful masterpiece. It completely transformed our family room. Love it! Thanks mom.
My life has been changed forever.
This HEATED mattress pad will now go wherever I go, it’s “my buddy!” No more running man to heat up the sheets at bedtime. Doug and Megan, this will have to come on the vacation, along with the handsome SNUGGY you purchased for us. Currently it’s in the shop getting monogrammed so no one will confuse it with their own.
Z-Man found his happiness in this Lego creation from Santa. “It’s not just any Star Wars ship, it’s the X-Wing Fighter mom!” (He still asks to sleep with it every night). So when this brilliant I Spy blanket was presented to him he didn’t fully appreciate it until days ago. Jon’s mom, Valerie, is the master behind this quilt. It has brought warmth and rosy cheeks to happy boys jumping around as they discover different treasures on it each night.
The packing list is about complete thanks to all the help from family this Christmas. Two bright and cozy blankets, a Snuggy and a heated mattress pad will get me through the vacation. A swimsuit, toe socks and Birkenstocks will complete my packing list. Am I forgetting anything?
