My Favorite Tradition

We have a Magic Truck. It's a rusty '68 Chevy Camper Special, though nothing special to look at with it's faded calico yellow and rust paint, and dents and dings (compliments of my daughter's ongoing battle with the low stone wall at the end of our driveway), but it is truly magical. It can turn a dull summer night into a party at the drive-in. It has a horn with it's own agenda. It's engine rumble can set off car alarms, even at idle. It garners instant respect from those trying to cut into your lane and it's 2x60 AC system is the envy of the neighborhood. And it never fails to fire up, no matter what the temp.
But the most magical part? It's uncanny ability to select the perfect Christmas tree. For fifteen years, our truck has transported our family to tree lots and farms across the Midwest in search of the perfect Christmas accompaniment. No strapping a tree to the top of the Volvo for us! Each year on the day after Thanksgiving, rain, snow or shine, we tie a bright red Christmas bow on the grill, bundle the crew snugly, crowd into the drafty cab, and off we go. No matter what tree catches our eye on the lot, it is transformed while laying in the bed of the truck, snuggled between the wheel humps and the big spare tire. Big trees, squatty trees, trees with holes that weren't there before, trees with nests (uninhabited, much to our relief), Charlie Brown trees, and even fancy-schmancy Frazier Firs. No matter the tree, it was always perfect by the time we got home. Even this year's "maybe too short" tree looked at least a foot taller by the time we reached our driveway!

Our Magic Truck is very forgiving, too. It cringed the year we splurged on an $85 "designer tree", but never made a peep when the tree dried up and dropped it needles weeks before Christmas. Once it transformed a scrawny little grocery store tree into a full and lush conifer splayed against the truck bed.

Maybe it's the brisk November air, the bumpy ride home, or the giggling little heads that keep turning to take a peek from the cab. Or maybe it's just magic. We love our truck and can't imagine Christmas without it.What makes your Christmas magical?

Great Black Friday Deals

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Video Games on Your Santa List?

They want the latest, greatest video game. You want to make them happy. But do you ignore the label recommendations for age and content to make that Santa wish come true? According to a recent report by the The National Institute on Media and the Family (see their Video Game Guide HERE), most parents do. Violent and brutal games are extrememly popular, but studies show that violent games have an impact on our children's behavior.

I'm lucky - we have a resident "insider" in our house. My daughter worked in the video game industry and was continually amazed at how easily parents would shrug off the age recommendation on the box and purchase a game with inappropriate content for the age of the child for which they were buying. Their choice, yes. But why not heed the label?

My son laments that he is not allowed to play the first-person shooter and brutal war games that some of his friends play, but too bad. Real life is violent enough. Do you let your children play video games labeled for older children?

Black Friday's Comin' Early This Year!

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My 1st Motorcycle Track Day

My girl Lauren and me getting ready to tackle the track. Lauren's a great rider and fast! Me, slow and steady wins the race, right?

Me on the grid, engine racing and ready to go. My heart was pounding, but it was so cold I hardly noticed. Nothing hotter than wearing a head-to-toe leather suit and boots.

Learning the track and how to look thru the turn (and not at the ground).

Here's Ron assessing the damage after I crashed his bike because I wasn't looking in turn 10. (Thank goodness he's a patient and loving man) On the plus side, the bike was only scuffed, and I was only bruised. But I may keep the grass that was stuck in my helmet as a souvenir.

The Winner's Circle! Aaron, Lauren, me and Ron taking a bow after a great weekend at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. The crew there is great and the track is a lot of fun. Can't wait until the next time! (I promise not to crash again, OK, honey?)

In Search of...The Perfect Bathmat

NO - it's not a duck. But it must be soft and absorbent, yet fluffy, won't slide all over the tiled floor when stepped upon by dripping feet, and has to match four innocuous colors - and we're not talking cerulean blue here. (And I don't want a tank or lid cover or anything that even remotely resembles "toilet clothing". I just can't go there.)

Am I asking too much? I've been to six stores, made four purchases, (and the by the end of today, four returns) and still no plain and simple bath mat. WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT? I'm not picky. I'm even open to new ideas. And I'm not really cheap (though I do draw the line at $80 for a 2x3 rug). Is there a particular patron saint I need to bury upside down in my yard so this perfect bath mat will be revealed to me?? (hey - it worked for my friend when she sold her house, I'm willing to try)

You Want A What?

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

We like to move it move it and we're so proud! Kansas City's own Eric Darnell (he grew up in Prairie Village) has created and directed another movie for Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Animation. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" opens in theaters this weekend. Go see it! Which character are you most like? Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien the lemur king, Maurice, Mort the chimp. I think I'm a bit Melman, a bit Gloria.

Santa's coming! Santa's coming!

In fact, he'll be arriving at Oak Park Mall this Saturday morning at 10:00AM and KUDL will be on site to welcome him to Kansas City! (I hope he brings me that new Ducati motorcycle I've been dreaming about, and maybe some boots and a new pair of Converse). We may even need some help leading the parade around the mall.... Come out and say "ho ho ho!" I'd love to meet you. It's always great to put a face with a pair of ears. What's your favorite holiday tradition? How will you make this year special? Give us a call (913) 576-7981 between 5:30-9:00AM.

My new favorite song

It's not often I get goofy over a song. You know, the ohmigosh I-have-to-stop-what-I'm-doing and turn-the-radio-up-to-sing-along kind of goofy. "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright always gets me, but that's the song my husband was singing karaoke when I met him - dreamy!! You can't blame me for that one.

But despite my best efforts I have a full-blown crush on "Crush" by David Archuleta. This song has got a serious hold on me. I can't get enough! I'm singing it and humming it, which, if you've heard me do either is pretty scary, but I can't get it out of my head.

His album comes out next Tuesday, November 11 and you can catch him on Leno tomorrow night, then all over the place between now and Tuesday. Here's his website (under construction). What do you think?

What a weekend!

Trick or treating, final soccer game of the year, Brownie field trip, Webelos event, hanging out with the Mad Toto Scooter Club at Scooter World in downtown Overland Park, and celebrating a very Happy Birthday with my baby girl, Chloe (newly crowned Queen of the Webkinz)!! WHEW! Made it thru the weekend...now on to the work week!

Great news! KUDL's Adopt-A-Family adoptions are now open online. Get matched with a family who truly needs a little help this holiday season. Get the office crew together, adopt a famiy together, and make a difference. Sign up right now. The warm fuzzies are awesome.