12.17.07

Congratulations...

Two of the Arnolds got engaged this weekend. (Or--one and a half...not sure if the XY Chromosome'd of the two actually reads...)

I'll let the two of them (and myspace) get their message out, but it is rare that two people that you know independently end up together...so I'm very happy for both of them...

BUT...

Is it bad that when two people that I like get engaged that all I can think about is how badly my kids are going to kick the ass of their kids? Weird...

That's Not Fair...

Did you know that the short-buses get to high schools at like 6:45?? As if riding the short-bus isn't bad enough??

Holiday Update

I admire people who send Christmas cards. When I graduated college, I decided that it was going to be one the "way-too-much-effort" things that guys never do that I was going to make a point of doing...and five years later, there hasn't been a single picture of me in a Santa Hat...

HOWEVER...

Do we really need the Christmas letter? I have one friend who reads this occasionally who sent one--so my apologies--but it has to stop.

They're all pretty much the same---so last year I wrote one to my readers, that was pretty well received. Sunday, I started to write year two's version, but realized that like the Karate Kid--the first one is always the best.

So instead, I've reprinted last year's letters with a couple of minor changes and corrections. Merry Christmas---I hope you all enjoy...



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Dear Family and Friends,



Has it been a year already?? Good golly…it feels like we just took down the Christmas lights from last year, and now we're scrambling through a pile of wrapping paper and fruitcakes trying to get ready for this year…HAHAHA!!!

It has been an exciting year at the Smith House. Dean and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this summer with a wonderful trip to Bremerton! (And if any of you are looking to get away…the Motel 6 there is to DIE FOR! The pancakes at their continental breakfast are delicious—but get there early—the Shriners tend to clean them out by 8!) Dean is back working after 7 years on disability…he's managing the women's accessories department at GI Joe's (WE LOVE THE DISCOUNT!) I'm still plugging away at the reception desk at Dr. Stevens' office. (Of course it seems like there isn't a day that goes by where I don't see one of you coming in with colds and coughs and bumps on your rectum…it is so good to see my friends on a daily basis.)

I can't believe how the kids have grown.

Jeffrey is 25 now and is really making a name for himself at Target. He says that his new manager is "way cooler" (these kids! THE THINGS THAT THEY SAY!) and that he will probably be promoted to assistant manager of the electronics department in 2007 because of the extra time he's put in trying out the video games! We couldn't be more proud.

Lisa turned 21 this year to QUITE A PARTY!!! We had three booths full at Shari's as she and her friends laughed the night away. (And she'll probably be upset that I'm writing this…but the Smith's could be growing! She has a new boyfriend she met in a chat-room. His name is Paul, he's the President of General Electric and keeps trying to find a weekend where he can fly Lisa out to Arkansas and introduce her to his friends Brad Pitt and Derek Jeter. We can't WAIT to meet him!)

Devon just turned 19, and was so flattered that we had the whole family down to see him for his birthday. The phone-booths aren't quite as big at the state facilities, so he had to speak to us one at a time. And though he's really turning into a man, he still knows the way to his mother's heart…I showed up on his birthday, looked through the glass and saw a new tattoo across his neck. It was a crocodile eating Moses and there was a ribbon that said, "Love to Mom". He really likes his new cellmate, though he says that the top bunk is a little uncomfortable, so Jamal and he have been sharing the bottom-bunk. He says that he's finally found love (though I can't figure out with whom…they must have women come in to read stories or something?)

And of course little Angela turned 3 this year…and you know kids…they say the darnedest things trying to please their parents! She is an absolute crack-up and is really taking after her father. Just last night when I came home late from work, she stood up on her daddy's chair and yelled, "YOU GOT OFF OF WORK THREE HOURS AGO, YOU CHEATING WHORE!" I don't know where she gets it…she absolutely splits my sides.

Oh…and I've included our new address on the envelope. We were pretty disappointed to lose the house—but we're moving on. (If you're thinking of buying a home, don't use Wells Fargo—we told them to wait until the 5th to cash our check but they didn't. This happened a few times—and as someone who works in customer service, I've really been frustrated with their process. It is a terrible bank…that's why we've moved all of our money to Check-into-Cash. Cindy down there is such a SWEETHEART!) We look forward to your cards and letters!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dean, Lori, Jeffrey, Lisa, Devon, Angela, Scraps, Snuggles, Snowball, Soymilk, and Sparky


Want to send me your Christmas letter??
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