Friday 5 - Saving

 I cannot believe it is the very last day of 2010.  How about some Friday 5 to celebrate?  Please feel free to play along in comment or on your blog!  It's fun!

1. When dining out, do you usually save room for dessert?  No, not usually.  The desserts at restaurants always look so good, but I generally manage to stuff myself pretty fully on the main course.

2. In what way did you recently save the best for last?   I think finally getting together with DR is saving the best for last :-)

3. How do you feel about saving places in line or saving seats in theaters?  I don't object, really, when people do it.  I hate being the one to have to try and save seats though.  I feel so bad telling people they can't sit there!  Awkward. 

4. What’s one thing you did to save money this past year?  I don't know.  I'm not very good at saving money.  I sort of feel like that is a function of just not MAKING enough money though.  Where's that sudden, previously unknown, dead, rich, benevolent relative when you need them?  Or that lottery winning?  Or perhaps, just that drive to be successful :-)  Where's that?  haha!

5. Besides money, what’s something you’re saving for later?  Again, not so good at saving.  I am a fan of Daylight Savings Time!  Well.. but seriously, while DR is away, I have put my non-solo sexitimes on hold.  I'm saving all that for later.

Happy 2011 to all of my Blogging Friends!  Let's just go ahead and spend it all doing what we want and finding all the joy life has to offer.

 xoxo's from Fresh Hell. 

Now I'm a Jet Fuel Genius

Happy Wednesday, Blog Friends!  This week's Choose and Defend has been inspired by my current vacation situation.  Let me get your take on it, in Choose and Defend Wednesday fashion.  Which would you rather have?

Too Much Free Time

OR

Not Enough Free Time

Now, I grant you that "too much" and "not enough" are very relative terms.  Still, I imagine you get the idea.  Which works better for you and  your well being, if balance is not an option :-)  Choose and Defend!

Settle Down, Missy.

Whew!  Breathing my usual sigh of relief that Christmas is over.  It turned out to be a wonderful day, as usual, and I worried for nothing...but that is better than having your worries confirmed!

Friday evening, Christmas Eve, Girlie Girl, Handsome Lad and I went out for Thai food.  The place was pretty deserted, but the food was delicious.  After that we took a tour of the best lit neighborhoods in Glendora.  There is one place that has that set up that corresponds to a radio station.  It was pretty amazing.  We even drove way  up GMR to where it is completely dark and wilderness-y to look down on the lights of the city.  Views like that are beautiful, but somehow make me feel a little lost, too.

Christmas itself, on Saturday, was really lovely.  We all met at WTG's house around 1 pm.  The little guys had opened presents earlier at their house, so they were able to eat a nice big lunch before we started working on the pile of stuff at this gathering.  There were so many gifts, that even working at a nice steady pace it probably took us a good 90 minutes to get through them all.  I had already open my presents from DR...this is what he got me:

Just what I wanted!

I also got lots of socks, some perfume, a new comforter and sheets, a necklace, slippers, Bear Paw boots, and several gift cards.  I couldn't have been happier and I don't think anyone else could have been either!  

Here I am braiding Miss Personality's fake blue hair.  

Out of everything the girls got, those little hairpiece things, which were part of a dress-up set that Girlie Girl got them, were their absolute favorites.  Miss Personality was genuinely thrilled by the idea that someone would really think she had some blue hair.  And Love Bug loves what Miss Personality loves :-)   Little Prince got a new ride on toy, seen in the background on one of the few occasions he was parted from it.

Sunday was super quiet, but yesterday, Monday, I ended up having to take my mom to urgent care.  She's been under the weather for probably three weeks.  Finally, she tried to make a doctor's appt. yesterday, but couldn't get in.  So I said that as long as we both had time, why didn't I just take her to urgent care and deal with this.  I mean, my mom is almost 72.  I don't think we need to mess around when she's sick.  So we got there about 2:30 and they said they couldn't see her...we'd have to come back at 6.  Fine, yes.  So we went back at 6 and they took her right in.  She was in there about an hour, which sort of worried me, but she was mostly just waiting I guess.  I had been real worried about her breathing, but they said her lungs weren't bad.  They didn't seem too concerned...they gave her a prophylactic influenza shot, measured her bone density and gave her the little mail in kit for a colon cancer test.  Pretty much the things they probably do when an older person comes in.  I was glad they didn't think she is seriously ill, but worried because she's has been not feeling well for so long....it didn't seem like something that is just going to go away.  But we'll see, I guess.  I told her if she wasn't well in a few days, we'd show up again.

Now it is Tuesday and I am hoping for relaxation.  I don't have my car, since Kick Back Dude had to borrow it, so that might actually help :-)  

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  From what I've read so far on blogs, signs are good!  Now on to a bright, shiny New Year!  2011, here we come....

My babies.  

I hardly have any photos with all of them together!  They are a slippery bunch like that.

This Musical Message is For I Never Lost Control

Festivus, A Holiday for the Rest of Us

"The Festivus Song"

written in 2003 by three people who got it: 

by Rockyhors (DR),

Wildblue (me),

We store it in our crawl space when we aren't using it!

Poppaspank,

And two people who didn't:

Lyonheart

and John H. Spencer.

Now it's time for Festivus

a holiday for the rest of us

no dreidel to spin

or fat guy creepin' in

a season that quickly ends

gather your family and friends

this part is the most fun

tell each and every one

how this last trip round the sun

every wrong thing that they've done

has really let you down

but no need to wear a frown

beeeee--caaaaaause

---- now it's time for Festivus ...

Now it's time for Festivus

A holiday for the rest of us.

No big ticket items

Or games of gelt hide 'ems

Its no festival of unity

But you'll speak with impunity

Call your dad and mother

Invite your sis and brother

Tell 'em what you REALLY think

Bottoms up, lets have a drink

Spread the ugly truth around

Cry, if you must, without a sound

Beeeeeeeee-caaaaaaause

---Now its time for Festivus.....

Now it's time for Festivus

a Holiday for the rest of us

We'll gather round the festive pole

an icon of majestic length

and stretch and flex as we prepare

the challenge of the feats of strength

We'll feast as friends who hate us

are preparing to berate us

we gather for this yearly meal

with family we'd like not to see

why subject ourselves to this ordeal?

because, you putz, the chow is free

Beeeeeeeeeeee-caaaaaaaaaause (gasp)

----- now it's time for Festivus!......

Note: Goes wildly off course here ---

Now is the time for Festivus

a holiday for the rest of us

but keep us far away from mistletoe

because we really don't trust Uncle Joe

and big expensive gifts for kids are poxes

ecause they end up playing with the boxes

you know that you can count on sweetie's mom

to tell you why your turkey was a bomb

while in the den Ed, Bill and Walter stare

as if a football game were on the air

you're tired of each other -- that much is clear

and so you smile and wave "Same Time Next Year"

beeeeeeeeee-cauuuuuuuuuuse

---- now it's time for Festivus! . . .

And now, it is the time for Festivus,

A holiday made for the rest of us.

Blow out the pilot light and crank up the stove,

Insert your head and reunite with Jove.

Beware the cars careening to and fro,

don't sin too much, and don't eat yellow snow.

The carolers evoke a thoughtful grin--

One well aimed .22 will damp their din.

The yule log burns, it is a merry light

It's Presto scent's like smoking Samsonite.

The guests are gussied up, so no one knows

hat Uncle Fred has cankers on his nose.

And all those joys abound with little fuss

Because it is the time of Festivus

**********************************************************************************

I guess posting The Festivus Song each year is my longest standing tradtion here at What Fresh Hell is This?  Makes me all warm inside. 

Now...in the past year, you have disappointed me in the following ways....

(Said in my awesome and loud Frank Costanza voice, of course.)

Happy Festivus, one and all!

I'm Not a Present for Your Friends to Open

Our last Choose and Defend Wednesday before the holiday that we are all preoccupied with...that's right...Festivus!  haha!  Okay, not really, although I am going to repost the Festivus song tomorrow in celebration of the great event.  But today, I turn one last time to my preoccupation with packaging.  More?  Could there really be more?  There is!  There really is!  So, let me ask you...do you prefer to open gifts:

Quickly

OR

Slowly

This doesn't have to be about Christmas.  Let's say it is about gifts.  And wrapping.  And how you want to take the wrapping off.  Choose and Defend!

Thank You (Faletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

I just wanted to thank you guys for all the nice responses to last Friday's post.  I blog seeking reassurance and kind words and you guys have never let me down.  I really do appreciate it and am relieved to say that things have calmed down over the past few days.

I do still have a couple of last minute things to pick up in the way of gifts, but at this point it is going to be very last minute, as I will need to wait on this week's check :-)  I love living close to the edge!  Well, let's just say I do. 

The rain seems unending, but on the positive side, I have a car that doesn't leak!  I really don't like the rain, though.  Maybe I just need proper raingear...although I wouldn't need it that often...another positive, right?

After today, I have only two more days to work before having TEN DAYS off!  I am so excited...no special plans, but not being at work sounds nice :-)  I can get some extra sleep, spend some extra time with the kids, and get some extra sleep...did I mention extra sleep? 

To finish off my post for today, won't you join me in singing Happy Birthday to one of our dear Blog Brothers?

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Alien!

Happy Birthday to you!

(And many mooorrrrre....)

This Musical Message is For Christmas is Creepy

Read at Your Own Peril

I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately.   Part of it is just seasonal.  Every year I end up berating myself for somehow lacking the joy of the season.  There is no genuine reason to be stressed as far as Christmas goes, but still...I am stressed.  I just am.  And yet in the end, I've never had a bad or even disappointing Christmas.  So, it is hard to explain. 

Also, there seems to be a lot going on in the family right now.  Kick Back Dude doesn't have a car right now, so he's been driving Girlie Girl's, while the rest of us are trying to figure out a way to get him a new car.  Yet look at me.  A couple of months ago, my mom had to save me when I needed a car.  How are any of us still functioning! 

Handsome Lad is in some kind of feud with his dad.  This leads to more time with me and I enjoy that, but there is some anxiousness about it.  He gets very clingy and it is difficult when he doesn't want to talk to his dad sometimes. 

Everything is making me feel sort of nervous.  I find myself seeking reassurances from DR..and instead of just asking for what I need, I tend towards saying stupid things trying to get his attention.  He doesn't have much patience for it, refuses to react the way I wish he would, and I end up just feeling worse. 

To top it all off, Princess Diva seems to be having a nervous breakdown, literally.  Last night, Kick Back Dude had to call for help because she was threatening to hurt herself.  She was taken to the hospital and we thought they were going to observe her for 72 hours, but she was released awhile ago.  I don't know what's going on, but of course it is upsetting for everyone.  

So, there are my complaints.  My worries.  My tiny hells.   I feel like a cat laying a gross dead mouse at your feet and wanting something from you, but I couldn't say what.  Possibly just getting it all out there is enough.  Thanks, blog friends.  I do appreciate you being out there.

I've Been an Awfully Good Girl, Santa Baby.

This week has been so busy!  That is good, because it is going fast...but given that I am not QUITE through with my Xmas shopping, it becomes a bit bad for time to fly by like this.

I guess I am going to stay obsessed with the packaging of things.  Seems normal enough for the season, right?  Right?  Right :-)  So this week's Choose and Defend Wednesday concerns your gift wrapping preferences.  How do you like to present your presents? 

Wrapped

OR

Bagged

Tell us how you like it and why!  Choose and Defend.  And thank you for your patience as I work through my packaging issues.

This Musical Message is For You Say You're Coming Home

Friday 5 - Raaaaain!

Welcome to Friday and Friday 5!  The guy who creates this meme lives in Hawaii and they are expecting a MASSIVE storm this weekend, so of course rain is on his mind.  Here in Southern California we are expecting a beautiful and unusually warm weekend, so I can answer these questions without feeling sad.  Please feel free to play along in comments or on your blog!

1.What’s the worst thing about really bad rainstorms?  It floods really quickly here.  One hard downpour and you are wading through rivers and driving becomes a water sport. 

2.What’s the best thing about really bad rainstorms?  Rainstorms are only good if you have no obligation to go out anywhere and can just stay inside and listen to the pounding rain on the roof.  It can be a very cozy and relaxing feeling...but you MUST not have getting somewhere on the back of your mind.

3.What’s your favorite (be honest!) way to pass the time when the power’s out?  Hm.  Well, there is my private little fantasy about what I'd like to be doing to pass the time...and then there is what really happens most often.  If there is any sort of light from outside, might as well do some reading.  When it gets too dark for that, read by candlelight.  We also like to just talk in the dark.  Sometimes more interesting things get said when no one is looking.

4.In what ways are you always prepared for a bad storm?  Honestly, I am pretty much in no way ever really prepared for a bad storm.  You read it here, so when it happens you can all remind me that I shoulda done something to prepare!

5.What’s your favorite song with the word “rain” in the title?  You know, there are actually many good "rain" songs!  I know this is not terribly kewl of me, but I have always really liked "Rain King" by Counting Crows.

I hope you all have a safe, warm weekend, whatever your weather! 

It's In the Bag, Buddy

Wednesday Choose and Defend.  Simple.  You know the way it goes.   You're shopping, you're ready to check out, you get the question....

Paper

OR

Plastic

OR

B.Y.O.B.

How do you roll?  Choose and Defend!

Waiting Month

December is a waiting month.  As the last month of the year and host month to arguably the biggest cultural and religious holiday of the year, December is a time when not much happens that doesn't have to do with those things.  There is a nice long school break and some companies basically shut down, at least for the week between Christmas and the New Year.  December tends to feel like a sort of break from real time in some ways.  I find that I am learning to appreciate it in new ways as I get older, as my kids get older, and my heart feels safer than it has....probably ever.   So today's Talk Talk Tuesday is me getting in the mood :-)  The mood for waiting.  The mood for planning.  The mood to celebrate!

Here is a photo that Princess Diva sent me with Little Prince and Love Bug

on Santa's lap at some other, inferior library :-)  Aw! 

And here is one of my favorite Christmas poems:

Somehow not only for Christmas

But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others

Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing

The poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart's possessing

Returns to make you glad.

-- John Greenleaf Whittier

So there we go!  I am beginning to be in the right frame of mind :-)   Do you have to prepare yourself for all the glad tidings?  Or were you born ready?  Talk Talk!

This Musical Message is For My, Oh, My

Le Sigh

I love him.

I've Got to Pin You Down, Under Lock and Key

Feeling very random today, so you are getting a very random Choose and Defend Wednesday.  It happens.  A lot.   So, guess what!  You get to start a collection!  Maybe you already have a collection or multiple collections.  I think we've talked about that a bit...like hoarders vs. purgers, right?  But today, we are all collecting.  And since it is Choose and Defend, you must Choose between a couple of different things that you may or may not ever want to actually collect.  Just play along anyway, wouldja?  Will you collect....

Bobbleheads

OR

Snow Globes

Yeah, random :-)  But what will it be?  Choose, and don't forget to Defend your choice!  Thanks.