A Fresh Start!

It is New Year's Eve! Awesome. I feel hopeful that 2009 will be good for all of us. Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I am all about believing in the best.

As for tonight, I am planning a very quiet celebration. Quite possibly a solo event. I haven't made plans with friends, although something could come up. Girlie Girl will be out with her friends, Handsome Lad with be at his dad's house. For me, I am thinking a movie and some bubbly. Also, I might go out and meet another Personals guy. So far, we've only written and spoken on the phone briefly, but he is going to be practically down the street at a party tonight, so we are going to try and meet up at some point. Maybe it will just be a quick hello, maybe it will play out a bit longer. I have no idea. But I will let you know, as I'm sure you'll all be curious. Just humor me here, thanks.

Okay, now, it is Wednesday and yes, I am going to ask you to Choose and Defend. As always, you have your two choices. I acknowledge that other choices exist, but they are not on the table! Here goes:

It is New Year's Eve. How would you prefer to celebrate?

At a BIG party, with lots of people, music, dancing, drinks...

At a quiet evening with a few friends, family members...an intimate gathering, as they say...

Remember, it doesn't have to have anything to do with what you actually are doing...although you are welcome to share that, too. But what would you CHOOSE to do, given those two choices? Choose and Defend! And happy 2009 to you all!!!!

New Years Eve 1992/93

I was going to write about my happiest New Years Eve, but instead this particular one keeps pressing in on me. Maybe writing it down will shoo it away.

I was heavily pregnant with my fourth child. The others were 7, 6, and 3. I was so tired. But it was New Years Eve. The two oldest boys were desperate to try and make it until midnight. WTG talked all day about how New Years Eve was for amateurs and he knew it was a stupid night to go out...not that it had stopped him any other year. My due date was officially January 2. I assure you, I was quite miserable. I begged him to stay home and help the boys have a nice time. I really was just longing to lie down. He left, under the pretext of just stopping by a friend's house for a few minutes...he'd be right back. I tried calling him later, where he said he'd be. No cell phones then. I planned to lie and say I felt I was going into labor if I could get ahold of him. But I didn't have to lie, as he remained unreachable.

I sat listlessly on the couch watching the boys drop off one by one, defeated by their normal sleep schedules in spite of their excitement. I slept too, off and on, uncomfortable and angry and feeling helpless. WTG wandered in late the following afternoon. And so began another new year.

There is a happy p.s. to this bummer post. My daughter arrived on January 4th, healthy and lovely. It was so easy to put everything else out of my mind when I looked at my beautiful children.



And another upside...I will probably be sitting here in my apartment alone on this particular New Years Eve. I have made no plans. But it still has that NYE beat! Woot.

I Put the Sit in Babysitting

Today was one of my vacation days and I was, um, let's say lucky enough to get to spend a large portion of it tending my grandchildren. You know them...Miss Personality (turns 4 towards the end of Feb.), Love Bug (16 months), and Little Prince (4 months today). And hey, I'm experienced. I did go through that stage of having three kids under the age of four my very own self. And to relive it, even for a day? Magical. Let me share.

Here are the ladies enjoying their breakfast picnic in the livingroom. As you can maybe tell, their parents are still trying to assimilate all the fabulousness they collected for the holiday.


After the girls had their bath, they stood directly in front of the tv for some time, fascinated by whatever eyecatcher was on there. If they go blind, I'm not saying it will be totally my fault, but I'd be forced to take a share of the blame.



Lucky for me, Little Prince is a total rock star. Completely committed to being cool and smiling for the crowds.

After a fun morning, I took them out to McDonalds and let them partake of the terrible, but terribly appealing for toddlers, food. They girls played in the playland and the boy continued to smile and encourage eye contact. We went to the park for more playing and more happy baby. I should have taken more pictures, but lost the art at some point. Around 3 pm their mother arrived to rescue them all from my clutches and carry them off in her packed Prius.

Aw. I guess reading about it later it was kinda magical after all! Yay for babies on temporary loan!

Mah New Stuff!

I'm hoping, at some point, to have photos of fun and peoples...but right now I only have stuff on hand. Here is my Xmas loot!

This is my score from the big family party on Xmas Eve. There is a blue blanket, pink pajamas, a grandma photo album, a daily calendar with quotes from The Office, scents, chocolates, socks, and a Starbucks gift card. Score!

Pictured here is my Xmas morning immediate family only event booty. Check out my new dishes, Princess Unicorn (more on that), brushes, a mirror, hair clips, Barnes & Noble gift card, and comfy slippers. Score!

Even though I hate to have favorites I definitely do. It happens, you know? And this will be a weird one, unless you are a fan of The Office and watched the recent Christmas episode. Anyone? Well, anyway, my daughter got really creative and using graphics you could download at nbc.com she made a Barbie into a Princess Unicorn doll for me. I nearly died when I opened it. It showed real thought and creativity, which I truly appreciated. And it is going on display with my other dolls, like Nancy Pearl the Librarian, Einstein, Patches the Clown and the rest.

Here is Barbie decked out as Princess Unicorn. (Very genetically improbable)

This is the legend of Princess Unicorn. Want to hear it? Well, no, you probably don't, but I assure you, it is awesome.

"My horn can pierce the sky!" You can sing that when you see her.

Okay. That's all mah new stuff! Yay!

And If You Go Chasing Rabbits...

Hello and welcome to my Saturday Scavenger Shots post! How are you? I am feeling all WHITE! Our word, WHITE, was chosen, ironically enough, by Gang Green member MrManuel @ Manuel's View. I think everyone really appreciated the word, as many of you are surrounded by some very cold WHITE stuff. Me, not so much. Southern California here. Yeah. But of course I have many WHITE things around me and here are just a few.

I have WHITE paper up the ying yang. Well, not me personally, but my place of employment. I deal with WHITE paper a lot. Jealous?

Here are my WHITE SmartBoil pot and my WHITE cup. When I use these two things together, I can enjoy my Good Earth Cocoa Chai Tea or my Bigelow Lemon Zinger Herb Tea. What helpful WHITE objects!

Here we have a prop story of Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? I thought of it because of all the colors in it...including the WHITE dog. See him? There is his picture and his little finger puppet image. WHITE dog!

So, no snow here...but other WHITE things abound. FYI, I'm going to stick to you like WHITE on rice! WHITE when you get work...oh, no wait...Um, anyway, stop by MrManuel's and see who he's tagging for the coming week. Later, bloginators!

Be Merry

Ho Ho Hi Dee Ho!

I'm putting up a totally cheaty Choose and Defend Wednesday post. I suspect there won't be many people in the blogosphere as THE holiday begins. I am at work right now...just two more hours...so I am still bloggy :-) If you stop by, try this BlogThings thing...it's fun!

You Are Hot Chocolate

Your holiday personality is generous. The holidays are your favorite time to practice the art of giving. You enjoy picking out presents, sharing treats, and making everyone's day a little brighter. And you don't even notice if you don't get anything in return.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Nice, right? No need to create a defense for that! Totally me ;-D

Merry Christmas, you maniacs!

"WHITE", Declares MrManuel

Please note that MrManuel stopped by to tell me that this week's assignment for the Saturday Scavenger Hunt is WHITE. Play this Saturday and show us something that says WHITE to you!!!

Annual Airing of the Festivus Song

I think this will be my forth year posting this on my blog. It is a tradition, thus it cannot die. Five years ago, some friends and I each contributed a verse to this very special celebration of that alternative holiday, Festivus. You're familiar with it, I'm sure. But if not, check it out HERE.
---------------------
The Festivus Song
written 2003
by Rockyhors, Wildblue'72 (me),
Poppaspank, 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!......

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
because 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
that Uncle Fred has cankers on his nose.
And all those joys abound with little fuss
Because it is the time of Festivus
--------------------------------------------
Hope you all enjoyed singing along, once again :-) Who wants to start the Airing of Grievences? haha! Any votes on who will dominate the Feats of Strength? Ah, I kill myself, really....

Platonic Dating and More

Here is our goofy little light tree. I'll try and do better next year :-)

Another weekend done come and gone. First things first, so I will tell you how my Friday evening activity with the Activist went. It almost didn't! When I first got to where we were supposed to meet I didn't see him. I was a bit late...and he has no cell phone...so I kinda thought that might be that. However, he had gone back to his house, which was really nearby and called me. So we did finally meet up. I parked my car so we could walk about his neighborhood, which has lots of cool shops and restaurants. We checked out this store called Echo Park Time Travel Mart. It was really cool and all sales go to benefit students that are tutored and mentored by 826LA. Next we went to a casual Italian restaurant for dinner. It was called Masa and the food was pretty amazing. It was very relaxing and we had lots to talk about, although it was fairly noisy. After dinner we went to a bookstore that we'd noticed earlier. For like an hour, we just looked at books and sat together reading. Laugh if you will, but that was pretty much my idea of a perfect evening. No one ever wants to just sit companionably with me and read! It was getting late and I had to get home to pick up Girlie Girl from her friends house, so we called it a night. I felt really happy and just very comfortable. There isn't any kind of sexual vibe there, but we are totally compatible friends I think. And I also think that when you feel really comfortable with someone there are always possibilities yet to be explored. So who knows? But it was a nice night.

My next paragraph will be much shorter, I assure you. Saturday was shopping day. I basically finished up all of my holiday gift shopping. It hasn't been as crowded anywhere as I always fear it will be. Maybe a lot of people already finished and are sitting at home all smug and sassy. But now I am among the smug, sassy finished ones. Um, almost. Okay, yeah, almost...just a couple more things, I swear. Anyway, Saturday evening Handsome Lad came to hang with me while his dad did something or other, so that was nice. We had a fine evening watching Dogtown and Z Boys. Then came a pretty quiet Sunday. I went grocery shopping and did some laundry and pretty much called that my day.

Now it is almost the end of my work day on Monday. I work tomorrow, then only four hours on Wednesday, as the library closes early (too kind.) Then it is Christmas! WTG is hosting Xmas eve, which I was hoping wouldn't happen, but it did. Kick Back Dude and Princess Diva were slated to host, but somehow WTG took it over. Whatevs. And Girlie Girl and I are going over there Xmas morning too, so that everyone can be together to open their gifts. And then? All that's left is to clean up the mess and move on into another year :-)

Hope you all had a good weekend and that you all feel ready for the festivities ahead. Peace!

Hey! It's 12-21!

Just wanted to give a shout out to one of my very favorite imaginary...I mean online friends. Many happy returns of the day, Alien Coffeeground. This is your year. Enjoy!
Pals always,
laura b.

It's Easy!

All you need is LOVE. This week's word, chosen by me (laura b.) is simply LOVE. I coulda tried to get deep and unexpected. But I won't. Here is LOVE, for me:
I LOVE Handsome Lad.

I LOVE the Auntie, Niece BFFs Girlie Girl and Miss Personality.

I LOVE the LOVE Bug.


I LOVE our Little Prince.

And that, my friends, is that! I LOVE that you stopped by and I'll LOVE it even more if you comment.

For next week, I am tagging...how about MrManuel? You in? LOVE all y'all! xoxo

The Time, She Flies, No?

Girlie Girl and her friend ready to take over the Spelling Bee world, one letter at a time.

Please to enjoy my little bits and pieces post today.

I still live on the academic calendar and today was the last day of school before Winter Break. I am beyond excited at the thought of getting to sleep in a bit for the next couple of weeks. I am even taking some time off between Christmas and New Years. Honestly, can you believe 2008 is almost over? I find it stunning.

Last night, Girlie Girl, Handsome Lad, the Kick Back Dude family, and I took a drive out to this one kind of distant neighborhood to see their extra special holiday light displays. I wasn't sure it was going to be worth driving, because really, there are lights all over the place. This area was very nice though, and clearly has become a destination spot. They block off the streets so that you must park and then walk through these blocks to see the houses. Some people clearly weren't real go-getters, but some of the displays were amazing. Some of the residents set up little stands at the ends of their driveways, selling hot cocoa and churros and other snacks. We came with hot drinks already in hand, so they couldn't tempt us with their overpriced styrofoam cups of Swiss Miss. haha! Kick Back Dude has a nice camera and took photos. He is supposed to send me some. If he does, I'll share, but one never knows with him....

This evening I am meeting the Activist at one of his vigils and then we're going to get something to eat. Luckily, I don't think there is anything I can do to this guy to throw him into turmoil and soul searching. *whew* Just hoping for a nice meal and some interesting convo. Wish me luck.

I believe this weekend will be devoted to all last minute Christmas shopping. I still have a few more things to buy, although the majority of it is in hand. I have had a great financial break this year, between my longetivity bonus and having an opportunity for the first time ever to sell back some vacation hours. I have more than enough and they seem to accrue so quickly. I was able to get an extra paycheck and still have plenty of vacay time on the books. Taxes, smaxes, I needs to get paid! Anyway, all that helped to make this holiday much less stressful than I had anticipated.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Don't forget to show your LOVE tomorrow! xoxo

Just Tagged for Saturday Scavenger Hunt!

Mrs. Hairy Woman has called the dogs off the still unpredictable Evil-E and tagged me for this week. I thought I better give you something not too esoteric, since you won't have much time...so, how about...LOVE. Please play this Saturday and post your favorite photos on the theme of LOVE. Thanks :-)

Hey There, Cookie!

Choose and Defend Wednesday has come around once again. Are you excited to get to Choose and Defend? Yeah, me too! This one was inspired by, what else, Christmas. One of the things that I think of, when I think of Christmas, is Christmas cookies. Yum. Now, there are lots and lots of cookies in the world. Even lots and lots of Christmas-y cookies. I've narrowed it down, through careful research and analysis, to the top two distinctively Christmas cookies. You get to pick your favorite one and tell us all why it is your favorite! Everyone has an opinion, so don't be shy about sharing yours!

Do you prefer...

Gingerbread Men People?

Or is your preference for....

Sugar Cookies?

G'wan Cookie! Tell us what you want, what you really, really want. Um, as long at it is one of the two cookie options. Gracias.

I Guess It's Official. I'm Not Jewish.

Tahiti 80 have this song called "Puzzle" with these lyrics that come to me every so often when I am in my el sensitivo moods.

You know that's why
I'd like to be somebody else.
Somebody without feelings,
Only sensations and money.

Doesn't that sound better some days?

Well anyway, Hormonia McWeepy was inhabiting my body this morning. I got this painfully earnest email from ML, this guy I went out with a couple of weeks ago. We hadn't spoken since then, a couple of blah blah blah emails, so I had really put the man out of my mind. Okay, so this morning I received this email...clearly he's been agonizing over what to do about me! I guess I should say, as I hadn't mentioned, he is very Jewish. But, you know, conflicted or whatever right now. None of that matters to me, as someone's religion is pretty irrelevant to me unless they try to push it on me. Anyway, I mention it now, because that was what he was struggling with, I guess. He realized when he remarries it will have to be someone Jewish...and he also realized he isn't the kind of man who can just go out and have fun or whatever, unless he can follow through and of course as I am not Jewish, he cannot lead me on and he feels so bad and really on and on! The whole thing made me feel awful! I mean, I was frankly incredibly touched...but also kind of astounded that for the past two weeks this poor man has been struggling with this! When I think back, I realize the whole making out in the car thing may have been a lot for him to handle. When he left me, he said something about it being the greatest experience of his life...which I didn't repeat here, because...you know...who says that! It was sweet, but I just thought he was sort of caught up in the moment or whatever. Anyway, so he finally brings himself to write me this email apologizing, explaining himself. It broke my heart. Not because I imagined a future, but because I just hadn't given the whole thing much thought at all. I guess this is where my relative lack of experience is really put painfully into the spotlight. I may never date again. Geez.

Is It Over Yet?

I spent the weekend trying in good faith to get into the properly festive frame of mind for the coming few days. As I mentioned, I went out shopping with a vengence on Friday. After the endless outing with my mom and sister in the morning and early afternoon, I was forced out again when Girlie Girl got out of school. I admit I was bit cross by then, but I did take her out to pick out her stuff for the babies.

On Saturday at work it was crazy packed. We had a "gingerbread" house making program and apparently anyone who is anyone had just been waiting for a chance to make a pretend gingerbread house out of a little juice carton, graham crackers, frosting, and candy.

Saturday, Girlie Girl spent the night with a friend and Handsome Lad was with his dad. I used my time constructively to wrap a few of my recent purchases. I'm very proud of being so on task, thankew very much.

Sunday, was a quiet day. I took Handsome Lad to the skatepark, went grocery shopping, picked Girlie Girl up from her friend's house, took her out to get another friend a birthday present (which she doesn't need until Friday, but I was on a gosh darn roll!) Then we went home and watched two episodes of Celebrity Rehab that we had tivo'd. Shut up.

This morning, after getting the kids to school and before I went to work, I put together this year's Christmas tree sort of thing. I'll take a picture of it, so that you too can share in the joy of a tree made of plastic and lights. Quite awesome if I do say so myself. I was just not up for the mess of a live tree this year. But it is something at least. I demand points for that! Right.

Now, it is almost time for me to get out of here for the night. I'm hoping it isn't raining on the drive home. My car is still leaking. It didn't magically get new weather stripping...what's up with that? Car fairy is slacking again. And geez, one of my workmates is listening to Christmas music. Not to be Scroogy, but for me, a little goes a long way. *sigh* Alright then...many happy returns and all that.

Dancing at Discos, Eating Cheese on Toast

MERRY Saturday, one and all! Welcome to a very MERRY Scavenger Shots event. Mrs. Hairy Woman chose the very seasonally appropriate word, MERRY, for this week. Excellent choice.

I am working on getting into a MERRY frame of mind. I started my gift shopping yesterday, venturing out with my mom and sister. I love them both, but I don't shop well with others. I do better just pushing through on my own. Still it was also a nice social event, and it made me a bit MERRY and bright :-)

My photos didn't come out so great (quel suprise, I know). But I did want to attempt to capture my little try at joining in on the jollity of the season with some decor. Here's how you can rock it apartment style!

This is my next door neighbor's window with it's MERRY glow of lights.

Here is the string of MERRY snowflake lights across my front window. I know you can't tell, but they're very pretty!

Here is one of my snowflakes up close and personal. Feeling MERRY yet?

Ho! Ho! Ho! I thank you for joining the MERRY little gala and invite you to tour all the Saturday Scavenger Hunt blogs to get into the appropriate seasonal mood! And, as always, eat, drink, and be MERRY, for tomorrow we die. Wait no, that isn't what I want to leave you with! Leave off the last part of that quote, okay? Thanks.

MERRY Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Fruitful Kwanzaa and other appropriate seasonal greetings from me to you. And that is that!

Friday 5 - Not Mine!

Please play along with the Friday 5, if you have a hankering to talk about your stuff! This is a really fun and easy one.

1. When did you last sleep in a bed outside your home? Whoa, it is a bit disconcerting to realize how long it's been since I slept anywhere besides my own home. I need to get invited to a slumber party or go on a trip or something! It has to have been years!

2. When did you last drive someone else’s car? Oh, this one is easy. I drove my mom's car when we went to my dad's house for Thanksgiving. She has a little Saturn. It drives very nicely.

3. When did you last cook in someone else’s kitchen? Does making my lunch or dinner in the microwave at work count? Let's say yes, so that would be two days ago. Um hm.Eeeeekkkk! Scary stuff, people....

4. When did you last care for children who aren’t yours? What do you think...do my grandchildren count? They aren't MINE, per se. Let's say it counts...so Thursday evening. Good old granny!

5. When did you last do someone else’s job? Geez, I still seem to help with little odds and ends for WTG's job. This is apparently ongoing and will follow me where'er I travel until the end of my days.

And that is the stuff that is mine...but not mine!

I'm a Reindeer. Are You a Reindeer?

You Are Cupid

A total romantic, you're always crushing on a new reindeer. Why You're Naughty: You've caused so much drama, all the reindeers aren't speaking to each other. Why You're Nice: You have a knack for playing matchmaker. You even hooked Rudolph up!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Aw! Thank you Blogthings! I am very cupid-ish. Ask around, you'll see. Just doing my part for lovers everywhere. Um hm.