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Christmas giving can be tough. There is always an unexpected person that gives you something or the dreaded gift imbalance when you get something far nicer than you gave. Sure, it’s not about that, but you still end up feeling like a schmuck. Having online friends doubles the difficulty for me because I’d love to send something to every internet friend I have, not to mention their kids and pets but it just isn’t possible. I know many of them feel the same way but until we all win the lottery we’ll have to settle for simply doing the best we can. I’ve received many nice gifts from online friends but I hesitate to blog them because I don’t want anyone to feel left out. Still, it’s hard not to show off, so here’s an anonymous smattering of what arrived.
There was an early box that matched what I sent the recipient so closely that I though she’d sent mine back to me – talk about a non-gift-imbalance. Everything in the box was fun, but my favorite bit was the amazing growing voodoo doll. You put it in a glass of water and it grows to 600% of its original size (I figure about 6”). This little gem is a blog post all in itself. My only complaint is that it came with two pins … not nearly enough.
There was also a Victoria Secret gift card … D was disappointed to learn that he couldn’t order the model that came on the email. No, I don’t worry about such things, he’s too damn slow to catch ‘em anyway.
Evidently my chocolate habit has reached infamous proportions because look at the choco-rama I received! Much of this was in the same package with that fabulous cookbook (chocolate in bbq sauce – yeah baby!)…I can’t imagine the shipping expense. As you can see many of the other packages included a little chocolate goodness … I’m thinking its time for a fondue party.
Though D and I said the new TV and console were to be our Christmas we still bought a few small things. He gave me a journal and sketch book (he believes that I draw better than he does…poor misguided fool), some pencils and charcoal, a kitchen thermometer and a tire gauge (luvs me some tools) and my favorite thing: a Sephora Scent Certificate. It’s basically a box with ten different perfume sample vials, a purse ‘pen’ spray, and a gift card. When you choose the one you like best you redeem your card for a full sized version. Today’s scent: Juicy Couture. Worst name in the box: My Insolence (if anyone asked what I was wearing I’d be forced to say ‘I forget’…gah!).
And finally, channel six. Yes there were channels that showed ‘A Christmas Story’ all day, and channels that showed every version of ‘Scrooge’ known to mankind (except the two I wanted to see-grr), but channel six beat them all with an all day image of a crackling fireplace and Christmas music. I giggle every time I think of it. Had I known they were doing that I’d have hung stockings on the TV – hee.
I hope your holiday was as fine if not finer than mine was, and in case I don’t get back here over the weekend I wish you all a wonderful New Year.
Many thanks for the congratulations and well wishes you all offered yesterday. A few of you have inquired about our plans. The short answer is that we don’t have any. The long answer is that even at its simplest the logistics of planning such a thing are daunting. The high points of these issues are:
- Family that can’t / won’t share space with other family … probably the biggest obstacle.
- Lots of acquaintances and few friends. D could find someone to stand with him (though he’s fallen out of touch with his first choice). Me; I’d have to ask the dog – sad really. (For the record, Rox did say she’d do it, and while I was writing this my brother called and asked if he could be my best man; cute).
- A house we both live in that is solely mine. For all I know he’s already entitled to half since he’s been there so long – heh.
- Take his name? Don’t take his name? He doesn’t care either way; in fact he thinks it’s a little silly to go through all that paper work, but what are the legal implications if I don’t?
Those are just the ones I’ve come up with so far, plus a few that involve a good old fashioned heart-to-heart with D (that was probably him you heard groan).
At the least we will run off to the courthouse and at the most we will have a backyard ceremony somewhere (can we borrow your back yard?). Either way I’ll be sure to share, but don’t worry this is not going to become a wedding blog. Tomorrow, back to our regularly scheduled program I promise.
Christmas morning I was standing in the kitchen in a ratty cotton night gown, hair askew, face unwashed flipping pancakes when D came in and threw an arm around me and said “So, do you want to honeymoon in Aruba?”
It would seem that I can no longer call myself girlfriend-partner-what-ever-I-am and shall now have to say fiancé.
A few days ago D confided that he wanted a Spirograph, and being a decent ‘spouse-partner-what-ever-I-am’ I set out to find him one. As it turns out, this is impossible, unless you are willing to give up to $50 bucks for one on Ebay —I’m not (moral: if you have one in your basement it’s time to dig it out and fire up your Ebay account). They simply aren’t made anymore, and I think that’s rather sad. As a casual observer to the toy aisle it seems to me that if it doesn’t take batteries, blink, flash, and produce some sort of ear piercing noise it is no longer considered a toy but a bit of nostalgia (and I wont touch on the whole lead paint issue – cripes). What ever happened to encouraging kids to use their own imagination?
-Pea sent me this link yesterday and I think it’s just too darn cool – and addicting.
-There is rustling behind my monitor.
-Closer inspection revealed that I have a visitor (sorry Kim)
-Damn hands.
-I finished the bag for Judy, who won ‘Secrets and Lies’ (that’s my step-mom doing ‘model hands’ for me)
-D and I went to West Elm last night and purchased a stand for the TV. I saw this one in the warehouse, and like it better. It’s $50 cheaper … do you think D will kill me if I want to return the one we’ve already lugged home?
-When my dad (boss) introduces me rather than use my job title he often says “she does everything”. Today I replaced a defective valve in the toilet – never a dull moment around here!
-I had the nicest package from Brad’s mom yesterday. It contained a Purseket, handmade ornaments and a holiday pot-holder. Thanks K – it was a super nice thing to come home to!
That’s it for me. What’s new in your neck of the woods?
I borrowed this from the lovely Laurie (I’m sure she won’t mind). I’m not sure why Styx and Melissa Etheridge appeared so often, granted there is more than one CD of each there but there are also over 800 songs on my iPod. My answers aren’t as entertaining as Laurie’s were, but “Who Wants To Live Forever” for driving cracked me up.
If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?
Here’s how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every section, type the song that’s playing
5. next section — press the next button
6. don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool
Opening Credits: “She Bop” – Cyndi Lauper
Waking Up: “Sister Moon” - Sting
First Day at School: “Come to My Window” – Melissa Etheridge
Falling in Love: “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” – Billy Joel
Breaking Up: “Double Life” - Styx
Prom: “Roll Me Away” – Bob Seger
Life’s Okay: “Reunion” – Indigo Girls
Mental Breakdown: “I Run For Life” – Melissa Etheridge
Driving: “Who Wants to Live Forever” - Queen
Flashback: “Don Cha” – The Pussy Cat Dolls
Getting Back Together: “Desiree” – Neil Diamond
Wedding: “I Am the Walrus” – The Beatles
Birth of Child: “Painted Desert” – Pat Benatar
Final Battle: “Best of Times” - Styx
Death Scene: “Party Generation” – Dar Williams
End Credits: “Dance without Sleeping” – Melissa Etheridge
Today, despite a weekend with plenty of relaxing I find myself split between two very distinct personalities. One side thinks it’s nothing a good cry, a loud rant or a pound of chocolate can’t cure. She’s willing to try all three if need be. The other, more belligerent side is shaking her fist, sputtering obscenities and screaming ‘C’mon bring it! You think I can’t handle it? Well you are effing wrong! Send me one more fair weather friend, one more crisis, one more crashed PC or rude person … I double dog dare ya ‘cause all you’ll bet back is a bleeding stump!” Oh yeah, it’s not a good day to be flipping boogers at me.
Last night’s party was just the ticked for my stressed out, flipped out, freaked out self. Work was rushed to get everything done prior to the count but once I got in my car to go home I said to myself ‘I am not rushing tonight’ and glory be, I didn’t. I put my inner ‘Martha’ in the closet ... probably for the rest of the season ... and picked up store bought meatballs and sauced them with chili sauce and red pepper jelly. Sounds weird, but believe me .... super yummy! At the party we talked and laughed and ate and most importantly we relaxed. There is still a long list of things that should be done before Christmas, and many long hours at work but I’ve crossed into the really, real world and have pared those expectations back a more realistic level that I’m good with. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the packages for friends and family hit the road yesterday and I gave up on handmade gifts for my step brothers’ children.
Speaking of gifts for children. I spent over an hour at Target in the toy department looking for three toys. Everything I picked up was ‘Made in China’ and I just wasn’t comfortable taking the risk that those items might contain lead. If you have children on your list did you check labels? If you did, what did you buy instead?
There was a post here, yesterday .. I swear. It wasn’t very interesting or important but it was here. It included the phrase ‘Next, model Tina will show tattooist Mike her naughty bits’. You’d have read it, you know you would have, but now its gone ... lost in the ether. Ah well, so be it then, moving on.
The computer project it kicking my butt and I’m sorry to say I think its winning. The season is winning too; so much to do, so little time and no freakin’ enthusiasm for much of it. Friday we’re going to a party, Saturday a wedding and Sunday I’m working (inventory). There’s nothing quite like the holidays to throw everything into high gear, and to make one feel so woefully inept since ‘doing it all’ really is an impossibility. And yet I try, usually at the last minute, but I do try and in the end I’m really the only one who knows what didn’t get done. Next year, less really will be more .. I swear. You’ll remind me, right?
I know you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for the outcome of ‘Secrets & Lies’ … ok well, maybe not, but here are the answers anyway.
1. In high school I was captain of the clarinets.
Lie. That is me, with all that hair, in the photo but the Captain is actually the girl on the other end, posing the same way. She was very ‘goody-two-shoe’ and preachy. I think she still is based on the emails she forwards to me (damn class reunion contact list). No one cared much for her, or treated her as captain, instead they looked to me and I operated as unofficial sub-captain.
2. I am still daddy’s little girl.
Secret. But, clearly not a big secret as everyone who played got this one right. Once a ‘daddy’s girl’ always a ‘daddy’s girl’…much to my mother’s and sometimes D’s disgust.
3. I break water restriction laws to wash my truck.
Secret. We are only allowed to wash our cars on Thursday, from 5 – 7 pm and I generally get home around 6pm (not to mention that this time of year it is dark by then), but this really isn’t an excuse. I’m a hypocrite, I know, and I would pay the fine without complaint if I got busted.
4. I have a big collection of novelty socks.
Lie. What you see is what I’ve got. They are SockGuy socks (my cycling socks) and possibly the best socks on the planet. They are pricey (for socks) so I only own four pairs, but I just adore them.
5. I think I look kinda cute in my cycling helmet.
Secret. Call me vain, but I think I look cute in most hats … but I rarely wear them. Laurie your logic was ‘spot-on’ but just went one step too far, lol.
6. For my fortieth birthday I got a dragonfly tattoo.
Lie. I shameless stole that photo from flickr member HBE_Mom – who graciously granted me permission even after I had posted the contest. That footsie and tattoo belong to her …but we clearly share a love for dark toe nail polish. Thanks again HBE_Mom, and thanks to everyone who thought I was cool enough for a tattoo (I’m totally not – heh).
No one got them all but three folks got four correct. The winner was chosen randomly from those three participants. Drum roll please ……..the winner….. is……..JUDY! I’ll get the bag out to you by the end of the week (it’s not made, but it is on the cutting table). Many, many thanks to everyone who played, you know I heart you all.
This morning by phone…
Hi honey!
Hi you!
How would you feel about running home and letting the dogs* out and then heading back out to the big mall and knocking out all the Christmas shopping?
Sure!
Those sirens you hear in the distance … they’re coming for me ‘cause I fell out of my chair.
D almost never tells me no, I decipher the meaning of his answers entirely on the pause that take place before them. The longer the wait for the response the less enthusiastic he is about what ever he’s just been asked. I expected to be heading to the mall myself tonight, especially because Friday is normally his TV night, but that pause? It wasn’t there, not even a breath, just a quick, happy, “sure!”
Do you think his answer might have anything to do with the Christmas shopping we’ll be doing for ourselves?
*We’re keeping Mackie’s mom for a few days.
Yesterday I mentioned lusting after the soundtrack for August Rush and further investigation into to it yielded the name Kaki King. Kaki is the lady who actually plays the pieces you hear when August first picks up the guitar. Like August in the movie, she employees a two handed tapping technique to play; a technique that plays the whole guitar and not just the strings…not to mention one that just staggers me with the level of talent needed to apply it.
A few years ago Amazon brought me a recommendation for a CD by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (affectionately known as ‘Iz’). I would have probably passed it over but the album cover was inhabited by a mountainous man wearing a sarong (not the proper term I’m sure) and curiosity won out. I sampled a few of the tracks from the CD and was blown away by the sweet voice pouring out of my speakers. You’ve probably heard Iz’s version of ‘Over the Rainbow’ which appears in several movies and ads (go ahead, sample it, I’ll wait - scroll down on the Amazon page, track 10). Amazing, right? Sadly he died in ’97 but to Hawaii he continues to be a state treasure, and to me a relaxing listen.
The point of these two similar but different things is that there is a whole world of talent out there that goes overlooked. It doesn’t matter if you find it on-line or at the corner bar, it only matters that you are open to it when it comes by. So, c’mon, share. What talented ‘secret’ do you know? A singer, pianist, painter, carpenter … anything it doesn’t matter. The challenge is to share.
Oh, and speaking of challenges I’ve decided the contest cut-off will be Monday, so if you haven’t played - and you know who you are - what are you waiting for?
D and I made up for lost recreation time this weekend by going to two movies; one Saturday evening and one Sunday morning. For those that keep track of such things we saw August Rush and The Hitman. If you weren’t convinced that D and I have a wide eclectic taste in things our movie choices should convince you. We enjoyed both, and ‘Rush’ has me wanting to take up guitar lessons again not to mention lusting after the soundtrack-heh.
We’ve reached the top of the holiday season roller coaster and are on the verge of the long fast run to the new year. My list of things to do is, as ever, crammed full of impossible tasks. Why I don’t start this in August I’ll never understand. Most of us probably ask that question right about now. If you aren’t one of those people, please don’t let me know 
Edited to add: Please don’t misunderstand, I appreciate everything I received. In case I wasn’t clear in my birthday posts: Many, many thanks to everyone who sent a gift or a well wish. I am not degrading the gift; my gripe is with the company and what I view as an archaic way of handling gift cards.
I received several gift cards for my birthday. Today I tried to use one to order something online only to find that they could not process the gift card. I figured no biggie, I’d just call them and place the order by phone. Guess what? They still couldn’t process the card, unless I wanted to visit a brick and mortar. If, however, I would like to pay full price for the item, and mail them the card they would reimburse me as soon as they received it. WHAT??? Trust my card to the US Mail, and then trust that the minimum wage envelope opener on the other end won’t pocket it? In this day and age a store cannot electronically process their own cards? I’d expect that from a small, non national store but c’mon, this is a national chain. So ... beware when you give a gift card ... be sure to ask how the recipient goes about redeeming it; lest you give a gift and a headache.
As promised, here is the contest I call ‘Secrets and Lies’. First I have to give credit where credit is due. This game is based on the fabulous Pea’s Obfuscation. We didn’t get to play this year because she’s been busy with moving and job hunting ... the nerve! In my version you will find six statements with supporting evidence in the form of a photo. Your mission is to find three ‘secrets’ and three ‘lies’. Be careful, as celebrities know seeing isn’t always believing.
1. In High School I was the captain of the clarinets.
That’s me on the right.
2. I am still ‘daddy’s little girl’.
3. I break water restriction laws to wash my truck.
4. I have a big collection of novelty socks.
5. I think I look kinda cute in my cycling helmet.
6. For my fortieth birthday I got a dragonfly tattoo.
Leave a comment with your guesses (remember, three secrets and three lies). The prize? An uber cute, girlie (as yet unmade) bag in brown & blue velvet/taffeta. I’ll leave this open for a few days (or maybe all week) depending on the response. Good luck!