Bad Omen?

I have “Shall We Gather at the River” stuck in my head. 

Why?  I have no idea.

It creeps me out when I get gospel songs stuck in my head. Where the hell did that come from?

Is this a sign?  Is everyone okay?

Please let me know.

Random Thoughts with a Weekend Update

I am wearing my uber expensive DDD bra today.
And it’s too tight.

Crap.

**********

My weekend was good. I had my first meeting with Ann on Saturday (read about it here, eventually), which included a sushi lunch and digging through her clothes and purses. I have a few new big comfy sweaters.

Comfy. Not frumpy.

**********

Saturday night was dinner with Kim-n-Tim-n-Milo. It was low key, veg on the sofa and chat. And listen to Milo sing “Old MacDonald”.

And Sunday was domestic – Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, laundry, paying bills, helping Kayleigh with her Math project. We’re totally gonna get an A.

Sunday night was the season 4 finale of Dexter. Fan-freakin-tastic. Season 5 isn’t out on DVD yet. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?!

**********

Saturday morning is when I woke up with an achy shoulder. And hip. I must have slept hard on my left side. But as the day when on, and the shoulder didn't pop, it got worse. It was making my arm ache and my back and neck ache. Sunday was even worse. I couldn’t carry anything with my left arm. Monday, I decided it was time for a doctor’s appointment. Not that he could really do anything about it, but he could prescribe a massage, of which I am in desperate need.

But then I popped a couple Tylenol 3 with codeine last night before bed (because they had been prescribed for this stupid 3am cough) and when I woke up this morning, my shoulder felt much better. I coughed all night, but my shouldn’t didn’t hurt!

I still went to my appointment this morning and got my prescription for a massage.
So, it was totally worth it.

**********

I am sick of our weather. La Nina, my ass. For the past month (and for the next month) it’s 50 degrees and rainy. Woo.Hoo. How boring.

I want snow. I want to be snowed in. I want to be trapped at my house for a week. It’s okay, I have the vacation time. I need excitement!

**********

I have many balls in the air this week - work party tonight, drinks with a friend tomorrow, creative work meeting on Thursday (yes, I have a creative work meeting!), Archer premiere party on Friday, more organizing on Saturday, a party Saturday night, cleaning for a friend on Sunday....

B R E A T H E

Plus, Todd and I are hosting the Chinese New Year party this year, so there was a planning meeting for that last night and will probably be another one more in the next two weeks.

I like being this busy.  Keeps me distracted from the crappy things in life.

We'll talk about that later....

The Mother of All Projects

I have a new project. It’s a biggie.
It will make good Mighty Tidy material, so I’ll blog about it there.

Where?

Here.

Things I’ve Learned Along The Way

When you open a little yogurt container, open it AWAY from you. Inevitably, yogurt spits out. I’ve gotten yogurt on my shirt one too many times. Now I know.

Unload the bottom rack of the dishwasher first. Then, when you unload the top rack and all of the water dumps from the punts in the glasses or the lip of the Tupperware, it won’t dump on the dry dishes below. Less dishes to dry off.

Tidy your room at night before you go to bed. Hang up your clothes, put away your shoes, throw away your tissues from the night before. Its easier in the morning when you’re getting ready for work or school.

Save every freakin’ email. Two years from now, someone will argue with you about something and it takes the wind out of their sails when you say “Well, let me just pull up the email about that….”

Take your rings off when you wash your hands.

When you clean, start at the top and work your way down. Cobwebs, dusting lights/on top of the cabinets, wiping down cabinets, wiping counter tops, wiping baseboard, sweep the floor.

Use “waiting time” to tidy. That way, you don’t have to make time to do it later. While my bagel was toasting today, I put away the clean dishes on the counter and soaked and stacked the dirty dishes in the corner. Less I have to do this evening when I clean the kitchen. And back when I used to pump gas, I would set the thingy to automatic and clean all of the trash out of my car. I know you’re not supposed to re-enter your car while gas is pumping, so I’d just get the stuff out of the door pockets.

And speaking of soaking dishes, I have trained my family to follow one of my quirks. When the dishes start piling up and I need to put them in the dishwasher, but just don’t get around to it, I fill up one of the larger dirty glasses with steaming hot water and put all of the silverware in there, dirty side down. By the time I get around to putting that silverware in the dishwasher, the dried peanut butter/Nutella/mayo(gag)/butter has soaked off and I don’t have to rinse them.

Consistent reminders really do work with teenagers. Even though you feel like you’re just repeating yourself to a wall and they get all huffy and said, “Duh. I know!”.  I see Kayleigh remember to turn the shower off BEFORE she turns the water off (it’s a rude awakening to have the shower blast down on me first thing in the morning when I turn on the water) and put the towel up over the tub when she leaves the bathroom. Gentle, consistent reminders.

At the grocery store, if you unload all of the freezer stuff together and the fridge stuff together when you check out, you don’t spend time running back to the fridge when you get home and unload stuff. If you have a good bagger, all of your cold stuff will be together. If you have a bad bagger, well, bag your own stuff next time.

*Tangent*

I remember going to Kroger with Mom every Saturday morning for the weekly grocery shopping trip. I remember her standing there to write out her check and chatting with the cashier because she knew them all on a first name basis. And I remember the mentally disabled boy who would leave whichever lane he was on when he saw mom, to come bag her groceries. He loved football and they’d talk about the Oilers while he bagged and as he walked her out to her car. He was nice. Wonder where he is now?

I also remember if he wasn’t there, and the other baggers were busy, Mom would look at me and say “Make yourself useful!”. And I would. I’m a good bagger. And I still step in and bag when Todd and I do one of our huge grocery shopping trips and there are no baggers available. If the cashier has to scan and type and bag, it takes too long. I always get a surprised look and a thank you. Makes me feel good.

Now. Back to our list.

Um. I think I’m done.

However.

You would think I’ve learned by now not to tell my mother I coming to visit her five months in advance. That’s way too much time her to think of all the things she wants me to help her with. It’s much better to just show up when she isn’t expecting it. Less time for her to compile a list.

I’m thinking about going home for a few days over Memorial weekend. I miss my folks. A whole bunch. And I need to be mommied for a while.

Random Thoughts

In local news today, a 13 year old boy was sent home from school for wearing a Steelers' jersey.


While I would like to jump up and down, screaming "Yeah, BOY.  Steelers can suck it!!", I can't in this particular instance.

The school allowed kids to wear their Seahawks gear for the game this weekend, but the boy chose to wear his Steelers' jersey.  Um.  Not Steelers spirit day.  Seahawk spirit day.  If you ain't got Seahawk spirit, wear your school uniform.

The Seahawks play Chicago on Sunday.  We're not holding our breath, but stranger things have happened.

**********


You remember the post about my sick vacuum?

Well, it completely went kaput.  The roller brush wouldn't even turn.  So I finally took it into Ballard Quality Sewing and Vacuum.  Yes, we have a Quality Sewing and Vacuum in White Center, but I don't like it.  So I took my vacuum all the way to Ballard.

When I dropped it off, a very nice boy (yes, boy) asked if he could help me.  I said, with weepy eyes, "My vacuum is sick."  The man, very dramatically, gasped and put his hand to his heart and said "Oh, no!"

See?  He gets it.

I told him what all was wrong, and he took the vacuum from me and said "Well, take good care of her."  Then I told him to shield her eyes because I was going to oogle the shiny new Ricaars.

When I went to pick her up, there were five boys working.  In a vacuum and sewing shop.  All young, all had Justin Bieber hair, and all just as sweet as pie.  I told Todd, it must be a front for a drug operation.  That's just bazaar.

But my Ricaar is feeling much better now.

**********

My left thumb joint is getting worse.  It hurts to hold my travel coffee mug now.  I'm consciously thinking about keeping my thumb close to my hand - not letting it stray outward so that it hyper extends. 

It's all downhill from here, isn't it?

**********

Can I get a "hell yeah" for a three day weekend?  Yes, I will thank Martin Luther King Jr when I wake up at 10am on Monday.

I Can Justify Anything

Which is why I am well past voluptuous.

Safeway has a four pack of these delicious muffins that are normally $1.99 (with the club card), or like yesterday, $2.69 but two for one. On therapy days, I usually stop and pick up a latte and muffins afterwards, on my way in to work – it’s a little treat to myself after I’ve purged my soul. Since there’s four in a pack, I share them with Mr. Cranky Non-Decorating Co-worker and CB. They have come to love Muffin Day.

Anywho.

Todd and I were out of coffee yesterday, so I stopped and got muffins and a latte. CB is still on maternity leave so Mr. Co-Worker and I enjoyed our muffins alone. And I put the rest in my file cabinet, happy in the knowledge that I have breakfast for the rest of the week (eight muffins, minus two muffins equals six muffins!)

We still don’t have coffee at home (well, we have coffee beans, but no grinder, and short term memory so we forgot to take the beans to get ground last night, or grind them in the blender) so I stopped again today for a latte, and very much looked forward to my muffin when I got to work.

And my muffin was good. Apple. I got banana nut too, because Mr. Cranky Non-Decorating Co-worker likes them, but they’re e a little too dry for me.

So I had my muffin and everything was dandy. Until I got an email and then the day just went to shit. Big project, lots of equipment orders, need to be delivered somewhere else, can’t deliver somewhere else, no one told us that, cancel that other order that was placed last week, okay cancelled, but wait maybe we don’t need to cancel that order…

Oh, for the love of puppies!

That’s when I ate my second apple muffin.

I didn’t need that muffin. But my mood was slipping and I knew the taste of that muffin would distract me (temporarily) and so I went for it.

Now I have two very processed apple muffins in my belly and I feel gross. And I bet I just gained three pounds.

Coincidentally, this is the same reason I drink wine every night.

Does Anyone Else See Kristin Here?

Horrified

Dear Republican Readers,
I understand that you and I have differences of opinion.  I still love you as a person.  I don't lump all of the extreme people into one group - Republicans.  There are extreme Democrats.  I get it.  I don't generalize.

However.

If you like Sarah Palin, and you support her murderous belief system, I don't understand you.

And that scares me.

Random Kitty Post

So, Tom has this creepy habit of just sitting in one spot, staring.  Sometimes it's at something, sometimes it's not.

Usually, in the morning, he sits on bed or the footboard of the bed and stares at me when I'm getting ready for work.  I'd love to know what's going through his head.

But on Friday, Todd slept in while I got up and got ready.  He had the covers pulled up over his head, because I had the light on, so he had no idea that Tom was just sitting there staring at him.  For about 20 minutes.

Eventually, Tom wanted under the covers so he started clawing at the quilt.  I knew Todd wouldn't tolerate that like I do, so I just lifted the quilt and Tom walked under and curled up against Todd.

I was a little jealous that I didn't get my Tom cuddle time that morning, but it was sweet to see Todd get his cuddle time.

Lazy Saturday

Our Saturday was completely lazy.  Completely.

Kayleigh and I had a morning date, so we walked down to the Junction at 11am and had a lovely breakfast (and six cups of coffee...me, not Kayleigh) at the Easy Street Cafe.  It was a long, leisurely time since they're always packed and service is less than speedy.  But that's why we go there.  To dally.

At 1:30pm, we headed back home for the now INFAMOUS Seahawks game!

Holy shit!

No one thought we could do it!  WE didn't think we could do it!  But we FINALLY played some football!  When it freakin' counted!  Go 'Hawks!

Whew.

Okay, so after the game, we were just sloths.  Lots of TV, more football, nachos for dinner, random crime drama shows, and cuddling.

Todd felt a little left out.  So as soon as Kayleigh went to check her email, he snagged her spot.

Yeah, they can't get enough of the Rae-rae.....

How Hard Was To Come To Work Today?

I am wearing my jammie pants. 

I kid you not.

Okay, they don’t “look” like jammie pants.  They’re drawstring, wide leg sweat pants from Old Navy.  But when I go home and get into my jammies, these are the pants I put on.

I woke up a lot last night and completely slept through my bigass bright light and then just had a really hard time waking up and I just couldn’t stand the thought of wearing jeans or slacks and sitting in that chair all day.  So I convinced myself that my gray sweat pants, with my bright pink hoodie over a white tank top would just hover above the line of “inappropriate”.  I did put on mascara and a necklace, so it all balances, right?

Actually, I’ve seen much more inappropriate in this office.  Spandex leggings with a t-shirt?  Inappropriate.  Dirty sweat pants (complete with elastic around the ankles) and flip flops?  Inappropriate.  Camisole/tank top thingy?  Inappropriate. 

Okay, CB was pregnant when she wore that, and it was 90 degrees out, so I guess I can let the tank top slide.

Actually, I think I look like a hip stay at home mom.  I’ve always admired those mommies that I see in the grocery store at 9am with their hair done and make up on and fashionable sweat suit.  They’re comfy, but they still look good.

I’m comfy today.  And I think I look good.

It’s Friday.  Who cares?

Potty Talk

Upon my umpteenth trip to the bathroom today, the phrase “I’m peeing my freakin’ head off!” ran through my head.

I crack myself up.

And speaking of the bathroom, maybe one of you can shed some light on a cultural practice.

CB and I have both noticed that there are some women, most often Asian women, who wet a paper towel and take it with them into the stall.  Do I dare ask what they do with that paper towel?  I’m assuming I know (deductive reasoning and all) but I’m just curious.  I don’t know anyone to ask – I’m not that close with any of the Asian women in my office.

Also, some women wash their hands before they go into the stall, too.  And then when they come out.  Very hygienic.  Is that a cultural thing?

I’ve been drinking a lot of water today.  Hence, the potty talk.

This Year Goes to 11!

(Thanks for the line, sweetie.)

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Just when I get used to writing 2010...

Todd and I threw the kids on a ferry yesterday afternoon and shipped them off to their uncle's for the night.  Oh, I joke.  Uncle Gavin invited them.

At 6pm, we met Steve, Stephanie and Isa at Endolyne Joe's for dinner.  We were going to gather at Steve and Steph's, but she called earlier and said she wasn't up for cooking so could she take us out to dinner?  Well, you betcha.

And after dinner, we caravaned over to Trish and Dan's for a New Year's gathering.  We joined Gary and Amy, and Trish's brother and sister-in-law.  We drank and laughed and played spikey ball with Isa (I lost.  I still don't know how.)  There was some X-Box dance game that was just odd, and then the mocking of the New Year's Eve show.  A lovely night.

I'm feeling pretty good today, despite the numerous glasses of wine and not getting to bed until after 1am.  Todd and I took down the Christmas decorations, which always just depresses the shit out of me, and then we met some Twelfth Nighters for a quick drink and too see Muriel, who is visiting from Chicago.

Muriel is one of the reasons Todd and I met.  She was the vocalist for the And Tears Fell project, but after recording the CD, she moved away.  So Todd placed the Craigslist ad looking for a new vocalist, I responded, and BAM.  Love.

I gave her a big hug when we met.

After drinks was grocery shopping (I hate grocery shopping.  Hate it.) then dinner.  Todd made fried rice.  It's sooo good.  Big bowl o' comfort food.

And tomorrow is the last day of holiday vacation.  Sniff.  I'll be spending it cleaning for Rachelle.  She emailed a few weeks, asking if I could recommend someone to do a deep cleaning for her.  I said I didn't really know anyone anymore, and regardless, no one is as good as I am. 

Cocky, aren't I?

So, I offered to do her cleaning.  A few extra dollars ain't gonna hurt?  And I'm actually thinking I'd like to pick up a few deep cleanings.  The extra money would come in handy, post Christmas.

I'll have to think about that.

Anywho, happy new year!

DDD Day

I ventured out of my comfort zone today and took the bus downtown.  I got a Nordstrom gift card for Christmas and needed some alone time with myself.  And with exception of a weirdo who beat on the side of the bus as we were coming to a stop, the trip was pretty uneventful.

Thank goodness.

The big news of the day (hee..."big") came when I got a free bra fitting.

Disclaimer - my faithful readers know that there is no such thing as TMI to me.  We've covered my boob scare in 2006, my abnormal cervix in 2009, my extra 25 pounds in Well Past Voluptuous and my skin tags in 2010.  My body, and it's oddities, do not embarrass me.  Maybe they should, but it takes a bit more.  If you prefer to not know so much about me, stopping reading this post right now.

Still here?  I warned you.

I had planned to buy a gray V-neck cashmere sweater from Nordy's.  Except they didn't have it in a Large.  Extra large?  Yes.  Medium?  Yes.  But no Large.  And when you're buying a cashmere sweater, you do not "make do" with the wrong size. 

So, I wandered around looking for something else to buy.  Lo and behold, I found myself in the lingerie section, of course, and I remembered that I wanted to buy new bras because mine are all many years old and the underwires squeak, which is quite embarrassing.

I've been fitted a few times in the past but it's been five or six years.  It's a free service at the fancy stores, as long as you actually buy bras there.  It's always very enlightening.  The least little bit of weight you lose or gain will affect your bra size. 

As soon as I told the nice British lady that I'd gained 30 pounds in the past few years, she cut me off and said "Let's go."

We went into a dressing room, where I took off my shirt and she measured around my ribs.  I am a 36.  Not too shabby.  Then she went to retrieve some 36 fitting bras.  She came back with two different ones and said "Look at these things!  They're engineered like a bridge!"  There's side panels and extra panels underneath.  It's truly amazing.

She put me in the first one and had me bend over and "work the girls" in the bra so they were comfy.  I looked in the mirror and was impressed.  My boobs actually looked smaller and more compact.  But still nicely shaped.  The wires were well to the sides ("They should be OUTSIDE of your breast tissue - not cutting into it - so that you are supported.") and the shoulder straps were thick and padded so they stayed up on my shoulders (I have slopey shoulders).  It was a three hook in the back, so the band was wide enough that it wouldn't bend and roll when I sat down, and no fat bubbled up and over or out the sides.  Sold!

I asked her was size cup this was.

DDD.

Swear to gawd.

Triple D.

Not D.  Not double D.  TRIPLE DDD.

I've been wearing B (very old) and C (newer) bras for five years.  Holy geez.  Have I gained that much weight?!  The very kind woman said that I just had very heavy breast tissue so it needed more of a support system.  Better "engineering", I suppose.  Panels and pulley systems and hydraulic pistons.  Hey!  I'm not fat, I'm just high maintenance.

I ended up buying one (very expensive) bra and think maybe I'll just go to Target or Fred Meyer to get a few cheaper ones in an accurate size.  But I have to stay, I felt beautiful walking around .

When I got home, asked Todd if he still loved his fat, high maintenance wife.  He correctly replied yes.  And now he now says "Raechelle!  In 3D!  I don't even need special glasses!"

It's a good thing he's cute.

I think this has been the foot in my ass I need to lose weight.  I do not like being a DDD.  I am 5'2".  That's just.....wrong.

Those are a C cup, at most....

Reason #6 Why I Love Todd

He pumps my gas for me.

(That is not a euphemism for anything either, Mr. Dirty Mind.)

And not just when I need to get gas and he’s in the car and I whine enough until he says “Oh, I’ll pump for you.”  No, no. 

He will take my car to go get the gas and then bring my car back.  He loves me that much. 

He also knows that I will run that thing down to empty before I stop for gas.  I know when my gas light comes on, I have about 50 miles left (the car salesman told me that) and unfortunately, I even have a little “How many miles are left on this tank?” gauge. 

I’ve run it down to 25.  At that point, it just starts blinking at you, begging you stop somewhere.  Anywhere.  I don’t know why I hate stopping so much.

This bad habit of mine did cause a bit of a scare when we had Arctic Blast 2010 in November.  I sat on the freeway for almost two hours with my heat blaring, watching my gas needle drop.  Using my wisdom and intelligence, I concluded that if I turned off the butt warmers and the heat, I would save gas.  But then Todd called to check on me and I told him I was freezing because of this brilliant logic and he said “Um.  The alternator runs your heat.  Not gasoline.  If you’re engine is running, you’re using gas.  Heat or no heat.”

Well, okay fine!

I turned the butt warmers and heater back on and was nice and toasty on my long drive home.

Our forecast has a “slight chance” of snow for Wednesday.  You know what that means.  Arctic Blast 2010, The Sequel.  I’m not working on Wednesday (thank gawd) but, in any event, Todd took my car to the grocery store yesterday and gassed it up.

Thanks, baby.

Merry Christmas!

Unlike last year, we Downings had a very merry Christmas.  We've discovered the perfect recipe - stay home.  Let everyone disperse as they wish.  Sleep for three hours in the afternoon.

Perfection.

We were awakened at 7am, as usual.  Within the hour, we'd unwrapped all the presents, Tyler had gone downstairs to install his new game, and Todd and I had gone through two cups of coffee. 

My mother tickled me pink with my new apron.

"Will Cook For Shoes"

Speaking of pink, notice the new pink slippers from Todd.  He didn't even coordinate with her!  I'm just officially a lover of pink now.

Todd got a kick out of the boxers that mom and dad sent him.

We love the hillbillies.  Mom also sent a box of Teays gravy, some roadkill rub (yes, I'm serious) and gingerbread cake mix that you cook in pretty white teacups.

I told her, don't give me any shit for gaining weight.

The kids enjoyed their Walking Dead comic books, video camera, electric shavers (for both of them....our babies are growing up!) and Starbucks gift cards, along with other odds and ends.

The cats could care less about presents and wrapping paper.  They were wrestling for a good two hours straight.

And Todd bought me a new lap desk for my laptop.  Because I had been using the one that a family friend made me when I was....10?

Those splotches you see?  Nail polish.  This is what I've used to paint my nails for 20 years.  It started hemorrhaging stuffing a few months ago, so I've got tape on three different places.  It was actually comical - I'd get up from the bed or the couch after being on my laptop and there would be a pile of stuffing.

After presents, Todd made yet another batch of banana bread, we got cleaned up, then Todd made brunch as Grandma Kit was arriving at 11am.

Grandma Kit knitted me (and Kayleigh, see photo above) fingerless gloves.  I LOVE THEM.

My hands get really cold at work, but I can't wear gloves because I can't type with them.  So these are perfect!  And I look so hip.

Grandma Kit bought Kayleigh "Clue" which I'd never played (gasp...I know, I know) so we played a round.  I'm not sold on it just yet.  Maybe I was just too tired to keep up.

And then it was 2pm, so Grandma Kit packed up and left and Todd and I passed out for a few hours.  I feel much better now.

The kids are still in their rooms entertaining themselves.  Todd and I are watching the Dead Can Dance (a band) video I bought him.  He is, in his words, losing his shit.  I think I did good.

Now I think I need a bite of food and a glass of wine to begin round two of Christmas.

Love to all.

Duct Tape Really Does Work

It's a sad day.
My vacuum is sick.

When you push the vacuum forward, everything's dandy.  But when you pull it backward, the wand separates from the carpet head just ever so slightly, so the electrical connection breaks and the power to the brush in the carpet head is broken and while there's still suction, the roller brush does not turn and the light goes out.

It makes me weep.

I need to take it in to be serviced - they said it just needs a new electrical thingybob - but guess what?  If you duct tape the wand to the carpet head, it doesn't separate when you pull backward.

Huh.

But now my poor vacuum looks trashy.  I'll take in after the first of the year.  I mean it.

Christmas Outing

Today, Rae-rae broke out of her comfort zone.

Grandma Kit had invited Kayleigh and a friend to go downtown and look at all kinds of Christmasy stuff.  Kayleigh invited her three friends, but none of them could make it.  She came to us last night, tears in her eyes, saying "No one can go!  I don't want to go by myself!"

I understood.  I used to spend two or three weeks each summer at Granny and Paul's.  The times when I was forced to interact solely with them was painful.  Thirteen year olds don't know what to talk about with their Grandmas.

So I was a good mom and offered to come along.  I've always wanted to go downtown at Christmas time, but my anxiety didn't think that would be fun at all.  But since Kit was driving this outing, I thought this would be the best way to go about it.

Kit picked us up at 12:30, and we headed to Seattle Center to see WinterFest.  When we first arrived we saw the Hot Dog jump roping troupe.

Very....um....interesting.

Then we found the train and the winter village.  It was like mom's winter village on steroids.

From Seattle Center, we took the infamous Monorail (which was actually working!) to Westlake Center.

Kayleigh did not approve of my documentation.

We first visited The Olympic Fairmont Hotel for their incredible Christmas trees....

Live tree.  HUGE.

And the Teddy Bear Suite.  The Teddy Bear Suite was in one of the suites at the hotel.

"Designed by Kevin Bradford, a Seattle-based interior and event designer and brimming with dozens of fluffy teddy bears. The Teddy Bear Suite welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the holiday season. Take holiday photographs, read one of the teddy bear-themed children's books and enter to win tea in The Georgian. Donations taken at the Teddy Bear Suite benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital."

Kayleigh wouldn't pose with me.

After the Fairmont Hotel, we walked to the Sheraton to see the Gingerbread Village.

Who wants SUGAR?!

And after the gingerbread houses, we popped into Westlake Village for some coffee and a munchie.  And we past these gentleman singing a capella.

They were wonderful.

After grabbing some coffee, we were pooped and it was time to hop back on the monorail and get home.  But poor Kayleigh.  As soon as we got home, she and Todd walked down to the Junction for some last minute shopping.  I took the opportunity to finally wrap Todd's presents, which turned into cleaning up and organizing the Christmas wrapping bins, which turned into cleaning up and organizing the DVDs that were laying all over and then the corner by the couch where Todd's papers, games and pillows all seem to accumulate.

I settled down when the pizza arrived, but then finished up the Christmas cards and started a spreadsheet of Christmas card recipients.  It's time the husband and I combined our lists and I was feeling discombobulated.

Now here we are, two glasses of French wine later and it's quiet in the house and the tree is lit and my man and my cat are laying next to me.

Day two of Christmas vacation is a success.

Happy Solstice

So, I seem to be down to blogging on Tuesdays.  That’s not good at all.  But it’s That Time Of Year, when there aren’t enough hours in the day, at work and at home, and I have to prioritize and unfortunately, sleep comes before most anything.

I apologize.

Today is the winter solstice.  The shortest, darkest day of the year. 

Thank gawd.

Because while I love the winters here, the darkness just makes me sleepy.  No matter how much Prozac I take.  It is good cuddling weather, though.  I do love that.

We had a wonderful weekend.  Todd and I went to our one and only Christmas party of the season at Jenn and Scott’s down in Tacoma.

Have I told you about my new best friend ever, Jenn?

I googled Sanctuary weddings back in the summer of 2009 to see how other people who got married there set up the tables and where they put the cake table and stuff.  Our caterer told me I could not fit 12 tables of 8 on the carpeted area, but I was convinced I could.  I found Jenn’s wedding website, with notes about the Sanctuary.  She and Scott had been married there the same weekend in November of 2008.  So I emailed her, starting with “I’m so sorry to bother you, but…..”

She immediately emailed back with numerous paragraphs and photos.  Thus began a blossoming friendship.  And I compromised and did 8 tables of 8 and 4 tables of 10.

We emailed each other right up to the wedding date, and then I emailed her on the 8^th and wished her a happy anniversary.  They came to our tiki party in August, and surprised the absolute shit out me, so we returned the gesture and headed down to their Christmas party on Saturday.

They are such phenomenal people.  I love them both.  And I think Todd is sick of hearing me say that.  We’ve made a tentative plan to have them up soon for dinner and to share wedding videos.

While the men sit outside and talk about manly stuff, I’m sure.

Anywho, their party was lovely and their house is beautiful and their friends are wonderful and the wine was excellent.  They have a calico kitty named Frankie that absorbed all of my attention when she finally decided to join the party….after most everyone had left. 

I kept telling Todd, “But I don’t WANT to leave.  I want to live HERE!”

I can’t believe I’ve found such a good man who will tolerate me like he does.

On Sunday, Todd made banana bread while we watched the sucky football game and did laundry.  A very domestic day.

And that evening, we headed over to Doug and Ann’s to decorate gingerbread houses.  Because that’s what you do during the Christmas season.  Well, Todd, Kayleigh and Tyler decorated houses.  I drank pink champagne and cut bread and ate cookies.

Thankfully, it was an early night, so we were all tucked away by 10:00pm.

I’m only working two days this week (WOO-FREAKIN-HOO) and both days I’m down in Shipping and Receiving in the afternoons helping to send out employee Fed Ex packages.  Because I’m helper.  It’s actually pretty fun.  I get to be social and meet a bunch of people I’ve never met face to face.  And the afternoon just flies by. 

So!  Countdown to vacation!  And sleeping in!!

Random Updates and Thoughts and Crap

From the “When It Rains It Pours…” column:

It seems that trying to get our finances in order to build a second story on top of our house is not nearly stressful enough. Because now our cottage has a leak.

Maybe it felt left out.

It’s probably had a leak for years, hence the blue painting tape that is “suturing” the “boil” in the ceiling in the storage room.

But with all the snow and now rain we’ve been having, we’ve found water. So, Todd and I moved the most expensive stuff (keyboards, costumes, wedding dress) out of that room and put down a bucket for the water to drip into. Luckily, the room is severely slanted, any random water is just going to run to the edge of the room, which is now cleared, and away from all the other junk.

Look at me, finding the silver lining…

Our next step is a tarp over the roof (you can take the girl out of the country…) and maybe lancing the boil of water in the ceiling.

While wearing a hazmat suit, of course.

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Dear Santa,
One hundred thousand dollars. That’s all I’m asking for this year. Forget the dance shoes, forget the boots, forget the bubble bath.

Mama needs cold, hard cash to fix her roof and build her master suite. Or mama is going to freakin’ lose it.

Lovums,
Rae-rae

PS If you’ve already bought the boots, it’s okay. I’ll live.

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I’m dragging this holiday season. The tree is up. The lit garland on the archway is up. And we just left the lights on the house from last year, so that’s done. Except, two strings are burnt out.

You would think it would drive me nuts, right?

You are correct. It looks trashy.

So then why I haven’t I done anything about it yet? Or at least badgered Todd to do something about it?

Because I think I’ve hit that age where it’s just all a pain in the ass. That tree took enough effort. We bought pretty little lights to line the sidewalk, too. They’re still in a box by the front door.

What am I waiting on?

And should I up the dosage on my pills?

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I volunteered to help at Todd’s final show of “It’s a Wonderful Life” Sunday afternoon. I was just going to help with strike (breaking down the set and storing everything afterward) but since I was comped a ticket to the show, I ended up working concessions and just doing anything anyone asked me to do. Afterwards, was the cast party with pizza and adult beverages.

And it was a ton of fun.

I told Todd, I need to do that more often, especially if he’s in or directing the show. The people are awesome and funny as hell. It’s three hours of laughing your ass off. How is that a bad thing?

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Also, this weekend, Todd and I shopped til we dropped on Saturday.

But first, I was awakened at 4am by heartburn that I thought was going to kill me (and yes, the words “heart attack” crossed my mind). I blame the rich food and oodles of wine from our dinner at the Bohemian with Nancy and Bob on Friday. Or maybe it was an omen, as the Bohemian shut it’s door very abruptly on Monday. Huh.

Anyway, I was up at 4, pleading for a quick death, so I moved to the leather couch because 1) I didn’t want to wake Todd with my pleading 2) it was cooler than the bed and I was burning up and 3) I needed Tom cuddles to make it all better.

I dozed off and on until 8am, when Todd woke up. And I figured since I was up so early, we might as well get out and about before everyone else.

We finally got back home around 3pm. Just in time for Todd to rest up before his Saturday night show, and for me to get into my jammies and prepare for the onslaught of teenagers. Only two extra ones this weekend, but still enough to make me use my mom voice and threaten to send everyone to their room if they didn’t stop saying “slap the monkey”.

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Speaking of the fluffy animals, funny story.

Elvis isn’t much of a cuddlier, but he gets in his moods early in the morning. Usually, he lays on Kayleigh while she’s waiting around until it’s time to walk to the bus, or on Todd before anyone else gets up. He purrs so very loud and even drools. It’s just adorable. Until he decides he’s had enough and bites you.

Anyway, they were both sleeping on the back of the loveseat, at the front window, when I got onto the couch. Tom lifted his head for a minute, but then laid back down. Elvis, however, got up slowly, nonchalantly, and stretched, then walked over and just plopped down on my chest and started purring.

After a few minutes, Tom got up and walked over sat on the floor beside the couch, looking up to see if there was any room for him. Elvis just kept purring.

Well, Tom didn’t like the looks of this at all. He sauntered off into the kitchen and I closed my eyes again. Then I heard him batting around a piece of food on the hardwood floor. Of course, Elvis’ ears perk up and he’s all interested in what’s going on there. A few seconds later, Elvis jumped down and ran into the kitchen.

I don’t think Elvis even made it all the way before Tom came running in, jumped up on my chest, and just sprawled from my neck to my belly.

Sneaky little booger….

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And speaking of Tom, I told Todd that I bet if I got a baby sling and put Tom in there, he’d be just as happy as a clam and let me carry him around all day.

Todd replied, “That would officially make you a crazy cat lady. I’m just sayin….”