It's a triple 18 to 18 1/2 inch necklace, black and silver bugle beads, aurora borealis crystals in clear and black, light pink crystal and white freshwater pearl accents. Clasp is a sculptured sterling hook. There it is, the first piece of 2009, even before Etsy gets it. My photo mavens, Kim, Karyl, I need your help and advice!
Happy New Year to all my blogospheric friends! I'm in deep contemplation mode at the nonce (or just allowing myself the luxury of sleeping til 9 AM and being a slug most of the other time, since I have four whole days off and nowhere I need to go...) thinking about the best direction in which to head with my life. I resist the notion of New Year's Resolutions, mainly because they seem too contrived to me. I have a birthday coming up (looming, approaching with bass drum strapped to its front...) at the end of the month, and it makes more sense to me to line up with my personal year rather than the calendar's year. It gives me a bit more time to procrastinate about it think through what I really want to accomplish and make a viable plan.
There are directions that appeal to me as good ideas. For instance, this will be a shape up year. I have got to do something; I've never been this old or this fat, and something's got to give. Since I have no means of getting younger, (unless you count the getting thinner...) I guess the fat needs to go. I'm in the process of figuring out an exercise plan that will work with my crazy life. Just a walk, or a half hour of iPod dancing, daily, I think to start. I'm not through figuring where to squeeze that time, though.
This will also be a financial tightening year. I'd like to start putting away some cash again, the past several years have not been good for our savings. Less frivolous spending here and there, some real number crunching, we could have a little put away for a rainy day. And Lord knows, we have a few of those around here from time to time!
I'd also like to get my Etsy shop online and going. I design jewelry, mostly just beads and crystals and an occasional pearl or two, but I get compliments when I wear my designs, and I certainly have inventory and ideas to create. I've signed up, but never followed through with pictures and pieces etc. In that vein, I bought some metal clay and also have several books about bead weaving. I'd like to explore those avenues in my design, and maybe get a bit more serious about this as art and as craft. Also, see above paragraph -- could be a small financial boost as well!
More blogging is in order, I think. I've been less evident on the blogs I read as I like to be, including this one. So more posts, more comments, more content all around. Coming up shortly, some pictures of cat antics. Petunia has doubled her size and seems to think she has become a mountain lion (or maybe part goat...) in the jumping and leaping department. She's hilarious to watch.
There shall also be more digging in the dirt. I want to have a full veggie garden this year, and I need to start planning now if I'm going to get that done. The flower beds front and back need attention and major weeding, and I have to decide what if anything I'm going to plant in addition to the base plants and shrubs and trees already there. There are usually some spots for seasonal color ,and I have fun with that.
Oh well, now I've gone and done it. I'm exhausted just from thinking about all that, I'll have to take a little nap and free my brain from all that activity, and then I think (oops) I'll design some torsades, or take some pictures of the cat. No resolutions, just paths presented. I can live with that, and hopefully I'll get further along down the paths I choose. Now, where did I put my basket, let's get going...
All in all, it turned out to be a lovely group of Christmas holidaze we had, even with the rushing around and driving through the countryside and back and hauling presents and potatoes au gratin and the grumbly Medium Boy, who was chagrined at not being able to immediately run through the neighborhood showing off his new skateboard, Guitar Hero, light saber, etc. (yes, Dear Reader, that WAS just one sentence, rambling and rushing downhill as my Yule was…) We had true moments of joy, peace and good will toward men, a dollop of reflection, remembering Christmases past and days gone by, and plenty of just full-on kid fun, inspiring hopeful looks to the future. Max got to romp with his cousins, and Chuck accompanied me not only to my office party, but also to my brother’s house for our family celebration, a trip I didn’t dare count on for his vampire work schedule. That warmed my heart above all and really made my Christmas.
There were moments of hilarity as well, like the memorable Merry Christmas phone call my friend Michelle received from a crazed elf on Christmas Eve. I’d come home from work about mid-afternoon, and set about on my elfly duties, wrapping the last of the presents, washing clothes, puttering about in the kitchen. I’d put a load of clothes in the dryer and managed to sit for a minute to return Michelle’s call. (You know already that the male people I live with can NOT answer the phone, but they can read the caller ID well enough to let me know who’s called.) So I dialed, and as I heard her cheery hello, in my other ear was deathly thumping and mewling… All she got was ”Hello, Merry Christmas, the cat’s in the dryer!!!” before I disconnected and rushed to the laundry room. Midway in my frenzied dash, Chuck intercepted me with a chuckle. No, the cat is not in the dryer, he reassured me, she’d merely gotten interested in sneaking into the present room (all gifts and supplies locked away in the former guest room…) and had gotten bored enough to make her presence known, asking to be rescued from behind the locked door. Whew. I called Michelle back and managed to explain amid her peals of laughter what had happened. We’ll always have the cat’s in the dryer!
Santa was generous this year; Max seemed very happy with all his goodies, and I got (the promise of, as soon as they’re not back-ordered) my Kindle!!!! YAY!!!! I shall be happily filling it rather than the bulging-at-the-seams bookcases in my house very soon. The World Championships of Guitar Hero World Tour will be held shortly at my house, and I’ve almost convinced the bass player and drummer that they need a girl singer to complete their band… we’ll see how far THAT goes. Max is also chomping at the bit to play Star Wars Monopoly, or Apples to Apples. I think that will be on the agenda for New Year’s Eve. So, tell me about your holidaze – and what are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve??
First of all, this disclaimer. I'm approaching fried to a crackly crunch. I've been working too hard and most days, my nice is all gone when I get to the computer. If I get there at all. I have been tackling not only the new job and impending holidays, but also attempting reflection and resolution to large issues in my life. I've been losing sleep and drinking too much caffeine-laden beverage. On top of all this, I defiantly did NOT take my vitamins last night. Apparently I LOVE my overachiever status and want to continue to the point of exhaustion or meltdown. Just the kind of guy I am. Somebody hit me with a shovel, it's PMS Christmas.
Top of the gripe list, the Medium Boy. He's been testing the boundaries of his new leisure life with his father, who has been telling him all week to clean up his room. He hasn't been restricting him in any way; when his friends come, he goes, but Chuck HAS been threatening him all week with gloom and doom for Christmas if the chore remains undone. Now, apparently, it is time for the bad cop to step in at the last possible second. No stress, no pressure. Ahem. Yes, Maxwell, it is true. If you refuse as you have all week to clean up your room today, Christmas Eve, not only will your father appear in the midst of the melange of honey bun wrappers and lego pieces parts wielding a large black bag for removal of all objects found below waist level, Santa will be informed and your Christmas will be as bleak as the economic forecast. Try me little man, I know where all the receipts are, and I'm JUST mean enough. On top of everything, I love you enough to maybe teach you this lesson while tearing my own heart out knowing how disappointed you'll be.
Number two on the hit list: random drivers of Lafayette, you KNOW who you are. No. I will NOT let you in front of me. Especially if you are attempting to make a left turn across my lane AND the one next to it, only to be smacked down by an unsuspecting car traveling the other way in the lane you are attempting to enter. No. It is not going to happen. I saw a wreck happen just a few days ago right in front of me, caused by someone who was attempting just such a maneuver. The only reason I didn't get hit is because I had the foresight not to follow too closely behind the Good Samaritan who waved the turning idiot on to get whacked. I know you won't understand that in the fourteen seconds we will meet and share air space, but as you flip me off and call me names, I'll wish you a happy and healthy holiday and the lowest of insurance rates. Next time, go to the light and use the left turn arrow. That's what they're for, and they're even festive holiday colors.
Now to three -- lucky for you there is no three. Or maybe three is just a plea to the itinerant elves who find themselves unemployed in this season of seasons. I sure could use some nimble help about now, still have mucho presents to wrap and a lasagna to miraculously extract from-um, somewhere. I'll be the one in the corner of the formerly guest, now Christmas present explosion room in my house, the one with an errant tie box stubbornly taped to the inside of my elbow and the scissors buried under a mountain of other stuff. I'd like the good will and assistance, and a moment or two to spend napping.
I hope I've given you a minute not only today but through the year to relate and find the humor in my crazy life. After all, that's the point of all the whining and grumbling, to get to that place where the goofiness takes over. And can you see me denying the Medium Boy's Santa experience? I mean really. He's nine, this may be the last Santa year we get. Can I withstand the knowledge that he's in therapy as a grownup because the last year he knew there was a Santa, he didn't come through? And Lafayette drivers, curse me as you may, you'll thank me when your hood remains intact for at least a few more minutes until you find some sappier sap than me to let you crash. Never mind the tie box attached to my arm, or the hidden scissor hole gouged out of the seat of my favorite jeans. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, A joyous Festivus, a peaceful Solstice and a hopeful New Year to all. And if you see any bored-looking elves around, point their pointy little heads in my direction, will ya?
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (numerous tent camping trips)
3. Played in a band (got to briefly sing backup for my friend Bren... badly, but it was fun...)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (OMG, I thought, just let me hang here and go get the St. Bernards to get me down...)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (High school glee club and community theatre)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (from New Orleans to NYC as a child)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Harry Connick Jr.)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person (I was so disappointed -- it was much smaller than I'd imagined, and in the middle of a city block...)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Thank you Bluesleepy, for allowing me to steal this list... grab it if you're so inclined!
Well, the end of the week has arrived, and even though my participation has been notably spotty of late, Val at Fun Crafts and Recipes lets me play. It'a all about the holidays, and here are this week’s four questions. Follow the links and play, too, won't you?
#1. What’s your favorite crunchy food?
I LOVE LOVE Zapp's Potato Chips. The spicy dill-pickle kind are just too yummy.
#2. How often do you try new recipes?
I try new recipes very often, I love finding new spices/flavors/techniques to snap me out of kitchen boredom! Lately, I haven't been cooking as much as I'd like, but I will get organized and get going for the new year! (My story and I'm sticking to it...)
#3. Name a food that you almost always have in the house.
I know how this sounds, but there are always hot dogs in the house. These two male people I live with will eat hot dogs over other less junky choices every single time. And with the time I have to spend in the kitchen these days, I must admit they've come in handy on several occasions.
#4. What kind of food do you leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
The traditional cookies and milk, this year, homemade festive chocolate chips - I found those white chocolate chips swirled red and green they have -- so that will be it!
Petunia's new fave napping place. Merry Catmas!
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