Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009

"Maybe that's just growing up. When you're young, you tell yourself things like 'Well, if it didn't work out, it wasn't meant to be' as if that actually meant something just because it sounds like it does. I think you can say something like that so blithely because you expect to stumble onto something else just as wonderful just around the next bend in the road. But people are rare perfect unique things and just because everyone really does live a life full of farewells doesn't mean you shouldn't at least realize what it really means to say goodbye to something that meant everything. Just because you WILL survive and get over it doesn't mean you should let it go."
-Adam Duritz

Happy New Year from me to you. Make this decade better than the last. Go and leave your mark, make it a good one.

T

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas


"The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act, but by the size of the Heart."
Yakov Smirnoff

Thursday, December 24, 2009

I Believe

There's something magical about Christmas. You know what I am talking about. My 8 year old has this excitement as he knows Santa is coming tonight and he can't wait to go to bed. My 11 year old sits on the fence whether Santa is real or not. While although he leans more on the non-believability side, part of me thinks he still wonders because of certain things that happen that he cannot figure out. He's too cool to admit it though. The minute he doesn't believe is when he knows he will get kicked in the teeth. Kidding....kinda. I just repeat the words my mother used to tell me when I was 16, "If you don't believe in him, he stops coming to see you." I still believe in that man. I could draw the parallels of religion here, but I have to feed my unicorn and go to bed. There are some things you never stop believing in. :)

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah (sorry that I am late, Ronnie).

Much love to all. xoxo


T

Thursday, December 17, 2009

It's All Fun & Games 'Til....

I love games. I get into trouble for being on the computer or my phone for playing games. I love the type of games that make me think. I could spend hours upon hours playing Sudoku and often do. Don't get me started on the Facebook games, you know the word one, the brain one, and the geography one. Someone last year got me a collection of "brain games" to go onto my computer. It's the lamest thing Microsoft has ever "invented." One of the games is trying to spot all of the differences between the 2 pictures. OK, Can I tell you how much of a whiz I am at that game? I started at a young age while sitting in the doctor's office reading the "Highlights" magazine. That's when I became master of that there domain. This software is so lame that I can tell you that I get more excitement from the "spot the difference" in People Magazine that I pick up weekly. Now, I'm not the geeky gamer, and that's not a cut down to the nerd herd. I figured my kids are well on their way to becoming gamers. A bunch of us went to play Laser Tag for Jake's birthday and I can tell you that out of the 13 of us that went, my 8 year old ended up with the high score. Guess who I am going to pick to be on my team when we are at war? Get that kid a real gun for Christmas! E, if you're reading this, act surprised on Christmas Day. xoxo
Anyway, we had a team get together at one of our colleagues house to celebrate the holidays. We, of course, had the white elephant gift exchange. Everyone was talking about how you want to be number 1 so that way you get to pick your gift and take someone else's when someone picks yours, etc. We all know how this is played. It's usually high excitement even though I usually get stuck with something lame. This year was no exception. Guess who drew #1? That's right, ME!!!! I was so excited to pick and someone steal my gift so I could pick again. Repeat 3 times. Nope. I picked a gift that I thought I would like and get to keep. It was wrapped all pretty in metallic blue paper and had an "Ernies Games" ribbon on it. A new GAME FOR ME! I unwrap it, it's quiet, all eyes are on my gift to see if it's something they want to steal. It's some game called Fluxx. I think it's one of those games like Scene-It where you have the original then you have a million "themed" versions. I guess Fluxx is supposed to be pretty fun.....except MY version. My version is called Stoner Fluxx. That's right, the toking kind. This is the prude side of me that has never touched an illegal substance in my life. And for all of those that want to comment how it's legal in certain locations or for medicinal reasons, I can still tell you that that's great for those that need it or live in those locations, but I still haven't touched it and have no desire because I am 36...and have a life. So there I sit holding my game practically begging for someone to take it. I successfully got to bring it home with me. I'm thinking I can regift it for next year and indiscriminately hide it so no one knows who brought it. I'm hoping it's a church function too. That's my idea anyway. Apparently Huck has a better one when I walked in and saw him trying to open it! WTH??? He said he wanted to read what the cards say on them. I'm all, You can see the 4 examples they have nicely referenced on the back, you don't need to revisit your baking days. And he's all, Regifter!!! I think I'm pretty witty and have a great sense of humor, but I think something like this screams "Hey come look at my meth lab I built in my bathroom, bring your extra sudafed!" Just sayin'.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Nutcracker


This Friday is date night and I'm excited to say that I am taking Huck to his first showing of The Nutcracker. This is another reason why I love Christmas. All little girls want to be a ballerina and I am no exception; the tu-tu's, the shoes, the dance, I can't get enough. I still secretly wish I at least had a ballerina's body. The long muscular legs and thin arms. The delicate and graceful movements. I took ballet in college as a P.E. credit and my instructor was always telling me to soften my movements. She knew I was a cheerleader and I swear she always winced when I started to dance. I continue to take hip hop classes, including strip hop (no poles...think Pussy Cat Dolls) in my old age for the work out. Thanks to my fabulous instructor, Kari-Lee, she pushes the limits. I often go to class early to catch the end of the ballet classes and I simply admire.
WOW! I am way off track. I am excited to see this year's production of The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky will hopefully keep Huck entertained instead of the ballerina's. Perhaps I will just have to wear my tu-tu.
T

Friday, December 4, 2009

A List of Things I Need to Get Done But I'm Stressed Out and I Didn't Fill My A.D.D. Meds Today Because I Was Distracted

Get my eyebrows waxed. They are starting to grab hold of strangers.


Plan Jake's birthday party for this weekend since his birthday was LAST Monday. I know, MOM OF THE YEAR.


Shred the stack of bills on my desk. I will think about paying them later.


Clean the house before Huck returns from Thailand so that he can't tell that I threw raging parties while he's been away for 18 days.


Fill A.D.D. medication. Perhaps then my list will get done.


Finish writing the post on the women who have influenced my life. The wine kicked my ass and I lost my thought. Perhaps it was just the fact that I couldn't see the keyboard anymore through the tears.


Buy my ticket to Dallas for Christmas and my ticket to Scotland for New Years. I should probably request those days off as well. Add that to my list.


Paint the gameroom so that Huck can't tell me no before I start. Because I know he won't repaint it. I hope he likes Pink!


Shave my legs since I went on an 18 day hiatus to protest Huck traveling to Thailand. At least I'm warm.


Proposals, Proposals, Proposals. I don't mean the one where someone gets down on their knee and presents a ring and a lame ass monologue that should be saved for the wedding vows when you can never think of something to say. I mean the ones for work whereas I will keep my little boss happy and keep my job for another day.


Laundry-mine


Laundry-Jakes


Laundry-towels

Post this 3 weeks late because, again, I forgot to fill my A.D.D. meds a LONG time ago.

T



December Playlist Explained


Because I feel I have to, so suck it. It was hard to come up with Holiday music believe it or not. I didn't want to but someone insisted that since it was December the playlist had to be Christmas-y. Most Christmas music makes me want to put a gun to my head very similar to the reaction I get when I hear the Wiggles or any other children's music. We all know that music plays a big part in our lives whether we want it to or not. We may share a special song with someone, music can take us back to a certain point in our lives. I can tell you that Tears For Fears will take me right back to Fort Worth Christian (shout out) and Jr high without a moments hesitation. Ahh, the memories. Anywho...This playlist took me half of the month of November to think about and decide. Even since I have posted, there are a couple of songs that I forgot to add, but it's just a reminder of how much my A.D.D. takes over my life and I just don't get everything done. Some of the music is obvious as to why I chose it, others for fun or extremely meaningful. Here we go.....

Santa Baby-This is the equivalent to I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Clause in my book. Kinda that naughty but nice song. Maybe it's just the thoughts that conjure up in my head and for that Santa won't visit me this year.

Mary, Did You Know-Yes, it says Clay Aiken. I'm not a groupie, but I can admit to the boy having pipes. This was not a song that I ever would have paid much attention to had it not been for this rendition, so there.

Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells-Because the original Jingle Bells is just plain 'ole boring. When I hear this song, it makes musical theater come to mind and all of the cheesy smiles and choreography that goes along with it. I am sure Justin Carrier has my back on this one.

Last Christmas-Because I can and 7th grade was just yesterday.

Better Days-Most people hear this song and do not realize it's a Christmas song. You have to listen to the words, oh! and pay attention. I find myself belting out the chorus and drumming my fingers. This song makes my dreams of becoming a rockstar reality...in the shower.

It's The Most Wonderful Tine of the Year-Your mom and your grandma love this song too, so shut your face and appreciate the good works of Andy Williams. This song oozes Christmas. I swear this song was probably playing as George runs through Bedford Falls in the snow as he realizes Clarence and God have let him live in It's A Wonderful Life.

White Christmas-There's something dreamy about Bing Crosby's voice...It's kind of like George Clooney's...grrrr.

Good Morning Blues-Ella James is awesome. This is a fun song I gotta shake my groove thang to. It's not your normal Christmas go-to song, so I like it even more.

Linus & Lucy-Because I can't get enough of the Charlie Brown Christmas Specials and this song is no exception...it's actually the song that plays when my friends log in to IM.

Where Are You Christmas-Faith Hill is the essence of sexy and sophistication. Two things I strive to be. This song is from Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I didn't like Jim Carey's version, but I do love this song.

I'll Be Home For Christmas-Vanessa Whitwell is a beautiful friend of mine. We went through the Miss Texas Pageant System together a couple of times. She parted this world too soon on April 2008 at the age of 34. I miss her more than anyone will ever know. Her version of this song is beyond greatness, so much in fact that the radio stations in Dallas play this version over the normal ones. I stop what I am doing every time I hear it. Unfortunately it is not on iTunes. I can send it to you if you want it, just email me. It's awesome.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas/Pine Cones And Holly Berries-The Osmonds....Yes, I said the Osmonds. Don't think you can deny that you once had a crush on Donny or Marie. I was devastated the day Donny announced he was engaged. Yeah, I was the most devastated 6 year old out there. My dad was the CFO for the Osmonds for a few years so don't think I didn't sit in their dressing rooms (when they weren't around, of course) and think I was hot stuff. The Donny & Marie Show was a hot Variety Show and thus was the beginning of me becoming a studio brat. I ran around and met more movie stars than most people do in their lifetime. I was never star struck until the day that I met my idol, Greg Evigan from the show, BJ and the Bear. Yeah, I hid my face behind my dad's leg the day I ran into him in the hallway as he was guest starring on the show. My dad proceeded to tell him I was his biggest fan and never missed his not-appropriate-for kids show. I about died while standing there, hidden, and wanted the 1 minute 30 second exchange to end before I burst into tears or melted right there into a big blob with ponytails on the floor. As I left the studio that day I was informed I had a package in the Green Room which was actually painted blue. Greg had left me a dozen roses for being his biggest fan. Did I mention he is 20 years my senior? I had high hopes as a 6 year old....and my extreme shyness got me my introduction into the pageant system thanks to my mother. Eventually the Osmonds became like family and I never knew the difference.

All I Want For Christmas Is You-I am not a Mariah Carey fan, but this song just vomits candy canes and gumballs, IMHO. It's sweeter than Paula Deen's Apple Pie. I just had to add it because I love Paula Deen.

Baby, It's Cold Outside-This is the version from the movie, Elf. Most people think that Will Ferrell is singing it, but he just lip syncs, Zooey Deschanel, however, does. I like it A LOT. (Said like Lloyd Christmas from Dumb & Dumber)

Christmas, Don't Be Late-Alvin & The Chipmunks are so annoying, but I can remember laying on my brothers top bunk in his room, playing this record over and over and over until we were silly. I have no idea how my mother tolerated this being played 100 times in a day. I may ask her about potential earplugs or medication back in the day. It was the 70's.

The Christmas Song-Need I say more? Nat King Cole is cool kids cool. It's the essence of every part of Christmas...just like Andy and Bing.

So this was my list for December. Most of these songs bring back some sort of memory for me. Believe it or not, this was a lot harder to put together than I thought it would be...Someone asked me why I didn't put Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis on my playlist. The playlist has to have some sort of taste. AMIRITE?

T

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December Playlist

Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt The Christmas Collection

Mary, Did You Know by Clay Aiken Merry Christmas With Love

Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells by Andy Williams The Andy Williams Christmas Collection

Last Christmas by Wham! TwentyFive

Better Days by GooGoo Dolls Better Days

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams The Andy Williams Christmas Collection

White Christmas by Bing Crosby The Christmas Collection

Good Morning Blues by Ella Fitzgerald Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

Linus & Lucy by Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas

Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill How The Grinch Stole Christmas

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Vanessa Whitwell Home For Christmas

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by The Osmonds 1976 Osmond Family Christmas

All I Want Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey Merry Christmas

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel Elf (Music from the Major Motion Picture)

Christmas Don't Be Late by Alvin & The Chipmunks Alvin & The Chipmunks

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole The Christmas Collection