Me vs. The Snow

Before I left for NY, I had 2 days to take care of some things around my end that needed to get done. But I still didn't have all the time I needed. The morning I left I put my NY winter coat next to my door so I wouldn't forget it. ... I forgot it, remembering it when I was well past Baltimore. But mom went out and bought me a new one. Thanks mom! It'll come in handy in Virginia for all of 2 days. But her love and thoughtfulness was there and I did appreciate it since it was so friggin' cold! That bitchin' coat is toasty as all get out, I felt like a pig in a blanket!! I ate some of those too, while I was home.

The snow - damn it to hades, I hate snow. The pics are of the street my parents live on. There was more snow to come. Oh yes, I hate snow.

You'll recall that my grandfather passed away (love ya gramps) in June. I said my eulogy then. My Aunt loved it so much that she wanted me to write it out for her. I did better and made a presentation in a frame for her and all the family. Seemed to go over pretty well as a Christmas present because we had non-stop guests all week. It was great seeing everyone, but it left me with little time to do anything that I wanted since there was much other stuff planned in between visits, shopping, planned visits I had prearranged and the holidays. I almost didn't have time to visit with my closest buddy from college. And that would not have been good because I had his daughters Christmas presents to deliver. I think of myself as their pseudo-uncle.

Christmas Eve was exciting. Unanticipated guests showed up in advance of the planned time and stayed a while. Then the planned crowd started to stream in slowly. By 8:00pm all were on board to begin the real festivities (we can drink, and so can my mother apparently). The final guest that left was my cousin. He left at 4:00am. I'm not sure I have ever been up that late with my mother and father still awake and "entertaining". My folks are fairly quiet, but not this time. Dad was telling stories and mom was drinking and carrying on. All the fuss and stress of preparing seemed to wash away. I was glad for that.

I gave my family "last-name" key rings made by NobamaGirl's husband. Dad immediately set his to working. Mom is using hers currently as a counter decoration delicately poised to let all those that enter, be warned of who's house they have entered. I gave my mother a Celtic-throw to place on her bed (or wherever) because it matches the mahogany furniture. Dad doesn't need anything. So I got the sugar freak a huge crystal container filled with about 15 pounds of Jelly Belly jelly beans. You'd think he'd be diabetic, but no. I know my pop so well. He loved it. Mom went immediately into the bedroom and draped her bed with the throw. Looks pretty damn good and I'm glad she likes it. She's so picky!!

When I did meet up with my college friend, he wanted to see a movie. So we went to see "The Day the Earth Stood Still" starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connolly. Visually appealing, but the original is much better. And I've sort of grown disgruntled with the politically correct environmentalist messages in movies since "Happy Feet" with the jiggity penguin. But it's always great too see my friend. My gifts to his girls were not repeats, so I was happy for that. They both seem to be perpetually stuck in Hanna Montana and Dora the Explorer mode. I can't wait for them to grow up a bit more.

The drive back was a Nascar driver's nightmare. Traffic on the NJ Turnpike was 10-20 mph if not a dead stop. I swear every state has raised their tolls again. Seems to me, if the roads are that congested, that I am not getting my money's worth and I want - at the very least, a discount. Try saying that to a toll-booth operator. You'll make his/her day. So since I was sitting still so much, I rolled down the car windows and uber-blasted my music. My present to myself I suppose, and I got plenty of nasty looks. Ho Ho Ho. On to a new year folks, thanks for sticking with me. *subliminal message of positivity: I'm happy to be back to work, I'm happy to be back to work, I'm happy to be back to work*

Be Excellent To Each Other

I have not been home for a Christmas with my parents in well over 5 years. I dread snow, and what am I driving right up into? ...Bleck! But my folks seem to be excited about my arrival, so I will perservere through the treacherous weather. I thought that I might be able to get to meet Sean/Breenlantern this go'round but I have a jam packed visiting schedule with family and friends from college that have not seen me for a while. And they truly need their fix of the Thomas. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas week and focuses on the festive and social gathering aspect. You'll hear from me in about a week. Enjoy each other's company and be excellent to each other.

Merry Ho Ho Ho !!

Merry Christmas Damn it!

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced with the most joyous traditions of the belief persuasion of your particular choice, but with no respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own beliefs, as well as those who choose not to practice any belief-system at all. Additionally, a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars-of-choice of other cultures, whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to race, creed, color, religion or sexual orientation.

(Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for himself or others, and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.)

Moonstone

Well this certainly is no post about the mystical powers of the moonstone. It's about my sister, probably the hardest person I know to buy a gift for at any time. I have bought her gifts that she has wanted, loved, desired and had-to-have. And she's always ended up not liking, using or wearing any of them. But two years ago I bought her a pair of Irish design moonstone earrings. She actually said she loved them. So last year I got her the matching necklace and she said, "ooh this will go well with the earrings."

This year she's getting the matching ring. I was nearly horrified that I couldn't find the right moonstone opaque yet clear and blue consistency. (sort of like the pic) Oh there were fully white moonstones. There were moonstones with sparkles. I rather liked the moonstone with green speckles in it (imagine that).

I was a bit frustrated. Until I saw that some rings were situated in their resting spots wrong. So I picked through them to see what they were. I found it. The perfect moonstone to match her earrings and necklace. Gosh I hope the ring size is right!

Now I'm out of ideas for next year. Back to square one, hoping that I can land a winner. But that's next year. I have momma taken care of as well, and Daddy's confection is on order. My Secret Santa/White Elephant gift is solidly in hand.

I've got this Thursday and Friday off and all of next week. I'll be heading to New York to spend time with the parents. I have not been home for a Christmas in over 5 years. I hate snow. I love it, but I despise it. And where am I headed? Right into to hell. (oh wait, that's Ohio)

Crappy Winter Seasonal Festive Gifts

You Are a Self Help Book!

While your advice is not always welcome... It's always right on target. Wow, that's really accurate.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Which Reindeer Are You?

I'm Comet

A total daredevil, I'm the reindeer with an edge! Why I'm Naughty: I almost gave Santa a heart attack when I took him sky diving Why I'm Nice: I always make sure the sleigh is going warp speed

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Oh Gosh, this better not be like a fortune cookie or I'm destined for a speeding ticket.