Quick, here's my Christmas post before December ends

A quick recap on my Christmas happenings before it's too late. As expected, I took LOTS of pictures. I think these capture a touch of the awesomeness that I experienced. I dare say that this may have been my favorite Christmas ever. It was modest, but it was fantastic. Really, all the Christmas activities this year were great.

JQ and I received our first official gift crafted by G-tot at school. Getting an unexpected present was so fun and really special to me. We promptly hung it on the tree where he liked to point it out.



The Tuesday before Christmas we made a trip to Children's Wonderland. G-tot was awestruck by the displays. Children's Wonderland is something I went to every year as a child and being able to see the excitement in his eyes as we looked at some of the same displays they had 25+ years ago made all the obvious flaws dissappear in the dimly lit recesses of the Rec Center.


Christmas was great. My Mom and Stepdad made it into town late Wednesday night and were able to be with us Christmas morning as planned. I was the first one up at our house and got in a shower, a cup of coffee, and a few moments to soak it all in before anybody woke up. It was so peaceful. G-tot wore a jacket on Christmas that belonged to JQ when he was just J-tot. My brother called the look "a subdued Elton John". When JQ's Mom saw G-tot in it, she was smitten. Underneath was his "Lock Up Your Daughters" shirt.


This past Sunday we went to the Lights Before Christmas display at the Toledo Zoo with JQ's parents. A million lights on display this year. Can you imagine the electric bill a month of running those every day for four hours would generate? Yowsers! It was cold—after all it is December in NW Ohio—but despite the low temps we had a good time. JQ's parents, G-tot, and I even rode the carousel.

Yep. One of the best Christmas seasons I can remember. It's enough to tucker you right out.

Happy New Year!

Help me choose a photo of this pornstache wearing gent.

I need your opinion oh wise people of the internet. I shot a series of these fantastically creepy, yet oddly nostalgic mannequins last week and am having trouble deciding which direction to go with them. I have a faculty show coming up soon and I think I'd like to put a few in the show. Here are four versions of a gent wearing a muff, a fur turtleneck and a pornstache. See what I mean about creepy?

I can't decide which one gives me the best vibe. Which one do you like best?

1. vintage

2. color

3. faded

4. black & white

Do you think Santa uses their sonar to help him navigate?

Sure, we are all familiar with the symbolism of reindeer at Christmas time. You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen.


Comet and Cupid and Donner, and Blitzen…


But did you know there is another creature at Christmas that only comes out at night?

That's right kiddos, it's the elusive Christmas Bat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

Who knew I was such a sucker for tradition?

Every year on December 25th I would wake up at the crack of dawn to spend Christmas morning with my Mom and the rest of the immediate family on that side (my Gam, my Dad before the divorce, my Stepdad after the divorce, my brother, JQ for the last 8 years, and now G-tot). It has always played out the same way. Christmas Eve we would celebrate with the extended family on my Mom's side and then Christmas morning at my Mom's.

Even when I moved out on my own I would wake up really early and be at my Mom's before 8 a.m. Gifts and breakfast casserole in tow, it didn't matter that I only got a few hours of restless sleep the night before. It was tradition and I loved it.

This year would be different. My Mom lives out of state now and I get the honor of hosting Christmas morning from here on out. You have no idea how much this excites me. It would still be an early morning and I would still make that breakfast casserole, I just wouldn't have to drive in the chilly December morning over to her house. That alone is enough to make a girl giddy.

Instead of being overjoyed with the fact that in just 2 days I would be hosting my very first Christmas morning with my Mom and family, I'm sitting here crying. Because she won't be here. And it kills me a little inside.

Sure, sure, weather permitting they'll be coming in on Christmas but it won't be until the afternoon. It's just not the same. Wow, that sounds so selfish doesn't it? Poor *pixie*, can't see her Mom until 5 hours after she expected to. Wah, wah, wah… But you know what? I don't give a rat's ass if it's selfish. Or ridiculous. It's real. It's the way I really feel right now and I haven't quite gotten over it because I just found out. Up until a half an hour ago I expected everything to play out the way I mentioned in that third paragraph up there.

It isn't going to happen that way. Car trouble prevented them from leaving yesterday as planned. Today and tomorrow they are expecting lots and lots of snow. I'd rather have them arrive late then have them not arrive at all, but what I'd really like is for tradition to stand. Stupid traditions…

Why yes, I did marry a younger man

Today is JQ's 30th birthday. Thirty. It seems like only yesterday he was in his twenties. Maybe he'll finally stop throwing his youth around during conversation. I doubt it—he's still the baby of the group. I wonder if he'll think it's time to grow up. I sure hope not.

Happy Birthday JQ!

Welcome to another decade of this crazy thing called life. We love you!

Half in the bag and lit up

G-tot was fascinated with watching us put the lights on the Christmas tree this year. Row after row of tiny bursts of color spiraling towards the ceiling. To a 20 month old it has to seem extra spectacular. It really is magical, but the cuteness factor of him in a brown paper bag with huge wondering eyes was my favorite part.

Sunday whoring

I promise not to make this a habit. Seriously. I'm not trying to pressure you at all. Really. I'm just too lazy to come up with a decent post right now. Thought provoking posts take time you know. So until then, check out my wares—won't you?

Etsy Buy Handmade birddoodle

Holiday Cock

This afternoon, JQ and I picked up new cell phones. One of the options with the upgrade is a free month of TV you can watch on your phone. While flipping through the channel guide the 12 year old boy in me noticed this gem of a truncation.


Why yes, that is Holiday Cock on the Food Network. I immediately made JQ take a picture of it so I could share the glory of Holiday Cock with all of you. You can thank me later. And, because it isn't enough for us to stop there in our immaturity I would also like to point out the following words that can be found in the programming guide:

Firsthand
Camp Wood
Pull
Yummy
Glazed Ham

Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds this funny.

Have you ever had a lychee nut?

When I saw them sitting on the counter at the farmer's market I was intrigued. I had never had one before and had no idea what to expect, but the box of them called me. "Try us" they begged. "We're inexpensive and exotic" they beckoned. So I bought a few. Then I took them home and photographed them.


That's normal right? I mean look at them. Aren't they lovely?


Rough ruby colored exterior. Touches of yellow-green where the fruit grows on the tree (is that what they grow on?). About the size of one of those large gumballs you get out of the vending machines at the grocery store. And the skin? It's paper thin. Not at all what I expected looking at that rhino-like shell.


The inside? Reminded me of a big fat maggot. Not exactly what I want to put in my mouth. Soft, white, and slightly elastic feeling. Don't you want to run out and grab a handful?



I got over it quick enough. I was not going to let that visual keep me from tasting it. Who's to say I would ever get another opportunity to try a lychee nut? Or would want to? So I bit into it.


I was not impressed. I think the sign at the farmer's market described it as a cross between a grape and a grapefruit. I just thought it was bland. I'm glad I tried it but I won't be buying them again anytime soon.

A little holiday spirit, perhaps?

16 days until Christmas.
It's abnormally warm in Toledo.
And it won't stop raining.

I need all the help I can get.
You?

Giddy beyond words

Holy crap! I made it into one of Etsy's treasuries!

And look at these nice comments about my print.


I actually just learned about the Treasury earlier this week and then, voila, I'm in one! How awesome is that? For those of you who don't use Etsy or don't know what the Treasury is, here's a great description from the Etsy site.

The Treasury is a member-curated gallery of short-lived lists of 12 hand-picked items each (plus four alternates). It functions as a high-demand (and pretty!) promotional tool that many devoted Etsians fight to get. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme, or just however they like. The Treasury is not intended for self-promotion, but instead to acknowledge and share the many cool things for sale on Etsy. Admin often choose an exceptional Treasury list to promote on the home page and occasionally make them to tie into Storque articles or special events and occasions.

OMG! We made the front page!

Growing up—20 months

Dear Gideon,

At the end of November you turned 20 months old. Twenty months! Do you realize that means in just four short months I'll have a two year old on my hands? Holy crap! How is that even possible? Part of me is so sad that the days have flown by at a whirlwind pace with you, but every day is so wonderful that I wouldn't take back a single moment.

20 months—November 26, 2008

I think you feel that way too because you can't wait to start each day. You tend to wake up each morning between 6 and 7. You call out "Mommy" and "Daddy" to let us know you need us NOW. Neither one of us are what you would call thrilled at the interruption in sleep so after a quick diaper change we bring you back to bed with us.

That lasts about 20 minutes or so before you can't stand the thought of lying in bed anymore. You climb out from between us, slide off the bed and almost immediately head over to Daddy's side to get him up. You hand him his glasses off the nightstand, then you hand him his pants off the floor. If he isn't moving quick enough, you say "Get up" while trying to lift him out of bed. It's hilarious. And effective.

reading with Uncle A on Thanksgiving

You are learning words like mad and you talk all the time. It's so cool to actually KNOW the words that are coming out of your mouth. Sometimes context is key, but regardless, your vocabulary and comprehension kick ass.

rockin' the vote

On November 4th you accompanied your Dad and I to the voting booths to participate in one of the most important presidential elections in history. That day our nation elected the first black president. It was a monumental moment for the United States and being a part of it was really something special. It made me really proud to be an American that day. Knowing we participated as a family made it even better.

when you get to be my age, don't jump as forcefully—the pile isn't that cushy

You got to jump in your first pile of Fall leaves a few weeks ago. As expected, you thought it was awesome. I tell people often that I'm so glad I had a boy. Of course, I would love you just the same if you were a girl, but I have so much fun doing the rough and tumble things with you. Rolling around in a pile of leaves, collecting rocks and other specimens on our walks, building forts, and playing with the knights and the ogre in your castle set—it just doesn't get any better than that.

we ALL love playing with the castle

Love,

Mommy

One more reason I love the Princess

Sitting on the dining room table when I arrived home from work last night was a puffy yellow envelope. Stamped on the front was a red Postage Due, next to it a handwritten .34¢. Isn't the point unnecessary in this instance? Or it should be a $ sign instead of a ¢ sign. JQ told me the mailman was holding it hostage on our front porch until we forked over the money, but I think JQ made that up just to get a quarter for the vending machine at the grocery store.


The package was from Vegas Princess. I knew it was coming but I only knew the identity of one of the items inside—the Twilight soundtrack. That was far from the only goodie inside the envelope. There was also a card with a love note inside. The sentiment on the outside is perfect for a friendship made through blogging, don't you think?

Then I pulled out a Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark bar and a pretty snowflake ornament. The shiny metal and the little red stones, coupled with the fact that VP sent it, remind me of a particular breed of vampires. Yes, I'm a dork.


But so is Vegas Princess because I can guarantee she was laughing when she found the next item she sent. Not only was she laughing, but I'd wager that she instinctively thought of me. Personally, I was hysterical. Behold:

Do you see? Do you see what she did there. She sent me a Pixie. Me—*pixie*. And…it's adorned in holly. Holly! I think I'll have to keep the wrapper.

I saved the rolled up black piece of cloth for last. It looked like the pièce de résistance, and I know how to build up the climax. I was right. It was a shirt for G-tot and it kicks ass.


Photo bonus: the look on his face and the illusion that he is balancing little blocks of wood on his head.

Needless to say—many thanks to Vegas Princess, we love it!