It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

And it's only the day before Thanksgiving!

On Monday of this week, Bettie and I put up the tree here at work because she wanted to do it before next Monday since she's taking a vacation day today. I have to say, I was not ready to think about Christmas until we put that tree up. I think it's really pretty. We work the Gulf Coast region so it has turquoise and silver balls to match the color of the ocean as well as actual seashells and a starfish on top! So now, I am really beginning to look forward to Christmas. Of course, that could change Friday when I put up the much larger tree at home.

There are some radio stations that have been playing Christmas music for a couple of weeks already. I have not been listening except to a song here and there. But my mood and thoughts began to shift toward Christmas when I heard the acoustic version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Bare Naked Ladies & Sarah McLaughlin. That is my favorite Christmas Carol. But it won't be Christmas for me until I hear the duet w/ Bing Crosby & David Bowie. They have a great version of The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth. I have the CD but it's not Christmas until I hear it on the radio. One song they don't play on the radio is Christmas in Killarney...they should really reconsider that.

Last night I took mom to Walmart to get her Christmas present - a new entertainment center. Our microwave is also going out so she picked one out and we put it in our cart. So there I was pushing a cart w/ the entertainment center and mom was pushing her cart w/ the microwave (slower than molasses but she made it). Then my sister called and asked me to look for a 1/2 pint of buttermilk. I said "I'm pushing a cart w/ a huge entertainment center and mom is pushing a cart w/ a big microwave. I can't go look for buttermilk." So she hangs up. They sent a kid to help us get it in my car. The entertainment center was about 2 inches too long to lay in my backseat. We couldn't shut the door. The Salvation Army guy - a huge guy - sees us and comes over and maneuvers the entertainment center at an angle so we can shut the door. We got home and managed to slide it out of my car and set it in the garage. Now someone needs to get it in the house and put it together. I still vote for hiring Jeremy to do it. We'll see...So now my Christmas shopping is complete!

Let Us Give Thanks

So I've written about it a couple of times and this week we're supposed to do it: give thanks. It's kind of ironic that the days when you are supposed to be w/ family, you dread it...and you're supposed to give thanks for them at the same time. I am thankful that we will all be together on Thursday and everyone is healthy and those who want a job, have a job.

I ALWAYS do my Christmas shopping prior to Thanksgiving week because I hate crowds...especially crowds that are willing to fight for something just because it's on sale. I'd rather pay full price than fight crowds. This morning, I got a call from my brother who lives here in FW. Since my oldest brother and his family are coming in from Kenya this Christmas, it has been suggested that we draw names this year to save money. So all the presents I bought are now next year's birthday presents. Thankfully, almost everyone has their birthday by March. I will give my three younger nieces their gifts, however, because I never get to see them. This is our first Christmas w/ David and his family in 25 years and I am grateful we will all be together...we may all be deaf by the end of the day but it will be a memorable holiday.

And I'm grateful for dance. It keeps me sane. It's my creative outlet and my social outlet. And I'm very grateful that I am dancing in the Winter Showcase. I haven't danced in a showcase in a year and I miss performing on a regular basis. And w/ all that has happened w/ my mom in the last couple of months, it's good to have something else to focus on. You know you are stressed when you would rather be at work than at home. There have been a couple of times in the last couple of weeks that I wasn't sure Vince would be in town for it, now you know the real reason for my disappointment...

I'm Back...And So Is The Mystery...

It has taken a year to unknot my brain after leaving one dance studio and joining another. I took some time off from being social director for all my friends, but I think I'm ready to start socializing again. So I'm planning a Murder Mystery party for February - to coincide w/ Mardi Gras.

This mystery game is called "Masquerade Murder Mayhem." It is played in rounds and there are six characters: Big Boy Blue, Green Eyes, Miss White, Mr. Black, Pink Lady, and Yellow Belly. Each character wears the colored mask their name implies. Everyone else who attends will get to interact w/ the characters and follow clues to figure out who murdered who and why...

I don't know who reads this, but if you want to play a character, just let me know. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MEMORIZE LINES.

BTW, I'm Miss White since she is the hostess...Check back for more details...