Yule be sorry!

...and we're back!  One of the benefits of working where I work is that we get 11 days off for "Winter Closure" which effectively covers Christmas through New Year's.  What's more, its paid and we don't have to use any sick or vacation time.  A fabulous perk.

This year's winter break started off amazing.  We hopped in the car, laden with gifts and cookie tins and snowsuits, skis, etc. and headed to the Mister's hometown.  Once there, we ate, laughed, played, opened gifts, ate, laughed, ate...well you get the idea.  We got some cool stuff but the best present, really, was getting to play in glorious fresh snow with the grandparents and uncles. 

On the sleddin' hill.  It was cold, but fun...all kinds of fun!

Skiing through the trees near sunset.  So amazingly beautiful.

After a couple days of this debauchery, we headed home, only to find an unwelcome guest waiting for us:  the stomach flu.  Or whatever you call it...I guess its not technically a flu?  A bug?  Well, whatever it is, the Mister and I were completely miserable and yet Otto seems to have escaped relatively unscathed (knocking on wood.)  It trashed at least 3 precious day of our break, though, which sucked with a capital SUCK.

By New Year's we were mostly back to normal and enjoying eachother's company and our cozy house.  We played some games, put together some models, went ice skating, saw some movies and tried to make up for lost time.

The boys, reading a book before dinner on Otto's new "big boy bed"

All in all, our Yule coulda been worse, coulda been better.  And now, suddenly, here we are back into our routine of work, preschool, home and its both sad and comforting, if that makes any sense. 

I'm hoping to come back here soon with some ideas for the new year...who else still does resolutions?

Done and To Do

Done:

-Tree up, decorated.

-Elf watched.  At least twice.

Son of a nutcracker, how perfect is this tree???  Cut it down ourselves for $10 in the national forest. 

-Holiday cards mailed.  Can I get a whoop-whoop!!

-Gifts to far away friends and family mailed. (for a $55 post office bill...eek.  At least I was early enough to send them parcel post.)

-Gift for office gift exchange purchased and wrapped. ($10 limit not quite reached.)

-Toys and clothes contributed to our "adopted family" in need.

-Food contribution (veggies and hummus) to office holiday party purchased and prepped.

-Gifts for the mister and the kiddo purchased, wrapped and currently luxuriating under the tree.

-Gingerbread house attempted.

Not that bad for a first attempt, right?

To do:

-Come up with a white elephant gift for a friend's holiday party on Friday.  Having a tough time with this one.

-Bake goodies to take with us to the in-laws for xmas.  Usually a couple different kinds of cookies and some chex mix to accompany the long beer drinking/scrabble playing sessions.

-Tag and take teacher gifts to Otto's school.

-Attend the daycare holiday program next tuesday.  Its going to be so cute!  I can't wait!!!  He's been practicing his little songs at home and they are adorable.

-De-stress.  For real, I am exhibiting all my typical signs of stress:  poor sleep, volcanic break-outs and delightful moodiness.  I'm keeping up with my workouts and drinking green tea and eating leafy greens, fresh fruit, etc. etc. but sleep is the deficit at the moment.  I just can't seem to make it to bed before 10:30pm and the alarm goes off at 5:00am.  I'm just looking forward to Winter Break which is an AMAZING perk of my job- we get the week between xmas and new years off, with pay.  Imma gonna sleep in every day, son!!

-I'm sure there are to-do's I'm forgetting....

What's on your list?

Race to the Finish

Honestly?  Sometime it feels like December is an endurance event.  It can be hard for me to take a step back and just...chill.  There's so much that has to be done; shopping, events to attend, stuff to bake, travel to arrange, etc., etc.  Its overwhelming.

Over time, I've come up with a few strategies that help me relax and actually enjoy the season, because even though I'm not at all religious, this time of year is special to me: Its a celebration of life, family, friends, and a reminder that even in the dark and cold of winter, the earth is alive and spring will come again.  

What I'm doing to stay copacetic: 

-I'm getting my holiday shopping done early so I'm not worrying about what to get who.  As of right now, I only have Otto's teachers (giftcards, of course) and a friend left to shop for and I'll get those knocked out in the next couple days. Yay!  Love having all that accomplished.   (I truly enjoy shopping for the "perfect" gifts but I can't handle waiting until the last minute- too much pressure!!)

- Keeping my workout schedule.  My runs are my "me" time, the time I have to think and mull and otherwise just be inside my own head.  Even when I'm tired, or its cold, or whatever, I'm getting out for a run or in worst case scenario, I'm doing an exercise DVD in the basement.  I need to sweat to feel whole.  This morning, I ran in the dark while it was snowing.  It was great.

-Saying "No."  This is a hard one.  But I just can't attend every lunch, happy hour, office party, etc. that I get invited to.   My time with my family suffers if I try and honestly, there are precious few gatherings that I'm actually excited to go to.    Also, I can't afford to donate to every cause, every charity, every fundraiser.  I can't do like 4 different secret santa exchanges.  I can't bake cookies and make chex mix and pie crust and and and...Sorry but...NO.

-Prioritizing.  This goes along with saying no.  I'm continuously asking myself,"is this REALLY the most important thing?  Really??"  If the answer is No, then I rethink my current course of action.  I only want to do the important stuff.  I want to do the things I really care about.

What am I missing?  What are you doing make sure that you enjoy the season and don't stress?

Random shit and gratitude

First, some random shit:
-I have a sinus infection, again.  It seems like I get at least 2-3 per year.  What gives??  I'm a healthy person, take my vitamins, eat well, etc.  I did, however, break my neti pot about a year ago and haven't replaced it for which I was scolded today by my doctor.  So, new neti pot in one hand, antibiotics in the other, I'm out for blood.  You're going DOWN, sinus infections.  Assholes.

-My kid is a little man these days.  A FB post of mine from a couple days ago: 

"Otto growing up: 1. Since last week, he will only take showers, no baths. Insists on washing himself but grudgingly allows help with hair ONLY., 2. Got up this morning, made himself breakfast (toast with peanut butter and honey). "See, I can do it MYSELF." 3. Last night he told me "he loves me even when I tell him to do stuff." Har."

This is the truth!  What a little dude.

-We're doing something new for Thanksgiving this year...The Mister's aunt,(at whose house we usually stuff ourselves,) is going through a divorce so rather than invade her, we've rented 2 condos up in the mountains and are going for a ski/sled/snowshoe/eating adventure.  Yay!!  While I enjoy the traditional "everyone sit in the living room with unbuttoned pants" Thanksgiving, I'm not-so-secretly excited about this much more active one!  Also, I found new (to me) back-country skis at the gear swap (they were a steal!) and can't wait to try them out.  Double yay!!

Gear swap skis!  Also, our mail is here!

Thankfulness:
Its good practice to think about what you're thankful for every day, no?  I try to do that, I really do.  But this time of year gives you an excuse to bore others with your gratitude.  I'm especially thankful for:

-my health.  Chronic sinus infections notwithstanding, I'm in the best physical shape I've ever been in.  I love it that I can run, ski, snowshoe, hike...do whatever I want to do really and do it wholeheartedly.  Doing stuff is fun...who knew!? 

-my job.  Its not the greatest.  Its not my "dream."  But you know what?  It enables me to fulfill other dreams:  feed, clothe, and otherwise take care of my family, travel (limited, but still, the occasional road trip is possible), afford entry fees for races, etc.  I'm lucky to have a job and I know it.

-living in a beautiful place.  Sure the winters are rough and I'm pretty sure I have at least a mild form of S.A.D. so living at 7200 feet above sea level in the Rockies might not be the wisest but fuck-it, its gorgeous here.  

-of course, my little family.  We rock, if I do say so myself.

Also, we pose in front of rocks.  Winning.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY.  Be thankful.

Both

We have the same hair, the same eyes. 
 We cry at the end of disney movies. 
Blue is our favorite color. 
We both have weaknesses for anything chocolate, thrift stores and cute animals.
We run.
We play piano.
We'd rather get some dirt and seed than a bouquet of already grown flowers.
We love hummingbirds.
We love our children.

We are both mothers.  And damn awesome ones, at that.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama.

New beginning

Every time we come back from an extended break, like over the holidays, the first day is killer.  I actually cried in the car this morning after dropping my kid off at daycare.  I miss him.

To distract myself from this gross intrusion of 'real life', I'm thinking about my goals for 2011.  A new year.  A chance to start over in some ways.  Or, alternately, just a good excuse to thinking about habits we'd either like to change or to cultivate.

Here's what I've got so far:

Do less:

-Consuming:  I'm going to "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."  Or at least do my best.   I'm going to continue to reuse whatever can be reused and buy pre-owned whenever possible.  We're blessed here with  several used/second hand stores and while I already take advantage, I'm going to kick it up a notch.

- TV watching:  This isn't a huge problem for me, but I think I could do better.  My default at the end of a shitty day is to veg in front of the tube with a libation.  And even if its just a half hour, my time would be better spent (and probably more relaxing) if I read, knitted, listened to music or did something that didn't completely shut my brain down.

Do more:

-Snuggling, listening, playing with my kid:  I feel like we do a lot of this, but there's always room for improvement, right?  My goal is to give him more of my UNDIVIDED attention. 

- "Snuggle" with my husband:  Yeah, um, sometimes the husband and I get distracted by everything that's going on and neglect to make time for eachother.  Ahem.

- Yoga:  Its SO GOOD for me and I know that but for some reason, I do it like twice a month right now.  But after a good yoga session, I'm noticeably less stressed, more at peace and I even see improvements in my running.  Yoga = good.

What goals do you have for this new year?  

2011

A few hours, now, until a new year. 

Do I have any resolutions?  Eh.  Goals?  Sure.  Wishes?  Aplenty.

Here's wishing you and yours a happy, happy beginning to a happy, happy year.

Love,
Ruby

(and Birdie :) )

Not so very frightful

Work has been KILLING me lately so it was an extra wonderful thing to be officially closed at 1pm today due to...SNOW!!!  It's been falling and falling and everything is blanketed in lovely white and I'm home with my boys making chex mix and listening to holiday music.  And tomorrow (our last day before the 11-day Winter Break) may well be a snow day too, at the rate its falling.  Insert contented sigh here.

And from last night...a blurry cell phone picture of our tree and Frosty the Snowman on TV.  LOVE.

Hope all you folks out in the internets are warm and cozy and celebrating (or not) in the way that suits you best.  Merry Merry!

8 DAYS AND COUNTING

One of the (many) perks of working where I work is that we get a paid break over Xmas.  We don't have to use vacation time, even.  The entire place shuts down and we all get 11 straight days off.  And did I mention its paid?

11 DAYS.

Three of those days will be spent at the in-laws for the actual holiday but the rest are ALL MINE.  I can't wait to get to see my little boy every day, all day, for that long.  As a momma who works outside the home and places her son in the care of another, this gift of TIME means more than any bonus check or holiday party would.  (It will be nice to see the Husband, too.  Wink.)

I have so many plans: sledding, snowshoeing, crafts, swimming, movies, snuggles...

I'm just...giddy with excitement.  Can't wait!

Just popping in to say WHEW THIS TIME OF YEAR IS INSANITY.

The good news:  We are shopping local this year, getting almost all (very modest-its the thought, right?) holiday gifts from local small businesses.  Fuck Walmart, man.  I think I bought one thing there- something on my child's letter to Santa that couldn't be got anywhere else in town.  ( I live in a SMALL town, dudes.)

So we're done- just need to get our holiday cards and we can ship boxes off to friends and family.  We have to ship just about everything because our families are so spread out, hence the early shopping.  Feeling victorious! 

In other news:

1.  Otto had to have a very small filling put into a very small cavity.  He did SO AWESOME at the dentist.  The filling was tiny enough that they didn't have to numb him or anything and the actual procedure was lightening fast.   I love our dentist.  And my kid is a rockstar.

2.  Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are awesome.

3.  So is chai.

4.  We are headed up to the mountains to get our tree this weekend.  This is my single favorite holiday activity.  Yay!!

5.  I love you all.  :)  Carry on.

Halloweener

Even though I'm not a super ginormous fan of dressing in costume anymore, I still love Halloween.  I love the spookiness of the season:  The increasing darkness, the dimming pallet of oranges, browns, golds and the thinning of sunlight all add to the overall eeriness of this time of year. 

I also love Halloween goodies and decorations.  Here are some Etsy finds I'm positively ghouling over.  Heh.

1.  A spooky painting:

Bat Tree Original Painting by jellybeans

2.  And more bats:

Halloween Bat Paper Garland by houseofclouds

3.  Mmmmm, pie:

You are my Pumpkin Pie Card by friendsagain

4.  Zombie Bunnies love treats:

Zombie Buns Attack Snack Plate by barbaradonovan

5. A vintage collage.  Adorbs.

Halloween Time Vintage-style Original Collage by summerroad

6.  And a super cute boogie-ing Batman, if I DO say so myself. 

Happy Halloween!!

Old Glory

Just dragged ourselves back into town after 4 days spent in the absolute WAR ZONE that is Lander, Wyoming on July 4th. Fireworks are encouraged. Open container laws are lifted. In short, it is a huge, drunken free-for-all involving fire and explosions. What's not to like?

Even though our "real" purpose was to be at the party for mom-in-law's 60th birthday  (which was fun), we managed to squeeze in the parade and the husband and I even got out for a bluegrass show and a lawn party during which drunken 20-somethings were shooting off roman candles...at eachother.  The mother in me kinda wanted to call their parents.  But instead, I just grabbed another beer and got the hell out of their way.

Also, my dad was in town to run the half-marathon that takes place every year.  He lives in Missouri, so the altitude bothered him a bit.  But as you can see, he finished way strong.  He is my hero and he is awesome.  Maybe next year I'll be there with him...

And really, how cute is that little downtown?  This is the town in which I spent my last years of high school and where I met my husband.  So its always fun to go back and see how it hasn't changed at all.  Well, at least not in the ways that matter.

And now, I'm sitting here trying to get my head around an overflowing inbox. 

Viva la USA!!! And Viva la Vacation!!

Mother's Day

We had such a fun Mother's Day weekend, I'm sad now that its over.  The holiday kind of snuck up on me this year.  In all honesty, Mother's Day wasn't even on my radar until embarrassingly close to the actual day and then it was just me panicking about getting something to our moms...

Fortunately,  a couple weekends back, the husband took the boy to our university's art museum for a "Mother's Day Art Project"  and they made a gift for his mom (and for me, although I didn't realize it.)  So that was covered.  For my mom, I had Otto paint a sweet picture and then write his name on it (I know! He's writing his name!  Squee.).  I framed that and sent it off with a homemade card.

For me, however, the boys really went above and beyond.  On Saturday, we drove down to Denver to the Butterfly Pavillion.  It wasn't as impressive as say, the Zoo or the Downtown Aquarium but for the money, it was a wonderful thing to do together.  They had a room with live exhibits of tarantulas, cockroaches, millipedes, centipedes and other bugs from all over the world.  It was equally gross and fascinating for me.  Otto, of course, loved it.  He was especially intrigued by a tarantula named Rosie that an employee was holding in her hand and allowing (older) kids and parents to touch. 

The butterfly rain forest was one of the most peaceful indoor spaces I've ever been in.   So many beautiful butterflies and flowers and water features. 

They also had a big, open play area with a special section just for kids under 5.  There were coloring activities and things to climb on and more cool bug/worm/spider exhibits.  Otto pretty much ran around willy-nilly like he was on crack and/or copious amounts of sugar.

After that, it was lunch out and then some shopping at Whole Foods where we carefully chose sea bass steaks to grill that night.  Of course, when we got back up to Wyoming, the weather was too shitty to grill (i.e., cold, windy, and generally disgusting) so the husband improvised and pan seared the sea bass.  It was, of course, awesome.

Oh, and he bought me flowers.  Aw.

Sunday morning, I slept in, woke up to an empty house and discovered that the husband and the boy had taken the grocery list and the shopping bags and were doing the weekly trip.  Yipee!  I lay around like a woman of leisure, sipping coffee (that was already made and waiting for me) and reading the paper.

Later that morning, we had a trip to the park, a picnic in the front yard (because the weather decided to cooperate for a couple of hours), a gift of a painted flower pot from Otto (from the before mentioned Art Museum Day), a family nap, and another amazing dinner cooked by my man  (pork satay, jasmine rice, and salad). 

Oh!  And we also went to Otto's first peer birthday party.  A little girl in his class at daycare invited him and a couple others on Sunday and it was really fun!   I wasn't sure what to expect and I was really worried I might have to make small talk with other parents (oh the horror!) but the Husband went with me.  The theme and trinkets were little over the top for my tastes (Disney themed complete with Mickey Mouse ears, balloons, games, favors, cupcakes, pinata, buffet...etc.) but the gathering itself was super enjoyable and surprisingly relaxed considering it was a bunch of 2-3 year olds and their parents.  It helped that two of our friends are related to the little girl and were there to take the pressure off having to talk to strangers (scary!!).

And that, in a (very large) nutshell, was Mother's Day.  I do realize that I'm so lucky to have the family I do.  I know that Mother's Day is hard for many women for many different reasons.   And also lucky, I realize, to have such a good relationship with my Mom and that she's here.   (She lost her own mom to stomach cancer when she was pregnant with me).   We may not live physically close but we talk at least once a week and she's always there for me. 

Top O' the whatever to ya

My mom is here visiting this week from Missouri, which is wonderful because she's saving us a week's worth of daycare costs. (Our daycare charges by the day, so if you're sick or absent a day you don't have to pay for it.) Of course, its also wonderful because she's my mom and I hardly ever get to see her because she lives so freaking FAR AWAY. And she does the dishes. And Otto loves her with a burning hot fire that is fourth only to his love of Buzz Lightyear and Spiderman and cookies (in that order.)

So far, we've had a lovely visit full of walks in the park, window-shopping and coffee outings, and of course lots of time pretending to "web" each other, jumping, coloring, and generally basking in the company of a sprightly little two year old.

I've taken some mornings off work this week to spend with Nana and Otto and its been lovely to sleep in, go for a long run and then hang out with my mom and my boy. The poor husband has been securely stuck in the daily grind, however, and I feel sorry for him. Sort of.

The weather has been cooperating as well, surprise of surprises, with 50 degree sunshiny days and now that we're getting used to the cursed daylight savings time, the extra light is sort of fantastic. I feel cheerier and less likely to swear under my breath at random strangers who do stupid shit while driving, crossing streets, etc.

So while I won't be out drinking green beer and making fun of people in stupid green plastic hats due to familial obligations, if that's your destination, have a sip for me will ya?

Batteries Not Required

One of the decisions we have made as parents is that we do not want any battery operated toys in the house. (Or VERY few...Full disclosure: I think we have one little toy cell phone that beeps that someone gave us- I keep it in an emergency toy baggie for when we're out somewhere and I desperately need something that will hold his attention for a few minutes- like in line at the DMV or something.) But generally, we avoid battery operated things like the plague. We'd rather have toys that require imagination and creativity and don't beep, boop, talk, or play annoying music.

Anyway, our parents, siblings, etc. are very respectful of this wish. Otto's haul from Xmas included a tricycle, many books, a kazoo, some duplo blocks...And we got him one of these AMAZING handmade busy-books off Etsy- all wonderful, battery-less toys that require some imagination. (Although, one of the husband's brothers- who is childless- gave him an enormous foam sword. Unfortunately, this gift was 'accidentally' left at Gramma's house.)

However, every time I asked Otto what he would like for Xmas leading up to the holiday, he said "Spiderman." Without fail. I have no idea why- I can only guess that someone at daycare has been talking about Spiderman but Otto certainly recognizes the superhero when we see stuff in the stores and knows that he shoots webs from his hands. I let him watch a couple minutes of an old Spiderman cartoon (just the theme song and beginning) on the computer one day and he was in HEAVEN. And I don't have a problem with Spiderman. He's a cool superhero- has a human, flawed alter ego (unlike stupid Superman. Don't get me started), has good values and I can see why he would appeal to a kid.


The only trouble was that every age appropriate Spiderman toy I saw had batteries. They all seemed to be something like this. Not for us.

Fortunately, Santa came to the rescue and found a plush Spiderman doll on eBay that he knew Otto would love.


And he wasn't wrong. The two of them have been inseparable since Xmas morning- No batteries required. Santa's feelin' pretty good about now. Or so I would guess.

The Other Side

Hello! Somehow we've made it to the other side of the holidays. All the gifts are opened and oohed and ahhed over, bags packed then unpacked, and all the seasonal beer and champagne has disappeared down someone's gullet. Now its back to the 'real world' of jobs and bills and blahdee blah blah. You know what I'm saying.

We had a great vacation, though. Despite some blizzard type stuff and icy roadways, it was nearly perfect. We spent 4 days with the husband's family in central Wyoming, sledding and eating and playing Santa and eating and ice skating and eating. I'm probably 5 lbs heavier just because of these 4 days. It was great, though, watching our kid with his little cousins and uncles and aunt and grandparents...Bliss.

Then, we went to Estes Park, CO and spent time with my folks and 2 of my brothers. It was more low-key but also really nice. And even though there was some weirdness between one of my brothers and myself (long story), Estes is so beautiful that its impossible to be anything but merry.

Here the kiddo and I are setting off on hike in the winter wonderland:


And one of Ruby's favorite things is swinging. Its hilarious.


I mean, really. How beautiful is this place?


Today was our first day back to work/daycare and its been a doozy. I want to think about my goals for the coming year but first I have to somehow get my brain out of chocolate eating/sledding/movie-watching mode and back into working mama mode. Wish me luck.

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces...

With the arrival of the solstice, its official...the sun is on its way!!! I'm so looking forward to watching the return of the light- minute by minute. That's really what this season is about for me- remembering that even in the deepest, darkest winter, there is still light and even though the world seems dead, its alive and already preparing for Spring.

Now we're tackling the last work day before the break and looking forward to a Griswaldian Old Fashioned Family Xmas with the husband's parents and then a visit with my side of the family in a cabin in the Rockies complete with snowshoeing, board games and awkward moments among some siblings who haven't spoken in months. Yay!

Peace to you and yours and have a joyful holiday- whichever you choose to celebrate!!

The thing that I most like to bring out this time of the year are my balls*

I'm sure I'm not alone when I exclaim "shit is keeeerazy!!!" Xmas stuff, work, social engagements, volunteering, and you know, that thing called Parenting. Phew.

After feeling completely out of control this week (Monday was bookclub, Tuesday was puppy kindergarten, Wednesday was a meetup with a friend who just got back into town...you get the idea), I took some time last night to get my ducks in a row: Got the xmas cards out finally and spent some time with Otto painting mats to go around picture gifts for his great grandmas. It was nice to have a night at home to spend listening to holiday music and doing something creative with my little kid. (If you can classify writing short notes and addressing cards as 'creative.' )

As merry as I'm trying to be though, I feel like I'm fighting off a certain melancholy. First, following the climate stuff in Copenhagen has me depressed. On NPR this morning someone compared it to going on a field trip with 193 children and needing everyone to agree on every little decision. Ugh. Am I extraordinarily naive when I say that I wish they could just come up with a direction and some goals?

Second, there's the whole Debtcember thing- its so hard to keep to a budget this time of year and we are really feeling the squeeze. Fortunately, all gifts are purchased or made at this point so barring any unforeseen expenses, we should squeak by. Barely. I know there are a lot of people WAY worse off and we've tried to do our part: both our offices adopted needy families and we had fun shopping for them- coats, hats, gloves, some toys and books. Donated food. Donated new hats and mittens to the local newspaper's hat and mitten tree. Feels good to give and reminds us how truly blessed we are: we both have jobs, a roof over our heads, food in our fridge and most importantly, each other.

So we're trying to keep everything grounded and enjoy the season. It will get easier next week- my job gives us from the 24th through Jan 3rd off. Paid. So really I can't complain. We'll get to see both sets of in-laws and spend some time recreating in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

I'll leave you with this- is it really the holiday season until you've seen Schweddy Balls*? I didn't think so.

Its the Hap-happiest Time

Greetings from -20-degrees-with-the-wind-chill-land. Yeah. Its nipply out. (What am I saying? Nipple? Hahaha. Wouldn't be the Christmas shopping season if the stores were any less hooter...uh...hotter than they are!)

Some highlights from the last few days:

We went up to get our tree last weekend. It was fun except for when the whiny toddler got all "I don't wanna" on us but we forced a little 'old-fashioned family xmas' fun on him anyway. I carried him on my back in the Ergo and it only took about 20 min of hiking to locate the perfect fir. Ruby had a good time anyway.


Earlier that morning, (which might account for some of the whininess...he HAD already met Santa so really, what else is there?) we had breakfast with Santa and got a picture taken. To me, in this picture it looks like Otto just told Santa that he wants new parents that won't force him to go up to the snowy mountains to cut down xmas trees. Santa is wishing for whiskey as I'm sure he's realizing what a long morning he's in for.


And lastly, a parting shot of Otto rocking the husband's aviators. Don't mess with him.


Hope you're all hanging on to your sanity. My holiday shopping is done (we're going minimalist this year, so it wasn't really hard) and now I've just got to get through the rest of the month. I'm with Santa on the whiskey.

Friends can listen to 'Endless Love' in the dark

My favorite things today:

Handmade Holiday Gifts: OMG y'all. Took a little trip to the local holiday market today and TOTALLY SCORED. It was some ninja fuckin' shopping. Handmade wooden domino set for Grandpa, recycled angel pins for Grandmas (and Mom), earrings for sister-in-law, scarves for daycare teachers, handmade wooden puzzles for kids...All at great prices and its not the same old shit you see in every Target. So super stoked to give everyone their gifts!!

Date nights with the Husband: We have one scheduled for tomorrow night and I am SO EXCITED. Its been a while. The plan is going out for Indian food and then ice skating. How fun does that sound?!? Squee!

Speaking of ice-skating, I got new skates! They are used hockey skates, very nice and much better than my 20 year old figure skates. I'm pretty sure I'm on my way to becoming a total badass on the ice. But I have to confess that every time I'm on the ice I have to fight an uncontrollable urge to pretty much recite every ice skating scene from Happy Gilmore.

The Holiday Season: Yeah, its commercial. And yes a lot of it is super annoying for many many different reasons. And I hate that not everyone can enjoy it because of layoffs, illness, poverty, you name it. ...But I can't help it. I love this time of year. I love the snow. I love planning surprises for people I love. I LOVE cutting down our own holiday tree. And then comes the decorating with Christmas Vacation playing in the background. Plus. PLUS. Our jobs give us from the 24th through January 4th off. Paid. Its kind of totally awesome.

Things I'm not so fond of?

BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES. Effing brrrr. It was -17 this morning. -8 when I drove to work. THAT IS TOO COLD, PEOPLE.