Appetizer: Make up a word and give us its definition.
Somnalipsis: An occasion when one of your dreams from the night before pops in and replays while you are awake.
Soup: What is currently your favorite song?
Choral part of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, "Ode to Joy"
Salad: What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
A job.
Main Course: Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Zest soap reminds me of my high school boyfriend.
Dessert: Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
Ann Coulter. She is not only mean-spirited, she is not very bright.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Slow Day
It's been a slow day, but not a bad one. The person who was supposed to give me a ton of work isn't at work today, so not much to do but apply for jobs. I have done so with a vengeance, including a couple as an online community manager. I loved that part of my old job, so that would be great to do. I just hope there aren't thousands applying for each of these positions.
The boss took the department out to lunch today, though one was not able to come, "too busy," she said. Wah. Now I wish I had gone out last week when she took my friend who's already gone out to lunch--but that day I was just way too down. Anyway, we went to the Hyde Park Grill in the scenic part of Austin, where we people up on the northwest boonies never get to go (it's the restaurant famous for its sign that is a giant fork). I'd forgotten how good this place is--I stopped going to "good" restaurants while Jeff was around, and never got back to it since. Maybe when the "good" job manifests, I can start going fun places with Lee (who never wants to go in to Austin, but I miss places like Central Market and such). I really, really like to eat at upscale restaurants, and keep picking guys who don't like to do that--the XH and I did have some fun times with our fancy meals! I just love the ambiance and interesting combinations of flavors you don't get at barbecue spots and the ubiquitous generic Chinese/Vietnamese restaurants!
Our food was delicious but really copious. The new girl got a HUGE pork chop. I had meatloaf, with delicious homemade mashed potatoes and collards sauteed with bacon. The latter were delicious, but I believe have made me a bit sick to the stomach. I need to remember I have no gall bladder and can't do a lot of fat. Then we all had wonderful desserts. A peach cake/pudding and a chocolate brownie. Each of them was gigantic. We could not finish either, so will eat them tomorrow at lunch. Wow, if you go there, try one of those desserts!
As you can tell, I am still in a better mood. Doing what my tarot cards said and not letting stuff get to me. I am trying to assume the good things will happen, and stop the panic. I know it pleases Lee to see me happier, and I will be trying harder to do so, and maybe the bad downer feelings will abate for a while. Fingers crossed.
The boss took the department out to lunch today, though one was not able to come, "too busy," she said. Wah. Now I wish I had gone out last week when she took my friend who's already gone out to lunch--but that day I was just way too down. Anyway, we went to the Hyde Park Grill in the scenic part of Austin, where we people up on the northwest boonies never get to go (it's the restaurant famous for its sign that is a giant fork). I'd forgotten how good this place is--I stopped going to "good" restaurants while Jeff was around, and never got back to it since. Maybe when the "good" job manifests, I can start going fun places with Lee (who never wants to go in to Austin, but I miss places like Central Market and such). I really, really like to eat at upscale restaurants, and keep picking guys who don't like to do that--the XH and I did have some fun times with our fancy meals! I just love the ambiance and interesting combinations of flavors you don't get at barbecue spots and the ubiquitous generic Chinese/Vietnamese restaurants!
Our food was delicious but really copious. The new girl got a HUGE pork chop. I had meatloaf, with delicious homemade mashed potatoes and collards sauteed with bacon. The latter were delicious, but I believe have made me a bit sick to the stomach. I need to remember I have no gall bladder and can't do a lot of fat. Then we all had wonderful desserts. A peach cake/pudding and a chocolate brownie. Each of them was gigantic. We could not finish either, so will eat them tomorrow at lunch. Wow, if you go there, try one of those desserts!
As you can tell, I am still in a better mood. Doing what my tarot cards said and not letting stuff get to me. I am trying to assume the good things will happen, and stop the panic. I know it pleases Lee to see me happier, and I will be trying harder to do so, and maybe the bad downer feelings will abate for a while. Fingers crossed.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Fun Is Free!
We were goofing off last night before Lee and I left for rehearsing with the melodious Trey Bone boys. He and Beccano were following each other around with the camera trying to snap each other making a face, and this is the one Beccano got of Lee. We think he looks like a supermodel--look at those cheekbones--he could be Zoolander! And that flowing hair! And those wide eyes! OK, or he could be Weird Al Yankovic. Those two really make me laugh. Visit the knitting blog for a photo of Beccano looking like a leprechaun in a hat I knitted. He tried to put baby booties on his ears "to look like Shrek" but they wouldn't fit. See, all this fun and it's free!
We also had a quite fun rehearsal, very impressed with ourselves at how well we remembered our set list. The acoustics are nice in the remodeled living room o' Austin, which made it quite pleasant to sing. I just got tired at the end--the last couple of weeks I have not moved around much, just moped. Sure glad we have that performance to force us to get together and do music!
We will do more music at home as soon as our obsession with football ends. I think Lee and I went overboard this year just because no one told us we had to stop watching. We even watch bad, bad games, like New Orleans vs. Atlanta.
Another thing the helped cheer me was that I managed to find small but nice gifts for the family, and got them ordered in time that they will get here by the 25th, so we will have stuff to give out at Christmas. Beccano has picked out stuff to give, too. Don't know if it has occurred to Tuba Boy that he ought to be getting something for his friends and family. Maybe Debate Girl will remind him.
So, I am slightly more out of my funk today, looking forward to an evening at the yarn shop tonight, and a short choir. Maybe tomorrow we will bake Christmas cookies or something. Then this weekend Lee and I are going to escape our woes and go somewhere and do something while the kids are with their dad. That sounds like a plan! I hope he makes his supermodel face a lot. That will keep me grinning.
We also had a quite fun rehearsal, very impressed with ourselves at how well we remembered our set list. The acoustics are nice in the remodeled living room o' Austin, which made it quite pleasant to sing. I just got tired at the end--the last couple of weeks I have not moved around much, just moped. Sure glad we have that performance to force us to get together and do music!
We will do more music at home as soon as our obsession with football ends. I think Lee and I went overboard this year just because no one told us we had to stop watching. We even watch bad, bad games, like New Orleans vs. Atlanta.
Another thing the helped cheer me was that I managed to find small but nice gifts for the family, and got them ordered in time that they will get here by the 25th, so we will have stuff to give out at Christmas. Beccano has picked out stuff to give, too. Don't know if it has occurred to Tuba Boy that he ought to be getting something for his friends and family. Maybe Debate Girl will remind him.
So, I am slightly more out of my funk today, looking forward to an evening at the yarn shop tonight, and a short choir. Maybe tomorrow we will bake Christmas cookies or something. Then this weekend Lee and I are going to escape our woes and go somewhere and do something while the kids are with their dad. That sounds like a plan! I hope he makes his supermodel face a lot. That will keep me grinning.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Reminding Myself
Just reminding myself that there's always something to cheer me up at home. Look at these shaggy fellows, dressed as dark as they can get, with hair as long as they can manage. This is their "formal" attire for their band concert last week. Beccano DID tuck the shirt in for the concert.
They remind me that there's always some amusing conversation to be had, music to hear, or website to share with these guys and Lee around. So even when the job search gets me down (as it is today, as it did yesterday, as it will tomorrow at the rate things are going) or when the stress on me and Lee makes both of us less than fun to live with, we have goodness and abundance. If I type this enough, I will do a better job remembering it, I hope!
Friends are having so much trouble, too. I am sending out a lot of energy to people with relationship issues, illnesses, weird family stuff, and work issues (either too much or too little).
Back to withdrawing into myself, which was today's goal. Trying to gather strength to rehearse with the Trey Bone guys tonight. Haven't done that in a while.
They remind me that there's always some amusing conversation to be had, music to hear, or website to share with these guys and Lee around. So even when the job search gets me down (as it is today, as it did yesterday, as it will tomorrow at the rate things are going) or when the stress on me and Lee makes both of us less than fun to live with, we have goodness and abundance. If I type this enough, I will do a better job remembering it, I hope!
Friends are having so much trouble, too. I am sending out a lot of energy to people with relationship issues, illnesses, weird family stuff, and work issues (either too much or too little).
Back to withdrawing into myself, which was today's goal. Trying to gather strength to rehearse with the Trey Bone guys tonight. Haven't done that in a while.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Holiday Spirit
Lee bought me this little tree to put in the media room. It matches the red theme (and my coworker pointed out, makes it look like a bordello, but never mind her--she thinks my red fixation is impressive, actually). Since that's the room we are in the most, I thought it could use more than a couple of lights and some scary nutcracker ornaments. Now I feel a bit more cheery, though we will take down the topper--it's too big and falls off.I am doing as much as I can to calm myself and bring cheer. I was losing the battle for a few days, I am afraid. Not getting that poorly compensated job put my anxiety into overdrive and I began having BAD symptoms--like chest pains bad enough to keep me from doing anything, and fairly severe dizziness/head tightness. The symptoms seem to have calmed down since yesterday afternoon, when I felt like, hey, at least I got my knitting goal done and I did some decorating. I even cooked soup. I just need to get through the next few weeks--I am sure something good will come up, or I will enjoy teaching knitting.
So, to add cheer, I took a meme off of a nice blog I read by Jo. She took it from someone else. I figure this will make me think about "other stuff" in the background while I do technical writing in the foreground.
50 Endless Answers to Questions
1. Elaborate on your default icon: It's a photo of me with my light-colored hair, where I look very, very happy. I was all in love and stuff. Still in love, of course.
2. What's your current relationship status? Engaged (tee hee hee) to the kind and wonderful Lee. Planning on a wedding around Halloween of next year. But you knew that.
3. Ever have a near-death experience? I was a bit concerned when I rolled my car after hitting a patch of black ice on a country road in Illinois. But, I lived. I am not really worried about it.
4. Name an obvious quality you have: I am not tall.
5. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now? Sigh, "Let It Snow."
6. Any celeb you would marry? Pierce Brosnan. Nice. Handsome. Not available. Nor am I.
7. Who will cut and paste this first? Lee or Saranda.
8. Has anyone ever said you look like a celebrity? Sally Field. That's about it.
9. Do you wear a watch? Yeah, I have one pretty nice one and others that are for fun, but the fun ones are all running low on batteries. I like them as jewelry.
10. Are you pierced? Once in each ear.
11. Do you have any tattoos? Nope. I like looking at them, but don't need one for myself.
12. Do you like pain? Some would think I do given previous relationship choices. I do have a really high tolerance for pain. But I'd prefer to avoid it.
13. Do you like to shop? Yeah, but not too often.
14. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? Yarn for kids' Christmas hats.
15. What was the last thing you paid for with your credit card? Groceries. Whee.
16. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? Tuba Boy.
17. What is on your desktop background? On work computer, a photo of the Cliffs of Mohor in Ireland taken by Beccano. On the desktop at home, Scrunchy's giant head. On the new laptop some photo that came with the computer, because I have not decided what I want to make for that one.
18. What is the background on your cell phone? Autumn leaves that are red. Came with the phone but I liked it, and the phone is red. My theme color.
19. Do you like redheads? Oh yes oh yes oh yes. That's why I am one now. Best is the redhead I made for myself, Beccano.
20. Do you know any twins? My grandmother was one. And my kids have some twin friends.
21. Do you have any weird relatives? Now really, who doesn't?? There is a LOT of "eccentricity" in my family, especially on the maternal side.
22. What was the last movie you watched? In the theater, Pan's Labyrinth, at home, sigh, Shaolin Soccer. It cracked us up.
23. What was the last book you read? Other than knitting books...I am currently reading that book about Baklavah that I borrowed from Saranda. It is good, even if the exact title has escaped me.
24. Is there such a thing as love at first sight, or is it more likely to be lust at first sight? There can be some kind of recognition, like you knew someone before, or something, but to truly love them you need to get to know them. I recognized Lee pretty quickly.
25. What's your favorite book? The Robin Wood Tarot book. Well, it's the book I have read the most times.
26. When was the last time you visited the street where you first lived? Well, not since I was tiny. I visited the street where I grew up three years ago when Jeff and I stopped in Gainesville on the way to visit his mother. It smelled good. That is why I want to go home.
27. When was the last time you googled your own name? A couple of months ago--wanted to check to see if something was still on the web. It isn't.
28. What was / is your favorite subject at school? Chorus. Then Spanish. Then English.
29. What was / is your least favorite subject at school? PE and I HATED it. Made me feel so incompetent.
30. Do you like having your photograph taken? It's OK. I look nice in some pictures. In others, I like more accurate, ha ha.
31. What time were you born? 6:30 am Eastern time. Virgo rising.
32. Ever seriously questioned your sanity? I am weird, but I am fine.
33. How many phone numbers do you have remembered and can say off the top of your head? 8
34. Can you Limbo? No. Scoliosis doesn't help.
35.Have you ever killed your own dinner? Fish.
36. How long have you been living at your current residence? 10.5 years. Have been in this town 11 years at the end of the month.
37. What phobias do you have? Guns, motorcycles, nuclear holocaust, being forced to live in a religious society, roaches. Not too good with heights.
38. What's your ideal breakfast? Coffee, cheese grits, egg over easy. Usually just have coffee.
39. Where are you right now? Work. My last Monday.
40. Why do you blog? I like to write and it helps me clarify things.
41. What would you call your autobiography? What's around the Corner? Suna Wants to Know.
42. What's the longest time you've stayed out of the country / where? One Ireland trip was about two weeks.
43. Do you use ICQ, AIM, etc..? Trillion.
44. Do you have nightmares frequently? No, just dreams with ups and downs. Occasional nightmares, but not too many.
45. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Yes - I am a good listener.
46. Which TV character could you be friends with? Meg on Family Guy. She needs a friend.
47. What's on your mouse pad? McNeil Mavericks logo on work computer. Better remember to take that home. None on others.
48. What is your ring tone? Depends on who's calling. Lee is "Wish You Were Here." Tuba Boy is "Sweet Child of Mine." Beccano is Darth Vader's Star Wars theme. Jeff is "Brown Eyed Girl." Everybody else is "Baba O'Reilly" (teenaged wasteland).
49. What did you watch on TV last night? The Colts p0wning on the poor Ravens. Mostly I knitted and talked to Beccano.
50. Scary movies or happy endings? Happy. I prefer comedies.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday's Feast
Good--I need a light-hearted distraction.
Appetizer: What was the last game you purchased?
Guitar Hero, whatever the latest version is.
Soup: Name something in which you don’t believe.
God.
Salad: If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Geoffrey Nunberg. Hey, he's been on NPR and has published a book for the popular press, not just academic, so he is a celebrity. If he were my boss I'd be working in pragmatics and thinking about metaphors, in the field I trained in, and not doing whatever the hell I am doing now for a living.
Main Course: What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
That no matter how stable and loyal your partner appears, they can discard you for their soul mate. Lesson: find your soul mate.
Dessert: Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Medium sized room, preferably with thick walls, with large window overlooking trees and water. Walls covered in books and yarn. Music available. Comfy but not-too-big armchair with high-quality natural-light lamp on a table that holds drink and snack and current reading matter. Ottoman, preferably one with storage in it for current knitting needs. Couch for soul mate or children if they join you, with afghan for napping. A fireplace would be nice. Plants. One dog, size medium-small. Internet available if a question pops up that you won't relax again until you find out the answer. Yes, it is a crowded room.
Appetizer: What was the last game you purchased?
Guitar Hero, whatever the latest version is.
Soup: Name something in which you don’t believe.
God.
Salad: If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Geoffrey Nunberg. Hey, he's been on NPR and has published a book for the popular press, not just academic, so he is a celebrity. If he were my boss I'd be working in pragmatics and thinking about metaphors, in the field I trained in, and not doing whatever the hell I am doing now for a living.
Main Course: What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
That no matter how stable and loyal your partner appears, they can discard you for their soul mate. Lesson: find your soul mate.
Dessert: Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Medium sized room, preferably with thick walls, with large window overlooking trees and water. Walls covered in books and yarn. Music available. Comfy but not-too-big armchair with high-quality natural-light lamp on a table that holds drink and snack and current reading matter. Ottoman, preferably one with storage in it for current knitting needs. Couch for soul mate or children if they join you, with afghan for napping. A fireplace would be nice. Plants. One dog, size medium-small. Internet available if a question pops up that you won't relax again until you find out the answer. Yes, it is a crowded room.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Dog Eat Dog World
OK, so I didn't show the picture where Rose has Scrunchy's head in her mouth, but you get the point. In any case, the doggies here were having so much fun--they really enjoy each other.
I've sure been experiencing the "dog eat dog" aspects of the world recently. I have above-average intelligence, work hard, am loyal, and learn quickly, yet I can't find an employer willing to give me a chance. I tried really hard to get that job yesterday, a job that paid barely more than half what I am making now, because it was in a small company where I could really contribute, and I'd be working with a human being with actual ethics and who cared about his employees (rather than laying them off last year, he made sure they all got new jobs). But, my salary history apparently scared him off--he was so sure I'd run away for something that paid more, and I guess I was not convincing enough that my priorities involve more than just rate of pay.
It would be well worth it to make a little less if I had some idea that a job was mine for a while. I know nothing is "permanent," but at least having a "permanent" position would make me feel less expendable. I no longer even dream of benefits. Wow, the world has become rough.
My boss has reassured me again that things will pick up in January. I wish I could believe that and enjoy the time I will have home with the kids over our gift-free holiday period. (OK, there will be a couple of gifts, but not many.) My coworker tells me that I am dressing right (power suit today) to keep my vibes going well, and I've gotten some nice mantras, tokens and such. But I know it is my MIND that makes the magic, and it is tired and feels more like giving up some of the time. Luckily, I can ramp it up at other times, so I am not a total loss.
Thanks for reading my whines. I am applying. Heck, I even applied at ALE. Where I'd be the first to go in the next round of cuts, I am sure.
I've sure been experiencing the "dog eat dog" aspects of the world recently. I have above-average intelligence, work hard, am loyal, and learn quickly, yet I can't find an employer willing to give me a chance. I tried really hard to get that job yesterday, a job that paid barely more than half what I am making now, because it was in a small company where I could really contribute, and I'd be working with a human being with actual ethics and who cared about his employees (rather than laying them off last year, he made sure they all got new jobs). But, my salary history apparently scared him off--he was so sure I'd run away for something that paid more, and I guess I was not convincing enough that my priorities involve more than just rate of pay.
It would be well worth it to make a little less if I had some idea that a job was mine for a while. I know nothing is "permanent," but at least having a "permanent" position would make me feel less expendable. I no longer even dream of benefits. Wow, the world has become rough.
My boss has reassured me again that things will pick up in January. I wish I could believe that and enjoy the time I will have home with the kids over our gift-free holiday period. (OK, there will be a couple of gifts, but not many.) My coworker tells me that I am dressing right (power suit today) to keep my vibes going well, and I've gotten some nice mantras, tokens and such. But I know it is my MIND that makes the magic, and it is tired and feels more like giving up some of the time. Luckily, I can ramp it up at other times, so I am not a total loss.
Thanks for reading my whines. I am applying. Heck, I even applied at ALE. Where I'd be the first to go in the next round of cuts, I am sure.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Age Equals Wisdom
I found it funny that Beccano dressed up as an older Asian fellow right after my post about getting older. I guess he was trying to channel ancient Ninja wisdom. The picture is cool because the eyes look so realistic. That is a good mask!
I don't have a lot of news, but am popping in to request good vibes if you read this early enough for them to count. I have an interview at a place that sounded interesting to me, with someone who seems honest and in need or some Suna help. We'll see. One reason I liked the guy was that he said he'd had to let go of a bunch of employees to make ends meet this year, but didn't just fire them--he found them all other jobs with his competitors. So unlike faceless corporations. I am willing to take the big pay cut to be treated like a human and to get to do interesting work.
So, we'll see. Not the end of the world if I don't get it, since I have applied for jobs more in my field and with higher pay rates, but I'd love to get to stop looking. I feel like I can trust Lee to have work of good enough pay scale that I don't have to be the main wage earner. It has taken me a long time to feel safe trusting someone else financially.
I will add more to this post after I talk to the man about the job. I will try to impress him with my energy and enthusiasm, so he won't be thrown off by my age. Love the wisdom, deal with the age part!
I don't have a lot of news, but am popping in to request good vibes if you read this early enough for them to count. I have an interview at a place that sounded interesting to me, with someone who seems honest and in need or some Suna help. We'll see. One reason I liked the guy was that he said he'd had to let go of a bunch of employees to make ends meet this year, but didn't just fire them--he found them all other jobs with his competitors. So unlike faceless corporations. I am willing to take the big pay cut to be treated like a human and to get to do interesting work.
So, we'll see. Not the end of the world if I don't get it, since I have applied for jobs more in my field and with higher pay rates, but I'd love to get to stop looking. I feel like I can trust Lee to have work of good enough pay scale that I don't have to be the main wage earner. It has taken me a long time to feel safe trusting someone else financially.
I will add more to this post after I talk to the man about the job. I will try to impress him with my energy and enthusiasm, so he won't be thrown off by my age. Love the wisdom, deal with the age part!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Aging and Changing
Here's a picture of my latest hair incarnation. I didn't get a picture of it, but the hairdresser styled it bone straight after the cut. It was very interesting (shiny, too) and maybe I can try to do it again, now that I got a flatiron thing for the kids. But, it was not "me." This hair is me. And probably how I should keep it. The extra long hair had begun to bug me (it tangled from the curling action). This is a nice color and a nice length. And if you don't like curly hair, too bad. It's the way my hair is!
I am looking at this picture, and have been looking in the mirror. Lots of aging signs, though I really should not complaint too much--I have fewer than a lot of people. But weird wrinkles are happening around my lips, and my chin is icky looking. Getting wrinkles in there. They eyes aren't too bad, but they do wrinkle up when I laugh. Of course, it is good to laugh.
There is a lot of age prejudice around job searching. I wish employers would realize that my life experience means I learn quickly, not that I am hesitant to learn. And that if I started now, I'd be able to work another 25 years for them, knowing the health histories of my relatives. I have to say that the job search makes me feel old and tired, though most of the time I feel the same as ever, only with one or two little glitches. Not bad, really for almost 50.
I want to age gracefully, but when I see that the jowls are starting, and the chin has no definition, I do imagine being wealthy enough to get tweaked. On the other hand, what's wrong with looking my age (other than people not wanting to hire me because of it!)?
GRR (added later)
I had gotten a call from a place, and they said they wanted to talk to me about getting a new job. It was downtown, and the info said dress business. Sounded like a much better place. But I thought it was odd that they didn't mention any particular job, and that there was no website listed in the email they sent. I stewed for a while, but decided I didn't want to waste my time if this was not a legit thing. So, I went to the www that matched the email address I got directions from. Son of a gun. It's a place that tweaks your resume and tells YOU how to go get a job. For a FEE (though they cagily do not mention that on their site). I thought I finally got some job action. But, at least I am not wasting my time going out there tomorrow, and missing work time on top of that!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Holiday Fun
I guess we have decided to enjoy the holidays, regardless of what is going on in the job market. I feel a bit better having found out one of the jobs I really wanted but hadn't heard anything on still hasn't done interviews yet. Whew.
So, we have spent a lot of time this weekend doing holiday things. Lee and Beccano and I got this lovely tree at Home Depot. They were pretty proud of themselves for getting it set up (was not an easy task). It wasn't too expensive, and smells very good. It also is quite the prolific shedder. and leans a bit to the left when looking at it straight on. But it is soft and lovely, not all prickly like the fake tree we used the last ten years. This is only the second real tree we have had since we moved to Illinois. They mulch all the trees here, so I feel OK about it. That fake tree was pretty dead at the end of last year, and we did keep it up for like 3 years, which was sorta dorky (the box broke and we could not figure out how to store it).
Today we put on ornaments and decided to get rid of some decor stuff that was in bad shape. Yay for decluttering. I didn't make the tree as thematic as I usually do, but it mostly has purple ornaments, so my quirkiness is not totally absent.
I know Lee's having fun, other than getting a horrible splinter in his finger while looking for stuff in the attic. He hasn't decorated in a long time. He even went out and got about half the redbud tree covered in lights--his first ever! We will work on finishing it tomorrow. I also decorated the mantel in the family room for the kids, and put up a few things in the media room for me and Lee. There is a rather amusing red tree with red lights that I think will be a spectacular media room tree, so we will probably get that. And that shall be it for holiday decor, other than getting out the holiday dish towels. I am not going to go as nuts over it as usual, but am doing better than I did in the couple of recent years when I felt real bad.
I missed decorating with my sister. I even miss Jeff playing the Christmas CDs while he sat upstairs not helping. I know he really liked all the decor and stuff, and this year he will be with his poor sick mother. I asked him to get her a little tree or something. I am glad I have Lee and Beccano to keep the cheer in me.
The only other big activity this weekend was church stuff. We "inaugurated" a drive to get hymnal supplements by singing a bunch of songs from it. Jan and Joe played, and Beccano joined them on bells and percussion. I sang the opening song, which was Open the Window, a Harry Belafonte song. The minister even referred to it in the sermon. I think I sounded sorta dorky, but I did a good job acting like I was having fun and loving my hymnal. I also led the audience in a hymn where they sang with the choir, and that was way fun. The song the choir did for the offering was the most dismal, even though it was a song I liked. It was fun having Beccano playing along with us.
After church it was Yule Fest time, which always reminds me of how much I miss being a more involved person in the church, and being able to be in a women's group. Women's group meant so much to me. I just can't trust people that much any more (especially in church--the hurtful things people said to me and about me still sting, no matter how hard I try to ignore it or get past it), so I am working to find other means of support. Anyway, they had some good vendors, and a highlight was Beccano picking out a wand, which ended up being an ash one with Kyanite on the end. Really a neat stone that also works sort of as an athame. There was a vendor selling interesting stone jewelry, and there were some of the loveliest pieces of fire opal I ever saw. Sigh. But, I did get each child a nice Yule gift, so that's something.
I am still feeling a bit better. I am hoping my good attitude will manifest a good job.
So, we have spent a lot of time this weekend doing holiday things. Lee and Beccano and I got this lovely tree at Home Depot. They were pretty proud of themselves for getting it set up (was not an easy task). It wasn't too expensive, and smells very good. It also is quite the prolific shedder. and leans a bit to the left when looking at it straight on. But it is soft and lovely, not all prickly like the fake tree we used the last ten years. This is only the second real tree we have had since we moved to Illinois. They mulch all the trees here, so I feel OK about it. That fake tree was pretty dead at the end of last year, and we did keep it up for like 3 years, which was sorta dorky (the box broke and we could not figure out how to store it).
Today we put on ornaments and decided to get rid of some decor stuff that was in bad shape. Yay for decluttering. I didn't make the tree as thematic as I usually do, but it mostly has purple ornaments, so my quirkiness is not totally absent.
I know Lee's having fun, other than getting a horrible splinter in his finger while looking for stuff in the attic. He hasn't decorated in a long time. He even went out and got about half the redbud tree covered in lights--his first ever! We will work on finishing it tomorrow. I also decorated the mantel in the family room for the kids, and put up a few things in the media room for me and Lee. There is a rather amusing red tree with red lights that I think will be a spectacular media room tree, so we will probably get that. And that shall be it for holiday decor, other than getting out the holiday dish towels. I am not going to go as nuts over it as usual, but am doing better than I did in the couple of recent years when I felt real bad.
I missed decorating with my sister. I even miss Jeff playing the Christmas CDs while he sat upstairs not helping. I know he really liked all the decor and stuff, and this year he will be with his poor sick mother. I asked him to get her a little tree or something. I am glad I have Lee and Beccano to keep the cheer in me.
The only other big activity this weekend was church stuff. We "inaugurated" a drive to get hymnal supplements by singing a bunch of songs from it. Jan and Joe played, and Beccano joined them on bells and percussion. I sang the opening song, which was Open the Window, a Harry Belafonte song. The minister even referred to it in the sermon. I think I sounded sorta dorky, but I did a good job acting like I was having fun and loving my hymnal. I also led the audience in a hymn where they sang with the choir, and that was way fun. The song the choir did for the offering was the most dismal, even though it was a song I liked. It was fun having Beccano playing along with us.
After church it was Yule Fest time, which always reminds me of how much I miss being a more involved person in the church, and being able to be in a women's group. Women's group meant so much to me. I just can't trust people that much any more (especially in church--the hurtful things people said to me and about me still sting, no matter how hard I try to ignore it or get past it), so I am working to find other means of support. Anyway, they had some good vendors, and a highlight was Beccano picking out a wand, which ended up being an ash one with Kyanite on the end. Really a neat stone that also works sort of as an athame. There was a vendor selling interesting stone jewelry, and there were some of the loveliest pieces of fire opal I ever saw. Sigh. But, I did get each child a nice Yule gift, so that's something.
I am still feeling a bit better. I am hoping my good attitude will manifest a good job.
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