Today is my birthday.
Since the addition of Guinness to our household, I can now say that I have two cats.
I am, officially, one year, and one cat, closer to being That Crazy Old Cat Lady.
I just need to start working on my hoarding compulsion. Hey, you know what would help with that?
Presents.
Did I mention, today is my birthday?
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Christmas Soapbox
As I may have mentioned, I am the Chair of our club's Christmas party. I volunteered to take over the position when the original Chair had to bow out due to a medical emergency within her family. I think I've done a pretty good job of planning the party, especially for doing it on short notice, and, especially for doing it when no one else would.
And, why wouldn't anyone else do it? Because, over the past three or so years, it has become increasingly uncomfortable to be the Chair, due to pressure placed on the club by a couple of individuals who don't recognize Christmas as a holiday.
The pressure has come in several forms; first, in the form of subtle "suggestions" that we call it a "Holiday" or "Seasonal" party rather than a Christmas party. Then, in the form of a vote on having the party after the first of the year, rather than in December (you know, around Christmas), a suggestion, which, for the record, was voted down 52-2 (SHOCKER).
I think that, as a group, we have been more than accommodating, for instance; our previous (and, long-held) tradition of singing carols upon the closing of the party was suspended the first year that one of the non-Christmas folks complained. The tradition has yet to be reinstated.
Likewise, the ornament exchange that we used to enjoy was cancelled since ornaments were deemed too secular. Decorations and decor in generic winter themes have replaced anything having to do with presents, angels, reindeer, or a certain jolly old elf, and, God forbid someone mention wise men, shepherds, stables or Jesus.
So, planning the party entails walking a delicate tightrope between pissing off the atheists and further disappointing the Christians; a tightrope that I really didn't want to have to navigate, but; here I am.
And, I think I have done a fairly good job of being sensitive to both camps. Granted, the decor will be decidedly "Christmassy" as the country club where we are being hosted is responsible for decorations and I'm relatively certain that evergreens will feature prominently. So, that's out of my hands, really.
The entertainment, however, will be in the form of a serenade by a local community glee club, singing seasonal favorites such as Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman, with no mention of Silent Nights, herald angels, or holy nights to be heard.
Despite these compromises, the planning has been a bit stressful.
So, I have to admit to being somewhat annoyed today when one of the minority camp made a point of cornering me in order to confirm that the party wasn't actually going to be, you know, a Christmas party, or anything.
And, I snapped internally, people. I actually entertained the notion of telling her that she had lucked out; the actors I had hired to play the parts of Mary and Joseph had developed laryngitis and would not be able to spout scripture while riding a rented donkey up the stairs and into our venue, after all. Sucks to be us, right?
In hindsight, I totally should have said that. I mean, what was she going to do, tell me to go to hell? She doesn't believe in hell.
I missed an opportunity, is what I'm thinking.
And, why wouldn't anyone else do it? Because, over the past three or so years, it has become increasingly uncomfortable to be the Chair, due to pressure placed on the club by a couple of individuals who don't recognize Christmas as a holiday.
The pressure has come in several forms; first, in the form of subtle "suggestions" that we call it a "Holiday" or "Seasonal" party rather than a Christmas party. Then, in the form of a vote on having the party after the first of the year, rather than in December (you know, around Christmas), a suggestion, which, for the record, was voted down 52-2 (SHOCKER).
I think that, as a group, we have been more than accommodating, for instance; our previous (and, long-held) tradition of singing carols upon the closing of the party was suspended the first year that one of the non-Christmas folks complained. The tradition has yet to be reinstated.
Likewise, the ornament exchange that we used to enjoy was cancelled since ornaments were deemed too secular. Decorations and decor in generic winter themes have replaced anything having to do with presents, angels, reindeer, or a certain jolly old elf, and, God forbid someone mention wise men, shepherds, stables or Jesus.
So, planning the party entails walking a delicate tightrope between pissing off the atheists and further disappointing the Christians; a tightrope that I really didn't want to have to navigate, but; here I am.
And, I think I have done a fairly good job of being sensitive to both camps. Granted, the decor will be decidedly "Christmassy" as the country club where we are being hosted is responsible for decorations and I'm relatively certain that evergreens will feature prominently. So, that's out of my hands, really.
The entertainment, however, will be in the form of a serenade by a local community glee club, singing seasonal favorites such as Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman, with no mention of Silent Nights, herald angels, or holy nights to be heard.
Despite these compromises, the planning has been a bit stressful.
So, I have to admit to being somewhat annoyed today when one of the minority camp made a point of cornering me in order to confirm that the party wasn't actually going to be, you know, a Christmas party, or anything.
And, I snapped internally, people. I actually entertained the notion of telling her that she had lucked out; the actors I had hired to play the parts of Mary and Joseph had developed laryngitis and would not be able to spout scripture while riding a rented donkey up the stairs and into our venue, after all. Sucks to be us, right?
In hindsight, I totally should have said that. I mean, what was she going to do, tell me to go to hell? She doesn't believe in hell.
I missed an opportunity, is what I'm thinking.
Monday, November 26, 2012
No Hobos Were Hurt in the Making of This Post
While we were in Mayberry,and, before The Teenager's internal organs began attacking her for no apparent reason, my younger sister and I went on a photo excursion.
Our mission was to capture an image of her and her son for her annual Christmas card, despite the absence of snow, or of anything vaguely resembling the winter wonderland that one envisions when thinking of a Colorado Christmas.
Our first stop was at my good friend Jules' childhood home, where we made use of a red shed; the same red shed that I used when taking pictures of Reese's daughter, last year. For the record, the shed is a multi-seasonal prop, because, the pictures were just as good as the ones I took back then. So good, in fact, that we didn't even miss the snow.
The "Joy" sign was hand-crafted by myself and Hugh on Thanksgiving morning; we like to get our inner Walton on, sometimes. And, I digress...
...after the shed, we experimented with pictures by a tree and a fence...
We were fairly certain that we had some shots that would work, but, on a whim, we stopped at a local train yard, where we discovered the beauty in gritty, urban, locomotives....
My nephew, it should be noted, was completely convinced that we would either be arrested for trespassing or murdered by transients before our photo shoot was over. He's a funny kid, that one. On the other hand, it was private property and I did spy something that could have been a hobo camp, but, there was no way in hell I was admitting that to him.
And, obviously I made it home in plenty of time to transport my daughter to the emergency room, so, no drama ensued at the train yard; we totally saved that shit for the hospital.
Our mission was to capture an image of her and her son for her annual Christmas card, despite the absence of snow, or of anything vaguely resembling the winter wonderland that one envisions when thinking of a Colorado Christmas.
Our first stop was at my good friend Jules' childhood home, where we made use of a red shed; the same red shed that I used when taking pictures of Reese's daughter, last year. For the record, the shed is a multi-seasonal prop, because, the pictures were just as good as the ones I took back then. So good, in fact, that we didn't even miss the snow.
The "Joy" sign was hand-crafted by myself and Hugh on Thanksgiving morning; we like to get our inner Walton on, sometimes. And, I digress...
...after the shed, we experimented with pictures by a tree and a fence...
We were fairly certain that we had some shots that would work, but, on a whim, we stopped at a local train yard, where we discovered the beauty in gritty, urban, locomotives....
My nephew, it should be noted, was completely convinced that we would either be arrested for trespassing or murdered by transients before our photo shoot was over. He's a funny kid, that one. On the other hand, it was private property and I did spy something that could have been a hobo camp, but, there was no way in hell I was admitting that to him.
And, obviously I made it home in plenty of time to transport my daughter to the emergency room, so, no drama ensued at the train yard; we totally saved that shit for the hospital.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig
We made it back from Mayberry yesterday, after a late-evening discharge from the hospital on Friday. The Teenager was a trooper through the entire experience and we felt that she deserved a reward.
This is Bruce...
...he and The Teenager are super-tight, now, as one would expect from a relationship forged in adversity and eventual triumph.
Speaking of triumph; the car ride home was far less taxing on The Teenager than we had feared. She and Bruce slept through most of it and we were feeling pretty good about the experience.
Until we got home and nausea kicked in, that is.
Anyway, all is well, today. Pain is under control, the nausea seems to have passed, and, her appetite has returned in full force. I'm pretty sure she is on the road to a full recovery.
This is Bruce...
...he and The Teenager are super-tight, now, as one would expect from a relationship forged in adversity and eventual triumph.
Speaking of triumph; the car ride home was far less taxing on The Teenager than we had feared. She and Bruce slept through most of it and we were feeling pretty good about the experience.
Until we got home and nausea kicked in, that is.
Anyway, all is well, today. Pain is under control, the nausea seems to have passed, and, her appetite has returned in full force. I'm pretty sure she is on the road to a full recovery.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Eh, Who Needs an Appendix Anyway?
In hindsight, I should have known something was seriously wrong when The Teenager showed zero interest in picking at the mashed potatoes the minute the lid came off the casserole dish. If that wasn't a big enough clue, the immediate upheaval of pumpkin pie and the fainting spell that followed should have cinched the deal, but, it was Thanksgiving and, nothing unpleasant happens on Thanksgiving, right?
I mean other than riots over the last Big Gadget of the Year, of course; I hear those are pretty unpleasant.
Anyway, a trip to Mount Pilot's emergency room eventually resulted in a diagnosis of appendicitis and eventual admittance to the hospital which led to surgery this morning. Indeed, The Teenager is under the knife even as I type this.
Our fingers are crossed for no complications and a swift recovery. Ideally, she will be released later this evening and we will be able to head back to Petticoat Junction tomorrow morning, as planned. Of course, I realize that, merely by typing that sentence, I have doomed us to at least some small complication. Or, maybe not. I mean, nothing bad happens on Black Friday, right?
Le sigh.
I mean other than riots over the last Big Gadget of the Year, of course; I hear those are pretty unpleasant.
Anyway, a trip to Mount Pilot's emergency room eventually resulted in a diagnosis of appendicitis and eventual admittance to the hospital which led to surgery this morning. Indeed, The Teenager is under the knife even as I type this.
Our fingers are crossed for no complications and a swift recovery. Ideally, she will be released later this evening and we will be able to head back to Petticoat Junction tomorrow morning, as planned. Of course, I realize that, merely by typing that sentence, I have doomed us to at least some small complication. Or, maybe not. I mean, nothing bad happens on Black Friday, right?
Le sigh.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thankful That Two People Fell in Love
We celebrated two things today. The first, obviously, was Thanksgiving. The second was the 50th anniversary of my parents wedding to one another.
50 years is a Big Deal.
50 years makes plenty of time for lots and lots of love. It also makes time for lots and lots of laughter, as well as a few disagreements. One thing is certain; it makes for more than a few stories told around the Thanksgiving table, and, today we were blessed to be together as a family to hear those stories.
I would write more but, unfortunately, The Teenager is feeling quite poorly and a trip to the emergency room isn't entirely out of the question.
I guess now would be the time to say that I am thankful for insurance but, yeah...
*Photo snapped mere seconds before The Teenager passed out in her mashed potatoes. True story.
50 years is a Big Deal.
50 years makes plenty of time for lots and lots of love. It also makes time for lots and lots of laughter, as well as a few disagreements. One thing is certain; it makes for more than a few stories told around the Thanksgiving table, and, today we were blessed to be together as a family to hear those stories.
I would write more but, unfortunately, The Teenager is feeling quite poorly and a trip to the emergency room isn't entirely out of the question.
I guess now would be the time to say that I am thankful for insurance but, yeah...
*Photo snapped mere seconds before The Teenager passed out in her mashed potatoes. True story.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thankful For a "Fun" Job
One of the perks of my new job is a monthly "fun club" activity, planned by the actual Fun Club. Yes, it's a real thing; a Fun Club. At work. Try to contain your jealousy.
Anyway, this month's Fun Club activity took place yesterday. We gathered as a group and watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. For realz. Ten adult women sat around a conference table and watched an animated classic, on purpose.
It. Was. Awesome.
Granted, we spent the entire movie analyzing the characters (Lucy has some serious anger issues, y'all), but, it was a nice break from working with actual real life troubled kiddos. Especially this time of year.
Speaking of this time of year; we are headed to Mayberry later today to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and would probably have been desperate to get out of town by now if it weren't for fun activities at work.
Which, when you think about it; is precisely why my employers instituted the practice to begin with.
Well played, New Job. Well played.
Anyway, this month's Fun Club activity took place yesterday. We gathered as a group and watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. For realz. Ten adult women sat around a conference table and watched an animated classic, on purpose.
It. Was. Awesome.
Granted, we spent the entire movie analyzing the characters (Lucy has some serious anger issues, y'all), but, it was a nice break from working with actual real life troubled kiddos. Especially this time of year.
Speaking of this time of year; we are headed to Mayberry later today to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and would probably have been desperate to get out of town by now if it weren't for fun activities at work.
Which, when you think about it; is precisely why my employers instituted the practice to begin with.
Well played, New Job. Well played.
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