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Saturday, December 16, 2006 -- Preparations
We are are all a-sparkle and a-twinkle now. I eliminated the "seasonal stress" a few years ago by adopting an if-it-doesn't-get'done-it-doesn't-get'done-and-that's-okay philosophy regarding Christmas preparations. Now I enjoy doing what I do and forget about the rest. The season is much merrier. So far I have; - Strung garlands up the banister - Decorated the trees - Set up the little Christmas village - And hung lights in the front courtyard. I have done no shopping as yet, but there's still plenty of time. We aren't doing a lot with packages as the kids are grown and we all pretty much have what we need, in fact probably too much of it. My gift request is always the same. I want a family portrait taken while all the kids are home. I bought the stuff to make cards but it's looking like I may be sending New Year's cards again. I didn't even think about making ornaments this year. Wednesday, November 29, 2006 -- Anniversary 
Thirty-two years. Thursday, November 23, 2006 -- Happy Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 9, 2006 -- Printing I came home the other night to find paper spilling out of the printer, strewn across the desk and floor, and the printer announcing it was out of paper. And I now have a gazillion copies of pages with a few lines of garbage on each. As close as I can figure, one of the cats decided to do a little printing while I was gone. They've also been known to send instant messages in the past. Wednesday, November 8, 2006 -- Balboa Park There was a lot going on in Balboa Park on Saturday. Besides the Square Dance Fiesta, on my way to the zoo, I passed a wedding, a rock show, a plant show, a large Girl Scout event, something to do with National Chemistry Week, a Junior theater production of Aladdin, a used book sale (I bought four books), several street performers (clowns, magicians, palm readers), plus the usual number of people strolling down the paths and through the gardens, taking pictures, eating picnic lunches, and visiting the museums. That's what happens when the weather is nice on a Saturday afternoon. Tuesday, October 31, 2006 -- Trick-or-Treat Listening to the Jeff and Jer radio show while getting ready for school one Halloween, the kids heard them announce a "what's the craziest trick-or-treat thing?" segment. Julie started dialing the phone frantically, trying to get through. "Mom's got this one, hands down." she said, "They think pencils and toothbrushes are unusual." I admit that in the past I have taken a non-traditional approach to trick-or-treating. I've given out plastic spiders, rubber lizards, hair barrettes, silk flowers, bouncy balls, and one year even, fake blood. (We were very popular that year. In fact, years later kids were still asking, "No blood this year?") But the year everyone remembers best was, to the horror of my kids, the year of the band-aids. Three band-aids tucked into a cute little plastic case on a convenient keychain - now who couldn't use one of those? But, and to make it even worse, I found the whole box of them, dozens in fact and a bunch of refrigerator magnets as well, in the dumpster behind the store, so they were all inscribed with the name and address of the restaurant next door to us. Can you believe people would really just throw this stuff out? (Why I was digging through the dumpster is a story for another day.) And I know my band-aids were not unappreciated by all because later that year, when Kimberly's class went on a canyon hike, one of the little boys in the class had a very recognizable band-aid keychain hanging from his belt. "Yeah," he said, "someone was giving them out at Halloween." Kimberly did not admit it was us. One year I jokingly told David I was just going to give out whatever we had lying around that we didn't need anymore. "Yeah, I can actually see you doing that," he said. "Some poor, unsuspecting child comes to your door, 'Twick-or-tweat.' 'Sure kid, here's an old lamp. Happy Halloween.' " Okay, I would not do that, but I do think it's pretty funny. We'd watch as the little tyke wandered on down the street, lamp in hand, his cape and electrical cord dragging behind him. Monday, October 30, 2006 -- Food Drive I looked out the peep hole to see a pirate, a gypsy, and Carmen Miranda standing on the porch. My first thought was, "What day is this? It's not Halloween, is it? I haven't gone shopping yet. It's not even dark." "Trick-or-treat! - sort of." they said, "Actually we're collecting canned goods and non-perishables for our high school's food drive." Ahh, well okay - canned goods I can do. (I don't have any candy.) And I do think it's nice that the girls went to the trouble of getting all dressed up in full costumes, complete with make-up and everything, to do their volunteering. Sunday, October 21, 2006 -- Visit Kimberly came home this weekend. "I miss the cats SO MUCH, you just don't know . . . Oh, I miss you, too." Wednesday, October 18, 2006 -- Furs The thrift shop held its special vintage/fancy clothes sale. They had lots of prom dresses, sequin gowns, wedding dresses, vintage hats, gloves, and FURS -- about fifty fur coats, jackets, stoles, and those creepy things that still have the heads on them, the ones that look like they just gutted the animal then ran it over with a steam roller. I remember the old ladies used to wear them to church when I was a child. I watched as a lady draped one around her neck. "Oh! Isn't it cute?" she said, stroking the little flattened head. Cute? A dead animal, complete with head and feet, dangling from your shoulders - cute? Uhh, not the word I'd use. They had some nice vintage hats, though. Monday, October 2, 2006 -- Square Pegs, Round Holes I was attempting to fit into my car an item which was definitely too large to fit into my car. It looked to me like it should fit, but it didn't fit. I stood in the parking lot with two car doors and the trunk open, surveying the impossibility of the feat, while onlookers laughed and passersby offered advice, "Maybe if you turn it this way." "What if you turn it that way." (Like I hadn't turned it every which way possible already.) I was wishing that Raymond had been shopping with me today - not that he would have been any help, but I just hate looking silly all by myself. It still looked to me like it should fit, but too big is too big. So after numerous failed attempts, I was forced to admit defeat with the realization that I'll have to go back again tomorrow with a larger vehicle. (I hate driving that van.) And, the last thing Lloyd had said to me as I was leaving was, "Don't go 'hog wild' shopping, okay?" This might qualify as crossing that line. |
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