Saturday, December 13, 2008

Addendum (or: A Few More Things)

Last post, I mentioned one of my current favorite Christmas Songs.
The Twelve Days of Christmas, as performed by Straight No Chaser.
Here's the most excellent video to it:


I also mentioned that Die Hard might be my favorite Christmas movie. I forgot all about Scrooged. Rubi hates that movie (the Ghost of Christmas Future creeps her out). But I think it's awesome, and it reminds of of one of my best friends, who often used to quote the movie.

And, here's a couple of cool links:

Free Stuff from Gmail (stickers, yay!)

And a massive collection of the most recent posts from Science Fiction and Fantasy authors that blog.

That is all for now.


.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Christmas 25

Found this Christmas Meme at MCF's Nexus of Improbability .

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both. Depends on the gift and the person.
 
2. Real tree or Artificial?
I prefer Artificial. Rubi prefers Real. We compromise and sometimes have a real one, and sometimes have a fake one.
 
3. When do you put up the tree?
As close to Christmas as possible. If it's a real tree: so it doesn't die before Christmas and also, no matter what kind of tree, because I don't like the house being out of sorts for longer than is necessary.
 
4. When do you take the tree down?
As soon after Christmas as possible.  See #3.
 
5. Do you like eggnog?
Never had it. It sounds nasty.
 
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I can't recall.
 
7. Hardest person to buy for?
Rubi and my parents. Rubi, because whatever I get her pales in comparison to what she's worth to me.  My parents because they're elderly and don't "need" anything, and aren't really into entertainment or leisure activities, and I feel silly giving them coupons and gift cards to their favorite restaurants.
 
8. Easiest person to buy for?
My kids: they want it all, so we just pick and choose from what they want.
 
9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yep. Had it since I was in first grade where I got several of the pieces in Sunday School as part of a memory verse competition or something.
 
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
dislike "email" cards - they're tacky and potentially virus-laden.  I like getting Christmas cards in the mail, but I'm too lazy to send them out myself.
 
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can't recall anything that would classify as "worst" since everything was given in the spirit.
 
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
I'm going to go with MCF on this and say Die Hard.
 
13. When do you start shopping?
Sometime late December usually.
 
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Probably. Not that I can recall off-hand though.
 
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Food.  More specifically, my mom makes these sugar cookies around Christmas that are really good, especially after they've sat for a few days.
 
16. Lights on the tree?
Definitely. We string up our tree ourselves. Sometimes all white, sometimes multi-colored.  I wouldn't mind having a pre-lit fake tree myself.
 
17. Favorite Christmas song?
At the moment, it's the Straight No Chaser version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Look it up on youtube. It's hilarious. In general, something by Amy Grant, I'm sure - but I can't remember right now, since I'm at work.
 
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Travel to our parents' homes that live in-town.
 
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Sure. That one there with the red nose I'll name Shiny. That one over there with the attitude I'll name Crabby. Those two I'll name Stinky and Sheds-a-lot...  What?
 
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Rubi and I have been married for almost 15 years, and we have never found a tree-topper that we like enough to buy.  Currently we use a simple craft-stick star that one of the kids made in pre-school.
 
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Usually Christmas morning. Definitely the kids open-up on Christmas morning. Rubi and I sometimes do our gift-exchange Christmas Eve after the kids have gone to bed (or after I get home from work, depending on my schedule), or sometimes we do one gift each on Christmas Eve, or sometimes one of us can't wait and makes the other person open a gift (or gifts) on Christmas Eve.  Also, because of my work schedule, we usually go visit my parents sometime on Christmas Eve and Rubi's parents on Christmas Day.
 
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Leaving Christ out of Christmas, and that annoying movie with kid that gets his tongue stuck to a pole....
Oh, and that Two Front Teeth song the radio plays all the time!
 
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Color? I dunno.  Theme: uh... Christmas? I kinda dig the Coca-Cola Polar Bears, but I don't collect them or have any ornaments or anything.
 
24. Favorite Christmas memory?
I don't have a "favorite" memory. But I have one memory from when I was kid that stands out. It was the only year (that I can remember) that my family did not have Christmas at my parents house. Instead we went to the small apartment of my sister. It was a white Christmas, and I recall her velvet lion artwork on the wall. 
 
25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I don't know... I hate asking for stuff. "Hey, I'm too cheap to buy myself this thing... will you buy it for me?"
 

Happy Holi... er, Merry Christmas!!
 

.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Monday, December 01, 2008

Christmas Christmas Time Is Near

Here's a short "Christmas Meme" for you. The following three questions were actually asked in an email newsletter I get at work - but I thought it would make a nice meme.
 
1. Do you think you will have a white Christmas this year?
Maybe. We've had some flurries the past couple of days, but a mild winter is predicted for this area.
2. Do you usually go to Christmas service at your church or a Christmas program/musical?
We try.  It's difficult with my work schedule and young children. We like the midnight candlelight services. And my kids usually have at least one Christmas program or musical that they are a part of through school or church.  The church I grew up in has had a Christmas Program for the past 30 years, this year is the last time they'll do it (scroll down after clicking that link, it's not formatted well). It's sad to see it go. It started out as a really great tradition - in the past decade or so has been more about showmanship, in my opinion - so I guess it's time they moved on to something new next year.  What's really weird is that this year (it's last) is the first time ever that they've charged for tickets!
3. Do you usually gather the family around and read the Gospel account about the birth of Christ?
Absolutely. It's part of a tradition I'm building for my family.  I haven't quite got the timing down (sometimes I forget and it's the last thing we do before we split up and start eating breakfast or getting ready for the day).  I think usually I try to do it right before or right after the kids open their presents. I usually read from Luke 2... last year I switched to Matthew's recounting, and might stick with that.
 
 


Share/Save/Bookmark

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful

It's Thanksgiving Day (albeit very early the morning of) and I'm at work. I've been here since 7pm and will be here until 7am, and have to work the same shift tonight.
I'm thankful, though, that I have a job to go to that pays well - even if the hours sometimes suck.
 
That's the start of my list of things I'm thankful for this year.  I won't be able to list every single thing I'm thankful for, or I'd be writing for ever - there's just that much that is good in my life.  I usually don't talk about those things though - I grumble about everything else. Rubi hates that (sorry, Love).  Here's how I see it: I point out the not good things, because those things can be changed. The good stuff is good (by definition) - so it doesn't need to be changed.  Just because I don't talk about it doesn't mean I don't acknowledge it or am not thankful for it. 
 
I'm thankful for:
    Rubi and my marriage.
    My kids.
    My extended family of parents and in-laws and siblings and whatever.
    The school my kids attend.
    This country, and the freedoms we have and often take for granted.
    Our church.
    Rubi's job.
    Stupid people, unfortunate events, etc - because that means I have job security.
    Caffeinated beverages: to help me stay awake when I have crazy hours at work.
    Books.
    My kids love of reading.
    Reading on the couch with Rubi.
    My Mondays with Rubi.
    Pizza Delivery.
    Visitors to this blog! (Hi! Welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!)
 
I'll stop there for now. This list could go on and on.
 
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Black Friday, Happy Buy Nothing Day.
 
 
.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanks Carrie!

I've been meaning to mention this for awhile... but it completely slipped my mind (read, whenever I did think about it - I procrastinated doing anything about it).

Carrie at Mommy Brain gave me an award!

Thanks Carrie!

The following text is supposed to be included:
This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

These blogs are exceedingly charming.
These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
Please give more attention to these writers!
Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
Hmmm... I don't know that I read eight blogs that qualify.
Mommy Brain definitely qualifies.
MCF does as well.
I'll vote for my sister, too.

But all the other blogs I read are Sci-Fi/Geek stuff, and don't really qualify.

Anyway... thanks again for the award! I appreciate it.


Share/Save/Bookmark

I'm so happy!!

I finally got to do something I've been wanting to do for years!

For some reason this morning, when my alarm went off - I turned it off instead of hitting snooze button a gazillion times like I usually do. As a result, I got up ...a little later than I expected. And oddly, my kids slept in too. Which is okay, because usually they get up way too early anyway - but now it was definitely time to get up and they were all still asleep.
So...

I threw open the doors to their rooms, turned on their lights and started loudly singing:

Rise and Shine
And give God the glory glory!
Rise and Shine
And give God the glory glory!
Rise!
And!
Shine!
And!
Give God the glory glory!
Children... time to get up!

I was so happy!! My kids were all "daaaaaad... zzzzzzz".
I've been wanting to loudly sing them awake with that for years!

.


Share/Save/Bookmark

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Another Meme


1) How do you like your grilled cheese?
Crispy, but not burnt. Unless I make it the bachelor way: toast bread in the toaster and when it's done, put cheese between the slices and microwave until it's gooey.
 
2) Where did you go on your last vacation?
Disney world in 2007, almost exactly a year ago.
 
3) Who are your godparents?
Don't have any.
 
4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
SSDD
 
5) Where are you at noon everyday?
Most days: excitedly awaiting Rubi's return home from work.
 
6) How many speeding tickets have you gotten?
Speeding? Two I think.
 
15) When was the last time you swam?
Can't recall.
 
16) What do you order at Subway?
Roasted chicken, no cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper.
 
17) Do you keep your closets organized?
Not usually very organized - more of an organized mess. Although Rubi and I recently went through our closet and really gave it a nice cleaning and organization.
 
18) How do you make headaches go away?
Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium (Advil or Aleve), sleep or naps, sometimes caffeine helps.
 
19) Have you owned a beta before?
Nope.
 
20) If you moved out of state where would you go?
Don't know.  Wherever I could find similar employment. I'd probably look nearby first, within 6-8 hours driving distance to stay relatively close to family. Then I might consider someplace that's else.
 
22) Did you attend pre-school?
I can't remember.
 
23) What do your shower curtains look like?
White outer curtain with a clearish inner curtain, no decorations.
 
24) Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?
I don't think so. I had neighborhood friends, and an active imagination.
 
25) How do you make eggs?
Squeeze the chicken really hard.
 
26) Where do you wash your clothes?
In the washing machine.
 
28) Who are the neighbors who live to the right of you?
Not a clue. (Also: do you mean to the right if you're looking at my house, or to the right if you're standing in the house?). To my right is an older couple, to my left the neighbors are relatively new, having moved into the house after it was sold and turned into a rental.
 
29) What are your thoughts on Tom Cruise?
FREAK!
 
30) What is the next vehicle you wish to buy?
Don't really plan on buying anything soon. I'll probably need to replace my car well before we replace our minivan, since we purchased it new last year.
 
31) Do you pay bills online or by mail?
Yes.
 
32) What would be the best gift someone could get you right now?
CASH or pre-paid credit cards ;-)
 
33) What is something stressful you will deal with next week?
Next week? Working my second job and hoping I don't get sick. It seems like every time I work that job, I come home with a cold. The last one was the worst so far and lasted several days.
 
34) What is something in your home that you collect?
Dust?
 
35) What did you do last night?
Worked, then came home and did some housework until Rubi was ready for sleep.
 
36) Who did you last see?
I see my coworkers all around the room.
 
37) How do you take your coffee?
I don't.
 
38) What is the oldest thing in your fridge?
ew... I don't know. 
 
39) On your keyboard what key is wearing out from pressing it so much?
E, A, and S.
 
40) Where do you put your keys when you come home?
They almost always remain in my left front pocket until I'm home for the day. Then they go on my dresser.
 
41) Where do you go for Thanksgiving?
Usually I'm going to work!  In between shifts, I run to my parents to say hi, and then to my in-laws' house for a bit.
 
42) How old will you you be in 2010?
37 (oy! I'm getting old).
 
43) What actor or actress would play you in a movie?
Used to be, I'd say Danny Devito - but he's getting older now - so I'd probably have to say Jack Black if he could reign it in and behave... otherwise, I have no idea - someone short and fat, but dashingly good looking none-the-less!
 
44) How much cash is in your wallet?
ATM, none.
 
45) Would you have a one night stand with your favorite movie star?
I can't name a favorite movie star... but like that episode of Friends, I'm sure Rubi and I both have our *list*.
 
46) What color is your phone?
Black.
 
47) If you were starving to death would you eat a pet?
I don't have a pet. If I did have a pet, and the situation was such that food was not forthcoming, I'm sure I would.
 
48) Ever been to Alabama?
No.
 
49) What kind of accent do you have?
A generic Midwestern accent with a hint of southern in it, I'm sure. My sister who lives near Chicago always comments on our accents here when she comes back to visit, and her accent has turned generic Midwest with a hint of northern in it.
 
50) What kind of alcoholic drinks are in your fridge right now?
Absolutely nothing. We don't drink often enough to actually keep something at home.
 
 
Oh... Happy Thanksgiving Week, by the way!!
 
 
.


Share/Save/Bookmark