Christmas Meme

A Yuletide Theft from Kwizgiver

Favorite Christmas…

01. Non-Jesus-related song? "River"

02. Jesus-related song? "Silent Night"

03. Santa-related song? "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

04. Fictional character? Scrooge

05. Dinner’s main course? We had lasagna once. I liked that. But I guess I'm a cult of one because no one has ever suggested it again.

06. Dinner’s dessert? Cookies, cookies and more cookies

07. Scent (pine, gingerbread, candles…)? Gingerbread or cinnamon

08. Animated movie? Mr.Magoo's Christmas Carol

09. Non-animated movie? The Gathering

10. Personal memory? Waking up really early and seeing that Santa had filled my stocking

11. Story/Fairy Tale? Hardrock, Coco and Joe

That lasted almost two months

I refer to the fragile detente with one of my least favorite coworkers. Because she takes everything personally, she assumes I am blaming her or being "defensive" when I'm not doing either, and shit just escalates and, well, I'm just glad that I have that nice bottle of moderately priced vodka in my bottom desk drawer.

No one can tell what I'm drinking from this dull white coffee cup.

Accompanied by the King

I'm facing a rather daunting project just now: coming up with at least two different ways to sell annuities. (Yes, my job is glamorous.) I need a little extra strength, a little more reinforcement. Who better for a girl turn to? As soon as I got into the building this morning, I knew I needed me some Elvis.* No one else would do.

Right now he's singing "See See Rider."

*Note to Snarky: Is this what you meant when you said that they often talk to me through music?

One of my favorite romances!

I'm watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer again this year, and I just love the love story. Clarice will risk life and limb for her man (reindeer?), red nose and all.

Yuletide love rocks!

Still my favorite Christmas CD

Back when music was still pressed into vinyl, this was the first album of Christmas music I ever bought for my very own. Maybe that's why it's still my favorite. Or maybe it's how sweet and soft her voice often is as she sings holiday songs. I especially love her rendition of "White Christmas." If you haven't got this one yet and you're looking to add to your collection of Christmas music, I recommend Streisand's first, titled simply A Christmas Album.

I Want Wednesday

What do you want from your children (or from the children in your life, if you're chidless)?

I hope that this Christmas Eve, my now ten-year-old nephew puts down the Nintendo DS and interacts with us more. I know he's eager to play with the new games he finds under the tree, but I'd like my Christmas memories to include more than a view of the top of his head as he tries to reach the next level.

To play along yourself, click here.

Who knew?

My blood plasma is yellow! How cool is that?

This evening I was a first-time platelet donor. It was neat. My arm is stiff because it took over an hour, but it was fascinating to watch the plasma separated from the whole blood. I think I'll do it again some time.

You were on my mind

Watching President Obama pledge 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, my mind goes back to 1971, when I was still a kid, and John Kerry was a returning Navy hero. Testifying before Congress, Lt. Kerry asked, "How do you ask a man to be the last one to die in Viet Nam? How do you ask a man to die for a mistake?"

I want to support my President. I hope he is right. But the long-ago questions of a 27 year old John Kerry are still echoing in my mind.

Fortunately I don't have to eat it

Paws Premium Salmon Cat Food is the foulest smelling gunk I have ever spooned onto a dish. I mean, it's vile.

It does, however, meet the nutrition requirements (especially in ash content) and my cats seem quite pleased with it. So we will finish this can. But we're never revisiting it again!

Heads or Tails

The theme/prompt for this week is Heads -- Proud.

I feel very accomplished because I replaced the grout between two rows of tiles in my shower. I have never done such a thing before! This was a task I would have, in the past, handed over to a handyman. But because I'm economizing, I did this myself.

This left me feeling self-sufficient and proud.

To play along yourself, click here.

PS Thanks to Miss Skittles at HoT for naming my musings Blog of the Month!

The Queen's Meme -- The Shopping Madness Meme

1. What is your favorite item to shop for and why? Handbags. Because I love them.

2. Quality vs. Price. Will you buy off-brand replicas at a discount store or must you have the real thing? Why or why not? Quality vs. price is a false choice. For me, it's quality vs. quantity, and quantity wins every time.

3. Have you ever asked a sales clerk to remove something from display if it is the last one in the store? Tell us what special something would make you strip the clothes off a mannequin. I asked the sales clerk at Pier One to take the very last green table lamp out of the display. Does that count? The whole apparel thing would never happen because I'm not quite 5'2, and even the mannequins are taller than I am.

5. I really don't care if a guy goes shopping with me. I'm in my own zone and always have a plan. Are you an alone-shopper or would you like to have company? I'm an alone shopper for myself, but I do enjoy accompanying guys when they shop. They're so cute.

6. Have you ever done anything other than actually try on clothes in a dressing room? (I have no idea why this question followed the previous one. Ahem.) Yes. I sat on the fitting room floor at Carson's, waiting for my first-ever migraine to pass. I'm sorry I don't have a sexier incident to report. You have no idea how sorry I am that I don't have a sexier incident to report.

7. Do you like or do you get annoyed when salesclerks and store management follows you around asking "May I help you?" a million times? (I have no idea why this question followed the previous one.) Yes. Especially at Nordstrom's. Some people equate that attention with service. It feels like stalking to me.


8. Create your very own store-brand name. (ie; Toys 'R Us, WalMart) What would YOUR establishment's name be? Place the name on this sign. When we are finished with this meme, I'll put them all together and we'll have our very own shopping mall. As you can see, I created my own sign. The photo is just soooooo perfect for the way I'm living right now.

To play along with the Queen, click here.

Movie Monday

Documentaries You'd Like to See Made. Go to your blog and create your own post on the topic, linking back to us in your post.

My choice was inspired by Molly's suggestion of a documentary about the life of a maid. Author Barbara Ehrenreich wrote about her life as a maid, waitress, retail clerk, etc., and how hard it is to get by on minimum wage. The book, Nickel and Dimed, is not that well written (the author can't keep herself out of the stories), but the people she meets are unforgettable. There's a great deal of camaraderie and generosity among the laborers she encountered, and these people were often as inspiring as their lives were challenging. I'd love to hear them speak for themselves on camera.

Point. Click. Give.

I'm big on toy drives. Maybe it's because I work in advertising and am especially sensitive to how often kids see messages about toys and gifts and Santa. What about kids whose parents can't afford to come through with toys? Do they feel angry, disappointed, less loved? It makes me crazy. Christmas is supposed to have a little magic to it, especially for children.

So this weekend I made a little of my own magic. I dropped a plush black bear (purchased by my mom for this specific purpose) into the Toys for Tots bin and donated a book to The Today Show Toy Drive via Amazon.com.

I hope you'll do something similar. During the Recession, as consumers tighten our belts, charities have to do more with less and can use as much help as we can spare.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme

1. When is your birthday? November 22. I am still celebrating, in case you wish to get me something.

2. Where were you born? Elgin, Illinois

3. Where do you live now? Just outside Chicago

4. What is your heritage? German and Irish

5. Tell us about a weakness. Pogo. Currently Boggle Bash.

6. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve? Rid myself of so much of the paper around here! Sometimes I think my home is a paper plantation.

7. What is the most overused internet phrase? LOL or LMAO or any variation thereof.

8. What was your first thought this morning? "Is it Saturday or Sunday?"

9. When do you usually go to bed? Around midnight

10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever? Never even tried it.

11. Do you like your current relationship status? At times.

12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents? At times.

13. How often do you drink alcohol? Two or three times a week.

14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren't prescribed)? Yes.

15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell. No.

16. If given the choice, how would you like to die? Suddenly, and with no time to worry. Hit by a speeding car would be fine.

17. What did you want to be when you grew up? Taller. Yuk, yuk. Get it?

18. Have you ever been dumped? Yes. It is not fun. If you have never been dumped, you're really not missing anything.

19. What's on your pizza? Plain cheese is good. Cheese/sausage is a close second.

20. Have you ever shoplifted? No. Which is geekier: not having shoplifted or never having smoked?

Mad or sad?

Can't stop thinking about my dinner with John last night. I keep tossing the events around in my head and they leave me unsettled.

I enjoyed the movie and the meal. I am so tickled with my birthday gifts, because they were so obviously, thoughtfully chosen with me in mind.

But John's so obviously ill! Tenacious cough and shortness of breath. Complete lack of patience in others. He kept worrying and whining about the crowds he anticipated us encountering downtown yesterday (Black Friday). But there were no crowds in the neighborhood we were in -- after all, the only businesses around there are a multiplex movie theater, a bowling alley, a Walgreen's and some high-end restaurants ... hardly the places that offered "door buster" Black Friday deals. He walked so slowly and had trouble with stairs.

He is 55 years old and suffers from congenital heart failure, yet he refuses to get a pacemaker, or even a flu shot! (Both of which were recommended by his doctors.) While he has cut way back on his drinking, and I saw him finish the mixed vegetable side he had with dinner last night, he doesn't exercise as he knows he should.

He does keep his regular doctor appointment -- he has one this Friday -- but what good are they if they don't act on his doctors' advice.

I have known John for 30 years. During that time we have seen each other through so much: burying family members, falling in love and having our hearts broken, movies and concerts and parties.

I don't want to lose him! And I don't know why he's choosing to not get better!

I feel so helpless.

I'm NOT a Scrooge!

You Are a Minimal Christmas Tree

You're not a total Scrooge, but you feel no need to go overboard at Christmas. Less is more, and your Christmas reflects refined quality.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Found this quiz (where else?) at Kwizgiver's.

Happy birthday to me (part 7)

My dear old friend, John, and I went first to the movies and then to dinner. It was a quiet birthday celebration, at least by our standards, but it was nice.

The movie was a small indie film called An Education. It's a gem. Jenny, at 16, is as disaffected as I was during my high school years, only she's far more beautiful and poised.

Then we went to PJ Clarke's for dinner. I had a cheese omlette and a bag full of presents. My favorite was a portrait of Sir Paul that my friend picked up at a street fair earlier this year. I'm very happy with it.

The only dark cloud on my birthday horizon is that John's not well. He has a cold and a peristant cough and tires easily, which worries me because he suffers from heart disease. He also is reluctant to get a flu shot, which makes me nuts. I pointed out to him that between his age (55) and his heart trouble, he simply must get the shot. He said he'd "consider" it. I don't believe him, but I have learned over the years that if I pressure him he just tunes me out.

We'll see

I just replaced the grout between a row of tiles in my shower. I have never done anything like this before, and it was easier than I anticipated that it would be. This worries me a bit. I hope when I check on it again in an hour, I will still be happy with what I see, and when I'm able to shower again tomorrow, I will find my efforts did the trick!

Happy birthday to me (part 6)

Is ABC airing this for me? I think so.

I'm watching Good Evening New York City as I post this. I still love him so.

In addition to the laundry (see post below), I scrubbed the litter boxes clean. (There is a domestic chore I hate more than laundry, and that's it.) Then I went over to my sister's for Thanksgiving. It was very nice. The food was good, and we celebrated my birthday as a family. My nephew and I went WII bowling in the family room, my brother-in-law and I talked grout, I introduced my nephew to Kittenwar! And I got gifts. Yea!

It was a good day, and I'm thankful for that. I'm glad my sister and I managed to behave. It means so much to my mom.

It's been a nice holiday, but I'm going to sleep well tonight.

My virtuosity continues

Not even noon and I have completed three loads of laundry (lights, darks and whites req. bleach). I hate doing laundry, and I'm relieved to have it behind me for another week.

There's about three hours until I leave for my mom's. Wonder if I'll do anything else productive ... I admit my virtuosity is surprising even me.

Feeling ambitious and virtuous

I am going to scrub my tiny bathroom from stem to stern and then sort my laundry before I go to bed tonight. I promise myself this. Let's see how I do ...

Aren't they something?

Seeing them at their first state dinner, I'm so glad the Obamas represent me.

No, I'm not 100% sure I like where healthcare is going. While I agree Gitmo had to close, I'm not sure I consider civil trials a more attractive option than military tribunals. The thought of being in Afghanistan for 4 or 5 more Thanksgivings makes me a little queasy.

All that said, I'm proud that the Obamas are who the world sees. They are wise enough and confident enough to believe what JFK said, "Civility is not a sign of weakness." They make me smile.

Heads or Tails -- Soft

Make any kind of post using any form of the word "Soft".

You just know that everything about her -- her coat, her purr, her grip as she holds you with her paws -- is going to be soft. Makes me just want to pick her up and rub her against my cheek!

To play along, click here.

Happy Birthday to me (part 5)

One of the art directors and I went downstairs for a delicious (I had the lobster roll) celebratory lunch. I also had a rather potent gin blossom. Fortunately, we're slow here today so at most I can only do a little damage.

This isn't supposed to be happening

Since this afternoon, I have battling something that seems distressingly like menstrual cramps. Which is impossible, since I'm in menopause. The feeling is familiar but by no means welcome and I hope it goes way ... soon.

Movie Monday -- Victory

Share on your blog movies focusing on champions, victories and winners and link back here at The Bumbles.

The first one that comes to mind is The Natural. (Maybe because of the Roy Hobbs baseball card tacked to my bulletin board.) A young man of enormous promise gets on a train, off to the majors, with dreams of proving to the world that he's the best. Tragedy strikes and his dream is deferred. He returns to the game as a very old rookie and energizes his teammates, reminding them of how they loved the game when they were kids. To make a long story short, he leads them to the championship against very long odds.

It's a movie about baseball, and much more. It's a fable about what goes wrong in life, and what goes right, and what we can control and what we can't. It's about the impact of the past on the present.

"We have two lives. The life we learn with and the one we live with after that."

"You've got a gift, but that's not enough. You've got to develop yourself, too. If you rely too much only on your gift, you'll fail."

The ballparks are beautiful. The period costumes are beautiful. Redford is beautiful. The score is beautiful. If you haven't seen this elegiacal film, rent it!

Damn, I miss baseball.

Welcome to Chicago, Michael Vick

I still think you're an ass.

Happy birthday to me (part four)

It's my actual birthday and I'm home from Springfield. We had a great time with The Abester.

Saturday began with a big breakfast, then we went to the Lincoln's home. I have been here several times before, but it's always exciting to be in the only rooms where Abraham, Mary, Robert, Eddie, Willie and Tad all lived together, where he learned he'd been elected President. Then we went to the Presidential Museum. Again, nothing new here, except to be shocked and disgusted by how similar the personal attacks on Lincoln were to the ones Obama endures today. How little we have learned in 150 years!

One of the things I enjoy so much about my oldest friend is that she completely accepts, even shares, my geekier side. She picked up a Lincoln coffee table book, full of quotations and commentary by fellow Presidents and statesman about Abe's influence, at the Museum gift shop.

Then we walked on over to the Lincoln Depot. This was new to me. It was from this spot that Abe left Springfield for Washington, DC. The speech he gave, extemporaneously (!), is quite beautiful:

"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

Then we had lunch, went back to the room, and worked on our Nanos (see post below). We went down to the hotel restaurant and had a lovely dinner with cheesecake for dessert.

It was a fun birthday celebration. My oldest friend and I learned and laughed and bonded ... and ate and drank waaaaaay too much. I began my actual birthday with unsavory tummy trouble. (The less said, the better.)

The Amtrak ride was smooth and uneventful except for the laughter and conversation. Got home, took a nap, and woke up to a snack of Townhouse crackers and tea. I wish I felt better. I also wish I had more sense. I didn't have to eat everything in sight on Saturday. Oh, well ... My birthday is an ongoing celebration and I'm enjoying it.

Happy birthday to me (part three)

All aboard! My oldest friend and I are taking off to Springfield this evening to spend my birthday weekend with Abraham Lincoln.

I don't know why really. It just feels right. She and I are both Abe-o-philes, and it will be nice to take the train and catch up with one another, face-to-face instead of over the phone or online. We'll get in touch with Abe and Mary again at their home, his Museum and, depending on the weather, his tomb.

Then we'll write and write and write. We're both participating in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month). Our goal is to each write a 50,000 word novel between November 1 through November 30. She's far, far closer than I am. She's at 44,500 and I'm at ... er ... um ...9,300.

No matter. She'll get her novel done, but I'LL GET A PRESENT!!! I am the Birthday Girl, after all.

My favorite moment

I love the Colbert Report best when Stephen looks like he's just on the verge of breaking himself up.

Happy birthday to me (part two)

Got a promotional birthday card from a local salon, inviting me in for a free facial. Since I was there and reclining and scrubbed clean, I also had my brows (ow! ow!) waxed. Instead of taking the bus, I walked to and from the salon, which means I got a nice workout in on my day off, too. Now I'm watching NCIS. Sigh. I love Gibbs.

Happy birthday to me (part one)

Today (Wednesday) was my last day at work this week. It was a busy day. Since I was unable to get away for lunch, I was grateful that the agency gave me a $5 birthday gift certificate for the building cafeteria. (So my grilled cheese, Baked Lay's and Coke was just 39¢!) The art directors brought me a mint-chocolate brownie for dessert, which was thoughtful. Especially when you consider that I can be rather Type A with them!

Then my theater buddy, Barb, took me out to a nice birthday dinner. I had my first orange blossom fizz (who knew I like gin?), an apple salad, chicken ravioli and, for dessert, a slice of pumpkin/gingerbread pie. Very yummy!

Then we went to see the world premiere of The Addams Family, with Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia. It was soooo weird and so very, very funny. (I predict about a half hour of dancing will be cut when it gets to Broadway, but that's a small quibble.) And my gift? A beautiful, heavy white soap dish with solid bar of fragrant pomegranate soap, which will look good in my pink bathroom -- if I can find the right spot for it.

When I got home I found a gift from cousin Rose. It's a black Totes umbrella. Not as glamorous as Barb's gift, but appreciated all the same. Next to individual gloves, umbrellas are the item I forgetfully leave behind on the train most often.

A DVD for the Somali pirates on your gift list

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Clearly they haven't seen it.

Somali pirates attack US-flagged Maersk Alabama for the second time, but crew repels attack. (CNN)

Movie Monday -- Memorable Death Scenes

Humorous, horrifying, tear-jearking, realistic and ridiculous. Here are a few that stood out for us. WARNING!!! It is impossible for these not to be spoiler-free. Play at your own risk. Share on your blog scenes depicting death and link back here at The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants to find their recommendations!

Old Yeller. The puppycide takes place off screen, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. Look at that doggy face. Go ahead. Every time I do, my throat closes a little.

Brian's Song. Maybe it's a Chicago thing, but the short life of Brian Piccolo, like Walter Payton, has the power to make grown men cry. I know that I once welled up in a bank when the theme was played on the Muzak overhead. The death scene has James Caan as Brian, acknowledging that he has lost his brave battle with cancer by saying, "Can you believe this?" and then closing his eyes. The movie ends with a voice over: "Brian Piccolo died of cancer at the age of 26. He left a wife and three daughters. He also left a great many loving friends who miss and think of him often. But when they think of him, it's not how he died that they remember - but how he lived."

The Godfather. Thinking of James Caan, he also had a very famous death scene in the causeway. Sonny, Sonny, Sonny, your temper always got the best of you!

Bonnie and Clyde. Oh. My. God. It's so violent, so inevitable, so awful. It begins with Clyde looking up at the birds and suddenly knowing what it means. His eyes lock with Bonnie's, and she realizes it, too, and looks at him with such love. Then the shooting starts. It's hard to describe how jarring this scene is upon first viewing (or how liberally Coppola borrowed from it for Sonny's murder in the causeway).

Psycho. Speaking of iconic death scenes, who can forget Janet Leigh's beautiful, horrified face as she tries to defend herself from mother's knife in the shower?

Is it bad that this made me kinda happy?

Today, while playing Monopoly with my now-10-year old nephew, the subject of my birthday next weekend came up. I told him I was spending the actual day, next Sunday, on the Amtrak with my oldest friend, returning from Springfield, where we will be celebrating. I told him this because he and I went down to Springfield last June and I thought he would want to reminisce about our trip.

Instead, he turned away, saying, "You should be here."

"We always celebrate my birthday on Thanksgiving. We can do that again this year." That's not exactly true. My birthday was always a separate family event. Then my kid sister, his mother, decided about 7 years ago that she was busier than I am and not about to go out of her way for me anymore. (I never noticed her going out of her way for me at all, but never mind. Another story for another time.) I don't argue with her or stand up for myself anymore because I worry that she'll block my access to the kids. Now that I think of it, she hasn't invited me for Thanksgiving yet ...

"Thanksgiving is too late this year! Your birthday is November 22!" As if I don't know my birthday. His frustration surprised me.

"Are you upset about this?" I asked as his glasses came off.

"He's been planning a party for you," my mom said, coming back into the room where he and I were playing. Hearing her say that started the tears.

I explained to him that I was sorry and upset, too. After all, who was missing out on singing and a present? Me! But I told him we had two choices:

1) Celebrate on Thanksgiving anyway
2) Have his party as planned, but the following Sunday

No, he insisted. It's no good if it's not closer to my actual birthday! I showed him my datebook and how my friends had different celebrations planned for me throughout the month. I said, "My birthday is not a day, it's a festival." He wrote his name down on my calendar for Sunday the 29th, we hugged, and went back to Monopoly.

Naturally I'm sorry to see him cry. But it was gratifying to know my special day meant so much to him. He's such a sweet boy.