hanging with stephanie

We went to the Lucky Strike for bowling. I rolled the best game of my life, and got a 138! (Okay, I realize that this is pretty sad for an all time high.)
And I found out that you aren't supposed to wear your shoulder strap of your seatbelt under your arm. Apparently, this is enough to get you a ticket.

And Stephanie REALLY doesn't like her picture taken. But she is so cute. I just love to catch the reaction when she realizes that I'm taking one.

I've been looking forward to making this sand castle that I saw some people making before. You drizzle drops of very wet sand to make a bunch of spires, and it looks really melty and cool. While we were at the beach, I started to show Stephanie, and grabbed a handful of wet sand and started drizzling it and thousands of gross small crabby bugs started crawling out of it and swarming all over. I freaked out started screaming and ran into the ocean to wash it off my hands, and everyone on the beach, included Stephanie, was totally cracking up. I was too busy screaming my head off and trying to make sure they were all off me.... it was hilarious. (And freaky.)

not so baby steps

Day 1: 13,137
Day 2: 11,379
Day 3: 10,188
Day 4: 9,456
Day 5: 12,308

My daily average is: 11,293.

My supervisor's average is above 17,000. Last I checked, we were in 45/92-ish place. Some crazy team in Australia is averaging 20,000 per team member. They must have a lot less work to do, or their boss is paying them to walk all day. Our supervisor is encouraging us to take a few breaks each day to walk around the block... so I guess the competitive edge works in my favor.

I'll do better after my exam, I hope.

wii declare the economy stimulated

The economy, feeling out of character and tipsy from all the wholesale forclosuring going on, found it in her heart to give us tennis in our living room in order to somehow kick the strange feelings of vertigo. Wii stimulated her, and gave her a tickle in the back pocket, if you know what I mean. And she is stimulating us back (with the aforementioned tennis in our living room.)

stuff that is keeping me from posting

Diet: Counting every calorie and writing it down - three weeks in. This also means cooking. I have already seen some happy making numbers. Let's see it last, so I can have some food-as-a-reward and undo it. Catch-22. And why is it that as soon as you go on a diet, everyone in the world invites you over to dinner?

Exercise: Doing the Global Corporate Challenge. Officially starts tomorrow, but I have been walking to ease my way in. My goal is 10K+ steps per day on average. Basically, you take a virtual walking tour around the world, visiting different cultures by putting in your steps and following a trek. We start in Chile, so for the kick-off tomorrow, I am preparing a Chilean dish for a lunch. My whole department is on my team and we are competing against 15 other Farmers (and our parent co Zurich) Teams.

Study: Test is not next but the following week. Totally not ready. Also, reg'd for a vocational training course, required supplement to actuarial exam - which is the equiv to a college course in three weeks. That starts day after exam. This ride never ends. Sorry, I mean "learning adventure."

Reading: Okay, so I totally took a much needed break from my brain and read the book WICKED in two days. It was really dark, and exceptional. I feel really guilty, but deep inside, I'm smiling.

Summer planning: getting airfare, tickets, etc arranged for our action packed fun. So far, I have my Texas airfare for 4th of July w/ McKay, SeaWorld passes, an annual pass to Six Flags, and cheap seats to see WICKED again with Stephanie. More fun to come... fuh-shuh.

for everyone who helped with the roses

Thank you. Thank you so much.

I talked to mom today. She said she cannot stop going outside to look at her "rose stumps."

(She loves rose gardens, so we gave her one for Mother's Day.) The flowers were shipped in from Jackson & Perkins, and arrived just at the perfect time for planting. Eva and Roger worked in the soil conditioners and put the bareroots down on Saturday, when I am told they were met with actual squeals of delight. There are already some plans in the works for a pretty border, and perhaps some plaques. I don't have any pictures, yet. But, obviously, they're just stumps at this point. If you would like to see the varieties we got for her, you can follow the links below:

MISTER LINCOLN - HYBRID TEA ROSE
DREAM COME TRUE - GRANDIFLORA ROSE
GEMINI - HYBRID TEA ROSE
JOHN F. KENNEDY - HYBRID TEA ROSE

By July, she should already be seeing her first blooms, so everyone can go hang out and smell the roses with her pretty soon.

Don't forget that it's never too late to contribute toward this gift of fragrant evenings. There will be endless weedings to volunteer yourself toward. (I know, I really need to work on my sales pitch.)

happy mother's day

My mom just kills me with how amazing she can be. Look at her up there. You can tell by how young my dad looks that those five kids have them in way over their heads. We're talking old school. Before disposable diapers and wet wipes. And I think Mary looks like me, and Paula looks like Aubri. And Dale looks like Dallon (without the hair.)

loser

I somehow survived week 1 of the new "life system." I lost 3 pounds and didn't die of starvation. I rediscovered Chai Tea and remembered how much I love fruits and veggies.

I am the only member of my team at work that does not have exams this week (mine is in three weeks.) So, I am holding down the fort by myself and trying not to be too terrified that all the questions my boss should field and work my coworkers usually do is being passed to me. On Friday, I practically blacked out from the pressure. Luckily it was a half-study day.

Look at me. Blogging when I should be studying. Peace out.

day 2 of new diet

Too weak to type.

Rules: 1000 calories (net of exercise) per day and <30% in fat.

Things I have learned in two days:

- Artichoke is a thistle. (I think of the food pioneers who first thought, I'm going to eat THAT.)
- Do not order a salad at a restaurant. Get a burger. They have the same # of calories, and you won't mind working off the burger. (Better yet, get a grilled chicken sandwich.)
- You can make your own yogurt pretty easy. Also, homemade indian food is so much better than the buffet. But, although it is healthy, and has lentils and all, it is in no way low calorie. Rice. Need I say more? Wait, yes. Clarified Butter (ghee.)

Happy Scrapbooking Day Randomness

I am so self-absorbed that I keep a Blog, a Journal, a Scrapbook, a Mona's Greatest Recipes Book, and write letters telling people how wonderful I am. It is a terrible side-effect of paper addiction, but one I embrace with a Vulcan death grip.

So, gradually, they are merging a little. I want to print my blog archives into a book using BLURB. And gradually, my journal entries are getting pretty scrapbook-y. Today, I glued a newspaper clipping onto a journal block onto chalked and edged designer paper and fastened it to my journal using sticker letters/title. It's the end of the world and all the alternate universes are colliding into one!

I had a burning question about taxes today. Can strippers deduct breast augmentation on their taxes? It seems like they should be able to.

I'm still studying a little each day with little or no remarkable progress. I'm hoping that I'm like the baby who doesn't talk for a long time and then suddenly just starts talking in complete sentences... but, obviously without the drool, and with math, not language... since I already talk (about myself, see paragraph 1.) I found this great website on options, if you are interested in being very frustrated with figuring out market derivatives with me. Yay!

4 weeks, but who's counting

I am still hanging in there and working hard on my exam material. It's a lot to master, but every little hour counts. It is a worthy adversary.

I'm getting in some good time now that I switched from 3 hours every other day to 1.5 hours every day. It does burn me out to do it every day, but I feel like I don't lose as much momentum, and still have a little time for myself everyday.

I've been guilty of rewarding myself on fancy coffees, so I am sure that I will gain 10 pounds trying to pass this bad boy. (But, food is a worthy adversary, too.)

My LAbff is basquing as we speak (yes, she is in the spanish riveria, that jerk.) So, basically, I have no one to giggle with over the pimp that I keep seeing at the coffee shop. Dude seriously looks like he is dressed up as a pimp for halloween, but every day: purple velvet suit with tall derby hat and white shiny leather cowboy boots... with his hair shimmered back and gold chains galore. It's fantastic.

these booties are made for walkin'

I enjoyed the March For Babies event today at Griffith Park. I was able to meet my fundraising goal (and exceed it) thanks to many generous gifts. We will still be raising money through May, and I still have baby blankets and hats available, if you haven't had a chance to donate yet.

I am a big Battlestar Galactica Fan, so I was really excited that not only was Edward James Olmos (the Admiral) there, he was wearing a Farmers shirt and eating lunch with us. (He walked within 3 feet of me while I was getting my food... so did Dayanara Torres) Some other celebs were there that I didn't see - or just didn't recognize, which happens a lot... like I saw this one girl at the lemonade and later saw her signing autographs, but I still don't know who she is.

It was a neat family activity.

Update 4/27: I found out who the girl was: Camille Winbush - Actress of such shows as 'The Bernie Mac Show' and 'Grey's Anatomy'

Caribou @ The El Rey

Last night we went to a small concert. Very fun. Great opening band. I feel like a regular hipster.

child's play

Every once in a while, I make myself sit around learning how to do stuff in Photoshop. And, I always pull out cute pictures that I don't mind staring at for a couple of hours to mess with. This was todays' goof-around.

And while I was doing the technology, I thought of a vague generalization in looking at this picture. You don't always realize that you are enjoying what you are doing WHILE you're doing it. But, once the initial shock is over (at least this is true for me) - I usually love doing new things. Take studying for my exam. I struggle with new topics - feeling miserable. Then the light bulb goes off. Then it's no big deal to work some problems and master the skill, and I enjoy being able to know more and do more. It just takes a little perseverance and courage to get past that first "Oil and Water" state, in order to make delicious pesto.

For this photoshop lesson, I found some free brushes (flourishes, dingbats, and grunge borders) figured out how to install them, and figured out how to load them and use them. You might say, "didn't you do that last time you posted a learning-photoshop-blog?" Yes. Yes, I did. But, my brain is a dangerous place where nothing lives long.

LillyAnne

Saturday, April 5th at 10:51pm.

6 pounds, 13 ounces

{18 inches long}

More pics

wicked fun

I really cannot say enough about how really amazing the show was last night... and the people who went with me. It was just - contagious energy. Check out the evening's pictures.

I was not expecting the show to be so funny. I was completely cracking up. The music was spectacular, and the sets so incredibly detailed and beautiful - it was a sensory overload of the best kind: grand cure for general ennui.

they sing to me.

So, guess what I'm doing in a few hours... hint: it will be wicked-fun.

Post-show thought: AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Babies

This year, I am fundraising for the March of Dimes. I will be walking in their annual fundraising walk and I am selling a select collection of mom's crocheted baby blankets ($30) and hats ($5).

If you would like to make a donation on-line, please visit my MOD Homepage:
www.marchforbabies.org/mmccowen

If you would like a baby blanket, I am willing to ship it.

what I've been up to

All I've been talking about are these posters that I got to scrapbook at work. The first one was for a floor contest to determine a theme for another contest. I had a lot of help and we got 2nd. place. The one that won was really elegant and professional...

So, for the second contest, with a cash prize of $300, I made this with a lot of help from my coworkers: Again we didn't win. But, I've had a lot of people tell me that they think I should have won. I feel like we did a really good job, and I'm proud of this entry. If for no other reason, I got some boys from my group do some of the hand stitching around the 80. And I got to spend time and meet a lot of people from our department on a somewhat more social level.

Lastly, this is what happens when I try to study on vacation. (I did study about 7 hours... and not counting this one.)

Friday, March 28th at 4:51

Alecia Nicolle
6 lbs 15 oz

{18 and 3/4 inches long}

I just got back from a weekend in Arizona to find these pictures in my email inbox. Just look at those sweet cheeks!

learning by osmosis

My cat, Kira, can be such a riot. This is her studying with me.

I am behind on my studying, but it is such a gorgeous warm day, that I have the urge to do what the cat is doing, and just soak up the wonderfulness.

I have been scrapbooking at work for a poster contest and trying to keep up with life.

I fly out to Arizona in a couple of days on a work sponsored vacation. I'm representing my company at an event at my Alma Mater for a couple of hours. I am hoping to split the remainder of my time: study and relax. I need copious amounts of both.

together

I love the beach. I had to study today, so I made it fun by doing it in a nest of pillows and blankets in the rocks next to the ocean in Malibu. Note - just because it's the ocean and california and everything... I still need to pack some gloves next time. I stopped by the paper store for some reward. I'm trying to get away from the food as a reward and replace it with paper, which - since I'm already addicted - is not so tough. (I impulse-purchased a Snickers in the checkout, though... so I'm still losing the war.)


I estimate that if I do a SB layout a week, I will have 2007 wrapped up in about a month. I notice that some years have tons and tons of stuff going on (lots of pictures) and then there is 2004 - where I see no point in even scrapbooking it. The entire year is like Memento, but without any polaroids at all. Take a picture today, or it will be like it didn't happen.


P.S. I'm on some strange documentary kick. I watched five documentaries in the last few days. I enjoyed: Sicko, Cocaine Cowboys, & What the Bible Says.

Oh, and while I'm at it, see Juno on my recommendation and then remember that I like odd-ball comedy and wonder what's wrong with a person that can joke about a baby in such unorthodox ways.

photoshop

I made myself learn how to download/load/activate PS Actions and Brushes today.
Here are some fun results.

I also did my taxes, cleaned my house, and studied like a maniac. (If you are wondering if all I care 'bout is furthering an onset of carpal tunnel.)

2nd page

I prefer two-page scrapbook layouts - so I built a quick 2nd page (which was probably a disservice to the pretty one. But, it is okay.)

The current vote is to add an errata note to the pull-out tab.

scrapbook errata

I was standing in the shower thinking about how everyone had the same comment about Jared's scrapbook page ("Not a word out of context") that it hit me. The Broncos did not play the superbowl! Curt's fave team, the Bears played. I knew this. I watched them get beaten down! Duh. What do I do? I cannot let a totally untrue fact go down in scrapbook mythology because the layout is pretty and the story is better in my fictionalized account. I have to fix it. Suggestions?

Random Things I Noticed Today:

The lady in the toilet next to me pees really fast. It’s impressive. She must be important.

The elevator smells like a rotten Veronica.

There is a taller than Six foot Asian Woman at my work. Almost as strange and the Black/French/Mormon girl I once knew. Some things are amazing only when they occur in combination.

A woman’s body type that doesn’t get enough media attention is the box. You know the one: hunch-backed, broad, square shouldered, and straight down from there. This body type occurs freakishly often in the office setting – and is generally a sign that it’s time to retire.

I bought a plushy monkey. I want to sew it clothes, diaper it, and pretend it is alive. On a related note… a pet monkey retails for $3,000. I am both appalled and intrigued by the idea of buying one.

hardest layout ever (tear potential)

I have tried to scrapbook these pictures a bunch of different ways and always tear the layout apart when I'm done, usually crying. But - this one is okay. I am going to add two pull-outs on the right side bar later - one with pics of us together as babies and our relationship journaling, and one with his obituary. I was thinking of trying to find a field lines rub on (in blue if possible) to add across the top white space - which feels a little out of balance... too much?

The journaling is a little fuzzy, if you want to read it:

It's not fair to say that Jared was dying his whole life, because the truth is, he was living: Living like someone who knows that time is short and you have to play the game as hard and fast as possible in order to come out a winner. During his last month, Evan and I visited for a week. He was feeling a little better so on a couple of days, he got out and played. And when he couldn't, we all watched football, ate pie, and he would arrange a prank from the couch. His team, the Broncos were contenders for the Superbowl - and I think he was trying to stay alive to see the game. They got to play, but he didn't have to see them lose.

Jared Curtis Hatch
June 3, 1976 - January 24, 2007

The Diz

As you can see, I got my scrap on today. You probably remember these photos from the quick collage that I posted back in August when the Thompson's and I actually made these memories.

Mark took me to see "Spiderwick" this morning - fun, movie - in the spirit of "Neverending Story."

The work week turned my brain to oatmeal. I 'officially' (as far as paid/work) start studying next week, so all I can do to rejuvenate... I'm doing.

Maybe I'll have more on paper tomorrow to support that claim. I have a few more ideas brewing.

review

I wish I would have posted my planning on the last scrapbooking page. I actually did a bunch of sketches and made couple of 2x2 inch to scale mock ups with thumbnail photos first in two different designs to decide which one to make. It might help one appreciate how much goes in. Maybe it's best not to admit how consuming the stuff really is.

This week's in review:

Our crew took our manager to lunch for her birthday, her choice: Korean Tofu Soup. So, we got a little fish, battered and deep fried whole (it was watching me eat it), a raw sea creature of some kind that looked like noodles, a raw egg to crack into our tofu soup, rice, and many little mini portions of different things - pickled cabbage, boiled what-I'm-guessing-were-turnip greens in some kind of sauce, and some burnt rice soaked in boiling water (which looks like dirty dish-water by the time you eat it.) This was not my first experience with real Korean food, so I knew I would largely like it. My main limitation is that I just don't like the taste of food from the sea (fish, crab, shrimp, whatever.) But, I am always willing to try it, and am growing to like it here and there. I tried everything at the lunch, liked most of it, and ate a majority of the soup - which was hot enough in both ways to be very filling. No wonder Asians are so skinny.

I was on the official list of "new rotation employees" that goes out every quarter to all the actuaries. Lower level actuaries transfer, or "rotate," every 18 months or so for professional development. I got a badge and a new computer (I keep my laptop, too) - with 4 processors and 1 terabyte of memory - and two special software programs with a one-year seat license price of $400,000 (that's my share of the total 1.2 Million price tag for our group.) Crazy. Six software support people flew in from Boston Thursday and Friday for two solid days of training/installation on the newer program (the older program people were here a few weeks ago.) They took us to a nice upscale lunch. I am doing better at work, I think. Getting the hang of things. A little behind schedule due to these meetings popping up.

Last night was date night, so we went to the movies: No Country For Old Men. This Cohen Brothers movie is about violence and crime and how old timers feel like the world is going crazy. It is not a dark comedy, like Fargo. I liked it, but, I like solicitous and pointless violence. It's not going to be for everyone.

I am studying. There are millions of similar formulas that I am trying to keep straight, and I am making a little progress.

I am also in the design stage on a Disneyland scrapbooking page from when Eva/Roger/family visited in April last year. It was the Funnest Place On Earth on that particular visit, so I wanted the page to be special and haven't had the inspiration until this weekend. Maybe if I make enough progress on my formulas, I will reward myself by having something scrappy to post by next week. Also, if I can figure out transportation, there is a scrapbooking expo next weekend.

right brain, match

I know. I'm supposed to be studying and you've already seen these pictures. I just had a little fun this weekend. (Superbowl wasn't bad either.)

I cut the title words with my cutter... the shamu and dolphin frame by hand, stiched the seal and seahorse embellishments with embroidery floss, and wrote the calligraphy with a mixture of ink, paint and glitter. If you ever decide to write with glitter-ink and a dip pen, bless you. I don't think I'll be doing this again. (It looks pretty, though.)

boring meets bizarre

I was stuck in a special advanced software training for the past two days.

On the way home, I hopped on a bus on Hollywood Blvd and noticed a lot of trucks blocking a lane, and then a lot of equipment and thought... they must be getting ready for a pre-oscars event (held there next month)... a couple of seconds later, I hear a slowly building roar of several hundred people shouting and screaming as a big black SUV pulled away...

I could make out lots of people yelling "Jennifer." I'm presuming it's the blonde girl with her back to the bus under all the heavy lamps. She must have just arrived, because blinding flash bulbs are going crazy, the screaming is intensified, and everyone on the bus gravitates to one side grabbing at their cell phones to take pictures. (Me among them, obviously - we are inately a herd when it comes down to it, really, I had no choice. At least I had an actual camera.) The cool thing about the scratchy bus window in the picture, is that unlike the pictures Mark took a while ago of Will Smith and Tom Cruise at same venue, his looked professional and nice, so you would not know that he was actually standing in front of these folks. Sure, they look better, but no one will believe that he took them. - If you missed them, I can't create a direct link but you can scroll down his archive to December 12,2007 to see them.

I can't think of who the blonde bob-haired famous Jennifer might be in my photo. I found an alphabetical list of all the famous Jennifers and narrowed it down to (at some point in time had short blonde hair - since I don't track the current status of these things) possibles and came up with: Aniston, Grey, Jason Leigh. I also looked all over the internet (not my strong suit) trying to figure out what event was going on, and all I learned is that the oscars go on display there tomorrow, and that the California Presidential Debate is in that building tomorrow. Today? Nilch.

But the whole thing was more exciting that the greviously insane lady that kept swatting at invisible bats and yelling racial slurs on the bus yesterday. (Interesting always happens on the LA public transit system. If you want an adventure, ride. It will not disappoint.)

the first sign of a long day

from my sketch book

I did both of these today:

Always my greatest inspiration, The Man.

and a self portrait.

Together, it sort of looks like I'm giving him the sexy eye, and he is either totally grossed out, or trying not to laugh. I can't decide which.

the cat's meow

I might have forgotten to post this. Of course she's blurry. She's a cat with a hat.

putting the stud in study

It occurs to me that you must really love me to be reading about the extremely banal things that I decide to write.

Captains Log: Stardate 1.25.2008 ...
Encountered a gaseous planet. No. That's just the bathroom.

Actually, I attended a technical lecture today on a theoretical technique of statistically predicting future losses, hosted by the published and accomplished actuary who came up with it. So, it's not as interesting as seeing around town the actors who play (that I can think of):

• dad character on 'Alias,'


• the crazy guy from 'Prison Break,' or


• the geeky guy from 'The Office...'

or getting asked if we want to be paid to have a Hallmark commercial filmed in our apartment, or having the building across the street burn down last week and have 6 blocks closed down for the day, or such a storm the last two days that there were tornadoes in Malibu and hail falling at our place... but those things happen too. They just aren't as interesting as Stochastic Regression Models.

We watched "I Am Legend" and "Cloverfield" last weekend... and are back to the theatres for date night tomorrow - probably "There Will Be Blood."

I also started studying this week. The great news is that for the next 17 weeks, you can expect a predictable post every day saying "All I did is study." Every now and then I'll throw in the occasional, "I tried to study, but I just couldn't" to change things up. Living vicariously through me will have to wait until summer break. Good thing I'm not trying to make any money with my blog or anything, as encouraging as I am to my readership.

Mark is still whittling away on the old final draft of his script. It just gets better and better with each draft... and I am excited for him. He has another couple of weeks worth of work to do.

I was told officially today that I got my position at the Corporate Home Office, and am no longer in limbo. (This is great news, I think.) I guess everyone thought that someone else had already told me for sure, so it's been official for a while... I was just the last one to find out.

I guess I had something to say after all. And here I thought all I did was study.

labor dispute resolved

LOS ANGELES -- The brain returned to work two days ago after a long hiatus of several weeks. Labor striking has left a broad swath of functional tasks unmanned from Household Initiatives to Sweeping Professional Credibility, as brain service shut down at major terminals in both the right and left hemispheres over the past few weeks. This nightmare scenario has overlapped peak seasonal operations in the area of critical exams and holiday hustle. Millions of Neurons were disrupted by the conflict.

There has never been a strike of this magnitude in the brain's 31.5-year history, and recent developments in talks between the brain and Mona make likely that additional future striking will be averted, either through a last-minute deal or intervention by Medical Professionals.

The brain walked out largely as a result of wage disparities of oxytocin and seratonin between the right and left hemisphere, tough working conditions and unsuccessful meditation to resolve the conflict.

Siding with the unions, the hypothalamus recommended that wage increases be made retroactive and that labor divisions equitably divide the brain's resources. Mona, which relies on the Brain and its subsidies, is worried about whether it can afford the back pay.

Under the Brain Equality Labor Act, most disputes that get to this point end with a contract with the Emergency Scrapbooking Board. In cases when that doesn't happen, Sleep usually imposes the board's recommendations.

Still, officials for Mona across the country are bracing for the much hoped for increase in productivity as the brain returns to its acclaimed high standard of service.

I got a zero

(I'm going to be that much more impressed with myself when I finally pass.)

exam

The passing candidate numbers for the actuary exam I took were released this morning. My number was not on the list. I was expecting that, so I have already been studying again. I'm sure I'll do better next time. I will post my points as soon as I get them. (It's a scale of 0-10 with 6 required to pass. As long as I get at least a 3, I will be happy.)

A plus

I don't know how to spell the sound effect that goes with this posting, but imagine choirs of angels and ascension to heaven... because that is how I feel.

I tinkered with my Christmas toy, (the not-so-fun part of installing drivers and getting the hardware and software communicating, calibrating settings, testing, etc.) And finally, I made my first "cut" -- this letter "A." I needed an 'a' for this page I just made prior to getting the cutter. (The rest of the word "april" is cut by hand, the time consuming way.)

whoopee

My big Christmas gift arrived today.

I am on page 22 of the user manual, and forgot to eat two meals. I don't think that has ever happened before. (Either thing.)

merry craftsmas

Our cats' favorite holiday is coming to a close. They love climbing the tree and batting the glass ornaments off the branches, unwrapping the presents with their claws, climbing into empty boxes, and chasing scraps of crumpled paper around the house. (Here is a picture of Kazi trying to look innocent.)

I made everything mostly from scratch... even clumpless gravy from the ham drippings! The gravy was surprisingly good with a sweet touch from the honey glaze. I made most preparations in advance so that it all threw together in about 1/2 hour. Everything was as delicious as it was beautiful. A major accomplishment. (I even crafted the centerpiece.) I'm kind of proud of myself here, and not abashed about it at all.

This little John Deer tractor is one of the new ornaments we got to start our emphasis on the tree being a story of our lives. It reminded me of trips to look at tractor stuff with my dad when I was little.


Above: Mark with some of his movie-buff booty... second only to his love affair with books.

Above: Another new ornament that speaks to the special relationship we have with our kitties... how much they mean to us, and how we love and pamper them.

trimmings

Mark and I went to AZ for quick holiday hello. I helped decorate the family tree - I wanted to hear the back story on each ornament... we found an old photo of the tree in the early 1970's and tried so see how many ornaments from the picture were still on the tree.

And one of my favorites - we watched old 8mm family videos - Mark repeatedly falling on his 18-mo-old face trying to run downhill... and skating a half-pipe when he was 11... (a reel we thought was lost.) Pretty amazing.

lost

In a rare moment, I must confess that I am REALLY a big fan of the T.V. show "LOST."

At first, it was a guilty pleasure that I would try to conceal... like my mail order catalog fetish, or my love of soft socks and patterned paper.

But, I have been watching season 3 on DVD - and have noticed something new. This show is not just a pithy soap opera. It has deep and meaningful subtext, philosophical parody and satire. And the characters are far from generic stereotypes.

Check out the wiki if you don't believe me. I particularly enjoyed the list of character references (many names are pulled from famous thinkers during an 18th century battle of ideas: free will/social democracy ergo American Revolution vs. Calvinists pushing for social morality/Socialism & Royal Decree - as well as other fine moments of revolutionary thought.) Very Shakespearan - with the difficulty in pinpointing which group are the savages...

And I never really noticed show much literature is mentioned. (Or that it is always Sawyer reading whatever he can get his hands on.)

Thank you, TV land, for making one good show. If only you could figure out how to reproduce it.