My, What Big Snow Banks You Have!

2008 will arrive in NH the same way it left... with a storm. 10 inches of the lovely, white, shit, er... stuff fell overnight and this morning, leaving virtually NO WHERE else for me to be able to throw it. As it was, I had to travel with my snow today. I had to shovel it, carry it a bit, and then throw it somewhere else. Because it was a bit warmish today, all the snow from my slate roof slid off, landed on the metal porch roof, and then slid off again (which is lovely, keeps the roofs tip top) right onto the walk. Not only onto the walk, right in front of the door. Where I might have JUST finished shoveling. It left a good wall of snow there. Because I have to shovel a path to my oil fill and the electric meter, I started my path earlier than I planned, and walked a bit down it and threw the snow next to the hedges. This is getting a bit ridiculous. I mean really. If I were into snow sports, such as.. I dunno skiing, or ice fishing, or snowmobiling, I'd be thrilled to death. As it is, I only really enjoy snowshoeing, and not with my knee bad like it is.

Random iPod

Random iPod takes on a whole new look now that I've discovered how to embed UTube videos into my blog. This song, with it's haunting music speaks to my soul on the darkest of days. 9 Crimes-Damien Rice.

Because I Am Your Mother, That's Why

Dear Son,

Now that you've been a teenager for almost 36 hours, I wish to offer you some advice. It is your choice to take it or leave it, but as your mother it is my obligation to give it. Listen Up.

It's not the end of the world if you have a bad hair day. Just because your hair is sticking out a little, or a little too "fluffy" doesn't mean that girls will laugh and point and boys will beat you up. Everyone has bad hair days. That is why they invented hats. I realize that it's been about 8 weeks since we have had our hair cut. I generally get my hair cut every 8 weeks. If you want to continue coming with me, you will adhere to my schedule or I will have your father buzz it all back to it's previous short self. I realize that the lady said you could come back in 6 weeks. I realize that for the past two weeks it's been a little "shaggy". Have you forgotten already what it looked like before I dragged you to have it cut prior to Dottie's funeral? I think you have. Move On.

All Boxed Up....

Or, Fabulous Google Searches That Brought You Here.. version 6.2

1. Miserable Cold. It is winter, and I live in the Great Frozen North, so of course we are having miserable cold weather. In fact, the Weather Dude just said something about 3 storms between now and New Years. Let me contain my excitement. Although, if you click the link, it would seem that the day I posted this, was the beginning of a pretty rotten cold I had this fall. One of those colds that leaves you with the "sexy 900 number operator" voice and has you ruing the day you decided to work with snot nosed children.

Behold, I Bring You Tidings of Great Joy

The gifts have been opened.
The phone calls to distant loved ones have been made.
The wine is chilling. The bread is baking. The meat pies are in the oven.

And so, I leave you with this:

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Merry Christmas

And the Angels Cried....

I read somewhere, that for each "punch" that you take, and don't punch back, you gain a Karma Point. Like, say your DH bought a fabulous gift for his dad while on vacation over the summer, and his sister (who is hurting right now, so we'll cut her some slack) makes some crack about how with us all pitching in for a gift this year "dad won't get anymore boat themed crap" (the gift was a wooden sign with a row boat adhered to it that said, "I hope our ship comes in before the dock rots" and my FIL LOVED IT!).. and he doesn't say one word to her about it or make a big deal out of it when his dad opens the gift.. One Karma Point for him. Or say your BIL has been pissed off at you for an ENTIRE EFFING YEAR, over something that really he has no business being pissed off about and acts like a total asshat towards you and you just smile and be pleasant anyhow.. One Karma Point for you (or in this case, me.. and considering how awful he was today.. I think I earned 20).

And on the 23rd Day.......

I will rest. Yes, you heard me right. I have plans for tomorrow. Big plans. Oh sure, I have to do some laundry, and maybe water my parched houseplants. I might have some holiday dishes to pack up and put back into storage.. but all that is trivial. The most important plans I have for tomorrow involve my couch, my stadium blanket and maybe even a pillow. Why yes, it does sound like a nap.

In Which We Find... A Sad Anniversary

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be (?)
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

In Which We Find.... An Apology

Ya'll.. I know.. I suck. I will admit it. I promised you daily blogging, and I haven't delivered. In the past, the December blogging has gone very well. I've had time to blog. I've had photos to blog. One year I wrote poetry. This year.. I just suck. In fact, I'm so lousy, these aren't even my photos. While we had a big Nor' Easter that gave us a foot of snow and some sleet over the weekend, my best friend had a kick arse ice storm that snapped power lines, took down trees and reeked havoc left and right. But it left a gorgeous scene behind... so in my sad attempt to divert you to how busy I am.. I give you borrowed photos. I know, I'm pathetic. It's just been nuts. I have had meeting, after meeting, after meeting. Board of this... budget that.... rehearings, PTO meetings, you name it.. I've met about it in the past 4 weeks. I have 2 more meetings tomorrow, and then I'm done for .. 2 weeks. Can I get an Amen?

Time, Time's Ticking.... Ticking... Ticking Away

When asked, I consider myself to be a knitter. I love knitting. I enjoy the soothing repetition of stitches going on the needle, and off, and back on etc. etc. etc. I knit continental, and therefore don't stop and do any "wrapping" of yarn around needles, so it flows pretty smoothly. When I am frazzled and stressed out and feel like my life is spinning out of control, knitting calms me. Sort of like yoga, or Pilates. Brings my focus back to where it needs to be, and gives me an outlet.
I would bet that if I had more time right now to commit to knitting or yoga or Pilates, I'd feel a lot better. Less frazzled, and more focused. As it is, this isn't the case. I mentioned earlier that the only thing I've been knitting lately is mini Santa hats. And, in case you were wondering, no I am not finished.

Busy... or "Why I haven't Blogged"

Reason's I haven't been blogging daily, in no order of importance:

1. Busy
2. Headache (daily)
3. Not enough hours in my day
4. Busy
5. I need about 5 extra days (off, no work) in the next two weeks
6. Haven't been spending enough quality time at home
7. Busy
8. Someone has to buy the gifts
9. Work
10. Did I mention busy?

Define Good

Dear Santa,

I can explain.

It wasn't my intention to be so snarky over the past few days. It just kind of happened. It seems that for a few days before my monthly shows up, weird things go on with my mood and hormones, and I get cranky. Grumpy. Miserable. Rotten. You name it, it could probably describe me. On top of the normal grumps, I get a pretty pisser migraine that shows up for about 24 hrs before it finally packs up and leaves. One of those kinds that doesn't respond to any kind of pain meds. If you've never had a horrible headache Santa, it's a pretty miserable thing all by itself. When you are already feeling cranky, and then have a horrible headache, it's a lose-lose combo. Especially if you are trying to be good for Christmas.

Tis The Season.. and Bah Humbug

"Where Are You Christmas"

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

"Oh, You Shouldn't Have...." (no, really)

There is a common misconception that people "love" to receive handmade or handcrafted gifts. Something genuine and from the heart. A well thought out gift that speaks to the recipient more than an store bought purchase ever could.

I am here to tell you, that this is in fact false. While some people may in fact enjoy receiving gifts that you have poured your heart and soul into, most people do not. They may lie, and tell you how much they appreciate your hard work. They may gush and oooohhh and ahhhhh, secretly they are wondering why they didn't get something new and shiny, or a gift card to their favorite haunt.

Cat In A Rocking Chair

We rearranged our front room this year, in anticipation of painting it over the summer. You might recall that due to Ms. Thang's bedroom furniture being stored there while we painted her room, and waited for the dude to come and refinish her floor, that it didn't get done. Best laid plans and all that. But I love the new arrangement, except that for months we agonized over what do do about the Christmas Tree. See, we moved the TV into the spot where the tree goes. Right between the two windows, which was always a lovely spot for the tree. Visible from the dining room, and as you came down the stairs from the second floor.

On Black Friday, after The Boy suggested that maybe we wouldn't have the front room tree up this year, I sat and mentally rearranged the room until I was ready to cry.

In Which We Find.... My 600th post

As much as I love doing lesson planning for this time of year (so many fun things to choose from), this is the one time of the year I wish, ever so slightly that I was still a SAHM. So much to get done for the holidays, and so little time. This year we are having our annual "Uncle Christmas" celebration on the 16th, and I don't feel like I have quite enough time between now and then. The Boy reminded me that we really aren't *that* far behind. Normally, I'd have my fall cleaning done by now. We got off to a HUGE late start, but as of today, the entire first floor (all 8 rooms, plus the porch, plus the "cold room") is finished. We have 3 bedrooms, the hall and the upstairs bathroom to go and we are done. YAY! I've started grocery shopping for necessary food items, there is fudge and 7 layers bars in the freezer waiting, and we have picked names for our gift exchange. Not bad. I've got a good start on the ornaments I'm creating for my "non-picked" people, if I'd just work on them!

Tis The Season... to be Bloggy....

Oh, how did we get to December 3rd with no posts?? A long standing (OK, this is the 3rd year) tradition I've had here on my blog is to do a post a day during the entire month of December. Obviously this year, I've been a slacker. Oh, don't think I didn't think of it... I sure did. Each of the past two days I gave it thought. When I was in the car, driving to the market... when I was in the shower... when I was doing a million other things.. other than being near my computer. I'm sorry.