GoodReads

Adrianne introduced me to GoodReads today. This has prompted the following dilemma:

Can I classify as "currently reading" a book that I read half of while waiting for Husband to wrap up at BestBuy but didn't buy because, hey, I'm half way done and only want to own it if it's good but I can't judge that until I've finished it?

Well, I did. (It's The Alchemist, since you're dying to know.)

Anyway, I also secured a card to the local library yesterday. Felt like a better tribute to my mother-in-law than all of the flowers I've ever left for her. I borrowed 4 books and felt like I was back to being myself again. (And also it'll save me money at Costco.)

And one more thing:

Ever hear a song, sing along, and then realize the only reason you know it is because of Guitar Hero?


In a new but (hopefully) on-going part of the blog:


Currently reading:

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (counting it again)

Bedtime Routine

Some families have children to settle at night. Some families have romantic snuggle time at night. Our family has a needy labrador at night.

As close as I can tell, this is pretty much the mental dialogue that occurs nightly. For the sake of context, this part happens right after the frantic "I-CAN'T-BELEIVE-YOU-LET-ME-BACK-IN-THE-HOUSE-BECAUSE-I-THOUGHT-YOU-HAD-STOPPED-LOVING-ME-AND-TO-SHOW-MY-GRATITUDE-AND-SHOCK-I'M-GOING-TO-RUN-AROUND-PANTING-LIKE-A-CRAZY-PERSON" routine and the "Hmm, I should sniff every inch of this room again- just in case a cat or stranger has some how entered the bedroom since I was in here four hours ago" number, and right before she takes a long draw out of the toilet bowl. That's smooooooth.

"Scratch my ears. Scratchmyearsscratchmyearsscratchmyears, puh-leeease!!"

"See the frantic look in my eyes? I swear I'll paw your face off if you don't scratch my ears immediately. I'll do it, too. Ya'll haven't taken me to the groomers for a nail trim in months."

"Getting there, you minion... getting there..."

"Finally... success! And get that &#!%$ camera phone out of my face. I'm trying to enjoy this."

And, lights out.

{Editors Note: Don't judge me because my dog drinks out of the toilet. She loves it. It's just her height and the ceramic keeps the water cool. And also, I figure- hey. She's eating poo when she's outside anyway. What difference does it make?

Also, until you've owned a labrador, don't judge me because she eats poo, either. She's a freakin' poo-eater, and what exactly am I supposed to do about it?}

Goodbye, 2008

Happy New Year! The year of our Lord two thousand and eight was a good one to our family. The year in review:

ARUBA!

PINK EYE!


CAMPING!

(Notice how the Janssens have a tent mansion and ours looks like a dumpy shed?)

NEW JOB!

NEW HOUSE!

Bonus 2008: New house comes complete with German neighbor!

Finally straightened the filth in the new house, too

HALF MARATHON!

Celebrated our Scottish heritage...

... and made our dog pretend she is Scottish, too.

Mini-golfed with the Ovesons

Saw a grown woman urinate in public with the Janssens


Sent off the cutest missionary since a certain Elder headed to Mexico in 2003

Went to a Jazz playoff game courtesy of Marketer Jim

Lots of other fabulous things happened, too, and a (thankfully) small number of heartaches. We are happy and healthy and more blessed than we deserve. Goodbye, 2008.

Hooray for 2009!

Brace yourselves

Spoken by a 60-something grandmotherly type at an after-Christmas ward Christmas party:

"I don't eat coconut. Tastes like tonsil scabs."

Yup. Tonsil scabs.

Carry on.

Merry Christmas!

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Love/Hate Relationship: A definition

I hate you, Phoenix, Arizona.

Just days ago, while I was trudging through the snow and scraping my car windows and falling on the ice (which I do at least once every single stinking year) all I could think of was you. You and Al Roker.

Al chose you to be the "pick city of the day". "PICKCITYOFTHEDAY!" he said, cheerfully.

And you. You.

You were 'mostly sunny, 60 degrees, and cool'. My eyes are narrowing in anger just thinking of it.

How dare you. Do you know that my pants are wet half way up my calves and caked in salt? That my toes have been numb for weeks? Do you even care? I hate you, Phoenix. That's right. I hate you.

I love you, Phoenix. Can we get married? Can I bring my husband?

And may all your Christmases be ethnically diverse.

First of all, I didn't run the race with Kinzy, after all. I worked Trauma for PCMC the night before and just couldn't do it. Guess the food bank got my money for nothin'. I did score a cool t-shirt though.

Anywho,

I enjoy Nativity scenes. I have a whole bunch that I inherited from Paddy's mom, and I set up my mom's every year, too. I've got big ones, small ones, colorful ones, plain ones, and a few with gold halos. I dig 'em.

Setting up the Nativity is a delicate process. Shepards and lambs on one side. The family sandwiched in the middle with the occasional angel presiding. Donkey near the manger because hey, he did a lot of work that day. Camels and wise men on the other side.

Did you hear that? Shepards on one side, wise men on the other, and n'er the two shall meet.

Does this make me a Christmas separationist?

I mean, I've got nothing against either group. Sure, I'm rather fond of the whole shepard's hook thing, but what modern girl wouldn't like to score a little myrrh from time to time? If I was a good social worker, would I have everyone intermingling in a jolly everyone-in-the-front-of-the-bus-playing-I-Spy-together sort of travel party? Your thoughts, please.