The week before Christmas Mr. Burns and I found ourselves at my dear friend Kimberly's home in San Francisco. This is a friend I see so rarely. Four times in the past 6 years.
Mr. Burns pointed out Kimberly's refrigerator - covered in photos of friends and family - with one HUGE picture of ME!
Seriously.
It was an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper of just my head! My head from a photo of myself and Mr. Burns. It looked like Mr. Burns didn't make the cut.
We took turns speculating about this giant picture of me... that perhaps Mr. Burns hadn't graduated to the friends and family shrine since Kimberly hadn't met him yet.
When Kimberly entered the kitchen, in my best mockingly accusatory tone I asked her what she was thinking posting such an enormous picture of my head on her fridge.
Her answer. "I hit Print and that's what came out."
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
My Christmas List
Borrowing this idea from katietimothy.blogspot.com
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I love to crisscross corresponding ribbons into neat little bows on top. I do keep gift bags on hand for presents outside of the Christmas season.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
I love a real tree, but I have an artificial now because my place is so small. Someday when I have a house, I'm definately going back to the real thing.
3. When do you put up the tree?
December 8th. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mom always did this... mainly I think because we had the day off of school every year and she could get lots of help from the kids!
4. When do you take the tree down?
January 5th - The Feast of Epiphany. When the wise men reach the Christ Child. In the Catholic calendar, Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas Season.
5. Do you like eggnog?
Not particularly. Plus I'm allergic to eggs so I have a great excuse not to partake!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmm. That's a tough one. But I do remember being very small and out Christmas shopping with Mom. We were in Rexall Drug and I spotted this HUGE Pooh Bear. (remember this had to be about 1975) I don't think I really desired the bear, but I was overwhelmed by it's size. I retrospect it wasn't THAT big... 2 -3 feet tall, I suppose. I pulled on Mom's arm and said, "Wow, look at that Pooh Bear!" She was noticably uncomfortable as she acknowledged it and pulled my attention elsewhere. On Christmas Morning, I found a huge Winnie the Pooh under the tree.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I love to crisscross corresponding ribbons into neat little bows on top. I do keep gift bags on hand for presents outside of the Christmas season.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
I love a real tree, but I have an artificial now because my place is so small. Someday when I have a house, I'm definately going back to the real thing.
3. When do you put up the tree?
December 8th. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mom always did this... mainly I think because we had the day off of school every year and she could get lots of help from the kids!
4. When do you take the tree down?
January 5th - The Feast of Epiphany. When the wise men reach the Christ Child. In the Catholic calendar, Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas Season.
5. Do you like eggnog?
Not particularly. Plus I'm allergic to eggs so I have a great excuse not to partake!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmm. That's a tough one. But I do remember being very small and out Christmas shopping with Mom. We were in Rexall Drug and I spotted this HUGE Pooh Bear. (remember this had to be about 1975) I don't think I really desired the bear, but I was overwhelmed by it's size. I retrospect it wasn't THAT big... 2 -3 feet tall, I suppose. I pulled on Mom's arm and said, "Wow, look at that Pooh Bear!" She was noticably uncomfortable as she acknowledged it and pulled my attention elsewhere. On Christmas Morning, I found a huge Winnie the Pooh under the tree.
Funny that memory stood out... and years later I realized why mom was uncomfortable. He was probably already in the secret hiding place and she didn't want to blow her cover!
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. When my mom and dad were visiting we were milling around some estate sales/ yard sales and stopped at a church sale. Mom pointed out a nativity set just like the one I grew up with... same stable and everything - I paid $10!. The figures are Papier Mache`. I smooshed quite a few of them as a child! It's a little mismatched but reminds me of my childhood!
I saw the most beautiful manger scene for sale the other day... carved of wood and imported from Italy... with a $1200 price tag! That's a lot of stays at an Inn!
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Hmmm. My Brother probably. I think I've hit the mark with him ONCE.... when I got him a tripod for his video camera.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Dad. He doesn't want anything, doesn't need anything. I get him something warm and a jar of nuts!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Hmmm, I'd prefer to do cards (if I actually did them). And oddly, I love getting those newsletters from friends and family. Last year a couple of my relatives skipped the newsletters and I was so sad!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Hate to say it but anything from my SIL's mom! I wish she didn't love buying gifts so much... I don't understand why I'm on her list - I barely know her! Last year it was a huge talking Easter Bunny! If I had a house with a porch, and children to entertain, it wouldn't be so bad. Or even if I had a basement to store it! I have none of those things! When getting a gift for someone who lives in a 700 sq foot condo... don't give them something that requires 11 months of storage! Get them something consumable!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Is this debateable? It's a Wonderful Life. Best movie ever! The film is flawless. love it!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I did great this year... I started in October. I have one left to get... since I have to get them all in the mail by the end of the weekend. We're going to San Fran on the 15th. Otherwise, I start picking things up in about August... and go until the week before. I really want to stop the gift giving. Buy less. Give more. - my new Christmas goal.
14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Sure. Only once or twice.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Oh, Mom used to make this Almond Bark. Oh yeah. Better get that recipe one of these years.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear. Someday I want to buy sets of Red, Green and White... and then combine them so there is red green and white alternating on each strand. Then I'll make them blink.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night. Still looking for the best rendition of it. I also love The Peace Carol and When the River Meets the Sea from John Denver and The Muppets, a Christmas Together.
Then, to ring in the new year.... What are you doing New Year's Eve... Harry Conick Jr does it best!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I've traveled EVERY YEAR for Christmas. This year will be my first staying where I live! Can't wait!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Maybe after a few glasses of wine and a few tries!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. Still haven't found the right one, so currently nothing.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Our family exchanges gifts Christmas Eve. Then Santa's gifts are discovered in the morning... then extended family exchanges on Christmas day. It's too much really!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
The commercialization. I think the same people who are offended by my "Merry Christmas" are the ones ensuring that everyone makes a buck on it!
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
Oh. how I wish the ornaments from my childhood had survived. I loved the glass blown ornaments.. the little oblong ones with stripes. I think my mom has very few survivors.
I have Pooh Bear and Tigger ornaments from Hallmark.... And snowmen! Lots of fat round chubby snow men!
24. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To feel the presence of Christ. To experience the miracle and wonder like I did as a child.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. When my mom and dad were visiting we were milling around some estate sales/ yard sales and stopped at a church sale. Mom pointed out a nativity set just like the one I grew up with... same stable and everything - I paid $10!. The figures are Papier Mache`. I smooshed quite a few of them as a child! It's a little mismatched but reminds me of my childhood!
I saw the most beautiful manger scene for sale the other day... carved of wood and imported from Italy... with a $1200 price tag! That's a lot of stays at an Inn!
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Hmmm. My Brother probably. I think I've hit the mark with him ONCE.... when I got him a tripod for his video camera.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Dad. He doesn't want anything, doesn't need anything. I get him something warm and a jar of nuts!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Hmmm, I'd prefer to do cards (if I actually did them). And oddly, I love getting those newsletters from friends and family. Last year a couple of my relatives skipped the newsletters and I was so sad!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Hate to say it but anything from my SIL's mom! I wish she didn't love buying gifts so much... I don't understand why I'm on her list - I barely know her! Last year it was a huge talking Easter Bunny! If I had a house with a porch, and children to entertain, it wouldn't be so bad. Or even if I had a basement to store it! I have none of those things! When getting a gift for someone who lives in a 700 sq foot condo... don't give them something that requires 11 months of storage! Get them something consumable!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Is this debateable? It's a Wonderful Life. Best movie ever! The film is flawless. love it!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I did great this year... I started in October. I have one left to get... since I have to get them all in the mail by the end of the weekend. We're going to San Fran on the 15th. Otherwise, I start picking things up in about August... and go until the week before. I really want to stop the gift giving. Buy less. Give more. - my new Christmas goal.
14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Sure. Only once or twice.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Oh, Mom used to make this Almond Bark. Oh yeah. Better get that recipe one of these years.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear. Someday I want to buy sets of Red, Green and White... and then combine them so there is red green and white alternating on each strand. Then I'll make them blink.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night. Still looking for the best rendition of it. I also love The Peace Carol and When the River Meets the Sea from John Denver and The Muppets, a Christmas Together.
Then, to ring in the new year.... What are you doing New Year's Eve... Harry Conick Jr does it best!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I've traveled EVERY YEAR for Christmas. This year will be my first staying where I live! Can't wait!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Maybe after a few glasses of wine and a few tries!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. Still haven't found the right one, so currently nothing.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Our family exchanges gifts Christmas Eve. Then Santa's gifts are discovered in the morning... then extended family exchanges on Christmas day. It's too much really!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
The commercialization. I think the same people who are offended by my "Merry Christmas" are the ones ensuring that everyone makes a buck on it!
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
Oh. how I wish the ornaments from my childhood had survived. I loved the glass blown ornaments.. the little oblong ones with stripes. I think my mom has very few survivors.
I have Pooh Bear and Tigger ornaments from Hallmark.... And snowmen! Lots of fat round chubby snow men!
24. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To feel the presence of Christ. To experience the miracle and wonder like I did as a child.
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