Housekeeping....

As the Old Year winds down and the New Year inches closer, I still have a million things I've got to do, and no real energy with which to do them. Right now, it's hard to think past the flare, which I don't want to think about anymore. Instead let me just do a quick catch up, so all you lovely people won't think I've forgotten you:


- Dear Blogger Ornament Exchange-r, I just wanted to let you know that I received my Ornament, am very pleased with it, and will post on that topic as soon as my flare lets up a bit.

- Ditto Secret Santa players: I have been extremely lucky this Christmas to have been nicely surprised more than once, by quite a few people. It is a wonderful feeling.

- I was also able to surprise a few people myself, and that's an amazing feeling as well.



The telling of these stories is important, and should wait until my brain is clear(er) and I can tell them correctly. Thanks for your patience.

That said, I just want to wish everyone the Very Best in the New Year.

And thank you all for sharing your time & your hearts with me this past year.

Does anybody else

have absolutely no idea what day of the week it is?

Just me?

Oh well.

Until about an hour ago, I was sure it was Sunday. And then when I went to watch what I thought should be on the t.v., lo and behold... not.

So, it's Saturday, people! Are you doing anything fun?

I'm resting, reading all the magazines I stockpiled before Christmas, knowing some downtime would be required right about now. It's been a long strange week, my friends. A long, strange year, at that. I'm looking forward to a new ~ hopefully better ~ one.

Finishing up the old...

Here's the last half of my year in pictures:

Falalalala

I'm totally not talking about the flare. Talking about it is in direct opposition of my current plan: totally ignoring it.

So.

I've seen a meme going around of the first lines from each month. That's no good for me, since my first post every month is a Perfect Post award. But I would like to do a little look back. Here's a year's worth of pictures - one of my favorites from each month.

So here's a pick of January through June:

Sister C, on her 20th birthday.

A toast to SisterJ on her birthday.


Baby Girl's bunting (originally planned for her big brother, and finished six years later), by Mum.




Youngest Nephew, being his adorable self in April.






And here's Baby Girl, less than a week old, in her usual good cheer.




And Youngest Sister, SisterK, getting ready for her Jr. Prom, the first week of June.

More to follow (hopefully tomorrow).

Thanks for the well-wishes, all. I'll get there: flares are par for the course around here

Things I probably should've noticed before now

that the captions for the local news CAPITALIZES certain words. & I've figured out why, too: they're the teleprompter words, and the CAPITALS are telling the anchors which words to punch. I figured it out last night, following this: "A mother of ELEVEN is killed in a hit and run accident." I don't watch the news because it is so upsetting. So this little teaser seemed vulgar, somehow... and just... WRONG.


The flare continues, so that's all I've got for you today.

Tidings of comfort

I'm loathe to leave you all with the impression that my holiday was less than happy: the 2 a.m., Christmas-morning-post-amid-the-drunks was not the sum total of my Christmas experience: Indeed, it was most merry, overall.

However, as is my custom, I am now flaring, so the happy, oh-my-goodness-did-we-have-a-good-time- post will have to wait a bit.

I just wanted to wish you all a happy holiday once again (because, if you are anything like my family, you are certainly still celebrating in some way.) And to assure you all that I my day did improve. Thank you all for your happy thoughts & best wishes.

"It's Christmas... and I'm singing..."

and my dad is driving me crazy. This is neither new or unusual.

Also, I am seriously reconsidering my role as the only teetotaler (of age) in my family. Because being stone cold sober (well, except for my meds, which totally aren't cutting it, painwise) while everybody else is decidedly not?

Is soo much fun.

My favorite thing about drunk people? The repeating: they repeat what they've said, they make you repeat what you said, they tell the same story 52 friggin' times. And it wasn't even funny the first, trust me.

I'm going to enjoy this Christmas, Truly. But right now?

I'm all over this togetherness crap, and probably should go to bed, as other people's drunkenness brings out the mean in me.

--------------------------------------------------

On the other hand, I do hope you have the VERY HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS!

May Santa bring you everything you need/want/deserve.

Love, Never That Easy

There's magic in the air...

There's a special, holiday Postsecret up today.

I'll wish you all a Happy Christmas Eve, and leave you with a Muppet Song:


Muppet Christmas Carol





There's magic in the air this evening
Magic in the air
The world is at her best, you know
When people love and care
The promise of excitment is one the night will keep
After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas

The world has gotta smile today
The world has gotta glow
There's no such thing as strangers
When a stranger says "Hello"
And everyone is family, we're havin' so much fun
After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas

'Tis the season to be jolly and joyous
With a burst of pleasure we feel it all right
It's a season when the Saints can employ us
To spread the news about peace and to keep love alive

There's somethin' in the wind today that's good for everyone
Yes, faith is our hearts today, we're shinin' like the sun
And everyone can feel it, the feelin's runnin' deep
After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas
After all there's only one more sleep till Christmas day

"Oh, What a Wonderful Child"

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Here are my lovelies, in LINE for Santa:




I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

Shiny ...

Be Distracted;



Be Very, Very Distracted!

"How do you measure it's worth...

just by the pleasure it gives here on Earth."

A simple phone call from Youngest Nephew, who I miss so much now that he's not here with us everyday.

Being able to help somebody out, unexpectedly.

Christmas Specials: on TV, on Youtube (Vintage, 80s, Christmas commercials: whatever you want), on hideously jumpy homemade video tapes on their last legs.

Wrapping presents, all day long.

I measure it's been a pretty good day.

How bout you?

Maybe it's much too early in the game...

In response to ProBlogger's Review/Preview challenge, I thought I'd do a little review of my year.

So, here it is: the Hits and Misses of 2006

Hit NaBloPoMo: Requiring more of myself & signing up to post every single day have been really great for me, I think. Not only have more people stopped by to read, but it gives me a great sense of accomplishment to know that I can set & reach this kind of a goal. (Today is day 50, btw.)

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Miss Splashing the teeny-tiniest amount of water on my laptop.

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Hit - Lyrica. This new pill has helped keep my base pain level at it's barely tolerable level (8 out of 10, most days). The fact that I am grateful for an 8/10 is, in itself, quite sad, however the 'keeping things from getting worse' properties of a pill cannot be overlooked in this circumstance.

Miss twelve other drug combinations I've tried this year. 12. I start a new drug tomorrow, though, so we'll all hope it goes in the hit column.

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Hit Adding Baby Girl to our family!

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Miss - The cancellation of The West Wing

Hit - Studio 60

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Hit The Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt - Again, a reachable goal & new visitors added this to the plus column this year. What put it over the top is that it encouraged me to learn more about/play with my digital camera and photo editing software. Something I enjoy, now that I (mostly) know what the hell I am doing.

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Miss Painters Tape - which has failed me to impress me with it's abilities to make Christmas Cards stick to the door or photographs stay straight in their frames.

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Miss My stupid, oversensitive nose. And Tar, in all of it's various forms.


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Hit November & its Democratic Sweep.

Miss No impeachment.

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Miss OnlyBrother & S-T-B SIL moving twice in one year. Particularly since they moved farther away and took YoungestNephew and BabyGirl with them. Not happy about this. Very bad decision on their parts (which they are now regretting, but what good does that do any of us?)

-----

Hit Books. Ah, Books.
(Enough so that I'm planning a whole 2006-book post!)
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Hit Candy Cane Kisses. Seriously, people: must stock up in the event that January actually comes and the store doesn't sell them anymore. Physical harm might occur to any salesperson telling me they are out, otherwise.

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Miss Still not standing up for myself when I should.

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Hit The Daily Show/Colbert Nation dyad.

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Miss Biopsies - 'nuf said.

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Hit Getting along with most of my family, most of the time

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Hit Having lots of new internet-y friends to wish a 'Happy Holiday' to.

That's you, in case you wondered.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God"

When I was younger, I was in my church's Christmas pageant every year for about 5 years running. I started out as an angel, one of the multitudes. We all wore curtains fashioned into robes and wings made out of cardboard, and sang "Glory to God in the Highest" when Sister Eleanor gave us our cue. It was a bit part, certainly, but I got to wear WINGS.

A year or two later, I was moved up to 'head angel:' Generally, this meant I was responsible for corralling all the other, younger angels. I was to keep them from falling off the altar or shoving each other in order to see the Baby Jesus doll.

The year after that, I got my first speaking part: I was still an angel (and by then our costumes had improved so that we were wearing nightgowns instead of curtains, and glitter on our cardboard wings), but now I was an angel with a line! Specifically, I was the angel that Linus talks about in A Charlie Brown Christmas: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were afraid. And the angel (that's me!) said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." That was my big line: "Fear Not! For unto you a Savior is born."
I delivered my line, then headed back to my angelic hordes just in time to take a little cherub to the bathroom. She decided to discard her wings on the way off the altar, where they were later trampled by three wisemen and about 14 shepherds.

Now, I was pretty happy with my part: I liked being in charge of all the younger kids; liked that I had a line, and that I could say it without throwing up all over everybody. But...

I really wanted to be Mary.

The part of Mary wasn't exactly spectacular ~ Mary didn't have much to say; she and Joseph mostly moved along to the beat of the narrator, trudging through the 15 feet in front of the altar & back again as they made the trek to Bethlehem. Her costume wasn't better than mine, certainly: a pillow tied under a blue curtain dress, accented by a white handkerchief tied around her head. Not a wing to be found.

But I still wanted to be her. Because, we all know it: if you're a girl, Mary's the good role.

My final year in the pageant, I'd been a reader on the altar for two or three years (this was before girls could be altar servers, btw: that's only changed in the last 10 years or so); I had been teaching CCD for a while; I filled in at the Rectory when the priests needed someone to answer the phones. In short, I was kind of a church fixture.

And I thought I had Mary's role in the bag.

Our pageant wasn't too big of a deal: we'd rehearse maybe three times in the weeks leading up to the Children's Mass on Christmas Eve. So, when the first week of December rolled around, and the first pageant rehearsal was set, I showed up at the convent, ready and willing to try on the blue curtain.

As I'm sure you've guessed, I didn't get to play Mary that year either. I had, in fact, wound up with the largest role in the whole thing: the narrator. I had to read the entire Christmas story, beginning to end, while others acted out what I recited. And it was an honor. And I was glad to end my Christmas pageant-ing with a bang: my parents & grandparents were so proud; After mass, the priest came and thanked me for doing such a wonderful job; and I did feel really great that I had made it through quite a long passage without incident (trust me, on other days? Incidents galore.). But...

I was still kind of upset that I never got to be Mary.

"I pray on Christmas...

he'll get me through another day."

Because Christmas & CFIDS are kicking my ass, people.

But, bonus, I did finish my shopping today (I think).

Which is good, because I fell out of my chair once today already, and I don't like it when that happens.


Rest, wrapping, rest.

A doc appointment on Wednesday; Baby Girl tomorrow and Thursday; a ton of pictures to scan in the next week, before SisterS comes and takes them home with her; baking, oh, and CHRISTMAS.

So, a few things that gotta get doen this week.

Back to the bonuses: Christmas shopping done. Christmas tree smelling good.

The End.

Fa lalalala la la la la...

Nope, You're Not a Grinch

Although you may feel Grinch-like at times, it's just because you're worn out from the holidays. You get into the holiday spirit more than most people - and you truly enjoy celebrating with your family and friends.

Are You a Grinch?

In case you were wondering.

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

You know, I've never strung popcorn. But we did used to make those construction paper chains every year. And I do love to wrap. Seriously, I could wrap your presents for you, if you weren't so far away.

Your Christmas Song Is

Frosty the Snowman Frosty the Snowman Was a jolly happy soul With a corncob pipe and a button nose And two eyes made out of coal Snowball fights, sledding, and tons of hot chocolate with candy canes. Christmas is all about reliving the adventures of your youth.

What Christmas Carol Are You?

Ok; except that wheelchair + snow = totally stuck. But I'll have the hot chocolate.

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

:Brushes off Wings:

Your Christmas is Most Like: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Christmas is a big, boisterous event at your place. And no matter what, something hilarious usually happens.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

I don't know if 'hilarious' is the right word...

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Puppy

Well - one cute, soft, cuddly puppy... And a very soiled Christmas stocking.

What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?

Ha.

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Blogthings

"The Christmas Shoes" = Annoying

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Here are some other things that fit the bill:

People taking your picture when you obviously do not want your picture taken:









Even though I am totally one of those people: I took this picture of Big/OnlyBrother, Thanksgiving 2000. He does not like to be disturbed while eating.
















Pictures that make you look high, even though you are obviously not (only obviously because SisterJ is 7 and I am 10 in these pictures.)















And people who think, just because we're grown-ups, that we're going to sleep in on Christmas. HA!

On the third day of Christmas...

... my neighbors gave to me:

4th emergency evacuation this year!

Woo hoo!

Am defecting (yet again) to my Grandmother's house, due to smells. This time, the neighbor three houses down has decided to repave their driveway. My house reeks of an odd kerosene/gas smell, and, while my room is ok (with the door closed); I can't even get to the bathroom.

Also, Mum's got a doctor's appointment, so I'd be alone in the house, and if the smell crept under my door, I would have no way of escaping. So, off I go, yet again.

Hopefully, the smell will clear out today, because I still have a ton of stuff to do.
(And I kind of need to be here to do it.)

Off I go!

"They're singing deck the halls

but it's not like Christmas at all."

Because we don't have a tree yet, people. I needs me a tree. I need the smell of the tree, the knowing it's in the other room, all lit up and shiny. I need to hear the slight whir of the mechanical kids sliding down their ornament banister, over and over again. I need to know that all of our names are somewhere on that tree, and that Baby Girl's name will be added this year. These are things I need.

It's not that I'm not Christmasy already (cuz, obviously, I am); it's just that I miss the tree. And if it was something I could do myself? You know it would be up already. But I am not the boss of that, and all of Mum's good intentions have fallen through so far this week.

I'm counting on Saturday, though.

Saturday better equal tree, if these Scrooges know what's good for them.

Oh, I yust go nuts at Christmas

I may have overestimated how much I could get done in a reasonable amount of time this year. (As if I haven't done it every other year?)

I'm doing pretty well with my family, so far:

The two people whose names I drew are getting thoughtful and pretty excellent presents, if I do say so myself. I only need wrapping paper for them.

Youngest Nephew & Baby Girl were easy to shop for, and I only need one more thing for each of them.

Both of my grandmothers are getting 'homemade' gifts from Snapfish: a calendar for one, a small book for the other.

I've got Christmas Kellys for everyone's stockings, as well as all the free stuff I've collected all year. (This is a great tip, btw: I'm a freebie fiend, and I sign up for them all year long. This year I've gotten everything from trial size shampoos & conditioners, to finger puppets, to chewing gum. I collect it all year, and will be able to contribute to the stockings pretty easily.)

That said, though, with 12 days left, not nearly enough of my list is completed:

Oldest Nephew, who I don't know as well, has yet to produce a list. And SisterJ, who was supposed to get some ideas for us, can remember only that "He wants a toy that starts with A... Maybe Avia? Something?" As you can imagine, this is not very useful.

Blogger Ornament Exchange: Hello, this means you have to buy and ship an ornament ASAP, fruit loop. Yeah, I probably should've thought of that before I signed up, right?

Same goes for the Spoonie Secret Santa exchange, from the But You Don't Look Sick messageboards. Must now by and ship Spoonie presents.

*I really want to participate in these things, by the way. I just have to get over the idea of the 'perfect' present, and do my best for each. I already have some great ideas, from reading my BOE blogger's site & my Spoonie's 'about you' page. It's the getting out there to shop now that it's too late to online shop for these presents thing that's a worry.*

I also still need presents for my best friend/ex-college roommate; SisterC & her boyfriend (who declined being included in the swap, b/c they are difficult & let's not even go there, b/c then I will rant about buying presents for people that I don't really like and how impossible it is); & birthday gifts for Mum, SisterC & her boyfriend, Dad & SisterJ (we're in the middle of my family clump, people; everybody but me and the kids has their birthday between November & February).

So, it's split about 60/40 right now. 60% done, 40% to go. Not too bad, but I'd like it to be better.

How about you guys? What's your ratio lookin like?

We three

Rennifej, over at 100 miles from where, had a meme up the other day, and, as we all know, I like to steal them. (PS, if you spell my real name backwards? The beginning of it is a curse word: so Rennifej has one up on me.)

So, here's the Three Meme

Three things that scare me: losing the people I love, never getting better, being too afraid to do something I should do
Three people who make me laugh: Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert (who I am counting as 1, because, to me they are like salt & pepper: Don't spilt them up), Dane Cook, Baby Girl
Three things I love: My family, reading, far away friends
Three things I hate: people who won't do the right thing, being late, not standing up to bullies
Three things I don't understand: the Former-Family-people-upstairs-situation, inequality, why change takes so long
Three things on my desk: my pills, piles & piles, a printer in need of a cord
Three things I'm doing right now: talking to you nice people, listening to a movie, wondering about dinner
Three things I want to do before I die: be well, have kids/grandkids, live on my own
Three things I can do: I can make beautiful flowers out of Playdough/Modeling Clay (and I can make the playdough/clay myself too), play a mean game of Trivial Pursuit, & write strong letters for/against vital issues
Three things you should listen to: Your parents & your kids (as much as possible), something that helps you relax
Three things you should never listen to: bullies, smoke alarms, the majority 'just because'
Three things I'd like to learn: what the hell CFS/ME is, and how to cure it; why people don't make the changes that need to be made on important issues like Global Warming or Iraq; how to decorate a cake
Three favorite foods: White Chocolate, melted cheese, and a perfectly ripe piece of fruit (but not together)
Three beverages I drink regularly: water, tea, root beer
Three TV shows I watched as a kid: Only three? How's about Romper Room, Duck Tales, & Special Delivery (random enough?)