The Annual Telling of the Christmas Story

I look forward to it every year.

Picture this: My family is sitting around in a state of deep satiation. Our bellies are full of egg nog, banket (a Dutch almond pastry), and Santa Cookies. Looking around, I see shreds of Christmas wrap and ribbon everywhere I look. The gift opening orgy is over for another year, the kids all got what they wanted from the jolly fat guy, and the rushing around is finally over. Time for the adults to pour a glass of champagne, take a deep breath, and reflect on another year gone by.

Inevitably, this reflection leads my sister and I to remember a past Christmas when we were also engaged in the act of charging our flute glasses with a bit of the holiday bubbly. This was a Christmas held in her previous house where the bathroom was located just off the dining room. The dining room buffet was fitted out nicely with the makings for mimosas and true to our natures, we gravitated toward that location.

So, we're standing near the buffet, talking of this and that, when out of the corner of my eye, I sort of notice that our Grandmother is ducking into the restroom to take care of a little business. I only register this on the periphery of my consciousness, my focus being on conversing with my sister. A couple minutes later, I see my husband of the time (now my ex and a dear friend) heading toward the bathroom. You sort of have to know my ex to get the full measure of the moment. He's very, shall we say, "socially conscious". What I mean by that is he'll do just about anything to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation, stick out in a crowd, etc. Are you with me so far? Good.

My sister and I both see my ex heading toward the bathroom. In retrospect, our champagne fuzzed brains combined with the horror of what we were seeing must have affected our reaction time. Personally, I experienced the moment in a series of mental snapshots; "Hey, Grandma's in there! *click*, I've got to prevent this! *click*, if he goes in there, he's not going to see anything good *click*, in fact, it could be really really bad *click*, he'll be scarred for life! *click*, Grandma will die of embarrassment! *click*, I have to stop this! *click*

And yet, my feet remained rooted to the floor in horror and I couldn't make my mouth work. In my head, I'm shouting "Nooooooooooooooo!" but no sound is coming out. Time seems to expand, warp, and then snap back into real time again. My ex opens the door..................Grandma half stands up, sits back down, looks both ways, starts to stand up again but realizes her position and sits back down. My ex stammers Oh, sorry! and shuts the door immediately. The worst, the absolutely unthinkable has happened while my sister and I just stood there and watched it unfold.

And what do we do? We start to laugh. We laugh and laugh and laugh until our stomach muscles hurt and then we laugh some more. Over subsequent years, we've never stopped laughing. This is one of those family stories that has taken on the quality of legend and we retell it every year, laughing just as hard as ever. OK, so maybe that makes us not very nice people but it can't be helped. Like my ex likes to say, "It is what it is". Dude, whatever lets you sleep at night.

Merry Christmas everybody!

And the winner for Cutest Bunny is.....

Aubrey the Holland Lop!

(And it's easy to see why!)

We are currently working on the designation of "smartest bunny" as well. So far, Aubrey has mastered the command "up" and is doing very well with the command "come". She's a sucker for a piece of dried apple or a blueberry (who isn't)!

Signs that Indicate Summer is Over

I've been in serious denial that summer is really over. In fact, until just a couple of days ago, I have been driving around with my trunk full of beach gear (umbrella, chair, towels, etc). I guess I thought that as long as that stuff was in my trunk, summer wasn't actually over yet.

Anyway, I've finally had to come to terms with reality - the evidence is all around me! Here are some signs that indicate Summer is really over for this year:

1. Cardigans are making a regular appearance in my wardrobe again.
2. I switched to the fleece bathrobe.
3. The down comforter is back on the bed.
4. I've said "Brrrrr" every day for 5 days straight.
5. I've had the first fireplace fire of the season.
6. Frost on my car windows!
7. I've put away the bronzer and got out the blush. Ditto lipgloss and lipstick.
8. Use of warm bunny rabbit as hand warmer.
9. Less ice water - more hot tea!
10. Ice cream doesn't sound good anymore.
11. I'm starting to ponder my Christmas list.
12. We are deep into football season!

Bye for now summer! See you next year at the beach!

New Craft Experience

I have this long narrow window by my front door that I didn't know WHAT to do with. At night, its kind of creepy thinking that people could be peeking in through this window. So I thought blinds? - No, that would look silly. Tension curtain? - No, too old and tired. Then I thought "Hey! How about stained glass?!?!" PERFECT!!

I called my Mom who has experience with stained glass and enlisted her help. She came for the weekend and brought all her tools and expertise. We purchased the glass at a local art glass store and went to work. And.....about a week ago it was finally completed and installed.

Voila!

The colors are a little washed out in the photo but it's the best I could get. They are from top to bottom: brown, gold, blue, red, and gray. I think it turned our really well and it's a funky combo of vintage and modern because it's so graphic and simple but uses vintage style materials.

Also, the wall around this door, which is currently green, will soon be painted blue.

What do you think?

Bunny Love

Meet Aubrey, my adorable new Holland Lop bunny.

Who would have thought a fickle 5 Lb bundle of fur would totally enslave my heart?

I Am The One Who Makes A Brighter Day So Let's Start Giving (la, la, la)........

You are the World
Completion, Good Reward.
The World is the final card of the Major Arcana, and as such represents saturnian energies, time, and completion.
The World card pictures a dancer in a Yoni (sometimes made of laurel leaves). The Yoni symbolizes the great Mother, the cervix through which everything is born, and also the doorway to the next life after death. It is indicative of a complete circle. Everything is finally coming together, successfully and at last. You will get that Ph.D. you've been working for years to complete, graduate at long last, marry after a long engagement, or finish that huge project. This card is not for little ends, but for big ones, important ones, ones that come with well earned cheers and acknowledgements. Your hard work, knowledge, wisdom, patience, etc, will absolutely pay-off; you've done everything right.
What Tarot Card are You?

Take the Test to Find Out.

Stick A Fork in This Kitchen 'Cause It is DONE!

Here it is! The first completed room in the house!

I went with a red and white color scheme to showcase my vintage red & white milk glass collection. The white bead board was already up in the room which was convenient. Also, the large amount of white in the room really allowed me to go bold with this red. Beneath the custom valance is a freshly installed mini-blind for privacy.

Normally, there will be a vintage table cloth on this table (my other vintage collectable passion). However, it was either iron the cloth, or take pictures before I lost the light. The rug represents a large and angst-ridden search for the perfect floor covering to define the eating area. I was so happy with the way this sisal rug adds another natural element to the room.

Blinds on slider to the deck were just installed on Labor Day. They haven't even lost that new blind smell yet!

Afore mentioned milk glass collectables on display.

Refrigerator and pantry. OK, probably not that exciting to anyone but me.

More stainless steel appliances shown here as well as my Martha Stewart Everyday Food cookbook collection (I am a charter subscriber and these are not only useful but add a "pop" of color to this corner).

I love how these blinds carry over the pattern established by the bead board.

Well, that's the tour! Hope you enjoyed this first "reveal". More to come (hopefully soon)!

Can you tell I watch a lot of HGTV?

Random Observations

I'm happy to report that I had my review today at work and it was a good one. That's always a relief - now I'm good for another 6 months! Then, I answered a question in a training class and won chocolate. That's really all I ask out of my work day - positive feedback and chocolate. So........Check and Check!

I went for my second beach trip last weekend and had a great time. Big Red Ice Cream shop - YOU ROCK!!! The beach was windy but fabulous. My sister and I did the "mind meld" thing and beat the pants off everyone at Taboo. Guess they won't let us play together again until the memory of their humiliating defeat fades a bit. Oh well, it was TOTALLY worth it.

My sister gave me yarn and needles and I'm going to try knitting a sock. I wonder if I will also get hooked. I wonder if it will even turn out looking like a sock. Guess we will have to wait and see.

This coming labor day weekend will be spent painting the dining room and living room. I'll try to do some before and after pix to post. Also, it is Chicago Jazz Festival - YAY!!! If you go on Sunday, you just might see me.

So how may mosquito bites do YOU have?

Holy cow - are the mosquitoes bad this year or what? I spent all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday moving so the doors were open a lot and now I have about 2,096 mosquitoes living INSIDE the house. I'm already about a quart low due to all the vampires...I mean doctors in my life and these buggers are taking the rest. I'm kind of a freak about chemicals now that the big "C" has entered my life so bug foggers are out. Guess I'm going to have to hunt every one of the little suckers down myself and smoosh them. All I have on my plate right now is working full time, packing, unpacking, interior decorating, painting, lawn and garden care, shopping, laundry & ironing, and cleaning. So hey, what's another little project or two? (Yes, that was sarcasm you were hearing).

The moving is going pretty well so far but OMG is it a lot of work!!! The Comedian has been working very hard though - I have to give him big credit. We accomplished a lot this weekend. I just had one minor freak out episode when I was at his place and saw all the piles of junk that he has to go through. After I breathed into a paper bad for a couple of minutes, the little silvery stars went away and I was OK again. "Clean Sweep", where are you when I need you?

Summer Fun

Holy cow - does work cut into one's blogging time, or what? Actually, my cookies became disabled somehow and I forgot my password for a while. I'm choosing to blame chemo brain but the root cause is probably technological retardation.

So, we're deep into summer now and I've already had my first beach weekend in Michigan. It was so great - I learned what the latest lipstick and nail colors are and how to correct self tanning mistakes (Glamour and Allure magazines) and read "Men are like Mocha Lattes" by Lisa Summers and listened to the audio book "Fearless Fourteen" by Janet Evanovich with my Mom. Not a shred of mind-improving material was perused! Also, besides my Mom, I got to spend some quality time with Bammer, The Chief, and Numbers 3, 4, and 5. I went to my favorite breakfast place twice and got a little T-rashed at a local brewery one evening. All in all, a very satisfying weekend.

Now I'm about to embark on the next adventure: moving. This will be especially delightful because I had surgery on my leg in January and it still hurts quite a bit. I'm talking, I can barely haul my ass up the stairs! Now, I think I'm going to haul my ass AND all my worldly goods too! Dare to dream. Also, I'm moving in with someone who is a bit of a pack rat - we'll call him "The Comedian" henceforth. I, on the other hand, am something of an obsessive neat freak. This should make for some entertaining blog entries in the future so stay tuned!

Have a great 4th of July everyone!

Scenes From The Hood

The following are scenes from a sunny Saturday walk in May.

Lilacs alway make me remember.... (joke that probably only my Mother will get)

I loved this chartreuse tree. Spring colors are awesome!

Can you spot the tiny person gardening in this picture?

The gorgeous colors of nature.

This tree could not look more beautiful even in the fall.

Wouldn't it be fun to stand under this tree while white petals showered down on you?

Nothing like the vivid color of iris in the bright sunshine!

I like that cops live in this neighborhood.

This homeowner is really into landscaping - there's even a water feature!

This is Cubs country, baby!

Spring's harbinger.

I wonder if they'd let me sit and swing for a while.

I love tulips. Some of my peeps don't understand it.

OK, it's May 17th dude - no one wants to look at your snow plow! WTF!

I love purple flowers.

Yeah! More tulips!!!!

The tulips that belong to the neighbor guy who fixed up his garage like another room in the house and hangs out in it three seasons of the year.

Bed of purple flowers in 2 shades.

Pretty birch with plantings beneath.

This was a great walk and a great day to be alive!

The Mouse Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

Check out the picture I drew today with my new Genius MousePen! Admittedly, these are humble beginnings, and you would not believe how long it took me to do it, but hey, who knows where this will lead?

It's pretty fun too.

Ready to Hit the Beach!

Thought I'd show off my new tankini by doing mix & match outfits a la Glamour magazine.

Here's the much wished for, long awaited tankini that I will be rockin' on the Michigan beaches this summer. Note the coordinating accessories (no surprise to those who know me).


Here is the tankini with capris for when I want a little more coverage.

And here's the outfit with a jacket thrown over for when it gets a little chilly.

Will I be a fierce, fabulous, fashionista this summer, or what? Now all I need to do is pick out this year's beach read and I'm good to go!

Oh Yeah, You Know You Want 'Em

As promised, here are the socks I recently received as a birthday gift from Bammer. These are hand knit socks, mind you, using the following fibers from left to right: Tofutsies, Alpaca, Cashmere/Wool blend. Slip these babies on and your feet say "Oooohoohoo!" Oh it's good....don't kid yourself.

Also notice that they are sort of Easter egg colors which is fun because today is Easter. Happy Easter everyone!! I ate the foot off a chocolate bunny today first thing (remember I told you chocolate almost always factors into any occasion).

Yeah, this birthday thing is a pretty good deal. Next post will feature my new swimsuit, another gift that arrived in the mail this past week.

Hey Bammer, I also have daffodil nubbins in my yard! I didn't bother writing an ode to them, however, because there is no way I could top yours. You really have become quite an accomplished poet. I'm so proud!

We say "Hello" but Spring says "Goodbye"

Well, today was gorgeous in the Chicago suburbs. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and it was so warm I had to shed my coat this afternoon. It was all just as it should be on the first day of spring. But...............tonight they are predicting 6 to 8 inches of snow. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT???? I can't take it anymore! One more snow storm is just going to push me over the edge, I swear. What is up with Mother Nature and why is she so pissed at us? Enough is enough already! What ever we did to make you mad Mother Nature, we're totally sorry! Now bring us some sunshine and blue skies PDQ! Geez!

OK, I feel better now (at least until tomorrow morning when I wake up and find all that freakin' snow on the ground!!!).

Thanks, Dogquilter, for your nice comment on yesterday's post. I'm glad to hear you also opt for the extended birthday celebration.

Today, I received three pairs of hand knit socks in the mail from my sister. Am I totally lucky or what? I will post a picture this weekend so you can all feast your eyes on the socky gloriousness and envy me sufficiently. I also received the package containing my new tankini from Land's End (also a birthday gift). I am SO dreaming of lazy days on the beach with a good book and a stack of trashy beauty magazines. When they say to "go to your happy place" that's where I go every time.

A Month Long Birthday Extravaganza

I have been spending most of the entire month of March celebrating my birthday. Why limit the festivities to just one day is what I say!

As you can see, I take a very casual, low key approach to this whole thing. But, after all, it's not every day that a girl turns 29 (but it IS every year)!

Last weekend, I cooked a special birthday celebration dinner. I've been going out to eat a lot too but I also love to cook for special occasions so I decided to do my Martha thing. On the menu was:

1. Chicken roasted with lemon, onion, rosemary, and sage.

2. Haricots Verts Almondine.

3. Tri-colored baby potatoes.

4. Chocolate Ganache Torte.

The dinner was served on my very favorite vintage table cloth. Can you say "yummy!" (I knew you could.)

Also (not pictured) was shopping for clothes and shoes. What more could a girl want?!? Thanks to Jenny Craig, I am currently rockin' a size 6 sizes smaller than what I wore this time last year. Yes, that's SIX sizes smaller - this is not a misprint! That makes shopping a whole heck of a lot more fun, I can tell you!

All in all, it's been a pretty awesome birthday month!

Family Update: Dr. Gitelis says "It's All Good"

I spent the day at Rush University Hospital today. I got to see an X-ray of my leg (plate installed on January 3rd) and it looks like a big spider with a very flat back. Totally freaky! Anyway, Dr. Gitelis says there is no sign of cancer from the pelvis on down and everything looks like it's healing well. He can't say how long this rehabilitation process will take .......but he DOES predict that when it is all said and done, I will regain full function. WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Can't happen soon enough for me, I can tell you! The weather is starting to get nicer and I want to get back to taking my nice long walks. Physical therapy continues to go well - I started PT with a 90 degree bend in my knee and as of today, I'm up to 102 degrees. As a comparison, the good leg can bend 130 degrees so I have a ways to go but yay for the progress!

A Public Service Announcement

AFTER YOU USE THIS:

USE THESE:

That splatter on the bathroom mirror is just gross.

Seriously.

Bath & Body Products Addiction

DO YOU THINK I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM?

I'm just asking...

The Smell of Purple

I have read the connection between the sense of smell and memory is the strongest of all sensory connections and I believe it! Here is a perfect example - when I was pretty young, I had several Kologne Kiddles that I LOVED, particularly Violet (pictured here). I can clearly remember sitting in the back seat of my Mom's car, entertaining myself by opening the bottles and smelling the little dolls inside. Whenever I think of it I actually feel like I'm there again which isn't very common for me. Somehow in my child's brain, I connected the smell of Violet the Kologne Kiddle with the color purple and 30+ years later, when I think of how purple should smell, this is it.

As an adult, the memory of these early toys has stayed with me and it always seemed like it was an experience from the past that could never be re-captured. However, thanks to the magic of Ebay, I was able to own Violet for a second time. It was unbelievable to open the bottle and experience the "smell of purple" again so many years later. Connecting with your childhood self as an adult can be a very powerful thing.

Laziness is Under-rated

Who besides me just LOVES to hang out in their pajamas until at least noon on Saturday. There's got to be many who do this and they are definitely on to something good. I'm sure that once the weather gets warmer, I'll be out there enjoying it much earlier in the day but for now, I'm reveling in my inertia. To do it right, you must have the following:

1. A thick and cozy fleece bathrobe (I like Land's End's version).
2. Cuddly cashmere socks (mine are hand knit by my sister - you are on your own there).
3. Shearling scuffs - one of the greatest inventions of all time and useable almost all year round.
4. A great coffeemaker (goes without saying).

Optional items that will enhance the experience are:

1. A cozy fire.
2. A great Book or magazine.
3. Chocolate (chocolate almost always makes the list regardless of topic).
4. A scented candle.

Yes, I do tend to be a bit of a hedonist but is that necessarily a bad thing??? I think not.

Well, I'm off to pour another cup of coffee and dive into the March issue of Martha Stewart Living (the special gardening issue!). Life is good.

My Sister Would Be So Proud

OK, so I'm a little technologically retarded. Truthfully, it's mostly been due to lack of interest. However, I've been reading my sister's blog and it looked like fun so I decided to try it. So, now I've just been slam dunked into the 21st century. It's strange here - the colors are brighter and everything smells different but the air appears to be breathable. I should acclimate soon.

The first hurdle was to think of a name and a title. This is always a tough one for me. Everything always sounds either dumb or pretentious. Anyway, In case you were wondering I call myself SexyThroughAdversity and call my blog "The Queen Knows Best" all because of a line from Queen Latifah's version of "Mercy Mercy Mercy" (The Dana Owens Album). She says "You gotta stay sexy through the adversity" and I've kind of adopted that as my personal mantra lately (more on why later....baby steps/get on the bus).

Today my car broke down and that SUCKED!!! But the good news is the fix is not going to be that expensive. The bad news is I don't get my car back until Monday. Have you ever noticed that good news and bad news almost always hang out together - what is that about?

My other issue today is how to get rid of cigarette smoke from a house - I Googled it and have been reading the hits. Sounds like vinegar, baking soda, and a lot of elbow grease - maybe an ozone machine if you're desperate. If anyone has any other suggestions, all are welcome.

That's it for now. (How'd I do, sis?)