Another SNL Episode of "Laser Cats"

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." 

That's only because mama had to be taken to the ER for a migraine and was drugged outta her gourd so my sweet kiddos were keeping the noise level very low. So much for my relaxing day off to bake a couple pies, make my favorite cranberry salad, and prepare for Christmas day. I did manage to get the presents wrapped and my last minute shopping done before that tiny atomic bomb exploded in my head and proceeded to shut my body down for the day. A bigger, "Oh my God, Thank you!" goes to my sister for being my driver and babysitter for the afternoon. I'm so thankful that she isn't squeamish. (Thank you Sissy, I owe you).

Soooo, my philosophical, reminiscent Christmas Eve post that I had mentally prepared was thwarted and replaced with well,... this: Me fighting to shake my drug induced stupor to stay awake while propped up in a chair, curled up with my sister's cat while trying to watch the kids exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve not knowing if I would be able to wake up at some point later to put their gifts under the tree. (Which I did at exactly 11:50pm).  I was even coherent enough to tell Syd to get back in bed when I heard her snooping around the tree at 3:30 in the morning. You truly would have loved reading it too! Oh well, maybe next year.

Meet Hazel

Topping Gen's Christmas list this year was: "Girl Kitty." She was very specific that she wanted to pick "her" out and if I got her nothing else, she really wanted a kitten. She had been window shopping at the Humane Society for weeks and finally found a little girl to put her name on; Hazel. Another family had also put their name on her and they had until 6pm last Friday to pick her up. By the end of the day Saturday Hazel was in our home. She is not a kitten, in fact she is about 4 years old but this is the pet that touched Gen's heart and Hazel is living it up now.

One project down, 57 more to go.

I am convinced that DIY is a home improvement Utopia. They describe a project in a perfect world given no unexpected variables leaving you with the delusion that you can indeed do-it-yourself in half a day. After some plumbing alterations and some additional flooring, this simple task took a day and a half complete with multiple trips to the hardware store. Oh DIY, you won't fool me so easily next time!

Ugliness before...

Prettiness after.

Countdown to 2011

This year has been partially blemished from the start with a whole series of half-hearted celebrations; birthdays, holidays, etc. due to dad being gone. All of those "firsts" are finally coming to an end with the close of 2010 and I know those events will just get easier with time. This week I have been plagued with a seemingly endless string of nightmares that Freud with have an absolute field day interpreting. My family was dealing with so many dynamics last year at this time so I guess it's normal though annoying for my subconscious to relive some of that. It is, right? Ugh. Anyway, the countdown to 2011 has begun and next year is already shaping up to be extraordinary; one full of new, joyous, "firsts."

I'm ready. Bring it on!

Once a year I try to visit one of my favorite cities; Nashville. Nothing compares to Southern hospitality and all that good Southern food. We had plotted out the places we really wanted to go to eat because let's face it; that's the best part of getting away. However, after a few days I really couldn't wait to get back home so I would stop over indulging and feeling slightly miserable. Every morning we started our day by walking up the block to a little place on Union Street for a big country breakfast and the best Bloody Mary's in town. A huge plate of caramelized banana pancakes will zap your ambition in a heartbeat, but they were SO worth it! 

Titans vs Colts 12-9-2010

The Titan's were in town taking on the Colts for a Thursday night game and while I was cheering for the Titans, I loved watching Manning do his thing. The NFL Network pre-game show was set up right in front of our seats and the next day I was completely torked when I saw that Peyton had joined them after the game.

Opryland Hotel 2010

The Opryland Hotel this time of year is one of my favorite places and I wanted to be sure we made the effort to get over there. It just reopened in November after being damaged by the flood and it didn't look any different. It is just as breathtaking as usual. When Gentry was very little we stayed in this hotel one night for a Monday night game. After that she just assumed all "O'tels" had dancing fountains and would cry whenever we stayed somewhere else thinking we were holding out on her. A three year old just doesn't understand that The Hampton doesn't have dancing  fountains! 

West JH Choir Winter Concert

"I wanna eat my turkey like a Barbarian!"