Day After Christmas Rant

Just because I know that I have a weakness for puppies and kittens and bunnies and babies, I can accept that fact, deal with it, and realize that it would not be a good idea for me to go to a "Free Baby Everything" party.

Of course, I am being facetious, but 'tis true that I am a sucker for a baby of any species other than insects.

And my latest is: little fat white puppies.

I like 'em all, poodles, pomeranians, peek-a-poos, etc:





Do I need one? No.

Do I want one? Yes.

Do I understand that I shouldn't get one now? Yes

Should someone give me a hard time about it, make fun of me for it, say that is one of the largest roadblocks to our relationship? NO

But, that was precisely the object of conversation today and the reason that I am not going to the movies this evening and why I am not going to even consider a future with this person. The constant undercurrent of "Me great, You bad" is getting to me.

So, off I go to play with my ridiculous amount of cats and dogs and decide to either become a nun or find a man that has a large farm that won't care how many animals I want... because in reality, I also want an English Angora Rabbit, a cow, some goats, some sheep, peacocks, ducks, chickens, and about 10 more cats and 10 more dogs.

Dammit. The things I choose to have a fit about..... When of course it all comes down to the fact that I will end up not ever remarrying because I'll never be brave enough to do so... it'd take more than a man with a farm to convince me, it'll take someone willing to put up with my false bravado and just insist that I can be brave enough and then actually ask me.

And that certainly doesn't seem to be happening in this decade .

soooo...... I deserve a fat white puppy in the meantime.

All She Wants for Christmas (originally posted to HVTD)

After a long week of Christmas preparation at church and a whirlwind of last-minute shopping, this Christmas Eve has ebbed into the quiet hush of a neighborhood in South Carolina in a warm home where my three teenagers are all fast asleep; with the eldest home from college there is nothing quite like having all the kids under the same roof at the same time. The Christmas lights are still on at every house, and my neighbor's spotlight is on his flag pole as it's been shining ever since he raised his American flag. The stockings have not yet been filled, but it won't be long before I'll be drifting off to sleep, too.

There is no better time for me to find the words to share a story my mother in Maine told me tonight on the phone. She had gone down to my sister and brother-in-law's home for their annual Christmas Eve tradition, a truly Maine meal of lobsters with roast beef for a truly "surf & turf" holiday meal. My family is especially happy this Christmas, as my youngest niece, Maggie, just got engaged to her terrific boyfriend Karl- we met him this summer and truly approve- it'll be nice to have yet another Red Sox fan in the family!

As my far-away family sat around the table, my sister Pammy told everyone the story that another Bath resident had told her about his experience being "Santa" this year at a celebration up town. Her friend is a big guy, and an obvious choice as a Santa. (I won't name names to give his identity away, the real Santa sends out his special friends to help with this job, and prefers them to remain anonymous.) He had the usual request for baby dolls and video games, and since it's Maine, sleds and ice skates topped the list, too.

Then, a wee, tiny little girl walked up to Santa's lap. He looked down at her little face and asked her, "What would you like Santa to bring you this year?"

She looked up at him, and in her sweet little voice whispered, "Peace."

He was speechless for a moment, and then asked, "What did you say, honey?"

"I want peace for Christmas, then my Daddy can come home."

As my sister Pammy told the story, my mom said that there wasn't a dry eye around the table. My own eyes certainly filled with tears just from hearing the story retold.

He went on to tell Pammy that it felt like someone had just reached inside his chest and pulled out his heart. He didn't know what to say, but then finally told the little girl, "I don't know if Santa can do that, but when I get to the North Pole I'll say a lot of prayers for you. It's way up at the top of the Earth so God will be able to really hear me."

As I type this story my eyes are filling once again.

Merry Christmas, little girl that I've never met. I'll say some prayers that you receive that special gift, and that your Daddy and all his fellow soldiers will come home safe and sound.

Silly Little Questions

1. Are you dating the last person you kissed?
Hmm, define "dating".....

2. Pretend you've had 10 beers. What you would be doing right now?
Since I've never drank even a teaspoon full of beer, I suppose I'd really be pretending. Make it 10 glasses of wine, and you'll find me in the bathroom retching horribly.

3. What do you want?
To wake up tomorrow to my house magically clean and organized by little elves. Or really handsome Italian guys.

4. Who was the last person you shared a bed with?
My books, namely "The Red Tent", that's on the top of the stack.

5. Do you talk to yourself?
Yes. Especially when I am counting. That "new math" never really caught on with us kids of the 70's, did it?

6. Do you drink milk straight from the carton?
Eww... milk is yucky enough without drinking it from the carton!

7. Who knows the latest secret about you?
Well, it wouldn't be secret if I wrote it out, would it now.

8. How long is your hair?
BBBS. (bit-below-bra-strap)

9. Do you like Batman?
Only George Clooney!

10. Who was the last person who told you they loved you?
That'd be Dylan.

Hello? Questions 11 and 12??

13. Do you like anyone now?
I like almost everyone I meet.

14. When was the last time you lied?
"Please allow my son, Dylan, to sign himself out of school today to go to the eye doctor." ((see number 10)) He really just got out of the boring parties at school and to be in town early enough to pick up Jade from school... either way, I am cool and got some #10.

15??

16. Is your birthday on a holiday?
Kind of, it's the day that the men landed on the moon... just two years after I was born, however.. July 20th is ALL about the moon, baby.

17. What instant messaging service do you use?
Yelling. or texting.

18.Last thing you cooked today?
Cooked? Ah, that'd be coffee.

19. Did you have a nap today?
No. God, no. Don't I wish!

20. Whose house did you go to last?
The funeral home, does that count? Real house, that'd be Lee's I think.

21. What do you wear more, jeans or sweats?
I only own one pair of sweats, so, that'd be jeans. But I rarely wear those, either.

22. Why is the sky blue?
Sunlight and reflection and I really don't know what else.

23. Do you like green beans?
Yes. They are lovely.

24. Do you swear a lot?
F*#$ yes I do.

25. Where did you get the shirt you're wearing?
Belk's.

Where's question 26?

27. Do you use an alarm clock?
I do; I hate that f*&%ing thing. haha

28. Where was your default MySpace picture taken?
well, yes, I do have one although I am not 15.... it's a chance to connect with the kids I work with, and to send stupid stuff to my friends.

29. Do you ever snort when you laugh?
yes, sometimes!

30. What's the first thing you notice on the opposite sex?
I notice voice, eyes, height, hands. In that order.

31. Is cheating ever okay?
Never.

32. Do you want someone you can't have?
Yes. See number 3.

34. Do you wear underwear?
Not every day, I like my hose and tights to be the only layer when I have them on.....smooth! And comfy!

35. Do you wear a bra?
ALL THE TIME. I read that Marilyn Monroe wore hers except for showers and .... so, I do the same, and let me tell you... it works. Bra>sag.

36. What Size?
What size bra? Heavens! Like I need to say. Pssh.

37. Are you a social or an antisocial person?
I am both. I am an INFP, but I am sometimes very social. But, when I do too much social, I crave alone-time. And vice versa.

39. Do you have a tan?
No, yet I love tans. Horribly stupid to love those, skin cancer and all, but I do love them.

Questions 40-44, and 48 missing in action.

45. Are you afraid of the dark?
Not really, I prefer to sleep in a dark room, but I do love pure sunshine.

And 46!

47. Do you miss someone today?
I wish my mom lived closer.

49. Do you still have pictures of you & your exs?
Probably in the photo albums, we were married for 10 years and had 3 children, after all!

50. Who's always there for you no matter what?
My Mama.

A Poem for the Living

It's been almost a year now; this poem was just sent to me tonight, and it was the same one read at Dad's funeral. Viewing it made me cry, which is good... I needed to.

http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/

It's powerful- please take time to view it.