I've noticed, moreso this year than any other, that people are getting ready for Christmas early. Like, I have seen at least four houses in and around our neighborhood that had their outdoor lights operational waaay before Thanksgiving. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it's how their schedule worked out, or maybe it's because T-Day was late this year. ( Read more... )

Today, I went to church.


The look on my cat's face when I told him where I was headed this morning.My family last set foot in a church during the third Punic War, so it's safe to say I'm no regular. (Honest version: I played in a Baptist orchestra during high school; before that, when I was ten, my parents valiantly tried to Do The Right Thing by ( Read more... )

Is it Spring break? Are you too broke to travel? Do the stereotypical Spring break shenanigans (any combination of alcohol, beaches, and gorgeous women in terrifying bikinis will work here) make you reach for a paper bag to breathe into? If so, do what I do: embark on the most frustrating, time-consuming, nit-picky craft project conceivable ( Read more... )

The last time Dad traveled for work was when I was in grade school. (He went to south Florida and brought me back a Tweety Bird t-shirt ( Read more... )

For those of you who are unaware: yes, it is still cold in Florida. In fact, it is so cold that our county schools have been closed today and tomorrow due to potential snow and icy roads. And there are icicles. In my 26 years of being awesome, I don't think I've ever seen one of these babies in real life.


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For those of you betting on whether I could finish the Troll's Christmas present by December 25th, take note: you owe me money.


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This year was definitely the Best Birthday Ever.

What makes it the BBE? I'd say it's the little things, like... seeing the Troll several times this week.

And... having someone cook for me.

And... Mom giving me a bag of wrapped gifts. Yes, with paper and tape! (We haven't wrapped presents in years. Usually they stay in the store bags; the bags ( Read more... )

The outside Christmas tree I threatened my mother with has finally come to fruition! Sadly, we couldn't place the tree in our front yard because of neighborhood cats (the whole point is not to get birds brutally murdered). So we decided to place it in the backyard instead, where cats won't venture due to the dogs ( Read more... )

On Saturday evening, I wrapped presents in front of our plug-in fireplace. It wasn't exactly a chestnut-roasting experience, but you make do with what you have, and sometimes what you have is a 60 watt bulb and plastic logs ( Read more... )

This morning, the parental units ambushed me with requests to join them for an adventure. Apparently, the adventure was a chicken show at the fair grounds. Like any sane person, I hesitated-but they bribed me with promises of breakfast and coffee, which is the trump card to trump all trump cards. My loyalty was thus secured ( Read more... )