Wow, Christmas was such a blur of activity, I don't even know where to start. But based on comments from my Grandmother and Aunt Diane, the family is waiting with bated breath for my journal's "review" of the holiday. I think my Granddad and Aunt Di both took some great digital pics, and I'll try to post them when I get them.

So here is the long summary<

TUESDAY, The EVE

Arrived in West Palm on Christmas Eve to Aunt Di & Granddad (thanks for not sending a car! It was so nice to be greeted by someone you love!) and fed a wholesome meal of my favorite salad.

WEDNESDAY, The Day

Christmas Day I woke up early enough to watch Allie and Lauren excitedly open presents. Allie got horseback riding lessons for Christmas. I am so jealous - that's second best thing to actually getting that pony that goes on the list every year. Then we had my favorite breakfast in the world (involving smoked fish and bagels - yum, Boca!). I got a hammock and a picture of the Yardley duck pond for my wall and many books for Christmas. And power tools (arg arg arg). No bras or spatulas. Just what I wanted.

For Dinner, we went to the Mai Tai - which is like the pinacle of tacky Florida tourist stuff. I had a SHRUNKEN SKULL as my pre-dinner cocktail . My mom had a flaming coffee and several had drinks in pinapples with little unbrellas. And yes, we watched a performance of hula dancers, flame throwers, and other random tales from the South Pacific. My family is so weird (in a good way!).

THURSDAY

The next day we were all recovering. And I saw a movie (Catch Me if You Can - which I enjoyed). It was a good day to sleep and read. Actually, I finally finished "His Dark Materials", the supposedly children's books by Philip Pullman (way too dark and allegorical to be that, but still). I highly recommend them, they were riveting (seriously, I had a hard time putting them down).

FRIDAY

I took Allie and Cody to Magic Kingdom at Disney World. I have never been in such huge crowds. Ever. But we got to go in the Haunted House and on Its a Small World, so life was good. And I had kids along so I looked like I actually belonged at Disney. I'm just a cool cousin - how many people get a trip to Disney World from their cousin for Christmas!? Enough Said.

SATURDAY

Saturday was hang with the friends day. Its always so great to see my high school friends. I wish I could spend more time with them -- maybe if I ever move to D.C. (which is now on my Top-5-places to live list) I'll have more opportunity. Anyway, we went to Italian for lunch and stayed for several hours (I was so full). Then went to Melissa's house (Sharon is in Tanzania - how random! She's on a safari looking at elephants Right Now) to see her ugly alien like cats and her mother's poodle (yappy and pampered - aptly named "Princess"). Then I went back to Maayan's house (oh my gosh - her little brother is so TALL) and we socialized (I need to call Maayan and chat with her more often - she rocks and she gets bonus points for reading this journal - how cool! I even saw Nitzan for the first time in years, and she's still too smart for her own good.).

I went home for a couple hours to spend quality time with my mom.

Then back out with the friends to a new coffee shop with live music. As it turns out the music was awful, and it looked like a gathering place for very unhappy divorcee couples (I doubled the tip for the waiter, cause he was cute and I figured if you had to work in a place like that every night you'd want to commit suicide). Then we went to play pool until midnight. Melissa and Nitzan and I were playing on the "lousy player" table - it took us hours to play just three games :).

SUNDAY

Sunday was one last family gathering then home. I totally didn't want to come home - I love vacation. But at least there is fun to be had this week, Irwin is in town, and we have 1.5 days off work and I have a new house to decorate. Yippee!!

It is so quiet, I think I am going to go insane, and its only 9:30. My whole group is not here. Well, George just came in, which brought me back from the brink of insanity, but just barely. I think the problem isn't really that its a quiet day (sometimes you get the most done on a quiet day). Its that it is Christmas week and I just really don't want to be at work today. I need to come up with a task list for today of small, easily accomplished tasks to make me happy as I cross things off my to-do list. That will make me feel better.

Someone is advertising a new litter of lab/border collie puppies on the swap shop... I must resist getting a second dog! Especially a puppy (Seriously, I really don't want a second dog right now - one is more than enough, and if I foster others occasionally, well, that's ok too, but no permanent second creature to take care of!).

I can't wait to go home. I totally feel like I'm missing the party.

I am acting as plant and cat sitter for all the lucky people who have already gone home. Ivan the amaryllis is absolutely gorgeous, with two huge flowers in bloom and one more bud that could open any minute. I wish amaryllis bloomed all year, then it would be the perfect accent piece of decoration. I was worried for a while that Ivan wouldn't make it to bloom, as his two-foot stalk was making him top-heavy, and his bulb was rolling around in the pot. Anyway, I just put more dirt on top the seal him into his pot. Now Ivan is stable and strong instead of rolly-polly.

The cat is even funnier to watch. Tang does NOT understand that he terrifies Apache, and thus spends a great majority of the day hissing at my frightened pup. Most of the time, Tang stays in the bathroom, though, which is where Kennda created a makeshift home for him in her absence. Anyway, on Saturday morning I went to the bathroom to let Tang out, and there is no Tang to be found!

Let me make this clear - I lost Tang! I looked in her crate, in the bathtub, etc. No Tang. Kennda is going to kill me. Then I looked all around the house (maybe I somehow forgot to put Tang in the bathroom before I went to bed). No Tang. Anyway, finally I opened up one of the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, and there is one traumatized cat who managed to get himself into the cabinet but couldn't get the door opened to get out. Stupid cat.

The List

The kitchen is mostly unpacked (the countertops are cleaned, clutter free, etc.). My bathroom is unpacked. My bedroom is mostly unpacked. The study is still a disaster area (despite the fact that I've unpacked most of my books and taken out the empty boxes). My washing machine is still leaking from the water hose (despite the fact that I replaced it with a new hose) - I think its just because I'm a weakling and haven't screwed the hose on tight enough. The house still looks completely trashed with stuff though. I really want to hang pictures. That will make me feel better about it too!

I have been at work way too long already. I picked Sarah up to take her to the airport at 5:30 a.m. I am definitely having a hard time keeping my eyes open. I wish I were leaving on vacation today. Luckily today will be a short day - we're having our division lunch. Then afterwards there is the unofficial branch Hooters party - I have yet to decide if I really want to go. Too bad there are only 3 other women who work in my branch (and the two ones my age have already gone on vacation), or it would've been tempting to have a counter-party with sissy-fuzzy-pink-girly drinks.

For a short (EXCEEDINGLY SHORT) moment, I am going to allow President Bush to be my favorite President, because he just signed an Executive Order giving me half a day off on Christmas eve. It entertains me how my holiday schedule is governed by Executive Order.

The List

There is no list today. After I went out to dinner, I went home and vegged out and enjoyed my big new house.

An elf for me.

Two Towers gets Two Thumbs Up from me. I love Legolas. Is it wrong of me to fall for a fictional elfin warrior?

This morning I played Battleship (Electronic Talking Battleship, to be exact) with Uriel, the kid I'm tutoring. Since its Christmas week, he only had about 10 minutes of homework to do. I think I had as much fun as he did.

The List

I am the Queen of the Disposal. My friends and co-workers doubted my abilities. But after unscrewing a scant 4 screws, I managed to disassemble most of the pipes under my sink, find the clog, remove it (and clean the pipes for good measure) and return everything to normal operating condition. All in less than 30 minutes. Man, am I glad I didn't pay to have someone to come in and do that for me. I am the bomb!

Pippin: What about breakfast?

Strider: We’ve already had it.

Pippin: We've had one yes. What about second breakfast?

Merry: Don't think he knows about second breakfast Pip.

Pippin (alarmed): What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them doesn’t he?

I watched the uncut, deleted scene version of Fellowship of the Ring last night. Tonight: The Two Towers. Whoo hoo! Actually, I have to admit, I'm not as excited as most of the cultish fans, but I'm excited enough. Last year, I saw Fellowship with Granddad (who gave it a definitive thumbs down) right after returning from Switzerland. I've been back a year. A YEAR! Time goes so fast.

The List

Replaced the hose to the washing machine (it was leaking). Unpacked a couple more boxes. Discovered that my drain (the one with the disposal) is COMPLETELY clogged up. Tried running it for a while, no luck. Tried advanced DRANO, no luck. Any suggestions on what I should do now to get my sink to drain? Should I call a plumber or handyman? Please, let me know!

	You are Fozzie! Wokka Wokka! You love to make lame jokes. Your sense of humor might be a bit off, but you're a great friend and can always be counted on..
Take the What Muppet Are You? Quiz!

I'm feeling really crappy about my job right now. Not that I don't love what I do and I'm not proud of what I accomplished. And I certainly wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world to run IMAC (not that I was even offered that option anyway). I just finished getting lectured by my father about how when I go home at night, I can go jogging and have a life. And when he goes home at night (and what he "has to prepare my son, the heir apparent of IMAC, whether you like it or not to do"), he has to think about how he's going to make payroll in two weeks, and how 20 families depend on him for food, and how he's going to pay that nice man in Canada who dad has known since he's been 15 years old $15,000 so he'll keep doing business with IMAC for another 30 years and make the decision if he should pay that or write a check for Nick's next semester. It made me feel really guilty until I remember he was out shopping for 60" plasma tv's last weekend (value: $12,000).

In case I haven't mentioned it before, my father is a salesman, and he's very convincing and persuasive (even when I can think of a hundred arguments against what he's saying). Which of course, makes me feel really crummy and makes me feel that what I do is completely unimportant (who really cares anyway what the cross range requirement should be for a new space plane? or whether there is one chance in a million of a piece of debris hitting your re-entering space ship?). It makes me wish I could see a more direct impact of what I do on other people's lives.

Obviously, that wasn't the whole focus of our conversation. We were really talking about my brother's irresponsibly and poorly-chosen holiday plans. But I have no control over that, except to exercise my own form of pursuasion (definitely inherited!) to convince my brother to visit everyone in the family rather than pick sides.

The List

Shower rod, replacement toilet seat lids (this time they fit), a shampoo dolly, AND I unpacked 95% of my clothes and stocked the 'fridge (my new, beautiful, ice making fridge). Oh, and discovered I was more poor than I thought.

Friday was cookie-party night. Then a midnight show of Star Trek Nemesis, which I really enjoyed! I was exhausted when I finally got home though.

I spent all Saturday packing. I had a great sendoff, because it was boat-parade night. And I watched fireworks over the lighthouse. Then I watched the boats go by all lit up, it looked like the Disney electrolight parade

The move yesterday was very successful. Its amazing how fast and effeciently you can get things done with so many helpful pairs of hands (I am so grateful that tons of people came out to help me). Basically, the vast majority of my stuff is now in my house.

Now, all that I need to do is unpack. Its amazing where my priorities are, because I was just concerned with tracking down the boxes with my work clothes. I guess at some point, I should really find the box with my telephone in it (or at least the charger to my cell phone). Right now, I can practically see some Feigh out there shaking their head, muttering "amateur!"

Whereas my roommate, Kennda, was absolutely obsessed with the kitchen. She wanted to get her precious stuff in the cabinets HER way (anal only children!). Anyway, I channeled this energy by telling her that nothing could go in the cabinets until the shelf paper went in. So, she and her officemate Theresa, shelf-papered all my cabinets! :) Then she put her stuff in the cabinets. Of course, this means I'm going to have to rearrange everything when she leaves town for Christmas...

One of the other highlights of the move was watching the boys try to get the 'fridge through the door. They ended up taking two doors off their hinges to get it through (it only took 2 hours). I promise you this is the last time you'll here my say "You want me to pay you $90 for delivery? Hell, I have a U-Haul, I'll pick it up myself!"

Apache is starting to adjust to Kennda's cat Tang. Its really funny, Apache kind of stalked Tang through the house, but every time Tang turned to even look at Apache, Apache went running. My wimpy dog.

The List

Rather than bore you with other random house stuff, I decided from now, through indefinitely, I would update a list of all the things I did to get my house in good repair the previous day. Then one day, I'll have nothing new to add to the list, and that means I can start getting more sleep at night again. Plus the random misadventures of doing the job right. So, in addition to unpacking yesterday, I did the following:

* New toilet seat lids (turned out to be the wrong size, must return to home depot)

* Plugged in 'fridge (this required a second run to Home Depot to purchase a fridge-plugging-in-kit, because, if you trust your intuition and assume your $850 fridge comes with everything it needs to be plugged into the wall, you'd be wrong).

* Purchased a new water connection from the washer to the hot water pipe (the current one is leaking). Didn't connect it, because the current one seems to be permanently sealed to the washer. I need a bigger wrench.

* Purchased a new duct from the dryer to the air vent. Turns out I didn't need to do this, because there was a duct inside the dryer door (you think I would've looked there first!)

* Peeled the cheap-hotel-like soap dispenser off the shower wall (now I just need to scrape off the hot glue that has been holding it on).

* Replaced all the air filters.

* Conned Kennda into papering all the shelves.

* Padlocked fence gate

I am a homeowner. I only had to sign (in blood) both my first born child and my soul to get it. Needless to say, I am excited. And this weekend, I am moving.

I WAS A STRANGE CHILD
there are no words to describe you.
except maybe: strange. unique. different.
what kind of child were you?
(brought you by april)

I'm closing on the house, today, 4 p.m.

Isn't that an exciting enough entry?

I am totally obsessed with the commercial for the new VW Beetle Convertible. Watch it here.. You must play the sound to get the full effect.

Oh, and my car has a new bumper sticker to make it even tackier (thanks Ir!):

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

The Lump

This morning, in the process of reaching for the snooze button, I rolled over this huge lump. She just yawned and stretched out even further taking up more of my bed space. Who was this lump?? My obnoxious dog who KNOWS she isn't allowed on the bed, but decided that it would be a good place to sleep anyway. And then she had the tenacity when I woke up to not even act like she was doing anything bad but just STRETCH out. She hasn't slept on my bed since once when she was a little puppy (maybe a month or two after I got her), she excitedly jumped on top of me, and in my sleepy stupor, I picked her up, growled and flung her across the room. It scared her into having 30 minutes of the hiccups and I figured that was the end of that behavior.

So this morning, I, of course, kicked her off of my bed. She then proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes circling my bed, like a lion hunting for prey, looking for any available and uncovered extremity to lick, because, she decided that's when we were waking up. Ah, puppyhood. I can't wait until I have a yard.

Things that make me frustrated

I heard this interesting story on NPR this morning and went to look it up, and John Snow, the nominee for Treasury Secretary is currently the CEO of CSX (a railroad company) -- this company, in their annual statements to stockholders, reported 900 million dollars in (pre-tax) earnings over the past 4 years, however, it has only paid federal income tax in one of those years (and also received $164 million dollars in tax rebates). Now, you can't really fault Snow, because from what I could tell from the radio program, his company was taking advantage of legitimate tax shelters for corporations to defer tax payments (and thus earn interest on that money rather than doing their part to help our government get out of its current defecit). But still... Gr. Here's details.

Santa has a Jag?

This was one of the funnier things I've read. Its about the recent Jaguar ads that show a happy wife getting a new Jag for Christmas... I've snipped some highlights:


Cooing sounds are made. Smiles are smiled. Pleasingly stunned aww-you-shouldn't-have looks that simply shrug "$25,000 down payment" are exchanged. Honey you bought me a Jag! How sweet. Kiss kiss.


Who is watching this ad and going, oh my God yes, forget the wool socks and the nice bath-soap set, I'm gonna cash in the United or Enron or WorldCom or Tyco stock and buy my spouse a nifty new XJS for the wife! What was I thinking?



Rich yuppies aren't bargain hunters. They are prestige hunters. Shiny-new-expensive-stuff hunters. Oh by the way honey I just heard Gina got a new Range Rover from Bob for their anniversary hint hint here let me pour you a glass of Chard and massage your neck.




That's my amusement for the day.

Proud owner

I am the proud owner of a new microwave, refridgerator, and dishwasher. The washer and dryer, I purchased used from the NASA swap shop. I can now cease my boring shopping activity and stop obsessing about appliances.

Wood sucking termite stories

I also had a small house crisis yesterday. As you may know, my termite inspector turned up one small termite mound on the edge of the house. This is very common in Texas, because we are in the land of termites. Anyway, he recommended full treatment. The next day, the termite mound "magically" disappeared. They did find more termites in a wood stick about 2 feet from the foundation to the house. But I still put it in my contract amendment a "corrective and preventative treatment for termite infestation". Anyway, the seller's agreed to this, and I figured that was the end of the story.

Well, yesterday my realtor called and she said "They are getting a third opinion about the termites, and will only treat if the new guy finds them". I said this was unacceptable, they agreed to the treatment, and I don't care if an agent (WHO IS EMPLOYED BY THE SELLER) says I don't need it. So, I told them this. Barbara (my realtor) told me I was being unrealistic and if a third-party said I didn't need the treatment, then I shouldn't get it. If the termites were 2 feet away from the house, its probably only a matter of a year or two before they get in, and then I'd have to pay for the treatment, so my opinion is that since the seller already agreed to it, I should make them abide by the contract. Barbara was still waffling, telling me I was being unreasonable (and she's supposed to be in MY employ!).

So, I finally called the seller's agent, and they agreed to do the full treatment. This makes me glad. I don't know how people who can't stand their ground survive in life! I am strong willed, and I came close to caving. Other people would've been gone, and then had to shell out $500 to get the house treated in a year or two.

Anyway, Barbara told me last night that the owners were going to sue Clancy (that's the person who did my termite inspection) for forcing them to do the treatment. Talk about a frivilous lawsuit. And Barbara called just to make me feel bad for making them do the treatment -- why is MY AGENT trying to make me feel bad?? The seller didn't have to agree to the the treatment when they signed the amendment - and they did. That should be the end of the story.

But its all out of my hands now - the treatment is being done, and that's what I wanted, so its all good.

The domain of bored housewives

Last night, our cute little Sarah entered what used to be the sole domain of bored housewives. She participated in her first pyramid scheme and hosted a CandleLight party (that's like a tupperware party, but they sell candles). I think we all understand the stupidity of these "parties" and the part of pyramid schemes that the only people who really win are at the top. But, hey, the hostess gets "discounts" so she can buy MORE stuff from the company, so everyone wins, right? All she has to do is to sucker her poor friends that still want to by MORE candles into coming to the party and making purchases -- because the profit from their purchase goes to her "earnings".

I was amused, though, watching normally intelligent women get sucked into the world of buying over-priced candles so that everyone above them can profit. I just had a couple brownies and some veggies and dip and saved my money -- people like me are the reason that profits from these parties are gauranteed.

I'm frustrated with my work today. I have worked crazy hours last week. I came in at 7 a.m. today. And I find that my results are being completely ignored, or glossed over, etc. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I feel like what I have to say should at least be appreciated a LITTLE since I have worked madly on it for a week and would've had things much more complete if I didn't have a nearly hourly "well, I think its more important to look at it this way" change to what I was doing.

Ok, that's my vent. Rant. Whatever. I really do like being busy like this - and despite the frantic schedule, I really had fun at work last week, I just had a frustrating morning.

In other news: I didn't get nearly enough packing done this weekend (where are Irwin and the Feighs when you need them??? ). But I did make some progress. I ran another 5K (yeah me! that ended on the 50 yard line at the Texans stadium). And I looked for appliances - exciting me. Oh, and I beautified myself (toes and hair) and chatted with Karen.

This weekend is an all-weekend packing fest at my apartment. Now all I need are a LOT more boxes than I have. Time to hit the liquor stores.

Last night the Christmas party was fun. It was at Joe's Crab Shack. And, no, mom, unlike Aunt Joy's office Christmas parties with lawyers (trying not-to-hard to not make a lawyer joke here), the "stealing" gift part of the white elephant exchange did NOT turn vicious nor greedy, as a matter of fact, most people were hesitant to steal gifts at all.

I love my group. We are so social compared to some of the other groups in our branch. They made the party much more fun than a schmoozy work event. I ate about 10 million calories of fried shrimp, calarmy, craw fish, french fries, hush puppies, and crab. And I have about 10 million left in a to-go box. The 30 minute run this morning certainly hasn't even come close to making a dent in that. I hope I can convince my group to go somewhere low-cal for lunch today (mmm, Salad Express).

Mmmmm. Gluhwein. I am having many very Swiss Christmas thoughts. Let's start with Karen's journal today. Pictures from the Christmas market. I had so much fun at the Christmas market. But the real thing that got me in the mood was my after-work trip to Supertarget. Before I even realized what I was doing, I was loading tangerines, chocolates, and peanuts. Ok. That's just plain weird, and I remember telling a number of Swiss people last year how weird it was. That's when I realized - tomorrow is Saint Nicholas's Day. That's when he comes down from his home on the top of one of the highest Alps to bring children tangerines, chocolates, and peanuts.

I guess Switzerland really did grow on me if I am missing walking home from work in the chilly, damp air (much like the weather is in Houston today), through the random outdoor stalls that sprung up in late November, and eating chesnuts and having at least one cup of gluhwein before retreating to girls gossip fest at the "Nunnery" and then the pub. MMMM. Gluhwein and roasted chesnuts.

Don't worry, I'm definitely not a live in Switzerland convert (though I could be convinced to spend part of next holiday season in a German country and it wouldn't take too much effort). On the other hand, on the radio this morning, after they did the weather forcast for Houston (40 degrees, dreary and wet), they did the forecast for Cancun, Mexico (75 degrees, sunny and clear), and Mexico sounded awfully tempting too.

Or that song we sung in 5th grade choir - "I want a Christmas in Tahiti"

The doctor's this morning was a VERY unsuccessful attempt at being my last doctor's appointment of the year. Its like a downward spiral. Grumble. Apparently my iron is still low, with some sort of white cell count hovering at about 11.3. The normal range starts somewhere between 11.5 and 12 (according to NASA, 11.5, according to my doctor, 12). Anyway, this means the one-a-day pill didn't work. So, they're doing more tests. Apparently annemia is an indicator of something else wrong (a bad diet, your bone marrow not producing enough blood, your body not absorbing iron, etc. etc.) and we can't just ignore it (which is what I would like) and just say that 11.3 is close enough to the normal range. That would be my solution. But I'm an engineer, and I like fuzzy numbers (its all probably within the bounds of statistical and experimental error, anyway).

I told the doctor that the reason my iron was low is that they are drawing vials of blood on a monthly basis to figure out what's going on. He said "Ha ha, we here that a lot around here" and had the nurse poke me again. I feel like a pin cushion - and I hate needles.

So. That's that. And it rained at a rate of 3 inches/hour last night. There's never just a sunshower, is there, its always torrential.

I'm feeling kind of under-the-weather still. I think I'm allergic to the rain, and add that to the stomach ache I've had for the last couple of days, and well, I'm sneezy-and-queezy. But the thing is, I'm not bed-ridden sick, I'm very functional, just not entirely comfortable. I tried going running last night after work, it only made me more queezy. Oh well.

I'm a boring person, I don't have that much else to say. I am going to by new sneakers tonight so I can run in the 5K this weekend. Tomorrow I have another doctor's appoitment, because, well, it seems like every time you go to the doctor they make you go like 10 more times. This time its with my regular doctor, 'cause he has to check and make sure that the one-a-day vitamen taking brought my iron up just the half a point it needed to be brought up to fit me into the arbitrary "normal" range. And since I seem to be completely unable to complete my flight physical (no rush, since I don't see myself going flying in the near future), he has to check out ONE MORE abnormality found by my overly thorough flight doc before she signs off of the stupid sheet of paper to let me fly again. Let's just say, the frustration is mounting...

I have turned into my father. I spent the greater part of yesterday afternoon asleep on a couch, phasing in and out of the UGA/GT football game. I guess its good that I was asleep for most of it, because we got creamed.