Picture of the Day for 12/30/2010. Sadly, I received this clown thingy for Christmas. Readers of my blog are aware that my sister Robynne and I are feuding over clowns. For readers new to my blog, here's the short version:-I hate clowns.-Robynne knows this.-Robynne chose to torment me by tucking this clown in the toe of my Christmas stocking.-World-weary sigh...Actually, I thought it was pretty funny and I'm relieved I got off this easy since I feared I was in for an assortment of clown gifts this Christmas.
Picture of the Day for 12/29/2010. You should be aware that I take Christmas wrapping paper very seriously. Oh sure, there's a LOT of really cute Christmas wrapping paper out there, but it's not necessarily the RIGHT paper. I don't specifically search for the perfect paper each year. It's a more organic process than that. When I stumble across THE paper, I just know it's right. I was getting a little worried this year since my organic "let it happen" process didn't seem to be working, but at the last minute I happened upon this paper at World Market. It was perfect since I collect Russian nesting dolls.
Picture of the Day for 12/28/2010. In anticipation of putting a much-needed end to this month of hedonistic feasting, I bought a pair Skechers Shape-ups, shoes that are advertised as giving you a better workout, and more important, a shapely bottom.
Picture of the Day for 12/27/2010. My friend Jenny hosts an annual post-Christmas party for her friends. I look forward to this gathering all year since I get to visit with friends I don't see all that often. Also, the food is always fabulous and we exchange presents. "Yay for great food and gifts!" is what I say. At the start of the festivities, I had mentioned to Suzanne (pictured here in the middle) that it was intolerable to me that she owned that cute necklace while I did not. Suzanne must have been glad to hear that since later that evening she gave me and Jenny (pictured on the right) the very same necklace, but in different colors. "Yay for cute jewelry!" is what I say.
Picture of the Day for 12/26/2010. My brother-in-law David summoned the family into his study tonight in order to very proudly show off his collection of figurines grouped by the following categories:-Christmas Carol (as in Charles Dickens)-Star Wars (of which he's most proud of Admiral Ackbar)-Lord of the Rings-Pirates of the Caribbean"How old is my brother-in-law?" you're probably wondering. 64. I think it's cute.
Picture of the Day for 12/25/2010. Since I've been blogging about unsavory topics this month (i.e., creepy angel, naughty Christmas ornaments), why should Christmas be any different? I spent Christmas morning at my sister Robynne's house. This is a rather unsettling photo of their cat, Paris, who likes to lurk inside the Christmas tree. Below is the aforementioned tree (looking far less sinister than in the picture above) surrounded by tons of presents.
I had a VERY lovely time at Robynne's. Santa was able to find me there which was much appreciated. That Santa is a smart fellow. After opening presents and eating breakfast, we saw the movie The King's Speech. Excellent film. That's definitely a "need to own" movie.My dad and I spent Christmas evening at my sister Paula's home where we also had a VERY lovely time. I was telling Paula's family about an astronaut biography a friend had sent to me mere moments before opening a present from them that contained that exact book. Oops. Wish I had kept my mouth shut, but who would have guessed that would happen.In the parlance of my nieces, if you receive a gift that makes your head explode, that's a good thing. It means it was an excessively fine gift. ALL of the gifts I received were excellent of course, but the two pictured below did make my head explode. Both are associated with past and present obsessions.
My niece Renee gave me a recently published graphic (as in illustrated- not naughty) novel that depicts the first 1/3 of the novel Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. After reading this novel for the first time in the mid-1990s, I became so obsessed with Scotland that I even made a pilgrimage there in 1997 where I convinced the tour guide to detour the bus to Inverness, one of the significant locations in the novel. As readers of my blog are aware, my current obsession is with space. My brother-in-law Will picked up this collector plate commemorating the first moon landing at an antique store for me. Nicely done.Below is a picture of Paula's dog Joey, exhausted from all the holiday festivities. I know how he feels.
Picture of the Day for 12/24/2010. My dad and I spent Christmas Eve at my sister Paula's house. She has a tradition where she lights the candles of her Christmas nativity carousel, turns off the lights, and has everyone (going in order from youngest to oldest) choose a religious Christmas carol for us to sing. My dad actually chimed in which just about made me fall over in both surprise and delight. Aside from participating in rounds of Happy Birthday, he does NOT sing. I think that is going to be my favorite memory of this Christmas season.
