To My Friend Crankypants,
Here's hoping for a fantastic year, good friends, great stories and grand experiences. Thanks for being one of the best reasons to check Vox first thing every morning. Hopefully we'll make it to Poland together soon!
Love,
Amy & Elvis Cat
(Elvis would like to note that he does not want to go to Poland, but otherwise he wishes you all the same as I do.)
(This isn't really a cake, it's a musical thingamabob.)
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Posted by amyhftw
It's the last and first week of the year. It feels like some kind of calendar purgatory, where you are lingering and time is neither here nor there. Except with calendar purgatory, you don't have to cough up extra cash to save your soul. You just need to get moving or sit around and wait it out.
I thought I would wait it out, but now I feel like getting things done. Or at least getting ready for a long weekend with time on my side.
If anyone is interested in What I Did Over Christmas Vacation, here's the synopsis:
– never once was crabby or grouchy with any family member
– had severe back/shoulder/neck pain which I attributed to a bad pillow. MomH thought it was because I wasn't being crabby or grouchy and therefore holding all of my stress in and causing myself pain.
– shovelled snow. Twice.
– played with baby kittens and a few baby calves
– never did decorate a cow
– stayed indoors as much as possible
– escaped bad travel weather
– convinced ParentsH that Garage Kitty really should be House Kitty. Success!
– caught up with my favorite college friends
– ate fantastic Middle Eastern food in Metro Detroit.
– did not catch up with my favorite hometown friends except for my BFF, who was kind enough to give me a ride from Detroit to the farm, where she was polite enough to stay and listen to DadH go on and on about farm programs until 1:00 a.m.
– thoroughly enjoyed and finished GODBLOG! w00t! Now I can talk about it with all of you who are so much more with it than I am.
Now here's what I hope to do this week (some I could be getting done instead of spending this time writing about doing it…):
- Send condolence letter to College Roommate who unexpectedly needed to put her kitty buddy, Mason, to sleep last night. Soooo sad.
– Shop for non-floral sleeper sofa/Davenport
- Unpack suitcase
– Laundry
– Ironing of clothes
– Mending of clothes
– Organizing VP Finance stuff that's piling up. Whoops.
– Do monthly VP Finance reports for Nov. and Dec. Double whoops.
– Finish going through vacation mail
– Ride the new Light Rail into downtown PHX (Heard Museum is having fry bread! Yum!)
– Work on resume (job is secure, as far as I know, but I should have it ready to go regardless)
– Get to work on a St. Patrick's Day letter to make up for not doing holiday cards
– Get some exercise for crying out loud
– Read one magazine from the ever-growing pile
– Figure out Denver itinerary for Birthday Weekend
– Figure out vacation days for 2009
I think that's enough for now. Of course, even if there's something I forgot, I won't want to do it until next week because it's not on this list.
6 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: christmas, family, home, rear in gear, resolution challenge | Permalink
Posted by amyhftw
You know how I'm always complaining about how my parents' old computer on dial-up is faster than my cable modem Dell laptop?
I think that's actually a case of memory by sentimentality.
That said, I'm not doing well keeping up with the 'hood because it's too frustrating to even be online.
Okay, so there's my excuse for being lame.
I've only been outside a couple of times since getting here on Saturday night. I really lucked out and was able to sneak into Michigan during a break in the winter weather. My BFF picked me up in Detroit and the snow started kicking in again when we were about 30 miles from home.
It's cold here. So cold I really don't have enough words for it. When I do venture outside, I'm the little brother in The Christmas Story, all bundled up to the point of not being able to move. I'm careful not to fall over lest I be stuck in a snowbank until someone notices I'm gone and they send out the dogs.
Speaking of dogs, Jay (Steve's yellow lab) is a big fat goofy happy dog. His estimated size is around 100 pounds. And he thinks he's a puppy. Tyson, the pit bull who adopted our family a few years ago, hates the cold. He's such a baby. All I have to do is open the door to the outside to see him cower and hide. He's such a sweetie pie, super smart and loves kitties. Awww.
The rest of the family is doing well. DadH isn't very mobile, all that talk about how he needs to get more exercise was just talk. It bugs me how he doesn't bother to help himself get healthier, but I've run out of patience to badger him further.
I haven't made it out to the barn yet to see some cows, but I probably will today. Maybe. Did I mention it was cold? MomH just told me it was in the 50s in Phoenix. As far as Phoenix weather goes, that's pretty chilly so I guess I don't have it much worse here. 😛
MomH helped me finish my quilt. It took all of an hour to finish something I've been procrastinating about for the past three (four?) years.
That's about it for here. Nothing exciting going on. Just happy to be home and with the fam.
I hope everyone is staying warm and safe.
Merry Christmas!
21 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: christmas, cows, dad, family, farm, home | Permalink
Posted by amyhftw
1. Sexy patterned tights
2. Sexy stiletto boots
3. Not-too-short but short black skirt
4. Classic Christmas Cows & Cactus Mock Turtleneck Sweatshirt
I'm so freaking hot right now, you wouldn't believe it.
😛
Headed to a white elephant gift exchange, except we're exchanging gift cards instead of items. Is it bad form to try and win back what you brought? Because I would love to spend my $25 Changing Hands Bookstore card on myself.
I can't party too hard tonight, because I have a 5:30 a.m. hair appointment tomorrow. That gives me enough time to pack and get to the airport before my flight. Hey, it was my guy's idea. He suggested 5:00 a.m. and I thought he was joking. He wanted to make sure my hair was all pretty for hanging out with the cows. I love my hair guy.
In case my computer is wonky at home (80% chance of FAIL), this is my last post until I hit the farm.
Hope everyone stays safe, healthy and happy – even if you feel like being grumpy (and you know if I'm talking about you…). 🙂
Ciao!
5 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: christmas, cows, good times, travel | Permalink
Posted by amyhftw
It's been so wonderful to hear everyone's stories on my Christmas Question post. While I started with a simple question of "Christmas Eve v. Christmas Day", the most answers carried the same theme: Christmas is about being with loved ones and finding time to spend it with them.
So to all my wonderful peeps - I wish you the happiest of holidays, whenever, wherever (and whatever!) you choose to celebrate.
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Posted by amyhftw
From childhood 'til now… What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?
Hands down, my saxophone. The one I still play to this day.
When I started band in the 6th grade, I played on a $100 used saxophone that a cousin had played many years before that. Why spend a lot of money on an instrument if a kid decides he/she doesn't want to keep going, right?
Fast forward to my sophomore year in HS, four years later and I'm still playing. I'm scoring decent marks at the District and State Solo & Ensemble competitions as well. All my friends are in band and it's a big part of my life.
One day, while I was practicing in my room, MomH comes in and takes a look at my horn and its shabby case.
Not being one who knows ANYTHING about music, she remarked, "Yeah, that's kind of old and beat up, isn't it?"
I was a little confused, because I never said anything about my horn and it seemed a little odd coming right out of the blue like that.
Christmas comes and there under the tree at my grandparents' house: A brand new Yamaha alto sax. I couldn't believe it. It was my present for that Christmas, my birthday, and a few holidays after that.
Both horns went with me to college, the old horn attending every home football and hockey game (and some away) at Michigan State, the 'new' horn going to the basketball games and playing other gigs around campus. Again, all my friends are in band and it's the biggest part of my college experience.
A few years ago, a non-profit in town was doing a musical instrument drive for low-income schools. With a little bit of sentimental sadness, I donated my trusty old horn in the hopes that another child will find as much joy and as many great opportunities just as I had.
Maybe that old sax is someone else's best Christmas present ever.
5 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: best xmas present, qotd, saxophone | Permalink
Posted by amyhftw
Thanks to everyone who has added their stories to the Christmas Eve v Christmas Day debate in my previous post. If you haven't added yours, I'd love to hear it! Go! Now!
We'll wait…
Okay, thanks for coming back.
We had our holiday concert tonight, all went well, especially the Christmas carol sing-along for the last number. So sweet.
I get home and lo', what do I find. A package from Kentucky. Whatever could it be?
Could it be…maybe… it is! My Transylvania U* t-shirt!
Thanks, Mariser! Now everyone will think I have a degree in vampire-ing. That's hot. 😀
No package is complete without a sweet card. A sweet card that makes it onto the fridge.
Yep, that's Betty Paige hanging out with Peter the Kitty and George (both courtesy of Ms. Pants).
Yay, peeps!
*From the informational bookmark included in my package. "Founded in 1780 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains and the 16th in the US, Transylvania educated the doctors, lawyers, ministers, and other leaders who helped shape America. Among Transylvania's alumni are two US vice presidents, 50 US senators, 101 representatives, 3 house speakers, 36 governors, and 34 ambassadors."
Now when people ask me about the shirt, I have something to tell them (and pretend it wasn't just for the novelty of having a Transylvania U t-shirt. Ha!)
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Posted by amyhftw
This may or may not cause controversy, but I'll throw it out there anyway.
I received a meme with a holiday theme, questions about Christmas. I read through what my friend answered and busted up at this:
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? only a Communist opens presents on Christmas Eve
I do not understand the opening of gifts on Christmas Eve for any other reason than that's the only time your family can get together.
Fact: Santa Claus doesn't show up until the middle of the night on Christmas Eve.
One of the great joys of childhood (and now) is going to bed on Christmas Eve with giddy anticipation. Then waking up and seeing presents under the tree that weren't there before.
If you unwrap all the presents on Christmas Eve just because, then what's Christmas Day for? And how do you get presents before Santa comes? Then it becomes just another day, in my opinion.
In our family, we'll go to Christmas Eve service at our little country church. The next morning, my nieces will open their Santa presents at their house and then everyone will be at Mom & DadH's house for a big breakfast spread. After breakfast, it will be a present-opening frenzy. Then assorted adults will go out to the barn and do cow chores. Then my relatives will show up around noon for lunch, playing in snow, riding snowmobiles, ice skating, etc. Then more chores, then dinner, dessert and coffee. When my relatives leave, I'll crack open something alcoholic. Maybe some raspberry champagne from the local winery. Yum.
I suppose some of you out there have legit reasons why you open presents Christmas Eve (like if that's the only time you can all get together), but I could never dis Santa and give up Christmas Day.
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Posted by amyhftw
Can I count this as one of the Bad Date stories I owe IG?
She asked for my non-creeptastic bad romance letter, here it is.
This is from a four or five years ago when I was on Match.com. I recieved this email:
hi my name is mark im from phoenix i live close to tempe im 33 yrs old im 6'6 tall i have brown hair and hazel eyes i like movies music sports i like to travel i have a job been at the same company for 15 yrs plus i enjoy my job i was wondering if you would like to be friends
(My first thought was, "it would be nice if you liked punctuation". And because we all love to look at a car wreck, I went to his profile for more:)
hi my name is mark im 33 yrs old im 6'6 tall i have brown hair and hazel eyes i work the grave yard shift stocking shelves and i am also a cashier when it get busy i like sports movies music and i like to travel
hi my name is mark im looking for a woman who likes to go to movies and likes to go shoot pooland likes to go bowling and just a nice alroundperson who would support me and go watch me when im in bowling tournments because i see other people have girls watching them i guess i feel left out you know i miss that
So yeah, this wasn't creepy but still. The needing someone to watch him bowl is pretty pathetic, in a sad pitiful kind of way.
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Posted by amyhftw
With my luck, this has probably been posted around here in the last week or so. I'm always late to the parties these days.
Remember – things aren't always what they seem!
4 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: fun finds | Permalink
Posted by amyhftw
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time 