Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Home for Christmas

Here are the pictures from my fun trip to San Jose for Christmas. Well, mostly it's a chronicle of Brandy's trip since I was behind the camera.


It was a long, tiring road trip....

Brandy and tree.
Brandy and Rusty, a Christmas portrait.
Our Christmas cookies, courtesy of Karla, Amy, and Tara (I baked a couple, too, but theirs were better!)
A couple shots of Grandma with Brandy.

Brandy with my brother, Jeff.
As I'm sure you can tell, Brandy enjoyed her trip very much and is hoping to go back to San Jose next year for Christmas!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Pink Rocks!

For Christmas, Jared was kind enough to buy me 4 of the CDs I've been coveting (thank you baby!) My favorite, by far, is Pink's new album, Funhouse. Pink went through a divorce this year, which, although sad, made for a lot of amazing song material. The raw emotional nature of Funhouse reminds me of Alanis Morisette's Jagged Little Pill, but I think Pink's vocals are stronger than Alanis's ever were. Also, where Jagged Little Pill appealed to the angry twenty-something feminist in me, Funhouse is much more focused on the grief to watching love slip away and finding a way to survive that heartache. So of course, I find a lot of the CD's lyrics personally relatable...

The first single "Rock Star," has been all over the radio lately. It's a very catchy tune and I crank the volume up every time I hear it.

But my favorite song on the CD is this one, called "Crystal Ball."


Monday, December 22, 2008

12 Days of Christmas

I heard this on the radio today - I dare you not to love it!!!!!!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Today's Horoscope

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). No wonder someone is so crazy about you today. You're spontaneous, joyful and gentle. You're exactly the kind of partner a sensitive Pisces or Cancer has been looking for. Laughter and love are your future.


Oh go on, horoscope...you flatter me so!

Oscar Bait

How many movies can I see during two weeks off from work? I have this thing about trying to see all 5 nominees for the best picture Academy Award each year, and it seems that the very best movies of the year come out in December. Here is my winter break "to-do" list...reviews forthcoming:

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Knitting Update

In a previous entry, I detailed how my own stubborn stupidity caused me to be about 5 yards short of yarn to finish a baby blanket for my coworker Donna. Since the yarn I needed was no longer in stock at any of my local craft shops, I had to order it online. AND since I couldn't really see the color accurately online, I had to order two different colors. Yes, I realize I could have done any number of things to avoid this chain of events (bought enough yarn in the first place, made a note of what color I was using, etc.). But, everything turned out fine, because one of the yarns was a color match, I finished the blanket, and I gave it to Donna at her baby shower. Here is the completed blankie:
So, I was trying to find a project to use the extra skein of yarn I bought which is TLC Amore in the lovely color "seaglass." I of course went straight to Ravelry where I found this cool pattern called "Frock Camisole":Now, as I confessed to my knitting group on Sunday, I've never made a human sweater. I've been knitting for about 10 years, and I've made lots of blankets, dishcloths, scarves, socks, a market bag, a backpack, and even a teeny-tiny doggie sweater, but never a sweater for a person. Part of the problem is that I hate to seam. Also I'm scared, because a sweater actually needs to fit to some degree, unlike a blanket or a scarf which can come out any old size and still be okay. Gail reminded me that there are sweater patterns out there which require little or no seaming. The "Frock Camisole" pattern is mostly knitted in the round, and assuming I make it that far, I will only need to attach the straps in the back. It also looks pretty loose-fitting in the picture, so I am hoping there's room for error as far as sizing goes. It's a pretty simple pattern and I've already completed about and inch and a half. I will post pictures of my progress soon...

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Most Wonderful Time

I love this time of year.

I haven't always felt this way. There's been many a December, several in recent memory in fact, where I've felt nothing but stress, heartache, and the desire for the entire holiday season to just. Be. Over.

But my existence is a lot simpler now. I no longer rush around like a maniac trying to make, locate, buy, and ship the exact perfect gift for every friend and family member. Through the circumstances of life I've been compelled to reorganize my priorities and I've learned how to stop and smell the proverbial roses. Or in this case, maybe stop and smell the pine boughs!

As the air turns colder (although, what was it, like 80 degrees in San Diego today??), and the Christmas tunes start playing on the radio, my nesting instincts kick in. I love just puttering around my little apartment, cleaning out closets, clearing out the cobwebs, and considering my goals for the new year. I break out the warm pajamas, bake cookies in the oven to warm up the house, and sip hot chocolate. Following the early sunsets, I turn on the TV and enjoy the holiday classics all over again: Rudolph, the Grinch, Charlie Brown, It's a Wonderful Life... I love them all!

And as 2008 winds down, I find myself reflecting more than ever on the many blessings I am lucky enough to enjoy...
-A secure job in these tricky economic times. And a 3% raise to boot!
-A cozy little home in a beautiful coastal city.
-A sweet dog who is my constant companion and an affectionate, pretty little kitty who, well, is not too much trouble.
-The most professional, caring, fun coworkers ever.
-Amazing friends who surround me with love and laughter.
-My strong, caring family that always welcomes me home.
-And an incredible, loving partner who, beginning around the middle of July, has made every day feel like Christmas.