Try the '08, I heard it was a good year...

I've heard through friends that people I never thought would read my blog, are reading my blog. They are reading my blog, and they think I'm funny. These are some pretty cool people I'm talking about, and I'm flattered. It's just, man, that is a lot of pressure.

It's also...I started this for me. It took seven months for it to really sink in--The Internet, it ain't private. Like one of those things that you "know," but it takes a while for you to "get."

A lot of shit has happened this year. Some of it I wrote about here, more of it I didn't. I didn't write about it for various reasons. First among them is because I DON'T EVER WANT TO HURT THOSE THAT I LOVE. And writing about certain things would hurt them very much.

Not five minutes ago, I sent a message to someone that I used to respect. I wish I could write about it here, but really, I would just be venting. And about two months ago, somebody I care about was put in a situation where they felt threatened because of something I wrote. This blog has never been about airing a list of grievances, but many times I've come very close to doing just that.

So, here I am, half into a bottle of wine, wishing I had a little more nerve and a much thicker skin.

Holiday Come Down

Here's Pickle in his Christmas Best.

I hope that Santa was good to you all. I got the humidifier I asked for. Not so exciting, you may think. But I'll tell ya what else isn't so exciting--weekly nosebleeds in my extremely dry house.

I'm recovering from the copious amounts of sugar I consumed--in the guise of holiday cookies. My sister, who looks most like my mom, also cooks like my mom (i.e. Deliciousness). She brought over two of my favorites--homemade toffee and seven layer cookies. Add to that the fudge and other sweets my mom made, and it feels like I came back to the D with an extra 10lbs.

These guys waited all night for Santa. Guess the Big Guy just doesn't like cats.

It's That Time of Year....

...for the Best of the Year Lists!

Everybody else has year-end list, so why not me? I'm working on them now, but they will be posted closer to the New Year.

Untill then, a "Happy Holidays!" to every one! And because this has become the Year of the Pickle, I leave you with a photo of my sister's babies--

That's Not My Name

Two adorable little boys have adopted me as their aunt. I watch them Wednesday nights, and usually I'll bring a movie for them to watch as I make dinner. A few weeks ago, I brought Wall-e. It was a hit.
Such a big hit that now whenever the 3-year old catches sight of me, he asks, "Aunt Toots, watch Wall-e?" Which after abour five repetitions turns into "Toots, Wall-e?"

And the 2-year old, he repeats EVERYthing he hears, has dropped the "Toots" part. He calls me Wall-e. "Wall-e, juice?" "Wall-e, get me?"

It took me a little to catch on that he wasn't talking about the movie, he was actually talking to me. Which means that since I answered him (regardless of what I said), I must be Wall-e.

Say my name, say my name.--Sing it, Beyonce....

I Have The Power!

He-Man on hulu.
There goes what little free time I have.

He-Man or FOTC Season 2 premier on funnyordie.com. Which was released early today.

"I come from a family of male weavers."

Taking Flight

So, I just googled "Flight of the Conchords," and I've learned that new episodes start Jan. 18! Yay!

This duo holds a special place in my heart. Not just because they are funny (and they are very funny), but because it was during an impromptu marathon viewing of last season on DVD that I was able to employ the snuggle-with-a-guy-you-like-lean-on-his-shoulder-and-pretend-to-fall-asleep move. I am a pro with this move. So much so, that I actually did fall asleep and woke up with my head on his lap.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if he pulled the wait-till-the-girl-you-like-uses-the-snuggle-with-a-guy-you-like-lean-on-his-shoulder-and-pretend-to-fall-asleep-move-then-when-she-really-does-fall-asleep-put-her-head-on-your-lap move?

And if he did? It must have worked for him, 'cause 1 year later I still snuggle up with him on the couch and fall asleep on him. Also, I sometimes drool when I sleep.

The Genius of Funny

This post is yet another reason I love Paul Krugman and want to have his hypothetically brilliant babies. He won the Nobel Prize for economics. He teaches at Princeton. And--he understands the genius of LOLcats! He actually posted a captioned pic from icanhascheezburger.com

Except for his voice, he would be perfect.

Seriously Folks, Consider The Cat....

Remember my Plan To Fix The Economy? Dudes! Seriously, it's a sound plan. Just check out what Dewey did for the town of Spencer, Iowa. (Do you really need me to link? Ever heard of Google? "Dewey Readmore Books" try it yourselves, chickies.) He has his own book!

(By they way? You should read this book. The writing isn't award-winning prose, but it's from the heart and a really great story.)

And what about all the hype that's surrounding the Obama's new pet? OK, so maybe the Presidential pet should be the mascot of America, but I think you should all consider Bogart (aka Booger).

You think I'm joking, but look at that poise. Such dignity, such presence! America needs a feel good story. Booger is a feel good kind of kitty.
And dare I forget Lula. She could be VP Mascot. Handeling all the sneaky, behind the scenes mascot buisness...

Have You Read The News Today?

Well, I have and it's EFFING DEPRESSING!

Not a single happy story to be found. CNN, NYT, Detroit Free Press--all just DOOM AND GLOOM. "More jobs lost." "More people unemployed than previously reported." "How are you cutting costs this holiday?" "Worst since the last time it was really bad!"

And to start my day off, my alarm woke me up from a dream where my grandfather was just about to tell me something. It would have been nice to know what he would have said. I've had him on my mind a lot lately, as this will be the first Christmas we've had without him. The first Christmas that will not be celebrated at The Farm.

What would he make of the mess we find ourselves in? What advice would he give? Guaranteed it would have been followed with a Little Debbie. And a hug.

I could sure use one of those hugs right about now...

It's December Now, You Need More Pickle

Pickle's Mama sent this to me yesterday. I was feeling a little "under the weather," and this bebe made me laugh. Sorry for the camera phone quality.

Thought I'd share the baby joy.

On to a more serious subject...

TiVo Guilt.

I'll admit it, I'm a former sufferer. CNN has an article about it. And the New York Times wrote about something related, that happy people don't watch TV.

Oh, how I loved our DVR. Then I moved and chose to give up not only the DVR, but cable TV as well. It took about 4 months (granted these were summer months, with crappy programming), but I got used to not having the TV on. So used to it in fact, that I still sometimes forget that now I can watch 'Ghost Hunters' on Wednesday night. On the TV, and not on the internets.

So, with the economy in the crapper, I'm giving you permission--Nay--Ordering you, America; Drop the remote and pick up a book. Or turn on your stero and do a little dance (in the privacy of your own homes, please). We all need to be happy and feel less guilt. We need to "get in the spirit of the Holidays." (Unless you intend to watch ABCfamily 25 days of Christmas. Or Rudolph. Or Charlie Brown Christmas.) (When are those on again? Oh, shit! Are Rudolph and Charlie Brown on at the same time?! If I had a DVR, I could watch one, and tape the other...)

....Do you see the evil of this device?! I don't even have it anymore, and Oh the Hold it has on me still....

Can You Call A Potpie Beautiful?

I Made This---

---from SCRATCH! From some leftovers my mom sent me home with. It was even more delicious than it looked. Because I got to share it with my roomie. And with the man who said to me, "I'm thankful for you." (That's yet to be proved, but it was still nice to hear)

Farm Livin' is the Life For Me

The trip up North was great. Getting there was the hard part.

First off, I left many hours later than I wanted to. When I did finally get on the road, I pulled up to a gas station and realized I had left my debit card in my name tag. At the store. Which is something I NEVER do, because I KNOW that I would forget it there. Well, I did and I did.

So I had to drive to the store (I'll admit it, I dawdled), and finally got on the road.

The drive was uneventful, which is always a good thing. And I finally made it to the farm. And for the next 36 hours I didn't have to leave the house.

My mom made this really amazing dinner. So much food.

Exhibit A: turkey coma victim #1, Rufus
Exhibit B: turkey coma victim #2, Sophie