Martha Stewart Would Surely Cry!

But I did not. Ugly though it was, after it's unfortunate collision with . . . --my open purse! on the floor- -. . . my family and I still managed to enjoy this Kahlua Expresso Chocolate tart. It WAS still mostly intact on top of the bottom of the tart pan, and the floor was relatively clean. (Literally, moments before, I had cleaned up the clean (filtered, even) water that had poured from my refrigerator all over the floor. (Yeah, it was me that spilled the water.I was THINKING, deep thoughts, while filling a glass of water.))






But, Note to Self: It's NEVER a good idea to leave my purse lying around, open. I've had even worse "issues" with it in the past which should have thoroughly taught me a lesson by now.

Tolerating the Parents

Tolerating the parents is a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!



Wish I could get the remote/focus working a little better, though. . .

Hanging out with The Fam'

Doug and I:



Scott:

Christmas 2010 and Pandemic!

I love this game, and of course, these people! And what a way to spend Christmas eve and Christmas night!

Our tradition is that on Christmas eve we get to open ONE present each, and usually direct each other to something we can share together. That often means a game of some sort.

This year, I opened "Pandemic" a board game by Z-Man Games. This is how it's described, "You are specialists at the CDC/Atlanta where you watch several virulent diseases break out simultaneously all over the world. The team mission is to prevent a worldwide pandemic outbreak, treating hot spots while researching cures for each of the four plagues before they get out of hand."

This particular game has a common goal, rather than individual competiveness; you have to develop a strategy of containment and eradication, together. This is about as opposite as you can get from a game of Monopoly or Risk, and I love how the dynamics elicited are so much more. . . well, cooperative!

The first night, we all died, and the world was wiped out. It actually was quite discouraging. . . .



But Christmas night, we triumphed and saved the world!

Every Family's Got a Risk Taker

Here's ours:





Fortunately, Santa came anyway!

Please Don't Tell Them There's a Cure for Over-Compliance Disorder!

This is my little Christmas Gift to you; I'm sharing with you sordid details about two Sufferers of Over-Compliance-Disorder. Once I discovered they have this disorder, I've felt that I've had no choice but to exploit them mercilessly for your entertainment.

I got the Anonymous Doug (his real name) to prance into my office, wearing reindeer clothes, to deliver my present to the Anonymous Sheila (her real name)--not once, but twice! First, Doug had the unfortunate experience of arriving too early, before my camera was ready to capture him in the wild, and allowing him to encounter the General Public (although I had PROMISED him this would not happen.)

So after he was totally mortified, he agreed to re-create the event with the Wonderful Anonymous Sheila (her real name), for your edification and enjoyment:



But since I am mercilessly exploiting them anyway (but only in the spirit of Christmas gift-giving to you!), I thought I'd also include a few links to their past. . . . ummmmm . . . . . Compliance Behaviors.

Remember the ShamWow! battle? Here's the link: Oh-Woeful-day Shamewow Evil


Or how about the Gamboling and Cavorting in the Fountain: Gamboling & Cavorting

I want to make two final points which are particularly important should you acquire your very own Over-Compliants:

1.) Never promise not to use the photos, unless it will further your aims;

2.) I've never actually hurt them! (That little episode with the arrow in my brother's head doesn't really count; I didn't get to photograph it! . . . but maybe he'd consider a re-enactment. . . . ?)

Merry Christmas to All and To All A Good Night!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Barnes & Noble Nook!

You know how we throw around the words "I love. . . !" so much, like I love my phone, my camera, my paint. . . .

Well, with my Nook, it really is a love affair! It's officially one year old today, and I was one of the "early adopters" with all kinds of initial angst. But there have been software updates, and features added that I never expected in the first place. . . . and I've read and read and read (not to my heart's content, because I don't think that could ever happen!)

But, oh, that library feature! It's just so wonderful to be able to access free books through your public library, and get to read the books on your Nook. I can bring hundreds of books with me, with just the weight of one paperback! And *poof* the book magically goes back to the library without me even having to drive there when I'm done! (Plus, I can check the books out, in my pjs, at two in the morning, if I want, right from the comfort of sitting by my Christmas tree!)



So many books, so little time!

"There must be some kinda way outta here!"

"There must be some kinda way outta here!"---Bob Dylan, All Along the Watchtower

I'm with you, Santa! Time to put our feet up and take a break from the Christmas merriment/preparation.

And here's a few shots from outside the front of my house, at 1:36 am, hoping to see the total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice. I speak truth; I KNOW it was this time; I checked my exif data on the photo!

I couldn't see the eclipse because we were also in the middle of a snow storm and there was too much cloud cover. But look how bright it is! I think there was also a full moon (and an eclipse?????) and the reflection against the newly falling snow creaed the most incredible ambient light. I didn't use any flash for these shots!

Are You Racing as Fast as You Can?

Remember to keep your eyes on your goal (and not run into any walls or stub your nose on the ornaments on the way!) Sure, it's the holidays and there's lots of busy-ness, but remember to enjoy the ride along the way!

Play it Again, Mickey!