My sister and I went to see "Dick and Jane" (which was cute enough, not terrible), but when I tried to convince her to sneak into another movie, she turned me down. Where is her criminal spirit on Christmas, I ask??

So, did ANYONE get a white Christmas this year? The weather reports I saw yesterday seemed to indicate rain where there was anything.

It's snowing here in Indianapolis, actually. Was raining earlier, but has been snowing for a few hours.

Today, DH and I are going to see The Producers and The Family Stone ('cause they're playing in the same theatre), and then Chinese food for dinner. A very traditional Jewish Christmas.

Becuase of the neighborhood my sister has moved to, there is nothing open. Normally, near where my parents are, there's lots of restaurants open because there are lots of Jewish folk, but down here in the semi-ghetto, NSM. Ah well.

Battled Damaged Angel Puppet from Smiletime

EEEEEE! OMG, I may ahve to go get that.

I had forgotten, but must add, that not all is hell here in Indiana--we did have fun playing Trivial Pursuit last night. But that's because we're a competitive smart-ass bunch of know-it-alls. My brother and I *almost* cleared the board on our first turn, but failed on the last pie. We still prevailed in the end, but it took a lot longer.

Hey, Hec, as far sewing machine shopping is concerned, bear in mind that Brother makes the innards of many of the major big-ticket brands. When they do quality control checks at the factory, the best of the best go into the Brother machines. Also, just in case it is a consideration, the plastic extension table whosiwhatsis on the lower-end Brother machines is notorious crap. So the most basic machine without the extension thingy was the best buy for me (beginner that I am). This is stuff I learned on my hunt for a sewing machine with last year's Christmas gift money. (some of the info was passed on to me by a NASA engineer who makes Star Trek uniforms in her spare time)

Another good tip is that used sewing machines from a reputable dealer are a very good bargain. Sewing machine fanatics are like stereo fanatics, they want the NEW STUFF NOW. As a result, I got a Bernina from before computerization at the same price as their lowest end now, the one that's all plastic. If you don't care about zig-zag (which rules out knits), a Singer Featherweight will still be running well when you pass it on to your granddaughter.

It can't hurt to check with sewing machine dealers to see if they have used machines in stock. Avoid American machines, and in particular Singer after the 1960s. Bernina and Pfaff are both good; each has their partisans. You have to try it and see what you like.

Cindy, insent to your profile addy. Nothing urgent, just something I thought you'd appreciate.

Well, I was wrong. I was online at sunset, so...

Happy Hanukkah

and a continued...

Merry Christmas

Dessert time. Later, gators.

I'd love xmas with Kristin and avoid the family, but the simple fact is that mom is in poor health and has been for a few years, so if she's still around next xmas there's no way I can't be here.

You'll have Christmas with me next year. I'll go to San Diego with you and we'll witness the insanity together.

ND, someday you will have a perfect christmas...

I intend to make that happen every year. Maybe not on the 25th, but...as close as I can get it.

Coffee: (what? it's breakfast food to me)

I had a great Christmas morning. Mom and I slept in and had a scrumptious breakfast with Bob and Laurie (the bed & breakfast owners as well as close personal friends), and then we headed over to aunt and uncle's house for gifts. I got many lovely things including some beautiful picture frames, a gorgeous blown glass candle holder, a couple of gift certificates (Pier One and Barnes & Noble), and a painting that made me cry. My 14-year-old cousin, who is one of the kindest and oldest souls I've ever known, gave me a painting of a woman dancing. The caption? "Woman with No Regrets". On the back is a poem about having the courage to make difficult decisions and set yourself free. It is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten.

Now I'm sitting out on their back patio in the bright 80 degree sunshine. In a couple of hours we'll be eating a tasty ham dinner and eating strawberry rhubarb pie. Right now, I'm a happy woman. My only regret is not being able to share this with ND.

DH had a total meltdown because he doesn't like either of the gifts I gave him and he was afraid to tell me. Not sure what I'm going to do about it as one of them is a TIVO for the family room that everyone else is excited about.

Bleh.

Meanwhile, I have watched Serenity and started reading Wicked.

Any licorice lovers out there? Both DH and my mom love licorice, so I usually buy all kinds for Christmas. DH just opened one tub and shared pieces around. As we sucked on the buttons all our faces turned into puckers and we couldn't spit the pieces out fast enough. Reading the lable, this was "Double Salt Licorice". WHY, oh WHY? Bleh. I have NEVER heard of such a thing.

a giant fleece union suit

I want pictures. OK, so my taste in lingerie pictures is a little unconventional.

Hugs to you too, Beth.

Holy crap. Just looked out our window. Los Angeles is still mostly rumor.

Any licorice lovers out there? Both DH and my mom love licorice, so I usually buy all kinds for Christmas. DH just opened one tub and shared pieces around. As we sucked on the buttons all our faces turned into puckers and we couldn't spit the pieces out fast enough. Reading the lable, this was "Double Salt Licorice". WHY, oh WHY? Bleh. I have NEVER heard of such a thing.

My father loves these. I got him a one pound plus bag of them for Christmas. I'll take those off your hands for him, but I also think Plei might like them too.