But Ma! Aren't you Having Christmas This Year?

In our house growing-up my father was teasingly known as "The Grinch" and over the years he has acquired many stuffed versions of said "Grinch" from the typical to the koosh version. My mother has always put up a tree, decorated it with love and homemade ornaments and hung stockings for all of us. What a nice image huh? But you know, as I grow older I begin to see the Christmas hub-bub is a whole new light. Basically I'm becoming a "Grinch" or "Scrooge" or maybe just a grown-up; the jury's still out.

I don't like Christmas anymore. I don't like the pressure to buy more stuff with no money for people who don't need more stuff. Yes, even my kids- they don't need anymore toys- PLEASE for the love of Santa- NO MORE TOYS! Books are always welcome- but really we have a mini library of toddler congress already.

I'm trying to decide if I just have a case of the Holiday blues or not. But really, every year we pick out some poor little dead tree to hang our odd collection of ornaments on. Ten we try to hang lights on the house without falling off the ladder- actually that is kind of funny. I stress out over what to get for everyone. Randy stresses about what to get for me- I stress about what to get for him. We work and work and work to do, do do and I feel like were missing the damn point. All religions aside, really what's the frickn' point??

Then it sort of hit me like a reindeer fart in the face- we do it because our Mama's did and our Mama's Mama did before her. For years my mother carried on with the decorating and false cheer for us- her kids. So it makes me wonder, did Granny do the same for her? Is Christmas tradition just some perpetuated myth about holiday cheer handed down by the mothers of the family. We do it because our ancestors did- not because we necessarily want to, but because we're programmed that way?

Not a very happy thought I know, and I'm not sure I buy it wholesale myself, but it does make me think. Would my mother be much happier on a cruise to Mexico on December 25th than making mashed potoates and ambrosia for us? For that matter how would she feel it I stole her and we ran off to Tahiti for a christmas rum punch and a tropical christmas tree? Now that's a tradition worth starting!

Or maybe we should go to Australia- you know it's full summer there at Christmas time. My friend Natasha, who is from Australia, said they used to leave out a beer for Santa on Christmas eve; no milk and cookies for him! That's a lot of extra weight to carry around in the middle of summer big guy- maybe a few less beers would help (hint, hint)

Either way I think we need to rethink this darn season- because really, we should wish for peace on earth all year round, we should think of others all year round and I for one, would love to give and get presents all year round too! Not because we are expected too, but because someone genuinely thought of us and we did the same. Now that's a present worth giving or getting.

So Ma? Are you having Christmas this year? .... or are we going to Tahiti?

And You Thought This Was A Good Idea Because...?

So they found my nephews car! And it's totally driveable- guess why? Because the idiot that stole it, thought the cops wouldn't notice a 1965 Mustang with a primer hood. Oh no! that must not be the one reported stolen, because there are so many of them. IDIOT!

But officer, it IS my car!

Well sir, is that you back pack?

Um yeah...

Your name is Danny?

Um...

Sir, step out of the vehicle.

MORON!


Merry Christmas Danny- I'm so pleased you can now go back to school and not quit because some moron stole your car. Because having your car stolen is a totally understandable reason for quitting college right? Guess who else is a moron? God love 'em.

How hard is it really?

How hard is it? If it doesn't belong to you, don't take it. Simple right? Apparently it is a concept we humans have one hell of a time understanding.
My nephews car was stolen today. He's 19 years old with a brand new job, trying to make it through college. Some jerk decides to steal his car. Granted it was a 1965 Mustang a highly iconic car, but really? It wasn't theirs to take and they did it anyway. How rude. How selfish. How mean.
And why? How will their life advance because of it? Probably not as much as the ride meant to my nephew. School and work are all he was able to do and now he may not be able to do that. HOW CRAPPY!
It really makes me mad, especially at this "time of year". We're supposed to be thinking of others dammit- not stealing cars and getting in to fist fights at Best Buy over what basically amounts to an expensive pile of crap. Now, that last bit didn't happen to me, but I saw it on the news and was once again dumbfounded at the selfishness and baseness of people. Merry Christmas- I punched a guy out to get you that - Don't I love you? Aren't I a great person? Ummm, NO! Hi! Kind of missed the point jackass!
GRRRR... I think I may boycott the whole gift giving thing this year- It's not like I could buy my nephew a car, a gift that would actually do some good and be appreciated.
People suck sometimes....crap.

Two Peas in a Pod

Happy Birthday to my pod-mate! My best friend! My better pod-half. Here's to our similarities and our differences- you are like the sister we never had- Thank you for being the amazing woman you are and for encouraging me to be a better one. I love you and I miss you terribly. As our lives have taken a new path I know that my fellow pea will always share a part of my life. Congrats on your birthday- enjoy! Love- Pea 1 (Hey I'm older! you're the smart one anyway!)

It's all in the coat...

Now in life there a great many mysteries- the mystery of the coat is one I LOVE to see. Each "generation" or so an actor comes along that knows how to wear clothes- no matter what you put on him they know how to carry it. And then there's the coat- you know what coat I'm talking about... THE COAT.

Andre and I had such fun fabric shopping and when he picked this out we both knew that it would be FABULOUS. (It's a heavy velveteen with a gold stencil pattern) I worked so hard on this coat and every finger prick was totally worth it. I am honestly proud of this coat. It is the kind of coat that would look good on a dressform. And the actor wearing it just takes it to a whole new level... This coat is on the same level as the "Hamlet" coat and "The Mr. Darcy walking in the mist" coat. I mean really...Those of you in the know, know what I'm talking about.

I hope that this coat is used again... I'm having a hard time not taking it home!

Here's to the "Mystery of the Coat!"... mmmmmm....

PS: The Country Wife is still playing: November 30th, December 1st and 2nd at 8pm and December 3rd at 2pm. 909-537-5844