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Still exhausted, but here are some of my favorite holiday memories:
Becky calling me to say how much she loved the beautiful photograph on Peter and Emily’s Christmas card.
Griffin running downstairs and calling out to Sophia “let’s go read!”.
Bompie and Sophia doing hopscotch on the sidewalk downtown on the way to eat lunch.
Josh giving Griffin a guitar lesson on New Year’s Eve.
Angela playing golf for hours on the Wii.
Kaye and Angela picking out paintings to take home.
Kaye making us all go on walks.
Darrin, ever the partymeister, placing the disco ball on the mantle for maximum affect.
Every time the phone rang somebody would say “I wonder if that’s Michelle…”.
We have to recover quickly, there’s a baby coming!
Griffin won a sailing race.
We observed the Krispy Kreme ritual:
MUCH Sudoku was played, in groups or alone.
We went to a party with the party animals.
Early New Year’s Eve.
Rockin’ in the new year:
Star gazing in the COLD:
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." --Neil Gaiman
Hope everyone is enjoying this time with their families and reveling in the holiday madness. Although, if I hear Hannah Montana's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" one more time, I WILL hurt someone.
Per usual, on the 26th, I had to put all decorations away, even if they did sit in the boxes in the living room until today.
I am really really happy and incredibly grateful. I welcome 2009 with double fist pumps into the air.
Amidst the happiness though, I can't help thinking that it's going to be another year without my Dad. There are STILL times I feel he will just show up. Or that the last few times I've been at dinner at Mom's that he was up on the computer or in the basement. That perhaps we just kept missing each other. I feel that way and then hear him in my head saying it's all right and life goes on and that he misses me too. And then I hear "Here comes the Sun" by the Beatles on the car radio. Since my Dad died, I associate him with the sun. Everything bright and warm and happy. It's fitting. He was everything bright and warm and happy. Our family dentist recently said about Dad that "the energy in the room changed when he came in."
Isn't that great, Dad? The power to change the energy in the room? Now, that's charisma. I could only hope someone would say something like that about me.
It makes me smile.
I don't really make resolutions. I think they're stupid. So, instead I will focus on just one word. More. More of everything. More sleep, more love, more yoga, more sex, more time with friends, more laughing, more enjoying, more attention, more patience...just more of everything, even if it's just a little bit. I wish that for you in 2009. More.
I would also like to publicly state that 2 1/2 weeks off from school is a little excessive. Who decided this garbage? I mean, when I'm Queen, I'm going to change that to 1 day off of school. Just Christmas day. That's a full 24 hours. That's a long time for a 6 year old.
Happy New Year Bitches.
XOXO
Last night we had sushi and watched "Christmas Story" while we waited for Santa. Sophia ate ice cream with chopstix.
This morning we watched "It's A Wonderful Life" and waited for her to wake up. Angela and Josh finally woke her up around 8:30.
Somebody is going to get hurt on this thing. Most likely it will be one of the parents who keep trying to show her how to ride this thing and then great whooping and uh-ohs and near-misses occur.
Friday Angela and I had lunch with Sophia at school. The last day of school before Christmas break is bedlam, pretty much, and not a lot of lunch was eaten by the kids who had just had cookies in their classroom. I had a cheeseburger and chocolate milk.
Saturday Josh and Gerry went up in the attic and installed insulation all along the heat/ac duct. It was grueling and sweaty but well worth the effort. Many beers were consumed.
Saturday night we all went to a party where the host is known and famous as a beer maker. I truly enjoyed my glass of wheat beer with a fresh orange slice.
It's been warm here in Gainesville. Yesterday it was 80 degrees so Angela and I worked outside and transplanted things. Gerry has been caulking like crazy in the sunroom and it looks great.
Sophia and I made 2 dozen cupcakes. It is impossible to tell a child to stop eating cupcakes when the adults are downing them 3 at a time. I bought 3 frosting flavors so everyone could personalize their treat.
Here's the last one. It was consumed immediately after the picture was taken.
Today we were sitting around playing Sudoku and such and suddenly Ger hollered at the cat...who had jumped up on the counter and stuck her paw in the big fish tank. Well! Now we know what happened to the missing fish!
Sophia runs around the house, bouncing from the Wii to painting something, to drawing, to wiggling 3 or 4 teeth, to tormenting the cat. The Santa anticipation is at red alert.
I had no idea this flower was so pretty until after I took the picture. Weird how that happens, eh? It's just a grocery store mum or something. (good band name, "Grocery Store Mums")
The forecast right now, as I type, is 1 degree. 1 friggin degree. Needless to say, I'm staying in and about to make soup. I contemplated seeing a movie during my free early afternoon but not anymore. I like being warm.
The weekend was lovely. Reidys came over on Saturday afternoon to nosh and chat. Henry and Finn ran around playing most of the time, while Hadley "babysat" Gavin. I contemplated more than once taking a bite out of Gavin's cheek. He is a highly squishable, kissable baby. I also discovered that while I don't care much for most babies, I really liked that one. Although, my back started to hurt after holding him for a little while. He's a tank.
Sunday morning I was reading the paper and read this article about families down on their luck, staying in run down motels, paying by the week. I can't really say why I was moved by it because there are many many sad stories lately, but I knew I wanted to do something for these people. I laughed to myself as I bustled around getting the kids ready because Peter wasn't even up yet and he had specifically said the night before "We're not doing anything tomorrow, right?"
"Nope." I said. "We're all clear."
We like to laze around in our family.
Unfortunately for Peter, we weren't going to be doing much lying around. It was frrrrrreeeezing out and snowing too. We went to the store to pick up presents for the kids, gloves, hats, Xmas pjs, etc and loaded them into the car. Then we drove 45 minutes to the Triangle T Motel. I had called before we left to make sure the family was still there. When the woman answered I said "I read about this family and I have something for them." I described the family and she told me they were in room #7.
When we got to the motel, I didn't want to embarrass them so I took it to the front desk. We opened the door to the little office and the smell of kimchee wafted up my nose. Now, for all of you kimchee lovers, more power to you, but I think it smells like hot garbage and ass.
I digress.
A lovely little woman greeted me and when I started talking, she just kept nodding. She knew who I was talking about and she would make sure they got the stuff. Finn was pissed and started bawling because he wanted to give the little boy the Transformer toy he had picked out.
And then we went home. The whole thing took about 5 hours and I was really glad we did it. To see and hear Hadley "getting it" was really rewarding. Finn tried but at a little over 4 years old, he's still a bit too young.
I was proud of myself for thinking of it and proud of our family for doing it.
Happy Holidays. Hope the spirit moves you. I have soup to make.
Tonight we started hanging some pieces at Carl’s house for a projected late February show.
Carl is going to work on the lighting.
It was thrilling to get to stand back and see them properly displayed with room to breathe and room to let me truly absorb them. I’m very pleased with the result so far. Now, if my frame-maker’s elbow will get better…
I just walked Hadley to the bus stop and chatted with the usual bunch of moms who linger after the bus leaves. One of them says "Hey, I wanted to know if you guys were interested in recreating the nativity scene one night with the kids."
My mind when blank.
Well, it didn't go blank but I couldn't say "Um, no."
So instead I said "Sure, that sounds nice."
Some pleasantries were exchanged and I think I walked away with the starring role of Mary for Hadley.
We're going to switch it up a bit though, as the "Mary" in our house wears "funky" clothes (her words), usually has syrup in her hair, loves her rats, rock and roll and anything gross and slimy.
Speaking of the rats, we found out yesterday that my darling Finny is allergic to the rats...and dogs and a bunch of other stuff. Hadley is going to be devastated that we have to get rid of them. We're going to have a family meeting tonight or tomorrow to break the news to her about it. She's already suspicious because Finn keeps shouting "I'M ALLERGIC TO THE RATS!!!!"
On more than one occasion yesterday Hadley turned to me and said "Is he allergic, Mama?" I have masterfully diverted her attention twice now. Once, by telling her that we had tickets to High School Musical on ICE last night. (They LOVED it.) The second time I asked if she could draw a Llama, which immediately got her sketching.
Whew. Crisis averted.
Sigh... We will NOT be getting rid of Atticus though. I can't. Some may find that hard to understand. And for those people I say 'suck it.' That dog has brought me more comfort than I could ever convey.
My garden club’s Christmas auction is tomorrow night. This year Gerry made a birdhouse and a bunch of birdhouse tree ornaments. I helped him design them and I worked on the finishing touches. For the large house we used wormy chestnut wood, a glass insulator and a wooden spindle from a mill, copper accents, an antique key, glass knob and door stop. The photos are not great, but we were running out the door to get them delivered to the set-up committee. These auctions are a lot of work but it’s worth every effort.
The little birdhouse ornaments look great, but I’m here to tell you that I am the worst hammerer in the world. I used every cuss-word I know and invented some new ones. I wish you could see the copper accents and the tiny little copper and brass nails that I grew to loath.
We had visitors today. There were about 50 hens and chicks in the front yard. Ger grabbed the camera and I grabbed the food, some corn mixed with sunflower seeds.
I JUST found out that a dear friend from college is pregnant and due next Monday. (I was looking at pictures in Facebook and BAM! There was a knocked up Ferk!)
I went through all of the excitement of her whole pregnancy in about 48 seconds. I was looking for that one thing that would make the holidays seem special and make my heart glow a little. I think this might be it. A most wonderful Christmas present for the Chen family. Many many many X's and O's. I love you guys.
We had our family pictures taken at Red Rocks by the fantastic Rachel Olsen in late October. She is a magical genius and I love how she captured my fabulous foursome...
Seriously, if you're in Colorado, hire her. After she shoots your family, you'll want to befriend her. She's been a friend of Meg's for years and years and is just a really stellar human being, with mad photography skills.
She took this one of Meg, V and Mia a little while ago.
And then this one over Thanksgiving of my brother Neil and his family, who were in town from Dallas. (my sis in law Pam, and Olivia and Grace) We miss you guys!
Here’s D & K at Rockefeller Center in NYC last night.
Darrin stood in line at TKTS this morning and snagged tickets to see “Gypsy”.
I covet this chair and want it for my desk area. I refuse to use Peter's old office chair because I hate looking at it. So for now, I compute (you like that?) on my bed or at the kitchen table.
Peter thinks it's crazy business that I just don't use any old chair and perhaps you do too. However, if I don't love it, I'm not going to sit on it and I sure as hell don't want to look at it every day. So for now, there is no chair. I doubt I'll be paying full price for this one so I'm googling around trying to find one on the cheaper side.
Griffin’s school had their Madrigal Dinner last night and the choir sang. How does that little dickens manage to look so angelic?
We are back from our impromptu escapade. We hung holiday lights in two states, visited, feasted, laughed ourselves silly. Then I got a cold. Sheesh. My sinuses are so stopped up my head almost cracked open on the flight home yesterday.
Oh well.
Here’s Finn admiring the lights at his house.
Hadley and Finn got two rats while we were there. No, I didn’t touch the rats.
In Dallas we met Teri, Eric’s girlfriend.
Here you see us drinking Darrin’s birthday bottle of Dom Perignon ‘99. It was divine.
The Grebens sent us this picture of Sophia (at Grandpa and Grandma Greben’s). She lost her upper front tooth during Thanksgiving dinner.
Diego. What to say about Diego. He is still the nosiest cat alive. He liked helping Bompie with the puzzle.
He also really likes all the holiday preparations. His personal favorite is the warm, lighted door wreath. I think it brought out his inner Martha.
Here’s a shot of Darrin and Kaye admiring the end result of all the hard work. Paella and sangria! Yummmmmmm.
If you were ever wondering, yes, cheese can make you happy.
You must go right now and get some Mango Stilton cheese. G&J bought some while they were here and it.is.divine. I scoot into the kitchen, cut off a little bit, close my eyes and eat it, savoring every bit of it. So. GOOD. It goes very well with the bread from my new favorite place on the planet. It's a new organic French bakery called Pierre Michel. It opened last week and we've been there 3 times already.
Much love to the Grammy and Bompie show for making a stop here in Denver. We had a grand time with them and the kids are already asking when we are going to see them again. Many kudos to Grammy for putting up with our new additions: two rats! She was a good sport about it.
Lady is the littler silkier one, and she's a total lovely lady, hence her name. She likes to sit on you while you pet her. She's Hadley's rat and the equivalent of a lap dog. The other is much bigger, with courser hair and is always.on.the.move. She is appropriately Finn's rat and she (although Finn insists she's a HE) has many names: Tuck Sprinkles Despereux Provost is the latest. Peter and I call her Tuck. They are really awesome little pets. I spoil the crap out of them with fresh veggies and yogurt. They love cilantro and sprouts. Atticus is already used to them and will push them around with his nose.
Thanksgiving at my bro's house was memorable. My family lifts me up. I am funnier with them all, lighter, and calmer. Even though it's ALWAYS a circus. Funny how that happens. Also, my brother AOP, and his wife M are THE best hosts. You know those people? The house is warm and inviting. They are calm and welcoming and generous and funny. I feel so at home at their house and strive to be half as gracious as they are.
I spent a lot of time on their couch that night. My body is not keeping up with me these days. Stress and doing too much I'm sure. My hair is coming out again, which is always annoying. I am lucky to have SO MUCH DAMN HAIR but I still hate to have handfuls of hair coming out after a shower or blowdry.
We are recovering and enjoying the first snow of the season today. The kids are dying to get out in it. However, I am happy, snuggled in our big wonderful bed.
The 29 gift project is going well, if you're wondering, and yes I'm still doing it. I'm enjoying just doing things and not talking about it. It makes it feel more special.
Wishing you pockets of thoughtful silence, moisturized lips and good cheese....
I never get tired of playing with this silly thing. I should have an art blog of nothing but these images of my cyber museum/gallery.
So, we're back home and so happy to be reunited with H,F and of course the dog faced boy. I am struggling getting back into the swing of things, mentally and physically but today is better than yesterday. Yesterday sssuuuuuuccckkkked.
I just found this website called 29gifts.org, and was immediately inspired. It challenges you to give something away every day for 29 days. It doesn't even have to be anything big. I thought "What a beautiful idea!" and then thought "I should do that sometime" thinking of course, that I couldn't do it now because I have so much going on... blah blah blah.
I will ALWAYS have so much going on. That's the point. To get outside of yourself and focus on someone else.
Today is Day 1. I've already decided that I want to put money in the container at Finn's school for his teacher who was in a horrible car accident.
This will be fun!
I love Europe for too many reasons to list. It is my thought that every American should have to spend at least 2 weeks in Europe in their lifetime. I think that would help a lot of the stupid ones. I also think that everyone should have to wait tables and bartend for at least 2 weeks in their lifetime. Same reason. Help the stupid ones.
I can't even describe fully what an amazing time we are having. This. Is. Living. And it's absolutely thrilling to have fallen more deeply in love with Peter. He rules.
I way overdid it yesterday with all of my Gaudi excitement and am tired and achy but it was worth it. To witness Peter's astonishment at Sagrada Familia was exhilarating. I kept trying to pretend I'd never seen it before. In many ways, I had not, as seeing something with Peter is different every time you see it because of the things he notices. And of course, Parc Guell never ever disappoints. I closed my eyes and thought of you, KBDK. 
Peter keeps taking random pictures of fancy Euro scooters for AXM.
I am glad I packed lots of leggings as my waist is expanding daily. However, I recoil at stuff like "Exquisite fatty and meaty Iberian hog meat". Oh yes. And those of you who know Peter, know that he ordered it. (It ended up not coming. A fact he did not notice until after we had left the restaurant, thank god.)
i like to cook and i like to cuss. i do both every thursday, as i take on a new recipe from my ever-expanding cookbook collection and attempt to bend it to my will. mondays are for meals under $5. every other day is a goddamn crapshoot.
So says the author of http://thursdaynightsmackdown.com/
Pictures and recipes.
Tony Dow of Leave it to Beaver fame has a sculpture in a juried exhibit in Paris. Not wanting to be outdone, I went to Dumpr and put myself in what looks like the Tate Modern to my eyes. Here is my painting “Core Sample”. It’s dimensions are 30 1/2” x 21 1/2” oil on board. I’m wishing I’d made it as big as it looks in this photo.
