Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas in Review

It's so much fun having little ones around for Christmas. Their delight in the smallest wonders kept all the adults smiling.

Some of my favorite moments:

Colin: "I got a box!"
Anna: "I hope you feel better by Christmas, Auntie Emily."
Both: "The CLOCK! The CLOCK!" (Said each time Nana's clock would chime. Then they would count in unison each time it rang.)
Colin: "Em-wee!" as he ran toward me with open arms and gave me a tackling hug.
Decorating gingerbread cookies with Anna and Jennifer.
Colin putting chocolate fudge into his mouth with both hands before saying, "Moh Chocwat, pwease."

Unfortunately, I'm still under the weather. My annoying cold has turned into a sinus infection, and my doctor is on holiday! (I'm seeing her colleague tomorrow -- the soonest I could get in.) It's nice to be home, and Sabrina is VERY glad I'm back, but I do miss those sweet voices and all the hugs.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Posted by Picasa

A sweet kiss from Colin O. Posted by Picasa

Opening my first gift, from Anna, a feather and 2 acorns, wrapped in paper decorated by her. Colin is playing with his new motorcycle. Posted by Picasa

Friday, December 23, 2005

Fun with Anna & Colin

Anna and I are sitting at Grandad's computer. Just finished catching up reading my sisters' blogs and my comments. Thanks for everyone's well-wishes. I am starting to feel better. Anna says she hopes I'm better for Christmas and asks me several times a day how many days it is until Christmas.

Colin has a cold, too, and he refuses to blow his nose. But he will let you wipe it. It's something, I guess.

Anna and I had quite a giggle-fest yesterday when I laid on the couch and Grandad's dog Patchie came and laid on my tummy. Every time I laughed, Patchie would bounce up and down. She didn't try to get off, just enjoyed the ride, which only made us laugh more.

Later, Patchie made a coughing noise that sounded like "Blech!" I imitated the noise to Anna and Colin's delight. Colin kept saying "Again!" I must have Blech-ed 100 times.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

My Status

I thought I should write something...even though I don't feel much like writing...but I thought if anyone was checking the site, it would be nice for them to see a new post. And I don't want to lose my loyal audience...

I feel like crap. In addition to my emotional upheaval, I've got a nasty head cold. It started on Saturday and has only gotten worse. I've gone through probably hundreds of tissues and taking decongestants, Mucinex and lots of vitamin C. Just hoping the congestion in my ears clears out before I fly to El Paso on Thursday.

That's what I'm focusing on...seeing my parents, Jenn, Anth and the kids for Christmas. I've wrapped all the gifts and have already started packing. Hope all who are reading have a wonderful, magical Christmas and safe travels!

Friday, December 16, 2005

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Steve and I have decided not to see each other anymore. I don't want to go into details, but it takes awhile to get to know someone, and sometimes, along the way, you learn things about them that aren't compatible with you.

I'm bummed. We had some fun times, but I also think I've made the right decision. It's just sad when things come to an end.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Holiday Symbolism

I love all the holiday decor. Several houses on my street deck their doors, trees and bushes with lights, and I always put up my tree and a wreath on the door.

But what's the significance of the pink flamingo?

One of the houses down the street, in addition to it's red, green and white Christmas lights, has a pink flamingo in lights, complete with an orange beak.

Evergreen trees are meant to signify God's everlasting love, and lights are to signal that Christ has come as the light to the world. But the pink flamingo? I just don't know.

Friday, December 09, 2005

About Being Thirty-Something

What is it about being over thirty that your body begins a mutiny against its host?

I remember in college learning something about after 30 your body biologically starts to decline. Any growth is now over, and biologically speaking, it's all downhill.

Well, I know what's growing! Chinny hairs! (This is what my mom and sisters and I call the suspiciously wiry and unwanted hairs that spring from your chin at wild angles.)

I found another one this morning. I have a mole in the middle of my chin that, since puberty, has sprouted obvious dark hairs. I tried getting the mole removed when I was 17, and although the mole got lighter and less noticeable, the hairs continued to emerge at regular intervals. Some are now gray -- I don't think this is due to my age. I think I have sped up the aging of those hair follicles by plucking them.

So I continuously check the mole on my chin for new growth. This morning, in addition to the new dark hair from the ever-producing mole, I also had a longish blonde hair under my chin. What's with that?! I don't need that!

At least men get some, too. Their extra hair springs from their nose and ears. Maybe the chin isn't so bad compared to that.

Of course, I'm sure my mom and aunts will post comments about how much more fun I have to look forward to: menopause, the disappearance of collagen, moustaches...Can't wait!

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

The Ultimate in Selective Listening

Why do cats selectively understand what you're saying? It's freezing outside today (literally, it's been raining and sleeting and is below the freezing point), and my cat is sitting by the sliding glass door, meowing to be let out. I even opened the door wide enough for her to get out, and she could tell it was too cold. She didn't go through the open door, so after 30 seconds or so, I shut it.

That was only 10-15 minutes ago. It's not any warmer now, I promise!

Sabrina is 12, and she really does understand some human phrases, such as:
Want a treat?
Wanna go outside?
Don't even think about it!
Ready for bed?

I love her dearly, but today, since I'm working from home because of the inclement weather and the incompetent driving ability of most Texans, she's driving me crazy!

Ok, I give up. I'm letting her out so she can experience this cold for herself. I know she'll just come back in and complain to me (more meowing), apparently believing that I control the weather.

(She went out...lasted about 1.5 minutes.)

A Trip into the Past

One of the things Dallas is most known for, and the most shameful, is being the location for President John F. Kennedy's assassination. While I have driven past "the grassy knoll" on several occassions, I haven't visited the 6th Floor Museum at the Book Repository or taken the tour, until Monday night.

One of my clients was in town from Pittsburgh, and our evening activity was the tour. The museum is very well done, with many visuals, artifacts from the time period, audio and video. You can walk through at your own pace and experience any and all of these.

What I took away from the exhibit was a real sense of the sadness felt by the country and around the world when Kennedy's life was ended in such an unexpected and early time. The museum did a nice job of capturing that time in history -- the segregation, the Civil Rights movement, the fear of communism -- and Kennedy's idealism. I wish we had more of the sense of personal responsibility that he instilled in the generation of young people at that time: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

Happy Holidays! (Enjoying the festivities at my company party) Posted by Picasa

Monday, December 05, 2005

Entertainment x 3

Although I flew back into town early Friday morning and we had planned a quiet evening, Steve got free symphony tickets for Friday evening, and we just couldn't pass it up. We had a quick Italian dinner and headed downtown. The symphony was hosting a talented young violinist as a guest soloist. She is just 17, but her talent and dedication were obvious. She was so expressive and obviously felt and loved the music she was playing. I enjoyed watching her and seeing both the child and the young woman in her expressions.

On Saturday night, we had both Steve’s and my company parties. His was held in a suite at the Mavericks’ game. Mine was held downtown, a “Monte Carlo” night with a karaoke room. We had so much fun at both…Sunday was spent recovering!

Friday, December 02, 2005

What I've Been Up To

Sorry I haven't posted since the Thanksgiving review. Monday was a whirlwind day back at the office, and I learned I would be in Chicago Tuesday and Wednesday. I already had plane tickets to Houston on Wednesday for Thursday's tea, so today is only my second day in the office this week!

Chicago was SO cold! When I got there, it was in the 30's with a bitter wind. There were a few snow flurries, but nothing on the ground. My two days of meetings went well, and Wednesday I headed to Houston, where it was a balmy 65-70.

The twins were so excited to see "Auntie Eminee!" I got lots of great hugs and kisses. Steph gave me a glass of wine, and Graham asked so sweetly for a sip, I couldn't refuse. He had a taste and replied, "Mmm! Yummy in my tummy!"

On Thursday, my mom, aunt Cinda, cousin Bevie and Steph's sister-in-law Gwynn and niece Lauren arrived. It was girl time! The twins suddenly had lots of family around to love on and play with. Once they went down for their afternoon nap, we all gathered in Stephanie's ample bathroom to get ready. Stephanie graciously fixed Bevie's, Lauren's, mom's and my hair! She's very stylish and has quite a way with hair accoutrements. We joked that she missed her calling as a hair stylist!

The tea was lovely. Held at the country club, everything was festively decorated, and there was plenty of delicious finger sandwiches, desserts and champagne. Everyone looked their finest. (Sorry I have no pictures to share. I forgot my camera, but I highjacked Steph's and took several photos.) We all commented that Jennifer was missed. The good doctor had patients to care for...

Now, it's back to reality. Crazy deadlines, clients calling to make changes at the last minute, and more work than can possibly get done in a day. (And I'm blogging. Well, I needed a break!)