Finals Week

English final was this morning and I also turned in a paper. All on 3 hours of terrible sleep. Came home, ran errands, paid bills, mailed stuff, ate tacos and slept for a couple of hours. I'm putting together a study guide (this is my break time) for my Italian final which is at 8:30 PM tomorrow. I haven't had a night final since my freshman year. Brings back memories.

Thursday is my history map quiz and primary source session. And then I'm home free to bake Christmas cookies, wrap presents and watch all the cheesy Xmas flicks I can get my hands on.

Sometimes I sit around wondering what my life will be like without finals and homework and school in it. Then I think about going to grad school. And right about that point I shoot myself for even considering it.

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Last night I helped my mom find a deal on the last big ticket item she needed to buy for Christmas. It was for Jonathan, and while I wish I could share I can't be certain he isn't lurking about. I think she has a few more things to pick up but it's all stocking stuffer things I'm assuming. My Dad bought her a Cricut so I need to go pick up an extra cartridge or two for it at some point. And I'm sure he'll send me on a last minute run for something because he does that every year.

Our Dad is the hardest person to buy Christmas presents for. He just doesn't need a lot of stuff. And he likes getting goofy presents that normal people don't enjoy. Which means we picked up things like new thick socks, pajama pants and cologne. It's kind of hilarious.

But we did come up with an awesome present. On our last Sanibel trip he caught a big snook. We came home and I never printed pictures of it. All he's harped on for months is how he has no photographic proof of that fish.

So...I printed 70 shots of their various fishcapades on that trip and put them in a photo album. I also got some of them in 5x7 and 8x10 form and framed them.



Best Christmas ever? Probably. He's so easy.

Omg, now I want a British one...

I know I'm turning into a youtube blog, but whatever...the kids need to stop being cute. Blame them.

Classically-trained thespian and Royal Shakespeare Company alum Brian Cox guides 2-year-old Theo through the first sentence of Hamlet’s “to be, or not to be” soliloquy:

I'll Take One of These, Please

So he plays a bit fast and loose with the lyrics, just check out that killer ukelele playing! And the emotion!

Christmas Island Dreaming

Why can't I live somewhere where these are not only acceptable but appropriate to wear in December?

Instead I'm working on a history paper this morning while covered in 2 blankets, an internet search for warm slippers is pulled up on my computer and snow is on the ground outside my window.

Not fair.

Photo of the Day

This photo is classic Molly. Always wanting to both be on someone's lap, yet never content. She exists in some sort of heightened state of paranoia at all times.



This one? Just because.


I really hope I get a 50mm for Christmas. Santa, are you listening? Indoor shots would improve so much. It's taking a lot of self control for me not to just go ahead and purchase one. Sigh...patience is not a virtue I possess.

New Christmas list addition: The Dreamy Diana Lens

It's so pretty. Want. Want. Want.

And this is why I want a kitten for Christmas...

Day 30: The End of the Road

My Favorite Holiday Albums

Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas (classic, classic, classic)

Jack Johnson (Brushfire Holidays vol. 1): This Warm December (Someday at
Christmas is my favorite track off of this one.)

Taylor Swift: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (I love her version of Last
Christmas, as well as Christmases When You Were Mine)

Elvis Presley: Elvis' Christmas Album (Blue Christmas is classic, but I adore Santa Claus is Back in Town)

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas (I'm in not in the proper holiday mood until I've heard Mariah belt out All I Want for Christmas is You)

Jackson 5: The Ultimate Jackson 5 Christmas Collection (funny that such great Christmas songs come from a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. My favorite Santa Claus is Coming to Town is from the mouth of baby Michael.)

Hanson: Snowed In (my absolute favorite, nothing beats their Merry Christmas Baby and Christmas, Baby Please Come Home. The throwback to The Beach Boys with Little Saint Nick is superb.)

A Very Special Christmas (1987): featuring numerous artists in a holiday album to benefit The Special Olympics (Christmas in Hollis, Run DMC. Santa Baby, Madonna. I rest my case.)

Beach Boys: Christmas with the Beach Boys (I can't like the Hanson album without enjoying the inspiration.)

Dream Christmas Album Artist: John Mayer. Just saying he should think about that.

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I can't believe I've made it to the end of NaBloPoMo without skipping any days. I know my posts were not monumental and sometimes didn't contain many words. But who's to judge that lack of words somehow means that what I'm doing isn't blogging? Stories get told in a variety of ways. And I certainly feel, looking back on this month, that I have a perfect snapshot of what November 2009 was like for me. While I don't plan to continue posting daily I do hope to continue offering vignettes here and there so I have something to look back on. Thanks for reading and thanks to those who commented. I appreciate it.