Year One
December 26, 2010 at 10:00 am | Posted in fun & frolicking, love, memory lane, sentimentality, why I love him | 44 CommentsToday marks one year since our first date so I put together this little montage in honor of it.
Hey Darcy? Thanks for loving me just as I am.
**We leave Tuesday for the Oregon Coast. I’m taking an internet break until the new year. See you in 2011!**
Video Holiday Card from Me to You
December 22, 2010 at 6:00 am | Posted in my neurosis | 21 CommentsNothing says “happy holidays” like singing off key (or being drunk around your family!) and Supple and I are here singing you “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” because you voted for it. It’s rather loud and the sound quality isn’t the best. Those are my disclaimers and I’m sticking with them.
If you missed our “Marshmallow World” performance last week, I’ve added it as a bonus video here. Because seeing Mr. Darcy pop in and out of the frame makes me chuckle. And because I do just adore you, Sizzle Readers.
Here’s to the happiest of holidays to your and yours. Be safe & jolly!
Holiday Cheer to the Max
December 20, 2010 at 7:51 am | Posted in family, fun & frolicking, holidays | 23 CommentsI’m finally able to breathe through my nose! It’s amazing the things we take for granted- like breathing through unobstructed airways. I’m grateful to be feeling 90% better because there is much holiday-ing I need to participate in and when I am sick, I don’t feel like doing much but laying on the couch streaming Netflix and being crabby. Besides, think of all the holiday booze I am missing out on! I have a lot of catching up to do.
My family volunteers at the Wonderland Carousel every holiday season. It’s fun to do something good with the people you love. Besides, they don’t stand a chance in getting out of it as I am a tried and true Volunteer Coordinator even if that is no longer my title. I think volunteering is a tremendous thing to do with your time all year round.
The Carousel was again, awesome. Though this year there were no marriage proposals. There were 2 drunk Seahawks fans who when I asked for their ticket rifled though some papers in their hand all the while the ticket was sticking out of his mouth. And a lady who when I said she and her daughter might have to wait for the next go round said she would just have to go get her money back because she couldn’t wait. IT WAS A DONATION TO A NON-PROFIT THAT HELPS FOSTER KIDS YOU SCROOGEY BITCH. I mean, Merry Christmas and I hope you are saving up for your daughter’s eventual therapy needs.
I’m pretty sure my nephew rode the Carousel, oh, ten times in the span of 2 hours. At one point while riding it with him he exclaimed, “THE CAROUSEL IS THE BEST!” with delight on his face. That boy loves the Carousel more than his Barbie – a newly acquired toy (thanks thrift store) that he insisted on disrobing while hanging out with us on our volunteer shift. I helped him undress it saying, “Well, I guess Barbie is a nudist.” He looked at me quizzically and asked in all seriousness, “What’s a nudist?” So I told him, “It’s a person who doesn’t like to wear clothes. Now go tell your mother that Barbie is a nudist.” And off he ran, first running into his dad where he held up naked Barbie and proclaimed, “BARBIE IS A NUDIST!” then off to his mom where he giggled the term again.
Hey, what are aunts for if not to teach their nephew terms like “nudist”. It was a teaching moment that I couldn’t pass up.
Finn & Dokey on the Carousel
Man, I love that kid. I can’t wait for Christmas morning and sharing in his insane delight in presents.
Mr. Darcy and I have agreed on a holiday tradition. Since we don’t have that many ornaments and want to start a collection of special ones, we decided we would make each other an ornament each year. I haven’t finished started his yet but the idea is ripe in my head. He made mine yesterday while I was out at yoga. This is what you get when you are living/loving/making a life with an artist.
Mr. Darcy to Ms. Sizzle: 2010 Ornament
How I will match that masterpiece, I have no idea. I do so love it though. And him.
Bonus gratuitous shot of my two favorite boys. I was booted from the seat next to Finn because he always wants Mr. D to sit with him. Awww.
Mr. Darcy & Finn have a man-talk on the Carousel.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
December 15, 2010 at 7:20 am | Posted in fun & frolicking, holidays | 13 CommentsSupple, Mr. Darcy and I contributed to Neilochka’s 5th Annual Blogger Chrismalhijrahankwanzakah Concert (try typing that!) and it’s up today! Pop on over and see which song we sang, get yourself a big dose of holiday cheer and support all the other bloggers who risked on line embarrassment by performing.
Hint: The song title includes the name of something you might put in hot cocoa.
Every time I watch our video I crack up at Mr. Darcy’s part. He’s such a good sport. And once Supple got over a raging case of herpes the giggles, we managed to capture the song in under 6 takes.
A bonus video from Supple and I is slated to make its appearance here next week. Stay tuned!
Cookie-d
December 14, 2010 at 6:55 am | Posted in bloggers rule!, holidays | 1 CommentMy dear friend Abby is hosting me on her blog today. I wrote about my Dad’s Christmas cookies. I even tell you how to make them yourself! What are you waiting for? Check it out.
When It Rains
December 13, 2010 at 9:37 am | Posted in health, holidays, my nephew is awesome, the super | 17 CommentsIt rained and rained and rained all weekend. Perfect weather for staying home to write holiday cards and bake. Except I woke up Saturday with swollen glands and soreness when I swallowed. Eek! I thought I had bested those germs last week?!
I’m home from work today because the sleep I got was sweaty, feverish, and intermittent. I was apparently snoring so badly (thanks mucus!) that Mr. Darcy had to sleep on the couch. I feel pretty wrecked this morning and am going to attempt to take it easy.
Except that a new tenant is reporting fleas in her apartment and there is a leak in the basement and there are multiple noise complaints about a particular couple in a particular unit and the front door isn’t latching every time it shuts and. . . and. . . and. . . Mr. Darcy was a dear and went into work late so he could get flea bombs and set them off. I’m dealing with the other stuff today as energy permits.
I’m half-way through my cards and baking but not sure I can muster the enthusiasm or energy to finish either today. The couch beckons.
Here’s some holiday cheer for you:
Finn AKA Rudolph
Sing A Song
December 8, 2010 at 7:54 am | Posted in fun & frolicking, holidays | 15 CommentsSo it’s about that time for Neilochka’s annual Christmashanukwanzaakah holiday concert. In the years past I have teamed up with Greeblemonkey to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (a duet from Colorado and Washington was no small feat). I’ve sang “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” solo. I’ve paired up with my ex, The Fella, singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and with Neil himself doing his re-written version of “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”. It’s all in fun and holiday merriment.
This year Supple and Mr. Darcy are getting in on the act but we can’t decide on a song so we’re putting it out to the internet for a vote. Please keep in mind that we’re more funny, campy and tongue in cheek than serious.
Holidays Up In Here
December 7, 2010 at 7:23 am | Posted in family, fun & frolicking | 17 CommentsI managed to pack in some holiday cheer this weekend despite feeling like I am fighting off a cold.
I attended the Figgy Pudding Caroling Contest and got to see/kiss on the cheek the lovely Pantsless in Seattle (she was wearing pants though, actually cute stripped tights). Their group, The Carol Brunettes, were my favorite and that’s not just because I love her blog.
Our 1st Christmas Tree
Mr. Darcy and I got our first tree together. We managed to pick it out, cart it home and set it up with nary a disagreement. Poor Mr. Darcy did have to screw, unscrew, then rescrew to right our crooked tree but besides that, it was a breeze. Of course, true to the Jones Family Way, I had to rearrange the furniture to accommodate the tree. The new set up will do until we host Christmas Eve festivities at our home. We like to just sit and look at the tree all lit up. Fills me with Christmas warm & fuzzies.
We went to the South Park Art Under $100 sale in support of my sister and friends. Those of you who have been around a year might recall that I participated in this event last year selling my handmade felt pins. I opted out this year knowing that I did not have the time to make enough goods to sell. My sister slaved away and managed to sell most of her handmade books. Hurrah! While waiting in a very long line to get in, Mr. Darcy and Supple drank contraband beers and we sang along to the busker as he busted out “Sweet Caroline”. I ran into an old co-worker who happened to be with someone I had never met who a) almost had my sister as her wedding photographer and b) reads my blog (Hi!). It’s a small world.
I heard “It’s a marshmallow world that we’re living in…” song for the first time. How have I lived 37 years with no knowledge of this song? I mean the Rat Pack sings it! And how does my own mother know it and I don’t?
I went to book club where in we spent more time talking about our lives than the book (typical, not complaining). We read These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901 Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner. Despite that lengthy title it was a quick, engaging read. I also read Zeitoun by Dave Eggers and highly recommend it. The book is the story of the Zeitoun family’s experience of Hurricane Katrina.There was a lot I didn’t know went on during that time and it is appalling how people were treated. The parts about the dogs left behind broke my heart.
We helped my Mom decorate her tree with the family. They went out to a tree farm along with our adopted family member, Supple. Mr. Darcy and I opted to support a local non-profit with our tree purchase. I remember one time my family went to cut down our tree. My dad left the saw somewhere and we wasted a lot of time wandering around searching for it because we couldn’t leave without returning it. Finally my mom found one lying on the ground and regardless of if it was ours, took it so we could get the heck out of there. (Good thinking, Mom!)
I took yesterday off because all weekend I felt run down. On Sunday I slept from 10pm til 7:30am then fell asleep on the couch til 9:30am then got back in bed and slept until 10:30am. I briefly woke up to eat an egg sandwich then fell back to sleep til noon. I NEVER SLEEP THAT MUCH. I’ve been pushing extra vitamins, drinking lots of tea and juice, Zicam-ing and taking my “placebos” as Kaply calls them. If it helps me to believe I am getting better and that is merely the power of positive thinking “healing” me then so be it. I don’t want to be sick. Who has the time? I certainly don’t. Besides, I got a flu shot. I thought that meant that after the injection I was in an invisible fortress of health. WTF?
Next weekend is crafting and holiday baking and a nephew date.
Is it the weekend yet?
I Got Yelled At In South Philly
December 2, 2010 at 8:07 am | Posted in adventures, my neurosis, travel | 28 Comments
Misteak. Get it?
While Mr. Darcy and I were visiting East, his family insisted on taking me for my first Philly Cheesesteak experience. Now it needs to be stated that Mr. Darcy’s family is from South Jersey. His sister’s family is about a 15 minute drive over a bridge to South Philly. And they take their cheesesteaks very seriously.
On the car ride over I was given the history of the battle between Geno’s and Pat’s- two establishments that serve cheesesteaks and are directly across the street from one another. Pat’s is more understated while Geno’s is a neon monstrosity. Like a girl wearing way too much make up and sausage-casing tight close, Gino’s definitely looks like it’s trying too hard to be noticed. I suppose the Darcy family’s opinions have been ingrained in me as they are tried and true Pat’s fans. I’m pretty sure Mr. Darcy’s dad would promptly remove me from the genealogy tree if I were to venture over to Geno’s.
Side Note: The Food Network awarded Pat’s Best Cheesesteak over Geno’s.
There is a particular way to order at Pat’s and if you mess it up, they can and will send you to the back of the line. Mind you, this line is often wrapped around the block and then some. I started to panic. I freak out in line at Starbucks about ordering in a timely and correct fashion and I go there enough that I get ample practice and yet I STILL INTERNALLY WIG OUT. I hate holding up a line or inconveniencing people. And here I am venturing into South Philly with very strict instructions on how to order a cheesesteak.
Hold me.
Pat’s has a sign that informs you how to order:
Don't Fuck This Up
So we pile out of the car and make our way to the line. I’m trying to decide between cheese whiz and American. I’m considering mushrooms. I’m asking Mr. Darcy and his sister where I say “mushrooms” because the instructions don’t tell you. OHGODIAMGOINGTOMESSUP! His sister does the ordering for most of the family and then turns to me.
I say, “I’ll have a mushroom cheesesteak wit. . . “
The counter guy interrupts, “LADY!” and gives me quite a look of disdain.
Apparently you never utter the word “cheesesteak” while ordering. Well fuck me for trying to be clear. His sister takes over ordering for me saying to the guy, “She’s not from here.” I sheepishly stepped out of line.
Later, after we ordered fries and drinks, I was looking for ketchup and as I stood by the condiment table the same guy from behind the counter called out to me, “LADY!” then shoved a small plastic cup out the window towards me while rolling his eyes. I was so flustered I squirted mustard in the cup and walked away. I didn’t even really want mustard.
Eating a sandwich shouldn’t be so stressful.
His family proceeded to rib me for my flummoxed order. I finally let out, “I CHOKED, OK!? The pressure got to me!”
The Verdict? It was a good sandwich but I should have got the whiz with no mushrooms.
Next time I’ll order like this: “Wit. Whiz.”
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