Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Ornamentals.

Word. This dated gem represents my birth.
My little brother has a more updated version. And yes, I *am* wearing an Atari shirt. How nice of you to notice!So, every year I try to give everyone a new ornament tied to one of their gifts. My Swedish grandmother started this tradition when I was young and ever since she passed away years ago, I have followed in her footsteps. This year I broke the tradition 'cause let's face it. No one has extra monies for add-ons, especially not the unemployed. Next year will be different! ;-)

Here are a few from over the years...I must've made this one with my grandma because I recognize her handwriting! I also know that we have at least three of these bad boys floating around in the ornament boxes. It's like I made one in every preschool class or Sunday school class I was in. God Bless the googly-eyed clothespin reindeer.I gave these to my parents a few years ago:My mom also has a thing for elephants. These are a few I have gotten her over the years. I like how the orange one looks pissed off.And of course, a few more favorite hand-painted wooden ones that my mom did, circa 1970-something to round out this post!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas...

...is finally up! My family's tree is a little different from mine.

Mine:
Family's:
The fam's tree holds lots and lots of memories. The smattering of ornaments span from every year since I was born, maybe even since my parents were married almost 35 years ago.
A few years before I was born my mom decided to paint a bazillion wooden ornaments in true 70s style. I remember looking at them and choosing my favorite ones when I was growing up. I still make sure my favorites are represented on the tree. There are always newer additions mixed with older ornaments to provide that special kind of flair.Can we get a close up of that hot pink ornament with silver glitter polka dots, please?Everyone knows how I adore hot pink! And what's a McClure Family Christmas without someone sticking Hippo in the tree?
Or a personalized mailbox ornament.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Happy Hanukkah!

Yep. I celebrate the Festival of Lights. Not with gifts, but by lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel and maybe dishing out a few latkes over the next 8 days. Why, you ask? Well, ever since we found out we have Jewish lineage, of course!Once the discovery was made in the family tree, it suddenly explained so much. About my mother. But that's a whole other blog post. :-)I was feeling generous, and since someone other than me was actually interested in lighting the menorah tonight, I let the crazy Jew, I mean my wonderful mother light the first candle.So, yes. We still celebrate Christmas since our religion is decidedly Non-Denominational Christian, but I like to honor our new found heritage with a little light eight nights a year.

And, P.S. I love my crazy-insane Jewish mother. I'm pretty sure she's where I get my spunk.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

I Thought...

...and that was my first mistake. I thought things were supposed to be easier when you became an adult. Easier to get through hard times. Easier to figure things out. Just. Easier.

I was sorely mistaken.

At least it isn't hot outside. That's a plus.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I'm ALIVE!

Well, I almost made it blogging all 30 days of November. Stupid head cold. Not to mention I was uber busy with the BFF's Most Awesome Baby Shower Ever. Blog to be posted on that in a day or twelve. The big news of the day in Dallas is... IT SNOWED!! This is tres exciting for many reasons:
  1. It hardly EVER snows here. We usually get a "wintry mix" a few times in January or February which is a lame term for rain+snow. OR the deadly, much lamer ice storms which results in the city being covered in sheets of ice and every retard with 4 wheel drive thinking it suddenly gives them traction. On ICE. Then they proceed to drive like asshats on all of the roads and end up smashing into other people. So. Dumb.

  2. It wasn't a for sure in the forecast, so it was a BIG surprise upon awakening this morning! Last night, the news said there was a chance of light snow mixed with rain... maybe. And every time they say that, it results in a big, fat nothing. So we were all pretty much surprised this morning when there were actual FLAKES and accumulation on the grass! Yaaaaay!

  3. It's barely December and the white stuff fell on The Big D. I might be wrong, but I don't remember a snowfall of any size this early in the season in the 11 years I have lived here. Like I said, I might be wrong...
Anyway, DFW freaks out when it rains, so snow made everyone rush to their Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr./MySpace (do people still use MySpace?) accounts to post something like "OMG!! SNOWWWWWW!!" and thus a landslide of "In Texas??", "You suck!!", and "REALLY?!" all came to fruition.

It was like a snowstorm hit the social networking sites. It was great. :-)
Snow Dog.
Moments later - Cold, Wuss Dog.