Like A Body to the East River.

I finally felt what it was like to be "at wits end" yesterday. After every painstaking pass with the vacuum cleaner, 300 more needles fell off of our Christmas tree, inspiring a panic attack of epic proportions.

My heart rose into my throat, my vision became blurred and I couldn't hear the vacuum any more. (Turns out it was because I had sucked a sneaker into it.. but that's beside the point). So, with a flash, I was in my Uggs and my winter parka and had ripped that tree out of it's stand and was hauling it through the living room. Leaving, unfortunatly, the majority of its needles in my wake; wherein prompting the cats to believe that outside WAS finally inside and they could muck about wherever.

Dragging the tree through the hall and into the kitchen where a very started Mr. Almost Poshlust was attempting to keep the essence of pine needle out of our hawaiian burgers and at the same time salvage all the photos and knick-knacks that were falling into the tree and in danger of becoming collatoral damage. I hauled that monster out the back door and down 7 flights of stairs, leaving the remaining parts of the conifer on the steps to later seriously confuse our landlord.

I hauled it across the parking lot and to the illegal Christmas Tree dump (by the recyle bin) where I kicked, cursed and spit on it until I felt better, only to turn around to see our new law student neighbor eating french fries out of a bag and looking like, I can only assume, Roe looked when he took on Wade. Our conversation went thus:

Him: "That's a big ass tree" (*munch munch*)

Me: "Yep." (*glare glare*) (*those french fries look good*) (*glare glare*)

At which I proceeded to stomp upstairs and tackle a shoe filled vaccuum, a coniferous forest and a laughing Mr. A.P. Until the vaccuum broke 1/2 and hour later and I had to start looking for frozen French fries.

Chuckle I say..

Does anyone else find it remotely humerous that "Colin Powell will be dropping the ball in Times Square"? Because frankly.. I find it rioteous.

Maybe a Movie you say?

Hello Hello! Just a quick note. Went to see "The Life Aquatic", and am heartily recommending it to any and everyone. It really is the best Wes Anderson film yet. And the soundtrack is phenomenal. David Bowie in Portugese? Genius.

I wish I was Faye Dunaway..

This is my Bonnie and Clyde photo.

Why yes, that is a Poshlust Painting in the background..

Ms. Poshlust and her fancy new toque..

Boxing Bliss

Does anybody else find it strange that the day after getting everything and more that we asked for... that we go shopping?

No, me neither.

So we went shopping, with no particular destination in mind, except to spend my GC at Nokomis (which I did, buying a new toque and beaded hobo gloves - thanks again to Kris!!) . I got a spangly silver sweater.. and found, unfortunately, not on sale, the shoes of my dreams.

Knee high white boxing Puma's, strappy and slick and totally space age mild anime meets Janet Jackson flat hipster ultimate boots. For 250$. So, anyone wanted to contribute to Andrea's Super Boot foundation, please e-mail me for details.

Christmas Part Three - Pass the Christmas Kleenex

There is something about being around family on a Holiday. Perhaps it's the noise, the warmth, maybe even the hours of psychological preparation that Dr. Phil provides.. but it's always worth it. And I couldn't stress that more about any Christmas than about the one past.

I've never been away from my family for Christmas, with the exception of one I had to spend in the hospital, and I still SAW them then. This is the first time I've only gotten a phone call and a virtual hug over the line. I have to say, I was a little blue not to hear my Dad grumbling about how early we managed to wake up. The Gibbons Family Christmas made up for it in so many ways, that I don't think I could ever thank them enough for it.

It was definately a full house. Me and Mr. A.P, plus 3 brothers, one with a girlfriend, one with a daughter, and the other (who graciously hosted the Christmas Circus) with a fantastic wife and two daughters, and the matriarch of the whole family. Perfection never came so close.

Of course, the gift opening was first, I don't think anyone could have waited much longer. *smile* It was plenty of fun. We drew names a long time ago, for two people, two different gifts. I got a gift certificate for Nokomis (which will be promptly used on Boxing day) and the Eric Clapton cd of Robert Johnson covers (Me and Mr. Johnson) and some FANTASTIC earrings. It was great to watch the little girls open up all the things that Mr. A.P. and I had painstakingly picked out. It really made it worth trying to figure out who would fit exactly what. God Bless Old Navy.

The littlest, dear Ms. K, was very sleepy, and curled up on my lap to doze and squiggle around like a sleepy little worm. It was so lovely. You think you've quashed all your maternal instincts, you shove your prospective baby names to the bottom of your subconcious, and then this little creature, this beautiful living thing, crawls into your lap to play with your hair and touch your face.. It made my heart hurt. And it makes me think of diaper bags and babysitters in a much more favourable light, thats for sure. But you know when they're tired when you ask if they want to lay down and they say yes. So we curled up in her rubber mattress bed, wherein she promptly pretended to be asleep for a grand 30 seconds before starting to snore completely.

So we ate and chatted and started all the accoutrements to dinner, various salads and veggies, all those great holiday things. I have to say that I haven't laughed harder with Mr. J and Mrs. A than I did in that kitchen. I'm not sure whether it was the holiday cheer or the turkey aroma, but it was so much fun, and I'll remember eating potatoes off of socks until I'm old and grey and can't remember when I could bend over that far.

Dinner was superb, kudos to the cook on being able to brave a monster ten times the size of my cornish hens. Giblets will haunt me until the day I die I tell you that much. The food was great, the company even better. There is something about Mr. A.P's family. Between the crackle of temporary discord, the old jokes, the family history.. there is this thread of love who's tensory strength I can't even begin to imagine. Being a part of, sitting at that table, in the stairwell with Mrs. A, I feel like I'm being woven into it, become a thread of their history, and weaving them into mine. Thinking of leaving them makes me hurt. Sitting with Mrs. A in the stairwell, I suddenly couldn't imagine not having them just a car ride away.. Not seeing them at birthdays, at holidays. I've seen those girls grow up over an entire year.. Going from barely coming out from behind their parents to practicing yoga with me in the living room and falling asleep on me. Learning about them.. learning how easy it is to love them - it's been better than any classroom experience I've ever had in my life.

Overall - this holiday was more than I could have possibly hoped for. I ate like the starved and slept like a baby - and figured out that I don't have to be with my mom and dad to be with my family. Thank you to everyone. I'll remember it forever.

Christmas Part Two - Dear Christmas Tree.. I'm sorry.

I think I forgot what it's like to be a kid on Christmas. Beautiful Mr. Almost Poshlust reminded me this morning when I awoke at 6 am to find him staring at me. This was a definate improvement over waking up at 4 am to find him doing the same. *smile* I suggested he start the coffee and he was out of bed in a flash to start our Christmas morning.

This was our first Christmas together (last year I was in India) and I have to say, that I'm not sure many could measure up to this one. It was amazing. We lay in bed and unwrapped our stockings, then opened up our presents. I don't think that anyone could have made a stocking better suited to me. Mr. Almost Poshlust even remembered how much I love wedding almonds and made a package. Filled with perfect, wonderful gifts (even a Wonder Woman Comic!) I really could have stopped there in terms of gifts. I don't know how he did it, but it was positively perfect. You'll have to read Mr. A.P's blog to find out what I got him..

Our Christmas tree managed to hold up until Christmas morning (God bless you brave little tree.. ) and we sat around and unwrapped our gifts there.. It took a wonderful hour and a half. Mr. A.P. really out did himself, I have to say. He gave me Emily Post's Ettiquette book, a book on Jackson Pollock, candles, the new Neko Case cd, some much needed socks (really.. really.. cool socks) and .. the piece de resistance - an iPod mini! A little green beauty that is now residing in my perfect green purse filled with Cat Power, Ben Kweller, The Roots, and all the perfect music that I ever wanted. The presentation was the best - Mr. A.P. gave me the Emily Post book, saying this was my big gift (which it was), and when I opened it, there was a picture of his back pack with another gift in it. I had to find the backpack and get the gift out.. at which I promptly "freaked out" and we didn't open any more gifts for a little bit. *smile*

My daddy got me a new set of pearls and pearl earrings, and a beautiful little silver elephant from Jaipur that has such a beautiful memory attached to it that it was definately a tear jerker. My fantastic mother got me a plethora of fantastic shawls and jewllery and art supplies. It was truly amazing. We had a fantastic morning, lazing about playing with our new toys. It was a Christmas that I won't soon forget, nevermind that it was the first we had together. It was amazing.

So, after all the gift opening was done and the oohing and aahing finished we started, (sorta) getting ready to go to Mr. Almost Poshlust's brothers for Christmas dinner. I have to admit, I was terribly nervous. I've never been to anybody elses Christmas, where they have their own traditions and such. I didn't want to step on any toes or cross any lines. But, as I should have expected, it was fantastic.. I couldn't wish for a better family to know.. or to love.

Coming up - the Gibbon's Family Christmas.

Christmas Part One - Seriously, 5 HOURS per pound.

Alright, my first Christmas Eve sans my family. I can do this. I've got two cornish game hens thawing in the sink (who reads the package.. 5 hours per POUND? ) then into the microwave. I'm working on a gluten free stuffing with dried cranberries and walnuts, at the same time boiling potatoes to such a point that they've actually run out of water and I almost made fried potatoes. Salvaged those, and due to my increasingly prevelant obsessive holiday compulsive reaction about perfection (OHCRAP) I spent half an hour with a smoothie maker whipping them into non lumpy submission. At this point I'm also noticing the amount of dishes compiling and I take just a little more medication and a titch more of a drink to quash my OCD in the making. Ah, modern medicine.

After debating which end I was supposed to stick my trembling hand into, I removed "giblets" from the cornish hens, and decided against chasing the cat around to get the back. Instead, after he dropped them, I plopped them into a glass and stuck them in the fridge, not to be discovered again until Christmas mornings smoothie making adventure. I stuffed the little hens and put them in the oven, and surprisingly, they turned out perfectly.

Christmas Eve.. was great. We ate our delish meal (I could do it again.. I think) and went for a beautiful walk. It was fantastic. Fates smiled on our little slice of the world and it was a beautiful 8 degrees out (celsius!!). Can you believe it? I don't remember a Christmas eve in my history wherein it's been the lovely. So our walk was long and lovely, then we came back to play Trivial Pursuit and relax. Stockings were stuffed and hidden, and we fell asleep. Yay for a successful part one. *

(*contrary to what may be expressed here, I am not so challenged to spend my whole day cooking. I also managed to help dear Camote shop for his girl cousins and had a good time doing so. He noted that after I had completed my own Christmas shopping, baking, and Card mailing, that my voice had returned to it's regular sexy octave, and the amount of sighs punctuating my conversation had also gone down quite a bit. Funny things that stress does. ;-) I also managed to make a great gluten free Apple Crisp, if anyone would like the recipe let me know. *smile* See.. Not so bad.)

Yum..

Mr. Almost Poshlust and I just had dinner.. I made this amazing soup! I'm not a soup maker by trade.. but this was delish. Here's the recipe, please give it a go, it's amazing.

Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup

1 cup of peeled garlic or 4 heads of garlic trimmed on top to access cloves
3 onions sliced (I used one large large yellow onion, and that was enough)
5 lbs of organic potatoes (I used yukon gold)
water or vegetable stock (I used vegetable stock)
1 1/2 soy milk (you can use milk if you desire)
salt and pepper to tast
olive oil for roasting


Instructions:

1. Place onions and garlic in a skillet or roasting pan and roast in 375 degree F. oven for 45 minutes or until golden. Place in the stockpot and add peeled and chopped potatoes.

2. Cover the potatoes with water or vegetable stock and cook until the potatoes are tender. (I found this took about 1/2 an hour on high)

3. Puree the soup in a food processor. Add soymilk at this point to create a creamier soup. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Voila! An amazing soup. We added grated old cheddar to the top, and it was super. I hope you enjoy it!

The Best Way to End the Shortest Day

I'm stuffed. Mr. Almost Poshlust and I just returned from lovely Kristina and Kara's veggie potluck to celebrate the Winter Solstice. As of right now, our days officially start getting longer. God bless. The sun didn't rise until about 9:30 this morning. At that point, half my good awake time is already gone! *laugh*

It was lovely to eat such good food and get such good compliments about my salad. And it be in the company of such interesting, lovely people, to be able to walk in and know only a few people, and by the end of the night be promising recipes and further engagements and laughing.. It was perfect and meatless.. minus the ham.. which was alright with me. A boy named Adam brought the most delicious wraps, they were perfect. I missed dessert, (Mr. A.P. has to work) but I think that might have been a wise move.

Well, I'm off to bed sated and happy and full of good solstice cheer. *smile* Hope everyone is warm and safe, take care.

Funny Things Heard at Vegetarian Winter Solstice Potluck -

-"Host as in host of the party, or parasite and host?"

-"Beware the locals. But that's where you get the good ganga."

-"What kind of marmalade?"

-"Plastic Fork or Chopsticks?"

- "Your mom brought a ham?"

Believe it or Not..

Amazon.com has some free short films to download, most by independant artists with the help of Tony Scott (Top Gun, A River Runs Through it.. nothing too amazing) but the films are really neat. So check them out if you have a chance.

The First Official Day of Winter

I just got home from driving Mr. A.P. to work.. it's snowing these absolutely beautiful, huge snowflakes falling. Listening to beautiful Cat Power, watching the snow.. it's already a good day. Maybe it's the 7am euphoria. Or maybe it's just a beautiful morning. Happy Winter Everyone!

Over There..

Oh yes.. Noel Nog.

Well.. I'm upright, which is something to celebrate in my books. I spent most of the day asleep or baking vegan cookies and brownies with my gorgeous downstairs neighbor, letting the kitties run around and teaching her how to crochet. Oh. I think that sounds old. *laugh* It really was terribly posh and wonderful. The only time I left was to hit our fabulous organic food market (Planet Organic) and to pick up Mr. Almost Poshlust and a few gifts. I'll post the recipe for the cookies in a bit - they really are so posh.

It was a wonderfully relaxing day, and I think just what the universe ordered. I feel like my brain has been in such a hurry and my body has just been unable to catch up. Ever since my car accident I've been sore, and as of yesterday I was just bowled over by the flu or something like it. (maybe just nausea at the thought of another Christmas party? No.. I'm joking..) It was good to just breathe and bake and eat fabulous veggie curry and Noel Nog (Soy Good's equivalent of Egg Nog - with all honesty, I couldn't tell the difference in the least! So for all ye vegans and veggetarians? Go hard on the Noel Nog!) and bean salad. It was perfect.

Expecially since I was out until 10 o'clock last night! That's the latest I've been up since I had a nap from 9-9:30 pm and had to pee. We went to a very sweet Christmas Party at Miriam and Greg's last evening, complete with harmonized choral style Christmas Carols that made me feel a titch inadequate with my down home country voice. I've perfected a twang that really doesn't fly with Silent Night. So instead I ate lots of food that was created and prepared by another one of our uber talented friends Adriene. Have to say, among all the viola players, music teachers, cooks, singers and piano players, I just didn't feel that my witty repartee cut it. ;-) At least I was best dressed. *sigh* Yeah. Second Place! First of the Losers!

There was this fascinating little baby creature there, where at 16 monthes was running around, eating little goat cheese tartlets and petting the cat and was frankly better behaved than some of my friends. How do you luck out and get one like that? *smile* She was perfect, and her name was Isabella. (I never give out my precious saved baby names.. not since the last time somebody poached my last favourite at work.. damn operators.. so shifty..) I fell in love with her, and was ready to pack her into my oversized blue purse.

So, no lie, I've finished all my Christmas shopping and wrapping and plotting. Everything is under the tree. I've never stressed so much about Christmas in my life. I think I might have developed a small ulcer. Hopefully the Noel Nog patches that up. *laugh* I'm happy to be finished now. I'll package up my Christmas cookies tomorrow for my friends, and finish knitting my scarf for my beautiful neighbor, and I'll be able to relax for the next 4 days before Christmas. The pluses of starting early! *laugh*

If anyone is looking for a new short film to watch (and really.. who isn't?) Check out "The Bar" by Richard Stern. It's a very witty, very sweet little film, and the music is fantastic. For a slightly strange, completely different taste, check out "Chocolate Girls" by Justin Whiteman. It's very.. Republican. Leaves a strange taste on your brain buds, but is worth the watch. Mr. Almost Poshlust and I watched them this evening, and we both really enjoyed them.

Alright my lovelies - I'm all caught up! I think I'll go back to sleeping.. I need some energy! I'll get some bananas tomorrow. That always helps. *smile* Sleep tight! Ciao!

Son of a Biscuit..

I've never seen such a storm! We've been enduring these massive winds and crazy hail for the past couple hours, and it's just now dieing down. Mr. Almost Poshlust and I were in the shower when it all started, it sounded like cats fighting with the wind whipping in through the cracks. The lights flickered once, then went out. For the next three hours. It was outrageous! I've never had the power out that long.. Insanity. So insane that Mr. Almost Poshlust went shopping.. and I promptly fell right asleep.

I've got the flu. I haven't had the flu.. forever. I'm so queasy I feel like I'm on a sailing ship. I don't know what's wrong with me in the least. Hung out with Camote yesterday looking for Christmas gifts, and apparently he was ill the other day.. The only thing we shared was a blue Kool-Aid.. so I hope I didn't get what he had.

Glad to be home - it's nice to be back in my own bed, with my own routine, eating a lot less than usual. *smile* Plus, it's very nice to see Mr. Almost Poshlust. He's the best part of being anywhere.. home or not.

Alright. I haven't decided if I'm going to eat or throw up, so I better go. Hope everyone is well!

Home.

Hello all. I made it home safe and sound yesterday afternoon. It was a relatively fast trip - as fast as 8 hours in a little banged up car can be I suppose. Just letting everyone know.. in case you were inclined to worry! Will write more later.

Cabbage Much Maligned

So my little bit of whiplash is clearing up nicely, but my chest is still a little sore from the seatbelt, and I feel no better for damaging Mr. Almost Poshlust's car. But at least now I can hang my head in shame as opposed to just being able to tilt it to one side.

We've been busy the past couple days, learning fabulous new crochet stitches and learning how to knit. It's wonderous - my great aunt taught me how to knit with my Great Grandmother's knitting needles, and some of her wool! It was amazing.. As lame as it may sound.. I felt very connected to somebody that I barely got to know. It was very.. soothing. It's been a lot like that these past couple of days. I know that every girl in every coming of age novel has this horrifically cliched moment where she learns where she comes from.. write me into the hard copy because thats what it's been like. I'm getting to hear stories about not only when my mother was a child, but when my Grandmother, and GREAT grandmother were children. Turns out one of the first women in our family came over here from Russia, by herself, with two children in tow. It explains a lot about the women in my family. I've never felt connected to any family, with the exception of my nuclear one.. and now..and now I do. I like it. And I guess I can understand why novels are written about it.

I've made my Aunt a scarf, and I'm starting on my Grandmother's tomorrow. They both really liked the one that I made.. and hinted heavily that I make one each for them. I'm glad I've got something to occupy my fingers here, other than food. It seems that our entire day is comprised of planning what to eat, cooking, eating, cleaning up, then going back to planning what to eat again! I leave here Friday morning.. and I'm not going to eat again until next Sunday. I'm fairly sure home made caramel corn burns fairly slowly when all you're doing is knitting.

Plus, there really isn't anything else to do here.. and it's nice in a small town kind of way. My Grandma says that at ten o'clock they roll up the streets here (and turn off the one flashing traffic light) and I'm not really sure if I doubt her. It would be the perfect place to sit down and write a novel, take up woodworking, or go crazy.. I'm really not sure which.

Looking forward to getting home Friday. Not that I want to leave here.. But I really do miss Mr. Almost Poshlust. It's sad.. I know I'll be home in 2 days and I can't bare it. What will I do when I leave for India? Granted, we won't technically be together.. But what the hell does that matter? He's my best friend. There's no way to make light of leaving that behind. My heart is already starting to ache. I don't entirely know what to do. The fact that I've been out of our home and our routine for 3 days is killing me. *sigh* I love you Mr. Almost Poshlust - I wish you were coming with me.

Alright.. Time to get to bed, I have to be up early to drive the Aunty to the bus station. Not so very posh at all. Neither is the fact that in the past 3 days I've eaten more cabbage than in my whole life.. But hey. If knitting is in.. somebody might bring back cabbage. Love always!

So Elvira and I might be related..

There's nothing like a steaming hot cup of family history early in the morning I tell you, and nobody better suited to serve it to you than your 70 year old great aunt, and your 65 year old grandmother. Let me tell you, never before today did I know that my mothers side is 100% pure Russian. Like, off the boat Russian. I always wondered why my Grandma knew so much Russian.. I just kinda figured it was another one of those things she knew, like wood working and quilt making.

It's fantastic here. I've eaten more in 2 days than I usually do in a week. You know how they suggest 7 small meals a day? Here, it seems like we eat 7 full meals a day. It's the life I tell you. We're only done breakfast now.. and it's one o'clock. It must have something to do with the whole Russian/famine deal.. eat as much as you can while you can? Something like that. ;-)

I had strange strange dreams last night. I dream a lot, but this one was odd. I dreamt I lived next to the Playboy Mansion in a house with a glass roof and I was married to Bruce Willis. I kept thinking through the whole thing that he sure was a lot shorter in person than in the Movies. And they hired me to be a Playboy bunny, even though one of the girls said that I needed to lose 10 pounds. It was pretty crazy I tell you.

And lately, no matter what dream I have, it's being interjected with this really strange, short dream (like a short film) that I started having last week. Camote and I are riding down a really old dusty dirt highway on these beautiful antique bikes. And we pull over to the side and slide down these really deep embankments to these high barbed wire fences, but the fence is made out of enormous chicken wire. Beyond the fence we can see these groves of fruit trees and grape vines, all in the shade; and beyond that these huge beautiful colonial houses, all white. It's so so hot out, and the air is almost yellow with dust and heat, and we're dressed in white. We climb the chickenwire into the fruit groves, and start putting fruit in our hats. Any of the fruit that the sun touched is really rotten, but everything in the shade is really good. And then that's it, I go back to whatever dream I was having before. The strange thing is, when I go back to the fruit dream again, I can tell that we're not at the same place, that we've ridden farther down the road. If anybody can help me with this one.. I'd appreciate it!

Alright, back to maxin' and relaxin' with the ladies. I love and miss you all! Camote.. let me know if you have any idea what this crazy dream is about! Ciao!

Car Karma Sucks

Alright. So we're all aware of how shitty (pardon the french) my navigation skills are. We all know that I get lost in thought, nevermind on the road. I'm hopeless. Well, with a little Steve Miller on the trusty cd player and a Tim Hortons coffee by my side, I made it all the way to my grandmothers in Melfort, Saskatchewan.

Luckily, I had an accident, instead of getting lost.

I slid down a hill, trying to stop for a red light, and plowed into the back of a cab. A very friendly cab, who insisted he help me find my way out of the city, and wanted to make very sure that I was alright. He even helped me get all the information that I needed. Wonderful helpful man that can no less undo the damage to Mr. Almost Poshlusts car than he can make me a Latin superstar. God damn. Did I not wave enough people into traffic this week? Did I not refrain from giving the middle finger to any and all ignorant drivers? Did I not avoid attempting to drive through China town with my ass pressed to the window?

Mr. Almost Poshlust was endearingly concerned with my personal well being, and only my well-being, and waited an appropriate length of time before asking the extent of the damage. Frankly, I don't think it's too bad.. The front of our car now looks like it has little fairy wings. I think it's cute.. in a bad-ass kinda way. I'm fine, I've got a cut on my chest from the seatbelt (funny that that did the most damage..).. and the bump seems to have realigned my back. It feels really good now. Funny thing that.

My fantastic Grandmother has stuffed me with food since the moment I arrived.. Because after all, everything can be made right with lazy cabbage rolls and homemade caramel popcorn. At least, stuffed to the brim, that's how I feel. We're going to make chocolates and learn to sew and do all those perfectly wonderful things that only Grandmothers can teach you. For now, I'm going to relax and pray that perhaps they've created a new, non-gaseous form of cabbage. ;-)

Blonde via Russia

I feel like it's been days since I sat down at the computer, much less had time to blog. Let me get the kinks out of my fingers and recap the past few days..

To answer your question Mo, my hair turned out fine! Thanks to Elvira (no joke.. I've never met anyone named Elvira) who was also a Russian catalogue bride. No shit. She's a great hairdresser and one hell of a story-teller. She's completely gorgeous, with perfect teeth and the deepest, most wonderful Russian accent. And she can dye hair. Which is all I really ask, the fact that she was telling me stories about Russian ghettos and finding a husband was all just a bonus. *smile* So I'm a little bit blonder, kind of a beige-y blond, really quite lovely. And all the more wiser as to how to survive in a communist country. ;-)

Otherwise, our weekend has been pretty relaxed. We've been watching movies and playing trivial pursuit and I've been knitting. Mr. Almost Poshlust laughs at me. Obviously nobody told him knitting was the new needlepoint. Silly man.

We're going to Culina for dinner tonight, then I leave for my grandmothers early tomorrow morning. We did a dry run of me getting out of the city- last time I got lost and ended up trying to decipher a challenged mail-carrier's directions. I have no sense of direction, and can only figure out which is east and which is west by identifying which way I would have to go to Toronto, and which way to Victoria. God help me. I might end up in North Dakota for all I know.

Wish me luck everyone, I've got detailed maps from Mr. Almost Poshlust, and I've been nice to people in traffic all week, so I've got to have some good travel karma stored up. Here's hoping!

I've got to run, get ready for dinner and try and pack for tomorrow. I should be able to blog from my grandmothers.. If not, I'll talk to you all soon! Much love.

Signs it's Going to be a Strange Day..

1. I got up and was ready to go at 7:30 this morning.

2. On the way home from taking the car to be serviced, there was an ambulance racing ahead of me.. to the funeral home.

3. Watched Rumsfeld's press conference in entirety - laughed. Hard. Some interesting quotes (verbatim) "I'm old, and it's early, calm down", "You can put all the armour you want on a tank and it can still be blown up" , and my personal favorite - "As you know, you go to war with the army you have, not the army you want" Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas.

I have yet to get my hair dyed. Perhaps this is a bad idea. Lord save me from Rumsfeld and an over zealous hairstylist. The latter more than the first.

Which Way South?

Keeping Warm!

My Many Hats..

So busy these past couple days - Christmas shopping yesterday ( I know I keep saying I'm close to being done.. I think I must be lying.) and then Arlene, my almost sister in law's birthday last night at the Olive Garden. Who doesn't love the Olive Garden. Apparently, my almost mother in law, who whimpered at her dinner. We're not sure why. It was frustrating and somewhat humerous, but frankly, I wanted to launch a breadstick at her. .

Today was spent in a whirlwind, I got groceries and Christmas gifts, then went to Arlene's to look after the girls for a little bit. Honestly, I don't know how they do it. I was exhausted after entertaining them for 3 hours.. Given, they're great kids, beautifully intelligent and supernaturally stunning, but one can only do so much with plastic vegetables and some paints. I think your imagination must grow as a parent too, because you're forever having to come up with new games. Tonight, I was alternately a child who'd lost a cat, an egg, a women who'd misplaced a baby, a beauty salon client, a yoga instructor, sleeping beauty, and a potty coach. It was all amazing.. And just when it gets to be hard work, they seem to sense it. And they wrap their chubby little fingers around your fingers or give you a kiss and quiet down.. And suddenly it's all worth it. If it's like that with other people's kids.. I can't imagine what it's like with your own.

They have so much hope, so few limitations in their minds.. They decide to be artists, right then and there, and swear they're going to be famous. They have no idea of the schooling(or not) the poverty (or not).. they just decide. They really do believe that they can do anything, it's so pure and wonderful. When do we lose that knowledge? When do we become aware of financial, physical, mental limitations? Or do people who never become aware of those things go the furthest? It's an experience just talking to a child, they can be so painfully honest it makes my heart blush.

That basically took up the rest of my day, and now I'm home! Mr. Almost Poshlust made me an amazing dinner, and we're staying in as another foot of snow falls outside. I'm going to relax and pretend that I didn't have any maternal urges this evening. Goodnight!

'Cause Baby, it's Cold Outside!

Damnit, winter has found us. I was sure that maybe, just maybe, this year we would squeek by with some disproportionately cold days - but still not REALLY need the long underwear. Alas, somebody did not knock on the proverbial wood, and we're at minus twenty with an ethereal frost fog surrounding us.

There are certain signs that Mr. Almost Poshlust and I have come to rely on that tell us that yes, it really is cold. For instance, it is not just the tennants of our building that walk by the boiler room and spit at the door, the building manager is now down there banging around with his wrench. Our cats switch from sleeping near the radiators to snarling over who gets to sleep under or on top of them. The seventies styled couple that live across the alley switch from their summery Adidas track jackets to their long fur lined pimp coats, and the number of animal rights posters in our area diminish to a tolerable level as all the sign wavers tuck in under sable blankets.* (*this statement refers to an admirably low number of home-made-mayonaisers, but by god, they are out there!) Let me tell you, all the signs were there this morning as the street grater rumbled and shrieked by at 3:30 this morning. It's cold, and by the prophesizing of our somewhat annoying fake British forecaster.. it's going to stay that way.

Our tree is finally up and lit and decorated somewhat artfully, and we're dutifully watering it within an inch of it's life, afraid that it will lose all it's needles and I'll have a minor obsessive compulsive attack with the vacuum cleaning.. not so very Christmas. Actually, to be perfectly honest, it was Mr. Almost Poshlust who had to shove himself under the tree last night, improperly clad, to check if it had enough water. What love does to a man still amazes me. We'll (he'll) take some pictures and put them up ASAP. We're going to my almost sister in law's birthday this evening, so it will probably be tomorrow before we put them up.

Camote and I spent Monday Christmas shopping all over the city, with a huge list in hand. I think we covered every single direction of the city, with the exception of maybe East. I've got most of my shopping done, with only Mr. Almost Poshlust's brother and girlfriend left. I've got one present left to get for Mr. Almost Poshlust as well, but I'm going to need some expert advice that I can't get until Friday, so I'll have to wait until then. Overall, I finished pretty early this year, I even took my family their gifts in October when we went to India.. so overall, I say I'm freakin' set! The only thing left is Christmas cards, and I started on those last night. So we're on a roll.

Alright, it's cold in the living room and even the cats have left to find warmer climes. (ie- around the oven I have turned on.) The perils of living in a "character" building are never ending. Like the crack going up our kitchen ceiling that looks like maybe it might just shear off and leave us sans refridgerator. *smile* Thus is life in a walk-up! Stay warm everyone, much love!

Good Morning Canada..

We woke up to a veritable "Winter Wonderland" this morning. Made all the more wonderful by standing in the window and watching somebody else shovel I think. *smile* It really is starting to look like Christmas, not just feel like it. We've been so lucky the past few months, we really haven't felt the wrath of winter yet - and giant fluffy snowflakes don't really feel like "wrath" this morning. But then again.. we aren't watching it with a case of shovel elbow. Which puts a different spin on things I think.

We're off to get our tree together today. This is the first time we've had a tree together.. Last year we had a "Christmas Branch" (very avant guard, art nouveau - a little sparse..) because I was away in India, but this year we're getting an honest to goodness tree. I have to admit, I mildly miss my family tree harvesting tradition; wherein we all get bundled up in our winter wear and go trompsing out to find a tree. The part that makes our family unique is that we freeze our tushes off looking for the perfect tree, and we don't go back to the car until at least one of us is upset and crying over a slighted choice. Now we can laugh about it, but I remember when I was young it was the bane of the Christmas season. Ah.. memories.

Watched a relatively un-Christmas movie last night. Finally, after all the hype has diminished, we watched Farenheit 9/11. I honestly have to say, I was really unimpressed. In fact, it kind of made me angry, and definately turned my point of view of Micheal Moore from intelligent to.. well.. something else. It was so one sided, and he kept asking these ridiculous questions with ominous music in the background. I was afraid for all the uneducated people that would see this movie and not realise that there was another side, and jump on this rickety, 3 wheeled band-wagon. Perhaps, coming from a military and diplomatic background, I have a better view.. But I can honestly say that Micheal Moore has one of the worst comprehensions of international politics and diplomatic relations that I have ever had the unfortunate opportunity to witness. He accused the entire Bush administration (which, for the record, I don't really support in full) of being fear mongers.. but honestly, I didn't see much difference between them and his film.

He kept asking why the Saudi Embassy/ Chancery and the ambassadors were being protected in America by Americans.. Good god man! My family lives overseas, and are protected by that particular countries infantry because... they're the infantry of majority! They keep us safe in the interest of tight diplomatic relations - just as we do them in our country. His points were absurd and easily answered by anyone with half a brain - of which he obviously counted on seeing his poor film.

Given, the financial ties between certain levels of governement and business were definately shady, and nepotism could be smelled in the air. I do believe that a government should not be beyond reproach, but at the same time, the government is one large business. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but that's something that isn't going to change. Moore kept pointing out how Bush kept hiring old friends, recommending businesses for certain contracts etc.. Well, if I run a design business, and somebody asks me for a photographer, and I suggest a friend, who is an excellent photographer.. That's business. I understand, without a doubt, that competition for contracts should be first and foremost, and perhaps a little more transparent. An interesting area that was under-addressed in the film, to be replaced with ridiculous long shots of sobbing mothers who've lost thier sons. I have sympathy, don't get me wrong. But I found that areas that were far more pertinent were swept aside for a sympathy vote. Yes, troops are dying. I'm not a cold hearted person, and my eyes well up in the morning hearing the "daily death toll". But I have everyday sympathy for that, I can see the direct cause of a mortar or a bullet. I need to be taken to the root, give me the story I don't see as to how they got that mortar in the first place. I can cry on my own time. Give me something to fight for on yours.

Alright.. Enough non-Christmas talk. Off to have some French toast and relax. Shake off this sad feeling. Wish me luck with the tree - If I'm lucky somebody will end up crying and it will really feel like the holidays.

Do my ears decieve me..

Rumsfeld wanted to quit, Bush asked him not to? Good thing.. My bunker isn't quite finished yet..

We're getting into the Christmas Spirit this morning.. We've got the lights on, and we've just made room in our living room for a Christmas Tree! I feel like a little kid.. It's snowing just a little outside, enough to make the ground look a little white. The first real, true, near Christmas snow of the season. I feel like a little kid!

We're heading out today to do our Christmas Shopping (definately capitals for that one) - we're going to try and brave the malls in one of the last two weekends before Christmas. Insane? Definately. But hey, it's gotta be done. ;-)

Alright.. off to shower, will write about our adventures later!

'Tis the Season

How can it be that we've run through another week? That yet another day is over.. It seems like just this morning I was watching CNN unveil a new concept car by Volvo (designed all by women.. there's even a split in the headrest for pony tails and an extendable rest under the gas for high heels) and now I'm trying to organize dinner for one and keep track of where I've hidden the Christmas presents!

Insanity. How can a girl keep up this pace? I better start saving soon for the Botox. Or rage reduction lessons. I swear, the traffic has been so bad, the holiday happys are all out and they're all wearing blinders. Big blinders. That miss a small angry women in oversized sunglasses with fabulous hair reaming them out with positively fantastic hand gestures. Like I said. Big blinders.

Other than that.. most of the holiday shoppers have been relatively friendly. A little strange.. One lovely woman insist that I help her decide which jacket to buy her rather.. homely.. (please god, let me birth attractive children. Let this karma not come back on me in the form of moles or cleft palattes. ).. baby girl. The purple or the pink. Now, I'm sure Old Navy doesn't attract too many nutty baby thieves, but this woman went running off (ok..waddling. Damn my honesty.) to grab another jacket for comparison.. with me and her elaborate stroller and unfortunate baby just feet from the door. Certainly, if I were to steal a child (and in those shoes and my tragically stunning hairdo, it was not even plausible) I would pick an attractive one.. But still. Her purse WAS in the stroller. In the end, I said the purple jacket. The baby was dressed in purple anyways and it wasn't too much the worse for it.. so stick with what you know. Or at least, what doesn't emphazize the copious ammounts of crusty baby snot.

I'm still enjoying my time off - had a lunchtime yoga class with Ms. "I rehearsed this relaxation verse from a book" who sounds like she should have the light sound of a flute telling you to turn the page after every instruction set. Ah well. Better than Mr. Militia. It was a nice, restorative class. Very small, only an hour long, it was a perfect interlude.

It's strange. I always assume somebody is reading this - when you examine other blogs, it appears that others do as well. We like to think that somebody, somewhere, has stumbled onto our blogs, maybe looks it up in the morning to read with their coffee, check and see what we're doing. Given, we know a few people read it, our loved ones, our stalkers, our friends and family; but you also know that that's not who we're writing to. We count on the faceless masses, the hoi polloi (not to imply any of you are unwashed) that somebody, somewhere, that we don't know, takes interest. I think we write to them. The somebody who might read it, might laugh. That's who I write to at least. The people who might laugh at the absurdities, the stories, enjoy the ideas.. I hope you do. Whomever is reading this.

To all of you.. Goodnight!

Unemployed Bliss

My first full day of nothingnes.. sure was full! I spent the day doing Christmas shopping and planning, running all around town, doing yoga in the morning.. This sure is hard work!

My yoga class was at 9:30 this morning, so I got up with Mr. Almost Poshlust and had breakfast and drove him to work. I got to yoga with plenty of time, and made a new yoga friend - John. It was his first class today. He was about 55, and is a triathelete, and yoga was suggested to improve his flexibility. He was so sweet, about 7 feet tall, all legs.. and the poor man was so stiff he couldn't even sit crosslegged. He came in to the room, so timid, so I gave him my best "you can sit by me, I'll help you! " smile, and he scampered over with his mat. We had a good time, and he just about made me swear that I would be there next week to help him again. What a doll.

Went out with my Dearest Camote this evening while Mr. Almost Poshlust was at hockey, had a lovely little chat and coffee, decided that he would come to yoga with me for the noon class tomorrow since he was off early. We'll see if he enjoys this one more than the last! *smile* Will update you tomorrow.

Nothing But Bluebirds..

Another Poshlust Painting..

All I've got is time..

Well. This is a strange feeling of elation and.. hmm.. trepidation. Stepping into this unemployed world where all I have to do is pick up and drop off Mr. Almost Poshlust.. and those are my only hard and fast obligations.

So I've filled up my calender with yoga classes and Christmas baking and reading lists and "must see movies" according to my Mr. I want to see Citizen Kane, Election.. and read so many books. I have a growing stack by my bedside that I've managed to read the first 20 pages of each - then given up, due to lack of time.. energy.. I've got design books, magazines, novels, novellas. Good lord. I'm going to have my time filled! I've got a couple canvases left, so I'm going to do some painting as well. Just finished a new one tonight.. As soon as my lovely Mr. Almost Poshlust gets his camera in gear, I'll post some photos.

Plus I've still got to get all my things packed up, all my clothes in order, everything like that. Geez.. maybe I should have left earlier.. ;-)

Mr. Almost Poshlust went and bought a new behemoth of a television today. Alas, my sweet sanctuary of the living room (the only place where a tv wasn't working) has now been turned back into a tv room. It's this fancy black and grey and flat-ish one.. Jeepers. I guess as long as we still get the news.. all is well in our world.

Must go, will post new painting in a second! Ciao!