Since you asked ...

… This was probably the worst Christmas I’ve ever had. At the very least it’s tied with the time my father and I weren’t speaking and I didn’t go home, spending my first Christmas ever away from my family. But it’s mighty close.

But ya see, in the grand scheme, I know darn well that many people had a much worse Christmas than I. So then I feel guilty for even feeling sorry for myself. But you know what? I’m tired of other people’s worse-than-you stories robbing me from throwing myself a good pity party. So listen up, or click on to the next blog, whatever suits you. But I’m going to pout a little now.

Incrediboy’s been really struggling with his latest bug. He had a pretty good fever for nearly a week, accompanied by deep hard coughing frequently followed by a huge splatter of phlegm, vomit, or both. He’d cough all night and was exhausted, miserable and nearly inconsolable. We had him to the doc three times before they gave us a scrip for amoxycillin. His fever broke the next morning. Possibly coincidence, but it really makes me want to kick some butt over there. Whether here nor there though, he was still sick through the holidays.

If there is anything worse than a sick little one, it’s having a sick little one when you are sick too. We had plans with my husband’s family on Saturday and my family on Monday. Joy of joys, I felt it coming on me Friday night as I wrapped gifts, and I woke up on Saturday feeling like I’d swallowed a hedgehog and had been run over by a convoy of Humvees. So we cancelled our plans with Hub’s family. I was still sick on Christmas Eve, and so we cancelled plans with my family, too.

I still felt like crapola on Christmas Day, but Incrediboy felt better at least – so I pushed through my own misery to make the day special for him. Sadly, we only had a meager half-dozen gifts under the tree for him because we’d wanted to do more shopping before the plague came upon our home – and had planned on gathering with family, thus multiplying the gift load. Dear sweet Incrediboy, still young and unmarred by commercialism, didn’t know the difference and was happy all the same. But I felt like a real crumb about that. Not to mention that Hub and I decided to forego gifts for each other this year in interest of getting something big (like a washer/dryer or a new couch or something) after the first of the year. So, there was nothing under the tree for either of us – only a few lame trinkets I’d gotten for our stockings so we’d all have something to dig out on Christmas morning. Not a big deal really, but on the other hand it was kind of depressing.

Hub began feeling bad on Christmas night, but seems to have fended it off. Incrediboy is still hacking a little and has intermittent mucous attacks but in general is back to his sparkling self. I am still up poop creek. My snot locker’s full, my throat is raw, and my muscles ache. I’m doped up on Advil Cold & Sinus and Nyquil and I think my tastebuds are officially dead from all the Sucrets I keep eating in vain attempt to dull the throat pain. I’m freezing all the time but am still coming to work because it’s year-end time. Plus I had already scheduled Thursday and Friday off and like a selfish beyotch I want at least ONE them to spend solely on myself. Doing what, I don’t know. Go shopping to replace my 10-year-old wardrobe? Spend the whole day at the bookstore? Call up a girlfriend for a leisurely lunch? Wander through the museum? Get my hair done? Spend the day in uninterrupted scrapbooking bliss? I don’t know. But Mommy needs some me-time.

Just. Me.

Of course will I even feel like doing any of that? Probably not. I feel like crap.

Thanks for listening, even if you didn’t. :) I’ll try to get back to my cheerful self in the new year! Much love to all of you ~

Merry Stinkin' Christmas ;)

Here's the deal ...

As I've hinted, it's been a rough couple of months in Clewland. Particularly December. Poor sweet Incrediboy has some kind of bug he can't shake and it's wearing ALL of us thin. This among other things that I'll spare you from (you'd thank me) has got yours truly in a very Grinchy mood. So in lieu of my standard heartfelt warm and fuzzy holiday reflections, this little illustration pretty much captures my holiday attitude this year.

LOL ... That's funny, I don't care who you are.

All kidding aside, Merry Christmas, everyone. May your days be merry and bright! Here's to more blogging fun and foolery in 2007.

Still Here - When Not at the Movies

Hello, all! It’s been a super busy couple of months here for various reasons, and ye olde blog has been on the back burner. Many thanks to all of you who continue to check in and haven’t given up on me. Hopefully things will settle down in the next few weeks and I'll be able to concentrate on recreational writing (and visiting) again.

For now … I know y’all love my movie reviews, so … my latest. I had photos too but as usual Blogger is being heinous with loading pictures - so maybe later.

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Movie Review: APOCALYPTO

I have a fanciful fascination with long gone cultures. And, as you all know, I’m also a travel junkie. About 7 years ago I was able to indulge both loves while on vacation in Mexico with the Hub. We took a side trip to Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan center of worship, science, and socio-political gathering. We stood in the Pok ta Pok ball field, walked among the columns, visited the observatory, swam in the sacred sinkhole and climbed the great sun pyramid. Along the way, our guide told us all about life – and death – in the days of the Maya.

The Mayans practiced human sacrifice and bloodletting in attempts to appease the great god Kukulcan in elaborate ceremonies. I’ve known about their beliefs and practices – but hearing and reading about the stories is always somewhat in the abstract, being so long ago and involving a people and social structure now extinct.

Apocalypto brought it all into brutally close focus.

It is not my nature to give too much information away about a movie, lest I spoil it for those who want to see it. (I want to kick reviewers square in the butt who tell you the whole stinking plot and climax of a movie in their review, don’t you?) But I will tell you, Apocalypto will break your heart in points. You’ll be reminded that these souls overpowered by their own people weren’t just characters in legends, but real men and women and children with real lives. You will be moved, even shaken - I’d put money on it.

But the pain is worth it. Aside from the heavy plot, this movie is beyond words for praise. Exceptionally well done. Superb, expressive acting and enveloping cinematography. A powerful story on the looming dangers of unknown outside forces, no matter how in control you may think you are - and of drawing inner strength in the interest of one's family and own destiny. One of the best epic-level movies I’ve ever seen. Even if it was subtitled. Which I normally hate. But it's worth suffering through that part - which from me is saying a lot (LOL).

I have a new hero, and his name was Jaguar Paw.

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And now, Just for fun ... Filed simultaneously under the show-and-tell categories of “Look What I Got” and “My Girlfriends Rule”, check out what my homegirl Chesney sent me for Christmas.

Kewl, huh? A jigsaw puzzle to delight my obsessive-compulsive side, and great end-result subject matter for my pirate loving side.

Such an enabler. :) * Sigh *

LOVE YOU, CHES!

If I (or you, dear readers) don't make it back here before the big holiday festivities, I wanted to extend and official Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my blog buds out there - Hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy peace and goodwill along with all the hectic hustle! Blessings to all of you!