I've gone green!

My car came in yesterday! I have purchased a new Camry Hybrid. It's silver and just lovely. In the 24 hours I've had it, I have absolutely loved it. I got a fun little upgrade that lets me make and answer calls from the steering wheel and talk to folks via bluetooth (through the stero speakers). So cool. I think I'll love that when traveling to far-away school districts.

My car ownership has gone from Cavalier to Alero to this. I would say this is definite improvement! I'm in true Toyota-love. I'll keep you all posted on gas mileage, etc. And if you'd like a ride, I'm looking for reasons to drive it about town so just give me a call!

I can find my coffee!

Mery Christmas! Among this year's gift highlights for me were a Garmin Nuvi navigation system from dear BH and a Flavia drink station from Dad. Good times! There were many other thoughtful, appreciated gifts. Being with friends and family is always my favorite part of the season.

I gave everything from Kenyan-created tree ornaments to light-up holiday sweaters. In all honesty, I enjoy the giving as much as the getting--maybe more. As a shopping fanatic, te giving is a treat in and of itself.

I hope you all had a very happy holiday.

Stevie Wonder

BH took me to the Stevie Wonder concert Wednesday night. Good times! I haven't ever considered myself a big Stevie Wonder fan, but I must say that the concert was fantastic! Lots of energy, great songs... What can I say? He's a legend. If you have a chance, go see some Stevie. Well worth your time.

Bachelor Brad is just that

The Bachelor, Brad Womak, picked none. What?! He told both girls goodbye and sent them home broken hearted. Shocking, my friends. Simply shocking. He is not a Bachelor to stick with tradition for tradition's sake, but I'll tell you that the proper move when you don't love either gal is to tell one of them that you don't won't to propose yet but want to continue dating them in "real life." Brad didn't bite on that one.

Some women are calling him emotionally stunted, cruel, in it for PR for his bars, etc. I think he was just honest. We don't like honest in Bachelor-world because we want a girl to be flung around in circles, holding a rose, and whispering "I want to spend the rest of my life with you." That's our emotional release that we wait for week after week. That's the moment that one special girl gets the guy that everyone is after. That's why we love it.

Good for Brad for following his heart. While I'm not feeling all that content with his decision, it wasn't my decision to make. It doesn't make for the best of television, but I'll always be a fan.

Bachelor

One of my guiltiest pleasures in life is The Bachelor. I truly love it. The emotional train wreck that ensues every week is worth all the embarrassment being a fan causes me. It is a perfect balance of voyeurism and cathartic emotional release. I'm telling you--it's good stuff.

If you watch The Bachelor, or even do not but enjoy it from a distance, you must read http://thebachelorrecaps.blogspot.com/. It is incredibly funny and oh-so-true. And Lincee, the author, is a Texas gal. We have to support one another around here...

Tonight is the season finale. Jenni or DeAnna is the question of the day. I think it will be Jenni, but won't be surprised if it isn't. Either way, I've enjoyed the ride. Make no mistake about it, at 9:00 tonight I will be glued to my television set and will not be answering the door or phone.

And for those of you who will not be tuned in to ABC tonight and are snickering and mocking me right now... everyone has their guilty pleasures. Everyone has their closet habits. Mine is particularly shameful, admittedly, but he who throws the first stone...

Tanner

I realized I have done much talking about dear, sweet Buddy and have neglected Tanner (our other dog). There is some truth to the fact that the squeaky wheel gets the grease... Tanner goes about his daily business without much fanfare. He protects the house, loves me and BH, and tries to help us keep an eye on his little disaster of a brother. So, in an effort to reward his constant good behavior and to maintain some level of equity, I wanted to introduce you to our beloved Tanner.

Football all the way

Are you a Colts lover or hater? I'm a fan. They aren't the Cowboys, but probably a second favorite for me. BH is big Patriots fan, and, therefore, is not exactly a Colts supporter. He believes Peyton calls too many audibles--or at least that is his stated reason. I think he dislikes him because he's good. Really good. Peyton is not just a good player (he is unquestionably that), but he's spectacular at selling himself. He's so likable. His commercials are funny, and he was so amusing on SNL. In the famous words of a favorite nephew of ours--I like it.

In today's sports world, it isn't always enough to be a good player. You need to be likable to get the big money from Gatorade, Nike, and the like. As a Cowboys fan, I am so glad Romo seems to have learned that lesson. All those smiles never hurt anybody. And that likability sure sells a lot of jerseys. So maybe it isn't football all the way--it's football 3/4 of the way and personality fills in the rest.

Buddy the Donut Eater

Dear sweet Buddy--our 3 year old lab--will eat anything. I don't mean he's not picky about his dog food. I mean he will eat anything that is slower than he is. I believe his personal property damage "tab" is somewhere around $4,000 at this point, including, but not limited to:

1. One very nice Tiffany's silver earring (ate it right out of my ear)--$60.

2. One set of high-end dentures (BH's mom's)--$3,500.

3. Various socks, shirts, underwear--$200.

4. Various shoes and slippers--$100.

5. Stolen food (including 9 donuts devoured yesterday morning)--$100.

But when all is said and done, having his smiling face around is priceless.

Long lost friends

I abandoned the blog for months (or has it been years?). I'm sure I've lost all three readers who were faithful to me years ago. So now this is really nothing more than an exercise in self-amusement.

I've recently had the urge to re-connect with old friends. I think I'm feeling older and wanting to remember the more carefree days. At this age, though, you seem to slowly lose the ability to contact all sorts of people you care about. Emails get deleted, phone numbers change, people move. So let this be an open call to old roommates, friends, etc. to say hello. Just because I've been a bad correspondent (maybe even bad friend), doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about you.