Love in the New Year

I think tonight, Timmy and I are just gonna cuddle on the couch and watch one of my favorite New Year movies - When Harry Met Sally. Here is a clip of the very best scene...



Harry - And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

May all your New Year dreams come true, too.

Welcome 2007

Irish toast:
In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.

T. S. Eliot:
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

Mark Twain:
Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

Henry Ward Beecher:
Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

G. K. Chesterton:
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.

Washtub

Washtub
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Here are all of my favorite little nieces. Cherokee, Shawnee, Cheyanne, (me) and Morgan. We took a couple of silly pictures around Grandpa's yard - this is his gigantic washtub. One of my favorite things about visiting Tim's fam in the "wild west" is hanging out with these awesome and witty little chicks. I can't wait to see what they will be like when they're grown!

A Texan Christmas

I'm back! And I thought ya'll might enjoy a little taste of our family fun. Whoo! We had a great time (but this part was NOT one of my favorite family memories). Talk about EXTENDED family! What a group to behold!

Christmas Trip

Alrighty. We're off to Texas for Christmas. We'll be there for a couple of days, so I'll be off the radar for a bit - just in case you miss me. Hope ya'll have a merry one. (BTW - don't ya think Santa looks mighty cute in a ten-gallon hat?!?)

Wicked Show, last night...

Guess what I got for Christmas?!? I got to go see this awesome show on Broadway! (Seriously, I've been wanting to see this so badly that I was about to look into being an usher...) It has been so popular that we haven't been able to score cheap tickets for it. I didn't think I'd ever get to see it! Anyway, we went last night and it was SO AMAZING. It wasn't the original cast, of course, but it was still fabulous.

The chick who played Elphaba was Ana Gasteyer (who is better known for her role on SNL as the Martha Stewart impressions lady). She was great! And Glinda was played by Kate Reinders. She was good, but no Kristin Chenoweth! Anyway, I adored every single minute of it. (And there is a serious twist at the end that I never knew about! Hot dang!) See my pictures from the night here!

Rockin' Rockettes

Rockin' Rockettes
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

Check out the pictures I've uploaded from Monday night at the Christmas Show Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall! So. Much. Fun.

Photo Friday - Weather

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of my hubby. Well, fortunately it is not THAT cold out here in NYC right now, but I do wish for a white Christmas...

Meez Two

The Radio City Music Hall

It's been a busy week!

Monday night, Tim took me to see the Rockettes - which is something I've ALWAYS wanted to do. I think I've wanted to see them perform ever since I saw the movie Annie. (Remember when they all go to the movies? And they sing that song "Let's go to the movies" with that huge Rockettes show right before they see the actual movie on the screen? Why aren't cinemas designed like that anymore?!?) Anyway, it was great. Just great. It was pretty hokey in a kitsch cool way and Santa was REALLY cheesy, but I loved it. I was surprised by how overtly religious it was, though. They have this live nativity at the finale with real camels and donkeys and stuff. They even mentioned *gasp* the cross and Christ's ultimate sacrifice! Interesting. I wonder how much of the show has been the same every year, since 1920 whatever? Anyway. loved it. Here is a clip of my favorite part of the show...

Wordless Wednesday - Rockefeller Tree Topper

(Since Wednesday is almost over, I'm gonna include a few words...)

The giant star behind us is identical to the star that tops the Rockefeller Tree this year. It's the "display" version to lure in tourists to buy tiny Swarovski crystal replicas for their own Christmas trees. Well, it works. Tim and I bought one this year for our tree, too. How could you not when standing face to face with a giant nine and a half foot tall, 550 lbs, shiny and glittery crystal cut to the shape of a star?!? And strategically placed within viewing of the 80 foot tree?!? Now THAT is some dang good marketing!

Christmas Crafts

Feeling crafty?!? Need a cheap and easy Christmas present? I've got a great craft for you... A Bra Purse. Get the instructions here.

Not your cup of tea? How about a Potato Chip Bag Bracelet? Or SIM Card Earrings? Ever wondered how to make a Make a Toothbrush Bracelet? Come on. These are great!

Saks Snowflakes

(Tim took this with our camera)

Christmas Time...

That time of year is slowly creeping up and I'm sitting here on my day off, trying to think of all the things I still have to do and feeling guilty for being rushed. I know that half of the world (at least half of the continent) feels this way right now too. The guilt I feel stems from knowing that my perspective is all wrong and that Christmas is not really about sending out fuzzy cards and lengthy newsletters. Well, duh. I can quote you my Suzy Sunday School answer, okay? But most of us (especially us Southern chicks) can't help but feel a certain bit of Christmas "obligation" to our families and friends. On that note, yes - your cards will be in the mail by tomorrow and yes - you will enjoy them. (Or else...)

But as far as Christmas spirit, I've still been looking for it.

I didn't find it in the hustle and bustle of the city. Sure, it was fun to walk about and be amazed at all the Christmas lights and beautiful store windows and the giant Rockefeller tree, but what I also saw were crazy commercialization's and parents complaining about immense crowds and how these outings were more of a burden than fun. Yikes.

I didn't find it when Tim and I were trying to pose our Christmas picture with our cats. What I got from that experience was a scratched up hand, a missing-in-action cat, a hairy sweater and half of a family picture. (Where is Juno? Yes, exactly.)

But you know, I think I spotted some of that Christmas magic when I gave a library visit to a girl scout troop yesterday. It was a group of seven girls, all in the third grade. They met at the library and I had two Christmas stories to read to them and then I was going to show them around the library. Well, I read them "Willy and May: A Christmas Story" and "Santa Calls" - two of my new favorite picture books - and we spent the rest of the time talking about special people in our lives that we will get to see soon. We also talked about Santa. These girls all still believe in him and they told me about their Santa sightings! One girl told me about hearing reindeer on her rooftop, another told me about hearing Santa laugh, and they all told me about leaving him cookies and getting thank you notes from him. Their eyes sparkled and danced as they chatted eagerly about how they planned to catch him this year and where they were going to hide to try to get a glimpse of him. Now that's what I call Christmas!

So yes, even though Christmas can really give me the blues, I have seen it. And I WILL be ready for it, even if it kills me.

What Kind of Christmas Do You Have?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times. What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas in the City

See more pictures here...

OTR Coffee

Speaking of cute, Over the Rhine has their own free trade coffee blend, too! Tim was SO excited. We bought a bag of freshly roasted beans for him to try out. I wish I drank coffee. I just can't stand the taste of it - even super sweetened and drowned in milk. Don't get me started on how lonely it is not being a coffee drinker... At least I'll always have white teeth.

New York Christmas

I love Christmas in the city...

Today, Tim is taking me to do some more Christmas decoration sightseeing. I love seeing the windows all plump with holly and animated characters and dangling ornaments. This picture was taken Thursday night at Grand Central Terminal, when we went in to see a concert (Over the Rhine). This is the holiday light show in Grand Central. The stars twinkle and dance - it's just beautiful!

Thursday night, we also got to see the windows at Macys and see "Santaland." What a treat, cause I've always wanted to see the Macys Santa Claus! It was worth it. The windows in front of Macys were just spectacular. Seeing all of the lights and whatnot really puts you into a Christmas mood. We had a blast.

And then we went to the concert we had tickets for, "Over the Rhine," and it was an awesome show. If you're not familiar with this group, get acquainted! They have a fantastic new Christmas CD out called "Snow Angels." L.O.V.E. them! (Big thanks to Christie for getting me hooked on them!) The show was at Joe's Pub, which is this swanky little jazz club setting. We were right up on the front row, facing Linford on his piano. (Tim could literally reach out and grab Linford's long skinny foot!) What a great night. Look for pictures soon on my flickr page...

Need a Quick Giggle?

I know ya'll like seeing me dance. You couldn't resist my meez. A dancing librarian is a rare and wonderful treat. Well, an even bigger treat than that is a dancing librarian turned into an ELF. Yes sir, I said it. See it right here.

Photo Friday - Fresh

Although I hate this picture, it is the best one I could come up with for Friday's theme. Too bad I didn't have my camera out when that guy propositioned me last night. I kid you not, I got big bills flashed at me (at a pizza joint in the city) from a guy who might possibly have been a pimp or maybe just looking for some action... It made me seriously question my choice of attire.

Wordless Wednesday - Gingerbread

The Office (US): Andy sings to Pam

I LOVE this clip...

Check my Meez...

Why yes, that is me doing the "Robot."

Oh My Aching Feet

Wow. I had the day off at the library, so I went down to the city to help Tim at World Vision's World AIDS Day event. I thought it was just a breakfast - I had to be in the city at 7:30 (meaning I had to wake up at 5:00 to get ready and hop a train, and the subway, and then a cab). But no, it was MUCH more than that... We didn't get out of there until 4:30! I am so seriously surprised that I am still able to walk.

The problem was my shoes. This event was a fancy schmancy one (as in business attire, best behavior, and two sets of forks at the tables) held at "The Tavern On The Green." Yes, you may recognize that name... It's that expensive touristy hot spot in Central Park that ends up in so many NYC movies and hosts crazy big events like Broadway premieres and World Series Bashes. To quote Wikipedia, "It is currently the highest-grossing independently-owned restaurant in the United States with annual revenues in excess of $34 million and over half a million visitors a year." Insane. What do people see in that place?!? What I saw were: tacky garden murals, freakishly scary wall appliques, clown-colored crystal chandeliers, waiters in TEAL half jackets, gaudy Christmas decorations, and mirrors that covered every other wall. (Okay, so I did really like the giant animal topiaries... I'll admit it.) But back to my shoes. I had to dress up, so I wore these tall black boots with a three inch heal. How do other women do that? I felt like I was tip-toeing ALL DAY LONG!

And it wouldn't have been so terrible if I hadn't had to hoof it to the station in the morning to catch my train (scary... dark... all by myself...), walk around all morning hosting, and then help pack everything back up, and load it into the truck afterward. (Can somebody please call me a wambulence? I just had me a weiniken, a wamburger, and some french cries.) Oh well, time for a long hot bath. I deserve it.

Oh, and as a side note, the event was really cool too. It boasted names like Sandra Thurman (President of the International AIDS Trust), Melba Moore (Tony Award winner), and even Hanna Teter (2006 Olympic Gold Medal in snowboarding). I even had an actual conversation with the "first lady" of Zambia - as in the PRESIDENT's wife - whoa nelly. But my favorite part was watching the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda (see above picture) sing and dance their little hearts out. THAT was worth it all.