Father & Daughter

Sunday Morning

Monday Night at the Mk-Mc

"Center"piece

David's Xmas present to me: A gorgeous new organic center piece that I've been desiring for about a year.

Top 11 2008

While not all of these things actually 'came about' in 2008, they came into my life in '08 (for better or worse):

11) Brooke White

10) Vicky/Christina/Barcelona

9) Gutter Twins

8) HGTV (who knew they had so many programs that would entertain me?)

7) Frost/Nixon

6) The Gladstone, Toronto

5) HD Tivo

4) New Orleans

3) Red & White Wine Chicago

1T) Real Housewives Series

1T) President elect Barack Obama

Disturbing Image of the Year: Die Soldaten

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Soldaten

Mama's Famous Pose

Maggie loves this pose.

Last Minute X-Mas Gift Idea

Want this.

David's Early X-Mas Gift to Me

These authentic tartan pillows from Scout were the only things I really wanted for X-mas. David was sweet enough to present them to me on Saturday. As you can see, Bogie has already ruined them by plopping his heaving body all over them.

To learn more about these special pillows:
http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/November-December-2008/Plaid-About-You/

Bogie and the Heat Vent

You can only barely tell by this picture - but Bogie is laying on top of the heat vent. This is what Bogie does every morning, noon and night during cold winter days; lays on the heat vent to warm his...chestnuts.

Prince Bogie

Bogie has taken to jumping up on a bench and sitting very still. He's also been very keen on sitting on hot air vents to warm his 'under carriage' - will post soon.

Movie of the Week: Frost/Nixon

And we were lucky enough to see the trailer to "The Wrestler" prior to Frost/Nixon. David cried; he also cried at the end of Frost/Nixon because he felt bad for Nixon...so there you go.

I <3 Funny Insane People

I purchased HD Tivo for David for X-Mas (not to worry, I've already bestowed it upon him). And now I'm watching more TV - just what I didn't want to happen/why I resisted for so long. I came across the show "Whatever Martha" and find it to be ridiculously funny - so I went on the "Whatever" blog - here's an excerpt from Aleixis Stewart - brilliant/hilarious/certifiable.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////

http://www.whateverradio.com/website/blogs.php
me me me
July 10th, 2008
it is true that jennifer and her family are experiencing one of the saddest times in their lives.... wish that meant life could stop and we could all take a breather, but that is not the case. many, many things are still going on in my life that cannot be put on hold or ignored...for instance, here is a fun email thread TO ME from Korie:

Korie:Hello there. I'm quite sure this email will not reach Alexis Stewart, but I was just watching clips for an upcoming Oprah show that she is expected to be on to discuss her attempts to become pregnant and felt compelled to write. I know the pain of failed IVF. Unfortunately, I can only afford my single, failed attempt. I hope Alexis gets what she wants, a baby, but I also hope she donates heavily to Resolve or other organizations in an attempt to help other women who are not so fortunate to have a billionaire mother to fund their treatment. Like Alexis, I'd like to make my parents grandparents. But unlike Alexis, I do not have that opportunity. Please do not use my name or email address on the radio.

Me: wow i guess if you want to woo someone into doing something generous, and that really is your motivation, you should examine the wording and method you use. only slightly veiled insinuations/insults wont get your charity any money, but it will in fact serve to piss people off (unfortunately, I think that was your intention)

Korie: I was not trying to get money. That's an insult. You should be ashamed of yourself. But how do you think it feels to hear a very privileged woman speak of her repeated, high-priced attempts at conceiving? The vast, vast majority of couples in this country with IF cannot afford one, let alone dozens of IVF cycles. It comes off as very insensitive, out-of-touch and elitist. I wonder did Ms. Stewart ever, for one second, examine her own motives? If she really, truly, wants to do some good for anyone other than herself, maybe instead of bragging about her money she should quietly, anonymously, help someone else. I suspect she gets more gratification in speaking about her high-ticket failures than she would by being truly helpful to someone less fortunate. And I don't mean myself because all the treatment in the world won't bring me a baby.

Me:keep twisting it to make yourself feel better/more downtrodden ms stewart was telling her story as it is - and apparently you are so obsessed with the money issue, that you cant even see the point of her appearance, which was to tell people not to wait till they are too old, cause all the money in the world wont help you get pregnant if your biological clock runs out

Korie: I actually feel sorry for you, since it's obvious your only joy in life is to be bitter, spiteful and mean. There's such a thing as karma; it appears you and possibly Ms. Stewart are experiencing that now.

Me: no, simple biological age and why do you think you were unable to conceive? bad gene pool? and not one that god/karma wants to pass on?

Korie:Funny. Nope. It's because I had a rare, ovarian pregnancy and lost them to surgery. But thanks for asking.

Me:karma is karma, not matter how it manifests...

Korie: Ditto. Now please, leave me alone. I'm sorry I ever wrote.

Shallow Subculture/Paninari Definition

After blogging about my beloved new shoes, I thought - "What does Paninari mean?" Well, here you go (how sadly relevant):

Paninaro (plural: Paninari) is a subculture that was born in Milan, Italy during the early 1980s at a fast food restaurant called Al Panino (in English: At the Sandwich). The subculture was famous for its apolitical nature and its twin obsessions with fashion and Americana, contrasting sharply with the hyper-politicized 1970s. The Paninaro scene developed in tandem with the vapid hedonism of the 80s, fostered by Reaganomics, Thatcherism and deregulation liberalism. It was also reinforced by the diffusion in Italy of privately-owned television channels, which transmitted messages of consumerism and fostered a fetishistic urge of self-affirmation through the acquisition of status symbols.
The typical Paninaro look might be Timberland boots or deck shoes, El Charro jeans rolled up to ankle height, belts with Texan or western-style big buckles, Best Company sweatshirts, bulky Dolomite or Moncler jackets and brightly colored Invicta rucksacks.

1 Year Later...

...and I finally have my Tretorn Hockey Paninari 'Boots' from ebay for $50 bucks (all-in)...yay! Nothing like shopping after a hard day's work during a horrible recession/depression.

X-mas Present Idea

Since I've been told that I'm hard to shop for, I'm posting an idea here (^). Hey, it's a start.

Again...Are you kidding me?

I'm sorry, this is becoming an 'issue' ; first cyber Monday and again today? Thank God I made all of my 30% off sale purchases earlier today.

The J.Crew webmaster must be insane or in bed w/ Mrs. J.Crew.

Auntie and the Guys

The guys do love their Auntie.

Bogie vs. the Squirrel Pillow

I have no idea what Bogie is doing here, but something tells me I don't want to know. (He worked on positioning this pillow for about a minute and then just sat still for about fifteen.)

I would avoid that pillow for at least a month.

T-Giving, Post

I lost track of the camera very early in the night - but here was the table set for t-giving. David prepared an amazing meal and we had a great time with my parents, Courtney and Kyle. Now on to X-Mas.

Object of Desire: War Bowl

The last thing I need is another thingy-thing do-dad, but I'm loving this bowl by Thorsten Van Elten. Given the recession and the weather, perhaps I'll spend a Saturday morning melting down some soldiers. http://store.greenergrassdesign.com/tve-warbowl.html