Taking a break...

I think that it is time to step back and take a break for a little while... I have been spending an inordinate amount of time worrying about my blog, its content, and what people have to say about it. My blog is an extension of myself and, right or wrong, I tend to take things written on it and said about it very personally.

Now, I know that it is public domain, and I cannot control who reads it, and if things like this are going to bother me so much, I should take it offline all together. What started as a great way to keep my friends updated on my life and my thoughts (with all of us spread so far apart) has become something else - and I am truly sad about it.

I just need some time to think about whether I want to continue this blog, start fresh with another one (which I have actually been planning on doing for quite awhile), or just buy a journal and call my friends.

Anyway, I will keep reading and commenting on everyone's blogs - I love to hear about everything going on in your lives.

Just a couple of things before my self-imposed hiatus:

* Happy holidays to everyone.
* Happy anniversary to my hubby (two years on 12/27). I already had my post on the top 100 reasons why I love my husband written in my head, but I think that I will just tell him in person. Suffice to say that he is truly a wonderful person and every day, I love him just a little bit more.
* And, last but not least, some celebrity gossip to keep us interested until the new year. Gwen and Gavin are expecting (it's B-A-N-A-N-A-S... wonder if it's a boy or a little Hollaback Girl?), Sir Elton John has gotten married, and In Touch is claiming that Renee and Kenny are giving their marriage a second chance, while Jessica has filed for divorce from Nick (sigh).

Later!

A sad day...

Got some bad news today. Turns out that DirecTV finally learned that we moved and switched all of our locals from NYC to upstate NY channels. Not that I have anything against upstate NY channels per se, but I have a confession to make. I am addicted to the WB11 morning news. Wholly, totally and utterly addicted.

I don't know how it started - all of the other stations were so stuffy, and when the WB11 stopped running Full House reruns in the morning and debuted a morning news show, I began tuning in and I was hooked. Yeah, our relationship has been filled with ups and downs, like when Lynda Lopez left her post as entertainment reporter for bigger and better things, and when Lynn White was replaced by the annoying Suki (she just disappeared one day!). But overall, each of these people held a special place in my heart.

John Mueller and his (really nice!) hair, Sukie and her annoying laugh (I loved screaming at her to shut up - totally made my mornings), Linda Church and her willingness to join the Crunch instructors to show us the new aerobics moves, Jill Nicolini and her morning traffic reports (did you know that she once posed for Playboy?), Emily Francis on entertainment (occasionally had the adorable Booker - of KROCK fame - as a sub), Larry Huff riding roller coasters and horses, and Julie Chang, who let us watch her search for a new apartment.

So, everyone put some Michael Bolton on the stereo (yeah, I know you have othe CD!) and sing along with me...

"I could hardly believe it, when I heard the news today...
I had to come and get it straight from you.
Hubby said you were leaving, DirecTV took you away...
And from the look upon his face, I see it's true.

So tell me all about it, tell me 'bout the stories you're planning...ohhh...
Tell me one thing more before you go.

Tell me, how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin you so long?
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When the WB11 morning news is no longer on?"

Okay, I feel better now.

Weekend recap

What a great weekend. Of course, Friday was kicked off with a rush of adreneline, as I made my way to work on the skating rink once known as upstate NY. Thankfully, by the time I was done for the day, the ice had melted and commuting was a breeze.

Hubby finally came home on Friday night, after three days in NJ (having him home was the greatest part of my weekend, hands down).

Yesterday was filled with family and friends, as hubby and I hosted an impromptu open house. It was a crazy morning and afternoon, but everyone had a great time, including a few friends who drove up from NJ to spend the day with us. One couple that we are very good friends with has two little boys (an almost-four-year-old and a four-month-old) and it was so much fun having them around... when they packed up the car to leave yesterday afternoon, we looked at each other and said, "I miss you already!" It's so nice to have people like that in your life.

Our other NJ houseguest - my friend Huxy - stayed overnight with us, so we got to spend a bit more time together. Once the house was cleaned and the dishes were done, we hit the mall to do some last-minute holiday shopping. And yes, we did visit with Santa (who looked about 18 years old - mall Santas have really gone downhill) to let him know what we wanted for Christmas, and have the pictures to prove it! After stopping to pick up a movie and takeout, we came back home and exchanged gifts - can't wait to wear my new scarf and gloves!

We were up early this morning (like always) and the three of us had breakfast together before Huxy drove home. Wrapped some gifts, stopped by my Nana's to drop off some leftovers, and my brother will be stopping by soon.

This weekend was just what the doctor ordered - fun and relaxing, took my mind off some stuff and really put me in the holiday spirit. Hope that everyone had a great weekend!

The Spirit of the Season

Now don't get me wrong, I love this time of year, but there are a couple of things that just bug the hell out of me:

That damn Christmas shoes song - as I mentioned before, nothing puts me more in a "bah humbug" mood then that story of the little boy buying shoes for his dying mother to wear. I know that it is supposed to be touching and emotional, but it just doesn't do it for me. And the fact that it is on the radio a million times a day doesn't help. Sorry.

However, I would rather listen to that Christmas shoes song on repeat than to watch another one of those Lexus commercials. I mean, who buys a Lexus as a Christmas gift for their husband or wife? Just think about the logistics - how do you sneak it into the driveway or garage without your significant other having a clue? And those obnoxious red bows - ugh.

Rant over. You may now return to your regularly-scheduled holiday cheerfulness.