Day 153 - Dec. 30
Listening to: Shake Your Booty
Thought for today: After spending the day with my head buried in old documents, I’ve decided handwriting is a lost art form.

Today I went to the Tennessee State Archives to read a diary written by Lou Cretia Owen, a woman that worked at the Old Hickory Powder Plant in 1918. The Powder Plant was built by DuPont in Old Hickory, Tennessee as a joint effort with the U.S. Government to supply gunpowder to the war front during WWI.

The diary is absolutely fascinating and captures the essence of life on the home front during WWI. If you have any interest in Old Hickory, WWI, or the evolution of women in the workplace, I encourage you go read it. The picture I’m featuring along with the TSA is what we would call the Powder Plant human relations department today. This photo is about 1/5th of the actual photo. The photo lives in Cubicle Caverns (my office) and is a conversation piece. The faces are nameless. I will now imagine Lou as one of the women featured.

There is no way I can possibly capture the spirit of the diary in a summary, but there are a couple of things that stood out to me. First, there is an intense display of patriotism and pride unlike anything I have ever witnessed. Lou is also very proud to be a woman working to help her country and gain independence for herself. Second, throughout the diary we see the tremendous amount of paranoia that gripped these people. Anyone behaving out of the ordinary was suspected to be a German spy. Third, it is evident the Spanish flu wreaked havoc on the Powder Plant workers. People flooded the area so quickly for employment that it was impossible to ID everyone who died. Many that succumbed to the flu ended up in unmarked graves. Last, these people worked their asses off and their motivation was patriotism. It is incomprehensible to me the number of people it took to operate the plant, feed the workers, care for the workers, and build the village/plant. The spirit with which it was all accomplished doesn't seem to exist in this country anymore, to me anyway. It is truly sad.

The diary is on microfilm #1963 if you care to go take a peek.

Day 154 - Dec. 29
Listening to: humming Gloom Despair
Thought for today: If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

I took my Christmas tree down today and undecked the halls. Prior to doing so I pondered the possibility that it may be bad luck to take the tree down before New Years Day, 12 days………. whatever. It is definitely considered bad luck to leave it up beyond either of these days. One theory says if you have not taken the tree down by January 6 (Epiphany), the tree must remain in the house all year. ARRRRGGGHHHH………...there are so many schools of thought attached to when the tree should be removed from the house. I decided to take my chances and reminded myself I am a Christian who shouldn't subscribe to superstition.............but stillllllll.

When I dropped the tree off at the recycle location, I was smacked in the face with sadness. I felt like I was leaving behind a friend. The little tree that had made my house look so warm and inviting over the last month suddenly looked cold and out of place despite the fact it was surrounded by “friends.” I suspect I was suffering the onset of post-Christmas blues.

The fact that I had even the slightest chunk of motivation to clean up Christmas garb in a timely matter is directly due to my step father. I mention this because today is his birthday. My DNA consists 100% of slob stuff. My step father managed to reconfigure my DNA while I was a teenager insisting I make my bed every day, clean my bathroom once a week, and always fold my laundry. I’m grateful to him for teaching me these responsibilities. Happy Birthday Ron!

I will let you know how my luck runs this year……………

Day 155 - Dec. 28
Listening to: Supertramp – Goodbye Mary, goodbye Jane…..
Thought for today: WOOF!

The Fab Lab blogs

Pearl’s Version:

Woof woof woof slurp grrr woof woof . RAWR woof woof slurp slurp lick woof woof woof woof. Woof woof woof, slirp……………..a;lskdjf;alksdujfpoiqupow;ej

My Version:

I took Pearl to the Vet today for her rabies shot and to have her annual thyroid check. Her rabies shot was due in November…………or so I thought. The vet tech took Pearl to the back, drew her blood, brought her back to me and said, “The vet said if Pearl is doing okay you can wait until June to get her rabies shot along with her other vaccinations due at that time.” I never even saw the vet.

WHAT?

I was a bit puzzled, figured the vet knew more than me, and left. As Pearl and I pulled away from the office, I realized I have to board her in March and that she HAS to have proof of an annual rabies shot. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrr. I turned that car around, went back in the office, and told the receptionist what had happened. A different vet than I was scheduled to see came in to talk to me and give her the rabies shot. With all of this said, I did a bit of research. The rabies law is CONFUSING. If I understand it correctly, Pearl really only needs a booster shot every three years. Pet owners don’t get the truth! It’s deplorable really. I am appalled at the first vet’s lack of explanation to me.

To see the law for yourself: http://drpetclinic.com/rabies.htm

Day 156 - Dec. 27
Listening to: The Joker
Thought for today: Dear Virginia, yes Santa has to leave his trash behind because it won't fit in the sleigh!

Ahemmm…………THIS……………..this is an absolute NO NO in the world of Santa Claus believers! In fact, my suspicions about Santa began when my mom forgot to toss the box for my Velvet doll. Sidebar: any of ya’ll remember the Velvet and Crissy doll? They had grow-able hair sans any weave! My Velvet doll had beautiful long blond hair until I decided to take a purple magic marker and color it. I do believe the fumes from the marker prompted me to commit such a horror. Here's a retro commercial about Crissy and Velvet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIaxZhR2RhM

Back to the box on the side of the street………… Despite my chagrin over this parental DON’T, I was pleased to see that children still receive wagons for Christmas.

Day 157 - Dec. 26
Listening to: Rambling Man
Thought for today: When life feeds you snow, make snowmen.

SWSM ISO SWSW who likes long walks in the woods, Air Supply, and sipping wine by the refrigerator light.

I recently discovered that my neighbors keep tabs on who is at my house. I have been informed that several of them participate in regular discussions about the absence of men, or anyone for that matter, coming and going from my house. I wonder what they’d do if I put a red light on my front porch? I might try it.

At times I am grateful the neighbors keep an eye on me. One of them calls me if my car becomes stagnant for any length of time………. which is nice. I do have a fear of dying and no one discovering my rotting corpse for weeks. Despite their watchfulness, I’m sure they find my behaviors curious. I’m sure they don’t know what to think of a woman who makes snow angels and snowmen in her yard. At least there is a man in my yard………………..now.

Day 158 - Dec. 25
Listening to: Walking in a Winter Wonder Land
Thought for today: The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.

Today many of you carved a Christmas turkey/ham. My friend Rick was busy taunting me with his efforts to channel Julia Childs to prepare boeuf bourguignon. Meanwhile, the vegetable oil flowed freely in my house as I prepared the Krisditional salmon croquettes and fried okra. Merry Christmas me! No Julia needed for this dish! I can do this one without a chef possession.

We had our first white Christmas in 17 years. I don’t remember it snowing on Christmas in 1993! I think I will remember this one.

Why do we get so excited about a white Christmas? There is great debate about when Jesus was actually born. Some say he was born in the fall with snow an improbability. It does snow in that region and is not entirely an impossibility. All I know is that modern media has perpetuated the romantic notion of a white Christmas and magnified it exponentially.

Day 159 - Dec. 24
Listening to: Back In Love Again (LTD)
Thought for today: God bless us EVERYONE!

No, I have not been hired to be the poster child for Tootsie Roll…………although they should really look at my Tootsie Roll consumption resume and consider the possibilities. I asked Santa for Prince Andrew and a Tootsie Roll factory for Christmas. Instead, I received a jar of Tootsie Rolls the size of my head………… ……….always………….always……………ALWAYS ……a good thing. Prince Andrew, on the other hand, will have to wait. Santa let me know that HRH is not ready for my fabulosity yet.

This week has been one of the most enjoyable weeks that I have had in a very long time. Both of my children have been at home and I have been off work. For the first time in my history as a mother there were ZERO sibling wars, both of their grades were good, and it’s been a few months since either has been in trouble. I’m grateful……..honest to God grateful. As the cherry on top of the life cake, for the first time since I divorced some 15 years ago I don’t give a rat’s ass about being alone/single during Christmas. I have actually been overflowing with happiness. Consider yourself warned. The apocalypse may be at hand.

Merry Christmas to my family and friends! I love you all with 100,000% of my being (and that isn’t the wine talking either).

Day 160 - Dec. 23
Listening to: Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire
Thought for today: You know you're getting old, when Santa starts looking younger. ~Robert Paul

World! Meet my attic. Attic! Meet my world. This is the chimney in my attic. It jutted out of the roof top back in the day and was chopped off during the great renovation of 2000. Are you saying, “Kris you have a chimney but no fireplace?” I am telling you I have a chimney and no fireplace. The chimney was somehow used to heat the joint back in 1918. Coal was the source of heat. It’s beyond me why the builders (DuPont engineers) put a chimney in a house yet failed to put a hole in the wall for a fireplace. WTF 1918 DuPont engineers?!?!?! I personally think the Easter basket adds class to it.

So why am I rambling on and on about my chimney? TODAY I learned about the origination of tracking Santa Claus on radar on Christmas Eve. It’s fascinating. Sears & Roebuck gave out a number in 1955 for the general population to call to inquire about Santa’s location. They gave out the wrong number. They gave out the number to NORAD; thus, tracking Santa via radar was born.

Today’s revelation made me start thinking about my chopped off chimney and explaining to a child how Santa gets into a house without a fireplace. By the time I moved into this house, my children had stopped believing so I was spared. I think if I had grown up in this house I would have had panic attacks thinking Santa had tried to come down the fireplaceless chimney and disappeared forever! So if Santa doesn't show up at your house this year, let me know................ he may be at my house..............stuck for all eternity.

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

Day 161 - Dec. 22
Listening to: Knock on Wood
Thought for today: Merry Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve

I love Christmas cards and am grateful my friends still have the discipline to send them. I bought cards to send this year, but they are still sitting on my kitchen table……… abandoned like a New Years diet.

Since the first soldier was sent to Iraq, there has been a plea for civilians to send Christmas cards to the troops. A few years ago I answered the plea and sent cards to soldiers to express my gratitude. I included my email in each card offering friendship. One soldier responded. We began communicating via instant message. Our discussions revolved around the simplicities of life. The relationship smacked of innocence. There was zero hint of romance or sex.

One night G.I. Christmas Soldier asked if I had a webcam................ ummmmmmmmmm........no. He then asked if he could turn his webcam on. .........ummmmmmmm...........OK. No biggie. It was nice to see his face. We continued to talk over the next few days minus the web cam. He then asked if he could turn the webcam on again. When he did, there on my computer screen was a naked soldier in all of his God Blesssssssssssssss America glory. I was speechless. Talk about your Wikileaks!!!! I'm not sure what he expected from me. I think my silence embarrassed him because the next day he apologized for his GI shock and awe and said he was going on a secret mission. I never heard from him again.

Day 162 - Dec. 21
Listening to: Everlasting Love
Thought for the day: It's easy to see, hard to foresee. ~Ben Franklin

I have uncovered a horrific truth. Last night, when I opened a gift from a friend, I couldn’t read the writing on the package. An older lady in the group gave me her reading glasses and ………BAM………..just like Jerry Falwell had hit me on the head and declared me healed…………I could SEEEEE. Ugggh. I need reading glasses. It’s like someone flipped a switch. There was no building up to this abomination.

Today I went to check out my eye wear options. By the way, I didn’t intend for this picture to be so blurry, but it’s quite appropriate! Why are reading glasses so butt-ass ugly? Upon seeing them in their butt-ass ugliness, seeing what they cost, and checking out my small print reading skillzzzz in the store, I decided to hold out a little bit longer. Besides, the weather is nice along the river deNile.

Day 163 - Dec. 20
Listening to: Here Comes Santy Claus
Thought for today: It's a major award!

My life runneth over with leg lamps. Tonight my Wednesday night dinner group got together to exchange gifts and to play a round of Dirty Santa…………yes, on Monday. Last year, I acquired a smaller version of the lamp in a game of Dirty Santa. I fought hard for it and drew blood from my opponents to get it. This year the first gift I chose was the leg lamp night light which caused a lot of laughter because of what went down last year. Surprisingly, no one took it from me. Dirty Santa was peaceful this year.

So, with the snap of a few sparks, a quick whiff of ozone, the night light is blazing forth in unparalleled glory. The problem is that I don’t seem to have an outlet that allows the leg to be plugged in correctly. The leg plugs in upside down. Eeeek. It looks even ………um……….scarier.

Day 164 - Dec. 19
Listening to: Miracle on 34th Street
Thought for today: Now wait a minute, Susie. Just because every child can't get his wish that doesn't mean there isn't a Santa Claus.

On my walk today I noticed squirrel nests and mistletoe are abundant in the trees. I started thinking about mistletoe. It has been a long time since I have seen anyone use mistletoe as a kissing trap. Is this a tradition destined for the attic of Christmases past…………..like all stores being closed on Christmas, an orange viewed as a special treat, Lifesaver booklets, and saying Merry Christmas?

Aside from the lure of a kiss, Mr. Mistletoe is no boring plant. He is in fact a tree murderer, a real parasite. He is also poisonous which makes me wonder about the whole kissing thing. The French believed he was hanging out on the tree chopped down to make the cross used to crucify Jesus. On the flip side there are those in history that viewed Mr. Mistletoe as a hero, a real magician. From curing fertility problems to protecting one from evil, some thought Mr. Mistletoe had it going ONNNN.

As for me, I’ve never been kissed under the mistletoe. Maybe I should add this to my bucket list.
If you plan to be the one to help me fulfill my bucket list, please read the mistletoe instructions. Mucking it up isn't an option! http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/mistletoe3.htm

Day 165 - Dec. 18
Listening to: Silent Night
Thought for today: It is better to light a candle that to curse the darkness. ~Chinese Proverb

Candles. I love them. Oddly enough, Sixteen Candles was on TV today (a movie that makes me laugh ridiculously hard). Candles burn in every type of ceremony imaginable, lead the way when electricity fails us, squelch the stench in a room, and in my case serve as a substitute fireplace in a fireplaceless house. In this photo candles were used to memorialize and bring comfort to the living.

Tonight was the annual candle vigil at the cemetery near my house. I stopped by for a few minutes to pay my respects. The peace in this place was thick. It’s funny......... other times of the year I would think a cemetery creepy at night. Candle light changed the place. Not all of the candles were lit though which bothered me. I stood there for awhile thinking I should light some of the candles that were dark. I didn’t. I was more afraid of stealing the moments of the living than letting the dead know I cared.

Day 166 - Dec. 17
Listening to: The Power of Love
Thought for today. The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. -B.B. King.

Twenty-two years ago today I graduated from college. I SWEAR I have a graduation cap on somewhere in that nest of permed hair in the photo!

I completed my degree in 3 ½ years. Two weeks later I got married. Two weeks after that I started working at DuPont…………here I am today……….educated, not married, and still working at DuPont. There are a lot of regrets in the words written in this paragraph, but with those regrets come some caveats……caviar caveats………things that are rare, wonderful, precious……….things that would be impossible without the regrets. I guess the lesson to all of this is don't regret regrets.

If you are in college, DO NOT RUSH GRADUATION! Enjoy your time but go to every single class………..and be grateful big hair is out of style!

Day 167 - Dec. 16
Listening to: You Made Me So Verrrry Happy
Thought for today: I'm so glad you came into my life!

Today the DuPont maintenance shop opened its doors for retirees to come share a Christmas meal with those of us still enslaved by our own personal economies.

Last night, I lamented not having flash cards with pictures on them to review the names of the retired employees that would show up today. My name recall abilities are H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E! The good news is that several of them called me Kim. I was immediately at ease with my bad memory. I get called Kim a lot and I am not sure why. Is Kim easier to remember than Kris? I have a cousin named Kim and I doubt she ever gets called Kris.

Before we sat down for lunch, we said a prayer. I’ve bowed my head for several dinner blessings this week and I noticed something that made me giggle today. Every time someone said a dinner blessing, the blessor said “God” or “Lord” FIFTY MILLION TIMES…………God please bless this food Lord, please oh God watch over us, God we thank you for Jesus, Lord………. I do this when I pray too. Why? Only salesmen repeat a person’s name in a conversation. If I was having a face to face conversation with God I probably wouldn’t say His name once. God knows we’re talking to Him!

I have eaten too much this week. My fat feels fat.

Day 168 - Dec. 15
Listening to: O Holy Night
Thought for today: Well butter my biscuits, Facebook albums have a limit of 200 photos.....pffhhhtttt........ I should protest. On to part 2.

You are looking at an EPIC Christmas potluck FAIL. I’m calling this the brownie cheesecake oven dump. It tastes great but looks like the oven took a giant dump. One of my friends on Facebook suggested I throw some ice cream on it and call it Christmas goulash.

I made this mess last night for the first of two work lunches. Obviously, it didn't make the cut. Instead of taking it today, I stopped and bought a cake before work. Rachel, Martha, Paula, and Giada have now put a bounty on my head to prevent me from ever making anything outside the simple realm of spaghetti, grilled cheese, salad, and PB&J again.

Tomorrow is Christmas lunch #2. Do I dare attempt to make something else? I may just try to slide in and be a freeloader. If my coworkers saw this oven dump, they may pay me to be a freeloader................ or at least feed me!

I wonder if they make Pepto-Bismol for ovens.................I use to love that stuff as a kid, but that's a whole other 365 blog.

Day 170 - Dec. 13
Listening to: Bennie and the Jets
Thought for the day: Dear Mr. Heat Miser, if I have ever taken you for granted please forgive me!

Behold the Amazon snow angel! Yes, I made a snow angel today! Who invented the snow angel? It took some ingenuity to figure out that you can lie down and swipe your legs and arms in a manner that creates the image of an angel. I bet an angel inspired someone to do it.

As expected I Googled “who invented the snow angel” and received more information than expected. I had to share my find!

• What is the largest amount of snow angels to descend upon the Earth? Exactly 8,962 snow angels were simultaneously created in North Dakota on March 28, 2007. http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2007-02-18-snow-angel_x.htm

• Can making a snow angel cost you money? YEP! Making a snow angel in the end zone of a football game to celebrate a touchdown will get you penalized in the NFL. Wes Welker was fined $10,000 and he’s not the only one. http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/21/wes-welker-penalized-for-snow-angel/

• There is a snow angel name generator online. My snow angel name is “Glory the Angel of Tree Decorating.” Just call me Glory for short. See what your snow angel name is at http://www.quizopolis.com/snow-angel-name-generator.php.

• So who invented the snow angel? One source said a little girl named Anna Thomas fell in the snow in 1904 and was the first to make the observation. Another source says snow angels date back to Greek times. I did not find a definitive answer to the question.

I wonder what snow angels eat? Maybe I should Google it!

Day 171 - Dec. 12
Listening to: the sound of desperate wheels spinning on black ice
Thought for the day: overwhelmed with gratitude for shelter, warmth, food...........the bare essentials.

First snow of the winter season! I don’t remember it snowing this much in Nashville this early. The snow has brought with it vicious winds laced with tiny daggers of cold. Mr. Freeze Meister IS IN THA HOUSE YA'LL!!!!

One of my favorite things about snow is watching Pearl, the Fab Lab, revert to puppy-like behavior. It’s as if all of the excitement of children living in the neighborhood has exploded into the universe and filled her heart. She runs around trying to eat every flake and acts like she thinks the ground is sprinkled with squirrel and cat-scented sugar. Her senses seem heightened and she disregards the cold. Today, she had to stop by every tree we passed to take squirrel inventory. I caught her at work in this photo.

Day 173 - Dec. 10
Listening to: Christmas music
Thought for the day: I am here to take a stand against this bill. ~Bernie Sanders

I’m struggling with the 365 today. I really don’t have a picture to represent what consumed a large part of my thoughts and I’m stretching a little with my photo.

This photo is one of my favorites in my DuPont archives. It was taken in the 1940s. Though there is humor in the protest by these women, I’m sure they were serious. In a day and time 20+ years before women’s lib exploded, women had to fight hard for equality. We still fight today, but it’s a cake walk compared to the 40s. I wish I could tell these ladies having enough men at parties is still a problem today! For you married people………..and not that I’ve done this………..but the speed dating peeps are more likely to let a woman sign up if she brings a man!

I totally admire people who stand up and fight for what they believe. Today a senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, stood on his feet for 9 hours to filibuster President Obama’s attempt to renew tax cuts for the rich. Whether I agree with him or not is NOT the point I want to make here. Sanders showed a passion that I haven’t seen in awhile. It takes some kahunas to do what he did. Even if his efforts were in vein, I bet you there are thousands of people who had no clue who he was or what a filibuster is before today. If nothing else, the whole incident prompted me to learn more about the history of filibusters. http://ezinearticles.com/?Famous-Filibusters-in-Political-History&id=31091 Thanks Colonel Bernie, take the chicken out of Sanders, Sanders!

Day 174 - Dec. 9
Listening to: Alive & Kickin'
Thought for the day: Sometimes life's Hell. But hey! Whatever gets the marshmallows toasty. ~J. Andrew Helt

I am using a simple photo to illustrate a more complex thought I had today. The complex thought? Bad things often happen for a reason and the outcome can be a positive thing. I have watched this concept play out repeatedly in the past few weeks in my life and the lives of others.

So you ask, “Kris how does your MP3 player illustrate this concept?” I will tell you how. Back in the summer, while I was mowing my yard the back of the MP3 player became dislodged and fell into the path of the unforgiving blades of the mower. Days passed. Months passed. Yet, my backless MP3 player remained a committed companion.

I sometimes think that electronics have a life in years similar to that of a dog. For example, a one-year old MP3 player is actually 10 years old in human years. My MP3 player is six years old, or 60 years in human years. Despite the fact that it is backless and still works, it is acting its age. The buttons don’t work well, so it’s difficult to turn on and off (no I don’t feed it MP3 Viagra). I have started resorting to pulling the battery out to turn it off. Removing the battery would be difficult if the MP3 back had not been a victim of my lawn mower. The backless MP3 player has turned out to be a good thing.

Here’s the clincher. I’m typically not a glass half full person……….especially in December. Seeing this perspective says that I am thinking like a glass half full person. I AM SCARED!!!!!!!!!

Day 174 - Dec. 7
Listening to: Whatever is on TV before Glee
Thought for today: I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity. ~General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Day 2 of being sick……..

Since it is the 69th anniversary of Pearl Harbor I thought I’d throw out some WWII nostalgia. This is the front and back cover of a monthly news magazine published where I work in December 1943. How bout ole’ Santa bustin’ one in Hitler’s butt? I Googled "Santa" and "Osama Bin Laden" and in a twinklin' of an eye a slew of images of Osama dressed as St. Nick did appear............but nothing like this. I imagine none of the Santa Osamas are associated with any corporation either. As corporations have became global they have backed away from political commentary about war and events threatening democracy. It makes me question how much patriotism has been drained from the United States because of global sprawl. My employer still supports the military and those who serve, but it’s done rather quietly and is politically correct.

I love patriotic nostalgia. There are tons of examples of it in my employer's public relation materials from both WWI and WWII.

Day 175 - Dec. 6
Listening to: The Gift
Thought for today: I'm grateful for my parents.

I am sick and haven’t been very mobile today, so I decided to pull a photo out of the archives that makes me smile.

It is parade season. Everyone loves a parade right? It’s not much fun participating in one when you’re in a marching band behind the horse brigade. When you’re on a float it is a lot of fun……………. even if your mom makes you wear an ugly brown coat under your beautiful white angel costume. I am the angel in the box in this picture. It appears that I am the “greatest gift of all.” Yeah, yeah, I know they really mean Jesus. The design of this float is pretty much a parade float FAIL in more ways than one. All I remember about this particular parade is throwing a bit of a tantrum about having to wear the coat. I should have just been grateful my mom didn’t make me wear a ski mask……………….though an angel in a ski mask might have been cool.

Btw…..
This is the Tullahoma Christmas parade back in the early 70s. Some of my Tullahoma peeps may know the other two boys in this picture.

Day 177 - Dec. 4
Listening to: In the Mood
Thought for today: It’s never too late for faith.

Slacktivism

As most of you know, everyone has been changing their profile photo on Facebook to a cartoon character to raise awareness for child abuse. One of my daughter's friends refused to change her photo and referred to the Facebook movement as “slacktivism.” I think she meant awareness does not beget action. Up until I saw her comments, I certainly had no plans to help. She challenged me.

Tonight, there was a big band benefit dance at my local community center to help raise money and take in toys for underprivileged children. I had not planned to go, but the thought of being a slacktivist bothered me. I saw an opportunity. Sure, this wasn’t exactly an abused children fundraiser, but it is a fact that poverty is the single best predictor of child abuse. Stress is another predictor. It doesn’t take an Einstein to know that parents are typically more stressed at Christmas than any other time. You get the picture. Yeah, my action to help tonight was teeny weeny, but I’m now challenged to do more. I will not be a slacktivist!

The funny part about tonight was that my intention was to go, pay my money, give my toy, say hi to a few friends, and leave! I meant to be out of there by 7:05 (it started at 7). I didn’t get home until 9:30. I had fun catching up with old friends. I even got to see Santa.

I have to give big props to Charles Hood for organizing this event, the Moonlighters for providing beautiful music, and Susan for her special treats. These people along with everyone who came out made a difference in the community tonight.

Day 178 - Dec. 3
Listening to: Grownup Christmas List
Thought for today: The scent of fireplaces spewing their smoke into the night air taunts me in a horrible way.

I know you can’t tell what this picture is. I was going to skeech a photo off of someone else, but then I reminded myself that I did not embark on the 365 project to improve my photography skills.

So what is this picture? THIS, my friends, is the crescent moon and Venus at exactly 5:30 a.m. this morning. It is a barfo-quality pic, but the fact that both the moon and Venus (top speck of light) are so bright should provide a hint to how beautiful this site was.

I love the fab lab, Pearl, but I HAAAAAAAATE that I have to walk her in the dark every morning. It is so depressing and when it is cold enough to freeze boogers………. it is really depressing. This morning I was rewarded. The moment I rounded the corner and saw the moon and its companion planet I was reminded that the Earth does not rotate around me. It is amazing to me how Earth’s rotation and movement is crucial to human sustainability, yet, I rarely give its contribution props. I wonder how many people forsake such a simple idea. I’m glad I was given the chance to throw out love and gratitude to the universe this morning.

http://nineplanets.org/venus.html

Day 179 - Dec. 2
Listening to: Karma Karma Chameleon
Thought for today: Age is of no importance unless you are a cheese.

I worked hard for this leftover pizza (leftovers seen in photo). I’m not proud of what it took to get it. Last night, my Wednesday night dinner group went to City House. The homemade mozzarella they put on their pizza is like crack to me. I spent the entire day yesterday fantasizing about my very own City House pizza. I thought Kris's very own City House pizza was a done deal. NOPE!

One of my Dad’s mantras has always been that things in life are better when shared. I subscribe to this belief and have been a disciple of the concept for years. You would think that when the City House waiter told us that the restaurant serves family-style to large groups (there were 10 of us) that I would be elated to share and use the opportunity to preach the sharing prophecy. I was not elated. I was distraught and my restaurant bitch meter rose exponentially in .3 seconds flat. In case you don’t know, family style is where the group orders a few dishes and everyone shares. Family style meant I would not get my very own City House pizza. Family style meant that my fantasy was squashed. I begged the waiter to let me opt out of the family-style rule. He said no. I pouted hard. After watching me turn down the appetizers and my bottom lip grow, one of my friends pulled the waiter to the side and quietly asked him one last time to bend the rules. My friend's attempt resembled a lawyer fighting for someone on death row. The waiter caved. I got my own pizza. OH JOYOUS PIZZA!!! I gobbled it up as if I had been living on a diet of Vienna sausages and crackers for the past week. Then……………………………..I got indigestion. I never get indigestion. Hello karma!

I don’t think my Wednesday night peeps will let me forget this incident. I am most grateful that they didn’t kick me to the curb last night.