WTH? Christmas Carols?

Ugh. If there is one thing I hate more than Christmas it's the frickin' Christmas carols the radio stations insist on playing even before Thanksgiving has arrived. I know that the trend has been for stations to sprinkle in a Christmas tune or two right after Turkey Day, but Lite FM has gone all Christmas Carols, All The Time. What the hell? I've barely digested my turkey. I've asked John for an i Pod for Christmas. Me thinks we're gonna have to push that gift up a bit. No way do I make it through the season if I hear Jose Flippin' Feliciano belt out Feliz Navidad one more time. Don't even get me started on Celine Dion's caterwauling. Someone needs to shoot her. Someone give me a little AC/DC. Hell's Bells oughta do it.

Before anyone gets their panties in a wad (I'm sure a few of you are already in a snit), I don't really hate Christmas. I can't stand the high-pressure shopping and the constant guilt trips about not spending enough time with family and friends. The idea of setting up the tree is overwhelming to me; more of a chore than a beautiful experience to be shared with family. It doesn't help that John runs a Christmas tree farm every Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving and doesn't want jack to do with decorating a tree. Don't get me wrong....John works incredibly hard and I certainly appreciate that. But there is no going out and getting a tree together and spending the afternoon decorating it while drinking hot apple cider. Instead, I meet John at the farm and inbetween customers he points out trees to me while tapping his foot and impatiently waving his saw around. Fun. Hopefully all the work that is done now will lead to better things later. Like me being able to tolerate a Christmas carol. : )

Not much going on. Thanksgiving was wonderful. My parents and Uncle Rich and Aunt Sharon came over. We had a nice relaxing time. Turkey was de-lish (fresh is the way to go and ya gotta cook that puppy breast side down for the last half of the roasting time....makes for an incredibly juicy bird) and the new sweet potato casserole dish I made was great. Gotta give a big shout out to my friend, Lynn, for turning me on to that recipe. It's going to make on encore appearance at Mom and Dad's for Christmas dinner.

We had The Girls' picture taken with Santa Claus a couple of weeks ago. I've got the pictures on a CD and need to make a couple of changes to the color or contrast or whatever the hell it's called. Bar is sitting in front of the tree and it's hard to make out her beautifull black coat from the dark tree. Cami was exceptionally good and didn't wig when she saw Santa. Always a plus.

I called the new gym in town today and made an appointment to meet with a personal trainer. I have no idea of the costs involved, but I do know that I really need some help in sticking to a program. Hopefully this will come together and I can get myself under control. Need to look good for St. Thomas in February!

Drunk Blogging

Nothing like a prick or two at work to drive you right out to a liquid lunch. There are times when I have to physically restrain myself from hurting two individuals in my work place. I've never quite met a woman like this one I work with; a manipulative, sneaky, scheming bitch who has no sense of right and wrong and who lies through her teeth constantly. And her little side-kick isn't much to write home about, either. He's a nasty old coot who has nothing better to do but listen to her lies and be sucked into all of them. I've had enough of both of them. I know that I should find some good in all people, but what do you do when you've looked and looked and can't find any? In fact, not only do I not see any good, I see evil. It's scary.

Fuck her. Fuck him . Fuck them both. I've looked for good. There isn't any. I'm not going to try anymore. The gloves are coming off.

I just wish I could use my lunch time buzz for something better than bitching. I could be in a happy place right now...very Bob Ross like...but I can't see happy clouds....I'm too blinded by aggravation. I just need to get through today and tomorrow then I've got a nice long weekend. Toss in my favorite holiday and it's a slam dunk. I love Thanksgiving.

Just a small crew this year....Mom, Dad, Uncle Rich, Aunt Sharon, Danny, John and myself. Gretch was supposed to come, but unfortunately had to fly to Iowa to be with her father who suffered a stroke. She's taking a leave from work and is staying with her family through Christmas. I certainly hope everything works out and I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

Just writing about Gretchen's situation has kind of opened my eyes to how grateful I should be, rather than be bitter about the two cretins I mentioned above. I've got my family, and thank God they are healthy. I've also been blessed with fabulous friends who add love and happiness to my life. I really have been spoiled. I'm very fortunate and need to remind myself of that every once in awhile. So even though I've got to deal with this situation at work, I can honestly say that the joys in my life far outweigh the negatives.

Happy clouds.....

My Whole Foods Experience

My friend Mike came for a visit on Saturday. Mike used to live in LA and was the Account Manager for my company at his fulfillment location. Mike (aka Puss) and I became fast friends while working together and have continued our relationship through the trials and tribulations of Puss leaving his company and moving back East. Puss has settled in a lovely home overlooking a fabulous babbling brook in upstate NY. Luckily, he is not far from me and we are able to visit.

It took a while, but Puss finally made it down to my neck of the woods on Saturday. We had planned on having lunch and doing a little window shopping for the day. I remembered Mike telling me that he loved Whole Foods and I mentioned to him that there was a market not far from me. I had never been, but since I trust Mike with all my heart, I knew he could never lead me astray when it came to lunch. We joyously decided to head to Whole Foods, have a bite in their cafe, pick up some goodies for dinner, then walk the quaint streets of downtown Madison.

For whatever reason, I was under the impression that Whole Foods was a kind of health nut food store. Much to my surprise, it was nothing of the sort. There is all kinds of fabulous foods, from fresh fish, cheeses and meats to prepared foods available for dine in or take out. I'm talking sesame tofu, braised beef brisket, macaroni & cheese, sushi, pasta salads, fresh baked goods and decadent desserts. I was in complete astonishment. The real kicker is that they sell wine in their store, which is not something we do in Jersey. So not only can you get your regular grocery shopping done, you can also swing by the wine department for a little wine and cheese tasting (definitely right up my alley). Nothing like knocking back a few while you cruise the aisles.

Puss and I had such a fabulous time shopping, and we were so tuckered out from our little adventure in Whole Foods that we decided to munch on some hors d'oeuvres and drink a fabulous new wine he picked up and then order dinner in so no one had to cook. It was such a great day-I just wish my little Puss could have stayed longer. Next time.

So my first experience at Whole Foods was simply spectacular and I will be going again. If there is a Whole Foods nearby, I highly suggest you stop in.