How 'bout that.

My dad and I won first place in our annual neighborhood Christmas lights/yard decoration contest. This year the hard work and Paul's sense of "family triumph" came with a $25 Lowe's gift card prize from the homeowners' association.

:) Feliz Navidad.

We hear the bells.

I really care about Christmas this year. I know I already said that kinda sorta on my last post. But now I mean the Christmas spirit. I ended up loving decorating inside and outside with my dad even though it was initially one of the most frustrating tasks in history. Usually I don't help very much-just stand around and bitch about whatever task I'm delegated or sometimes (when I was younger) I wouldn't even participate at all. Bah humbug, right? I know. But this year, seeing as my mom is no longer here to help him, I knew I had to pitch in and adopt a new role/attitude during the holidays. Unfortunately, this was not as easy as I'd hoped. I mean, I thought all we had to do was bring the damn tree upstairs-not ASSEMBLE the entire thing branch by color-coded branch and decorate it. Then, when we got started with the outside stuff, I asked Paul (my dad), "why do people like doing this?! It's awful!!!," as lights hanging from the roof stopped working and the "sugar-coated" light up tree in the front yard cut my hand to shreds every time I tried to replace a branch that fell. He replied, "it's not this part that they love. You're right-this part is not fun. It's the feeling of triumph you get from working as a family/team once you see the beautiful results of all your hard work. It's the end product that makes it all worthwhile." Whatever, I thought. Did I mention my fucking hand is cut? Fast forward to the "end product," and I'm in love. Paul was right. I got really into the whole process and am truly pleased with everything we did. He's real proud, too, which of course makes my day. And I'm pretty sure my mom would be proud of me, too.

We are making sure to include my mom as much as we can in our holiday traditions. He'll make a cemetery visit tomorrow. Three stockings still hang, with a symbolic gift inside my mom's. A sort of strange new tradition has been born as well. My dad got sad the other night while watching one of my mom's favorite movies-It's a Wonderful Life. She loved all that stuff about the angel getting its wings, etc. A few days later while we were looking through ornaments, we found this one and decided to use it every year in honor of my mom:

The fortune cookie looking tag at the top says "this proves your guardian angel is near." Now, my dad and I have never seen this thing before in our lives. Where did it come from? No one knows. I am not one to believe in signs or stuff like that usually. I think these such occurrences often have no real significance except to those personally affected by the tragedy, etc. The grieving conjure up stories to comfort themselves- that they at least experience the soothing idea that their loved one is close by for a moment or so, in some form or fashion. And rationally-I acknowledge that I may be doing the same thing. However, emotionally it feels too real to deny. So, I won't. We miss you, Mom. Merry Christmas.

I like you this year, Santa.

Normally at Christmas I don't want anything. I don't like the presents part of the marketing-driven "holiday" too much and usually feel like it's mostly a symbol of all that American excess I loathe. But this year, I want things for whatever reason (makes me feel a little better? gives me a break from all the sadness? something to look forward to? more psychological explanations?) So, I'm making a list in spite of the guilty feeling I *kind of* have about it.

*Long scarves (warm ones and lighter silkier ones with the pretty designs)
*Under Armour fleece (1/4 zip, I think?) and ColdGear long running tights
*Black low-top Chuck Taylor's (the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem--"Hello, my name's Jennifer, and I'm a conformist.")
*Songs for this new Ipod from Emily (i think they're called Itunes?)
*A MASSAGE and/or facial
*Earrings
*Target Giftcards so I can buy the whole store

THE END.

BEST best.

And then I have another best friend who is the best (I have redefined this word). I guess you have to give me something to be the best best friend I have. It's the thought that counts though, and the elation this surprise brought me made me want to give something special to everyone I know. But not really cause I don't like most people I know. Anyway, I love Emily and my "Halloween/surprise! I'm in Atlanta for a while" present that she left on my car.

She knows how much I love getting balloons and the rest of the gift in the white box was also very personalized and the card a good combination of nostalgia, Em's sharp wit and creativity. I am lucky.

Here for you.

I have the best best friend in the world. No, seriously. Empirical research supports the claim.

During a meeting with a high school principal, I noticed a book on a shelf in his office entitled, "Jim Crow's Children: The Broken Promise of the Brown Decision." OF COURSE I was inspired and asked for his immediate review of it. Then, in one of our 7,000 hour conversations, I made mention of the book to Kelly, but really only in reference to how intriguing and intellectual I found the principal to be.

Fast forward a week or two, and the book pops up in my mail box accompanied by an incredibly thoughtful card expressing condolences and offering encouragement. Now, this person came home last minute to funeral services for support and continues to listen to me crying on the phone for hours at a time. She didn't have to send the present. But she did, and I am incredibly grateful to know someone who grasps the true meaning of thoughtfulness.

I Am Powerful

Quick intro to a good organization:

"About CARE

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives."

CARE's website features the "I Am Powerful" workout campaign:

"About the I Am Powerful Workout
In 2006, Eric Harr, best-selling author, fitness expert and professional triathlete, committed himself to the fight against poverty by joining CARE. He pledged to help people feel healthy, empowered and inspired to support women around the world in realizing their full potential. The result was the I Am Powerful Workout, a call-to-action to raise awareness and money for CARE just by working out. Eric is keeping his own personal pledge by training for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships, which will be held October 11, 2008."


Ok, so this is inspiring to me. All you have to do is go here and log your work out hours in order for Erik to donate $5 to CARE for each hour you train. I usually don't promote fundraisers, etc., but this takes two seconds and the idea is kind of an answer to a philosophic conundrum for me. I really love when people realize how to combine self-interest with a genuine concern for others. Yes, I do it to benefit myself, but I also am motivated to help those in need simultaneously (without expecting anything in return).
Take that, Ayn Rand.

Please.

I'm sorry, but WHY do people pick food out of their teeth with their fingernail and then EAT. IT. ?!

AND, in public?? I mean, if you are going to do this, wouldn't you feel embarrassed at least and hide it? But, noooooo. I see it all the time. Sick.