Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I had a nice time with Steve's family. We played 20-minute Monopoly and ate a lot of good food. I made the green bean casserole as usual and I made pancakes and eggs for breakfast for all of us on Christmas day. Steve got me a jewelry box and a Hogwart's baseball cap. Steve's sister really liked the necklace, earrings, and stick pin that I made for her. Some of you have already received the gifts I made for you and others will be getting them soon. I was sick for a few days and wasn't able to finish everything on time. I will post pictures here soon of some of the things I made. I hope you are all doing well.

I am no longer an opera virgin!

I saw the live simulcast of the Metropolitan Opera's production of "Thais" in HD at a local movie theatre today, despite the snow. I really enjoyed it. The music was beautiful and the singers were fantastic. I didn't quite have a "Pretty Woman" moment, but I was moved several times. The violin solo meditation between the set changes in act two was particularly poignant. The only thing I didn't care for was the mix of traditional and modern in the costumes and props. The entire first scene (and the story itself) are set in Egypt in early AD but all of a sudden, at the beginning of scene two, a shotgun appears in a servant's hands. I found that kind of jarring. Also, the last act seemed a bit short. I do, however, want to see another one and Jane and I will probably do that in late January or February. Big thanks to Jane for getting me to do this and for buying my ticket!

In other news, I spoke to Arthur, Julia, and a bunch of other Guardians of Gallifrey today when I called down to their annual Christmas party. It was nice to catch up with them and talk a little "Dr. Who".

Don't worry, I'm okay. (Chapter 2)

I had a nice half day at work. I went in at 10 and worked until Philippe, Scott, Owen, & I went out for a special lunch courtesy of the president of our board of directors. I ate the best BLT (Tempeh, lettuce, tomato, swiss, cheddar, avocado, and spinach) I've ever had and followed it up with an amazing Meyer Lemon Torte (gigantic blackberries, fresh whipped cream, and a mint leaf). Yum! Anyway, the snow had begun to fall by the time we left the restaurant. I worked for a little while longer and then realized that I could finish the rest of my work from home. It took me two tries to get up our hill, but I made it. Hopefully, I'm going to see my first opera tomorrow, that or I'll be snowed in. :)

The party was awesome!

I had a great time. (Big thanks to Susan for helping me, really putting up with me, pick out something to wear!) There were lots of nice people there. It was kind of a funky, artistic, aging hippie crowd of stalwart New Englanders. :) There were people gathered in every corner of the apartment. Some of us talking, others singing, even performing for each other. I also did some networking. It was the first time I have really felt comfortable talking about work stuff in a non-work situation. I think that's because I like my job and because these were all nice people and we have similar goals. There were three of us MHC alums there and it was nice to reconnect with them as well.

Oh, and I even made a singing contact. One of the other guests is a local performer and, when he found out that I can sing, he invited me to sing with him sometime. I might even end up in the show he does with some of the other musicians and performers who I know that were at the party.

I really had a great night!

Don't worry, I'm okay.

I was worried that if you were seeing storm damage reports you might be concerned for me. Thankfully we are just south of where the ice storm did its worst. (The sunlight was beautiful, glinting off our frozen trees this morning.) Unfortunately, Steve was not so lucky. He is not expected to have power back until Sunday night, which means he has no heat or water. A tree limb also smashed his front windshield. Susan extended an invitation and Steve will be sleeping on our pull-out couch tonight.

Lots of schools have been closed for the last two days as well. I drove home through it late last night but, thankfully, it was more slushy than icy and I was able to get home safely by driving no more than 35 miles per hour. I am so thankful I have a flexible schedule. I was able to go in late yesterday and today, and also do some work from home. By the time I went in today, the roads were clear. :)

The one bummer is that, before the storm we got a lot of rain and, my car got stuck in the mud in our driveway. I had to drive Susan's extra vehicle to work today and yesterday because it didn't get cold enough for me to get mine out. Steve has volunteered to help me get it out tomorrow since temperatures should freeze the ground tonight. Yeah! :)

The Funniest Holiday Song Ever!

I don't often post other people's videos but I had to do this one. I heard this on the car radio yesterday and was laughing so hard the drivers around me must have thought I was nuts. I should also mention that I have heard, and liked, a lot of funny holiday songs over the years but this one takes the cake. And, these guys can really sing! Enjoy!

I had a wonderful day.

I went to bed last night after doing chores and watching Peter Davison (the man can still act and is a joy to watch) in the pilot episode of "The Last Detective" (another Salvation Army bargain---$3.14 for series one, volume one of this BBC show) and felt satisfied that I had not frittered away another Friday night doing nothing but watching TV.

This morning I picked up Jane at her house and we went to the craft fair at her church. The fair was a lot bigger than the last time I attended (back when I was in college). We looked at some interesting crafts and beautiful jewelry, bought some cookies, ate a yummy lunch (zucchini chowder---I loved it even though I hate zucchini) while catching up with some friends I hadn't seen in awhile, then shopped some more. It was nice spending time with Jane (and her husband Tom who caught up with us after his tennis match). She's doing really well, recovering from her stroke, and is no longer using a walker. She even forgets to bring her cane along sometimes because she doesn't need it that much. I felt full of love and friendship while we were all together. Oh, and I also came home with two chocolate-covered marshmallows! :)

New pics & New Year's Eve

Thought you guys would like to see a recent photo of me (it's about 18 degrees outside so I'm wearing layers) and I couldn't resist another shot of Casey (even with the evil, too-near-the-flash, eyes).





I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up to date with all of this blog (comments have gone unanswered, though I appreciate the folks who left them and attempted to start the conversation, and I will be updating my weight loss shortly since I've been keeping track even though I haven't been posting it) but I will be rectifying that soon. I may have mentioned earlier that I am attempting to have a social life and I just received an invitation to a New Year's Eve party. A friend of mine is hosting and one of his bands will be playing. I will probably know some of the other people there and am looking forward to meeting some new folks. Yeah!

I bit the bullet...

I finally bought a portable DVD player! I got a really good deal at Target this weekend and was able to purchase one for $40. I wanted one for a really long time and it has already been put to good use. Now I don't have to borrow Susan's laptop just to watch a DVD.

In other news, I had a blast at work on Thursday morning filming a local high school football game. I love operating a camera and the game was exciting. I can't wait to see the DVD.

Unfortunately, when I left for work on Thursday, I discovered that one of my tires was very flat. Thankfully, Steve was able to pick me up and bring me to work. This morning I got two new snow tires put on for $231. I think that was reasonable but I'll be asking my mechanic (I wasn't able to have him do it) about it when I get an oil change later this month.