Pretty Good Year

One of my favorite songs from Tori Amos (OK I have a ton of Tori favorites)...is Pretty Good Year. It pretty much sums up 2006 for "W".

The year started off kinda slow. Nothing too exciting in January or February or March for that matter. (Nothing I can remember anyway).

I turned a year older in April. For about four weeks I dated a guy from the "Big City". At the end of the four weeks, he told me he had a VD. I freaked and we stopped dating. Later that month, I met "Sean" who now lives in Bangkok and the subject of several blog entries.

In May and June, Sean and I had a few dates, and I went to Gay Prom at my Gal Pal's mother's church. I was the only male in attendance, so I crowned myself Prom Queen :-)

July saw Sean leave for Thailand, me starting a dialogue with Mr. Dirk Mancuso, and the beginning urges to start a blog.

Perhaps I need to backtrack. I first started chatting with Kevin from It's A Sunshine Day as well as The Persian Guy (currently on hiatus...*makes sad face*), and they both encouraged me to start blogging...but it was good ole Dirk who finally persuaded me to start this mess.

In August I begin Days of..., and went on a much needed vacation to Florida.

September introduced me to Kevin from Ask Six (Shoot from the Hip), a new friend "Thom", and the start of a mini-relationship.

October was a whirlwind, as Thom and I started dating and I spent my weekends in the "Big City". I got to see Sordid Lives Live!, and met a lot of really cool people at the MCC.

The end of November ended the several month long dating experience with Thom. Oh and I came out to my very supportive sister.

December provided a see-saw of emotions, but is really finishing on a high note.

I can only hope that 2007 is more exciting, interesting, and challenging. Of course, you'll hear about it as it happens right here!

Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting.

Here's to '07!

Christmas Update Or Dinner with a Friend

After much painful consideration and some advice from the readers, I spent the last few days, well spending money!

I started the spree with shoes. Brown 'dress shoes' with an extended square toe box style. I was VERY proud of the purchase. I ended up returning a tie (sorry sis) and using that and some Christmas Cash to get the shoes.

Next stop, Pier 1. With the help of Ramon, I selected a chenille throw for the couch. The label said ketchup, I called it brick red. Whatever. It was 40 bucks, but I had a giftcard from Thom which covered much of the cost.

Then I had to drive an hour to a nearby small town to a mall that had an Express store. My pal CJ tagged along for the ride. I think she got offended when I told her she could go look around while I tried on some jeans. She wanted to offer input, but hello, i'm a gay man. I know jeans. At 20 dollars off, I found a great pair with a great fit, flattering my best ASS-et. CJ did help me pick out a NYE sweater ...brown with a high collar and buttons...instead of a shirt, I spotted the sweater and CJ agreed.

I ended the shopping spree this morning with a cute shirt and sweater that match...and that my friends, is how I did Christmas!

OR

I also had dinner last night with a new friend. CJ and I had a nice late lunch last Saturday at a great Pan-Asian/Thai place. We were the only customers, so our server was very chatty and friendly and fun. CJ (being the great friend she is), suggested we trade numbers and have drinks or go out sometime. Let me clarify, dude is hot and nice and totally out of my league, but I definitely plan on becoming friends with him. On Tuesday, I sent "Jim" a text message and he replied and I called back on Wednesday, to make dinner plans Thursday.

We ended up going to a Mexican place and had a great time chatting and talking and what not. He's very 'free-spirited', a mind body and soul type of guy. He writes poetry, loves hiking, plays the guitar, does yoga, enjoys cooking exotic dishes, and has a winning smile. Again, totally out of my league, but I don't have any expectations other than just being friends. If perhaps, on down the road the friendship blossoms into something more, so be it. Regardless, I'm just looking forward to getting to know him better and learn from him too.

So there you have it.

Enjoy the weekend and have a safe time celebrating the New Year.

Smooches!

Post Holiday Happenings

Alrighty...I'm back!

I sincerely hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday experience...mine was for the most part very smooth and wonderful.

The time went by very quickly, and here I was dreading it all.

Some things I've noticed in the last week or so.

*Where have I been? My latest trip to the drag bar (two sats ago), I heard "Dark Lady" by Cher for the first time and loved it...it's Cher and a song you can clap along to as well.

*I also heard River Deep, Mountain High, the Celine version. WOW! Totally gay, but they're going to be great adds to my iPod/gym songs.

*I'm one indecisive mo fo. After getting more gift cards and money than actual gifts, I'm in a predicament. I've paid off my holiday bills this morning, paid my other bills, and am left with a little extra. Do I a) wisely put it in savings b) buy a New Year's Eve shirt c) buy some new dress shoes I could use d) use the gift card to buy a shirt and the money to buy shoes.

I'm so confused.

I blogged earlier about the Pier 1 gift card...still no clue as to what to use it on. The guys (Ramon and Terry) are supposed to drop by and take a look around the apt to see 'what's missing'. It's also Ramon's bday today. Must be horrid having your bday two days after Jesus'.

The guys got me an Express giftcard, but the nearest one is an hour away. There's also several in the Big City two hours away, but I'm not sure if/when I'll have time to get to either. So I could get a NYE shirt with some change left over.

Decisions, decisions. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of my real problems (my contract at work is up in late Feb) and I'm not sure what's going to happen next. I know I'll get an offer to re-sign again, but do I take the offer or what.

Oh and Six, you're such a charmer ;-)

Happy Holidays

To all who take time to read me, thanks so much!

Wherever you are, take time to at least be merry because you're alive...that's half the battle!

May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!

"W"

Random

Ok totally random thoughts, but I thought I'd post a post to not skip two whole days.

On Thursday I was picking up lunch at a soup and sandwich chain place, and got a pleasant surprise. My job has me dealing with the public on a fairly regular basis, so I occasionally get recognized when I'm out and about. After ordering my soup and sandwich, I added a bagel and cream cheese (bad I know) and the very nice cashier didn't charge me for the cream cheese. Ok, it was only like 1 dollar saved, but still, it's the thought that counts. The cashier smiled and said "W" this one's on me. So I smiled back and thanked him profusely. Just call me a honey walnut cream cheese whore.

Today I got some bad news. The local Pier 1 store is closing in February. Sad that I won't be able to purchase overpriced, poorly made home furnishings. However, their candles are pretty decent. A look around my apt, and it's mostly furnished from the Pier. I also got a really nice giftcard from the ex for Christmas to Pier 1. Second part of the problem, I went in this evening to look around for some idea of what to use it for...and couldn't really find anything I needed. Plus, all my shopping for others was done last week, so I didn't need to use the giftcard on someone else. I considered a lamp for the bedroom, but it's too modern for the 'Asian blue' and chocolate brown theme. The silver finish just won't work.



Then I wanted to get some new panels for the living room window, but the ones I liked had circles on them...and the living room is all about lines and stripes and angles. (the red ones on the left)

Anyhoo...I guess I'll wait to see if they have any after Christmas sales and look again.

Catch you kids later!

Proud Uncle "W" Wednesday

So...not much to blog about (tonight)...so here's a small story from my sis about my super smart nephew.


"Zachary's Spanish vocabulary from Dora is sinking in. Yesterday he walked by a snowman
sitting on the hall table and goes "Hola. Hola. Hi Snowman." and kept right on walking."

Genius.

Plus, I sent the fam a little vid clip of myself (no get your mind out of the gutter Six, although you need to make a new one for me...all I want for Christmas...hint hint)...

So my sis show's the clip to Zach and says who is that (she didn't expect him to figure it out) and he looks at her and says "why Unca "W" of course...Unca W Unca W!"

Ah...so it makes it all worthwhile...at least for today.

Peace.

12 Days of Christmas, 10 Things Tuesday

Yeah, well I'm not finishing out my top 100 Things about me with a Christmas theme...but it kinda worked for the title.

91. When I pray and am alone, I pray out loud.
92. My motto at work is usually "Good enough" or "I get paid to be above average, not outstanding"
93. I typically spend too much time worrying about how to make other people happy, I'm big on consideration for others, but when I do lapse in that area, I usually screw up bigtime and end up hurting someone deeply
94. I broke up with a guy because he had a communicable, but not life threatening STD
95. Sometimes I daydream about having the perfect man...tall, dark hair with gray peppered in, sipping coffee on the back porch of our two story home on a Sunday morning. Then I wake up and really smell the coffee
96. I find it hard to understand why so many great men and women I know (in the blog world and in real life) are single
97. I've had my heart broken a few times, and each time it hurts just as bad
98. I don't necessarily believe in karma, but I do think everything happens for a reason
99. I have dark circles under my eyes that aren't hidden even with makeup or concealer
100. I've never kissed a girl or done anything else along those lines
101 . I need to start loving and respecting myself more

And there you have it...my complete list of 101 facts about "W"

Pies, Guys, and Bears Oh My!

Hey all!

My trip to the big city this weekend really gave me mixed results in the fun category. I went up Saturday afternoon, picked up Thom (the guy I used to date recently), and went shopping. I wanted a new shirt to wear on Sunday. Buying for everyone else on Friday made me feel a little left out. It took us longer to find a parking spot and get inside and get out of the parking lot to leave, than it did to do a walkaround, get some lunch, and then pick out a fabulous shirt.

Saturday night's Christmas Concert at church was awesome. Everyone sounded great! It's hard to describe it accurately, but the choir added a black southern gospel style to many of the songs. Pretty cool stuff. Afterwards, the pie social was nice. My caramel pie was a big hit!

Later on, we went to a drag bar which was fun and entertaining...the good ones were really entertaining, making fun of the bad ones was...well fun. That's when things turned not so great for "W". I think not eating much all evening (a slice of pie and some quesadillas), and then having three drinks started the trouble. Actually, I just took a couple of sips from the third drink, which did not taste like the first two cranberry/vodka's I had.

Had I been feeling better, this next part of the story would be much funnier. We ended the night, by hitting a bear, I mean bar, I mean bear bar. Yeah, apparently Saturday night is a huge night for the bear/leather crowd. I got a warning about the atmosphere from Thom on the way there. Yowzers! The pinnacle would have to be seeing men wear those leather fisherman's caps. I'd swear they're only in 'the movies'.

Call me naive, cause I am. I've just never been exposed to that much leather, not even at Wilson's! By that point, I was feeling very nauseous, and not from all the bears and daddies. I was seriously trying not to throw up. After making the rounds of the place for about an hour or so, we left.

Sunday I woke up, still feeling nauseous, and spent the entire church service worrying about having to run to the bathroom. It was a great service too, which I could only half enjoy. After lunch with some church friends, I still wasn't feeling great, and decided to come on home, rather than going to the Choir Concert again and to a Christmas party.

This morning I feel better, but not great. There's still a 'pit in my stomach' feeling. I went to cycling this morning too, after a three week hiatus.

Anyhoo, a week till Christmas...YIKES!

Take care,

"W"

Caramel Pie

Ok...surprise post, because I didn't think I would have time for it...so here goes.

I'm making a caramel pie to take to a pie social following a Christmas Concert at church tonight.

You will need.

A large pot.
1 graham cracker pie crust.
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 container of cool whip
2-3 Heath candy bars (or Skor or whatever toffee type candy bar you have locally)


Bring large pot of water to boil (half a pot, or enough to cover the can of condensed milk)
remove label from can of condensed milk.
Insert can to large pot of boiling water.
Boil for THREE HOURS
Halfway through, turn the can over.
You'll have to keep adding water about every 10-15 minutes, because it'll boil down.
Chop candy bar into small pieces to sprinkle on top (you can make them as large or small pieces as you like)

After three hours of boiling, remove can and put it in an ice bath to cool.
Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
Open can with can opener.
Pour caramel into pie crust.
Stick in freezer for 10-15 minutes (or allow the carmel to cool, or it'll melt the cool whip)
Once cool, put cool whip on top and sprinkle chopped candy bar
Stick in fridge to keep chilled.

ENJOY!

He Made His List, Checked it Twice...

As of 12:58 Friday afternoon, "W" is officially d-u-n with Christmas shopping. I started at 9:45 and finished a few hours later. Like a man possessed, a man on a mission, a man with a list and limited budget, I hit the not-so-crowded stores and made my purchases.

I was doing really great on budget too, and then I hit Target and went way off. I messed up on the Christmas gift wrapping aisle and then on Ghiradelli coffee my sister loved so much last year, I got it for her, my mom, and "Terry" the hairdresser.

Anyhoo, I'm finished and excited it's out of the way. Now I just have to wrap them all.

I'm headed to the Big City tomorrow for a Christmas concert at church, then church services and a party Sunday night.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Smooches
"W"

Water, Water Everywhere

So not much to post about, so I'll cut and paste and something my sis emailed about the foster nephew Zach who recently turned 2...


Zach has been dumping lots of water out of the bathtub with his little plastic bowls and he reaches WAY over and dumps it into the potty. To him, this is heaven. And who needs 90,000 appropriate bathtub toys anyway? Just a plastic bowl will keep 'em entertained for hours on end. He has found that the bowl on his potty chair makes quite a nice water dipper, and hey -
its not dirty because he never uses the potty chair. He just dumps water in it. And speaking of water - he thinks the cool mist vaporizer in his room is the BOMB. I mean, there is water in it! And smoke comes out the top. SA-MOKE, he calls it. What a cool invention. Doesn't matter that it helps you breathe, silly kid, and seriously its Not a Toy.

He helped stir the iced tea last night when I was making supper. I gave him a spoon and he felt very important and useful while helping. I was on the phone with Nannette and noticed he put down the spoon and was stirring with his hand (Cousin Griswald style) then he started taking his clean empty sippy cup, and dipping out tea and then drinking it and and -- Re-Dipping. I told Kelly before supper, Um, that tea has been Griswald stirred. Not to worry the germ meter, he had washed his hands before "helping me" stir tea and cooking supper.

He has watched his Dora Dance to the Rescue DVD and been GLUED to it. I got lots of laundry folded and even went upstairs to put it away. And He. Never. Noticed. He loves to say Swiper Get out of the Bottle!, because Swiper is trapped in the Genie's bottle.


****

I got him the Dora DVD for his bday (along with a sweatsuit).

No Sex and the City

I'll admit I'm a Johnny-Come-Lately when it comes to watching Sex and the City. I only started watching in the last year or so when it hit basic cable, because I'm too cheap to pay for any extended channel package.

Lately, I've been thinking about a Carrie-esque post about relationships and interpersonal dynamics.

I've notice that people, no matter how open-minded or free-spirited, can still practice the art of discrimination.

Example 1: A few weeks back, I got a hand delivered invitation to a Christmas party...exclusive Christmas party. Meaning, no gals (or very few) allowed. The host (hostess) is a performer at a drag bar in the Big City, by day (at church), he's "Charles", by night "Charlene". Charles skipped several lesbians sitting around me and didn't blink twice about handing out the invites to men only. I also have to fill out a Christmas Quiz and make a certain score in order to get inside the party. BIG DISCLAIMER: I don't think "Charles" meant any harm and this isn't an attack on him, I'm just making an observation.

Example 2: Saturday night at the work Christmas party, I felt very alone. Oh, I was there with friends and had a good time, but I saw most everyone coupled off with a significant other, and had the "oh str8 people...how boring" thought. Part of me wanted to be in the Big City at a church related party for people in their 20-30's. BIG DISCLAIMER: I'm not anti-str8 or bitter because of all the 'rights' they have that I don't have. I think it was because I'm not typically around a huge crowd of couples only.

Are we on the flip side of the coin just as guilty as all the bigots and closed minded morons out there?

Do we toss around words like str8-ies and breeders and not think twice, but if someone calls me a fag or twinkle-toes then it's not ok?

Is there really an art to writing cliches and corny puns, or does Candace Bushnell really have a gift?

*Cue music and W dancing around in his underwear to "Free Yourself".

===Misheard Lyric of the Day===
Song: Wind Beneath My Wings
Artist: Midler Bette
The real lyrics were: I can fly higher than an eagle...
But someone misheard them as: I can fly higher than a Negro...

So this is Christmas...

Or at least one of the 700 copied Christmas thingy's that I've encountered. I saw it at Dirk first, and then the Mad Queen didn't want to tag anyone...so I volunteered to get tagged (giggles).

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate, with a dollop whip cream

2. Cookies and milk, like most every other kid in denial.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White please, despite my support of all things rainbow.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. See #5.

5. When do you put your decorations up? No. No one ever visits me, so there's no real reason to decorate. I may hang a stocking on the tv cabinet with care, but that's about all.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My family likes to do finger foods at Christmas. Don't ask. Sausage balls my Aunt Peggy makes are divine.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve with all my relatives. 7 aunts and uncles, plus 30 or so cousins...lots of people having fun, eating, opening gifts. Now it's an even bigger affair, but the magic is gone, now that I'm a bitter old man, with all my cousins older than me married, and most of the ones younger than me married too.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Probably when I was 6 or 7. I wasn't devastated. C'mon, a fat man in a tragic outfit sliding down chimney's in EVERY house? Whatever.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually. One Christmas, we got back late from the family function and I had the bright idea of "opening gifts now since it's after midnight and technically Christmas Day."

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Uh, I don't have one. Never have.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it. Um...I like a nice pretty snowfall, but just one. After that, I'm good. I hate driving in it, rather I hate driving with people who can't drive in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but not very well. I get freaked out by the little kids who zoom past and make me loose my balance. PS..I love watching ice skating...especially the men with those PERFECT bums!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmm...One year, in third grade, I got a TON of transformers that go together to make a really big Robot. That was cool. Then my freshman year of HS, I got a brand new intermediate model tenor saxophone. I LOVED IT. 6 years later, I sold it to finance a spring break trip.

14. What's the most exciting thing about the holidays for you? I'm not sure exactly. They seem to get less and less exciting each year. Although, I do really like getting gifts for people that I know they'd love or could really use, and moreso, seeing their reaction when they open them.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? No bake pate (no bake fruitcake...it looks gross, so my sis and I call it pate), toffee bars, and the assortment of goodies Mom makes for us.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? It's the one time of year that I seem to really sit down and talk with my Mom and sister about everything (well almost everything, but that might change this year...wink wink)

17. What tops your tree? Again, no tree.

18. Which do you prefer give or receive? I'm a giver!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night....Santa Baby and You Don't Have to be an Angel are distant 2 & 3.


Speaking of songs...

Song: Lady Marmalade
Artist: Christina Aguilera
The real lyrics were: Guichie guichie ya ya yaMocha Chocolata Creole Lady MarmaladeVoulez vous couche avec moi
but someone misheard them as: Hoochie Hoochi ya ya yaCroak-a Choke a lot aBe your Lady MarmaladeBooley Bo Coochie In my Car

Song: Addicted
Artist: Enrique Iglesias
The real lyrics were: Maybe I'm addicted, but all I really know
But someone misheard them as: Maybe I'm a dickhead, but all I really know

Music

With the Grammy nominations out this week, I thought I'd do a little weekend post about music.
I love all kinds of music, except for rap and country, and even then I'll listen to some of that too. I mean who could resist Dolly? By the way, she's famous for her one liners, and a personal favorite..."In the 60's I would have burned my bra, but it would have taken the fire department three days to put it out."

Way off track here. I'm notorious for not knowing artists and their songs. See the time warp post I'm even more notorious for getting lyrics wrong. The Persian Guy would get a big laugh out of my misunderstood Tori Amos lyrics. Hey, unless you see the words, it can get confusing.

So subscribed to a misheard lyric of the day email service...here are the first few to get us started.

Song: Brick House
Artist: Commodores
The real lyrics were: She's a brick house. She's mighty mighty, just letting it all hang out
But someone misheard them as: She's your brick, ouch! She's mighty naughty,...

Song: Crazy Train
Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
The real lyrics were: Crazy, but that's how it goes
But someone misheard them as: Gravy, on mashed potatoes.

Hope you kiddos are having a wonderful weekend! The company Christmas party is tonight. I'm flying solo, but I have four drink tickets, so who needs a date?

Smooches!

This Just In...

I have nothing to blog about...

So we'll do a little odds and ends...

Grammy nominations out today. I was surprised that Corrine Baily Rae got multiple noms. A pleasant surprise, don't get me wrong, but I just didn't know if she got that much exposure or play time. Then again, there are a few 'new' names each year on some of the more random categories. I hope the Dixie Chicks win big to hush their critics. My girl Tori doesn't have anything new out...but check out that Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category...four young hotties (James Blunt, John Legend, John Mayer, Daniel Powter)... I wouldn't mind a 4-way tie.

Also on the horizon...a co-worker pointed me in the direction of "secondlife"...a reality game/place/thing...check it out. It's different.

Ok ok...sorry for not being more interesting...it's cold...I haven't bought a gift yet...blah blah.

Laterz

10 Things Tuesday

After a few weeks on a much needed vacation...I present the return of Ten Things Tuesday...Enjoy!

81.) I have five sets of matching scarves and caps, but don't really have enough winter weather to really need them
82.) I used to hate Sundays, because that meant Monday was right around the corner. Now I love Sundays because of a wonderful church
83.) My three favorite Yankee Candle scents are Key Lime Pie, Buttercream, and Pineapple Paradise
84.) I try not to think about the future or long term situations (like where do I want to be in 5 years, in 10 years, when do I want to retire?)
85.) I'm a huge Will and Grace fan. Karen is my favorite. I'm thinking of starting a Karen quote of the day
86.) I don't think my life is interesting enough to come up with 100 facts or tidbits
87.) I had a rattail when I was in second grade. As a joke to my dad, my aunt dyed the tail part blonde, to contrast with my brown hair
88.) I have a Razr phone, but don't feel so special now that most everyone else has one too
89.) Blogging has become very liberating for me. I don't find my life that interesting, but I do have a few readers and it's therapeutic to get feedback/input/etc
90.) I once had a urinary tract infection, didn't read the warning label on the medicine, and freaked out when I saw my urine turn a bright radioactive orange color.

10 more to go...woo-hoo.

Smooches.

Goldilocks and The Gap

On Saturday I wanted to do a little Christmas shopping (for myself), so I went to the local mall and found nothing. Actually I found myself looking among shirts and sweaters and jeans with high schoolers. The small town really doesn't have that great of a mall. After looking at Old Navy, American Eagle, and The Buckle, I got really depressed...kids buying clothes that were too young for me. Where does a mid-to-late 20's guy shop?

We have no GAP...but even now I'm thinking I'm growing too old for it.

According to wikipedia... "The name was derived from the growing differences between children and adults--namely "the generation gap"--which reached its peak with the hippie movement."

I ain't no child, adult, or hippie...guess I'm screwed.

So I'm posing this question to you reader types...when is too old to shop at GAP, Banana Republic, etc etc? You can fill in your own stores that you like or that you think are not age appropriate for mid-to-late 20 somethings.

Smooches,
"W"

Recipe for Success (uh Mad Queen Bess)

Since someone was curious enough to inquire about hashbrown casserole, I thought I'd share the recipe!

1 large package of frozen hash browns (the cubed or the shredded type will do..whatever you prefer)
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 onion chopped (optional, onion powder, etc)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, mild, whatever you like)
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups crushed corn flakes

Thaw hashbrowns first...or else it'll be a big ole mess.

Mix 1 stick of butter, soup, sour cream, cheese, onion, hash browns together in a large mixing bowl.

Pour it in a 9 X 13 baking dish, smooth it out evenly.

Mix up 1/4 stick of butter with your 2 cups crushed cornflakes. Sprinkle on top of the dish. Bake 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

You can buy generic corn flakes (corn...NOT frosted)

Yeah so it's in a round dish, mine is in a rectangle...whatever.

You can pre-salt/pepper to taste if you like.

Enjoy!

UnSolved Mystery

So after a lame, random post about having a stalker/fan/reader from Reston, VA. Six Shooter and The Persian offer soo much insight as to why.

Apparently, it's a big ole portal for AOL users (or something like that). Now we all know!

Yes, I added MQB/Stark Raving to my Blog Bud List...I read several other blogs, but just have them in my favorites list and was too lazy to update.

Ah...it's the weekend now. I'm getting a haircut, having dinner with "the guys" (i plan on bringing hashbrown casserole that I didn't make for thanksgiving last week), and then to the Big City on Sunday for church and lunch with some friends (including Thom).

After much hype and paranoia and silly reporter types telling me "it's on it's way, it's on it's way", I awoke this morning to a dry parking lot. Don't get me wrong. I was thrilled we didn't get any snow or ice! It is freezing cold here, though.

Hope you all have a great weekend and stay safe, warm, or whatever!

Smooches!