Does anyone else think that Star Jones looked better when she was fat? I think that she looks awful now.
12 deviled eggs eaten (p.u.!)
11 Dish loads since Christmas
10 pounds gained
9 People at a Christmas Eve get-together
8 People at a Christmas Dinner get-together
7 Gift certificates received (thanks, guys!)
6 Back and forth emails with the wedding invitation people
5 People at a Christmas morning get-together
4 Adults at my fancy-schmancy holiday party
3 Hours Dimitri stood me up for dinner last night without calling (Still. Very. Pissed.)
2 Air bazookas added to our household (thanks dad)
1 Pre-op transvestite met
I am so embarassed to live in the same country as people who think this way
Key quote:
The survey showed that 27 percent of respondents supported requiring all Muslim-Americans to register where they lived with the federal government. Twenty-two percent favored racial profiling to identify potential terrorist threats. And 29 percent thought undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organizations to keep tabs on their activities and fund-raising.
Anyone else hear strains of Germany in this?
My girlfriend Luisa is sick today. I called her last night and asked her how her doctor's appoitnent went. She sounded really congested and miserable. She has a sinus infrection, not fun news when you have an 18-month old running at top speed all the time.
I asked her what I could do to help, and she asked me to come over and keep an eye on andrew while she zoned out. I was floored. This woman NEVER asks for help. I don't think the kid has ever had a babysitter other than Luisa's mother-in-law. It stresses Luisa out immensely, and I'm forever telling her that I can and will help out at a moment's notice, but this is the first time that she's taken me up on the offer.
Woo-hoo! I get to spend time with the baby! It's good for my gizzard.
It gives me an opportunity to bring over Andrew's Christmas present - a Baby's Second Christmas ornament.
I'm bringing her favorite Trader Joe's chocolate-covered raspberry sticks over as comfort food.
Saturday was my baptism into the Greek Orthodox Church. My family and Dim’s family gathered to see me basted in olive oil and dunked in water. My baptismal name is Katharine, after this lady. I got to choose any saint that I wanted, and as there is no Greek equivalent of Jennifer (the closest is Iannula, which sounds like a strain of bacteria to me) I picked a lady that I respected and saw bits of myself in. She was an educated woman and a powerful public speaker who stuck to her guns, so to speak, when challenged.
My godmother (“nounna” – pronounced new-NAH) is Athena, Dimitri’s sister. The funny part of the ceremony (I promised Father John I wouldn't crack jokes) came when Father told me that I need to look up to Athena for spiritual guidance. Athena's a full head shorter than I am.
After the baptism we went to Sophie’s and she made us a great dinner. It tasted good on its own merits, but it tasted FABULOUS to me because I was fasting that whole day in preparation for the baptism. I was famished. Sunday I took Communion for the first time, and Athena and Sophie came to church to see me take it. We all went out to lunch at Bahama Breeze afterward.
Monday I taught an SAT class at Shadow Ridge high school. It’s a 25 mile drive on the other side of forever, but the kids seem cool. I have a set of identical twins in the class who are FUNNY guys. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the class.
I think I will treat myself to a pedicure today. I have an acute case of nastyfootitis, compounded by an infection of Iannula.
I had my first wedding nightmare last night. I didn’t have my dress, I forgot to pay the balance of the reception bill, my family was rude, my sister refused to be called anything but “Laura” (her name is Shannon), I didn’t have any makeup on, and I forgot to shave my pits. It was a disaster.
I had to wake myself up to tell myself it was only a dream….
…I’m off to shave my pits.
FRIDAY: The party was a success. I had SUCH a fun time hanging out with girlfriends (some of whom I haven’t seen in far too long) giggling and sipping froofy martinis. The lady who handled the “slumber party” element of the party was fun and professional. I have pictures of me giggling uproariously and Stacy looking on in abject disgust. Fun was had by all.
I think that I should have a once-a-month martini party for my girlfriends. It was a fun time to catch up with old friends, meet new people, (Nicole brought her girlfriend Alicia along.) and drink funny drinks out of glasses. What do you think, ladies?
Parents and direct relatives: stop reading here……
As far as the gift registry went, I made out like a (perverted) bandit.
Dad: La la la la la la la la…
It was a lot of fun to see some of the ridiculous products available on the market.
Mom: Doo dee doo dee doo doo dee…
Some of them were intriguing and others were outright scary.
Shannon: I’ll get you a catalog.
Parents and direct relatives: continue reading here.
I have plenty of pictures, but I won’t post them, since many of the gals are school teachers, and I don’t think that they would like The Internet to have access to pictures of them playing hot potato with a double-ended….um…candle.
However, participants are welcome to email me and I will forward them along to you.
SATURDAY: Lindsey, Sarah, and I went to the Imperial Palace to take our Princeton Review Christmas card picture. They have a free photo with an Elvis Impersonator. The three of us wore Santa hats and crowded around the King. (Lindsey noted that the Elvis impersonator was older than the King ever was. Uuuuuh-huh.) It was fun, and the picture turned out cute.
SUNDAY: Did nothing. Enjoyed every minute of it.
So here’s what I have been up to while not posting:
Thanksgiving rocked. Dimitri and I went to Salk Lake City (Now with more Mormonite!) to spend the holiday with his aunt, uncle, grandfather, and cousins. I got to meet extended family and longtime family friends that I’ve heard about for years but have never met.
Man, the Greeks know how to handle a food related holiday like nobody’s business. We ate for four days solid. We played a very heated game of Trivial Pursuit, 90’s edition (Sorry Kat. You were sorely missed on the girls’ team.) It snowed on Saturday, so I got to see a pretty place with snow, and then got to leave before I had to shovel anything. Score one for me.
I am getting ready for my first of two bridal showers. This one is for my girlfriends and the later one will be the traditional luncheon and tea-cake crap. Friday’s party should be a lot of fun. We’re having an “adult” martini shower. However, my girlfriends are late in RSVPing, so I’m a little worried that this will be a repeat of my 16th birthday party.* I think it will be okay, though.
I’ve been teaching more than I want to, but I have NO money for Christmas shopping. This Christmas will be a very small one for my family. Not working full time is eating away at my checking account. Anyone have ideas for inexpensive, but thoughtful gifts?
Mom- thanks for the Thanksgiving card. It was cute. In about two weeks, I’d like to go with you to look at wedding invitations.
*many were invited. Two showed up. I was crushed. I haven’t had a non-family birthday party since.