beenie

Holiday joy

12 hours into Christmas, I've got a sleeping snuggly kitty at my feet and a sleeping snuggly hubby in my bed. I've just finished wrapping presents, and will soon wake the sleeping snuggly hubby up with a nice breakfast. Then we'll open presents, snuggle on the couch in front of the tree, then off to his parents' for a lovely dinner.

Then in January, I'm off to New York to spend a long, relaxing week with my family, whom I haven't seen since my whirlwind "fly in, have my gown altered, wedding rehearsal, pencil in a couple of hours for Grandma somewhere, wedding, fly back" 3-day trip last August. The last time I've had any real quality time with my family was two Christmases ago, so I'm really looking forward to it, despite the fact that I'll be going it solo this time.

I've heard two sets of fire trucks and ambulances in the distance in the last half hour or so, and I hope someone's Christmas tragedy turns into a Christmas miracle. I give thanks for the fine folks manning these vehicles, and for anyone else who has to work today for someone else's benefit.

It has been a very interesting year for us at Chez PariBeenie, with the new jobs, the new abode, weddings, engagements, finding out that we have no less than seven friends expecting bundles of joy in 2006. So much new life to look forward to in the new year. I'm glad to have been able to share 2005 with all of my fine friends and family here and elsewhere, and looking forward to a very fulfilling 2006.

Merry Merry!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I start work in an hour and 9 minutes. And it's the last time for a while that I'll have to get up this early for work. :D

When Bryan started training at his current job, we had no idea what his actual shift would be once he got out of training and into the actual position. About halfway into training, we found out that it would be mid-afternoon to late night... second shift hours. And the only day off we had in common was Friday (sucks to both work in a 24/7/365 call center)

At that point, I was just so happy that he had a job after being out of work for 6 weeks, that it didn't matter much what the hours were. However, weeks and weeks of him getting home 2 hours after I should have already been in bed - and me waiting up because I'm stupid - started to take a toll.

Thankfully, there is a girl in my department who starts later in the day who actually wanted my might-as-well-be-the-crack-of-dawn hours, so we switched. So rather than working early morning to mid-afternoon, I'll work early afternoon to late evening. And rather than our shifts ending 7 hours apart, they'll only end 2.5 hours apart. We still only have one day off in common, but that actually hasn't been too bad. We have a day to spend together, and then we each have days to do our own thing without feeling bad for leaving the other to do whatever on their own.

So not only does that mean more time with Bryan - which has been severely lacking - that means I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn after 5 hours of sleep anymore!

Both are Very Good Things.

I'm a little nervous about the whole second shift thing. Based on my sleeping habits when left to my own devices, Bryan thinks I'll love it. But I've never done second shift before, so it'll be interesting.

I don't do the whole HP thing, but I thought this was fun

SPd from Raging Lunatic

You're a Slytherpuff!: This is a rare combination
but those that are true Slytherpuffs are not
people you want to make your enemy. You take
loyalty very seriously and if someone gives you
their word you expect them to keep it. You
either project a cold exterior and have a heart
of gold inside or you seem all cuddly and nice
on the outside and you are ruthless on the
inside. People frequently underestimate you but
this usually suits your purpose. Whoever has
your loyalty is a very lucky person because you
will fight tooth and nail to protect them. You
have a protective streak and you like to
champion the underdog. In life, experience has
taught you that it's better not to be too
idealistic or expect to much of other people.
Still, deep inside you, you still have hope
that everything will always turn out for the
best. Your weakness is that sometimes you trust
blindly, follow without question and this can
lead you into trouble. With the loyalty of a
Hufflepuff and the ruthlessness of a Slytherin
you are a formidable person!


Which Mix of the Hogwarts Houses are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Notsomuch on the physical comedy thing, but the rest is fairly close

You Are Sam From "Benny & Joon." You are very talented at physical comedy. People are in awe of your abilities. However, you have many quirks which can either win people over or completely annoy them. But you're a sweetheart through and through, and it's hard not to love you.

Take The Johnny Depp Quiz!

Sounds about right

You're a Glass of Wine!


What Type of Alcoholic Beverage Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Yeah, I should probably work on that last part

You Have a Phlegmatic Temperament

Mild mannered and laid back, you take life at a slow pace. You are very consistent - both in emotions and actions. You tend to absorb set backs easily. You are cool and collected. It is difficult to offend you. You can remain composed and unemotional. You are a great friend and lover. You don't demand much of others. While you are quiet, you have a subtle wit that your friends know well. At your worst, you are lazy and unwilling to work at anything. You often get stuck in a rut, without aspirations or dreams. You can get too dependent on others, setting yourself up for abandonment.

I'm gonna sleep WELL tonight!

So, mom went overboard for Christmas, and has been slowly sending things. I've received a few boxes by mail already, I know I'll have stuff to open while I'm there in January (she's already told me that all I'll probably need to bring for clothes is underwear), and I believe she's anticipating sending a few boxes after I leave, depending on whether I can fit it all in my suitcase.

So, the box I got today was designated as "housewarming," since we moved into a new apartment about a month ago. There was pretty holiday doormat, a few of those cookie-on-a-stick pans (stars, snowmen and Christmas trees - so very cute, but suddenly I feel like Sandra Lee), and... oh, my favorite part.

600. Thread. Count. Sheets.

<-- Me and Bryan

Be shocked and amazed that I am not in bed this very minute.

Christmas List

Dear Santa,

It's all about my mom this Christmas.

As you know, my mom has had a rough year, with some very painful dental work and the seizure that resulted from it (even though they can't "100% prove it").

Anyway, the state she lives in has this law that says she can't drive for 6 months, and she's got a few months left. I'd love it if you could open the hearts of certain immediate family members (and as you know, I only have two immediate family members) and make them a little more sympathetic to her situation, and not resent her for the fact that she might ask them to pitch in a little bit with the grocery shopping or give her a ride somewhere - she normally does everything herself, so they're not used to actually having to do anything, and they've both been acting like jerks.

Also, please make my grandmother say something - anything - to mom that can't be construed as saying she's a bad mother, because she's not. I got her a really nice present that she's going to love, and I can't wait to see her face when she opens it, but the initial excitement of opening it is not going to erase all the pain she's had this year. She sounds sadder and more defeated every time I talk to her. Please do something to help make her happy, because I think she's forgotten how to do it for herself.

And please, please find a way to help me hold my tongue if anyone says anything that I find objectionable in the presence of my mother. The way I'm feeling about certain family members these days, I'm not sure the dam will be able to be stopped if it's burst, and I don't want to ruin Christmas for my mom by fighting with everyone else.

She spoils the people in her life rotten, and it seems like they can't take two minutes to realize that and be thankful, or even acknowledge her goodness and generosity. I know it's a tall order, but if you could help out in that department, even just a little bit, I'd be grateful.

Thanks,
beenie