"You Just Missed Jesus..."

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Blair and I are back from a weekend spent with relatives in Fayetteville. We were listening to NPR on the way home and found Rick Steeves interviewing people from around the world on Christmas traditions. One aspect that intrigued us is that, in many countries, the Christmas tree is hid from the children until Christmas Eve when it appears fully decorated. The guest from Hungary explained that children are told the baby Jesus (versus Stanta Claus) brings the tree and gifts. Rick Stevees asked how parents managed to sneak a fully decorated tree into the home without kids noticing.

"Oh, they do it while kids are napping or else they send the kids for walks," said the guest. "Then we'd come home from our walk and the tree would be there and our parents would say, 'Oh! You just missed Jesus and the angels...'"

Blair and I had to laugh. It's like, "Ooh, if only you hadn't done that extra lap you and Jesus could have chatted!"

The International Christmas interview was fascinating. Check it out online here.

The Night of the Sticky Floor

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About 6 months ago my friend Melody asked if I had any interest in hearing live bands.

"No," I said.

I am the last person you want to go hear live music with. I don't like the smoke and crowd of bars. I resent having to yell to have a conversation with a friend. And most of the "music" sounds like instruments being thrown down stairs.

Which is why Melody and I were both surprised when, last night, I agreed to go hear--are you ready for this?--PUNK bands at the restaurant/bar across the street from where we'd just come from a meeting.

I had fun. I felt old, standing in a room with 21-year old kids with mohwaks, green hair, studded belts, and--God love them, they're so young--a fedora or two. I wanted to rip the cigarettes out of their hands and say, "Sure, you look 'cool' now, but in fifteen years you're going to be a stale-smelling, pucker-lipped, nicotine addict. Don't do it!" But I enjoyed some of the music and it was fun to be out and about, talking girl talk and pointing out which guys we would have been interested in if we were twenty years younger and single. I rolled in about 11:30, which is equivalent to 3 AM in most peoples worlds.

I've showered and I swear I still smell like smoke. But as I said, it was fun. Great fun. I'll probably become a regular on the punk band indie scene.

Holla.

Movie Night

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Oh, what a happy camper I am. Knowing Blair is taking the next two weeks off work, two of his co-workers put together this gift basket for him. Movies... soda... candy... what a cute gift. I dug into the Reeses Pieces last night, almost making myself ill, but it was still a good time.

I'm looking forward to having Blair home for two weeks, although it's been awhile since we've spent THAT much time together. Ought to be some fun blog entries rolling your way.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Dena