I've been shopping.....

Christmas in 5 days. I still don't feel it, so I probably never will. I have gifts for Michel. This is fun this year. He is getting a trip to France. So the box to announce the trip contains a survival kit, of sorts. A beret... but of course. And some obvious stuff. And the pista la resistance being, a SPEEDO!! Can't go to Europe and wear big ole' baggy American shorts. HA

For Emma, a wonderful Emma sized wicker rocking chair and I knitted her a cabled blanket to go with it. So she can be warm and "rock on" in 07.

Otherwise, I had lots of "misfits" to surprise with this and that. This is all done. Nothing left for me to do.

The family in general and Phil and I don't usually exchange gifts. We gave up the commercial need to satisfy this trend that has gotten so out of hand in society. We decided years ago to just get gifts for the kids and spend our money on fine food and drink and celebration together. This has taken so much stress out of the holiday. But, this year, something is developing or brewing or whatever. People are plotting and whispering. Michel especially, seems to have done something extravagant on my behalf. (They are so bad at being secretive). AND!!!! Mom and Dad seem to have some plan up their sleeve, even though she made a point to call me - like she does every year - to reiterate that we are not doing gifts. I don't know. The only rule that I broke was to get for Phil a print for his new office of the Port of Marseilles where he was born. But I can cover it up by giving it to Michel to give to him. Oh, and for Nikki and Nate, I got gifts to put under their tree, but they are from EMMA. So no rules broken. He heeee Mom and Dad however, are on my shit list!!! They have blatantly bent some rules. I can tell by the giggles and whispers and secretive phone calls to Michel. Hmmmmm

So maybe in some twisted and/or screwy way, we have actually captured the essence of what Christmas is suppose to be. A surprise, no matter what rules are broken. Nothing expected. No appliances, no clothes, no meaningless filler gifts. But rather, a gift with immense meaning because we just could not help ourselves.

Getting lost in the keys

I have a crazy desire to type. Relentless and whatever ramblings in my head about constant thoughts are like a lava flow that just need an escape. I equate my ambition for the keyboard to the ambition that Billy Joel has for his keys when he is in the zone with songs like: Scenes from an Italian restaurant. It's just a hammering of emotion, whatever the outlet.

Date night, Friday in the year of 06 on December 8th. Gotta work to keep the passion alive lest daily mundulaities take over and warp you heart. (Yes, I just coined that word). I took my baby to Papadeux'. We cleaned up nicely and got into the spirit of the night. They sure have their shit down pat. It was so crowded, we had to circle for parking. But once accomplished we strolled in, expecting a wait, and had already discussed should we sit at the bar or in the outside lounge. However, we were escorted immediately to a front row table.

Merlot & Budweiser

Calamari Mediterranean Style

Coconut Shrimp

Lobster tail, Baked potato

Flawless service. They get my 4 stars ****

The Decline of my Christmas Spirit

I just don't feel it. All of my neighbors are lit up and festive and I am like the "scrooge" house on the block. I am sure the closer I get to 12/25, the more I will be hoping for a LIFETIME Channel moment. But right now, it's just not there.