It's Just Not Wright

Our dear friends, the Wright family, are packing up their home today and tomorrow and leave for their new lives in Germany in only three days. Their plan is to live overseas for the next decade or so. That means that we'll see them seldom and miss them often. Connor is seriously distressed and is telling everyone he meets that his friend Arianna is moving to Germany. I am seriously distressed and am just not discussing it. We wish them good luck, good health, and happiness.

Not Your Average Sundaes

Had lunch at Not Your Average Joe's yesterday with mom, sis, and the "baby cousins". YUM.

Random Fact #5

I can sing "Silent Night"....in German.

How's that for random?

Achtung!

Merry Merry Christmas!

I hope you are all having a great day. It's almost 2pm and I'm only mouse about in TaterTown. Connor is passed out on the couch among a scattered mess of Connect 4 checkers, a military helicopter, and two Transformers that neither his father nor his mother can figure out how to "transform". Bob has been in bed since around 11:30 this morning--the lovely cheese fondue we had for Christmas Eve dinner last night got the better of his gastrointestinal system and he was up until around 3am with an upset stomach. He's feeling fine, but really tired.

We all got some great gifts. My personal favorites are the lovely earrings from my boys and the nice deep teal sweater from my mom. Bob also gave me a digital photo frame which I am looking forward to loading up with pics for my desk at work.

Connor is loving his tabletop pool table and his StormTrooper helment.

He'd be liking his electric guitar. Except that I didn't know it needed a nine-volt battery and we have NONE of those. We have about 15 lbs of all other batteries. But, NONE of those.

And finally, the results of that lowly squash and its incineration:

Christmas Excursion #176

So, we headed downtown after dinner tonight to see the National Christmas Tree. As we drove through Falls Church, we noticed this in the back seat:


Out. Out like a light. A christmas light, if you wish. And just like the Baby Jesus, when he awoke, no crying he made. That's because he knew he was about to see this:


It's pretty this year. First year with all LED lights and they've gotten rid of those massive and horrific red light bows. There are big trains running all along the base of the tree and Connor brought plenty of change to try to throw on the trains flatbeds. We'll both have backaches tomorrow from picking him up 25 times!

Nearby we spent some time viewing the unadorned and unannounced-in-any-way Yule Log. Which, really, is a big brick pit with burning tree trunks in it. It is crazy to see and I love it. And boy, does it give off some heat!!

On an unrelated roasting note, at Connor's request I will be attempting a home-made pumpkin pie for Christmas dessert. He saw a pumpkin the other day at Whole Foods (in with the acorn and butternuts) and asked me what it was for when Halloween was over. I answered simply--soup or pie. " WOW! Let's make a pie. No, you momma. You make a pie! I will help." Alrighty then. Here's the victim. I'll keep you updated on the pie developments.

We're Such Gaylords

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Had a great 24 hours of holiday fun. I'm tired and a bit hungover so I'll be brief. I need a nap.

Walked around the harbor area. Lots of things have opened up since the summer, including the Westin, a Stonewall's Kitchen, CakeLove, Godiva, Swarovski, McCormick and Schmicks, and Rosa Mexicana. If you haven't been there--you need to go. Really cool and welcoming urban spaces. This is the harbor tree that they light every night.

You might know that they moved the sculpture "The Awakening" here from its old home in Hains Point. Its on a beachy area and the kids climb all over it. For once, the Tate family is well-in-hand.

This is the Gaylord tree hanging suspended from the 18 story atrium roof. Its glass and when it is lit up it is spectacular.

Connor and I went to their "Sweet Treat" event which they normally charge for or you get with a special package. We did neither---Bob just flirted with the girl at check in and she upgraded us for free. I swear, I married my father. At the event they play holiday movies and they give you all sorts of stuff to decorate these big gingerbread cookies while a pastry chef walks around and checks your work. Very fun.

Connor's idea: Heaven and Hell Cookies. Yes, that snowman has horns.

Lobby lights suspended 18 stories.

Watching the fountain show.

Some soaking wet fountain friends. I think that middle kid is repeating the devil theme? Notice Connor's sweater is on. He was smart enough to hand it to me before the show and said "Mom--here, this is nice one and I'm gonna get soaked.

In bed in our new Christmas jammies.

The indoor snowfall at 9:30pm was beautiful. I didn't get any pics of that, but it everyone was smiling and happy. We also had a great dinner at the Old Hickory Steakhouse. They have a cheese cave there with $10,000 worth of cheese. We did a 3 cheese sampler with a dry aged Gouda, a Pecorino, and a french goat cheese. Lovely. Bob had serious thoughts of knocking over the cheese sommelier and making off with the cart.

Tomorrow, its off to the new Smithsonian American History museum. I'd better rest up.

Housekeeping Items

1. I am working on my other Random Facts. Its just that inspiration is so...I don't know...random?

2. I forgot two celebrity sightings. Salma Hayek at LAX about three years ago wearing a fur, holding an unlit cigarette and looking at it longingly. Dr. Wayne Dyer this April in Maui. We were on a queue for a big luau on the beach and he went jogging through in a Speedo. He lives there. Mr. Change Your Thoughts is FIT!!

3. I was supposed to be off work every Friday in December. It hasn't happened. Things are so crazy at work--but I'm not complaining really. My job is fun, so I don't feel particularly resentful. I'm going in today, too. But I'm going to try to leave early because the Bairds are coming over for Christmas movie night and I've got to clean a little bit. Bob stayed home from work yesterday morning and did the vacuuming. We really really really need to get a housekeeper.

4. I'm dreaming and planning for our Christmas Eve Fondue. I always think I'll try something new, but then I always go back to traditional Swiss with Emmenthal and Gruyere. Heaven in a hot little pot.

5. Connor has been dreaming that he's on "Dancing With The Stars" repeatedly. I don't know if he's a dancer or a star, but he's getting scores of 100.

6. If you like mochas, you have to try the Starbucks holiday Espresso Truffle. Sick. Sick. This thing is so powerful and delicious it makes my chest flush. Really.

7. I went to WalMart in Fair Lakes yesterday at lunchtime to look for a specific Ben10 toy that Connor wants. I haven't been to WalMart in years--I'm strict Target girl. I really hate WalMart. I didn't think the prices were that much better than Target and Target is SO much nicer. I will say that the store I went to was very clean and well stocked. My last few WalMart experiences at Dulles were hideous. The place was messy and disorganized.

8. This is what I see every morning. My computer, my desk, my greek yogurt with honey, and Hobie waiting on my lap to lick the yogurt cup clean when I am done.

9. Blogger really pisses me off with those spacing issues. There is not a thing I can do in the world to fix that spacing between #7 and #8 and this crap happens all the time. Ahhhh.

10. I love those college photos of Barack Obama. Too cute, was he. Looks like a young Huggy Bear.

11. This is our big holiday Gaylord weekend. We're all excited. Heading to Old Town late morning to do a little holiday shopping then over to the National Harbor we go. They have a Christmas Market with all handcrafted things which we'll visit for a bit and then go to our early dinner reservations at McCormick and Schmick at 5pm. After that, the Christmas tree lighting/show at the harbor then to the hotel for the nightly snowfall and concert. Some beverages to follow and then we'll all tuck into our beds in our room wearing our new Christmas jammies and watch a holiday movie.

Pics From This Week

These are some fun glasses that make every light you see in the dark glow as a snowflake.

This is just trying to look tough with a flame beard from the face painter at the Original Steakhouse on Wendesday.

Is that the most awesome Santa or what? This morning at McCormick and Schmick's in Reston. So nice. All the kids dressed up and all the parents in a good mood. Love it. It's the second time we've gone and we'll go until Santa holds less sway. What Santa doesn't know is that Connor puked in the parking lot about 10 minutes before this. He's not sick--he just puked up his morning coffee (vanilla Pediasure). Weird.

Connor's self-made toque--a Whole Foods bag. Perfect for cookie chef-ness.

Random Fact #4-I'm Actually A Petite French Woman

I am. Really. On the inside. My maiden name is "Bonneau". This is my family crest which I've abandoned for the Tate family due to my marriage. I think that's a chilly, dry champagne fountain in there. Basically, I'm a hot genetic mess. Barack Obama got me thinking a few months ago about how we mutts self-identify. My dad brought the French (via Quebec/Canada) and God knows what else. My mom brought the eastern european Holy Roman Empire-ish (Czech-Bohemian, Austrian, etc.) I am acutely aware that my visual package is something akin to a movie depiction of a WWII gulag matron (a kindly one that sneaks the prisoners food). But on the inside I think I'm this petite, stylish Parisian Chanel devote'. Self-identification / Self-delusion, what's the difference? How our genes combine to make us is fascinating to me. Not the scientific part--I could barely pass high-school chemistry--but the mixup/mashup and the outcome is such a cool thing. My sister and I often compare "what we got". She got my mom's beautiful skin, I got my Dad's rosacea and acne. She got my mom's "veins", I didn't. I got the cellulite, she didn't. She got Dad's temper, I didn't. In the end, it nets out neutral unless you put too much value on any one thing which I could certainly be tempted to do on the cellulite issue. French women DETEST cellulite, you know. A la fin, nous prenons que l'on nous donne et nous en faisons le meilleur. C'est la vie!

Random Fact #3-My Favorite Christmas Song

I fell in love with this song last year. Love. True love. This year my dear friend Jay at work is in love with it too. I can hear it through the wall between our offices several times a day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzY0sQGHTtU&feature=related


"an ache, a yearning, softens when I hear you say".

Heaven. Just heaven in a lyric. And the sleigh bells. Ahhh.

"Deer might fly. Why not? I met you."

Random Fact #2- Celebrities I've Seen In Person

Other than the Jodie Foster experience, here is my list of celebrity encounters. I'm giving these in general chronological order:

1. James Brolin

The movie "Amityville Horror" was filmed in my hometown and my dad ran airboats on the set to create a windstorm. I had the worst crush on him from "Marcus Welby, M.D." My dad took me to his trailer to introduce me (I was 11 or 12 years-old) and I almost vomited Iwas so excited. He is a hot, hot man. Even now. Babs is lucky. I might even become a liberal at the thought of it.

2. Morley Safer. Seriously. I was shaken. I saw him at the "Old Saybrook Fish House" in Connecticut. I swear, he was wearing that checkered shirt. Really. But that's not much of a reach--HE ALWAYS WEARS THAT CHECKERED SHIRT. I was there with my boyfriend, Jim Gluck, in 1986 or 1987.

3. Ice Cube. Driving down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in a Bentley convertible with a HOT blonde. I think he likes the stripper type.

4. Dustin Diamond (Screech) from "Saved By The Bell" on the people mover at Dulles Airport. He was wearing a Jansport backpack.

5. G. Gordon Liddy on the people mover at Dulles Airport. He's super short and shiny bald.

6. Howie Long. About two months ago at Dulles. I literally passed him on the up escalator has he was going down and I shrieked "HOWIE!". He smiled and winked. Wow. Wow. He is hot. For him, I don't have to become a liberal!! WINNER!!!

Random Fact #1-My Car Was in a Movie

My lovely and entertaining friend Michelle, circus mistress supreme, has tagged me to post six random facts about myself. I'm going to tackle them one post at a time.

See this car? This was my car. Or "our" car , Bob would say. It was a 1980-something Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. We had no money. My dad basically gave it to us when we were saving for our first house. It was excitingly gray on the outside and in. Bob drove it. I drove my 1985 Pontiac Fiero that my dad also bought for me.

Since the Cutlass was my dad's, it was pretty impeccable. My brother-in-law took it to work one day in 1994 to change the oil (he was a service guy at a dealership) and someone left a handwritten note on it in the parking lot in Tysons Corner. The note said that we should call give this person a call, that they might be interested in using the car in a movie. We kind of thought it was a joke, but we called.

As it turns out, the note was from an associate producer. She told us that she was working with Jodie Foster on a movie, "Home For The Holidays", that was going to be filming in Baltimore and that they were looking for a car like ours. They would need it for about a week and would pay us a couple of hundred bucks or so. But she wasn't sure Jodie would like it---she was the final decider on all these things--so if we were interested we'd need to bring it to Baltimore for her to take a look.

What would you do? Duh! I took the day off work and drove to some deserted parking lot in Baltimore. When I pulled in the associate producer girl was there to meet me. The lot had 6 different cars in it--but each car had a twin. In other words, there was another Cutlass almost just like mine there, too. All the other people were local and had dropped their cars off for Foster Assessment and gone to work. I had nowhere to go, so I hung around. About 30 minutes later she drove up herself and talked to the producer chick in hushed tones while I hovered. She then came directly over to me and said "Hello, Dianna. I'm Jodie Foster. It's nice to meet you and thanks for coming all the way here from Virginia". We made nice chit chat for a moment and then she simply said "I really like this other car better. But since you took a day off work to come here, I'd like to use your car in the film if you'd allow us to do so". I, of course, consented. There was a bit more chit chat and a discussion of what would happen and off I went.

A few weeks later they picked the car up at our house. They had it for a few days longer than planned AND on the way back the person driving it dented the back quarter panel at a fast food drive through on one of those concrete posts. They fixed that. And when we got it back it had that nifty old man compass installed on the dash. I guess Jodie thought that was important. Someone also left a box of 5 or 6 Nina Simone cassettes in the trunk.

In the movie, it is Charles Durning and Anne Bancroft's car. It is in MANY scenes. They pick up and drop off Holly Hunter at the airport in it. And most excitingly, after dinner on Thanksgiving, Charles Durning washes it in the driveway.

Jodie was very nice. She is teeny-tiny. Knowing what I know now, I'd have to say that she just wasn't into me. I'm more woman than she could handle. :)

We sold the car a few years later. But it will live on in movie history.

Yeesh

1. Illinois - Corruption in government has to be crushed whenever it is found. It is the single largest threat to our social fabric. If Governor Blagojevich goes to prison for this (and boy, should he) he'll be second governor of that state in the can. Amazing. Plus, he totally has NO upper lip. He looks like a muppet.

2. I don't get it. Why is our legal system so built around cutting deals instead of delivering justice? O.J. needs to go to jail, but do we really need the the dangerous guy who was willing to get the guns and threaten the victim walking the street? Isn't he a pretty big threat to all of us? This kind of thing has always confused and frustrated me. When I was in high-school, the father of 3 kids at one of the other schools in town had his wife killed for the insurance money. The two hit men he hired got off basically scott free because the prosecutor SO BADLY wanted to nail the husband. Shouldn't there be balance? Those two dirtbags who were willing to take a couple grand to shoot a mom in the head on the side of the road are WAY more scary to the rest of us than the husband who was on drugs (allegedly), in debt, and a general mess. He got the death penalty and those two are out there walking around right now. Stupid. Just stupid.

Getting To Know Me-Christmas Style

My sister sent me this earlier this week. I always think these are fun.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Both. But I definitely prefer it if most of the stuff under the tree matches or coordinates in some way.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artificial because it just makes sense from a convenience and natural resource perspective. But I'd definitely prefer a real one that we'd spend a day out in the country at the tree farms searching for with hot chocolate and fun. Oh well.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Generally, the first weekend in December. But this year that probably won't happen. I am slammed this weekend with 4 social engagements--one of which I've had to take a day off of work to prepare for (cookie exchange).

4. When do you take the tree down the tree?

The weekend after New Year's Day.

5. Do you like egg nog?

I love it. It's on my Death Row Food list. I'd like to swim in it. Years ago (like, high school) I had a home made recipe for it that was published in either L.L. Bean or Lands' End. It was sublime. I've never been able to find it again. You need fresh ground nutmeg and spiced rum to make it heavenly.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My shiny white, stiff ice skates. Don't know why---I'm hardly Katerina Witt. But I remember opening that box and it was like the case in "Pulp Fiction"--some brilliant light shone from it and my heart soared. For some reason I also distinctly remember getting "Battleship" and thinking that was totally awesome.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Ummmm. Yes? Does a Fisher Price "Little People" one count?

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Ugh. My mother. Painful. She's like some nun who's shunned wordly goods or something. If anyone knows what she wants, please drop me a line.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Are you kidding? Connor. He's had a list going since June. Haven't gotten one thing yet, though. I'm too busy at work. I come home at 7:30 every night and collapse by 9pm.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

A bra. Like, one of my first ones. Who's bright idea was that? Every pre-pubescent girl loves opening a box with everyone watching to find her first boobie holder. Put that in the book of things you should NOT do to your daughters. I was scarred for years.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Love, Actually

13. Have you ever recycled a Chrismas present?

Yes, I'm a re-gifter.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Breakfast. For the past three or four years I've made this incredible savory breakfast casserole with proscuitto and cheese that is just spectacular.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Generally, white. But last year we mixed it up and Connor likes colors.

16. Favorite Christmas song?

Good King Wenceslas Don't ask me why. It's a year round ear-worm for me. I've got some kind of micro-cellular imprint of it in my brain.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay home. I'd love it if we had company, though. But everyone wants to stay home. I guess that's they way it should be.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Duh.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Morning. There are no presents on Christmas Eve. Santa has not come yet. What are you people talking about??

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Traffic and see #3. Too many social engagements makes them all less fun because you're just thinking about logistics and the next one.

21. Favorite ornament theme or color?

No favorites. I like to change things up. I do love my Santa collection that's been accumulating, though.

22. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

Beef of some sort. Tenderloin. Last year we had incredible rib-eyes that we grilled.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Nothing material, really. I could use a new purse, but I'm really fussy about that so I'll need to pick it myself. I really want to take some time off work and spend some days going downtown and to Baltimore to lots of museums with Connor.

A Cocktail and a Compliment

Stopped off at the Red Robin tonite for some din-din. Red was there shaking wings with the kids so that was a hit. Also, their seasonal cocktail--The Captain Gingerbread--is awesome. It is Sprite, Captain Morgan (my dear, dear friend), and Monin Gingerbread syrup. Sounds weird but it is sooooooo yummy. Gotta try it if you are a spiced rum fan.

So, this morning I put on a new jacket I bought last weekend in NJ. It is 4 sizes (really) smaller than I would have bought last winter. So, I'm feeling good in it. Its nipped in at the waist and its a khaki color. I'm wearing it with black trousers and a black turtleneck. Boring. It needs something. I try a belt. Nope. Another belt. Nah. Then, I dig in my massive drawer of scarves and pull out a khaki/black scarf. Slap it around the waist, tie it in chunky knot off center. Good! Me likey!! I head downstairs to grab the boy and go and as I come down the stairs he looks up a me and says "Mama!" then gasps and stares. I say "What's the matter? Do you like my belt (scarf)?" He slowly nods his head as I descend to the bottom and as I pass him by he reaches out to my waist, continues nodding, gives me a wink, and simply says "HOT".