The "War on Christmas"

Did you hear my eyes roll?  Because they did.

This whole "war on Christmas" nonsense is simply ridiculous.  I mean, I got reprimanded for saying "Merry Christmas" when I worked at Noodle Kidoodle... but since the company was owned by a bunch of Jewish guys... I can understand why they want "Happy Holidays" used.

Now, let me preface this with:  Christmas is my FAVORITE holiday.  Seriously.  I decorate that tree.  I wear the gaudy Christmas sweaters.  I play Christmas tunes in my office.  I love the holiday.

But I do not celebrate the Jesus being born part of it.  I celebrate the "peace on earth, good will to men (mankind)"  part.

Why?  Because Jesus wasn't born during the winter.  in the whole birth story, there are shepherds out with the flocks.  That only happens during lambing season, in the spring.  Plus the Romans celebrated Saturnalia during that time. There wouldn't be a census during a 2 week party!  I have heard it suggested (and I'm inclined to believe it) that early Christians put their holidays on the dates that already had similar celebrations.  The Winter Solstice is around that time, and the whole birth after a time of darkness fits.  I've even heard that Jesus/Mithras thing.  All very interesting.

Can you celebrate the holiday without an ounce of religion?  Absolutely.  People have been doing it for years.  We use it as a time to visit with the family, to celebrate tradition.  Ending the year on a happy note and all that jazz.

There is no "war on Christmas."  People just don't want to have to celebrate the religious part of it.  There's no harm in it.  If you want to celebrate the religious part, knock yourself out.  I'll be respectful of you.  Just be respectful of people that do not share your religious beliefs.

And when I say "Merry Christmas," I happen to mean:  "Happy time of peace, family, and festivities."

Just testing

I'm using something new as a blog feed.. just testing!

GleeCap: I Kissed a Girl

Ok.... Last night's show was a perfect time for people's entire personoality to be summed up in one sentence.  For example:  Puck...  talking about Quinn:

"Look, I was into you a couple years ago because you were hot like a pixie and I thought you were pretty much cooler than every other girl in the school, but it turns out you're kind of nuts. You're higher maintenance than Berry and pretty much the most selfish person I ever met in my life. So, thanks for the offer but I'd rather raw-dog a beehive."

Brilliant if you as me.  So let me break it down:  Santana is very out, her grandmother is less than pleased.  The clubs try to make her feel better (they should have done that to Quinn... post baby).  Puck seems to be over Shelby.  Shelby's still hung up on Puck (this will end badly).  Kurt's dad won.  Kurt lost, even with Rachael stuffing the ballot box.  Rachel's in deep Kim Chi... and out of Sectionals.

Now, neither of these clubs have the prerequisite 12 members... but that fact was forgotten.  Unless it'll be a plot point for later.

I'm just wondering what sectionals will hold... and how fast Quinn and Shelby crash and burn.

They say the perfect dog is one that doesn't poop...

Not exactly, but that's how the joke went.

Apparently I have the prefect dog.  Or close to it.  Every so often Misty goes through a little bout of irregularity.  She's not every lethargic, or shaking.  She just.. tries awfully hard to go.  Last year this culminated in her bleeding from her butt, so you can understand my concern (One vet said it might be the bone the little rascal ate, the other one said straining.  I'm not taking any chances).

So now to find the puppy Metamucil, and start Poop Watch: 2011!

I know, it's all gross and weird, but she's my baby.  I love her!  I don't know what I would do if my sausage shaped lump wasn't under the sheets at night... or curled up on my lap (when I'm trying to do something on my lap..)

I'm thinking that I need to send this to Ellen...

Dear Ellen,

I must say, I love your show.  I record it every day, and watch it the following morning as I get ready for work.  The day before Thanksgiving this year I sat down to catch up on some episodes of your program.  The dog and I were all cuddled on the sofa, and the Spousal Equivalent was in the computer room.... doing whatever SE's do.

I watched the story of the Johnson family.  It brought me to tears.  In fact, most of the stories of the families that you help leave me a sobbing teary mess.  The dog tried to lick the tears away, and bark at me (to get me to stop crying and pet her).  The Spousal Equivalent came out from the computer room to see what was making me cry.  He simply laughed and shook his head after hearing the story.  (I have a history of crying at the Christmas Folgers commercials too.)

Why did it leave me a sobbing teary mess?  Because I have a similar story.  I had a home foreclosed, a marriage end, unemployment benefits that were exhausted.  I lived paycheck to paycheck, praying that this temp job or begging and borrowing would help me make the rent, or pay for a doctor.

Thank you for giving us hope.  I found my job and am slowly clawing my way back from debt.  I still have an irrational fear of not being able to afford the rent, but that hasn't happened yet.

Thank you for making us all laugh, and for sharing the inspirational stories that move me to tears.  And thank you for the hope.

Sincerely,
The Nerdy Secretary

I can FINALLY decorate!!!!

Thanksgiving has officially passed us by. This means that I'm officially allowed to decorate.

Unfortunately, I need to clean first.

We live in a small apartment. There's really no place TO put a tree anymore, except for the entry-way table. Which is covered with stuff.

My plan is to spend the next week doing wash, putting it away, cleaning off the tables, cleaning the kitchen. Once that's done we're going to go buy a 3 or 4 foot pre-lit tree and a cheap Christmas themed table cloth for the entry-way table.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I intend to celebrate it to the fullest!!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I haz them!

It was an interesting week.

My vacation started on Wednesday. I went to the DMV (record time in and out), then to Bella Cakes to redeem a Groupon. While there, I was a taste tester for Raspberry Strudel cupcakes. Yummy!

Thursday found us eating at House Awesome. I think I ate a record small amount of T-Day dinner. We then went home, and looked at the Black Friday sales. A kind soul bought the Harry Potter set for us while she was there.

Today was really low key. I'm watching the Glee Project. I sent the Spousal Equivalent out for pizza. We're going to a "Turkey Day Leftover Party" tomorrow... where I'll eat my leftovers. I don't want to eat them now!

Tonight there's a slew of chick flicks on cable. Tomorrow laundry, groceries and a party and Sunday meeting a friend and getting ready to get back to work.