X-Files

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

two naughty lists....

Ah ha! I see that got y'alls attention! Actually I was going through Christmas boxes and I was looking at the Hallmark ornaments of years past and it got me to thinking. (Yes...I do own this one...and yes...there's a reason for showing it!)

I've made no secret of the fact (to y'all or Cat Daddy) of the list of men in my letter to ol' Santy Claus. Now before y'all get to feeling too sorry for Cat Daddy...he's got a list too! He and I have a mutual agreement that if any person (living or otherwise) on either of our lists ever shows up at the front door asking us to run away with them...we do so with a blessing and a kiss goodbye! I've also made no secret as to who/whom is one my list and trust me...it's a long list! Of course Joe is on the list...hence the ornament. Captain Jean-Luc is as well (have I mentioned I love me a bald man?) and I got the ornament to prove it too! C'mon girls...look at that man...beam me up Scotty!

In no particular ranking order, here are some other hunka hunka burning loves of mine! Keep in mind...this is a partial list. I'm a real naughty girlie!

1. Harry Connick Jr....no surprises here...line forms at the back ladies! Now if I could just figure out what to do about Jill!
2. Jay Bush...I'm thinking a package deal with Duke. Here Boy!
3. Johnny 2die4 Depp...no explanation needed except he can shiver-me-timbers anytime...anywhere!
4. James Garner...What I would have given to be Sally Field in Murphy's Romance! Heck...I'd of settled for being crazy-as-a-loon Mel in Maverick! Think bathtub scene...with maybe just a little less bubbles!
5. Yul Brynner...triple threat. Bald head...that accent...leader of the Magnificent 7...yeah bay-bee!
6. How 'bout a couple of Jons...(can you say Stewart and Favreau?)...smart and funny men!
7. Craig Bierko...my fave Music Man. Robert Preston almost made the list, but no one's allowed on the list who can look better in a dress than me!
8. James Earl Jones...I would love to hear him read me bedtime stories!
9. Keith Urban...uh...have you seen him play that guitar...woo-a-whee!
10. Finally...Stephen King! I know, I know...an odd looking choice, but man alive...can he send shivers straight up my backbone just with the written word!

I know you are all dying to know if you're on C.D.'s Christmas Kitten List! I won't tell you if you are or aren't 'cause if you knew you were, I'd have to hire 24 hour security around the Casita de Trash! I will tell you Loretta is numero uno in his little black book and when she shows up to claim her prize...I'll be sure to negotiate a nice settlement...as I wave bye bye!

Now...how about a little Grayzilla fun to put me back on y'alls NICE List?

And a snow clad lady in the window of W&T's!

Smiling Out Loud

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me!

One snow clad lady in the window at Winnie and T's!

City sidewalks. busy sidewalks dressed with Bellas and Jenns.

It's fun to shop...in Athens! Just a quick update on Pennies for Preemies. Jenn had hoped to raise $200. Guess what...can you say triple that amount so far? Y'all are the best and I just want to add...she plans to continue this through the coming months and not just at Christmas. My girl rocks and so do y'all!

Dashing thru the snow

Sorry I must go!

But I'll be back to talk some more

Sunday at half past four!

Oh-h-h...jiggle hips, where's the dips...I'll diet another day.

Oh what fun it is to eat with Christmas on the way!

If I asked you to pray without saying why, what, when, where, or who...would you?

Of course you would.

If I asked you to go read the most amazing true story of unselfishness...would you?

Of course you would.

If I told you that you'd never look at blogging the same way again...would you believe me?

Please...click here and prepare to raise your hands in awe.

3 Wishes

I've been feeling a little down this season, having a hard time getting into the spirit of things. Long story short (a first)...Graycie is having surgery (I can't spell tonsil-whatever) on the 22nd which means Christmas plans have been altered. Instead of gathering at the Casita de Trash, we'll be spending it at the Oldest Melonhead's. We'll still all be together and that is the main thing, but it's just hard for me to feel motivated to get the house all gussied up....BUT.....When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a party, good gravy, a party my dears! Y'all know how much I love parties and this one sounds like a doozie! Yeah baby...this is the stuff to put the starch back in my crinolines!

Rebecca is hosting herself a big ol' birthday party to end all birthday parties complete with presents! Being the loving, giving lady that she is...the gifts aren't for her, but for y'all and just wait until you get a load of the gifts...OH MYLANTA!

(All photos courtesy of A RE-purposed Life.)

Up on the rooftop high heels click...onto your mantel super quick!

Rebecca is giving away this precious house as one of the gifts for attending her party. Her rules are so simple...even I can't get distracted! (How's that for a Christmas miracle?) Just click here for all the details.

Rebecca...I hope you realize the most beautiful gift of all is you and the friendship you so richly share.

I'll be rockin' round this Christmas tree December 18th...care to join me?

If you've never been over to Rebecca's blog before (and just who am I kidding?)...you are in for a treat for the eyes and heart. She is one of the most beautiful and caring individuals one would ever hope to meet and meet her I did last spring at Zapp. There aren't enough adjectives to describe her, but remember me saying "there are angels among us"? She IS the queen mother of heaven on earth and it's only fittin' that her birthday be in December. She represents all that we should strive for as believers. Angelic...that should be her middle name.

To prove my point...as a third gift, she'll be giving away one of her beautiful angel tree toppers. By doing so, she's not only giving away a piece of art...but also a piece of her heart. Bring on the jingle bells and birthday cake!

This is going to be the bestest birthday party EVER!

Gospel Truth

Everyone has their personal favorite version of this song.

This is mine.

God's perfect gift.

Christmas Echoes

Canned green beans and soup wrapped in glittery tissue paper. Watching it being placed with other similar tissue packages in baskets that stretched across the school stage.

A freshly polished, silver shell-shaped candy dish that was only brought out at Christmas and Mother's homemade, snow white divinity served in it.

Helping Daddy pick out baby doll pajamas for my mother's present and the smell of White Shoulders perfume we would travel to Dallas for.

Itching from angel hair while crawling around under the tree to watch bubble lights percolate over a tiny Christmas village.

Matching appliqued, red felt Christmas skirts for my sister and I to wear Christmas day.

The sound of tiny bells pinned onto the can-cans under the skirts.

Christmas hymns sang at church the entire month of December.

Sitting in the balcony of the old First Baptist Church of Dallas being mesmerized by The Messiah.

Ladies wearing Christmas corsages pinned to their sweaters and coats...and not just to church.

The annual Christmas Parade through downtown McKinney with Santa as the celebrity.

Marching in the Christmas parade with the Marquettes drill team and always being behind the horses.

The downtown stoplights and lamp posts decorated in their Christmas finery with only the department store windows to rival them.

The Christmas Carnival held in the Jockey Lot off the square and watching my brother (as Alvin) and his friends win first place for lip syncing the Chipmunks' "Please Christmas, Don't Be Late".

Homeroom Christmas parties with Santas made from apples, licorice and marshmallows.

Watching a new movie in the high school auditorium the day Christmas vacation began.

Receiving my first Christmas gift from a boyfriend, bought at Murray's Jewelry Store and wrapped with Mr. Murray's signature bow.

The smell of a real tree enhanced by my great-grandfather's pipe tobacco.

Wrapping presents at my grandmother's using the same bows from years past.

Attending a Madame Alexander trunk show with Mother, only to find Ginny and her trunk under the tree Christmas morning.

Opening my first real Barbie and her trunk of clothes.

Finding our Christmas presents early one year and vowing never to do that again.

Climbing into a warm bed, not being able to sleep Christmas Eve and never feeling that cold, hardwood floor the next morning.

Laughing with friends, family and neighbors as they flooded the house on Christmas Eve.

Going out to look at Christmas lights only to return home and find Santa had came.

Seeing my first aluminum tree and bringing my grandmother's home after she left us.

Running to the mailbox to retrieve Christmas cards...some from next door neighbors, but mailed just the same.

Stores closing early on Christmas Eve and not opening at all Christmas day.

Elvis Presley singing Blue Christmas on the hi-fi.

The touch of my mother's hand before falling asleep to music emanating out of a black, lacquer jewel box with a tiny card tucked inside signed Love Daddy.

Staying up late with Cat Daddy, watching White Christmas while drinking Champagne and reading "Some assembly required".

To Be Continued....

Forgive me y'all this bit of nostalgia, but I have to get this down for my baby girls before the memories get too distant to recall.

PSA's

I realized this morning it's been a week since I last posted. To tell you the truth...the open house just about did me in. It's heck getting old!

I really don't have anything earth shattering to talk about today...so you know what that means doncha? Yeah...one of those long, rambling posts that are all over the place. What's that called...oh yeah...SQUIRREL ALERT!

First order of business is to let y'all know the Pennies For Preemies Pay Pal button is now on mine and Jenn's blogs. Donations are coming in and from the bottom of my heart...thank you. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but in addition to taking things to the parents in the NICU, we're also planning on taking cookies to the hospital staff working Christmas day. These wonderful folks give up Christmas with their families to take care of ours. I truly believe there is a special place in Heaven for health care workers...especially those in the nursing field. Their hearts must be the size of Texas! Just a reminder Debra will be shaking things up in the ol' snow dome home. Starting tomorrow, VIF will be all about getting glittered (as opposed to liquored) up for the holidays. I for one cannot wait to see all the inspiration flowing from my monitor! Would you believe I haven't hung a single silver bell or dangled any icicles? Maybe I'll just print out all y'alls lovely images and scotch tape 'em all over the house!

Y'all know there are all kinds of crazy shopping this weekend with Christmas open houses everywhere! If you can't find somewhere special to go for inspiration...you're just not looking in the right places! I'm planning on attending the Red Shed's for a little merrymaking and shopping. The girls never fail to deliver tons of opportunities to spend money and the shop is so much prettier to look at than Walmart! Maybe I'll see you there?

I'm gonna tell you something now, but you gotta promise to keep it a secret just between us...'kay? It's only 'cause I love you that I'm telling you this, but I have insider information that there will be sale at W&T's on Saturday. I KNOW!!! Crazy talk huh? I got it from the most reliable source...the Head Elfette herself! If you're in the area (Canton is only a mere 25 miles away)...come on buy...I mean by!

OK y'all...gotta run! Santa's workshop is calling my name. BTW...Daphne has photos up from the open house if you'd like to see more...it's gorgeous. Psst...I stole this one from her...don't tell her!