I like US magazine. I picked up on it in grad school - pizza, US, and Britcom - total vegetation on Friday nights.

Anyway, all the people in there are pretty. As Shawen points out, I compare myself to them, all of our imperfections, an egotistical narcissistic indulgence of mine (do I have it right Shawen?).

At the pool today I was sizing myself up in the smaller suit I dug out. I am not a pillar of physical perfection, but I am happier and more content than some of those rich pretty folks. Just because you have a nice body and 300 facebook friends doesn't mean you are happy and get to have hot sex.

I have been busy painting the kitchen, or at least grumbling about painting the kitchen. The color I picked out, Pelican Bluff, ended up being "urple" on the walls (lavender, with a touch of urgh, like Barney barfed). We took the paint back and had them create a custom color (aka, please dump some yellow in this). Shawen labeled it dysfunctional gray (because of my dysfunctional color picking out ability, etc.). I am dubbing it sick seashell.

No, really, it's a lovely neutral color (at least there is a color instead of white, and it's not gray, it has a touch of mauve, a tad of peach, a dollop of stormy cloud, or perhaps that's sapphire, with a hint of beige?). If I ever finish, I mean, when I finish in three days, perhaps you can come and see it.

AAhh! My eyes! What is that bright orb in the sky?! Oh wait, here Abby, quick, before it goes away. It's called "the sun". I remember it from my youth.

Did you know you can stretch your Achilles tendons? When Wai Lana says to do it, I try. She says "feel the renewed energy in your ...fill in the blank...." When she says that, I know she really means "you will feel pain later."

I can hear her chiding "work at your own level....be careful not to over do it", but it's hard when she makes it look so easy. I assure you, it is not easy! She just makes it appear that way.

Just breathe.

It's so cold when I get into bed. I wake up sweating because of all the blankets and cats piled on me though. I tried sleeping with Abby lately, but she stirs, I stir, she talks in her sleep....it hasn't seemed to work yet.

I feel like I should write an end of the year entry, but I think it would just end up being very long or ridiculously short.

This coming year I will keep reminding myself of last year's resolution - what was it?! Oh yes, have faith and let go of my anxieties (and maybe those around me will feel less anxious).

I have one for this year too - pura vida.

Popcorn, Dots, and chocolate - pre-holiday dinner. Yum.

Pizza - Christmas.

Chinese food -Boxing Day.

Turkey - it was free, cats love me.

Deer and salmon - another gift, a new year.

Thank you secret Santa.

Ice ice baby

I went on a walk Monday (yes, the horizontal rain day) on Near Island at Rotary Park. I was walking up the hill, which I claim to be the iciest spot on the island, thinking how I was planning on getting down, and just thought I would slide down on my butt like I did the last time. It was great fun.

So I go leave, and this time I start at the very top of the hill. I suddenly realize I am going VERY fast, and that the last time I had on my crampons which acted as breaks. I was not wearing crampons. I could not slow down, let alone stop. I grabbed at the ice and longingly looked at the blurry bushes as I passed.

I am still flying down the hill wondering what is going to stop me - a tree, a ditch with thorny notka roses, a tree (ouch)? I finally see that indeed it will be gravel. I tell myself to relax, no need to tense up right? I skidded to a stop, and realized I was ok. Woo hoo! That was fun!!! I then realized I ripped my only pair of rain pants and slightly sprained my ankle.

Good fun, not sure it was worth the rain pants though. I can't even pay the electric bill, let alone get another pair of rain pants. What's next? Oy.

Is there anything cuter than a sleeping baby?

Check out Abby's cornrows. I know, hard to see, but I got her to pause for second to get a photo.

Another fun day at work. I'm scooping up dirt so we can dismantle the diorama.

Pre-complaining

No complaining about the weather? No, it's been great! However, an arctic blast is headed our way, and alas I am not so gleeful about it for two reasons. First, it means I cannot fire the kiln, and I am scheduled to do so, which means Christmas gifts will be late. Second, brrrr. Urck.

"For now, though, the Tiger story has reached a natural stopping point. We can take some time over the holidays to breathe deep, stop wondering about how many more mistresses will come out of the woodwork, and -- thank you, heaven -- stop hearing lame Tiger jokes." From Tiger Words in the News: tabloid revelations and blind eyes by Jay Busbee. I read it on yahoo.

It's hard to see, but Abby got a fabulous hairdo at daycare.

I can't imagine why it's hard to photograph her.

Last night's appetizer.

Lately, harvesting local food has been a topic that has come up a bit. Not only did Inland Journeys just open at the museum (come and check it out), but a co-worker is a good hunter. In recent weeks he has given me deer tenderloins, ptarmie you see up above, red salmon, and potatoes from his garden. In the past he has given me goat, elk, halibut, various greens, rhubarb, amongst many other treats. He is very generous and I appreciate it immensely. I talk about going hunting. Fish I can off, I think most birds I could handle, but when it comes to cute furry things....oh those big eyes!

Abby's like her dad, she likes to watch TV. One of the shows she likes is Ni Hao Kai Lan, and instead of Ni Hao (hello in mandarin Chinese), Abby says Me-ow.

Put up a little fake Christmas tree. Even listened to Christmas music while doing it. Abby was bad the whole time, but has figured out it's only for looking at, not tearing apart.

No=Unhappy.

Yes=Happy.