Something like an annual review

Things that have amused me this year:

The Periodic Table of Awesoments
Chuck Norris (I know. That happens EVERY year.)
Being the proxy for Rae's swearing so she doesn't have to pay herself
Boo's McGuyver Moment
Gwen and her scrapping skillz
Alisa's writing. <--I'd link you but she's protected the blog.
Molly's observations about motherhood
Zeitgeist
Facebook
Twitter
Your Mom
My Mom
Life
The Universe
Everything

Hey hey! Look at this!

Dear World:

No matter what you do, do *not* introduce your parents to Skype or webcams. You will spend the REST OF YOUR LIFE *watching* them make hotel reservations, critique your study habits and offer advice. When you're listening, at least you can multi-task!

Yes, I realize it's an awesome program. Yes, I know it's connectivity and that it's thrilling for them to see their grandbaby. Yes, I know that it's free. Yes, I know that seeing your parents is valuable but it will SUCK YOUR LIFE AWAY.

This is my advice, dear world. Just think about what I've said.


Lovingly,

Steph

Ah, the reactions I cause.

This is what C. looks like when I talk to her about life, the Universe and everything.

Winter and ovens

It's that time of year. The time of year when the sun does a quick curtsy every day and usually that's behind the clouds. So I go into my kitchen and remove the dial from the oven so later, when my head is inside, I won't be able to easily accomplish my goal.

I know this is being glib about suicide. I apologize to those who may be offended by it. But I'm only mostly kidding.

People often ask me why I live in Missoula. My answers are family, summers and 'have you seen a picture of where I live?'. They ask that, however, when I'm weeping into the phone and the sound is reverberating around the oven. Without fail, these calls happen between December and February. Here, in the wonderful mountains, fog and clouds often stay for days during those months. From my south-facing bedroom windows, I can literally watch the crescent of the sun as it breaks over the mountains and, seven hours later, falls back behind them. When I can actually see it I burn out my retinas by watching it in lustful thrall for those hours. All of them. Praying it will take me through the next three or four thousand million years where I can't see or feel it.

I know, I know. Melodrama. But you know what? That's how I feel! I just wanted to put it out there to remind me and to tell all of the others I know are close, "Take your head out of the oven, go to Home Depot buy a lamp and a full-spectrum light. Shine it directly into your mug every day for 10 minutes at breakfast. We'll make it until March."

On meandering though the weeds.

I know my blog posts have been few and far between lately. I promise it's just me loving you. You don't need to hear my Emo-Teen-Starving-Artist-Angsty-Whoa-Is-Me-Blah-Blah posts. Truly. The other day I was writing about them and my diary actually yawned.

Yes, it's that bad.

Tonight I spent some time setting up my lights for Christmas and decorating for my second Christmas in my own place. Last year didn't count because I was living with Laurie and Tom, who had a huge home filled with Laurie's lifelong Christmas acquisitions and I didn't even bother to contribute anything other than a pie.

As my lights were going up and I was getting the corner ready for the tree I'll go cut down tomorrow, I was touched by the sweet memories of all my friends. I laughed thinking about blog posts for my birthday--I loved that! I chuckled at the funny ideas we've had, for instance the huge house in Savannah that Amber & I will eventually buy where we will sit on our front porch and shoot puppies and men at our leisure from our rocking chairs. I cried at our losses this year.* It has not been a good year for us, as a whole. Then was the moment to think about all the love we've shared in the wake of our losses. And for that, my friends, I'm truly thankful.

Now, here's to the holidays, singletons, loving each other and (Please, Dear God) a better 2009.



*Which, amazingly, is also the point where I took my PROZAC and decided to chill the hell out.