baby it's cold outside...

We've been having fun with Cora's first cold this week...the resulting lack of sleep resulted in me trying to lock my office door (that only locks from the inside) with my car keys this week.

No, not the key part, the remote lock part.

Adventures in babysitting...,

J-Man and I having cocoa together...

and A-O rolling under the footstool...

oh well...1 out of 2 isn't bad.  

wait...don't I have a baby around here somewhere...hmmm.

this is why we can't be friends: nickname

Chatting with Andy online today...we are chatting about what meal we should fix to take over to my sister's for dinner on Tuesday...

Andy:

yep, sounded great

maybe we could make Italian beef sandwiches for MSJA

me:  

maybe

i emailed ash for the recipe

Andy:

we should come up with an acronym for them, like SOhJAM

 

JASMOH

me

i'll let you work on that

Andy

ASMOHJ

me

you are weird

Andy

your face is weird

 

this is why we can't be friends..

I'm special.

So I have my blog set up so that when I post a blog it sends me an email.  It is mostly so when I post from my phone I can be sure it works, etc.

So literally everytime I post a blog I hit "publish"

then usually pretty much immediately notice I have a new email and think..."huh I wonder who that is from"

then I look at it and learn:

yes. it is from me.  remember? I just published a blog.  

Seriously, this happens every time.

but not this time..this time I'm ready for it....mwuuaaa ha ha.  I got you good automatic blogger email!

i go to college: trophy

Jancey's find this morning on her way in to the office:

"Because if I had a truck I'd definitely have a trophy in the bed"

Maybe they were anticipating a victory on their last final?

and why wouldn't this fit inside the truck?

SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.

I'll have a blue Christmas....

I would like the thank the state of Kansas for sending me tips on how to "Avoid the Holiday Blues".  In an effort to pay it forward I am sharing their thoughts....along with some of my own plans to incorporate their suggestions:

What Causes Holiday Blues?

Many factors can cause the “holiday blues” - stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s family and friends (or the inability to get away from one's family -- just kidding family of mine...or am i???). The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension (and people emailing you about having the holiday blues...that certainly can't help..). People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, e.g., headaches, excessive drinking (it's the holidays all year long for me, if this is the case...), over-eating (it's like they are talking just to me!!!), and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let down after January 1st (these people are clearly forgetting the most exciting holiday EVER -- KANSAS DAY ON JANUARY 29TH.). This can result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded with excess fatigue and stress (and built up anticipation for KANSAS DAY).

Eliminate the Blues This Year:

Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set realistic goals. Organize your time and prioritize the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Do not put your entire focus on just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day).  Remember, it is a season of holiday sentiment and activities can be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.

I will do this.  Realistic goal number 1: stop reading emails offering me "tips"   2: Prioritize by opening all of my gifts first.  3: try not to be especially happy on Christmas to avoid the let down.
 
Remember, the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely.  There is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.

Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean I can't be sad if someone ate the last cookie that I wanted for myself.
 
Leave “yesteryear” in the past, and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its’ own way. Don’t set yourself up for comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”

Hmm. I guess no room for thoughts like "remember when I was a little kid and I woke up Christmas morning and was so excited to see that Santa had come and all the presents under the tree"  NEIN, no place for that at Christmas.

Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some time to help others.

Can I count this courteous posting?


Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends, or contact someone you have not heard from for awhile.

This suggestion is silly.  I hate making new friends. I think I'll just ignore this one. 

NO WAIT -- what if I just give my current friends new names????  If I call you something different next time I see you this is what is going on.

Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries!  Let others share in the responsibility for the holiday activities.

Yea, let others share the responsibility.   Buy yourself presents - - I'm getting a massage.

i go to college: finals

It's finals week on campus.  Let the procrastination begin...

case 1:  ag ambassador alerx was in my office just now....trying diligently to figure out how best to make the 8 Harry Potter movies fit into the 5 days this week...

For those of you procrastinating right now...here are some of my favorite December posts of blogs gone by:

  

Throwback to my finals days

the birth of hmmm. interesting

still don't get this...

why did i get married?

sorry boss, this was from a few years ago...

it is almost a burden being this funny...truly

Cora looks at me this way now...i'm beginning to think it isn't them...

I STILL HAVE FRED IN MY DESK!!

No, seriously, why did I get married?

enjoy...

oh you guys crack me up...

see, some people think i'm funny.

of course if you look at the picture below, she also finds me horrifying.  hmm.

do we add money to her college fund or her therapy fund?

Like mother, like daughter?

No, seriously. I feel like I have to stop myself from making this same face like 10 times a day.

It's like "what are you doing?" + "get away from me" + "you are horrifying me with your presence" + "I think you might be a zombie sent here to attack me" + "what could you possibly be thinking"