Month of December, 2005

Christmas 2005

Merry Christmas! Yes, I disappeared for the holidays. Simply too much going on and no desire to spend any time in front of a computer.

The holidays started last week when my parents arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday night. Unfortunately I ate seafood for lunch on Tuesday and apparently got something bad. I spent all day Wednesday in bed. Luckily it was only a light case of food poisoning. I went about 36 hours before I was ready to eat again, but by Thursday night I was back to normal. On Wednesday, these beautiful flowers from Chris arrived, just in time for the holiday. It was wonderful to have fresh flowers around the house!

It really began to feel like Christmas when Kristen and Chris showed up in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. It was so fun having them around! We spent a lot of time around the house relaxing and a fair amount of time shopping. Of course there was lots of eating, too. Mom is such a good cook - we all enjoyed it a lot!

It was fun to spend Christmas where it is warm and sunny! The highs were in the 70's and the lows in the 40's. Everyday while the family was here was sunny and beautiful. We spent plenty of time with the windows open and even did the traditional Christmas puzzle out on the porch. Christmas day entailed far too many presents but it sure was a lot of fun! We are so spoiled.

The only downside to Christmas was that Karen and Jason couldn't be with us. They were in Germany together. We sent gifts and talked on the phone, but it wasn't the same. Unfortunately, Sophie, Karen's dog, wasn't in good health this year. She had surgery on Tuesday and hopefully is on the way to recovery.

Tuesday was Chris' 29th birthday. Kristen made it an Irish themed birthday so Chris got a shamrock-shaped cake and lots of Irish and Notre Dame gifts. Tuesday night the "kids" went out bowling and had a blast. It's neat to see how much fun Kristen and Chris have together. I'm so happy they are happy.

Now things are wrapping up and everyone will celebrate the new year apart. Kristen and Chris went back to California yesterday. I'm back at work today. Mom and Dad will go back to Texas tonight. I'm so lucky that they were all here to spend the holiday with me. It's been a wonderful Christmas.

Box for Tiger's Ashes

This is the box Chris and I were working on a couple weekends ago. Chris has it almost complete and sent me this photo. Isn't it beautiful?

Thank you, Chris, for all your help.

- Top & bottom of the box is curly maple (sometimes called Tiger maple).
- Sides of the box are MDF maple & purpleheart veneer.
- Construction is mitre and glue.

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Holiday Party

Saturday night was my holiday party for work. It was at the Camelback Inn, which was very nice. There was a sit-down dinner and the food was quite good! The turnout was pretty amazing and everyone was in good spirits. Kii was the perfect date - socializing with everyone and even dancing with me when I wanted to dance.

The whole weekend was extremely laid back. We saw The Chronicles of Narnia and Forty-year old Virgin. Both very different movies, but both entertaining.

I still don't have heat in my house, but the repairman is on the roof right now working on the heater. Please, please, please let him fix it today!

Mom and Dad arrive tomorrow (all the more reason for heat) to start the holidays. I'm really looking forward to spending time with them. Our schedule is incredibly busy this week - lots of socializing and shopping on the agenda - but next week will be more relaxed with Kristen and Chris around. Just heard from Karen and Jason - they're in Venice having a lovely time. I'm so happy for them, but I still with they were here.

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New Years Eve

What are your plans for New Years Eve?

Will it be a big night out at a club? Or quiet evening at home with the family? Maybe you'll be attending a house party and just hang with friends? Will you have dinner out or stay in? Will you drink too much? Will you make resolutions? Will you get kissed at midnight? What do you think it will be like?

When I was in college, New Years Eve was always a big production. It was a big night of partying. It didn't necessarily mean there was a lot of planning involved; things just evolved. My best memories of New Years Eve have always been in Austin. There's something magical for me in that city as the year changes. It all started in my first year in college (1995) when Summer and I stayed with Joey. The whole weekend surrounding New Years was incredible and I most certainly fell in love. His name was Gabe. It was forbidden love (complicated at the time, very silly in retrospect), but we kissed for New Years. It was bliss.

Later on in college, once I was old enough to drink, Autumn and I made our yearly trek to Austin on New Years Eve. We always ended up on Sixth Street, where there are dozens of bars to choose from. It typically didn't matter which bar we ended up at as long as we were together. I have a lot of fond memories of those various New Years, but the exact numbers and order get muddled in my mind. It probably doesn't matter it's the memories that cound. I remember the year we partied with Kris and Taylor. They had just moved into their apartment in south Austin. I work high heels with fur on the toes. We drank at the Aqua Lounge where the bartender would spit fire. There was the year I got a speeding ticket between Kerrville and Austin on a little two lane highway. I think that same year we met up with Chris and Cody, but not until well after midnight. There was the year of the new millenium and there were so many people in the streets I thought I was going to get trampled. There was the year we drank at the Blind Pig and Autumn argued with a "friend" all night long. I remember being particularly sober that year and having a conversation with another sober stranger about herding cats after the bars closed.

Kris was also a regular fixture at New Years Eve. How many years in a row did we end up spending together? I can't remember, but I think maybe last year was the first time we didn't spend it together. Kris was often with Autumn and I in Austin. One year, Kris and I celebrated in a mansion in Dallas. A friend was dating a millionare and we got invited to the party. It was fabulous yet I felt distinctly out of place at the same time. Another year, we spent a very relaxed New Years Eve at Kris' house drinking champagne, eating chocolate covered strawberries, and watching Sex and the City.

This year's New Years Eve plans aren't set yet. I'll keep you posted.

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Reading

I've really enjoyed reading Mihow.com lately. Especially this post about an exhibit she saw and her follow up thoughts about it.

I've also been enjoying Dooce.com and her sarcasm. Especially this post about driving.

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Christmas Lights at Erica's House

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Last weekend in Dallas

Last weekend I went back to Dallas for work then got the opportunity to see my parents and Chris. Thursday and Friday were meetings at the Dallas office. It was nice to see all my coworkers and hear that everyone is doing so well.Friday night was the holiday party for the office. It was fantastic - good food, good music, a great MC, and lots of happiness! A huge improvement over the previous year's party. Chris picked me up from the party and we went to his Friday night hangout, The Sport Dog. (What a strange name for a bar.) I barely made it through two drinks before I begged to go to bed.

Saturday Chris had to work so I took the time to get a haircut and see my parents. Ana, my hairdresser, is so wonderful to keep fitting me in whenever I come into town. Mom and Dad are as busy as ever between their work and social lives. We had lunch together and caught up on things. Then Mom and I went to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping. We didn't really get much done, but we really enjoyed being together.

Saturday night, Chris took me out. It was a surprise until I went to pick him up from work and his boss spilled the beans. It was absolutely hilarious because his boss had no idea it was a secret. We all had a good laugh and even though it wasn't a secret any longer, the evening was perfect. Chris took me to The Gaylord Texan. There we ate dinner at Ama Lur, which servers contemporary southwestern cuisine. Everything was fantastic including the waiter helping us turn our table so we wouldn't feel like we were sitting a mile apart from each other. After dinner, we saw ICE!, which is an exhibit of hand carved ice sculpture. That description really doesn't do it justice. It's like a village of ice all decorated and lit beautifully. It is this gigantic area (the website says it's 14,000 square foot) that they keep at 9 degrees. That's cold. So before you go in, they give you a big coat! I wore it over the coat I was already wearing and was plenty warm. The whole exhibit was amazing and we had a very lovely time going through it.

Sunday Chris and I worked in his wood shop together. We were making a box for Tiger's ashes. Unfortunately we didn't complete it, but we had a great time. (Murphy's law is that everything takes longer than you think it will.) Before we knew it, the day was gone and I was getting on a plane back to Phoenix. All in all, a great weekend.

View the set of pictures.

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Cold

I'm cold. Granted, I'm in Phoenix, so it's not really that bad. Just mildly annoying at first and now growing into great annoyance because it's been so long. My house has been without heat for 2 1/2 weeks. I'm writing this because I'm not pleased with the service I've gotten from my home warranty company, First American Home Warranty, nor the contractor in Phoenix, Service Time Air Conditiong and Heating. I figure it's best for me to tell the Internet how unhappy I am with their service rather than let loose on some poor customer service rep on the phone.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, it got cold enough in Phoenix from me to turn on the heat. Unfortunately the heat didn't come on. Bad sign. On November 28th, I called my home warranty company, First American, and filed a claim. They said they would assign a claim to Service Time and I should hear from them soon to make an appointment. But I didn't. Unless two days later is considered soon. On Wednesday, November 30th, I was annoyed that I didn't hear from them so I called Service Time. They said they didn't have a claim from First American so they couldn't schedule an appointment with me. I called First American and they said they already sent the claim to Service Time. (He said, she said.) I asked that they send it again. A couple hours later, Service Time called to make an appointment. The earliest they could come was Friday, December 2nd. Already, I'm not real pleased at that service...call on Monday but no one comes until Friday.

On Friday the service guy from Service Time was great. He was very nice and communicated clearly and quick! Unfortunately he couldn't fix it because he needed a part. So, I'm told Service Time will call me when they get the part in. Another three days (THREE DAYS) go by without me hearing from them. On Wednesday, I call Service Time to see what is taking so long. They said they haven't gotten approval from First American to order the part. OMG! So I call First American and they say they already gave approval. They provided me with an approval number, I ask they send it to Service Time again, and then I call Service Time with the freaking approval number. Then I went to Dallas where I was blissfully distracted by staying at warm places to even remember that I didn't have heat at my house.

On Monday, December 12th, I finally learn that the heating repair company has the part, but they can't come out until Wednesday to put it in. I should have raised hell at that point, but what's another two days? Now, today, they come to my house, put in the part, and find out they need another part before the heat will really work. OMG. I'm so tired of being cold. They say they'll get the part "as soon as possible" but considering how quickly everything else has happened, I don't have a lot of faith. I'm so very angry right now I could just scream. Or cry.

*Disclaimer: In the summer when my air conditioning didn't work, I used both First American Home Warranty and Service Time to get it fixed. After a two day wait to get someone out to look at the a/c, the technician was able to fix it in about an hour. That time both companies provided results therefore I was really pleased with the service. *

**Update: Today (12/15) I was told they can get the part and put it in on Monday 12/19. That will make it officially three weeks since I first requested service. **

***Update: Today (12/19) My heater is finally working!! The third visit from a repair person did the trick! I'm really looking forward to going home to a warm house.***

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Last weekend

I'm not doing a very good job documenting all my activities. I guess that means I'm having too much fun to stop and document. Oh well, here's my attempt at catching up.

Friday, December 2nd, Kii and I went to the Dodge Theater to see Kanye West for his Touch the Sky tour. The show was incredible. I really liked the stage set. The musicians were in screened boxes and were mostly back lit. Kanye and his main singers were in the front. It made for a really nice clearly defined show. I was surprised at how well-behaved the crowd was. I think everyone just wanted to enjoy themselves and be happy. Kanye brings out happiness in people.

Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th, Kristen came into Phoenix to visit! We spent time shopping, decorating the house for Christmas, and talking. It was really great to hang out with her and get her all to myself! I miss having her around so much. She's such a good friend. I wish we still lived together, but I am so happy that she's happy with Chris.

Saturday night, Kristen, Kii, and I went to the APS Electric Light Parade. It's a holiday parade put on by the electric company. There were tons and tons of vehicles and floats absolutely covered in Christmas lights! It was very fun and definitely helped put me in the holiday mood.

On Sunday, Kristen and I put up Christmas lights on my house. It's been a tradition for years to put up lights on LucciHouse so we're just transferring the tradition to Erica's house. I'm one of the few houses on the street with lights, but I've certainly been enjoying them. Seeing them on makes me really, really happy. Later in the day, Kristen and I went to Kii's house where we helped decorate Kii's saguaro cactus. Before I knew it, Kristen had to go back to the airport. Her visit was short, but really, really nice. It made for a fantastic weekend.

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Snow in Arizona

If you want snow in Arizona, it will cost you. (I don't, but apparently people do.) Arizona Iceman has snowmaking equipment that can deliver snow to your front yard for $150 a ton. Apparently a ton of snow is approximately what fits in the back of a pickup truck.

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Luminaria

Pictures from November 30 when Kii took me to Las Noches de las Luminarias. It was beautiful (and chilly). It put me in the holiday spirit!

View the set.

Autumn & Ky

The latest picture of Autumn and Ky.

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Things on my mind

Peppers - I'm obsessing about peppers right now. I simply can't eat enough. I'm planning whole meals around peppers, specifically jalapenos (out of a jar) and pepperoncinis. Yesterday at lunch I ate Subway so I could get jalapenos on my sandwich. Last night I made scrambled eggs so I could put jalapenos in them. I'm still not satisfied. Anyone have any suggestions?

Girls Club - I've never really been part of a girls club. I think I'm more of a one-one-one type person and fit pretty well in the boys club. (Or I used to.) In elementary school I was friends with two girls, Melody and Melanie. Three makes a club, right? So I guess I was part of one once. In junior high, I don't remember, because I'm trying to block the whole experience out. (Except for the part where Tim and I held hands for the first time in the back of the school van.) In high school, I hung out with mostly guys. My "club" was with guys. One of my friends' mom's used to joke that I was the leader of an all boys gang. HA! In college, things became very one-on-one for me. I forged friendships with individuals rather than a group. In the past few years I'd say the same is true. I had girlfriends in Dallas, but I was never really apart of the "girls club." So I guess I've never really bee in the girls club. I wonder what this says about my ability to socialize in groups.

Visiting Dallas - I'm going to Dallas on Thursday. I've got some business in the office to do then I'll be attending the office's holiday party Friday night. Naturally I'll be staying for the weekend so I can see family and friends. Oh, and get a haircut. I can't seem to give up my hairdresser in Arlington so I keep going. I just don't want to find a new one after all these years (almost 5)!

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