Mops, Socks, and Chardonnay: January 2009 Archives
Mary, my wife, significant other, promoter of good eating habits, the person I quit smoking for, and all around good egg, loves a bargain. Not just loves, cause when her blood is up and the moon is high she becomes almost feral in her pursuit of an extra 10% off a marked down duvet. Mortals, of which I am one, tremble in her presence, especially if we happen to be standing in between her and a clearance item.
One night just before Christmas, I mentioned, almost off hand and all too carelessly, that the Christmas lights might be in need of replacement, since they came from a time when people first marveled at the wonders of electricity. There were some rumors among the eldest of the family that these lights may have been passed down from the legendary hands of Edison himself, the Wizard of Menlo Park, and a man who always had an eye on the bottom line. Or maybe not. But they were old and at one point over the holidays I noticed that one or more strings were blinking on and off and this was a little disconcerting as they were not lights that were designed to blink.
It's been a busy holiday season which is now thankfully and regretfully ended. Thankfully, because much as we like our nephews, little demons of destruction that they are, it's a bit stressful for a couple of DINK's to entertain children. Well, it is for us anyway. Regretfully, because you never get to see as much of your family as one wishes when you don't live nearby. Well, Mary's family, anyhow. My family, on the other hand we've considered accepting a post to the Peace Corps and some equatorial hell hole in order to avoid them. Except we don't like excessive heat, humidity, voracious insects, questionable foodstuffs, questionable drinking water, and we really would miss cable. So the Peace Corps is out as well as ambassadorial appointments to any nations along the Tropic of Cancer (sorry Mr. President Elect Obama - maybe next term as long as it's a small and inconsequential European nation up for grabs).
All of the preceding is a long and fairly pathetic means of establishing the foundation for an excuse for why I haven't posted in three weeks. Sad, really. But we did partake in the festive holiday spirit and are now exhausted and broke. Not losing the house broke, just broken in mind and spirit. Man, kids are a handful! And expensive.
So, I'll get back on the stick and start posting a bit more frequently - I promise!
