Breaking news: Christmas is official

My Christmas muse in all his 80s glory


Since my childhood, I've connected Christmas with certain songs that have the power to jumpstart my holiday celebrations. When I was young, Raffi's Christmas album played during the drive to and from grandma's house. (Note: If you have kids, you've got to have Raffi. Forget the Wiggles and Barney and all those crazy talking creatures -- Raffi is the real deal). During my teen years, an addiction to country music introduced me to a whole new set of Christmas music (how can you not laugh during "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer?!), and since then, my holiday doesn't really begin until I hear this song.

And every year, as if by magic, the mellow voice of Skip Ewing comes pouring out of my car speakers and I end up with teary eyes and goosebumps that have nothing to do with the winter chill. Thanks to Prime Country on Sirius/XM, I was happily greeted with the song as I headed back to the office after lunch.

After all this time, I haven't quite figured out what about this song touches me so deeply, but there's a part of me that waits in giddy anticipation until I hear it, even if it's the day (or two) before Christmas. It doesn't get any less meaningful as the years pass, and although the annual game of radio roulette might seem like an odd tradition, it's one I'll always carry with me as long as Skip's touching composition continues to grace the airwaves.

"She said my name is Christmas Carol/I was born on Christmas Day/I don't know who my daddy is/And mommy's gone away/All I want for Christmas is someone to take me home/Does anyone want a Christmas Carol of their own?"

The confessional

Sometimes, I get tired of writing.

A new kind of logic?

While fueling my car during today's balmy 8 degree temperatures, I looked across the street to the desolate car wash and noticed a man. washing. his. car. Seriously? It's worth that much to you? Hope the shininess of your automobile magically converts itself to money when you contract pneumonia and have sky-rocketing medical bills.

Happy winter, indeed.

Between the covers

A detailed and intriguing essay/review of what's left behind in the pages of books, whether purposeful or not.

Winter blahs already?

I am in a severe and as-yet-unexplainable funk. My glass of eggnog is definitely looking half-empty, and only one week away from Christmas? This just won't do. Time to channel all of my inner holiday cheer and start the weekend off right. Of course, those pesky deadlines are screaming at me from the deeper recesses of my mind. Back to work, I suppose. Perhaps the small thrill of crossing things off my to-do list will help me rejoin the ranks of the perpetual optimists.

The triumph of tulle

So I finished stitching my skirt just in time for hair/makeup before Saturday night's festivities. The occasion? A Hollywood red carpet birthday celebration for the lovely JoAnna, which called for glamorous attire or a film-inspired ensemble. After much debate, I chose to channel my love of dramatic makeup, black clothing and Satan (kidding!) to portray, literally, one of my favorite movies:

Armed with 10 yards of black tulle, black elastic and my newly purchased Project Runway materials, I set out to make a skirt to add some couture-like glamour to my outfit. The result?


My left hand is blocking the "Prada" sticker that Rob was kind enough to hand-letter for me before the party. I was, literally, the Devil wearing Prada ... or, truthfully, Express, Old Navy and Target. Ha! The skirt proved entertaining on its own, as Cherryh demonstrates. A good time was had by all, and my crafting confidence has been buoyed by my first foray into fashion. Now all I need is a sewing machine . . .

Channeling my inner designer

Who knew JoAnn's Fabrics had picked up the product license for one of my favorite shows? I'm channeling my inner Christian in order to construct a tulle skirt for a themed party tomorrow night. I'll let you know later (with pictures!) if I'm in .... or out.

Kisses!

An unexpected loss

What an unspeakable tragedy and a huge loss for the Kansas City media community. Thoughts and prayers to all of those who were blessed to know, work with and love such an amazing talent.

Wisdom of "The Wire"

A quote from season three of "The Wire" so perfect that I made Rob pause and rewind the segment so I could copy it down. In case you feel my pain, feel free to write this on your mirror, or repeat it to yourself throughout the day ... heck, it'd make a great t-shirt, too.

"Middle management means that you have just enough responsibility you gotta listen when people talk but not so much that you can tell people to go f*ck themselves." -- Major Bunny Colvin

Sweet, sweet justice

Image courtesy of www.sallyshoppingtrips.co.uk via www.fabulousfinancials.com


You may have surmised from my musings that I like to shop.

Yes, that's right. Hi, my name is Katy, and I'm a shopaholic. Becky Bloomwood, step aside.

In fact, tales of my retail adventures are the stuff of anecdotes passed among friends (and spouses of friends.)

Yet thanks to this in-depth look at buying during a recession, I no longer have to feel guilty about what I feel are a select group of long-term investments. The bills are paid, the savings are building, and I'm simply seizing a "'...rare opportunity in any consumer's lifetime.'" Despite the fact that the story unfairly focuses on the glorious buys to be made in menswear, I'd like to think it translates to women's fashion and other desirable retail categories.

So. Who wants to go shopping? And none of that online stuff for me ... well, with the exception of the previously mentioned Kenneth Cole Reaction bag. Carrie Bradshaw said it best when she announced "Shopping is my cardio."

And baby, it's time to break a sweat.

On my radar

An increased workload has kept me at home more than usual for the last several months, but I become even more of a homebody in the winter. I prefer to watch the snow accumulate as opposed to driving in it, and as long as I have good books, yummies and the rest of my hibernating family, I'm comfortable in my seasonal hermit crab status.

So, as my literary consumption continues to climb (as does my desire to make stuff), I thought I'd share what's keeping me entertained:

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Craving a trip to France for some shopping, exploring and, of course, eating/drinking? Fret not about the struggling dollar-to-euro exchange rate and instead explore the city through the eyes of illustrator and writer Lucy Knisley. "French Milk" is a drawn journal that combines illustrations, text and photos in an appealing, can't-put-down format that made me unbelievably jealous of Lucy's one-month Parisian sabbatical with her mom. Of course, Rob is thrilled that my love of graphic novels is slowing growing. I'm just terribly, terribly picky, so I'm dying to see what Lucy will publish next.

Baltimore skyline; Image courtesy of GreenwichMeanTime.com

It may take me awhile to jump on a bandwagon, but when I do, it's with both feet and energy to spare. I finally let Rob (with the help of the lovely Dana) talk me into starting "The Wire" ... and I'm obsessed. We just started season 3, and although I still have problems following all of the characters and the gritty situations/dialogue, I'm consumed with guessing future plot points and lamenting over the untimely (and often gruesome) deaths of several of the characters. Thank goodness I've got something to get me through the cancellation of Lipstick Jungle (thanks, NBC) and through the draught that is Periods Of Time That Occur Meaninglessly In Between Seasons of Mad Men.

In other news ...

Check out my new bag! I'm super excited -- I've been on the hunt for a chic yet functional messenger bag for quite some time, and thanks to one of my new favorite blogs, I saved 42 percent during a one-day sale. Gotta love a bargain!

If you haven't been to this charming and adorable Westport boutique, what are you waiting for? I'm already planning my return trip for more craft supplies, accessories and other delightful pretties. If I owned a shop, I would hope it looked half as inviting and stylish as this!

And for the final speed summary ...

Kudos to these ladies (one of whom is a wonderful friend!) for keeping themselves (and their families) on the track to financial, mental, physical and spiritual success. Looking forward to tackling this for the first meeting of an as-yet-unnamed book club started by the fabulous T-Canz, and congratulations to Cherryh, Christen and Victor on an overseas trip that united them with a priceless gift.

With that, I'm off. The sardonic and compelling voice of this study in teen angst is calling me. Besides, it's frickin' freezing in here. Is it normal to drag comforters around with you throughout your entire apartment? Didn't think so.