So Quiet.

Hey friends.

It's is practically silent at our house right now. I occasionally hear the kitties wrestling and playing, and I can hear the fridge running and--of course--the sound of my typing, but that's it.
Why so quiet? Well, my mom came and got The Geej so they could spend a few days together while school's out. BH and I both have to work tomorrow and Tuesday, and I also have to work 1/2 a day on Wednesday. I took advantage of being Geej-free yesterday to do laundry, run errands, do a tiny bit of shopping, get a pedicure, and see a movie ("Let The Right One In"--meh). Today I slept late, did MORE shopping, saw another movie ("Milk"--excellent), wrapped presents, and ate Tom Kha w/tofu.

One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of from these past two days? I reclaimed the bread box for its rightful purpose--holding bread. For as long as I can remember, the bread box has been like the defacto "junk drawer" that's in every kitchen in America. There was all kinds of crap in there--koozies, play-dough containers, batteries, old birthday cards, a charger for a cellphone I haven't had in three years. You get the idea. Well now all that's in there is a half-gone loaf of multigrain bread, which for some reason, gives me great peace.

Tomorrow's big tasks (besides going to work, of course) is to clean up The Geej's room (it's a freakin' disaster area right now) and get a grocery shopping list together for Christmas Eve dinner. It's just going to be the four of us--BH, Geej, my mom and me--but we're doing a traditional holiday dinner with all the fixins. And I'm also making a breakfast casserole thingie for Christmas morning b/c I KNOW The Geej will be up at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought.

Speaking of, she keeps adding to her Christmas list. Today she told me she wants a pink iPod, a puppy, a guitar, a kitchen, and a puppy. Um...yeah. I don't think Santa's going to be able to get all that at this late date.

It's been VERY hard shopping for BH's boys F and J. I just have NO idea what to get for an almost 9 and 14 year old boys. Zero. I've asked BH for input at least 50 times, but he's been little help. I'm tempted to get the 14 yr. old a 6 pack of PBR and a subscription to Penthouse, but I'm really stumped for ideas for the 8 yr. old. Ideas from you guys are more than welcome.

Here's a kitteh update (since I know you're dying for one):

Doug ate several keys off my laptop this week--the Alt, X, C, and F3. He is also very curious about people food--something that never interested Earl in the least. Like a good big brother, Doug worries if he doesn't know where Diane is, and will walk around crying for her until he finds her. This week he discovered the joy of sleeping in a sunbeam as well as the wonders of the sink. He's proving to be the more chill of the two and is turning into quite the lover bear.

Diane has gas. It's really unusual for cats to be gassy, but this little gal can clear a room. She also has a total crush on BH, and clearly prefers him to me. Whereas Doug doesn't mind being picked up, Diane can't stand it and will squirm like crazy if held. She's the more aggressive of the two, picking fights and doing sneak attacks on poor Doug. She also has what BH calls "Sponge Bob Eyes" meaning they're big and sort of comically irresistable.

I am so in love with them, it's not funny. I love that one minute they're practically MURDERING each other, and the next, they're totally spooning and sacked out. I love that they have very distinct personalities. What I'm NOT loving is how frequently I'm having to scoop the litterbox. Yowzah.

I hope all of your pre-holiday craziness isn't too crazy. Right now I'm enjoying the fact that it actually feels like winter out there (it's 35 degrees) as opposed to yesterday when it was in the upper 70s. I'm also enjoying the quiet because, like this cold weather, I know it won't last very long.

Ho ho ho, freaks.