And to all a good-night.

PS2 from ToysRUs: $130

HotShots Golf 4 from used video game store: $15

Gas for the RV to make it from MO to CA: to depressing to report

Watching my mom unwrap her favorite gift: priceless

Strike and Turkey

I had just finished reading Adam #1's blog about the writer's strike, which includes a fantastic video you should all check out, when the following conversation ensued:

R: I know smoking's bad and all, but some people just look cool with a cigarette hanging from their lips.
B: No way. No one looks cool.
R: Some do! Not everyone, just a select few. Like that hot guy off of CSI - he was just smoking in this video clip and he looked cool.
B: I don't agree.
R: Oh yeah? What about James Dean?
B: (silence)
R: (sitting smugly, having just proved a point)
B: Yeah, I guess....kind of like that one singer every one's crazy about right now.
R: (blank look)
B: You know, the bad boy one....
R: (confused look, racking my brain for singers who may smoke)....John Mayer?
B: No, not him! You know, the one who's dead...
R: (still confused) Johnny Cash?
B: (losing patience) No! The one you can never understand!
R: Bob Dylan?!
B: Yes! That one!
R: Yeah - not dead. Nice try, though.
B: Well, whatever...he looks cool with a cigarette.
R: Exactly.

Introducing...

...RILEY! And that's how you have to say her name - you shout it. Because she's pretty excited to be here. And about having a new friend. And about being a puppy. And about life. Yeah, she's pretty excited. We're dog sitting her for a friend over Christmas. Thus far she and Mia get along great, although I think Mia's worn out by all the playing. As am I. If a puppy is this hard, what must a baby be like?!

Christmas pest...er....pets.

Ben and I left town for 36 hours and returned to this:

This is the lone casualty:

We think these guys are going to make it:

Apparently while we were gone Alley Oop decided to climb the Christmas tree. And since she's put on a few pounds since coming to California....well....TIMBER. One might ask why we blame Ally. The answer's quite simple, really, as she was the only possibility. Once home I realized I had accidentally shut Dexter up in our bedroom. The poor fella had to go without food, water, and a litter box while we were gone. He ended up taking care of his business of Mia's ladybug costume. I'm glad to report we're getting things back in order and everyone is still alive and well. No need to call the Humane Society or anything. Really. Even after you see this picture:

Now, Mia LOVES Christmas and Starbucks.

Christmas with the folks....

Gwyn (my mom's friend): Do ya'll like eggnog?
Ben: I don't, but Robin might.
Me: I don't know...I tried a latte flavored with eggnog and it wasn't so great.
Mom: Well, I wouldn't think so! I like mine ice cold with some good rum in it!

Let the merry making begin!

Two weeks of school, one week of finals, 30 pages of final papers, 35 hours of grading papers and watching student video tapes, one mind numbing final exam, two Christmas parties, one surprise birthday party, one Lemon Warhead football party, one Lakers game, eight varieties of candy and cookies baked, assembled, and passed out to neighbors and friends, one taping of American Gladiators elimination round, and...I'm BACK!