The clinical term for my mental condition since December 20 or thereabouts, is holidazed. Bellas and fellas, I’ve been caught up in the season and the workload that goes with it. So sorry I’ve disappeared. Every week brings new things-to-do that have been keeping me away from this here blog.
The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, bonding, enjoying each others company, and making beautiful memories together.
That’s what my friend Onami and her sister Keiko did in Canada, where they made this remarkable snow person. Isn’t she gorgeous? Onami described her as “a colonial-times African lady with some traditional Mexican additions, like the flaming sacred heart on her chest.”
I don’t know about y’all, but my previous efforts at snow people wind up looking a lot more like Frosty the Bedraggled Snowman. Hats off to Onami and her sister Keiko for their ingenuity! I went to high school with both of these ladies, and they’ve always been so artistic and talented.
I spent the holidays in the company of my husband, our cat Max, and thanks to Skype and the magic of modern-day technology, we got to see our family members in Chicago, Las Vegas, and even in Trinidad, just for a moment. Next year we’ll be spending the holidays with some of them in person, but for this year, Skype really came through in terms of delivering that feeling of family bonding. Just to see my mom and dad and my two little nieces, was incredible.
In terms of gifts I got some great ones, including a Garmin GPS for my car (now hopefully I won’t have to call my husband wailing “baby, I’m lost!” anymore, when I venture into Broward County). I wanted The Slanket, but my husband went one better and got me the Brookstone Dream Blanket, which is the softest blanket ever. I’m in love with it!
My in-laws got me a bottle of shrub from Tait Farms, which some of you may recall, I mentioned a while back. And adore. And they got us an awesome vacuum cleaner robot that the cat is both terrified of and fascinated by.
The biggest gift I got for my husband was Rock Band 2 for the Wii, and every night ever since we’ve been getting in some musical therapy. We’ve been rocking out on songs like White Wedding and Give It Away (which I must say, I own. “What I got you gotta give it to your ma-ma!”).
And now Christmas has passed, the wrapping paper and boxes are all thrown away, and our once thriving tree now is getting that Charlie Brown lean. Another holiday season, another year, almost over and gone.
How did you spend your holiday? Did you get any gifts you especially love? Did you give any gifts you especially loved? Tell me!
1.That snow person has a fro’ I can tell it is the best thing ever!
It snowed this year in New Orleans. I made a snow man it was all of 2 feet. I need a person with a fro. It may snow again in 4 years hope I remember.
My sister got me tickets to see the Color Purple!
and I won CDs from Afrobella.com.
Oh Rock Band! My nephew got that for Christmas. Our whole family played that game nonstop. I took a break from spending this year and requested others do the same (my mom and boyfriend ignored this and got me a sweater and new gloves). I decided that I would just spend time with the fam, cook, and eat. I didn’t even miss the presents. My nephews birthday was on the 21st so I got him a digital camera but that was my only purchase this year. I made an extra car payment instead. A break from school and life was the greatest gift I could have possibly asked for.
I didn’t have a good Christmas but I like hearing stories of others.
That is the most amazing snow person I’ve ever seen!
I received a Canon Rebel XSi to replace my point and shoot (and an upgrade!) since the S.O. broke it.
And shamefully, my favorite gift was the full series DVD collection of Arrested Development. We’ve rented and watched the whole thing together already. It is endlessly entertaining, and I would highly recommend the series to just about anyone. Plus it’s available on Netflix, so you can try ’em out.
I love that snow person. She is OWNING her sno fro. Loves it.
WOW!! That snow lady is amazing. I LOVE the hair.
I didn’t give or get anything for Christmas. But I had a GREAT day just chilling with my sister and our dog. I cooked and ate a little too much. And was ELATED to turn on the television to find a First 48 marathon!!! It was a great day!! I will be working EXTRA hard at the Yoga/Pilates studio next week.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!
Bella, that snow woman is AMAAAAZINGGGG!!! Wow to be that talented 😉
I had a great Christmas. Spent time with the family and avoided questions of marriage and kids until I was putting my coat on to leave. For my family, that is a world record. LOL
I received the box set of the Wire (best show EVER), a Wii, a beautiful watch, a coat, money/gift cards (also known as Old Faithful…LOL), and a pair of tweety bird pajama pants in a size 2x (and I wear a size 10. Go figure! LOL)
The best gift of all was my godson snuggling up under me (after eating my food…LOL) with his toy and a blankie for a nap. awwww
I had a great Xmas with the family. My parents dragged me to a holiday party at their friend’s house in the BX. We compromised that I would attend a party with them for Xmas Eve since I will be spending NYE with my friends. I ended up getting a little drunker than I planned because the drinks tasted like straight up juice. LOL. My father gave me a really nice handbag (my first designer one yay), and my mother gave me a watch, lingerie, and really cute pjs. I met someone before Christmas, he’s awesome and incredible and much better than any present.
Christmas up this way was very quiet & cozy. I baked more cookies & nut/cinnamon breads than I ever have. They started out being ‘cheap homemade gifts from the heart’, but then I had a hormonal mood swing & ate ’em (LOL!) My son enjoyed (hoodies/CD’s/basketball wear), however, I strayed away from being thankful for my blessings to give a little salt to the Sig.Other. WHY after all these years together does the man NOT know how to buy me a gift I can love, use & appreciate? I try to get folks the things I know they want/need/love, so why can that not happen for me? This is the THIRD (yes, third) year in a row that I’ve had to return my gift due to not having any damn use for it, okay? Heavy sigh… oh well. Thank for letting me vent. PS: I’m lovin’ the snow woman! 😀
I had a wonderful Christmas! What made this Christmas so wonderful for me was that me and my family were simply together. No stress. No strain. Just enjoying sharing time with one another. Now that was a blessing!
And yes, I am diggin’ the snow woman, also!
Happy New Year to you, Bella and all you lovelies!
Got some great stuff from family and friends, but got to have a nice bunch of days off work in a row to spend with my DH and my DS. Very sweet stuff.
Okay, I’m still debating between Rock Band 2 and GH:World Tour (ohhh Best Buy gift certificate, burning a hole in my pocket). Who will reign supreme?
The slanket (and that other one they show on late-night tv?) makes your whole family look like a cross between Gregorian Monks and The Polyphonic Spree. I didn’t get that, but my dude bought the softest blanket evah and we cuddled by the fire and drank warm, mulled swedish Grogg. Honestly? That was enough of a gift for me. I hope you had equally sweet moments with your loved ones!
I hijacked my niece’s Wii. I will be purchasing Rock Band for her (me ;-)) next week.
i’ve got one word for you: wii!
and i think that snow woman would make an Excellent holiday card =)
I had a fab christmas!!! Loving that snow woman and happy fashionable and healthy new year to everyone.
Getting to see you on the computer beat out talking to you on the phone but I hope to see you in the flesh for Carnival! It’s been a while since you’ve been here for that..hugs & Happy New Year!!
Merry Christmas bella!
I spent my first holiday in Rome and it was very beautiful and moving.
Happy New Year!
Belated Merry Christmas – I had a marvelous holiday . I was off from work from 12/22 – 01/05/09.
Relaxed with family and I got a gift that I really wanted – a exercise heart monitor- so I was able to jog off some of the “extras” that I ate during the holiday .
Bellas – Happy New Year
The snow lady is beautiful
I also had a wonderful Christmas! I spent some much needed time with my baby girl and my family.
I actually bought the Wii Fit for my sister and my daughter & I just love it. I really didn’t know what the big deal was with it but now I see. This thing is awesome.
Happy New Year Everyone!