It's that time of year again and all I can say is, thank Goddess for layaway. I got my shopping done early. Well, most of it anyway. Only have a couple of things to still buy, but they're easy gifts. And I didn't spend more than I should've. Keeping the holiday in perspective is something I'm trying to work on. There are those who like to brag how much they've spent on their kids. All kinds of expensive gifts. High dollar junk.

I have to bite my tongue to stop from asking them if it's guilt making them spend so much. How can you put a price tag on your love for your kids? Whatever happened to just spending TIME with them and doing stuff with them? My own mother used to do it to me and my sister. I guess she felt guilty about how she treated us and tried to make up for it with material stuff. It didn't work though.

Memories are made when we actually did things together. And that's what I want for my own kids. I want them to be able to look back on their childhoods and remember all the crazy, fun, cool stuff that we did together. Even the boring stuff.

We put up our tree last weekend. And to keep the cats from knocking it over during their Tarzan delusions, we drilled a couple of holes through the stand and screwed it to the floor! (We're in the middle of replacing the flooring anyway, not like we're messing up the floor as it is!)

So far, the tree still stands tall. Lights and ornaments and all. I have to admit, it's the first time we've ever had one in our living room. Usually we put it up in a bedroom behind closed doors. My cats. They're rather bratty.

*sighs*

The REAL test will be the presents. We'll just have to see how that goes.......
 

My daughter and I went to see New Moon the night before Thanksgiving. I thought it was better than Twilight but it still had unintentional funny bits. There was a scene where Alice (who's clairvoyant) sees a vision of Bella and Edward frollicking through the forest. Bella has this really goofy expression and she's in a dress and I could just picture her with sunshine and rainbows and cupcakes and unicorns all floating around her.

Very un-Bella, that scene.

What actually made me shudder in revulsion was Edward's shirtless scene in Italy. I usually go for the thin, wiry types of guys. Especially English lads. But for Robert Pattinson, I'll gladly make an exception. I don't know what was worse: his nearly zombie-like skin or that freaky bite mark (yes, BITE MARK!) over his left nipple. Couldn't the special effects crew at least had the decency to Photoshop the guy a good-looking physique?!

I have to admit Jacob was the saving grace of the entire movie. I am definitely NOT a Twi-mom, but I do enjoy looking at nice things. Like Jacob's chest, for instance. I think it was the best part of the whole film. In fact, I think it was a better actor than Kristen Stewart (whose acting method completely consists of biting her lip and not finishing her sentences).

All in all, I did enjoy the movie. I know my daughter loved it. And we are both cheerfully Team Jacob.

In other news, I went and bought a violin last Friday. After seeing Emilie Autumn in concert the weekend before last, I was inspired to pick up the instrument again. I hadn't played since I was fourteen, but it all came back to me. And I remember how to read music too, so that really helps. Got a book of music of Evanescence's album "Fallen" and I'm going to try to adapt it to violin, just for the hell of it.

For those of you who don't know, Emilie Autumn plays not only the electric violin but the harpsichord as well. Her music has a lovely neo-Victorian sound to it. And she put on a VERY entertaining live show.

And now I'm off to play catch-up on my computerly duties......