WEST SIDE PICS

AK AND I WITH BIG GRINS AFTER MAKING THE FINAL PICK! WE PROCEEDED TO THE HOTEL BAR AND DRANK HEAVILY, MAKING MANY LATE NIGHT CALLS BACK EAST, WAKING LOTS OF PEOPLE UP :) A VERY GOOD DAY!
(TIFFANY'S, SAN FRAN)





THIS IS OUR GOOD BUDDY JULIE AND HER AND HER HUSBAND GABRIEL'S ADORABLE, SMART, INQUISATIVE AND SUPER CREATIVE DAUGHTER HANNAH, 3 YRS OLD. WE WATCHED HANNAH GROW UP FROM DAY ONE, AND SHE HAS TURNED OUT AMAZING-100% FULL THROTTLE ALL THE TIME! SHE HAD LAID OUT ALL THE PRESENTS THAT AK AND I HAD GIVEN HER OVER THE YEARS (MOSTLY HELLO KITTY MERCH) AND WE TALKED ABOUT EACH ONE. SHE GAVE US A TOUR OF THEIR BACKYARD GARDEN, COMPLETE WITH SCARECROW, WHO WE COULDN'T TOUCH, BUT WE COULD SHAKE HANDS WITH HIM. SHE EATS SUSHI. AND SHE'S AS TALL AS A 5 YR OLD-HER PAPA IS LIKE 6'5". NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE HAD A BALL PLAYING WITH HER AND HAVING HER TELL US HOW SHE REMEMBERS COMING TO OUR APARTMENT AND HAVING LOTS OF HUGS...YOU COULD SAY THAT AK AND MY HEARTS MELTED ON THAT ONE!
(SARATOGA, CA)




AK AND I, JUST AFTER PICKING UP THE RING. THIS STATUE IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM TIFF's, AND SEEMED APPROPRIATE! IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE CITY, AND ONE WE WON'T FORGET :)
(UNION SQUARE, SAN FRAN)




A CACTUS OUTSIDE AK's MOM's BEDROOM PORCH THAT GREW INTO A HEART SHAPE. WE ALSO THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO TAKE THIS PICTURE.
(SEDONA, AZ)

OK, GETTING MUSHY...BUT I LIKE TO SHARE WITH MY PALS..

Return to Eastside/Andy Reid Sighting

Just got in last night from AZ...decent flight, and got to meet Andy Reid on it, so ak and I continue with our streak of literally "flying" with Eagles on our planes from Phoenix to PHL. He was adorable! I wished him a Happy Easter and told him I looked forward to a great season, shook his hand, and he thanked me for being a fan, and wished me a happy holiday as well. Looks like he's dropped some lbs.

Anyway, back to the treehouse-it was amazing to sleep in our own bed again :) Returning lots of calls, talking to lots of relatives, and receiving gracious and loving wishes re: the engagement ring; as well as fending off those ready to get the wedding plans rolling...patience is a virtue!

Looking forward to seeing the Media posse...CNN especially!! Thanks again to all for your congrats messages...we feel the love!

*the picture was taken from one of our friends places in Santa Cruz, CA...totally beautiful!

HOLY BEGONIAS!!!

AKJN GOT ENGAGED IN FRONT OF TIFFANY'S IN UNION SQUARE IN SAN FRAN THIS PAST THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006 AT 3:15PM PST...

YOU WAITED 11 YEARS FOR THIS NEWS, SO WAITING FOR A WEDDING ANOTHER 10 YEARS WON'T BE A PROBLEM FOR ANYONE! :)

WE'RE RIPPING IT UP OUT HERE WEST SIDE - WE CAN'T WAIT TO COME HOME AND DO SOME CELEBRATING EAST SIDE:)

HEADING WEST...

Ak and I went to the Flyers game with Kelly and Terrence this past Tuesday-crappy that they lost, but we had a hell of a time! K&T don't mess around-we had the perfect parking spot, perfect spot at the bar prior to game followed by a tag team relay throughout the game for more drinks, good laughs, a drink at McFadden's post-game while the traffic was crazy, and back to Wilmington, De in about 20 minutes. It was a beautiful thing, except for the loss. We tried to meet up with CNN's bro between periods, but he was on the 'club' level, and Kelly and I were denied access! This was one of the only times my big boobs weren't able to work it. I talked with them when we got home-everyone is cool.

Akjn are taking it West-side next week! Heading back to our old hood-Silicon Valley. Can't wait to visit all of our good buddies, eat at all the restaurants we've been craving, head to Santa Cruz and Boulder Creek, see some redwoods, hit SF, check in at my old place of employment, eat more, shop, eat, eat! (FYI: much of ak's world revolves around food) We are very excited!! Then we will be heading south from there to Sedona, to help supervize the new deck installation at ak's mom's house, and eat tons of food at all of the delish places there!

We had some visitors a couple of weekends ago-college pals from Richmond. Andre went up to NYC to retrieve more of his possessions from his sub-let apt. He went to Africa last summer, and had a gallery show of his photos he had taken there in NYC this past June. He brought the unsold pics back with him, and we got 3 amazing photos-not typical animal scenes-more urban/texture pics...hope you'll get to see them sometime. Jeffe bought a bunch of Ak's computer cast offs, and in doing so, I got half of my 'craft' table back! I have been waiting for that half since we moved in together in April of 1999 in CA...it's been a long time!

I've been thouroughly enjoying the continuation of MofC through comments, as well as PokerPro's Nigerian situation...we;ll just have to see how they both play out.

Peace out.

Farewell to the Banana Sling and/or I Miss the Bat Guano

I am joining with CNN and PokerPro in the Hands Across Sligo campaign.
How dare one of our pioneers leave us!

Quote from MofC:
It doesn't lend itself to a discussion of the weightier issues - gun control, abortion, religion, euthanasia and all that kind of light party chat, at least not in it's current format. The kind of issues that get the "Richie's" of the world all worked up into a lather!

My response to this is-so what? I enjoy our blog/comment banter as I feel I am getting to know myself and my friends better. Doesn't that count for anything?

Please reconsider, Chuck...

For My Good Buddy PinF

When he shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heav'n so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

PinF-you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers here at the treehouse.

Early AM Treehouse Report

It is currently 3:40am in the treehouse and I am wide awake! This is due to the all day nap that I took in order to recover from last night's festivities.

I finally met our boy PinF, and our biggest blog fan Jah with her family.....we shared lots of laughs, had good chats, smoked many cigarettes and drank a hell of a lot of beer. The class of '87 was out in force on State Street last night. It was so good to see so many friends :)

Two important bloggers were missing and need to provide explanations:
1. Chuck-we know you touched down at PHL at approximately 12:30am last night, which gave you plenty of time to get to Media for last call with us!
2. Pokerpro-we know you went out to dinner in Philly, so we expected that you would be a little late....but not showing up at all?

I really can't give anyone too much of a hard time, because we know I don't leave the treehouse all that often :)

Big thanks to Goose for driving me to CNN's last night, then picking the 2 of us up in the am to head back and get our cars. Before going home, we got to enjoy java with PinF and Ted-thanks for meeting us! That was an extra bonus, and the weather was divine for sitting out and watching the folks and their dogs go by.

Now ak and I are looking forward to the HBO line-up later today. We will return to our tradition of cooking italian and eating while watching the Sopranos, and we are interested in the new show-Big Love-about polygamy, starring Bill Paxton.

Until next time..... Jojo out!

PICKS & PANS

Just reporting on the happenings of the past week or so....

While surfing around the other day, I found myself looking at the Penncrest website, and I clicked on the find your class button to see if any of my cohorts and friends were listed. I actually signed in and created an alumni profile! Then, when I clicked to find my other classmates, I was so disappointed to find only one other class of '87 graduate had registered ... Joe Montgomery. So, I am urging the PHS graduates out there to log onto penncrest.alumniclass.com, and don't leave me alone with Joe.
(oh, I also checked out the Claude J. Falcone memorial/tribute sight which was very cool....he was my art major teacher all 4 years, the only teacher who pushed me, and the only teacher who prepared me for college!)

A bit of bummer news-my mom went for MRI's last week to check the progress of her healing neck fracture, and unfortunately it has not healed at all! No therapy or driving for mama for a few more months. She expressed to me that maybe she doesn't want to drive at all any more...I can say that I am slightly anxious over that statement, but she was in a bad accident, she's old, and the longer she does not drive the harder it will be for her to get behind the wheel. I have decided to cross that bridge when we get to it, focus on my mother's healing and well being NOW. Her primary care doctor just put her on Prozac as this whole experience has put her in the dumps-who wouldn't be? Anyway, we are doing all we can to keep her frown upside down. :)

Fun, fun, fun!! We had a fabulous weekend! We actually left the treehouse! A college buddy flew up from Atlanta Thursday night, and from that point on, the laughter did not stop! We had a great Saturday night-met CNN and Tedman in the city for some drinks, then on to Morimoto for a sushi fest beyond belief. We were sad to drop him off at PHL on Sunday, but happy to have such amazing friends. He's our brother from another mother.
(note on the movie "Waiting"....slapstick parody of Bennigan's style restaurants...we recommend for crazy laughs, but you won't feel like eating out for a while.....a LONG while....)

Finally....I have been blog-silent recently due to the backlash regarding the Rookie Blogger of the Year Award. I had nothing to do with it! In order to keep our community together, I propose that we develop a ballot at the next convention for a 2006 Summer Awards ceremony. I picture the ceremony in close proximity to Ted's BBQ. PinF, we'll wait until you journey north to convene the ballot conception meeting....Chuck-do you think we can get a webcam going in CR for you?

Peace out, players!

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

ON SATURDAY, I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL MY OFFICIAL ROOKIE BLOGGER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM PinF. WHAT AN HONOR!! I WAS THRILLED, BUT ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND WHAT TO WEAR. I CONSULTED MY FAVE STYLIST, CNN, BUT SHE WAS OUT OF TOWN, SO I HAD TO GO IT ALONE FOR MY RED CARPET DEBUT. I was going for "innocent yet vampy"...I think I pulled it off!



WHAT A MAGICAL EVENING!!! THE STARS WERE BRIGHT, AND THE BLOGGERS WERE PARTYING LIKE IT WAS 1999. UNFORTUNATELY, AS PICTURED BELOW (who let the paparazzi in this am?) I TOOK THE CELEBRATING A BIT TOO FAR....TO MUCH CHAMPAGNE, CHOCOLATES AND CIGS...THE 2 XANAX PROBABLY DIDN'T HELP,EITHER.





ANYWAY, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, AND ESPECIALLY THE ACADEMY/PinF FOR THIS GLORIOUS HONOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CONVENTION :)

p.s. please do not forward any of these shots to Sanrio...I can't get fired! I have a really good gig going there....thanks!

COFFEE LOVERS MUST READ!

COFFEE ALWAYS IS AN UNDERLYING THEME IN OUR BLOG CIRCLE, SO I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE SOME EXCITING NEWS....

I RECEIVED FOR VALENTINE'S DAY THE BUNN MY CAFE TEA & COFFEE POD BREWER, AND IT IS AMAZING!! THE COFFEE STAYS HOT FOREVER, IT IS SMALL BUT SUPREMELY POWERFUL, TAKES ANY BRAND COFFEE PODS & REGUALR TEA BAGS, AND FITS ALL MUGS AND TALL TRAVEL MUGS-I AM IN HEAVEN & VERY PLEASED WITH MY THOUGHTFUL VALENTINE-AK RESEARCHED FOR 2 DAYS :):)

IF YOU HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION TO THE INDIVIDUAL COFFEE POD MAKERS-THIS IS THE ONE TO GET. CHECK OUT COOLBEANS.COM-THEY HAVE THEM IN STOCK AND COMES WITH 50 FREE COFFEE PODS AND A COOL TRAVEL MUG. TO TOP IT OFF, IT HAS A SUPERCOOL BLUE LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHILE YOUR CUP IS BREWING...I DRANK 3 CUPS LAST NIGHT IN THE DARK JUST SO WE COULD SEE THE LIGHT COME ON...VERY STAR TREK.

AND IF THAT ISN'T A ROMANTIC GIFT, AK RECEIVED FROM ME A MINERS LIGHT-ESSENTIAL FOR COMPUTER BUILDING AND FIXING. IT HAS A STROBE SETTING WHICH IS INTERESTING...WE COULD POSSIBLY OPEN A NIGHTCLUB. IT'S ALSO A GREAT LOOK-FUNCTIONAL FASHION!

CANDY SUX....COFFEE SAYS I LOVE YOU EVERY DAY!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

JUST FOR CHUCK

Snow is beautiful, as long as you are inside! I took these from our balcony this morning especially for Carlos Costa Rica so he can see what he's missing.
Take a break from the guano removal, Chuck, and imagine yourself here :)

One of Those Days/Mom on Board

Things have been a bit nutty since the last post. My daily driving duties got to me a bit, and my mom and I are currently embarking into all sorts of financial crapola (the glory of the PoA) that has her completely freaking out. If you know me, and know my mom, this does not equal harmony. We are classic tortoise and hare-yours truly stars as the hare. This morning I felt as though I had a 14 year old daughter deciding on what to wear to school that day, rather than a 76 year old mother deciding to consolidate her debt.

Phew.....

So I had to sit myself down and count my blessings:

1. My mom/ak's mom in pretty good shape
2. Friends/Family (I have a hard time separating the 2)
3. Roof over the head
4. Running water
5. Food in the fridge and pantry
6. Clothing
7. Transportation

After considering the above, I felt great! What a lucky person I am.
Ak taught me to do this whenever I felt a bit overwhelmed, or just in a general pissy mood.

Try it-it works all the time :)

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

I can't believe it has been a year since I saw my Eagles lose their chance at a Super Bowl win...I threw a chocolate cake from our 4th floor balcony in fustration! (don't worry-I had a back-up cake, so no one missed dessert)
Well, the Eagles certainly didn't make it far this year, but the SB Sunday is one of my favortie days of the year, no matter who is playing. I will be routing for the Black and Yellow, mainly because they are the other PA team, and for Jerome Bettis. I am looking forward to a good, close game, with lots of action and emotion-the match-up with the Seahawks should be a thriller...I love football! And the Stones are playing at halftime-you just can't beat that!
I also love the concept of the SB party. Ak and I had our first SB get-together in CA in 2000 ('99 season), and have done so each year following. (I have to admit I enjoyed watching the game more at 3:30pm rather than 6:30pm) We love to cook and eat, so the SB is the perfect opportunity for gluttony. Last year Ak started a traditon-ordering stone crabs from Joe's in Miami Beach-YUM! If you've never had them, I really cannot describe them, aside from ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Well, the crabs have just arrived at our doorstep today...they knocked politely and put themselves right into the fridge....I told you they were good!
Football was something that my dad had me watching at an early age. I am an only child and a girl, so with some things I believe my dad just pretended I was a boy-sports, fixing the car, mowing, painting the house, roofing, etc. I am grateful that he did so, because we got to spend a great deal of time together, and we enjoyed watching games together so much. Besides the cool sweater and small skirt, I think I beacame a cheerleader in high school just to be closer to the sidelines and the action. Even out in CA, my dad and I would call each other 10-15 times on a football Sunday, just to say "did you see that?", "what a play", etc.
Now that he is gone, football has become more special to me, as I feel he is close to me on any given Sunday :)
Now, let's get that coin tossed and go!

2005 PICTURE REVIEW

I DECIDED TO TRY AND PUT TOGETHER A PICTORIAL SUMMARY OF 2005. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD IDEA UNTIL I STARTED SEARCHING THROUGH THOUSANDS OF SHOTS...I WAS NOT DISCOURAGED, THOUGH, AND PLOWED AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT. ENJOY!

JAN 2005: SPENT THE HOLIDAYS IN SCOTTSDALE AND SEDONA, AZ. THE FIRST IS A VIEW FROM AK MOM'S PORCH IN SEDONA, AND THE SECOND IS YOURS TRULY WITH MCNABB ON OUR FLIGHT BACK TO PHILLY.




FEB 2005: HAD A SMALL SUPERBOWL GET-TOGETHER WITH MOUNDS OF FOOD, INCLUDING STONE CRABS FED-EXED FROM JOE'S IN MIAMI BEACH. AK, JOJO AND CNN


MAR 2005: A VIEW OF THE SUN BREAKING THROUGH AND SIGNS OF SPRING THROUGHT THE MELTING SNOW FROM OUR TREETOP BALCONY.


APR 2005: A CLOSE UP OF THE AMAZING "SUGAR" MAGNOLIA MY MAMA HAS IN THE BACKYARD..SPRING HAS SPRUNG.


MAY 2005: CELEBRATING OUR BEST BUD'S BDAY IN NORFOLK, VA, WHERE WE ALL MET WHEN ATTENDING ODU BACK IN THE DAY. BDAY BOY AND AK


JUN 2005: ME AND MY PRECIOUS GODSON NICHOLAS ON THE DAY OF HIS BAPTISM. HIS MAMA AND I GREW UP TOGETHER IN UPPER DARBY, AND MY POPS AND HERS WERE LIFELONG BUDDIES-THEY GREW UP IN WEST PHILLY TOGETHER. IF YOU CAN SEE NICHOLAS' CHAIN, IT ACTUALLY WAS MY FATHER'S BAPTISM CROSS CHAIN :)


JUL 2005: JOJO AND HANNAH/HANNAH TALKING TO AK ON MY CELL. HANNAH IS THE DAUGHTER OF JULIE AND GABRIEL-VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF OURS FROM CALI. JULIE AND HANNAH WERE IN NYC TO VISIT JULIE'S MOM, AND I TOOK THE TRAIN UP TO SPEND THE DAY WITH THEM. WENT TO THE NEW MOMA-FABULOUS DAY, AND SO AMAZING TO SEE HOW MUCH HANNAH HAS GROWN SINCE WE'VE MOVED.


AUG 2005: 30 DAY EUROPE TRIP THAT ENDED THIS MONTH. 1-VIEW OF TIVOLI GARDENS IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK FROM OUR ROOM 2-YOURS TRULY ENJOYING A DELICIOUS HOEGAARDEN IN ARHUS, DENMARK AND 3-VIEW OF ROTTACH, GERMANY FROM OUR TRAM CAR AS WE RIDE TO THE TOP OF ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS-PART OF THE ALPS.






SEPT 2005: SPEND A LAZY HOT SATURDAY ON THE CHESAPEAKE ON MY COUSIN'S BOAT WITH HER FAMILY. THIS IS MY COUSIN ANDREW AND THEIR SWEET DOGGIE JAKE TAKING A RIDE ON THE JET-SKI


OCT 2005: FILLER LILLIES FROM AK'S NIECE'S GARDEN IN ARHUS, DENMARK


NOV 2005: FILLER THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WITH JUNE'S PICS-A SIDELINE SHOT OF THE MEDIA 5-MILER AT TED'S ANNUAL PARTY. CHECK OUT AUSTIN CHILLING IN THE LOWER RIGHT :)


DEC 2005: VIEW OF THE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED LIVING ROOM IN AK'S MOM'S HOUSE IN FL, AND A SHOT OF OUR CHRISTMAS GOOSE-IT WAS SOOOOOO DELICIOUS!




DEC 31, 2005: RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR IN VERO BEACH, FL. 1-AKJN, 2-JOJO, AK AND HIS MOM




THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!

GUMBO

I don't even know where to begin....

First-I don't know if you are familiar with Ron Jon's Surf Shop, but it has been a staple on the Cocoa Beach, Fl scene for years, and on our most recent trip to FL over the holidays, we learned that they are moving to the Port at Cape Canaveral in order to capitalize on the all of the booze/gambling and all other cruise ships that have infested that area. Cocoa Beach residents are very upset and they should be! Ron Jon's is a landmark, but I guess to many people money is the bottom line.

Back in Media-I have resumed my chauffer duties with my mother, and realize that her neck brace must come off very soon for both of our sakes. Hopefully she will be driving within a month or so, as soon as her neck heals. I have to say she is a tough broad at the ripe old age of 76, and has had a series of bad luck and health problems since Pops passed away a year ago. I am trying to be a good daughter and make Pops proud, but lately I am ready to take off again, but with no return address this time. So selfish, I know....had a long day with her today so I am a bit cranky. But I love her so! Enough of that....

Sunday Night-I got the word Friday from Chrissy that Lynn was in town for the weekend. Since I didn't make it into the city and meet them as planned on Sat (mom stuff-imagine that!), I did a pop in at Chrissy's Sunday with bags of hangover food nd drink supplies in order to spend some time with Lynn and Dena before they left. Well, it turned into a spontaneous, crazy-ass slumber party (see pics at CNN's blog). The group as a whole transported ourselves back to the 80's-location and behavior-wise. We went to Della Paula's on McDade...the last time I went to that particular establishment was 19 yrs ago, when I was totally underage. The same people were still there. It was a fun, hilarious night-things are still coming back to each of us as the days pass (stories cannot be published). I think today is the first day I am totally back to normal. Back in the day, I remember partying like that 3-4 times a week for a few years running. I am glad to be grown up a bit, but kicking it loose like that a few times a year makes you feel young, and funny stuff just happens when you are with your good buddies. Love the girls...

...one more thing-we watched "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" the other day...I totally forgot how awesome that movie is! It's one of the free movies offered for HD channels, so if you have it, check it out and make some mashed potatoes :)

Hope everyone's 2006 has gotten off to a happy and healthy start!

HOME AGAIN

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sorry for the slight vaca, but we travelled home earlier this week, and I just had two of my xmas presents installed-a new keyboard and new mouse :)

...more soon-the damned laundry awaits me...the siren song of the dryer calls to me even now...

MEMOIRS

...JUST A QUICK ONE TODAY...WE SAW "MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA" THE OTHER DAY...VERY GOOD MOVIE, BUT AS A HUGE FAN OF THE BOOK, IT WAS A BIT OF A LET DOWN. I'VE READ THE BOOK 50+ TIMES, AND JUST HAD MY EXPECTATIONS TOO HIGH, AS I ALWAYS DO WHENEVER HOLLYWOOD DECIDES TO MOVIE-IZE MY FAVORITE NOVELS. AGAIN, DO GO SEE IT IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST, BECAUSE IT IS VISUALLY STUNNING...

ANOTHER BEAUTY DAY

Woke up to another lovely FL day...makes you forget how unbearable it can be here in the summer. Snowbirds are evident everywhere you look...huge mobile homes from PA, Maine, Jersey, etc. are more evident on A1A as they travel back here from all holiday destinations.

We've been doing lot's of "home" things with ak's mom...clearing palm fronds, fixing blinds, moving paintings around, checking sprinklers, killing fire ants, etc.

Looking forward to hitting the town of Melbourne proper...they have just opened and exclusive handbag store that carries only bags from Greece-you know I'll be all over that! Also, ak's mom and her art group have rented a new studio in one of the historic downtown buildings, and we will go to their open house.

Work continues on many of the homes here from the previous hurricanes-some people have not been able to return to their homes for over a year now. Can you imagine?

One of my favorite things here are the sunsets-we are on the river, and they are so stunning...a portrait in the sky every night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

HELLO AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS....THEY MAKE ME FEEL IMPORTANT AND REALIZE HOW LUCKY WE ARE YO HAVE SUCH AWESOME FRIENDS AND FAMILIA!

CURRENTLY IN FL THE WIND IS BLOWING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW, BUT THE SUN IS BEAMING AND IT IS 78 DEGREES OUT! I CANNOT GET OVER THAT WE HAVE THE A/C ON TODAY :)

WE HAD A WONDERFUL MORNING OF PRESENTS (CNN-WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE HOT PINK FUR SCARF I GOT, AND YURMAN-STYLE BRACELET), THEN AK'S MOM AND I STARTED IN ON THE BLOODY MARYS AT ABOUT 11:00AM, AND WE ARE NOW ON OUR 3RD BOTTLE OF VINO ( IT IS ONLY 4:17 AND I HOPE WE MAKE IT TO DINNER AT 6PM). :) WE ARE HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE HERE TODAY, SO AS GOOD HOSTS WE OF COURSE HAVE A DRINK WITH ALL OF THEM. :)

THE GOOSE IS IN THE OVEN, SMELLING SO DELICIOUS IT IS INSANE...HAVING TRADITIONAL GERMAN-STYLE CHRISTMAS DINNER-RED CABBAGE, SAUSAGE STUFFING, ETC. YUM YUM YUMMY!!

WE ARE THINKING OF ALL OF YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE! MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!