4 AM

Natalie wanted to know what I looked like RIGHT NOW. And because she knows that I always follow directions that I love a good meme, she promptly tagged me. Thus exposing all of your poor, poor eyes to what I look like at 4:00 in the morning. Because apparently that is the time that I got up this morning.

Why get up at that god-forsaken early hour? I haven't the SLIGHTEST idea. But in any case, here I am. In all of my bleary-eyed, early morning glory.

Oy. It's a good thing I have no shame, or I perhaps would have thought a bit harder about putting that out there for the world to see...

Now I do believe that I am supposed to do some tagging. So if your eyes aren't bleeding from the slight of me without make-up or a shower, then consider yourself tagged. And drop what you're doing to snap your own photo. Unless you are freshly showered or looking nice. Then feel free to wait to snap that photo until later.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional

You asked, so just keep that in mind...

What the *(&@#! is up with the bag on Christmas. Well, allow me to explain.

My family is too poor to afford anything but a paper sack My family puts the fun in dysfunctional.

A few years ago, we were all sitting around at Christmas, and one of my cousins was talking about this game that she had played with friends of hers (my cousin was probably in her late 20s at the time): you take a paper sack, and everyone has to bend over and pick it up, using only their mouth -- nothing but feet on the floor (no hands, no knees, etc). After everyone does the round, you cut a strip off the top of the bag, making it shorter and the game a bit harder. Eventually (or in a fairly short amount of time, depending on who is playing) people start to fall over...

I think that this was originally started as a drinking game, but you need not fear. We had jello shots. For Christmas morning. Hey, they were red and green -- that's just festive. So we played. And, being some crazy yogi flexible, my cousin won.

She wasn't at Christmas, but we decided to try again. Because once again we had jello shots. On Christmas morning. Shut up - I told you we put the fun in dysfunctional.

One of the highlights was watching my aunt (who is over 60) try to get down that low.

My youngest sister was the winner. Although I am pleased to report that I made it farther in the rounds than I did the last time we played. Apparently getting older and fatter isn't a hindrance my flexibility is improving. And in second place was my cousin's husband...who is built not at all like a yoga master at least 6 feet tall.

Seriously, that is impressive.

For some more normal holiday memories that most likely don't involve jello shots see what everyone else has to share at Stacy's!

Wordless Wednesday: View from the Couch

See what else is out there for Wordless Wednesday!

Calling All Crazies

I was supposed to work all night, and yet I have found myself at home for the last couple of hours. Yay labor gods, who have clearly smiled upon me! Or at least they have for now - I am on call for five more hours, so keep those fingers crossed!

Given that I have some unexpected time at home, I am clearly using that time wisely. By watching The Bachelor. And I am not even joking...I can't get ENOUGH of this bunch of loonies.

Seriously. Where do they FIND these nut jobs?

I'm sure that the girls are not certifiably insane lovely people once you get to know them. But still. If I hear one more of them talk about how they are here for *true love*, I think I might barf. Or, more likely, slap someone.

But don't be confused, I will totally watch the entire season. I live for this stuff. Other people's drama? That doesn't involve me personally? SIGN ME UP.

I'm not the only one watching The Bachelor this season...right?

Best Shot Monday

This is my best shot from last week - or at least the best one I have come across so far...I am still buried under a MOUNTAIN of photos to edit...

For more best shots, see what everyone has to share at Tracey's!

Summary Saturday: Project 365, Week 51 and 52

December 20:




December 21:




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December 30:




December 31:

In Review: 2008

Like a bazillion other bloggers, I have finished the year in review 2008 meme. Enjoy! And Happy New Year!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Got accepted to graduate school. And medical school. Satisfying stuff.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept some of them, but not all of them. Every year I make a whole slew of resolutions, because then I figure I am bound to keep at least some of them. Fear of failure much? Why yes, thanks for asking.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Actually yes. In addition to lots of bloggers expanding their families, I have several other friends who added to their kidlet crew as well. And of course there is that whole work thing, and the seemingly bajillion births that I was present for.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, actually not.

5. What countries did you visit?
I have only been in the grand old USA this year. Unless you count when I went to the Lake of the Ozarks...that could probably be considered it's own country.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A graduate degree. More free time.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day I got my acceptance letter...in May...sometime... Perhaps the date wasn't etched in my mind quite as much as I thought.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to survive. And I am not even kidding.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I would say that there isn't enough time to list these. Mostly that I really didn't keep in good shape. And that I wasn't more patient.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I ran a half marathon and got a body full of sore muscles from that, but no significant injuries.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
50 mm prime lens. And an education.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Um...my classmates'. Without them I most certainly wouldn't have survived the semester.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This list could go on forever...I am easily appalled.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Tuition.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Photography. School. And dirty martinis.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
I Kissed a Girl by Katie Perry. So What by Pink.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?

Happier. Fatter. And richer. And did I mention happier?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Being more patient. Working out more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining. Stressing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In St. Louis with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I ended the year immensely satisfied with my life. And I am pretty sure that counts for a lot. And my life is full of love. And that counts for a lot too.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Hi, have you met me? I could never pick just one TV program...I LOVE television.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I wouldn't use the word hate. But there were people that I was close to at this time last year that I no longer speak to.

24. What was the best book you read?
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. Amazing.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jason Mraz. Not a new discovery, but a reminder of how much I like his music.

26. What did you want and get?
School acceptance. A new job. Happiness.

27. What did you want and not get?
More time.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I don't watch movies all that often. Although this year I did see Dark Knight, which I loved.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I have to say, this year perhaps broke my history of not so great birthdays. I turned 28, and celebrated with martinis, christmas lights and photo taking. And then decorating, dinner, and wine. And friends.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Ummm...I'm not sure. 2008 was pretty darn satisfying.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Lacking.

32. What kept you sane?
Blogging. With a side of denial.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ummm. No idea. But I found Christian Bale as Batman to be quite yummy. Does that count?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. Was there anything else?

35. Who did you miss?
The person I am when I'm not stressed out.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
My classmates. Some more than others, but as a whole group I have to say, I really lucked out.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
That sometimes it's okay to say no.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

I've got nothing. I am the worst at song lyrics.