Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Adult Christmas Party

Do you have a friend or family gathering you look forward to with anticipation?
Christmas Tradition #3 . . . started 26 years ago when we moved to Las Vegas. Even though we were living in a small apartment, we invited family over for a holiday get-together. It has proven to be a highlight of the season for all of us. The Baldwin clan knows how to laugh and have a great time together. Some of our most memorable moments have been while playing The Newlywed Game with questions carefully written to ensure couples were still talking at the end of the evening. Sometimes it was questionable. This event is always in our home with a dinner, but we take turns providing the entertainment.

I used to call this gathering the Adult Christmas party to clarify it was for us older folks and then later to include any married children. When we acquired a s.i.l., Brian said, "When I heard there was going to be an adult party, I thought, Alright! I married into the right family." So, finally, this year I started calling it the Christmas Dinner Party. Oops . . . too late.


Kaymee and Brian introduced us to the game of Partini.
Six games include:

"Straight Up"-Write something true or funny about a teammate. Will you get points for telling it like it is?

"Mime Twist"-Zip your lip and act it out. Will your team guess "stud muffin" in the Lover Boy category?

"Bouncers"-Ready, aim and fire balls into cups. The action changes with every draw of a card.

"What Not"-Don't say what it is, say what it's not! Will your team guess "hot dog" when you say "It's not a cool cat"?

"Clay Smoothie"-Mold and fold clay into shapes that your teammates just might recognize..like a snowman.

"Hum Punch"-Hum it up in a musical challenge! No singing allowed.

Of course, the hilarity comes when you watch your family's "characters" do their thing. Can I say how hard it is to "hum a few bars". J just threw the ball of clay at her husband when trying to fashion a computer mouse. While playing the game of Mime Twist, with the category of "things that get your heart racing", it was so easy to quickly guess the act of lap dancing. "But wait, maybe we could be wrong -- Can you do that a little more, just to be sure?" This exotic dancer will remain nameless. I will mention though, thankfully, it wasn't me. A visual of that would be hard for my married children to stomach.

Read here for Tradition 1 and Tradition 2.

Blogger Santa Swap

Apparently Santa had a hospital stay . . . and then had to hitch up Rudolph to find his way through a freak storm that knocked out power over the whole mountain. Oh, and a few other things that make truth stranger than fiction. But, how excited was I to find this book in my mailbox! And my daughter, too. She has had her eye on it.

The Puzzle King by Betsy Carter

"By a stroke of luck, Simon Phelps and Flora Grossman wound up in America before World War II, only to become the last hope of their families' escape from Europe. Dire times breed unexpected heroes. Flora and Simon are two of them."

A big thank you, Ami!

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current reading

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) sentences from that page

4. BE CAREFUL TO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS

5. Share the author and title too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser.

My Teaser: Lady Vernon and Her Daughter by Jane Rubino and Cailten Rubino-Bradway

The first two sentences ~~ "A woman with neither property nor fortune must ward off this affliction by cultivating the beauty, brilliance, and accomplishment that will blind a promising suitor to the want of a dowry. When she is securely married, she may suspend her own improvement and turn her energies toward the domestication of her husband and the acquisition of wealthy suitors for their daughters."

What's your teaser? Leave a comment or link to your post.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Party Hearty

Our festivities are starting today with the first of three socials this week. I may be a little more absent minded than usual.

"From home to home, from heart to heart, from one place to another . . .
the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other." ~~ Emily Matthews

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Wishin' and Hopin'


By Wally Lamb

It's 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget.

LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy.

Back in his beloved fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, with a new cast of endearing characters, Wally Lamb takes his readers straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School—where Mother Filomina's word is law and goody-two-shoes Rosalie Twerski is sure to be minding everyone's business. But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette, straight from Quebec's, and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kabakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants,
Wishin' and Hopin' barrels toward one outrageous Christmas.

From the Funicello family's bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off),
Wishin' and Hopin' is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we've been—and how far we've come. ~~ Shelfari

Kim says: Do you remember these phrases:

"That was so funny, I forgot to laugh."

"Take a picture it lasts longer."

"That's for me to know and for you to find out."

"I'm the rubber and you're the glue. Anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you."

I do. And I literally laughed out loud several times while reading this book. If you were a child during the '60s and/or attended a Catholic parochial school, this Christmas story will be even more memorable. There are many writing styles I can appreciate, but when it comes down to a really enjoyable reading experience, I love a great storyteller. In this narrative you can so easily picture yourself sitting and listening to Felix tell all about his day in school.

Felix is 10 years old and is teetering between childhood innocence and growing up. Of course there is always Lonny, age 12 -- twice retained -- to fill in the gaps. All the characters are quirky . . . Madame Frechette bringing in French culture . . . Zhenya Kabakova, 13-yr-old Russian transplant with a thick accent . . . Rosalie Twerski, moral watchdog . . . and Felix's family, of course.

I haven't read Wally Lamb's bestsellers, I Know This Much is True or She's Come Undone, but this book was simply delightful.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Wednesday Wishes

layouts myspace

A Winter Wonderland . . . I wish

I could do this . . .


And this . . .

And this.

I wish I could see this . . .

And that.


Absolutely amazing. These incredible ice sculptures were submitted at the Fairbanks Ice Festival, Alaska. In a pre-school art class I took once (for continuing education :), I learned that our art ability progresses only to the point we stop developing it. Just because you are an adult doesn't mean you can draw "real good". Oh, so now I know why I have the artistic abilities of a pre-schooler! Of course that makes sense. Talents, like anything, must be discovered, developed, and shared.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current reading

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) sentences from that page

4. BE CAREFUL TO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS

5. Share the author and title too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser.

My Teaser: This book is making me LOL! Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb.

The opening two sentences ~~ "The year I was a fifth-grade student at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School, our teacher, Sister Dymphna, had a nervous breakdown in front of the class. To this day I can hear Sister's screams and see her flailing attempts to shoo away the circling Prince of Darkness." page 1

What's your teaser: Leave a comment or link to your post.

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Marple Poirot Holmes Challenge

The Marple Poirot Holmes Challenge
hosted by Kals of At Pemberley
January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
signup & review links

Kals says . . . Nothing really beats a good old Agatha Christie mystery or an Arthur Conan Doyle masterpiece. I've loved Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes all my life and I doubt we'll find a detective surpassing the unexpected genius of Miss Marple, the exemplary 'little grey cells' of the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and of course, the master himself - Sherlock Holmes.

You will have to read a minimum of 6 books in total: two Miss Marple mysteries, two Sherlock Holmes mysteries and two Hercule Poirot mysteries.

Kim says: I'm in!! I started reading both Miss Marple and Poirot mysteries a couple of years ago when the new hardbound book covers came out. This gives me a reason to visit them again. Mysteries have always been my first love.

My List:




1. The Moving Finger

2. Murder Is Announced









1. Murder of Roger Ackroyd

2. The ABC Murders






1. Sign of Four

2. Study of Scarlet

If you are interested in a Sherlock Holmes - like series, check out Laurie R. King beginning with The Beekeeper's Apprentice.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Skipping Christmas


By John Grisham

Imagine a year without a Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty; they won't be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren't even going to have a tree. They won't need one, because come December 25 they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences -- and isn't half as easy as they'd imagined. ~~ front flap

Kim says: The movie, Christmas with the Kranks, with Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis follows this book fairly well. In fact, it adds to the enjoyment of reading it. As an accountant Luther can't face another Christmas of outrageous expenditures just to join in all the traditional holiday trappings. When their daughter moves and won't be home for Christmas, he hatches a plan to escape all the craziness. I'm reminded of a quote from one of our family's favorite holiday movies, Christmas Vacation, "It's Christmas, and we're all in misery." Enter Luther's world.

A quick, enjoyable read . . . but watch the movie, too!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wednesday Wishes

myspace glitters Stay out of trouble.

Aim for greater heights.


Exercise to maintain good health.

Stay focused on your job.

Practice team work.

Rest and relax.

Save for a rainy day.

Always take time to smile.

Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back. Take your time trusting others.

AND . . .

Realize nothing is impossible.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along? Just do the following:

1. Grab your current reading

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) sentences from that page

4. BE CAREFUL TO NOT INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS

5. Share the author and title too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser.

My teaser: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

"Little was said over a dinner of sauceless pasta and cottage cheese. Nora was down three pounds, Luther four." pg 46
After stuffing the turkey and myself last week, maybe this dinner wouldn't be so bad.

Just starting this today. It is one of the Christmas books on my bookshelf that I picked up at a used bookstore. I enjoyed the movie . . .

Monday, November 30, 2009

The Count of Monte Cristo

By Alexandre Dumas

(Penquin Classic version)

"On what slender threads do life and fortune hang."

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantes is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and he becomes determined not only to escape, but also to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. Dumas' epic tale of suffering and retribution, inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment, was a huge popular success when it was first serialized in the 1840's. ~~ back cover

Kim's thoughts: I postponed my Monday domesticities to finish this book. The 1,243 pages may seem daunting but from other reviews from Amazon, I was informed that any other abridged version would pale significantly. I can only guess that is true. This version (Penguin Classic) is said to be more fluid, easier to read. How wonderful it is to enjoy a book and its characters so much that you find yourself hurriedly completing the daily hum-drums and necessities so you can return to its pages. This is a classic I would dearly love to read again and again, but you did see the number of pages, right? I will return someday, though. Add this to your "books before I die" list.

The Count of Monte Cristo may seem like a simple tale of adventure, intrigue, love, passion, and witty social satire, but it is layered with deeper meanings . . . man's relationship to God and one another, greed, pain, suffering, justice and revenge, and the ability to forgive. The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and the Levant during the historical events of 1815–1838 (from just before the Hundred Days through to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France). The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book. Dumas was able to grasp human nature and share it with delightful quick wit. Unlike The Count, Dumas frivoled away nearly all his money and maintained his brash mocking of death, saying, "I shall tell her a story, and she will be kind to me."

I'm sorry if I haven't given you more than this for a review, but I am at a loss for words. So many points to ponder. Edmond extracts his revenge, pound for pound, from his malefactors, only to wonder if he truly has done God's will. Thoughts from the ending -- There must be opposition in all things . . . one cannot experience true joy until they have felt the consumption of deep sorrow. "This too shall pass." Or as the Count says, "wait and hope".

The movie: If you haven't read the book, you will enjoy watching the movie. However, there is very little that even resembles the book. None of the events were portrayed accurately. But then again, how can one possibly chisel down such a lengthy volume with so many characters each with their own web of deceit and intrigue. Read the book -- the Count is amazing.

Fitness Challenge

November Recap: 43 miles

Week 1: 12 miles
Week 2: 12 miles
Week 3: 11 miles
Week 4: 8 miles

TO DATE TOTAL: 87 miles
It's getting harder to get out of my warm bed . . .

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!






May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

New Moon

Friday night at the 9:30 showing, I went with my daughter (27) and her friends to see the movie, New Moon. Even with tickets in hand, we were still waiting in line for an hour to go in. I wasn't expecting much after the first Twilight movie, but was pleasantly surprised.

A different director than the first was a big improvement. Now with the entrance of the wolves, there is more action and great morphing. A little more connection between Edward and Bella, but seriously how she got this role is beyond me. Her expressions never change. The music for some scenes cheesed it up a bit too much.

At the first sign of Edward, all the girls squeal; but when Jacob takes off his shirt, they scream. With good reason. If Edward doesn't buff up more, his heart throbs just may change sides. You would think fighting with HUGE wolves would buff you up. I know Vampires are pale, but all the more reason to get to the gym for a bigger six-pack.

Even so, it was entertaining, but only if you have read the books . . . which I thoroughly enjoyed. Just doing my part to add to the $72.7 million it brought in on opening day, breaking the previous record of The Dark Knight at $67.2 million last year.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Pemberley Ball

Truly, I was starting to fret as I had not received an invitation to the Pemberley Ball. What relief I felt when it arrived yesterday by an afternoon carrier.

Pemberley Ball
November 20-22, 2009
3-day party

event postings will be up each day
from 6pm - 8pm PST
(if possible, pop in for 5 minutes)

- an interactive blog party
- a Darcy love-fest
- prize trinkets

please note: you can post party comments anytime
even after Nov 22
it's just more fun real-time
and giveaways end Nov 29

Time-travel with me to the sights and sounds of the Pemberley Ball during the Regency period. Along with our beloved Mr. Darcy, you may encounter classic and not-so-classic Pride and Prejudice characters. However, you will be in for a smashing time!

Do visit Lady Vee for more events of this talked about evening gala.

I, Lady Anne Wray, and my husband Sir Clayton are in residence at Bedfordshire.

Such a grand place to be centered in our living of lace making. We will be attending with an eye upon the latest fashions and perhaps share some knowledge of our own.


We look forward to introducing our daughter, Lydia, with the hopes of Mr. Darcy's thoughts being captivated by her beauty, clevernesss, and accomplishments in singing and at the pianoforte.


Will you be in attendance as well?

The Red Queen

In an event I organized for a Ladies Night Out ~~ Lead with the Queen ~~ Alice, I and the White Queen acted out part of the text from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, Chapter IX . . . The Queens.

I made this dress just for the occasion, but now with the Pemberley Ball coming, something of a different fashion would be more suitable.