How did the Husband and I celebrate Christmas Eve Day? Why, by putting all the home p0rn we watch to good use and rehopolstering the dining room chairs. I only took pictures of the first one, but the each chair was a marked improvement from the last.

Happy Hanukkah to all and to all a Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah always seems like a tricky holiday. Where do the presents go when there is no convenient Christmas tree to lay them under? I remember when I was very young, my parents would have the Sister and I sit on chairs in the living room, close our eyes, and put our hands out. After a few moments, a gift would then be placed in our open hands. Being as well trained as we were at such a young age, we would wait until told to open our eyes. Then in our tiny hands would be whatever trifle we wanted. When I was five or so and our presents began getting bigger, our gifts were wrapped and placed around a chair, out of the way, until Hanukkah began.

I grew up one of a handful of Jews in a small, and very Christian town, and being the only jew in my grade I was often held up as an example or questioned as the resident expert. In kindergarten, our teacher told our class all about Hanukkah and how some Jews have a Hanukkah bush. As would become the pattern future me would experience over and over, she then turned to me, the resident expert. “Does your family have a Hanukkah Bush?” she asked. “No,” I said in my ancient 5 year-old wisdom, “We have a Hanukkah Chair.” The chair changes, but the tradition remains.

This year I received a beautiful quilt made by a friend from work. She may demure and claim that a “real quilter would laugh at it” but I see no flaws. It is made with straight lines and crisp edges and truly beautiful colors. I am unbelievably honored that I received this gift from such an interesting woman. I brought it home and the Husband found the perfect place to display it…on the Hanukkah Chair.

It’s been pretty quiet around here between the Husband playing video games and my knitting. We’ve been a bit lax on getting some projects done so that will need to be resolved at some point. On the plus side, my site for work will FINALLY be launching on Friday. That is, it was but now that I’ve written it, something will crop up to prevent the launch–Karma, the Universe, Computer gods.

We’ve watched a few movies lately. I prefer a good action movie, something where things explode. To me, that is high-quality cinema. Of course it’s not high quality in an oscar sense, just in a keeping me awake sense. I do try to branch out into the thought-provoking, Oscar worthy, sleep-inducing genre and on occasion I have been happy. Oh, and do I love some old movies–The Quiet Man, We’re No Angels, Auntie Mame, etc.–so it’s not all pointless, crappy movies. Unless, of course, you think those movies are pointless and crappy.

Anyway.

One movie that doesn’t quite qualify for either good action movie or oscar-worthy was “History of Violence.” I remember there being very good buzz surrounding the film when it came out so when HBO showed it a few weeks back, we recorded it. I have no idea what people saw in this utter drivel. It was absurd. If you liked it, please tell me why because I just couldn’t see it. The basis for a very good film was there but I felt that the pacing, character development, and resolution was very much off (not that I could write an ending any better) and the acting was mediocre. I will state, I was not feeling well when we watched so that could have colored my view, but either way, I don’t recommend this one.

Saturday we were scheduled to go to Sarah and Brenden’s for the annual tree decorating dinner. Unfortunately as we were about to leave our house, Sarah called to postpone. Some nonsense about her basement being flooded. Really, if she didn’t want to do it, couldn’t she have come up with a more realistic lie? No one would believe that a sewer backed up of all things.

Being the kind and benevolent sister that I am, I agreed to postpone the dinner until last night, Monday.

After work the Husband and I left, anticipating yet another call but made it to their house without incident and spent a few fun-filled hours with family (and kitties). Unfortunately, after a long day of work and 2 exercise sessions, we were tuckered out before we were able to finish the tree. Oh well. There is always next year.

You can view more of the night in photos.