My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Inspired by this word’s use in a NY Times headline, I’m resuming my Word of the Whenever I Feel Like It (“WOTWIFLI”) posts.  Today’s word is sybaritic. 

I love it when headlines use creative and seldomly seen words.  I still have fond memories of seeing onus used in a headline several years ago in the Sports section of the San Jose Mercury News! 

Back from my all too short trip home to SJ.  The office closed early on Friday so I was able to get home by 3:30.  Little Sis had come over earlier in the day and was hanging out with T.  We spent Friday night hanging out, wrapping presents, and not doing much of anything.  

Little Sis and I drove to SJ Saturday morning.  Arrived home around 3pm.  The Parents were glad to see us, although they persisted in asking why T didn’t come with us.  Apparently, the fact that he wanted to spend Christmas with his own family wasn’t good enough.  They reluctantly accepted that he wouldn’t be making a surprise visit – but only on the condition that he visit during Lunar New Year in February.  Presumably they want me there too.

Went for a 7 mile run Sunday morning.  I had meant to do 14 miles but slept in too late.  As is, I still scrambled afterwards to meet up with 3/4ths of the Quad for our annual Christmas gift exchange.  We had lunch at J’s beautiful townhouse (see picture below), decorated cookies, exchanged gifts and caught up on each other’s lives.  (T had noted that my gifts for my Quad friends seemed rather impersonal.  I pointed out that after some 15+ years of friendship and gift-giving, one runs out of personal gift ideas.) 

Did dinner at home with the family, including Little Sis and Littlest Sis’s boyfriends.  I think the Parents were thrilled that their nest was full again.  I should make it a point to visit more often.

Went for the remainder of my 14 mile run Monday morning, dodging ominous looking clouds and praying it wouldn’t rain all the while.  Realized again how great the weather was in LA.  Finished just in time to indulge in the feast Little Sis’s boyfriend prepared for the family (he’s studying to be a chef and the meal was his Christmas gift).  Left for LA Monday night full and happy.   

T:  So my new partner’s dating this 22 year old.

Me:  Really?  How old is he?

T:  30.

Me:  Wow, I can’t even relate to 22 year olds anymore.  I wonder why men are attracted to younger women? 

T:  I’m sure I have no idea.

Me:  No, seriously.  I know they’re pretty to look at and all, but don’t you want someone you can at least talk to?  I just don’t feel like I’d have that much in common with a 22 year old.  I’m in such a different place in life right now than I was then. 

T:  Yes, well, I told him I didn’t know why he would want to date a young, attractive woman when he could . . . [trailing off, look of panic starting to form in his eyes]

Me:  [Laughing]  Gee, I’d love to see where that compliment was going.

T:  Um, you’re beautiful and I love you?

Me:  Yeah, maybe it’s best we just leave it at that. 

T:  Just dodged the bullet there, didn’t I?

Me:  Only cause it’s the holidays Hon, only cause it’s the holidays.

T:  [Makes funny, vaguely insulting comment directed at me.]

Me:  Hey!  [Said in a mildly insulted tone.]

T:  Kidding, kidding!  You know I think you’re beautiful, smart, funny, kind and all around wonderful!

Me:  [Looking at him expectantly.]

T:  What?

Me:  You forgot thin.  You always forget thin.

T:  ——  [Crickets chirping.]

Me:  Hey!

T:  I just don’t think “thin” is necessarily a complement . . .

Me:  You think I’m fat don’t you?

T:  Maybe I’d better stop talking now.

Me:  This is going up on my blog.

Friday: Went with (poor) T to a friend’s (all-girls) cookie decorating party on Friday. (Thanks HB – we had a great time!) Decorated many a cookie. Realized I am a cookie decorating genuis. (See below) Nearly cried when babies were eventually eaten. Happy they were fullfilling their cookie destiny though. I guess.

Saturday: Woke up at 5:45 a.m. to volunteer at a water station for my running group’s 20 mile run. Suffered through four hours of standing in the cold. Felt very proud of martyr-like self. Brunched with some felllow martyrs afterwards. Relatively painless shopping trip. Tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Friends over for wine, cheese, and soak in the spa.

Sunday: Woke up at 6 a.m. for 20 mile make-up run. Beautiful weather, great run. Lunch with T before he headed to work. Headed to another cookie decorating party. Lots of eating, left before the actual cookie decorating. (Very tired.) Wrote post. Going to sleep.

I’m totally egocentric (surprised?) and love online quizzes about myself.  I especially like the results of this latest one, sent to me by Roomie.  It’s a short, fun quiz.  If you want to take it, it’s on this site.  (Click on “Extras.”) 

This is a brillliant idea!  Let me know if you submit anything!

I must have been in a daze the last few months.  Did you all know Christmas was coming?  I didn’t.  T and I innocently ventured out to Target this weekend to buy some household items, not realizing that we would be heading into the heart of Christmas Chaos.  After navigating the masses, we were able to escape with a few items on our list…as well as a cute little table top Christmas tree and miniture penguin ornaments.  Miniture penguin ornaments people!  My head is about to explode from all the cuteness.  

Realized today that I need November back.  Maybe if I had started Christmas shopping then, rather than today, I wouldn’t desparately be trying to convince myself that yes, everyone on my list really wants socks for Christmas.  Sigh.  I hope everyone’s expectations are sufficiently low as far as their gifts are concern.  Although, judging from my previous record of unspectacular gifts, I’m assuming that this won’t be a problem.  =)  

As for the apartment and the move, it’s slowly coming together.  We even had several guests over this weekend who didn’t run away screaming.  Mostly because Roomie was stuffing them full of yummy food.  As for T and I, we’ve unpacked most of our stuff and started serious negotiations about which of our (respective) remaining stuff makes the cut and which of it has to go.  I think I’m winning.  =)