On the fourth day of Christmas...

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ... well, he's technically not my true love. Hopefully "lovey" will do as we are talking about The Turkey here. So let's try this again, shall we? 

On the fourth day of Christmas my lovey gave to me ... can you guess? 

Four calling birds? Nope.

Four calling cards? Nope.

Four decks of cards? Nope.

Try this:  four weeks times two (aka eight weeks) at summer camp as paid staff! Yippee!

Today was The Turkey's first ever job interview and he did well. On the spot, they confirmed him for a paid position at summer camp this year. He doesn't officially begin until June 18, but the time between now and then will be peppered with a weekend work day here and there. Volunteer work days, of course.

Needless to say, if this was his first ever job interview, the summer will bring his first ever paychecks. The cash he will come home with is measly, but the camp provides room and board AND his mom has a few weekends of kid-free living.

Let's hear it for a summer job! Hip, hip, HOORAY! 

Congratulations to The Turkey on a stellar job interview.

Three french hens

Happy third day of Christmas!

 

 

O Tannenbaum

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the house. Finally! The list of errands and other ephemera from yesterday resulted in a fully decorated Christmas tree by late last night. Today's projects will include the little touches of holiday cheer around the rest of the house, in addition to some time on campus for graduation.

Back to the tree, though. We have been trying to come up with an appropriate name for said tree now that she is a part of the family. The Turkey is fond of either Tink or Roxie. She's got sparkle and sass, a festive attitude, she's quiet and still, stoic even, but she really lights up a room. Alice? Esther? Eve?

The Island of Misfit Images

Today, December 18th, I finally have a few "free" hours to focus on the holly and the jolly. I am still at the very beginning stages of decking the halls -- retrieving boxes from the basement, putting a wreath on the front door, assessing the state of the shopping, arranging the Christmas cards, tweaking the 2010 Christmas playlist, and decorating the tree.

Looking back at that list I am not so sure this is a "free" day after all!

In the midst of list management, I am taking a hot tea break while listening to the tweaked 2010 playlist (it's getting there, ya'll!) and wanted to share some miscellaneous shots from the week. These are all from the Island of Misfit Images so don't expect any continuity or theme. ;-)

The New York skyline from the corner of Bryant Park. Don't let the blue sky fool you -- it was bitterly cold. I kept ducking in to shops, stores, coffee shops, offices, whatever, just to get warm for a few minutes.

A very unique snowball in Bryant Park. Wait! That's not a snowball, it's a Kate Spade store! Heaven! The heat was working well, the penguin at the front door was friendly, and the colors and goodies inside were a welcome treat. Expensive, mind you, but very welcome. After about 15 minutes of warm browsing I left the store without any Kates, but with all my Georges in tow. :-)

My bathroom at the hotel in New York. Two separate vanities, a bench by the makeup mirror, a flat screen TV, marble, generous sizes of complimentary toiletries, and pure bathroom bliss. Really, why NOT get a picture of this?

I hearted San Francisco. Just sayin'...

 

Thursday was our office holiday luncheon at an Italian restaurant in DC. The Pope even joined us! *snicker*  We were seated at the Pope's Table at Buca Di Beppo, a round table for 20 with the walls bedecked with images of and from the Vatican. Was this the boss' way of saying we need all the divine inspiration we can get?!?  

This was on the opposite wall from the Pope. I think it was there to remind us of what we would look like after dessert. More bread, anyone? 

Let me know what you think of this one. Like? Dislike? Need some more make up? Ditch the glasses? Call the stylist? You tell me.

Hope your holiday weekend is fully of merry jingles and jollies!

Heading home

New York

 Ta da! The destination du jour is New York City! 

There is much hustle and bustle here, and a bit of snow tonight. If it weren't so dang cold and windy I would say it was super picturesque. There is something wonderful about being here during the holidays and seeing the lights up everywhere, the big decorations on the streets and in buildings, the trees everywhere, Christmas markets in the squares, and a general feeling of Christmas in the air. 

Or is that a Christmas carol? 

That's 50th and 7th down there. Otherwise known as the view from my hotel room. (Hey, since you got the views last week in SF it was only fair you got them of NYC, too.) 

One of the joys of a business trip to NYC is getting to see this cutie patootie: 

Wouldn't it be great if we could all get strolled around the city in our very own sleeping bags? That's the life. 

It's way past the witching hour and time for me to hunker down in my own sleeping bag for the night. (Translation: go to sleep in this super comfy hotel bed.) Have a great night, my peeps! You can be sure I will take more pictures tomorrow and share more adventures as soon as I have a viable internet connection.

Sleep tight!

Monday, the 13th

Thank goodness it's not Friday. Today is a Monday with all the traps and trimmings, including another trip! Can you guess where I'm going this time? Hint: it is another business trip. (Expense accounts rock!)

Last week's trip was super smooth and comfortable, with flights running on time, and some gorgeous scenery to keep me entranced on the long ride across the country. While I did not capture images of "smooth and comfortable" (trust me, first class was comfortable!), here are some snaps of the scenery: 

The clouds at 30,000 feet looked like an ocean.

And then the ocean got choppy.

This looked like the Grand Canyon in clouds -- a precipice on the left with different landscapes on either side.

One of my favorite pictures from the trip. Loved the different textures in the clouds.

West of Milwaukee, looking down at the snow on the ground.

Mountains! This was absolutely breathtaking. Based on our location at the time, this could be the northern end of the Grand Canyon. Or not.

Today's trip may not be as photogenic, but hopefully it will be just as smooth. Fingers are crossed (you just can't see them inside the mittens).