This neighborhood inspires me to take walks

A really cool coffee shop, etc.

Getting settled in

Really diggin this new neighborhood

Christmas Eve 2008

The Chinese Gift Exchange, a yearly ritual.

Damn, it's cold this marnin

My new friend, the angry cookie man joined me on the porch this morning for a cup of tea. It's actually cold this morning, 57 degrees here in Mulberry, brrr.
Talking to a friend the other day, I realized something. I had kinda had a back-of-my-mind thought about it for the past few months. However, I actually had a forefront-of-my-mind thought the other night. The fatigue that has been my nemesis for 3 years now, really isn't as bad anymore. I thought about it over the past few months because I was thinking about how living on the farm for the past almost a year has really helped me to build some stamina. I was also relaying to my friend about how, in the beginning, the changes were dramatic, like walking or talking or eating and over time it has become more spread out so that the changes aren't noticeable every day. It just seems like the same ol' challenges. But, to look back over months or years (3+) now, the changes, namely the fatigue not being such an impairment, are still quite significant.

So, anyway, I actually felt like taking a walk this morning. The idea of voluntarily taking a walk for no other reason than the enjoyment of a walk was inconceivable a year ago. This is another reason why I really like this neighborhood. It's like a retirement community, but it's not just older people. It's a nice mix of older people and young families. However, it's still maintained and quiet like a retirement community. It's a very nice neighborhood to take a walk in. So, I did.
A beautiful morning this morning, nice clear sky, crisp cool 60 degree air, and some sun. I think I'm gonna cut my hair when I get back. It's so much easier when the hair doesn't stick to me because I'm all sweaty. I tried a few months ago, after a couple years of being without hair beyond 1/4" and I didn't last more than a couple weeks beyond the normal haircut time. This time I think I may have made it three weeks. I just don't like the hair anymore. It's too hot.
Another one of the reasons I really dig this neighborhood. They are very pet friendly. I was talking to Rhianna about it this morning. She said I should get a dog. For a while there, I didn't want a dog, mostly because of the responsibility. I was telling, Rhianna, though, which made me think, there is actually no pet deposit here. When I was on the farm, I considered getting a German Shepherd or a Greyhound. Now, however, I think I want a toy Weiner dog. I am not a fan of small dogs, but we had a toy weiner once and it was an awesome dog. I loved him because he was a small dog, but wasn't at all yipe-ee. I frickin hate the yipe-ee dogs. The awesome thing about him was that he had a hoarse little man bark. It was not at all obtrusive. His bark was actually endearing.

Listening to: The music mix of varied soundtracks on Amped as Rhianna and I shred the slopes in our pseudo-badassness realm of imaginary video game superbia.

I am so thankful

I was joking with Shalane about it on the back porch as she played the part of a nasty smoker. I told her how I was happy to have married into this. Then, she pointed out the thing I am more specifically happy about, that I am 'still' able to enjoy and be invited to partake of such culinary ecstacy. This is just one of several trays of goodies for us to fill ourselves with prior to the execution of 'cookie night' activities, a yearly ritual. This one had salamis and other yummy meats as well as brie and like 8 or 9 other cheeeses, mmm, this and shrimp and spinach dip and artichoke dip and some kinda quiche supm and some other dip really made my tummy pleased.
At a lull, I took a rest in the nice comfy chair by the tree.
And so it begins. The tray of sugar cookies is fresh from the oven and the decorationing items are put on the table.
Rhianna is working.

Jimmy decided blue was needed so he mixed up a batch of blue icing.

No one likes me, so poor angry cookie man got stuck being my new friend. I really like him. Well, I braked his neck a little while ago, oops.
My next was the traditional Christmas tree.
Then, I made a nice cookie, but, no surprise, he got a red blob on his face and was therefore destined for my belly.
These is Rhianna's creations. I like the blue tree and the sun dress on her cookie lady. The strangeness on her arm is a bracelet.
Linda, the hostess of this and many gatherings in which elaborate food displays are made, was hard at work next to me.
Tina, one of the ex-cousin-in-laws, who moved to LA to pursue her musical aspirations, came to visit with this guy, her new beau, Chuck, I think, who made this really cool santa looking cookie man.
Yeah, not the greatest lighting. Travis, the ex-brother-in-law, just came from a show that his band played, so he had the bongos and a guitar available for a musical conclusion to the evening. 
Then, Tina's beau, Chuck? traded with Travis and played the guitar a bit as he sang. They are all pretty good musicians. Unfortunately, however, being successful in the music world is really a crap shoot. Talent and abilities really have little to do with whether or not you actually enjoy popularity. I really admire and respect the peeps who devote their life to being a musician. Regardless of 'on paper' success, they are realizing their dream and doing what drives them every day. It is likely why musicians have been admired for so long. Everyone loves music and those who provide it, but I think, everyone likewise respects and admires someone who is actually doing what they were gifted to be able to do. How many people sitting in a box somewhere would be better building something or inventing something yet continue to be driven by fear of the unknown? 

Ok, I dunno why I can't type under the next picture. Therefore, I will just put it up here. Angry cookie man was not happy at all about being put in plastic, suffocating, ya know.

Listening to: Superstition, by Stevie Wonder.