My Afflation

I can't remember the last time I read this poem to my children. Then again, it's been quite a while since I had both of them with me for Christmas Eve. You can't really maintain traditions if no one shows up. Illustrator: Jessie Willcox Smith At least this year I have more Christmas spirit than I have in the last few years . This year is low-key and I've kind of gotten used to the idea of having two Christmases or delaying it until the New Year when we're all together.  Three Kings Day works just as well to celebrate the birth of Christ, and in my mind makes much more sense for the 12 Days of Christmas. Maybe in a year or two I can save up enough to go to Florida for Christmas. That would be weird, I mean, what gets warmer than California at Christmas-time?? But what would be better than Walt Disney World at Christmas-time?   Twas the night before Christmas , when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were

I just came across this today. Unfortunately, I have a deadline to meet. When you have some down time, check it out. There are three videos.   And don't forget to play the game in video 3.

Sharing the wealth here. I don't go to Starbucks as often these days since there is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf nearby and I am still in love with our Keurig machine. Not to mention I just culled four or five coffee tumblers from my cabinet and have to stop myself from buying more. ( Must declutter... ) So here you go coffee lovers: Coupon valid December 19-25 Just click through and print it out for your next trip to Starbucks or use promo code 820  at checkout at  StarbucksStore.com  

This morning I don't hate my scale. Down another 1/2 pound. I'll take it. back to 186lbs give or take a few ounces. I've steadily been losing since getting back from vacation. More travel coming up, which means less control of what goes into my mouth, but I have become a lot better at making smarter choices when on the go. Except for coffee. I know that I probably would make my goal of a full pound or maybe even two if I stopped my ritualistic stop at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf every morning. It's like my work day doesn't really start until I have that cup in my hand. I could bring coffee from home, which I used to do, or even use the Starbucks machine here at work. But I truly love my regular Cafe White Chocolate. And if Eddie makes my drink he always adds a little chocolate syrup. One of my few indulgences since starting work again is my morning coffee. Ok, enough justifying. I'm just so very glad that I am still losing weight during the holiday season.

It's the holiday season and that means days off from work, school, and possibly contagious diseases. Do you remember being home sick, on the couch, or in bed, and watching TV in between doses of Nyquil or Theraflu? Even when I am not sick, but want to watch something comforting and familiar I turn to these movies: At the top of my list is " The Princess Bride ". It has been my favorite movie since childhood. Romance, action, comedy - what more do you need? Since it's the holidays, my favorite is " Miracle on 34th Street " - in B&W, not Technicolor. I also love " Arsenic & Old Lace ". When I want a great action flick, I turn to Captain Tightpants and " Serenity ". If I need a good cry I watch " What Dreams May Come  ". What are some of the movies you watch over and over?

Photographed by David Moyle I never dreamed I could look like this!  I was kind of an ugly duckling growing up -- coke bottle glasses, goofy grin (that hasn't changed), and over all awkwardness that I never grew out of. Suffice it to say, I didn't (and some days still don't) have the greatest self-esteem when it comes to my looks. However, I have known since college that I have a decent pair of legs :D.  A few years ago ( I can't believe it's been years! ) I had a leggy avatar for twitter and about the same time I started hanging out with photographers in Long Beach/North OC. One of them is the amazing David Moyle . We talked about doing a shoot of my legs. He does some breathtaking work . Three years later we finally made it happen. And damn, don't I look HAWT ?!? I want to thank @Jonathan360  (another awesome LB photographer) for suggesting Smash Photo in Long Beach -- because, you know me, procrastinator - couldn't find a studio and there wa