It's been a while since I've written more than a sentence or two. Guess that's a combination of time suckage from two children, trepidation about posting anything too personal now that I'm old and more worried about privacy than I used to be, a lack of ideas and creativity, and good old-fashioned writer's block.

Like now, for instance. I had this idea for a post, but now that I'm sitting down to write it, I'm at a loss for words. What popped into my head is that things kind of suck right now. I don't mean for me specifically. My own life is mostly pretty good, with a great family and two kids that melt my heart every day and a new house and friends we see often. Things aren't perfect, of course. There are things I could complain about, and Jay will tell you that I often do, but that's not really my point.

I'm talking about things in general. This economic collapse happened months ago, so it's nothing new. But I'm surprised by how many people are affected by it -- not just abstract people on the news, or people in small midwestern towns, or people who work in the auto industry. It's everyone. My friends. Colleagues. Family members. Rich people. Middle class people. People who had (so we thought) stable jobs. It all seems to be crumbling, and in ways I didn't see coming.

You know a recession will have an impact, but you don't quite expect to see so much of it first-hand. We know multiple people who have lost their jobs, or are on the verge of losing their jobs. You hear about job cuts everywhere and in every industry. But it's usually not people you know, and not so many of them.

Aside from the job situation, everyone seems to be poor. Whether it's losing huge sums of money in investments and 401Ks, or having to dig into savings to pay bills, or whatever, people are broke. We're planning a bridal shower for a friend and the first thing discussed was how we could pinch pennies because so many of the planners are cash-strapped. For Christmas this year, we only gave presents to the kids because most of my family members (us included) have a lot less expendable money now than usual. Everyone I know is reconsidering big purchases because there's just so much uncertainty. And drained bank accounts.

It's all pretty scary.

I wish I had some grand conclusion or even a point, but I don't. Just that it sucks. I feel better knowing that Obama is about to step in. At least soon we'll have a grown-up in charge. I get dizzy when I think about the extent of Bush's idiocy and delusions. I keep reading things he says and I'm left awe-struck. But it's hard to be surprised by anything anymore. It gets crazier and crazier and you can't muster up any outrage or shock. There was an article in People magazine recently where Bush said he has no regrets since he's stayed true to his values. What? Which values is he talking about? I just tried to find the article because it's so insane and ludicrous, and your eyes would bug out of your head if you read it. But the search functionality doesn't seem to work, so no luck.

Anyway, I'm rambling now. Point is, things are crappy these days and there's no end in sight. Plus, it's January. Cold and dark. That doesn't help.

On the plus side, American Idol starts next Tuesday.
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We're in the market for furniture. All kinds of furniture. A couch, chairs, casual dining table, bar stools, you name it. We've been all over town, hit all the usual places and catalogs, and are still stuck.

Anyone know of places where you can find decent quality furniture and ideally also pick the fabric? In a perfect world this would be somewhere with a brick and mortar store in Atlanta. We've come to realize that trying to buy, say, a couch from a catalog is sorta pointless because you want to know what the damn thing will feel like when you sit on it.

Help!
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Mi madre was recently named one of eight Kansans of the year. You can't make this stuff up, people. The Topeka Capital-Journal online says so right here. She shares this distinction with a few other notable Kansans including Rob Riggle. I knew I liked that guy.

Past Kansans of the year include Jim Lehrer, Paul Rudd, Martina McBride and Jason Sudeikis. Kansans are everywhere, I tell you.

But I digress. Congrats, Mom!
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Our episode airs again tonight on HGTV. I haven't checked the schedule but it's probably on at 8 pm.
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Looking for some music to get you in the holiday spirit? I just ordered an old classic, A Christmas Together, featuring the Muppets and John Denver. An oldie but goodie, for sure. I used to have the LP.

Another album that gets a lot of play this time of year in our house is A Festival of Carols in Brass, which my dad got us a few years ago. Traditional and timeless and all-around enjoyable.

Years ago I bought this Jackson 5 Christmas album, which I love to pieces, but I can't seem to find it. Hmm. Must go dig through boxes until this treasure is found.

Based on a bunch of recommendations from dooce.com readers, today I bought the Barenaked Ladies holiday album. Oh, and I also bought an Ella Fitzgerald album, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.

This all reminds me that despite the coldness and darkness of this time of year, at least there's fab music. I sure do love holiday music.
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Looking for a great gift idea? I bought myself this gift, an apple peeler, a few weeks ago and am over the moon for it. Look what I made!



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My Amazon.com recommendations are rather disturbing at the moment.

They apparently think I would enjoy the latest Nickelback album, and a new sewing machine. I'm a hard-rocking Amish granny, apparently.
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I really want to see this movie, Rachel Getting Married. Anybody seen it?

The preview looked awesome. Normally I'm not that into going to movies because so many of them suck, and I hate to waste two hours on a dud. But every now and then there's a movie that seems promising enough to make a trip to the theater worthwhile.

Not that we ever get to a movie theater anymore. Although, Jay's parents are coming in town this weekend, so there's some possibility we might actually get to go. Woo-hoo!

p.s. Ooh, I was browsing rottentomatoes.com and came across two more movies that look good: Happy-Go-Lucky and Religulous. Now there are three -- count 'em, THREE -- reasons to go to the theater. Who knew?
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