What better way to spend a long, relaxing holiday weekend than to tackle a big construction project in our home... right? YEAH RIGHT.
Randy and I decided that in order to make our condo more appealing when we put it back on the market, we needed to re-do the floors. Previously, our condo floor had berber carpet. It was nice carpet -- the colors were great and it was good quality. But it was older, and stained in some spots. And it was coming up in certain areas of high traffic. So this past week, we decided to check out the laminate flooring at Home Depot. After finding something we liked (and buying 25 boxes of it), we came back to clear everything out and tear up the carpet. My once sweet, pretty, cozy living room that looked like this:



Suddenly looked like this:



And this:



Even my poor hallway had no dignity left after we stripped it bare:



We started in the back corner, and worked our way up. These things were a big pain in the keister at first. Because we bought the glueless (lock-in-place) floor boards with the foam underlayment already attached, they didn't quite fit together so smoothly. At first the going was sloooooow. Like molasses. Like a turtle. Like these silly boards that I swear were laughing at us and mocking us:



But then we started getting the hang of it, figuring out the little tips and tricks to make it go smoother. My favorite part was watching Randy use his power tools to cut the different boards. Talk about working up a sweat! (Me, not him!) It was like having my own private George Burnett in my living room!! (For those of you who don't get that, then you obviously aren't the right age to remember drooling over George Clooney on Facts of Life...)

So anyway, it's starting to come together now, and we're at the point where we can imagine and appreciate how it might look at the end:







I'll be sure to post pics of the finale -- after everything's all put back together. Right now it seems as if our living-room will never be back to normal. But my hubby assures me (in his best George Clooney imitation) that it will all be beautiful. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

I Don't Want a Title and SuchSimplePleasures both did this meme, and it looked like fun, so I thought I'd try it. (Plus, it's an easy thing to post on a busy day...)

Here is how the birth month meme works: It lists a bunch of traits for each birth month and you are supposed to see which ones are "you".

So, now the rules for this one are: copy and paste the 12 months and their characteristics. Note which traits are yours and comment on each one, identifying whether it fits you or not. Feel free to be sassy, philosophical, serious or whatever. Also feel free to tag others, or do what I do -- just post it and invite any and all readers to participate. Here we go!

I was born in September, so:

--Suave and compromising: Hmmm... that's an odd statement. Suave? Like Rico Suave? I don't know about that. I have the gift of gab, and I like sales. So I guess so. I am definitely good at compromising. I've often heard that I should be a diplomat or peacemaker (when I'm not at war with my siblings, LOL).

--Careful, cautious and organized: It used to not be me at all. When I was younger (as a teen and in my twenties) I was not careful, cautious or organized. It's only been the last couple of years that I've become all three. Weird, eh? Guess I just needed to grow up.

--Likes to point out people’s mistakes: I'm way better at this, too. I used to do this -- not intentionally, but because I was such a perfectionist about stupid things. It was a bad habit, and one that I don't miss.

--Likes to criticize: Not so much anymore, either. Part of the reason I don't criticize anymore is because of my new faith. I don't have to care what everyone else in the world is doing wrong -- it's only important that I see what they're doing right.

--Stubborn: Yeah, to a degree. But remember that I'm good at compromising, so I'll only be really stubborn for things that are on the top of my list to fight for.

--Quiet but able to talk well: True! Believe it or not, I like my quiet time. And when I'm not at work or with my friends/family, I'm a pretty quiet and introverted. I'm not one of those that has to stand out in a crowd by talking all the time. But I like to think that when I do talk, I'm a good communicator.

--Calm and cool: Very much so, and I tend to be more that way as I get older. I'm pretty level headed during a crisis. When someone's panicking or things are going wrong, I'm the first to say, "Slow down! It's okay -- we can fix this..."

--Kind and sympathetic: Totally. Just ask Randy. On any given day, I'm pretty likely to: suggest giving a big tip... say hi to someone who looks down in the dumps... offer to give money to someone who looks as if they need it... ask Randy to adopt a dog or cat... think about joining 15 different ministries at our church.

--Concerned and detailed: I'm definitely concerned. I'm always asking people how things went or if problems they've been having are solved. I love reading Ann Landers and Dear Abby. Detailed? Absolutely. I check grammar as if I'm being tested on it. I'll fiddle with a candle until it's exactly where I want it. And my Christmas tree and decorations are placed in exactly the right place. Plus I always remember weird little things, like other people's likes and dislikes, or silly minutiae that no one else knows.

--Loyal but not always honest: I was and still am very loyal. Until someone does something that causes me to lose that loyalty, in which case it's usually hard to get back. I am SO much more honest now than I was in the past. I used to tell little white lies all the time to prevent arguments, confrontations or hurting someone's feelings. Not anymore, which is one of the reasons Randy and I have such a good, solid foundation in our relationship.

--Does work well: I like to think so! I'm pretty thorough in all work I do -- whether it's my job, or something within my home, or a hobby.

--Very confident: Yep, most of the time I'm very confident.

--Sensitive: I used to be a lot more sensitive than I am now, with regard to getting my feelings hurt. Now I would say that I'm more sensitive, meaning I'm more intuitive to other people's emotions and to what's going on around me.

--Good memory: Funny... I can't remember to bring my shopping list, but I can remember the smallest detail from something that happened twenty years ago. I'm great at remembering stories or events. I have a tough time remembering birthdays and phone numbers, but I never forget words to songs or the poems I memorized. I guess if it's "left-brained" stuff, I remember it well. But if it's numbers or problems or puzzles, forget it.

--Clever and knowledgeable: I like to think so. Otherwise I'd have a pretty dull blog, right?

--Loves to look for information: OMG, this is SO true! I'm ALWAYS saying, "Here, I'll find that out for you!" I love doing research, and am a whiz at finding the answer (particularly if I have the internet at hand). There isn't anything I can't try find out, and I always have fun doing it.

--Must control oneself when criticizing: Not anymore, because I really don't criticize as much as I used to. And if I do criticize someone, it's usually for things that could be harmful to me -- like someone's bad driving behavior. I'm still working on not giving out "unwanted" advice, but I'm always doing it with a good heart, with intentions of trying to help.

--Able to motivate oneself: Yep, I am great at giving myself pep-talks. I often use music, meditation or aromatherapy to motivate me. I also love to read motivational books.

--Understanding: Yes, I couldn't be compassionate and compromising without being understanding.

--Fun to be around: My friends tell me I am! I love to laugh, and am always in a good mood.

--Secretive: Not so much anymore. Like I said, I used to be. Mostly I'm just "private" now. (Although, kind of contradicts me having a blog, eh?)

--Loves leisure and traveling: Totally! I haven't done it enough. I love traveling. I love going to museums and fairs and shows. I adore sightseeing, relaxing on vacation, trying out new foods and shopping within different cultures.

--Hardly shows emotions: I absolutely used to be this way. My ex-husband often accused me of being cold and emotionless. I suppose it was a defense-mechanism for the horrid childhood I had. Now I'm much more open. I rarely feel negative emotions... I'm a pretty happy and content person. So I very often show my happy, positive emotions.

--Tends to bottle up feelings: I guess that goes with the above answer. In the past, when I would get upset, I'd shut my mouth and not say one word until I was done being mad. It's been a very, very long time since I've done that. I've worked hard at fixing that.

--Very choosy, especially in relationships: Absolutely. I had an exact idea of what I wanted in a soul mate and life partner. There was no way I was going to settle unless that person fit me perfectly. In other aspects of my life, I'm pretty picky. I'll definitely admit that.

--Systematic: I think this is the one thing in this list that doesn't fit me. I have no systems whatsoever. My brain just doesn't think that way (which is why I'm so awful at chess). I never have a plan for anything that I set out to do -- I just jump in and see where it leads me. I guess I'm just wired that way.


There you have it. I tag all of my bloggy buds. You're it. Have fun!

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

The Lion King has special meaning to me. It's my all-time favorite Disney movie (Aladdin is second). I remember when I used to babysit this cute little 4 year old boy about ten years ago, I took him to the mall. And one of those mall interviewers (Remember those? The people with a clipboard?) came up to me and asked if I'd give my opinions on a particular topic. (Stephanie, I guess those people have morphed into your people, eh?) I took the little boy with me into this funky interview room, where I was given a questionnaire. And on it were questions about a future Disney animated film about a lion who grows up to be king. I don't really remember the questions, but I remember shrugging and thinking, "yeah, I guess it would be a good movie." I do remember a question about the title of the movie, and some of the options were, "Pride of the Serengeti" or "The Mane Event" or something like that. But I do specifically remember choosing "The Lion King" because it was simple and made sense. Imagine my surprise when it came out and instantly became a hit.

The movie also reminds me of my ex-husband. I used to watch it now and then when I was married, and Simba kind of reminds me of him. He spent much of his time with me in "Hakuna Matata" mode -- not worrying about anything and just partying and going with the flow. Now I hear that he's become more like the "older Simba" -- strong, mighty, responsible and in control. I'm so happy to hear that. He deserves a good life.

So anyway, back on my birthday Randy surprised me with tickets to see The Lion King at the Detroit Opera House. I've been excited about this for months. We got dressed up, headed downtown, grabbed a quick bite to eat at Cheli's Chili (we intended to go somewhere nicer, but the weather was bad yesterday evening and it took us longer than we anticipated to get downtown). I was ecstatic to find that we were right in front -- center stage, second row. The opening scene was amazing! People in giraffe costumes and elephant costumes (which were so lifelike -- it was incredible) came up the aisles and onto the stage.



I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Even Randy thought it was fantastic (at first he was skeptical about this -- he had never seen The Lion King movie, but he's been to plays/musicals before and isn't too thrilled about them). The humor was hilarious (Timon and Pumba were AWESOME!), the singing was breathtaking (I LOVED Rafiki's voice!!) and the colors and sounds and drums and sets were just out of this world. By far this was the best thing I have ever attended. It was magnificent.







By the time we got out, the rain/freezing rain had stopped and it was actually quite warm out. We had a great ride home, and I fell asleep in bed singing "The Circle of Life."

(LOL -- Randy keeps teasing me because I continue to sing Christmas carols even now that Christmas has come and gone. But no more! I'll be singing Lion King tunes for the next week or so, which I'm sure he'll love.)

:0)

In between my goofy photo posts and my turkey recipes and my book reviews, I have to throw in a serious post -- one that poses several questions, yet offers no answers. I have a curious mind, and one of the biggest imaginations of anyone I know. Sometimes it's a hindrance... sometimes it's fun... other times I just shrug and say, "To heck with it -- delve in and see what happens." This is one of those times.

After reading a fellow Blogger's post about their recent move to Dubai City, I decided to do some Googling. Being Arabic, I'm vaguely familiar with the city of Dubai, and on more than one occasion thought that my father would fit in well there (he's such a business man by nature, and currently lives in Lebanon). I knew that the city was being dubbed "The New Monte Carlo" or the "Vegas" or even "New York of the Middle East." Hotels are springing up everywhere... commerce is high-end and many fashion designers are flocking there to open boutiques... the restaurants and cafes are five-star, and nightclubs are prevalent.

After reading a few paragraphs about Dubai, I couldn't help but to think of the passages in the Bible that reference the "New Babylon" -- particularly in the Book of Revelation. Now, I'm no Bible scholar -- believe me. But obviously this stuck in my head for a reason. I pulled out my Bible and began looking for those references:

Revelation 14:8
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."

Revelation 16:19-20
The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.

Revelation 17:1-2
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."

Revelation 17:3-6
Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead:
MYSTERY
BABYLON THE GREAT
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

Revelation 17:9-11
"This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction."

Revelation 17:16,18
Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages... The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

Revelation 18:1-3
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:
"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!
She has become a home for demons
and a haunt for every evil spirit,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
For all the nations have drunk
the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."

Revelation 18:9
"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
" 'Woe! Woe, O great city,
O Babylon, city of power!
In one hour your doom has come!'

Revelation 18:11-13
"The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more -— cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.

Dubai, one of the seven states that make up the United Arab Emirates (notice the "7" coincidence there?) is the fastest growing city in the world. Now, here are references that I found in current or recent news articles about the city of Dubai (I even included some photos):

From the Chicago Tribune, dated December 9th, 2007: One of the abra stations on the Deira side gives onto the shaded lanes of the spice souk. Dried lemons, powdered vanilla, cardamom and curry, and mysterious roots of different colors—all meted out by the scoopful—crowd the walks in great cloth bags, yielding their fragrance to the heat. A few streets beyond the spice merchants are scores of sole proprietorships—anywhere from 250 to 400 depending on who's counting—and they're all blessedly unacquainted with concepts such as "understated elegance" or "less is more." Here's a city that flaunts 55,120 pounds of gold in its shops on any given day, at least 90 percent of which is 22 karat or better. They had deeply worked necklaces almost the size of lobster bibs; heavily filigreed cuffs that would cover a woman's arm from wrist to elbow; gold belts with gold buckles; gold bangles; gold crowns; and even a garment of chains and medallions that, when donned, would drape 'round a bride from neck to knee. It's all sold by weight, plus workmanship, and the day's gold prices are there for everyone to see...






(continued from the same article): If there were ever any doubts as to the islands paying for themselves, they were put to rest when Palm Jumeirah's first phase of 4,000 properties sold out within 72 hours. Donald Trump is building a hotel there. Atlantis, the fantasy resort of the Bahamas, will erect another version of itself there. Cirque du Soliel will have its own theater, and the QE2 will have a permanent berth. I saw where a 1,743-square-foot two-bedroom beachfront condo in a mid-rise building out on the breakwater was selling for $850,000. At the World, where an offshore archipelago of 300 islands forms a map of the Earth, Sir Richard Branson has staked his claim on "England," a Chinese businessman has sprinkled Chinese soil on "Shanghai," and an Irish consortium is developing something called Ireland in the Sun. Palm Jebel Ali, when it is finished, will be home to 250,000 people. I wonder if they'll have a vantage point from which to read their poem: Between the curved breakwater and the island's residential "fronds" will be an Arabic poem, spelled out with pontoon boats that will be lit at night.







To power all this growth there's a $12 to $15 billion plan under way to build an electric and desalination complex capable of producing, every day, 9,000 megawatts of electricity—the same as New York City's total generating capacity, according to Dow Jones Newswires—and 600 million gallons of desalinated water. It sounds like the new plant will go up near Jebel Ali Port and the new airport they're building next door. The idea is for Dubai to be the world's No. 1 air hub, eventually handling more than 120 million passengers a year. Meanwhile, they're expanding the much-admired Dubai International, the airport they've already got, to take care of double-digit cargo and passenger increases.



From Wikipedia: Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world. Dubai is also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance, with the establishment of a new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as MBC, CNN, Reuters and AP.

Large scale real estate development projects have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers and largest projects in the world such as the Emirates Towers, the Palm Islands and the world's tallest, and most expensive, hotel the Burj Al Arab.

Prostitution, though illegal by law, is conspicuously present in the emirate because of an economy that is largely based on tourism and trade. Research conducted by the American Center for International Policy Studies (AMCIPS) found that Russian and Ethiopian women are the most common prostitutes, as well as women from some African countries, while Indian prostitutes are part of a well organized trans-Oceanic prostitution network. A 2007 PBS documentary entitled Dubai: Night Secrets reported that prostitution in clubs is tolerated by authorities and many foreign women work there without being coerced, attracted by the money.



Also from Wikipedia: Burj Dubai is a supertall skyscraper currently under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When it is completed in late 2008, it is predicted to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, as well as the tallest building by any measure. The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about $4.1 billion US and for the entire new 'Downtown Burj Dubai', $20 billion US. The interior will be decorated by Giorgio Armani. An Armani Hotel (the first of its kind) will occupy the lower 37 floors. Floors 45 through 108 will have 700 private apartments on 64 floors (which, according to the developer, sold out within eight hours of going on sale). It will also feature the world's fastest elevator, rising and descending at 18 m/s (40 mph). A total of 56 elevators will be installed that can carry 42 people at a time.


From the Dubai City website:

--Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewelery at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.

--Al Boom Tourist Village: Adjacent to Creekside Park, the village consists of a 2,000 seat banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Its traditional architecture forms a stately city landmark. Located next to Wonderland Family Fun Park. It is open 7 days. Timings: 9am-1am. Entertainment includes evening boat cruises with dinner served.

--The Deira Covered Souq has more of an Indian feel than an Arabic one, with folks hawking textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. It?s a perfect place for a housewife to feel home! The aromas, the sights and the flavours of this place is quite intoxicating!!!

--The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was established to stimulate trade and commerce in the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Over the past two decades, the DWTC has become a symbol of economic growth and prosperity in the Middle East. It undertakes three core activities: organizing exhibitions, providing hospitality services and property leasing. From humble beginning in 1979 to being a state-of-the-art complex today, the DWTC has recorded remarkable growth in all areas of its core activities. The Complex includes a 39-storey office tower, 492 serviced residential apartments with a sports club, seven international standard interconnected and purpose built exhibition halls, a 200-seat theatre, a congress center and a private member's business club.

--Located on Al Jumeira Road this mosque, one of the most beautiful of all, and a fine example of modern Islamic architecture. The beauty of the mosque, the city's largest, is seen at its very best particularly when floodlit after sundown, when the subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief. The mosque is one of the most visited and photographed sights.



--Dubai has an excellent nightlife scene with a large choice of bars and nightclubs for you to be able to enjoy whilst there.




Miscellaneous comments and articles:

--(From NPR): Dubai made headlines when a state-owned company moved to take over shipping terminals at six U.S. ports. The small Arab sheikhdom is one of the fastest-growing, flashiest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world. But foreign diplomats and others say there's a dark side to the economic boom, including millions of poorly paid construction workers, and illegal but widespread prostitution. "It is a sin city," Youssef Ibrahim (a Middle Eastern journalist) says, "They don't like this name, but they don't shrink away from the image, because it brings a lot of money." Islamist groups in the region object to Dubai's freewheeling lifestyle, but the emirate's ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, is famously apolitical. Perhaps this explains how Dubai has steadily prospered in the heart of a region plagued by violence and terrorism. But some locals privately wonder how long Maktoum's miracle can continue -- and whether his unique society would survive a major political or economic shock.



From AskMen.com: Dubai has come a long way from the fishing settlement it used to be. This desert city is now among the most multicultural cities in the world -- 82% of its population is made up of expatriates from over 100 countries. Dubai is used to catering to the upwardly mobile -- even the locals have a relatively high standard of living. But where does it all come from? Primarily from oil; but as the oil reserves are going to run out eventually, the country has diversified into other areas -- namely tourism. Yes, Dubai has made catering to tourists -- especially rich tourists -- an art form.

From the UK Telegraph: We hear stories of riches beyond belief; of Maseratis and yachts; of polo matches and servants; and, with one in five Britons said to dream of a life in the sunshine, it's not surprising that increasing numbers are deciding to make the move there.

From Jaunted.com: Getting all your Christmas shopping done then splurging again at the post-Christmas sales not enough for your bad case of the shopping bug? Then it's time you booked a flight to the Dubai Shopping Festival which this time 'round takes place from January 24 to February 24, 2008. The Dubai Shopping Festival is basically the ultimate in tourism marketing, in which retailers offer prizes to shoppers as well as huge discounts, a scheme which recently has been bringing at least an extra 3 million people to Dubai each time the event is held.

From The TEN Real Estate Website: Dubai Sports City (DSC) is a 500 million square foot (46.5 million square meter) development, being built within the mega Dubailand project. The AED 7 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) development will be located along the Emirates Road next to the Dubai Autodrome (MotorCity). Dubai Sport City will contain a unique combination of sports, lifestyle, leisure, entertainment, commerce and enterprise sub-developments. Dubai Sports City will have a stadium complex that is to be the most most modern and advanced stadiums in the Middle East, that will be able to facilitate international sports and mega-events. It will have a dedicated cricket stadium, an outdoor multipurpose stadium for sports like football and rugby, an indoor multi-purpose stadium for sports like basketball and volleyball, and a dedicated hockey stadium.



Dubai Sports City intends to become a facility for the breeding of champions by housing world-class sports academies that will transform young athletes into global competitors. The academies that will be located in DSC will include the Manchester United Soccer Schools, Butch Harmon School of Golf, David Lloyd (Leisure, Spa, and Tennis Academies), and the International Global Cricket Academy.

The residential areas of Dubai Sports City will include the Victory Heights Luxury Estates, Clubhouse Residential Towers, and the Hub Residential Area. The Victory Heights Luxury Estates will be a residential golf community that will contain independent luxury villas around the 18-hole championship golf course. High-rise buildings with spectacular views of the surrounding golf course and stadiums will be found in the Clubhouse Residential Towers. The Hub Residential Area will feature mid-rise housing complexes and townhouses set along the banks of a canal.

Some of the residential buildings in Dubai Sport City will be Shami Tower, Westgate Apartments, Champions Tower, Eden Gardens, The Cube, Amna Tower, Rufi Twins, Tamerat Tower, Olympia Suits, Oasis Tower, and Red Residence.

Dubai Sports City will house the biggest brands, franchises and contemporary icons from the business, hospitality, entertainment, trading, and sports training worlds.

NOW...

Don't get me wrong -- it all sounds magnificent, and I would love to personally visit and see all of that in person once. But no way would I ever live there or do business there. And if ever there was a city that exemplified "riches" "spices" "gold" "excess" and "prostitution" -- this is it. If Dubai looks and feels like this now, how big and extravagant and sinful will it be in ten years? In my humble opinion, I think we have absolutely no idea just how big this is going to be. If there is a city that is the epitome of what God insists we should NOT do, have or want... Dubai seems to fit that description perfectly -- and above any other on this earth. Could anything be more "anti-Christian?" Could it be from this place that the prophesied "Anti-Christ" emerges?



From Matthew 19:24
"And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

I was listening to the song "If I Had a Million Dollars" today on the radio, and I thought, "Wow! What a great idea for a Thursday Thirteen!" So here we go...

1. I would buy us a house (with a few acres and some trees -- no monkey, though)

2. I'd get a few veneers put on my teeth for a whiter, brighter, straighter smile.

3. I would start a digitization project for all of the Americana ephemera that I see so abundantly in antique shops.

4. I would take my hubby to Alaska for vacation.

5. I would give my sisters some money, and give my friends some, too.

6. I would adopt a dog that loved us!!! A sweet dog! One that was potty trained and didn't bite.

7. I would start an herb garden, and have a mini-apothecary in our home -- that way I can make my own natural toiletries and home-remedies.

8. I'd buy Randy that new bow he's been wanting.

9. I'd buy Randy a new truck again, and me a new car.

10. I'd donate money to our church, and to a few of the ministries I'm passionate about.

11. I'd adopt some kitties, too. (KITTIES, not "KIDDIES" -- LOL)

12. I'd invest in some REAL wooden bookshelves -- not the fake, lopsided particle board ones I put together a few years back.

13. I'd indulge in a few of my "collections" -- my Michigan books... my vintage Christmas ornaments...

Oh! So that reminds me. I want to thank my good friend, Patricia, for starting up that new hobby of mine -- collecting vintage Christmas ornaments! She sent me this gorgeous one for my Christmas tree, and I was immediately hooked:



And then today I stopped at the antique store, and I found these fabulous beauties:









Aren't they soooo cool? Thanks again, Patricia, for stirring up a passion for something that I didn't even know existed! I can't wait to find more.

Anyway, I'm hoping to have some time to read and comment on other Thursday Thirteeners. In the meantime, stop by and say hello! I missed you all!!

I can't believe Christmas is finally here! Or, let me rephrase that. I can't believe Christmas is here already! LOL

What a fabulous Christmas season it's been. Not only has this first "CHRISTmas" given me new meaning and purpose for this holiday, but this is also my first Christmas as Randy's wife. It's our very first one as a married couple, and so this holiday is special for me all the way around.

Yesterday was a busy but fun day. We woke up, had coffee and breakfast, and I started cooking. I cooked cocktail meatballs and cheesy potatoes and pumpkin pies. Then Randy took over and baked the best chocolate chip cookies ever (From scratch!! I'll post his recipe here soon...). I wrapped presents and sang Christmas carols. Then we got all dressed up and went to the Christmas Eve church service, was was great. After that, we had a yummy dinner at Macaroni Grill, where we sat for over an hour after we finished eating, just sipping wine and chatting.

The best part of the evening was when we came home. I turned off the lights, turned on all the Christmas lights, played some soft Christmas music and made some cocoa with Bailey's. Randy and I changed into comfy clothes and cuddled on the couch, watching the twinkling lights and listening to music in the dark.

I just want to thank God for all the blessings I have in my life. They are numerous, and they are wonderful. Today we'll spend the afternoon with my family, and yet we still have so many days left to enjoy each other and relax.

Randy and I don't have Christmas gifts for each other. Not a one. Neither of us really need or want everything -- we seriously have every single thing we want or need. We decided instead to use that money for various charities and ministries this year. We donated to several different groups, bought toys and clothing for those in need, created food baskets for people of Detroit to have a good holiday meal, and donated money for the Salvation Army. It feels good to have done that, and I am so very happy to see emptiness under our tree.

Merry Christmas everyone! May you and yours be happy, healthy and just as blessed as I am. :0)

First of all, how positively bizarro is it that we are having a rockin' thunderstorm on the day before Christmas Eve? Sure, they say it will turn into snow later today, but right now it is all rain and thunder. Crazy!

Now, on a different topic. Let me just state for the record that it has truly been a long time since I've stayed up all night, consuming a book in one read. I don't remember the last book that did that for me -- I'm betting it's something I read in the late summer (LOL -- obviously it wasn't memorable... I can't think of what it might be).

I do that sometimes. Once in a while a book will come along and be so captivating and so deliciously entertaining and I selfishly try to consume it all in one breath. Poor Randy. It's hard when this happens. I flip pages with lightening speed, only nodding my head or making grunting noises when he tries to talk to me. Sometimes there are just writers that click with me on so many levels, and bring me joy through their words in such a way that I just cannot put the book down. Jude Devereaux -- for as cheesily fun as some of her romance novels can be -- I lap her stories up like they're the best candy in the world. Dean Koontz is like that. The Thirteenth Tale was like that. There are several others.

And so my "Secret Squirrel" at work gave me a book called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I had often seen this book on the shelves during the 823 times I was in Borders or Barnes and Nobles these past few months, and it intrigued me. So when I pulled it out of my Christmas gift bag, I literally squealed in delight. With all of the craziness of the past week, I didn't get a chance to read it until last night. And read it I did. I opened it around 8:00pm and finished at about 11:30pm. It was fabulous!




A quick synopsis: This true autobiography is a story about a woman's search for happiness after a failed marriage, a tumultuous break-up with a long-term boyfriend she had after her marriage, and her search for more meaning and spiritual peace in her life. Some of the themes in her life are identical to mine. For instance, I loved my first husband with all of my heart -- probably much deeper than she did. But I did not want to be married anymore... the same as she. She didn't want to be tied down as a homemaker and mother. Whereas I had realized that being married would never allow me to find my true self. She had a failed second relationship after her marriage, as did I. Hers was a much deeper relationship than the one I had, so hers was hard to get over. Mine wasn't, but it still left an impact on my life.

The main lesson in her story is that life is merely a series of stepping stones. And that people are helpers or even soul mates to get you from each stage of life. My ex-husband was wonderful. He taught me how to love, how to have fun, how to let go and enjoy life, how to enjoy passion and sex, and how to interact and bond with family. None of these were things that I knew when I first met him. He was my rock as I emerged from my broken home life, and put me all back together again as whole. I felt tremendously guilty leaving him -- he was such a good man. But I see now very clearly that I simply had to. It was part of my life's plan. Our relationship was good while it was there, but it wasn't meant to be forever. The break-up was hard, but I would never be where I am today if I hadn't done that. And I definitely need to be where I am today.

My second relationship after my husband and I split was necessary, too. It was the opposite of my marriage. I loved the guy, but only in the sense that there was a mutual bond, lots of laughter and and a bit of compassion thrown in. It was by far not even close to the deep, consuming love I had with my ex-husband. But on the other hand, this second man taught me to see the world and explore places. It was strange to be with a man who enjoyed going places and seeing things. He and I went to the movies and to a zillion restaurants and to libraries and exhibits and antique shops and far away places (like Ohio and Indiana, LOL). But it all opened up my mind to new things, and it all began creating a plan within me. It began to shape and mold me into who I wanted to be and what I wanted in life. In the end, because the emotional aspect of our relationship was so dysfunctional, it didn't work out. But I left that relationship with a new sense of purpose, and lots of direction. I know knew who I was, what I wanted, how I wanted to get there, and what I needed to have as the end result.

Back to the book: The author goes through the same transformation. But here's where it really strikes a chord with me...

She learns to meditate. And she doesn't just learn by practicing in her kitchen or going to a quiet place in a park. This gal actually travels to India to study with a Guru -- a master of spirituality. She's there for many months, struggling with the issue of quieting her mind enough to enjoy meditation while she also struggles with her demons of the past. I, too, would love to meditate. I hear from many that it brings peace and lifts you closer to God. I try it often, but I definitely have one of those minds that doesn't sit still. I laughed when reading about her attempts to quiet her mind... they were almost identical to my experiences.

This book is filled with raw emotion, transformation, heartache, awareness, spirituality and understanding. It's truly amazing to read the first part of the book and be so immersed in her misery, but then as you ride the wave of healing with her throughout the book, you find yourself feeling those same good emotions and sparks of enlightenment as if it were you that had gone through all of it. Her transformation from depression to healing ends in glorious enlightenment, peace and true joy. I loved reading about her descriptions of the food and people when she was in Italy. I loved seeing her change from a skinny, hollow woman after her break-up... to a plump, happy woman eating pasta in Italy... to a healthy, balanced woman eating vegetarian dishes and doing Yoga in India. And when she meets the man of her dreams -- her lifelong soulmate -- in Indonesia, I have to marvel at the fact that it's a real-life story. It's just too perfect. There will be a sequel, and I cannot wait to read it.

I'm not sure I totally agree with some of the themes in the book. Such as the fact that there is no hell -- there is only heaven. Or that there are many routes to God instead of just Christianity. It makes sense... there are so many different people all over the world who have so many different belief systems. I've often wondered about all of those millions of people who lived in Asia and found peace through Zen and Buddhism. Or the Shamans of American Indians who had visions and elevated themselves to their Gods through meditation. Could all of those people be wrong? According to Christianity they are. But in this book it shows you that many different rivers flow into the same ocean. Whatever works for you works for you. Take your belief, and use it to find God, peace, joy and love. Don't worry about others, don't concern yourselves with those that believe differently. If people are lost and sad and have no faith, then teach them and show them your way. But if they've already learned to quiet their mind, pray to their God, find joy and experience true love... well then they are one of the few lucky ones.

This was a good book for me. It encouraged me to keep trying with meditation. It helped me to not feel guilty that I love reading about The Law of Attraction, or flipping through my new Zen calendar. As a new Christian, I felt a little badly about that. I felt as if I was betraying my new faith and relationship with Christ by enjoying those things. I know now that those other things are just tools to help me stay on my path. It's kind of like a road trip. The main purpose is to stay on the road, and follow it through all the way to your destination. Jesus Christ is my vehicle, and I know that with all of my heart. Others may not agree with me... others may not believe with me... but their beliefs are not my concern. I can talk about Christianity to one that is open, or one that is willing to listen. But if that's not the case, I'll shrug and move on. I'll not fight or argue or try to reason with one who has no interest whatsoever, or who scoffs at Christianity.

(Matthew 7:6)

Now, I do believe that along the way during my journey, it's okay to use different tools to help me have a better, more fulfilling, more successful trip. Like maps or GPS or music, I can use the Law of Attraction or Zen or Meditation. And it's okay to stop off in various places to sightsee and have a little fun. As long as my heart and mind are always focused on the trip, and as long as I never deviate from the true purpose of my journey, it's okay to do those things. It really is. As long as they are all good and full of love and joy and happiness and fulfillment. I believe that with all of my heart. I see now more than ever that it IS good to feel good. And there is great love for us here. Thanks to Jesus Christ... thanks to Abraham-Hicks... thanks to my little Zen calendar that gives me little pearls of wisdom every day... thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert...

I know all of that now. And so I continue on my way...

:0)

Hey, everyone! It's good to be back here. How wonderful it is to have so many fabulous bloggy friends! I was deeply touched by your well-wishes. I have a lot of blog-reading I need to catch up with, so I'm very much looking forward to that. So what was the last ten days like, you ask?

For starters, I'm at 98% of my goal right now. I still have three more selling days next week, so it's possible I could make it. And if I don't, oh well. I know I did my best and I got close. I think I'll end up as the 4th highest in our group of 10. I worked my butt off, and I'm not ashamed of that. We had some really, really high December goals. It is what it is, and I'm happy with it. I'm also looking forward to an awesome 2008.

We had Secret Santa at work (well, "Secret Squirrel" actually -- but that's a whole story I won't even get into, LOL). We had a pot-luck. We had a Christmas party for our team at a very nice restaurant. We attended a Christmas party for Randy's work at the owner of the company's lake house. I mostly just worked late, and spent my weekends shopping and cleaning. It was nothing exciting. It went by fast, and I was a bit frazzled there for a while.

But one thing I realized throughout those entire ten days was that I am SO very blessed. I really am. I have wonderful friends who are just so supportive and loving. I have a boss that I absolutely adore. My husband is by far the greatest gift that God could possibly give me. There is nothing that I want or need. I wake up each day joyful and happy and excited for my day. And I go to bed grateful and content and sleep peacefully. I have no idea what I did to deserve these spectacular blessings -- I honestly don't. But what I DO know is that I am grateful for each and every one of them.

And right now, I am so thankful that I have some time off to enjoy my hubby... to enjoy this Christmas holiday... to reflect on the meaning of my very "first" CHRISTmas... and to relax and enjoy this peace.

John 3:16

Above all, though, I am most grateful to have this opportunity in life to discover the meaning behind those words. As a new Christian, my passion and zeal for my new faith is exhilarating and so very exciting. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, where I bear it all and tell the tale of my failed attempt to share that joy. No matter -- I'm not upset at all about that failed attempt. I learned via a very good friend of mine that sometimes the word of God isn't shown or taught by words. Sometimes it's shared by example and actions. Sometimes it's simply shown by the joy that radiates within us.

Look out, folks. Get your sunglasses out, because I'm radiating! LOL

:0) Love you all!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to inform you that "Jubilee on Earth" will be on hiatus until December 22nd. I wish I could say that we're going on vacay or something cool like that. But unfortunately, it's just work.

For those of you that don't know, I work in sales. I sell reference databases to public libraries out west. I work primarily from our office in Ann Arbor (selling over the phone), and I absolutely love, love, love my job. Our year ends at the end of December, but really -- with the holidays and vacations and everything else -- there are only 8 true, full days left to sell. And I'm only $30,000 away from my yearly goal. That could mean like 3 good-sized orders, or 20 little orders. Either way, it's going to take a lot of work.

So what does that mean, you ask? Well, it means several things. Making goal/not making goal can mean the difference in several thousands of dollars worth of commission. It means getting your name called up at the awards banquet in Vegas versus having to stay back at your table (like I did last year... although it wasn't that awful because at the time I had only been there for about 5 months -- I was a newbie). It means I'm working my butt off every single minute that I can, and I come home completely exhausted. It means that I'm now getting home closer to 8:00pm versus the 7:30pm of last month. It means my life right now is a mix of: a lot of pressure... a bit of stress... a little excitement... and no time whatsoever. And whatever time I do have, I need to do stuff around the house and hang out with my hubby.

Put it this way... I'm even SO busy that I completely missed Ree's (The Pioneer Woman) name-that-photo contest yesterday. And I NEVER miss those. I never win them, either, but it would've been nice to at least have a shot at that Amazon Gift Cert. Oh, well... it will be worth it. I hope.

So in the words of (old, vintage, Terminator) Arnold -- (not the new, politic-y, governor Arnold)...

"I'll Be Bahk!"

(You'd better miss me!!) :0)

While I'm no Ree over at Pioneer Woman (yeah... sorry, you're not getting step-by-step photos for my recipes), I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes. It's not really for kids -- this is a grown-up recipe. This would be a good one if you're a single gal, looking to cook for and impress your new boyfriend. Or, if you're a busy mom that happens to have a rare night alone with your hubby. After cooking this, set the table with candles... have a great bottle of wine on hand... heat up some bread... make a nice Caesar salad... and then have some fun afterwards. ;0)

Here it is: MARIA'S CLASSY TURKEY STROGANOFF (you can substitute ground beef if you prefer. Or beef tenderloins if you're REALLY looking for some action!). This isn't just a case of "throw some egg noodles together with ground meat and a can of condensed soup." Oh, no... my friends, this is SO much more. I know it's tough to have those ingredients on hand, but it's worth it. You'll be making it again a week later, anyway.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup chopped sweet Vidalia onion
• 3 cloves of pressed/minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 can condensed Golden Mushroom soup
• 1 can condensed Cream of Mushroom soup
• 1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1/2 packet onion soup mix
• 1 1/4 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup sweet sherry
• 1 Tbsp pomegranate juice or Worcestershire sauce
• 4 oz light cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons light sour cream
• 10-12 oz. of wide egg noodles
• 20 oz package of ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried basil or herbs de Provence


DIRECTIONS

1. Place onions, olive oil, garlic, drained mushrooms and ground turkey into a large, deep skillet.
2. Add salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg and paprika. Cook until turkey is browned.
3. While browning meat, preheat oven to 350 and prepare boiling water for noodles.
4. When the meat is browned, leave juices in the skillet and add broth, sherry, condensed soups, pomegranate juice, and onion soup mix. Cook on medium-low until just a boil, then turn down to low.
5. Now add noodles to boiling water, and cook noodles two minutes less than directions call for (we like more sauce, so we only used about 10 ounces of a 16 oz. package of noodles.)
6. While noodles are cooking, simmer meat mixture for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Turn heat off under skillet, and add cream cheese and sour cream.
8. Stir in hot pan until thoroughly mixed and melted.
9. Drain cooked noodles, and place in a 9x13" glass baking pan.
10. Add meat mixture to baking pan and stir thoroughly.
11. Cover with aluminum foil, and cook for 20 minutes in oven at 350 degrees.
12. Before serving, top with a dry mixture of parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and dried basil or herbs de Provence

Enjoy! Serves 4 (or two heaping servings -- which will make you too full for any hanky-panky afterwards...)

Yeah... that's a really gross title, I know. And it doesn't make much sense, I know. I try not to swear with the hard core stuff, so instead I come up with really bizarro exclamation statements. "Crap on a stick" is one of them. "Freakin' frijoles" is a good one, too. "What the French, toast?" is another fave (from the Orbit gum commercial). Actually, now that we're on that subject, I love everything about that commercial. "Son of a biscuit eating bulldog" and "Lint licker" are the best things one could ever say under severe stress. If you aren't familiar with that commercial, you can watch it below.

ANYWAY... I'm staying that because it was 9 degrees this morning!!! It was sunny -- one of the first days with blue sky and sun in about two weeks -- but it was darn cold. Yeah, remember that post I put up yesterday? I didn't mean a word of it. *grin* Bring back summer!!!!!!!!

Okay, okay... so this time of the year isn't all that. It's dark, it's cold, the days are short and we can't play outside. It can be depressing if you're not in the right frame of mind. So to help with that, here are 13 reasons why this time of year is so great:

1) You've got to admit it's pretty darn cozy. Saturday mornings are great this time of year, because you can linger in bed and snuggle down in the covers. No bright sunshine permeates the room, so you can sleep in longer. And nothing beats wrapping up in a warm blanket on the couch with a mug of cocoa. It just doesn't happen in the summertime.

2) It's dark when I drive home from work. How is that a good thing, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. I love it because NO ONE can see me jammin' to Christmas Carols in my car! That's right! Look out if Elvis's "Blue Christmas" or Angela Lansbury's "We Need A Little Christmas" or Mariah Carey's "I Don't Want A Lot For Christmas" comes on the radio. I'm a spaz, and I sing at the top of my lungs. I have no worries that someone will spot me and call the cops.

3) You can watch two movies in a row and not feel guilty that you aren't outside doing yardwork or enjoying the fresh air. C'mon... you know what I mean. In the summertime you can watch a movie, but then the minute you glance outside at the sunshine and realize that you should be out there doing something, it ruins the whole thing.

4) Candles are WAAAAY better this time of year. I put out some cotton or lilac scented ones in the summer, but burning them just isn't as satisfying as lighting up those "apple cinnamon" or "sugar cookie" candles in the winter.

5) You can gain 5 lbs from eating harvest/holiday foods, and really... no one will think anything of it because they're all getting fatter, too. It's not like in the middle of July, where it would be really noticeable. Just throw on a big sweater, shrug your shoulders and move on.

6) Eggnog and brandy -- need I say more? Especially Guernsey Farms brand. Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum....

7) Of course, that goes for all other hot liquids, too. Soup... hot cocoa... tea... coffee... all of those are so much better in the winter. One simply cannot enjoy them as much during the summer months -- it's just not the same.

8) Slippers and blankets -- I am a FREAK about being warm. I wear slippers all year 'round, and would seriously wear slippers to work if I could. And if I'm on the couch, then that means I'm under the blanket, too. Let me just say that I absolutely love having warm "thingies" in the winter. Robes, coats, gloves, wool socks, thick hooded sweatshirts... I love it all.

9) Going to bed early -- since we're not usually late-night people (and are in bed by ten or so) I really fight and struggle with this in the summer. It doesn't get dark until 10:00pm, so in the summer I often insist that we stay up later to take full advantage of the entire day. But in the winter? Who cares! We can go to bed at 8:30pm if we want. It doesn't matter! It's great!

10) Pretty things! It's all about pretty things... lights, wreaths, angels, glitter, cards, wrapping, snowflakes, evergreens, jewelry, and so much more. Everything is magical and beautiful this time of the year.

11) Good cheer and donations... it really makes my heart feel so good to see so much good will and charity this time of the year. Of course, it really needs to happen all year long. I'll tell you what though -- I absolutely love seeing people step up to help others in need.

12) It's quiet! Seriously... have you ever stepped outside after it snows? The quiet is amazing. The snow completely absorbs all sound, and everything is perfectly still. It's just different than summer, which has a constant melody of chirping birds, revving cars, music, people, dogs, insects and other sounds. In the winter, it's just quiet.

13) There's just more love! There is! I mean it. I don't know if it's because there's more snuggle time, or because it's a gift-giving season, or because it reminds us of God and allows us to be so thankful for all of our blessings. But these winter months remind me that I have so many good things in my life, and that I love hard (and am loved hard back).

It truly is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

Yeah... let's see. What in the hell was I thinking? That I would really write 50,000 words as a NaNoWriMo participant? That I would post 30 blogs in 30 days as a NaBloPoMo member? Uh, yeah... no way. Not even close. As the excitement of my new Blurb blog book-publishing thingy took over, and as my sales year continued to wind down in a frenzied, desperate attempt to make my goal, I completely threw those two tasks out the window. Despite my best and honest intentions, it just wasn't going to happen. Am I upset about it? No way! If we finished absolutely everything we started, life would be pretty boring, wouldn't you agree? Sure you do. So let's celebrate my suckiness with a few photos from my past:

Here's a photo of the house I lived in back when I was married to my ex-husband. It was an old bungalow on a double-lot in Roseville. I loved it, and wish I had it now (although the neighborhood wasn't all that great...)


See how cool the inside was? We had redone the hardwood floors in a deep mahogany color...


Check out the awesome back yard!


Okay, enough of that. Want to see my favorite pic of my ex-in-laws? I LOVE this photo -- it's how I'll always remember them.


Here's my favorite picture of their yard up at the cottage. I haven't seen it in years, but back when I was with my ex, we spent every weekend that we could up there. This was taken in the mid-nineties, with a disposable camera. I don't care about the quality. I just remember the memory of being the first one up on that cool, dewey morning.


And here's a picture of the Chippewa River frontage at the end of their property. See the hammock poking out at the right edge of the picture? That's where I spent a lot of my time...


Okay, let's flashback farther into the past. Check out this cute photo of my in my "Little House on the Prairie" days:


Then came the chubby buck-tooth days of 4th grade:


Look how sweet and innocent I was here. I looked quiet... demure... peaceful...


Ahhh, but it didn't take long for the angst of teenagedom to take over and show my true colors. (Uh... is that a juicebox I'm drinking? Yep, I am ONE TOUGH BROAD alright... LOL.)


Here I am during those wretched fashion years of leather bomber jackets and big bows. What was I thinking? Probably that I looked really cute. And I guarantee you that those black pants are stretchy stirrup pants. Yeah... DORK! LOL Check out the carefree grin, though:


And then came the "I'm way too cool and MUST have my hair in my face" punky look. My parents hated it. But the more they complained, the more hair I threw in my eyes.


This is my sophomore pic. What is up with the three-toned hair? (Although, it's not that much different than the three tones I have going on now...) Crazy big earrings. And the clip -- it's almost as bad as a banana clip. In this photo (although you can't see it) I'm wearing my favorite Z-Cavaricci sweatshirt that I bought from Merry-Go-Round. And yes, those are bite marks on the photo. No, they are not from Randy. (I don't think...) ;0)


Here I am with a BOY from geography class. Bet my parents didn't know about this pic! I loved all the boys in my school. Sometimes they loved me. I have no idea what's up with the "I smell shit" look on my face. But check out the poofy hair and big earrings. Yep, those were good times.


Ah, yes. The flannel "grunge" scene. I was 16 here, and had just gotten my driver's license. That was probably my favorite era. Everything was gritty and raw and unpretentious. And I loved the music.


Here's me during the "I hate my life because I'm still under my parents control" phase. They made me march downtown in some UAW protest. I didn't have the faintest clue what it was for -- and I was miserable. I vowed right then and there that I would have kids just to do the same thing to them.


Here I am during my bitchy, stuck-up, senior year phase. "Are you talking to me? Sorry... you're not worthy."


Don't ask me what in the hell this was. It was a nightmare. For some reason, for about a year or so after high-school, I thought it would be cool to constantly do my hair in a "pseudo-prom-do." Yeah. It didn't work. And what in the hell is up with my little buoyant happy-dance? And is that a mole on my face? Oh, right... I forgot I used to DRAW THOSE IN.


Here's where I started to look a little more normal and a little more like my present-day self. I LOVE this pic, because it really looks nothing like me. Check out how cute my nose is! And how cherubic my face is! In real life, I have no chin and my nose is a honker. I tried a hundred times to duplicate that profile in many spontaneous photos-to-come. People would always ask me, "What are you looking up at?" I finally gave up, realizing that I couldn't get away with pretending to glance up at the sky just as the flash went off. My one fleeting moment of cuteness is preserved in this single photo.


Whoops! How did that get in there??? I love this pic. Randy had just come back from hunting, and he looked like a rough, sexy mountain man. He doesn't know I have this photo. Shhh... don't tell him.


Here is one of the very few photos you'll find with me and my father -- especially one that I'm smiling in. This was taken with my other sisters on the Muslim Eid holiday after Ramadan. I think that was a genuine smile.


Here's another rare picture of me with my sisters and half-brother. There are a couple of sisters missing -- it's impossible to get us all together. The one time we tried that a few summers ago ended up in complete chaos, and drove us all to drinking and drugs afterwards. (Just kidding.) (Mostly...)


Here, let me show you how photos transcend time and bridge gaps between generations...

My great-grandmother -- a "classic beauty"


Me -- well... let's just say I'm a "classic" alright.