I never thought I'd say this but I'm so glad to be back in Texas. To those of you who wished for a WHITE CHRISTMAS, you went overboard. Wednesday afternoon I left work and barely made it into Oklahoma before eight hours of sleeting rain and two full days of blizzard snowfall propelled along by 45-60 MPH winds began. By the time it finished the Governor of Oklahoma had declared a "State of Emergency" and put the National Guard and various towing companies on the roads to assist people who were stranded and trapped in their vehicles. Forty thousand people were without power and heat for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Just to give you some perspective, usually Oklahoma gets about four inches of snow and typically the next day it's road slush and re-freezes to what is known as "black ice". Not this time, the 12-14 inches of snow was pure insanity; something that many were not prepared for.


I'm very grateful that my Aunt Linda's and my Grandma's house didn't lose electricity. Part of the family spent Saturday at my Aunt's house celebrating Christmas and unfortunately we (my Grandma, Mother and I) were trapped, completely iced-in for four days and unable to attend the group festivities. However the three of us had fun on our own, cooking/eating, laughing, drinking champagne, opening gifts, and agonizing on the fact there is nothing on television. Obviously because of the weather we didn't get to see any movies such as "Sherlock Holmes" and "It's Complicated"...but oh well, movies can be seen later.


Today/Sunday I took a shovel and dug out my Grandma's driveway and barely, I mean by the grace of *a higher power* was able to gently ease down the icy embankment and not hit the telephone pole or land my car in the ditch. Funny thing? My Grandma's driveway and her surrounding street (since it hadn't been traveled on) were the worst of the conditions. Luckily everything else had either been cleared away by snowplows or was manageable. The only hassles encountered on my trip back into Texas were the idiotic drivers. It was like a *boot to the head* reminder that life continued on elsewhere, with the usual intensity and expected ferocity; and that my 80 MPH in the left hand lane just wasn't cutting it. (*SIGH*) On second thought scratch the first sentence of this journal entry. (*wink*) ';)




Photographic evidence that even after being snowed-in and having "cabin fever", I can maintain holiday spirit and will wear a funny hat:





( A few more pictures from the visit )

Current Mood: drained

"Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden. It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. "How happy we are here!" they cried to each other....."


Taken from: The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. I can imagine the garden in my mind, almost like Akira Kurosawa's "Dreams", the Peach Orchard segment but without the tragedy. Wilde wrote such a beautiful story. It's worth sharing with children or maybe even yourself if you have a young heart.

Current Mood: calm

Winter Solstice. Blessed Yule. Simple pleasures: listening to piano music & drinking a cup of chamomile tea. Shortest day, longest night, and another cold front approaches. I might not know everything or even what path I am headed towards but I am thankful to be warm and in a glowing room filled with candlelight and a holiday fairy-tree.

Current Mood: calm

This afternoon I met up with vampymissk. We had lunch at the British pub and walked around McKinney Square, browsing in trendy boutiques with overpriced (but uber-chic) attire and various antique/home accessories stores. Even though we went with the intention of only window shopping and enjoying the beautiful outdoors, I found an adorable mug (shown below) and it is currently filled with hot chocolate and Irish creme...gotta' break it in right.

Misha's Pink & Green Polka Dot Mug

Current Mood: cheerful

Doot dee doo...it's a lazy day in the *Soul Kitchen*. I went out last night and met up with friends at Panoptikon, our local goth dance club. I'm hesitant to include industrial in there because I rarely hear any played...which is a shame because it's what I prefer. However last night they surprised me and had a new mix of music. No Tori Amos "slitting my wrists" songs. Hallelujah! Another Christmas miracle indeed. I gave thanks and showed my appreciation by working myself into a sweaty mess on the dance floor. I went to bed at 4:30 and my feet are paying the price today but I don't care. I'll suffer for my music addiction. I am constantly amazed that I used to dance for four hours and was in constant motion at the Castle. In case I don't say this enough, still miss that club and folks terribly. I'll have to visit because you can't go back to *certain time frames*. Inevitably the magic is lost between the recollection of memories and how things are supposed to change with time and reality.



SQUEE! I mentioned this in my facebook a few days ago but I'm still doing the chicken dance of excitement. No, really. Nick bought us two tickets for my favorite opera. I have been wanting to catch a performance of this for *years*. I think I might faint.
Madame Butterfly
Friday, May 7-23rd at Dallas Center for the Performing Arts



On the docket of personal plans: eventually fixing myself something to eat more substantial than tea and biscuits, wrap a *Dirty Santa* gift, watching "Wilde", "Schoolhouse Rock", "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" or reading a book, but more than anything - being a lazy bum - to which I can honestly say I'm winning that war. I woke up at 1 P.M. and forced myself out of bed. Ahhhh, yes...lovely weekend with nothing to do except wait around for a phone call, assuming my mom is able to meet me for dinner or lunch tomorrow. I had wanted to take her to this great Italian joint and share a delicious pizza and afterward browse around a local outdoor flea market. If that doesn't happen no big deal because I'll see her and the rest of the wild bunch/my family next week during the holidays. Which brings me to my fave's of the day. I hope you enjoy them.








Here's Stella the dog romping in the snow...so cute! Stella is a chocolate labrador and completely loved and spoiled rotten. The video is courtesy of Jason, Nick's brother.

Current Mood: cheerful

TODAY: it's a pillow "Fight Club" complete with two kinds, fluffy or thick & heavy although no buckeye, rice pillows or filling yours with iron anvils. Costumes optional but it's a GAME - tell me what you are wearing and/or bringing to our virtual slumber party.

I have on my lime-green flannel PJ's. They have blk skulls on them so you know I'm hardcore. On the buffet table I am serving Hummus, Rosemary & Olive Oil crackers, assorted olives, Goat Brie, Manchego & Port Salut cheese. Beverages are wine, tea or raspberry hot chocolate.

Let the games begin! *WHAP* and *OOF* on your head!

Awesome pillow by Mishima in etsy.

#1 - The first rule of Pillow Fight Club is, you tell everyone you know about Pillow Fight Club.

#2 - The second rule of Fight Club is, you tell EVERYONE you know about Pillow Fight Club.

#3 - If someone says stop, goes limp, taps out, the fight is over.

#4 - Thousands of guys and girls to a fight.

#5 - Thousands of fights at a time.

#6 - Shirts, shoes, dresses, gorilla suits, chaps, whatever the hell you want to wear is your own prerogative

#7 - Fights will go on as long as they have to.

#8 - If this is your first night at Pillow Fight Club, you have to fight.

Current Mood: mischievous

Misha's Tree: 1st Christmas in the "Soul Kitchen", December 2009

Current Mood: calm

It was a non-stop, fun-filled weekend of looking at Christmas lights in Highland Park, shopping for candles, crafts and goodies, touring the Alexander Mansion in Dallas (tickets courtesy of Madre #2/Nick's Mom,) eating rich food, exchanging incredible holiday gifts, staying up late and socializing with friends. I'm worn out and had to go back to a regular work week in order to get some rest and eat reasonably healthy...as much as one can during the holidays. Haha.


My house smells of treats: gingerbread cake, hazelnut cream coffee, salted caramels and other holiday spices. I'm about to luxuriously soak in a hot bath and read my book but in the meantime let me share with you a few photo's of the tour.

Library of the Alexander Mansion in Dallas: Piano Recital beside fireplace

( More of the stunning Alexander Mansion and Christmas decorations )

Current Mood: calm